A ghost returns to life

Posted on Thu Mar 20th, 2025 @ 10:30pm by Lieutenant JG Patra Rommel

2,054 words; about a 10 minute read

Patra sat int the shuttle craft taking her to Earth. She had just been recently discharged from the small commune of T’Shen. The Vulcan healers had been requested to “put” her back together. Her mind and body had been shattered when she took an experimental shuttle craft and fled from the Tyra system. She had secret orders to recover two items for Starfleet Special Projects and Operations; which she was loosely associated with. The first was the to a hologram Kagen that had been implanted unto the USS Atlantic. Once she accomplished that she was to take the program, in a loop device briefcase, and board a modified Kodai-class stealth shuttle, USS Shadowhawk. The shuttle was equipped with a new type of drive; an Alcubierre drive. She was successful in her mission; but at great cost. She suffered neurological depolarization, with symptoms very similar that of Clarke’s Disease. She was also suffering, at the atomic level, full molecular repletion of her organs.

Starfleet immediately sent her to Vulcan as their healers had extensive training in neurological issues. On Vulcan the healers worked on her extensively; eventually slowing and reversing the molecular repletion of her organs. Next came the treatment for her neurological depolarization, months of Vulcan mind melds to reverse the damage and rewire her brain. The treatments were successful enough that she was released back to Starfleet care. She was placed on a strict a neuro-stabilization regimen. When the doctors were satisfied she was debriefed and put on convalescent leave.

Patra was now on a shuttle, not yet cleared for transporter usage by medical, to Earth and Heidenheim, Germany, to see her family. During her time in treatment she had learned, for security reasons, she had been declared missing in action; presumed dead. As she sat back in her seat looking out the viewport as the shuttle began its decent to Earth, Patra had to smile; she was about to give her family the surprise of there collective lives. The protocol daughter returning from the grave. As the shuttle entered the atmosphere and the glow of entry burned across it, Patra wondered how the family would take it; and what would happen once her convalescent leave was over; would she still be allowed to serve in Starfleet or did she even still want to serve. An overhead announcement, first in German, then Federation standard came across “Aufmerksamkeit; wir stehen kurz vor der Landung in Heidenheim. Bitte stellen Sie sicher, dass alle Gegenstände sicher sind und alle Tabletts aufgestellt sind. Die Ortszeit beträgt 19 Stunden und sechsundzwanzig Minuten. Die Temperatur beträgt angenehme 57 Grad Fahrenheit oder 13,9 Grad Celsius. Mein Copilot und ich wünschen Ihnen einen angenehmen Besuch. Attention; we are about to land at Heidenheim. Please ensure all items are secure and any trays are up. The local time is 19 hours and twenty six minutes. The temperature is a pleasant 57 degrees Fahrenheit or 13.9 Celsius. My copilot and I wish you a pleasant visit.” Patra smiled as she felt the shuttle touch down; Lufthansa was ever efficient and polite. She stood up and followed a few of the passengers who’s stop this was. Upon disembarking she stepped forward through the terminal, not needing to retrieve any bags; her Starfleet Ditty carrying all her current worldly goods. She soon found a taxi and got in.
“Wohin?” inquired the driver in German. Patra again smiled, it had been a very long time since she had heard or even spoke German.
“Kino-Center.” Replied Patra.
“Ah, Sie haben Karten für das Ballett? Das Ballett der Pariser Oper führt den Grünen Tisch auf."
Smiling Patra replied back “Ja, ich werde meine Schwester heute Abend auftreten sehen. Eine Freundin hat es geschafft, mir einen speziellen Sitzplatz zu besorgen, damit ich sie überraschen kann.” She then sat back as the taxi rolled through the city. Soon she arrived Kino-Center. She got out and leaned in and kissed the driver’s check. The old German was startled he asked “Warum haben Sie das getan?” in German; Patra replied in Federation standard, “Because my dear driver it has been far to long since I have heard or spoken German. I felt you deserved a reward.” With that the old man smiled, waved and drove off.

Patra smiled and turned, and went in. Handing over ticket, she was quickly escorted to an area on the stage but hidden from view of the audience. The performs however would be able to see her. She sat in the comfortable chair, and looked over her brochure of the ballet The Green Table. She was asked by her personal usher if she wanted a drink. Patra though a moment “Bärenfang, bitte.” The usher nodded and went to get her dink. He returned shortly with her drink. The usher, speaking in German “Solltet ihr etwas brauchen, bin ich gleich da.” Patra nodded and watched him move off to a small chair in the corner. she thought. Still should enjoy it why it last. With that thought she sat back and readied herself for the show.

Soon the performs all came out on stage, readying themselves before the curtain lifted. Patra’s sister, Gertrude, was among them and they were all talking quietly amongst them as the green table is being placed and the Gentlemen in Black started to take their respective places; her sister looked up and saw Patra sitting across the stage. Gertrude’s eyes got wide and she had a look as if she had seen a ghost; however being the ever consummate professional she recovered and took her place accordingly. Patra smiled, tilted her drink toward her sister, then took a sip. As she did the currents arose and the performance began. Patra sat back and enjoyed the performance; enjoying how the ballet still depicted the futility of peace negotiations and war. She also took admiring views of the ballerina’s.

When it was over and the curtains finally fell, the ballet performers began moving to their dressing rooms, all except for one, her sister. She came flying across the stage, just as Patra was standing and her personal usher was making his way over. Gertrude did a flying leap and engulfed her sister in a crushing bear hug, tears streaming down her face. “It really is you. We were told you were missing in action and presumed dead by Starfleet Command. How is it you’re alive.”
Patra was busy trying to extricate herself from her sister’s crushing bear hug, “Ah sis I think Starfleet would be upset if you broke me, especially before they get another chance.” She gasped out.
Gertrude laughed eve as she was still crying, she let off the pressure of her hug, but did not release her. “How, how is it Starfleet got it wrong.?” She inquired of Patra.
Patra sighed “As the old saying goes my sister, ‘I could tell you, but then I would have to kill you’ suffice it to say I am on convalescence leave and decided to come see the fam.”
Gertrude pulled back from Patra, “You mean mother and father do not know, or grandfather. No one in the family knows you’re alive.?”
Patra smirked “We’ll technically you do. No I decided to surprise them this evening. I know everyone will be here to see you perform, so figured why not give everyone a shock.”
Gertrude pulled back from Patra, “You mean mother and father do not know, or grandfather. No one in the family knows you’re alive.?”
Patra smirked “We’ll technically you do. No I decided to surprise them this evening. I know everyone will be here to see you perform, so figured why not give everyone a shock.”
Gertrude punched Patra lightly “Not funny sis, I about nearly collapsed when I saw you sitting there. Come let’s go find the family.”
Patra stayed her sister, “Tell you what, how about you clean up and change, then we’ll go find them.” Patra then turned to the usher, “Thank you for your service, but I believe my sister can assist me from here.” The usher bowed and left.
Gertrude shook her head “I am not letting you out of my sight. You’ll just have to come back to the dressing room with me.”
Patra smiled at her sister “Have you ever known me to not come and ogle beautiful women? Her sister shook her head as she lead Patra to the dressing rooms.

Fifteen minutes later; Patra found herself being dragged away from a very pleasant conversation with a blond ballerina, to an exit. Her sister extremely anxious to go meet the family and present Patra, like some lost puppy. Soon they came out to the lobby were important guest from the audience were mingling, Patra saw her father, Lord Mayor Viktor Rommel talking with some Bolian and a Tellarite. She could tell her father was in a good mood. Her brother, Manfred, was next to his wife, holding her by the waist as they spoke with another couple. Patra looked at her brother and his wife, something tells me those two are up to something naughty she thought. She did not see her mother, Helene, nor her grandfather, Johannes. As her sister was leading her through the crowd, brushing off people wanting to talk to her; Patra heard a very familiar voice behind her. “See here young lady; it is not very polite for you to brush people off that want to talk with you.” Said Johannes in a gravelly, stern voice.
Gertrude spun around and shrieked with joy as she hugged her grandfather. “Opa, Patra is alive and well.” She said as she pulled Patra closer to the two of them. Patra was getting ready to say hello to her Opa, when she heard a glass shatter and a slump of someone hitting the floor. There not three feet away was her mother, Helene, passed out next to a broken, flute glass.
Her grandfather stood frozen, staring at Patra. The lobby had become deathly quiet as both her sisters shriek and her mother’s passing out caught everyone’s attention. Her grandfather tried and failed several times to speak. Out of the corner of her eye she saw both her father and brother rush over to her mother. Turning to look fully at her grandfather, and with a very mischievous smile said “Surprise, Opa, I have returned from the grave.”
Johannes, realizing he was gapping about like a fish finally found his voice and dignity, “Patra it truly is you girl. We thought you dead, had a memorial and all.” Tears began to run down his face. He stepped in and pulled Patra close, imitating her sisters bear hug grip.
Meanwhile Patra’s father and brother were slowly bringing her mother around “Vicktor? Her dazed mother said “I saw Petra’s ghost.”
Vicktor smiled at his wife “Meine schöne Frau, du hast kein Gespenst gesehen." He spoke softly in German, “Our daughter is here, and it seems very much alive.” He turned from his kneeling position to see his father and youngest daughter dragging Patra over to them.
Her mother looked up from where her son was cradling her and gasped again “My beautiful child, you are alive.” And tears began to go down her face.
Patra smile sweetly, and in a flippant manner replied “Yea, tried the grave thing. Didn’t like it so well so decided to come back.” With that she knelt and hugged her mother, then her father, finally her brother.
Patra was mildly rebuked by her father “Child, we were told you were missing in action and presumed dead. You will forgive your mother and the rest of us for being so shocked.” He then looked to his youngest daughter “And how long have you known she was alive?” as if his daughters were playing childish pranks like they did in their youth.

Too be continued….

Lieutenant JG Patra Rommel
Chief Engineering Officer & Structural/Environmental Specialist

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