This Life Is not For You
Posted on Tuesday May 12th, 2026 @ 4:58pm by Fleet Admiral Domingo Martinez & Commodore Carol Hogan & John Eagle & Nicole Eagle
3,199 words; about a 16 minute read
Mission:
VFY S9, E1: We Have A Home
Location: Rosa Planet, Eagle Farm
Location: Rosa Planet, Eagle Farm
Dom Martinez and Carol Hogan, beamed down to the Eagle Farm. It been over two years since either officer had stepped foot on the Eagle's property. They walked over to the front door, before they could knock, the door opened.
"No." JJ said, his face showed little of the enthusiasm he once had. It had been two years of hard work, the station had been lost and the crew had scattered like leaves in the wind from his perspective. His home security system had alerted him of someone beaming down and he had seen Dom and Carol. A part of him was happy to see them, but he was more concerned about his kids. Elora had left a year ago to join Starfleet, the twins where his concern. Not to mention his herd of thirty horses that he had cared for over the years.
"I haven't even asked yet." Dom said, as he reached out to hug the man. He looked around the farm realizing it hadn't really changed much in the last two years . The only change was the horses. They were a little older. "The Daystrom institute has discovered a rift. Right now starfleet can not investigate it. The clean answer keeping it busy. I need you JJ. And Starfleet needs you, imagine the things you can find on the other side of that rift."
JJ accepted the hug with a rigid posture. "Two long years and you come here and expect me to drop everything to gallivant across the stars? One of my daughters is already away from the nest..." he said calmly. "I don't remember you repaying me for the last time I did something for you..."
"Been kind of busy, and you're right that's not an excuse. But we've been friends a long time you know I wouldn't come to you unless I really needed you." Dom started to say. "Starfleet, could use your company services for this and there is an opportunity for you."
Carol handed JJ a data pad. On it was a schematic of a Starship. "We don't have much information about her but we have learned about the ship is a little overpowered even by our standards today. Confederation is holding it around against the Klingon Empire but we definitely need a technical advantage." Carol started to say, but then purposely kept her answer short.
JJ looked at the woman with his eyebrow arched as he looked at the ship on the PADD. "I am sure the federation haven't lost it's touch in dealing with more advanced tech. I believe I have heard people say you guys love a challenge. Either matching the tech and develop strategy to come out on top. Or you find new tech to deal with what makes them more over powered, thereby removing the issue from the board." Mr Eagle handed the PADD back. "I fit nowhere in that kind of thing." he added, though he was getting an itch to see what kind of tech he would be able to steal from this ship.
“John? What was the alert…” Nicole paused as she approached the door seeing who was outside. She was enjoying life at the homestead, now they were well settled with a stable family life. “Never mind, I see.” She offered a polite smile, but was bothered by what their visitors wanted. “Perhaps you should invite our guests in, we don’t want to be rude.”
JJ smiled at his wife. "I don't know... They want me to move to them, or at least help them with something." He was truly happy here with her and the twins. He was happy for Elora too, having been brave enough to step out and follow her own path.
“Then perhaps we should hear them out, then if you still don’t like it at least they can say you listened” Nicole added with a wry smile.
JJ knew that smile. He knew she knew this was scratching a persistent itch. She was truly perfect for him. "Fine..." he sighed, acting like she had twisted his arm. "But you owe me dinner." calmly he stood to the side to let the guests inside.
“Dinner and more” Nicole grinned as she motioned their guests to the living area where they could sit down. “I’ll get some refreshments.”
Carol noticed the momentarily silence. She decided to interrupt the silence. "I appreciate that Mrs. Eagle." Carol said with a warm smile, as she followed JJ and Domingo in the house.
"You don't fit in JJ in this type of mission, since when?" Domingo asked, as they walked through the doorway. "I realize that we have abandon this system, but we have been fighting the Klingon Empire, we have taken steps to make sure they never come back to the Rosa System." Domingo pointed out, feeling like he was being a broken record.
"The Eagles have always been a couple of generations ahead of Federation tech standards. This tech is even beyond your scopes, I know the explorer in you is interested. Incase your asking yourself, why is Starfleet looking into stealing tech from others, I wont be afraid to admit it, the Federation is barely holding the line. The Klingons have tasted blood, and they are inspired to win this war."
"I 've had to think outside of the box, do you remember Omek?" Domingo asked, as he took a moment to catch his breath. "He is now a Daimon, in command of the Nandi, this is an off the books mission, Starfleet will not support the mission, but they will not stop us. They are desperate to reverse engineer any tech we can find."
JJ knew very well what could happen if a civilization got desperate. Often it meant recklessness and panic. This would spread everywhere and his life on Rosa would without a doubt disrupted. With a long sigh, he pinched the bridge of his nose. "Why is it always like this? We try to stay out of trouble and trouble literally come to our door."
Carol felt like this was a good moment for her to chime in. "It's the universes way of saying your needed." She said to him, thinking to herself she might be over selling it a little. Dom said he was the best, and she was trying to lay it on thick. Hoping appealing to his ego would help their situation, with their crazy plan.
Dom did not miss a beat, he chimed in right after Carol. "First do you really want Omek holding this over you? You know he will, there is an opportunity to bank on this deal. Second, this mission stands a better chance with your particular skills set. Before you tell me that you are a simple trader of goods, we both know that is underselling your capabilities."
Nicole had been listening to every word as she returned with a tray of drinks and biscuits. The choice was a simple one, fresh fruit juices or chilled water along with a selection of chocolate, or plain biscuits. Just for nibbling on while JJ discussed business. She poured herself a drink and picked up a biscuit before sitting down beside him.
"Omek has nothing over me. My ego isn't so fragile that can egg me into something. If, and that is a massive if at that. If I decide to do this, I want your word that my family will be protected. And yes I used to be just a businessman. Ever sense the station fell, I haven't even started it up again."
“You’re not going anywhere without me” Nicole added as she looked at JJ. “If you leave we all go together. We’re a team.”
JJ looked over at his wife, that fire and confidence really plucked the strings of love he had for her. He turned back to Dom. "See what you did?" he asked, gesturing with his whole arm.
“Ohh he was planning on it” Nicole added as she gave Dom a knowing look.
"I will protect your family, I don't have to stress to you how important the security of the beta quadrant and the alpha quadrant. I'm also building a station in orbit of your planet this is your planning I've already had it approved by the Federation council and it will be protected as an asset." Dom started to say, as he looked over to JJ.
"Miss Eagle.....Nicole, I can't wait to see you guys back on the station even though it's a new station it wouldn't be the same without the eagle family. In case you're wondering Elora it's doing great, she's excelling all of her programs. I have made it a purpose to keep an eye on her career." Dom said hoping that gave Nicole a little reassurance.
"Also Ariana and Arti have been asking about your twins." Dom started to say, if you realize he was rambling on. It was true his twins were asking about her twins because when they were younger they all used to get together every so often.
"Obviously we got a few things to work out, but can we count on you Mr Eagle?" Carol asked, not wanting to sound like the business woman in the room or the insensitive one but they were also there for a purpose.
JJ looked at the direction of the door that would lead to the girls room, it could be good for them to leave the planet for a while as they were now getting older. Not to mention there had been times when he had caught the girls sending messages to their old friends. "I want assurances, this is the most precious things I have that I would risk..."
“That we both risk, you’re going nowhere without me” Nicole added as she looked at JJ.
"I will personally assign a fleet to protect Valhalla Fleet yards at all times and I will sign my most senior commander to it. I'm also going to increase Security forces throughout the fleet and on the station." Dom started to say, as he looked to Nicole and JJ.
"I have a daughter on the station, the admiral's kids will be on the station. We're not taking any chances with our children's lives or the members of our crew. We were caught unprepared last time we no longer have that excuse."'
"The early days of the war their bird of prey's were tipping the scale in there favor. It put us on a defensive edge. We have learned things since then. We have created a new class of ship a little smaller than the escorts that we have built in the past. An old military terminology I guess they be classified as cutters we call them escort pilots. These new ships are quick and just as agile as a bird of prey. They have slowed down dramatically and allowed us to bring in our bigger ships to take the fight to the Klingons." Dom started to say as he tried to reassure but also be transparent and honest with JJ and Nicole.
Carol knew she should probably continue with what Dom was saying, "to be frank with you we're running out of officers and we're running out of technology that can keep up with the Klingons and there bird or prey production. We can build a smaller vessels we're having to look at Ensign's now to command ships. New technology will give us an advantage. We've had to make deals with people like Daimon Omek but we want to make sure you're involved in this as well. The ferengi are interested in getting their hands on some of the technology. But let's be honest here, if anybody knows how to reverse engineer any technology it's you."
Dom only knew of what other person at just as confident as JJ when it came to Rivers engineering but that meant it also retired. JJ was still in his prime and the ideal candidate even though he was a civilian, he was one of the best and he knew that and so did Dom.
They did have a point, with Dom's loved ones at the same risk he was asking JJ to put his, refusing would only make his refusal sound like his family was more precious. JJ sighed, "If you have a finite number of senior officers, make the larger ships more resilient and flood the field with far faster and more agile fighters. The fighters might not be able to bring down a larger ship easy, but they could probe the field with low level beam sweeps, just scan for beam impacts and focus your big guns on the impact sight. If memory serves, a ship is unable to be shielded while cloaked. So any impact would be direct hits..."
"That's part of the problem yes, however according to Captain Rowe from this universe, told us every technical advantage they took from their enemies and crushed them. We are not conquers, but we desperate. The tech could help us expand our tech, last longer in a fire fight. Can I count on you, JJ? " Domingo asked, feeling a little guilty, for asking him. But he knew that JJ would be a great asset.
He sighed deeply, "Fine!" he gave up. He wondered if his wife was getting bored living in this peaceful place. He understood if she was, there were times he felt it too. The itch in his fingers to go and burgle some bad people.
Nicole had felt the pang of doubt from JJ, she knew him well enough to know what question was lingering in his brain. Her message was a silent one only they would share. Don’t you dare think what I think you’re thinking Imzadi, I am NOT bored with this family life, I love it.
"I hate to ask Mrs. Eagle, but I need both of your services." Dom said, feeling guilty, but knowing deep in his heart, that he was reaching out to the right people. With JJ leadership, Omek's ship should be able to get in, take the information they need, and get back out again.
JJ looked at her for a long moment. He had heard her words, he wasn't quite convinced but accepted her words. "And what about those." he gestured out the window towards the hills of grass. Their horses where happily gracing and living their best lives.
“Hopefully we’ll be able to continue living here, I don’t want to be giving up my home.” Nicole added. “We’ve worked all our lives through great losses…” she gave JJ a look that he understood only too well with their previous pregnancy disasters. “Now we have what we always wanted and I’m not willing to give that up.”
"Neither am I. The girls would refuse to leave without their horses though..." JJ said, his eyes looking at his wife, the memories of their twin girls giving him a warm smile..
"There may be a solution to that." Carol suggested with the humble smile. She didn't want to overstep, because she felt like she was already doing enough of that. But if they are interested she had a potential solution.
JJ stood silently and waited. Now he understood how his girls felt when he dangled something that they might like.
Nicole folded her arms across her chest. “What solution might that be? I don’t think the station has a field onboard for the horses somehow, and they don’t belong in space anyway.”
"Another planet for the Eagles to colonize with the blessing that we get the eastern continent well part of it." Carol started to say, as she opened her data pad, and put the planet on a holographic display. She continued on. "Starfleet has taken initial scans, its inhabitable, and we are requesting the this island, its not the biggest, but in order to make it a protectorate of the Federation, we need a colony established."
Dom chimed in. "I know you have this planet, but this could expand the Eagle empire, think about the potential resources and wealth of having two planets." Dom suggested to Nicole and JJ.
JJ arched an eyebrow as he looked at the display. His business mind kicked in as he rubbed his chin. "You want an anchor for other colonists? Rose has been very good to us, we will need to quarantine the horses for a few months to make sure they can handle the grass and atmosphere. Would give time to properly build the ranch." he looked at his wife. "You what do you think?" he looked around their home for several years now. "This could be a B&B and we give it to Elora. Something she knows that she can come back to on her RnRs."
Dom was silent, he did not want to give her a reason to decline their offer. Having JJ on his side, was a good thing. But he knew that JJ listened to Nicole, so he needed her to on his side. He hoped she could see the potential gains from acquiring the planet for the Eagle Family.
Nicole was quiet for a few moments before she nodded. “I guess this could be a future home for Elora, she doesn’t have anywhere else and in the meantime others could enjoy it.”
"All right then it's settled, I'll send you the coordinates to the new base. We rebuilt Port Royale, well sort of same name New Station new design." Carol suggested with the warm smile on her face. She handed JJ and Nicole a data pad with all the information they would need.
JJ smiled at his wife. "Do you want to tell her or should I?" he asked.
Nicole gave JJ a look that said exactly what she was thinking. “I think you can.”
"Sounds good to me." he agreed and turned to their guests. "Well, before I can do anything. I will need the proper documentation for the land. I need to sign that I own that land in order to built our new home. I will need to build a quarantine zone so that the horses don't get ill when we bring them there." he said, now sliding into his problem solving mind.
"And you'll have it, I can easily arrange that." Domingo suggested to JJ, the scene starts to fade. "I can't thank you enough for agreeing to help us."
JJ looked at his wife, he was looking for micro-expressions that would tell him if she was truly alright with this. The last thing he wanted was for her to regret this. Knowing the kind of work that Dom needed, this could mean some stealthy stuff. "I will expect a lot from you for this."
"I'll make sure he'll pay up." Carol said with a big warm smile on her face, as the scene fades away. She was grateful that JJ and Nicole agreed to assist them.
Nicole nodded without saying another word. She was quietly hoping that they wouldn’t regret this.
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