Elias, Emery and the Whale called Riolu

Posted on Thu Apr 30th, 2026 @ 3:32pm by Commodore Elias McEntyre & Emery Tyris-McEntyre & Staff Warrant Officer Riolu

1,107 words; about a 6 minute read

Mission: Pilot - "The Gate"
Location: Cetacean Ops
Timeline: Sometime after The Crossing

It had been a long morning. The Crossing had been long, but the road ahead of them was even longer.

A brand new galaxy.

Never in his wildest dreams would Elias have imagined that he’d be one of the first to step into a brand new galaxy.

Entering his quarters to change into something a bit more relaxed, he could not help but notice the lack of noise. His ears twitched at that. He should be hearing the sounds of some mindless media playing softly and the sounds of his son playing with the babysitter. A ensign with whom Emery had bonded with.

“Emery?” Elias called out once.

“Kinsey?” Elias called for the babysitter. No answer either. This got him concerned.

“Computer?”

The Computer trilled in reply. “Locate Emery Tyris-McEntyre”

The computer took only a moment to respond, “Emery Tyris-McEntyre is in Cetacean Ops”

Elias shook his head. Emery had gone to see the whales. Elias quickly went to his wardrobe, changed into his casual vest and affixed his rank and communicator left to head down to Cetacean Ops.

— — — — —

Emery himself, was sitting at the edge of the large pool which allowed the whales, dolphins and belugas that manned the section to come up for air and engage with other officers. A happy smile on his face, a wetsuit on. Ensign Kinesy Hayes besides him. They both had their feet dangling in the pool, laughing as Elias walked into the lab. The large doors parting, his boots echoing though the cavernous space.

In front of them all, surfacing, Staff Warrant Officer Riolu, that much Elias had remembered about the whale on staff.

Riolu was the most senior of the four Cetaceans aboard the Guinevere. He had spent years on starships as a navigational assistant, and he learned quickly the joy that came from receiving visitors. Earth-based Cetaceans were social beings and took joy in engaging with their crewmates and friends. They couldn’t easily get out to see them (for one his size it wasn’t impossible per se, but it was very difficult), so when someone came in to see them, he splashed and played with them, reveling in their happiness.

He had his favourites, of course. Lieutenant el-Saad was his superior officer and she often came to talk books with him. Petty Officer Tevaris tended the kelp garden and enjoyed floating with him in front of the forward viewport.

But the best were the children. Their joy was infectious. And their questions were always that right mix of silly and insightful. So he had been excited when Emery Tyris-McEntyre and his daytime caregiver arrived to play. The boy had been given a commbadge with a universal translator (Riolu kept spares in the air bay) so they could understand each other.

A little while later, the door opened again and he saw one of the boy’s fathers. “Commodore, welcome!” Riolu said. It came out as clicks and whistles, but he knew everyone heard it in Federation standard.”

"Good Afternoon, Mr. Riolu," Elias greeted warmly, yet professionally as he strode through the cavernous space towards the pool. He comes up to the side of his child looking down at him.

"So this is where I find you, little kitten" Elias smirked as he knelt down.

"Hi daddy. I came to see the whales." Emery beamed a toothy smile at his father. Elias could merely just shake his head at that. Emery had always loved the water, and all of the ocean's creatures and inhabitants. Having Cetacean Ops onboard was like a dream come true for the little Caitian/Ba'ku.

"Are you behaving for Ensign Kinsey?"

The Young Caitian nodded enthusastically. The ensign behind him did the same.

"Mr. Riolu, why don't we show our curious cat here what we're exploring so far." The Commodore turned to Riolu as he suggested.

The big whale's head nodded up and down before he dived back under, playfully sending a big splash toward the three air breathers.

He accessed an underwater console which activated a holographic star chart overhead. He calibrated it to make sure that it was above the water level so everyone could see.

The display showed the gate they had emerged from, as well as a cylinder representing the highest resolution sensor scans along the route they had traveled since their arrival in Triangulum. Stars with something interesting in their orbits were highlighted.

"This one," Riolu said as one light up more brightly, "seems to have a gas giant almost as large as the system's star. It is generating heat, and among the seventy-two moons we have counted so far, three large ones look capable of supporting life."

Emery stared awestuck at the images on the holograms. So many moons and planets.

"It looks alot like Jupiter" Emery commented, looking up at his dad as he does.

“It does,” Riolu agreed. “That was the first planet I visited when I left Earth. I swam the oceans on Europa with my brother. Your other father told me he thinks one of these moons has big oceans too. Maybe we’ll get to see it up close.”

Elias smiles as he looks at his child. "I think that may be what we do."

Emery beamed, happily kicking his feet in the water with child-like delight and kitty curiosity.

Riolu happily nodded, excited by the possibility of swimming in an open ocean again. Starship life could become claustrophobic, but how else might he see such wonders but in deep space? Besides, his people were valued for their 3D navigational skills, and he could only repay the way the Federation elevated his people by serving.

"Commodore, do you want to join us in the water?" Riolu asked.

Elias shook his head rapidly. "Oh no, but thank you. It takes forever to get fur dry." He commented to the whale, while his son laughed at the absurdity.

"Then I shall refrain from splashing you in a playful manner, sir," Riolu joked. "I cannot promise the same of my young friend though," he added, lifting a flipper.

Emery let out a delightful squeal as Riolu splashed him, putting his hands up before he returned the splash towards the whale.

Elias merely nods, watching his son enjoy the bit of time he had in the massive pool tank. It was wonderful to see him getting along with the crew. Most of them had seen him grow up, which more than delighted Elias as he considered his crew his found family.

-----
Commodore Elias McEntyre
Commanding Officer
USS Guinevere

Emery Tyris-McEntyre
Civilian
USS Guinevere

Staff Warrant Officer Riolu
Navigation Specialist

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