Before You Hear It From Someone Else
Posted on 09 Aug 2026 @ 4:39pm by Alura Ryn & Lieutenant Ryan Collingway
701 words; about a 4 minute read
Mission: The Doldrums
//Deck Eight///
A simple computer query told Alura that Ryan was working on Deck eight.
Alura found Ryan and stopped a few steps away, finishing a job on a malfunctioning power relay connected to a console.
“Hey.”
Ryan put away his tools. "Alura! This is a pleasant...." He stopped as he glanced at her face. "What is it?"
For once, there was no basket, no activity schedule, and no cheerful excuse for why she was there.
“I wanted to tell you before you heard it from someone else.”
She hesitated.
“My parents bought a resort on Risa. They asked me to come home and help run the activities and recreation side.”
A small smile flickered and disappeared.
“I said yes.”
Alura looked at him.
“I’m leaving the Arawyn.”
Ryan said nothing for a moment, sheer surprise on his face. "And....you're sure ths is what you want?" he asked.
Alura nodded, though it took her a moment.
“I am.”
She looked down briefly before meeting his eyes again.
“I love it here. That’s what makes it hard.”
A faint smile touched her face.
“But this feels like something I’m supposed to do. My parents have spent years trying to build this, and for the first time, everything I’ve learned away from Risa is exactly what they need.”
She hesitated.
“I just wish saying yes didn’t mean leaving people I care about.”
Her eyes stayed on him.
The mental walls around Ryan wanted to close with a solid snap. He didn't know how to handle this. On the last away mission he had forced to become someone else. It was thinking about Alura that had brought him back, among other things. And now she was leaving. His brain wanted to immediately disassociate from it. Block himself off from everything. He didn't know what else to do.
He took a small breath. He had promised her he wouldn't hide behind his walls when it mattered. That might come later. He wouldn't for this. "I understand," he said.
"I wish you could stay." That was simply being honest. He gently gripped her hand. "You mean a lot to me too, and you helped me when I really needed it."
"But if this is what you want....I won't make it harder for you to leave. We all have to do what we feel is right. And I would hate for you to feel trapped on this ship, if you believe you belong somewhere else. I made a similar choice when I joined Starfleet. I understand that decision more than anyone, and how difficult it is to make."
"But I will miss you," he added.
Alura’s fingers closed gently around his hand.
“I know.”
Her smile was small and a little sad.
“And for what it’s worth, I don’t feel trapped here. Not even a little.”
She stepped closer.
“This ship gave me more than I expected. So did you.”
For once, she didn’t try to make the moment lighter.
“I’m going to miss you too, Ryan. Probably more than I know how to say.”
She squeezed his hand.
“And thank you for not putting the walls back up.”
"I'll try not to after you leave," Ryan promised. Though it was going to be easier said than done. "Sunny can compact pretty well. I'll make sure he's good to go before you leave. And if you need anything-anything at all, you know where to find me."
Alura’s smile wavered at the mention of Sunny.
“You’d better. He has standards.”
He gripped her hands tightly. "One last kiss for good luck?"
Her expression softened, and for a moment she simply looked at him.
“I think I’d like that.”
Alura closed the remaining distance between them and kissed him gently, one hand still held in his.
When she pulled back, she stayed close for another moment.
“Good luck works both ways, you know.”
"It does," Ryan agreed as they finally settled apart. "But no matter where you go, Alura, everyone is immediately luckier for knowing you. Please, keep in touch with us."
Lieutenant Ryan Collingway
Acting Chief Engineer
USS Arawyn
Alura Ryn
Signing Off
RSS Feed