Catch of the Day
Posted on Wed Dec 31st, 2025 @ 6:04pm by Lieutenant Colonel Cornelius Tremble & Lieutenant Mira Jayna
Edited on on Sun Jan 4th, 2026 @ 8:09am
1,505 words; about a 8 minute read
Mission:
Episode 17 - Going Home
Location: Aboard the fishing vessel Sylvester (Earth)
Timeline: MD025 1200 hrs
Neil slumped into a deck chair as his brother took to the bridge of the Sylvester, turning the helm toward port. The streaming down had a little heat in it. They were out of the wind so there wasn’t any need for the rain gear or heavier clothing and he was getting by in dungarees and a crimson FMC t-shirt. They’d been fishing for about six hours and had four fish ranging, including the last one Jayna had brought in that was just the small size of legal at 155 centimeters and weighed in at 45 kilograms.
It had been a good day and he was happy to be back aboard a ship again fishing and feeling the salt spray and familiarity that had welled up. Jayna was sunning (or trying to) in the chair next to him and he glanced toward her, his brain sorting things. They’d met his mother’s girlfriend, now fiancée, Jaclyn, and the women had out-fished he and Hugo, which wasn’t a surprise. With Hugo at the helm, pushing them back toward land.
Neil and Jayna had a BBQ to get to in a few hours. He brought up the clock on his HUD, then dismissed it again and said, “Reeling up a cod that size is usually a good arm and upper body workout. And supposed to be fun…what do you think?”
"I like it. It's a challenge, which I enjoy," she replied, smiling. "And there's been time to relax as well--although I'm sure it's not always this easy. The weather's been good." Plus, she liked watching Neil fish, and getting to know his family. It wasn't something she was used to as she only had her sister.
"Weather modification is an art on Earth," Neil shrugged. "They generally modify things about twelve days a month out this far and pay attention to population bases the rest of the time, so to totally not screw up everything. I wouldn't mind spending a week out here, but that'll probably have to wait for another time. Like most things. I was going to take you round to that bit of land mom mentioned and see if you wanted to build a cabin."
"Yes. I'd like that. I haven't spent much time on earth, but I like it."
Glancing over at Jayna's tone, he asked, "You alright? I know Hugo can be a bit much, but it's normal behavior for him."
"It's not that. I can handle Hugh if I have to." She paused. "I guess it's just getting used to family in general. My sister and I have been alone since we were eleven, so it's...a new experience." She smiled, then looked over the water. "I'm in this for as long as you want me to be."
Neil knew an opening when he heard it. He rapped on his fake leg, which had been belatedly signed by his niece and nephew before they left Sunflower house. "There is that. Losing the leg wasn't a huge deal, but it did get me to thinking." He paused, "Well that and what's going on with the General and Doctor Sobel. The unknown can come after us anytime while we are doing what we do. I have faith we'll always come out on top, but I think we need to make time for important things."
He reached over and took her hand and said, "You're the most important thing to me. I want you to know that. And, there's something of a tradition on the Smythe side of the family. Mother reminded me while you were pulling up that fish. With the seafarers and fishers in the Smythe side and the marines on the Tremble side. Well, we've talked about...knowing we want to be together going forward. Is. I'd like to marry you, Jayna but you might not be ready for that."
Neil ignored the increased heartbeat while stationary warning his HUD flashed up as he fished a green velvet covered bag from a pocket and shook out a gold leaf-laced band with moss agates studding the front and an emerald wrapped in the center. "The Smythe’s tradition is what's called a promise ring. A promise from me to you that when you're ready, I've opened the door with intent of a way forward together. Whether or not we get married, that can be your choice."
Jayna blinked rapidly while she tried to control the tears that decided to make an appearance. She didn't care if Neil saw her cry, but she wasn't sure she was ready for his family to see them. She turned to him, her expression intent in spite of the tears. "I love you and I want nothing more than to spend my life with you."
She paused for a moment, looking at the band in his hand. "You almost died. When you gave me what you thought was your final message, I..." She shook her head, temporarily at a loss for words. "All I could think was that I wasn't ready to lose you." Her eyes met his as she continued. "If the choice is mine, then I will always choose to marry you."
Neil snorted as he moved over to slip his arms around her and share her lounge chair, watching to avoid hitting her with it.
Again,
He kissed her then, leaning his forehead against hers after a few hundred heartbeats.
"I'm not that easy to kill, but I'll hold you to that yes. That and other parts of our anatomy, of course." He'd been so intent on her reaction that he'd noticed the barest of an eyelash flicker toward the main cabin and he said, "Mom's got everyone reined in. This is just you and me till we join them." He settled back then and asked, "Well, if that's a yes. I suppose the next question is when. Do we get Hugh or mom to do it now, since they both still carry a Captain's rating. Or do we wait?"
"Honestly? I'm a little terrified of letting Commodore Malbrooke do it. The last wedding on the Pioneer had a little too much pomp for me. I'd love to get married here and then have a party back on the Pioneer." She snuggled closer to Neil. "But what do you want?"
He took the ring and worked it onto her finger as she rested in his arms and said, "Tyler absolutely would want a full on, pyro-saber and dress uniform ceremony. But it’s not HIS wedding. I'm good with doing it now. Sooner the better. But what about putting something together where your sister can attend? My dad won't care, though he may question my sanity. He's famous for saying marriage has ruined too many relationships."
"The last time I spoke with her she was cloistered away somewhere on some intel project she couldn't talk about. I doubt she'd be given leave to come here for a wedding." Jayna would like to have her twin by her side, but this felt like the perfect opportunity, and if they put it off, she could see them getting pressured into something neither one of them wanted on the Pioneer. She would much prefer something small, and she liked the idea of having a quiet ceremony here where Neil could have his family in attendance.
She looked at the ring and thought for a moment. "I would like her to be here in some form. Maybe she could attend holographically, or at least by video." She paused, then added. "And I would like a dress."
Neil mused for a minute and said, "That should all be workable." He thought for a few minutes and said, "Ok. We'll send out a priority two message to see if we can get your sister. Arrange for clothes...you want me in uniform or mufti?" Neil felt a brief skittering through his brain and heart. The same feeling he was semi-used to when things when off plan during a mission.
"We can get married within sight of the city out in the outer bay at sunset...and still make Tyler's barbecue. Renae would probably enjoy helping you arrange a dress and what you'd like."
She nodded as he spoke. "As long as you're wearing clothes, I'm good." She grinned, remembering their first shore leave together on Risa when they'd gone camping. "Yes for sunset and talking to Jayde and Renae. Definitely yes to making the barbecue. The rest..." She leaned forward and kissed him. "We'll play by ear." She put a hand on his cheek. "But most of all, I just want you."
A Joint Post By:
Lieutenant Colonel Cornelius Tremble
Executive Officer, USS Pioneer
Battalion Commander, The Cure
Lieutenant Mira Jayna
Intelligence Officer, The Cure
USS Pioneer
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