VSF Blessings: A Star Trek Fan Production
Episode 2: “Endless Child”
Written: 2-29-24
SCENE 1: INTRODUCTION
SOUND: Indicator sound.
BROTHER MATTHIAS 1
Captain, a ship has just dropped out of warp on our port side.
SOUND: Red Alert. Ship hit by fire.
JEREMIAH 2
What’s happening? Report!
BROTHER MATTHIAS 3
I don’t quite know, Sir. They dropped out of warp and instantly fired upon us.
SOUND: Incoming message.
BROTHER MATTHIAS 4
Incoming message, sir. It’s audio.
JEREMIAH 5
Let’s hear it.
DIRECTOR DORIAV 6
Give them back! You’ve stolen them! Lower your shields and prepare to be boarded!
SOUND: Ending message.
JEREMIAH 7
Give what back, Brother Matthias? Stolen what? We’re just carrying water purification units to a colony, and we certainly did NOT steal them.
BROTHER MATTHIAS 8
Well, there’s that, Sir, AND, according to the ship-wide scan I just ran, the children in our cargo hold…
SOUND: Show Introduction Music
SCENE 2: MEETING
JEREMIAH 9
Hail the ship.
SOUND: Hailing sound.
BROTHER MATTHIAS 10
Hail accepted, sir.
JEREMIAH 11
On screen.
SOUND: Screen on.
JEREMIAH 12
I am Captain Jeremiah Hollis of the VSF Blessings. Explain why you’ve fired upon my ship.
DIRECTOR DORIAV 13
Because you have stolen our children! Give them back, now!
JEREMIAH 14
I assure you, sir, that I only just now learned of the presence of any children on my ship. I was apparently under the misimpression that I was only carrying water purification equipment.
DIRECTOR DORIAV 15
I bet that busy-bodied nun of yours is involved in this.
JEREMIAH 16
Which busy-bodied nun are you referring to?
DIRECTOR DORIAV 17
Sister Marie Catherine.
JEREMIAH 18
I know a Sister Marie Catherine. May I invite you over to discuss this further so we can hopefully clear this all up?
DIRECTOR DORIAV 19
I would like nothing more, Captain. I’m Director Doriav, by the way.
JEREMIAH 20
I’ll next meet you in the transporter room. Hollis out.
SOUND: Communication ended.
SOUND: Segue music.
SCENE 3: BUSY BODY
SOUND: Materializing.
JEREMIAH 21
Welcome onboard the Blessings, Director Doriav.
DIRECTOR DORIAV 22
Thank you, Captain Hollis. Sorry you’ve been caught up in this nasty business. So, where are the children?
JEREMIAH 23
I haven’t seen them yet, personally, but let’s meet up with this busy-bodied nun Sister Marie Catherine first. Follow me.
SOUND: Doors open.
DIRECTOR DORIAV 24
That boundless woman keeps popping up.
JEREMIAH 25
She does.
SOUND: Doors close.
JEREMIAH 26
The briefing room is just around the corner here. On a ship this size, the space is rather efficiently packed.
DIRECTOR DORIAV 27
I’m just anxious to get this all over with.
SOUND: Doors open.
SISTER MARIE CATHERINE 28
Director Doriav. Fancy meeting you here.
SOUND: Doors close.
DIRECTOR DORIAV 29
Sister Marie Catherine, the pleasure is all yours, I assure you.
SISTER MARIE CATHERINE 30
Indeed.
JEREMIAH 31
Now that we all know each other, can someone please tell me what is happening? Why are there stowaway children on my ship?
DIRECTOR DORIAV 32
She stole them!
SISTER MARIE CATHERINE (at same time) 33
I saved them!
JEREMIAH 34
One at a time. Ladies first.
SISTER MARIE CATHERINE 35
These children are orphans, Captain. Their living conditions are unacceptable. They have no one with their best interest in mind. I am taking them to an orphanage so they can be well cared for.
DIRECTOR DORIAV 36
They had all they needed.
SISTER MARIE CATHERINE 37
All they needed to barely survive.
DIRECTOR DORIAV 38
We’ve already been through this many times from multiple angles, Sister. They are neither your business nor your responsibility. You have overstepped your bounds. The civil authorities will have to decide your fate now.
SISTER MARIE CATHERINE 39
You wouldn’t dare.
DIRECTOR DORIAV 40
Oh, would I.
JEREMIAH 41
Hold on a second, here. Sister, did you take matters into your own hands?
SISTER MARIE CATHERINE 42
Yes, I did. Someone had to. These dunderheads won’t listen to reason or accept help when offered. They can’t get beyond their pride and egos to do what’s right for these children!
DIRECTOR DORIAV 43
Outrageous!
JEREMIAH 44
And you know what’s right?
SISTER MARIE CATHERINE 45
Yes, I do.
JEREMIAH 46
How?
SISTER MARIE CATHERINE 47
I believe you need to meet the children first, Captain. There are more where these came from, but I’ve made a start.
DIRECTOR DORIAV 48
Made a start! Do you hear her, Captain? She plans to kidnap more of our children!
JEREMIAH 49
Ok. Ok. Let’s go see these children. Brother Thomas was sent to round them up in the Cargo Bay.
Before we do that, though, why did you fire upon a ship of children, Director Doriav, if you care about them so much?
DIRECTOR DORIAV 50
You sound like the captain on my ship over there. He’s still fuming over the Governor giving me carte-blanc control over his ship to bring the children back. We used a low-energy phaser burst to get your attention. It wouldn’t do any damage other than rattle your hull plating a bit, at most.
JEREMIAH 51
Next time, just hail us. I had no idea your children were on board.
DIRECTOR DORIAV 52
I had no way of knowing that.
SOUND: Segue music.
SCENE 4: THE CHILDREN
BROTHER THOMAS 53
We’ve gathered them all up here, Captain. They were housed in specially-made compartments within the water-purification-equipment containers. Cramped but comfortable.
BROTHER PATRICK 54
They’re very quiet for children, Sir.
JEREMIAH 55
Yes, they are. They appear to be between…what…eight to twelve years old, perhaps?
SISTER MARIE CATHERINE 56
That’s a good guess. Eight to twelve years old. Such innocents. Right, Director Doriav?
DIRECTOR DORIAV 57
Yes. Well, sort of…
JEREMIAH 58
What am I missing here? These are children, but there’s something else as well, isn’t there?
DIRECTOR DORIAV 59
Yes, they’re children.
SISTER MARIE CATHERINE 60
Children that happen to be around 150 years old, per Federation standard.
JEREMIAH, BROTHER THOMAS, & BROTHER PATRICK 61
What?!
JEREMIAH 62
Wait, does this race have a longer adolescence period than that of humans and most Federation races?
SISTER MARIE CATHERINE 63
Not at all, Captain. Actually, their typical adolescence period and lifespan are very similar to ours.
JEREMIAH 64
Then please explain how they are 150 years old and still appear to be children?
SISTER MARIE CATHERINE 65
Shall I tell the tale or do you want the honor, Director Doriav?
DIRECTOR DORIAV 66
They’re my responsibility, ultimately, so I will do it. I’m sure you’ll interject as you feel fit, no matter the appropriateness nor timing.
SISTER MARIE CATHERINE 67
So you do know me, Director!
DIRECTOR DORIAV 68
Captain, in all the physiological ways, these are children by every measure. You measure their brain development, growth plates, telomeres, and so forth, you would conclude these individuals are indeed eight to twelve years old. While today, our planet is seeking membership in the United Federation of Planets, our history has not always been so enlightened. Like any society, we’ve had our dark spots.
SISTER MARIE CATHERINE 69
When it hurts children, I’d call that a black hole.
JEREMIAH 70
Let him continue, please.
DIRECTOR DORIAV 71
Thank you. Since you’re a Priest, I’m assuming the answer is going to be no, but have you ever had children, Captain?
JEREMIAH 72
No, that is not my calling.
DIRECTOR DORIAV 73
How about a pet, then? Have you ever had a pet, Captain, that you raised from a youngling? A baby?
JEREMIAH 74
Why, yes. I’ve had a few cats in my lifetime that I first got as kittens.
DIRECTOR DORIAV 75
When young, these kittens, did they not seem more precious than their full-grown versions? Did you ever wish the youngling phase could last longer than it did?
JEREMIAH 76
I guess so. As kittens, they’re furry, awkward, and funny. Cuddly, even. They do grow up quickly.
DIRECTOR DORIAV 77
Parents often think the same thing. Sure, they wonder if the diaper phase will ever end, but looking back, it can all seem like a blur, and looking forward, they want to slow down the march of time so their precious little children can stay children just a little while longer before being fully aware of all the world has to offer, both bad and good.
JEREMIAH 78
I’m starting to not like where this is going.
SISTER MARIE CATHERINE 79
Nor should you.
DIRECTOR DORIAV 80
We had a scientist who came up with a way to stop time in regards to aging. His solution would only work on those who had not reached puberty yet, unfortunately. It had a use for those poor children suffering from an extremely rare, progressive genetic disorder that induced rapid aging.
SISTER MARIE CATHERINE 81
Progeria or Hutchinson-Gilford syndrome in humans, Captain.
JEREMIAH 82
I see.
DIRECTOR DORIAV 83
Societies have a way of picking up momentum, at times good and at times bad. This momentum can be hard to stop.
SISTER MARIE CATHERINE 84
I've been pushing back against some hidden momentum.
DIRECTOR DORIAV 85
When news of the anti-aging technology was first released, it was largely ignored since so few individuals would be impacted by it. Then came a new, controversial philosophy about the autonomy of children and letting them make life-defining decisions from an early age. What right did the parents have to determine what their child should be? Wasn’t it ultimately up to the child? Couple this with what we just discussed about parents wishing they could prolong childhood, and there was a perfect storm of invention and need.
SISTER MARIE CATHERINE 86
A hurricane is more like it.
DIRECTOR DORIAV 87
Ok, a hurricane then. Regardless, the anti-aging technology was a win-win. Kids could be kids longer. Parents could prolong their parental experience and precious memories. The psychiatric and childhood development experts of the time sang the praises of giving children more time to process their world before fully growing up. A prolonged childhood meant more stable adults, they triumphed.
SISTER MARIE CATHERINE 88
But they had no proof. How could they?
DIRECTOR DORIAV 89
Yes, they had no proof, but the momentum was building. The experts were in lock step. Plus, if they paused childhood with technology, they could just as easily unpause it, the inventor claimed, when the child and parents were ready. What could possibly go wrong?
SISTER MARIE CATHERINE 90
Plenty.
DIRECTOR DORIAV 91
Yes, plenty. They called the procedure “Timeless Child.” Children begged for it. Parent after parent clamored for it. Insisted upon it. Just a few at first, but then a flood. It became politically and professionally unfavorable to speak out against it. Careers were ended for anyone who dared to be heartless enough to say anything against it.
SISTER MARIE CATHERINE 92
But the parents were still aging, even if their children were not.
DIRECTOR DORIAV 93
So parents started asking for the procedure to be reversed. For the childhood aging to be unpaused. The clear promise had been that it could be reversed very easily. The creator and government agency responsible for “Timeless Child” were banking upon perfecting this part of the technology in the subsequent years, but they failed to find a safe solution that both worked reliably and did not harm the children. They had achieved their fame and glory, but they could not restart the aging process. The children were to remain as children.
SISTER MARIE CATHERINE 94
“Timeless Child” went to “Endless Child.” Parents grew older and eventually were unable to care for their young children. Then the parents died. These endless children were either passed down to their siblings who did not undergo the procedure or to government agencies. Eventually, nearly all of them have ended up in government orphanages since taking on the responsibility of caring for a child for your ENTIRE life has been too much to ask of most of their families for a decision made generations ago.
DIRECTOR DORIAV 95
The entire dilemma was an embarrassment of planetary proportions. The populace went from outrage to a numbness to brazenly not even acknowledging it ever happened. It was swept under the rug as best as it could be. Other parents didn’t want their kids interacting with these endless children. People hid them away, whether at home or in the government orphanages. The lives of these poor, innocent children went from a childhood paradise to a pariah of societal sin.
SISTER MARIE CATHERINE 96
People did not want to be reminded of their mass delusion of selfish ignorance.
DIRECTOR DORIAV 97
You have a way with words, Sister. This leaves us to where we are today. We have thousands upon thousands of these endless children tucked away in orphanages and a few homes. Politically, they are just barely acknowledged. Absolutely no one wants to talk about them, except for us few with the task of caring for them. Our resources are meager at best.
SISTER MARIE CATHERINE 98
These children have each watched their parents and siblings pass away. They have seen caregiver after caregiver move on in one way or another. They are each developmentally delayed according to their original age, and most cannot fully process what is happening to them. They are depressed. They are joyless. They may look like children on the outside, but they are no longer truly children on the inside. It is the greatest story of child abuse that I have ever heard, Captain.
DIRECTOR DORIAV 99
Hold on a minute, Sister. I think you’re going a little too far with that accusation!
JEREMIAH 100
So let me get this straight. Your society physically altered these children in an irreversible way, robbing them their full, natural lives. And all of this was based upon the whim of parents not wanting their children to grow up just yet or upon the request of a child asking for the procedure, even when the child was not of proper developmental age to make such a life-altering decision.
DIRECTORY DORIAV 101
Sadly, yes. As I said, it was before our current enlightened age.
SISTER MARIE CATHERINE 102
It was selfish and misguided!
JEREMIAH 103
So if these children are such a burden, Director Doriav, why resist the offer of help?
SISTER MARIE CATHERINE 104
Because they are afraid of harming their chances of Federation membership.
JEREMIAH 105
Is that true?
DIRECTOR DORIAV 106
Partially. We are not proud of this past, Captain. We cannot change it, but why bring it up if we don’t have to?
JEREMIAH 107
So your leadership believes it is better to just hide it away and only bring it out later if they have to. Why rock the boat, right?
DIRECTOR DORIAV 108
They would have said it more eloquently, but something like that.
JEREMIAH 109
While the Catholic Church is not part of the Federation, many of Her members are. The Sister and I are both Federation citizens. We are under no obligation to tell them your little secret, though. With that said, I know the Federation, having served with Starfleet for several years. They would rather you air all your dirty laundry up front than be surprised by it later on. Honesty and societal growth are both valued highly within the Federation. I would recommend coming clean sooner rather than later.
DIRECTOR DORIAV 110
Duly noted, Captain, and I will pass your advice on.
JEREMIAH 111
And while I agree with the good Sister that what you describe is nothing less than child abuse of monumental proportions, that does not help the matter at hand. I have orphaned children aboard my ship. You want them returned to your planet. I regretfully have no authority over them.
DIRECTOR DORIAV 112
No, you do not.
SISTER MARIE CATHERINE 113
But they are asking for asylum, Captain.
JEREMIAH 114
What?
DIRECTOR DORIAV (at same time) 115
What?
DIRECTOR DORIAV 116
You’re just making that up. These children have asked for no such thing.
SISTER MARIE CATHERINE 117
Manjek, come here. Please tell the Captain what you told me you wanted.
MANJEK 118
Captain. We don’t want to be hidden away anymore. We…we want normal lives and to…to grow old and be happy. We do not want to go back to what we came from! We want…ummm…asylum, sir. Can you please help us? Please?
DIRECTOR DORIAV 119
They don’t even know what asylum means!
JEREMIAH 120
But they know what the other words she just said mean, which equates to asylum to me.
SISTER MARIE CATHERINE 121
HaHA!
DIRECTOR DORIAV 122
What are you saying?
JEREMIAH 123
What I’m saying is that these children are staying right here until I speak to my superiors. Sister, please help my crew ensure the children’s wellbeing. Director, you are welcome to help, wait, or return to your ship. Whichever suits you until I can get better direction.
DIRECTOR DORIAV 124
Must we really go here, Captain?
JEREMIAH 125
We must.
DIRECTOR DORIAV 126
We could always take them by force.
JEREMIAH 127
And risk hurting the children, I think not. Just give me some time, OK?
DIRECTOR DORIAV 128
I don’t see any other choice at the moment. I’m not heartless, Captain. I honestly do want what’s best for these children, too.
JEREMIAH 129
I sensed that you did.
SISTER MARIE CATHERINE 130
Is the big Director a softie after all?
DIRECTOR DORIAV 131
OUTRAGIOUS!
SOUND: Segue music.
SCENE 5: WHAT’S NEXT
UNKNOWN PERSON (telephone effect) 132
I’ll follow up on my end and get back with you soon.
JEREMIAH 133
Ok, thanks for your assistance in this matter. We truly appreciate it. Hollis out.
SOUND: End communication.
SOUND: Door chime.
JEREMIAH 134
Yes?
SOUND: Door opens.
DIRECTOR DORIAV 134b
Captain.
SISTER MARIE CATHERINE (same time) 134c
Captain.
JEREMIAH 135
Oh good! Impeccable timing, Sister and Director. I’ve been in contact with the VSF Command and been instructed to honor the children’s request for asylum but to return to their world. A Catholic Services ship will be meeting us there to help work out the details of this situation we have ourselves in. They are in contact with the government now. The delivery of the water-purification equipment will have to wait. They were arriving ahead of schedule anyway.
DIRECTOR DORIAV 136
This just keeps getting more and more complicated and involved.
JEREMIAH 137
What’s done is done, Director. This has caused quite the stir at the Vatican, I can tell you. Both Sister Marie Catherine’s actions and the children in need. I also cannot keep the Federation from finding out within short order. The request for asylum ended that possibility. I suggest your leaders add this “footnote in history” to their Federation application, posthaste.
DIRECTOR DORIAV 138
Already done, Captain. This may have ended my career, but already done.
SISTER MARIE CATHERINE 139
I doubt it will be as bad as all that, Director.
DIRECTOR DORIAV 140
Time will tell. This will be quite the scandal…again…but on a galactic scale this time.
JEREMIAH 141
Maybe or maybe not. It’s a big galaxy. Politics truly are often local. Regardless, you are taking the right steps to rectify the situation.
DIRECTOR DORIAV 142
I hope so.
JEREMIAH 143
Do the children have all they need for the ride back? This time, in style, outside of those cargo containers, I hope.
SISTER MARIE CATHERINE 144
Oh, yes, Captain. Your crew has setup nice bedding areas for the children with appropriate privacies and everything.
DIRECTOR DORIAV 145
They’re actually starting to play together again. One of the monks…Brother Patrick, I think…has them playing some sort of ball game right now.
JEREMIAH 146
I’m glad to hear that. We’re about to start the journey back, Director. Do you wish to stay here or return to your ship?
DIRECTOR DORIAV 147
If you don’t mind and have room for me, Captain, I would like to stay here. Let me tell the other Captain what we’re doing, and they’ll be ready to follow shortly, I’m sure.
JEREMIAH 148
Fantastic. And Sister, the Mother Superior will be contacting you shortly.
SISTER MARIE CATHERINE 149
Oh, dear. She’s never known quite what to do with me. This should be interesting.
SOUND: Segue music.
SCENE 6: EVALUATING
SOUND: Med bay sounds.
JEREMIAH 150
Brother Thomas, have you completed your medical evaluations of the children?
BROTHER THOMAS 151
Yes, Captain, I have.
JEREMIAH 152
And?
BROTHER THOMAS 153
Technically, they’re all doing well, physically. They are properly nourished, but not lavishly by any stretch. Perfectly nourished would be an apt description. Not too little and not too much. They are all the 8 to 12 year olds they outwardly appear to be. A few scrapes and bruises, but nothing unexpected. If you look closely, you will see a 150-year lifetime of little scars and calluses that we pick up by just living. They’re physically children, but a little weathered as well.
JEREMIAH 154
Any signs of abuse?
BROTHER THOMAS 155
None that I can ascertain. At least not systemically. A few had more serious breaks and injuries in their lives, but nothing recent. How they received those injuries, I do not know.
JEREMIAH 156
You’ve described them physically, but what about mentally?
BROTHER THOMAS 157
I’m a Med Tech, Captain. I’m barely qualified to tell you what I have. I am definitely not qualified to make mental evaluations, especially of children.
JEREMIAH 158
I understand. Sorry. What’s your gut tell you, though? Not any medical training, but your gut?
BROTHER THOMAS 159
They’re sad, Captain. Melancholy. Morose. It’s like they’ve seen it all and have nothing to hope for. They’re polite and answer questions, but they don’t volunteer anything more. They are languishing in limbo. I just want to take them all up in my arms and tell them they matter and tomorrow holds new possibilities, but I don’t know that…not truly.
JEREMIAH 160
I can relate, Brother Thomas. I think we all can. All it takes is the universe to remind us how lucky we are sometimes. Both the Vatican and Federation are aware of the situation and mobilizing resources to evaluate and help. Beyond our duties here, we always have prayer to help move things along. Thanks for the update.
BROTHER THOMAS 161
You’re welcome, Captain. And speaking of prayer, I’m heading to the Chapel next.
JEREMIAH 162
I’m right behind you.
SOUND: Segue music.
SCENE 7: MANJEK
JEREMIAH 163
Hello, Manjek. I am Captain Jeremiah Hollis. How are you doing?
MANJEK 164
Hello, Captain. I am fine.
JEREMIAH 165
Do you and your friends need anything else?
MANJEK 166
No, thank you.
JEREMIAH 167
That was brave of you to speak up in front of the Director earlier.
MANJEK 168
He’s just a Director. We’ve seen many.
JEREMIAH 169
I bet you have. What did you hope would happen when you came aboard the VSF Blessings?
MANJEK 170
I don’t know. Something different, I guess.
JEREMIAH 171
Something different in what way?
MANJEK 172
To be normal one day, I guess. To be seen but not as something weird. To grow up and live happily ever after.
JEREMIAH 173
Well, I can tell you you are SEEN by the both the Federation of Planets and the universal Catholic Church. You may be 150 years old, but both of them are older. The Church MUCH older. They see you and want to help you find your normal.
MANJEK 174
We’ll see, Captain.
JEREMIAH 175
You’re right. We’ll see, but I am hopeful for you.
MANJEK 176
Thank you, Captain.
SOUND: Segue music.
SCENE 7: SIMPLIFYING
SOUND: Door opening.
BROTHER PATRICK 177
Captain, am I too early?
JEREMIAH 178
Not at all, Brother Patrick.
BROTHER PATRICK 179
I had a professor that always said, “If you’re on time, you’re late. If you’re early, you’re on time.”
JEREMIAH 180
Professor Bartley! I had him, too. Did you have him live or remote holo?
BROTHER PATRICK 181
Live.
JEREMIAH 182
I had him remote holo. You were lucky. So, what have you found out about the enhancements the engineers made to the Blessings before our first mission?
BROTHER PATRICK 183
Well, first off, I’ve reconfirmed my well-formed opinion that too many engineers aren’t skilled in writing, Captain. These manuals and schematics are very detailed and accurate, but they rarely clearly outline what each enhancement was for and how to best use them. I mean, I can infer a lot, and I will have to, but it certainly would be nice to have more of it spelled out right in front of me.
JEREMIAH 184
I see.
BROTHER PATRICK 185
For example, the Blitz we used on our first mission to blind the Orion ship’s sensors so we could escape. It blinded our sensors, too. On the fly, you came up with the idea of preprogramming the ship’s course to fly sensor free based upon timings until they came back online. Brilliant idea! The footnotes in the specs suggest just turning off all our sensors momentarily while the Blitz is occurring and then turning them back on again so they aren’t blinded. Our sensors would be back online faster and allow us an advantage over our pursuer if needed.
JEREMIAH 186
Haha! That never even crossed my mind in the heat of the moment. Hopefully, we won’t need it again, but let’s be sure to do it that way next time.
Have you communicated with the engineers directly?
BROTHER PATRICK 187
Yes, some. They’re busy on another project and haven’t had much time for me. They’re quite eccentric, too. I’m really hoping to corner them at the shipyards when we get back to Earth. Regardless, I’m writing our own technical manual on this ship and her enhancements.
JEREMIAH 188
Good. What else?
BROTHER PATRICK 189
These shields, Captain. They’re quite a hard nut to crack. Literally. Did you notice how little they have been impacted each time we’ve been attacked?
JEREMIAH 190
Yes, but I just thought the pursuers were being easy with us because of whom we had onboard each time. The Orions and Ferengi didn’t want to harm Brother Kellen, and Director Duriav didn’t want to harm the children.
BROTHER PATRICK 191
To an extent, yes, that is true, but the Orions and Ferengi increased the strength of their attacks when they saw the first ones were relatively ineffective. Our shields barely dropped in strength. I mean, we weren’t in the heat of an all-out battle, sure, but normal shields would have lost a lot more strength.
JEREMIAH 192
So what’s so special about them?
BROTHER PATRICK 193
This is where it gets interesting. These shields operate at a dual frequency, which was thought to be impossible for years. My thesis at university was on this: dual frequency shielding. My Professor had a theory and some data, and we worked together on the math and design. I never saw it in full operation before I graduated, but there is this one constant at the core of the underlying equations. It is 5.147189. I remember it because I spent many the sleepless night developing it. These are my shields, Captain. Mine and the professor’s. That constant is within the design of our shields on the Blessings. I know these shields. There’s still a lot to learn about them in full operation, but they are tough and resilient. If push comes to shove, our biggest challenge may be to keep our small ship from being batted around like a ping-pong ball if faced with a much larger foe, but they’ll have a fight on their hands to take these shields down.
JEREMIAH 194
That sounds handy. Let’s hope it never comes to that, but I didn’t expect to be fired at so much during our first few missions, either. I’m about to put notches in my Ready Room doorframe to keep track.
BROTHER PATRICK 195
Also, the impulse systems are refined. The Blessings is far more maneuverable and faster at sublight speeds than the typical Aerie Class starship.
JEREMIAH 196
Good. What about the weapons?
BROTHER PATRICK 197
That’s actually something the engineers didn’t touch. They are standard issue. I guess with the hardened shields and increased speed and handling, they figured we’d have an increased chance of surviving.
There’s more in regards to warp field configurations, masking our warp signature, and so forth, but I’m still digging into them and will put them in the report, too.
JEREMIAH 198
Very nice, Brother Patrick. Sounds like you’re definitely the monk-slash-engineer for the job.
BROTHER PATRICK 199
Something like that. Thanks, Captain.
SOUND: Segue music.
SCENE 8: RESOLUTION
SOUND: Birds chirping outside and children laughing
JEREMIAH 200
What a great day for a walk.
DIRECTIVE DORIAV 201
It most certainly is.
JEREMIAH 202
You forget just how great nature can be when you spend weeks inside a starship.
DIRECTIVE DORIAV 203
I bet it makes it hard to go back sometimes.
JEREMIAH 204
Sometimes, it does.
DIRECTOR DORIAV 205
Just look at the children. I don’t know if I have ever seen them this happy and truly childlike during my tenure as Director. Thank you, Captain.
JEREMIAH 206
For what? I simply performed my duty as a Captain.
DIRECTOR DORIAV 207
And by granting asylum to a group of stowaway children, you set into motion their future. You did what I was never able to do. You and that nun made them seen again.
JEREMIAH 208
Both the Federation and the Church take the needs of children seriously. If your planet is going to be a member of the Federation, it must be ready and willing to accept help from others.
DIRECTOR DORIAV 209
And lend help as well.
JEREMIAH 210
Indeed. I hear you have several medical research institutes already planning to study the Endless Child Syndrome.
DIRECTOR DORIAV 211
Yes, we have opened up the archives of our previous research. Our children will NOT be test subjects of course, but if a solution is found, that’s where the toughest decisions will need to be made. Will the children want it or not? We cannot force it upon them. Plus, they are legally adults at their age, even if wards of the state. They have rights that I will ensure are not trampled upon.
JEREMIAH 212
You know, Director, you present yourself as this by-the-book bureaucrat, but something tells me you wanted this to happen all along. You wanted these children on the front page of the holo news and re-inserted into the public memory. Am I correct, Director?
DIRECTOR DORIAV 213
Captain, between you and me…and I would deny it vehemently if ever asked…you just might be right.
JEREMIAH 214
We’ll keep that our little secret.
“Speak the truth in a million voices. It is silence that kills.” That’s a quote fromSaint Catherine of Siena.
DIRECTOR DORIAV 215
We’re finally able to speak the truth again. No more silence.
JEREMIAH 216
Speaking of Catherines, have you seen Sister Marie Catherine? I haven’t seen her since we landed. The Mother Superior did come down rather hard on her for taking matters into her own hands and removing the children from their own planet.
DIRECTOR DORIAV 217
No, I haven’t, but I suspect I’ll be seeing more of her soon.
JEREMIAH 218
And why is that?
DIRECTOR DORIAV 219
I spoke to her Mother Superior and convinced her to let Sister Marie Catherine stay on with the children here where she’s needed.
JEREMIAH 220
You what?!
DIRECTOR DORIAV 221
As much as I hate to admit it, her busy-body ways are quite effective at getting things done. I was thinking my “by-the-book bureaucratic ways,” as you put it, coupled with her unorthodox ways could make more progress together than either of us alone.
JEREMIAH 222
Director. I didn’t know you had it in you. You’ll play the good cop to her bad cop.
SISTER MARIE CATHERINE 223
Who’s a bad cop? What are you two gossiping about over here?
JEREMIAH 224
Oh, Director Doriav was telling me about your new assignment.
SISTER MARIE CATHERINE 225
Isn’t it glorious? I thought I’d be relegated to dish duty at the Convent for the next thirty years, and the next thing I knew I was allowed to continue helping these wonderful children. God works in mysterious ways.
JEREMIAH 226
He sure does.
DIRECTOR DORIAV (at same time) 227
He sure does.
SOUND: Segue music.
SCENE 9: RESOLUTION
SOUND: Incoming message
JEREMIAH 228
Computer, play new message from my father.
SOUND: Computer affirmation chirp
JAMES HOLLIS (add communication effect) 229
Hello, Son. I hope this finds you well. Like I mentioned when we last spoke, I’m on a little mission. It should all work out fine. I just wanted to let you know that I will be out of communication for a while. Can’t wait to take you up on the offer for dinner really soon. Between your missions and this one of mine, we should have plenty to talk about, as if either of us are ever at a loss of words together. As always, I’m proud of you, son, and love you. Bye for now.
SOUND: End communication beep.
JEREMIAH 230
Hmmm. I love you, too, Dad. Off saving the galaxy one person at a time, I’m sure. May God bless and protect you and them. Amen.
END CREDITS
You have been listening to VSF Blessings, a Star Trek fan production. Episode 2, “Endless Child.”
Created, written, produced, directed, and audio engineered by James McDonald. Story consultation provided by Noah McDonald. All character voices were generated using ElevenLabs AI voice generator. Sound effects from Pixabay.com under free-use content licenses and Trekcore.com.
Star Trek and all related marks, logos, and characters are solely owned by CBS Studios Inc. This fan production is not endorsed by, sponsored by, nor affiliated with CBS, Paramount Pictures, or any other Star Trek franchise, and is a non-commercial fan-made production intended for recreational use. No commercial exhibition or distribution is permitted. No alleged independent rights will be asserted against CBS or Paramount Pictures.
Until next time, be the good, do what’s right, and be the light.
SOUND: End Music