Asif looked through a viewport at the docked USS Arakov... a Steamrunner class starship... he recalled the purpose of their original construction... to combat the BORG... the Steamrunners were very powerful ships, but now showing their age...
He made his way to the access tunnel connecting ship to starbase and flipped his ID padd at the security operative. He was waved perfunctorily through and walked down the short passage.
After both women had gotten something to eat and finding a table to sit down at, Saskia took immediately a big bite from her sandwich. Almost at the same time Kiara asked her: "Does the Captain have a briefing planned Commander? He didn't mention one to me when I reported in?"
After finishing chewing, and making a mental note never again to take a big bite when having a companion, Saskia was finally able to give an answer.
"He mentioned that he would probably give a crew meeting tonight. And as long as we haven't received a message telling us so, then we can assume we're having none. Oh, and could you please do me a favour?" Saskia took another bite of her sandwich, a little bite this time.
"He mentioned that he would probably give a crew meeting tonight. And as long as we haven't received a message telling us so, then we can assume we're having none. Oh, and could you please do me a favour?"
Saskia took another bite of her sandwich, a little bite this time.
"Please call me Saskia when we're off duty."
Kiara nodded her head, "Then please call me Kiara." She said with a bit of a smile after finishing off the bite of food in her mouth. "So," she asked an impish smile on her face, "What do you do in your spare time?" She liked to get to know her fellow crewmates. You never knew when some trivial piece of information would come in handy.
"Permission to come aboard?" Asif asked the female lieutenant on stepping through the doorway. He handed his padd to her which she took her time in reading.
She handed it back, "Welcome aboard Mr. Qureshi. You are berthed alongside the other officers in transit. But I think you should check in with this ship's CO first..." She smiled.
"Chukria... thank you... I will do just that." Asif smiled and walked towards a turbolift, and as the doors opened he entered. "Bridge!" he commanded.
(USS Arakov - Bridge - 2386.11.1 - 18:39 - CO Jovan Eval)
The commander of Delta One had said her hello's to Jovan and now sat working in the Captain's chair, right next to him. He himself sat working in the chair of the First Officer, writing his second - and final, praise be - report. He and Sera had exchanged only a few words, for Jovan was terrible at doing two things. And right now his attention was drawn to the last few words of his report.
Which he wrote and then put the PADD down. He lightly tapped his commbadge.
"All senior staff of the USS Arakov and Delta One, I will be giving a mission briefing for the USS Arakov at 20:00 tonight. All staff members of the Arakov are required to be there. Staff members of Delta One are welcome, but not required. Eval out."
Just as Jovan closed down his comm-link, someone interjected himself into any possible conversation between him and miss Vaun.
"Lt. Asif Abdullah Gulaam Qureshi reporting, Sir. Assigned to Deep Space Delta One as Chief Science Officer, and requesting permission to come aboard..."
~ Isn't he already aboard? ~ Jovan thought with a smile.
Asif walked out of the turbolift and glanced around... he saw the four gold pips on the collar of a man sitting in the centre seat... ~We must be about ready to depart?~ thought Asif, ~why else would the CO be in his 'big-chair' whilst the ship is still docked....~
He walked up to him and stood to attention.
"Lt. Asif Abdullah Gulaam Qureshi reporting, Sir. Assigned to Deep Space Delta One as Chief Science Officer, and requesting permission to come aboard..."
The four-pipped one just looked at Asif and smirked.
~Not the sort of greeting I would have expected!~ thought Asif.
He shrugged, turned on his heel and left the ship's bridge, made his way down via turbolift to the connecting umbilical to the starbase...
The turbolift finally stopped at the level of the bridge. As the doors slid open, she exited and stepped to the left of the doors to observe what was going on. The captain was talking to someone and she had heard that there would be a meeting. She made a mental note to be at the meeting to see what was discussed.
After a moment or two she started wondering to each station and watching the crew member at work. If there was no one there she looked the station over then moved on. Soon she looked at the captain to find that he was watching her. Seeing that he was now ready to recieve her, she walked up to him.
"Captain Eval, I presume. I am Ambassador Deleane of Vulcan. I have been assigned as the Vulcan ambassador to Deep Space Delta One. I was told that I had a berth on your ship." Deleane informed him matter of factly.
"What do you do in your spare time?", Kiara asked her.
When she was about to answer suddenly her commbadge chirped, as did Kiara's:
=/= All senior staff of the USS Arakov and Delta One, I will be giving a mission briefing for the USS Arakov at 20:00 tonight. All staff members of the Arakov are required to be there. Staff members of Delta One are welcome, but not required. Eval out. =/=
"Well, we having a briefing now. Okay, where were we...?", Saskia said smiling. She took a bite from her sandwich. ~ Ah. Got it again ~ "I'm mostly spending my spare time reading some books, or on the holodeck sailing." She took another little bite, and then added ". or I'm playing piano in my quarters. And what about you ? What do you do in your spare time ?"
(USS Arakov - Bridge - Stardate 2386.11.1 - 18:43 - CO Sera Vaun)
"Lt. Asif Abdullah Gulaam Qureshi reporting, Sir. Assigned to Deep Space Delta One as Chief Science Officer, and requesting permission to come aboard..."
Sera smirked at the formality of her CSO, but before she could say anything, he turned on his heel and left. Her eyes grew wide and puzzled as she watched him stalk off the bridge. When she turned back to Eval, he shrugged and grinned broadly, causing Sera let loose a small burst of laughter.
"What's up his butt?" Eval said, causing a few titters to escape from the bridge crew.
"Incoming message from Admiral Hsu, for Captain Vaun," the communication officer said.
"On screen." Eval and Vaun replied at the same time.
The Admiral appeared, looking much more dishevled than when Sera had last seen him. "Captain Vaun, I thought I'd inform you that your CSO has requested and been granted reassignment."
Sera tried to conceal her smile, but it was plain. "May I ask Admiral, what was the problem?"
The Admiral shrugged, "Who knows. Hsu out."
Sera turned back to Eval and chuckled once more. "Oh well," she said, rising from the big chair. "I've got a meeting with Commander Purim, and I'd better not be late."
Eval stood up as well, and moved back to his chair. "See you at the meeting."
"Captain Eval, I presume. I am Ambassador Deleane of Vulcan. I have been assigned as the Vulcan ambassador to Deep Space Delta One. I was told that I had a berth on your ship." Deleane informed him matter of factly.
It seemed to Deleane that the Captains were taken by what the science officer had just done. It seemed that the two captains had not spoke to him quick enough for his liking, so, he turned on his heels then left the bridge. Deleane waited to see what the two would do with such insubordination. Logically they would should have brought him up on charges.
The two captains seemed to think it was amusing to have someone to act like that. Then Captain Eval spoke up.
"What's up his butt?" , causing a few titters to escape from the bridge crew.
"Incoming message from Admiral Hsu, for Captain Vaun," the communication officer said.
"On screen." Eval and Vaun replied at the same time.
Deleane saw the Admiral had appeared. She had not seen him so annoyed as he was at that time.
"Captain Vaun, I thought I'd inform you that your CSO has requested and been granted reassignment."
Captain Vaun spoke up with a slight smile "May I ask Admiral, what was the problem?"
The Admiral shrugged, "Who knows. Hsu out."
Captain Vaun then turned back to Captain Eval and chuckled once more. "Oh well," she said, rising from the big chair. "I've got a meeting with Commander Purim, and I'd better not be late."
Eval stood up as well, and moved back to his chair. "See you at the meeting."
"It seems logical to assume that the officer has some mental problems with having to wait for an answer from superiors. He seems to have delusions of grandeur to think he can act above his station." Deleane stated as if it was an every day occurance. "Now to my quarters, Captain. Please appoint someone to escort me there, if you would be so kind." Deleane decided that she would talk to Captain Vaun later after she had settled in.
The general mirth he and Sera had had over the abrupt departure of a CSO who had yet to check in had settled a bit for Jovan.
"Our VIP quarters are located on Deck 2... I could show you if you want?
"Sir I assure you that is not necessary if you are busy. I can find my way if you have no one else." Deleane replied.
~ What's under there, a robot? ~ Jovan thought with a frown as he stared at the robed figure before him. The design was unmistakingly Vulcan. ~ Even worse ~
"Whatever pleases you best," he said with a smile.
"it is not what pleases me but what is most logical captain." Deleane responded unceremoniously.
Jovan flapped with his hand in a dismissive gesture. "Then I'll stay here if your logic dictates such a course, Ambassador."
"Captain it seems that you have taken offense." Deleane replied, "Offense was not my intention. By all means if you have the time I would be honored. I had just not wanted to take you away from more important business if there was any."
Jovan let his gaze sweep across the bridge. They were docked at Starbase 34, with little going on. Important business indeed.
He jumped out of his chair and extended his left arm towards the turbolift, leading the way.
"If you would follow me, please?"
"I guess the term would be...... I would be delighted" Deleane said with a bit of question as she dropped her hood and took his offered arm.
As she lowered her hood and accepted his arm, Jovan gracefully guided her to the turbolift and they entered.
Shy'na had checked herself several extra times to make sure she was in uniform. She had finally made it to the Captains quarters and reached up to ring the door chime. Then she waited for the door to open.
...and got himself patched through to Admiral Nguyen Hsu at Starfleet HQ.
=/\=Yes Commander? What is so important that you haveawoken me at this uncivil hour?=/\=
"My apologies, Sir. But I am no longer a lieutenant commander, but just a lieutenant, and I have been assigned to Deep Space Delta One. I was instructed to embark aboard the USS Arakov, but on reporting there was promptly ignored. I am not used to this treatment, Sir, and request re-assignment immediately... with all due respect." Asif managed all in one long breath.
=/\=Oh... I see... ummm...=/\= the admiral, still wearing night- clothes, looked at a padd. =/\=Report back to SFHQ on the next available transport. I need an ADC and your rank is immediately re- instated to Lieutenant Commander.=/\=
Asif nodded. "Thank you, Sir. I am on my way... but what of this other assignment?"
(USS Arakov - Turbolift - Stardate 2386.11.1 - 1857 - Ambassador Deleane/CO Eval) "Deck 2." he spoke and the turbolift hummed on it's way.
"So, Captain, how do you feel going to an uncharted quadrant?" Deleane said as she wanted to make small talk as they were in the turbolift.
"As long as it won't push everyone to their limits, it's fine with me." Jovan said with a slight smile on his mouth. "Might I enquire, why exactly are you accompanying us, Ambassador?"
The turbolift halted and they walked down the hallways to her quarters.
His head pounding Rovan decided he'd had enough of Callahan's. Not only was it starting to get noisy the continual good cheer of the inhabitants was begining to grate on his nerves. Why couldn't they all be as miserable as him? It didn't seem awfully fair of them all. He wondered if any of them were future officers bound for Delta One. Giving an evil grin Rovan did his best to memorise potential faces, marking out candidates for a particularly 'vigourous' physical. Maybe he should even replicate a rubber glove, that allways seemed to worry people when they saw him wearing that an smiling in their direction.
Heading to the airlock for the Arakov he found himself distracted by a series of disjointed memories thanks to his parasite, sorry, symbiont. For some reason one of his former selves had once gone AWOL rather than turn up for a new post, prefering instead to run off with a young orion girl and start up a bar with her on a starbase far from here.
"Great," muttered Rovan to himself, "saddled with the memories of being a loser...cheers Bren."
With a jolt back to reality Rovan found himself at the airlock where a female security lieutenant smiled politely.
"May i have your PADD please sir?"
PADD? Rovan mentally slapped himself round the face, and aimed a few nasty thoughts at the slug whilst he was at it. If it hadn't dredged up those memories..because it was its fault...wasn't it?
"Uhhh..." There was nothing for it, of course he had to go back to his room. After all, his belonging were there as well. "Don't you dare go anywhere lieutenant." Waggling his finger at the bemused looking officer he spun on his heel and stalked away. Another one for the rubber glove...
Ten minutes later he returned wheeling his bag and clutching the oh- so-precious PADD containing his post details. He supposed he was going to have to read the rest of it soon, still, he had the whole journey. No rush.
"There we go lieutenant, the best damn forgery you'll ever see."
The woman raised an eyebrow and accepted the PADD. Casting her gaze over the first few lines she then checked against one of her own.
"Good enough for me Commander, i've entered on there the details of your berth. You-"
Rovan snatched back his PADD and stomped in the ship proper. If it was important she'd run after him...she didn't. Good, that just left him, the slug and the headache from purgatory.
"Ah wonderful," grumbled Rovan as he cast his gaze around the inside of the Arakov, "that shade of grey i love so well. Still, i suppose we should be greatful that the mighty chief of Starfleet isn't a fan of flock wallpaper...or woodchip."
Contented in his complaining Rovan ambled off, luggage in tow, to find the undersized ex-cupboard that was to be his dwelling for the next few years. After all, something was bound to go wrong...
(USS Arakov - Outside Sera's Quarters - Stardate 236.11.1 -19:01 - CO Sera Vaun)
As Sera exited the turbolift, she saw Shy'na standing in the corridor in front of her door, looking a tad annoyed.
"Sorry I'm late," Sera said as she approached. She tapped the panel beside the doors, and they swooshed open. "Our CSO reported in and requested a transfer almost immediately," Sera shook her head and chuckled, as she stepped aside to allow Shy'na to enter first.
Following her first officer into the room, Sera then went to the replicator.
"Water, cold with ice. Anything I can get you?"
"Tea, please," Shy'na replied. Sera handed her the tea, and gesturedtowards the sofa. Sera took the seat opposite and took a sip of her water. Sera sensed Shy'na concern over what had transpired earlier, and she sighed as she considered how to handle it.
Watching the ice cubes in her glass, she began to speak. "Commander, I must admit I wasn't pleased with your reaction to our Cardassian Ambassador. However, you actions were appropriate. You treated him with the proper respect, because if you hadn't, I'm sure he would have raised a stink." Sera took another drink. "Your thoughts are your own, and I would never try to coerce you to think like I do. However, I do feel the need to remind you that if those feelings must not, at any time, impair your ability to work with Consul Torlith. Now, what was it you wanted to discuss?"
Shy'na was getting a bit annoyed as she had hit the chime several times with no response. The CO had told her 1900 hours and she got there early as not to be late. Shy'na was about to call it when the turbolift doors opened and out walked her Captain. Shy'na tried to quickly hide her annoyance but knew that she had not hid them completely when the CO greeted her.
"Sorry I'm late," The CO said as she approached. She then stepped up to tap the panel beside the doors, and they swooshed open. "Our CSO reported in and requested a transfer almost immediately," The Captain said then shook her head and chuckled, as she stepped aside to allow Shy'na to enter first.
~Reported in and then asked for a transfer? That is so very strange, that person must have had something wrong in their head or something~ Shy'na quickly thought to herself as she stepped in and the CO stepped in behind her.
"Water, cold with ice. Anything I can get you?"
"Tea, please," Shy'na replied. The CO handed her the tea, and gestured towards the sofa then took the seat opposite and took a sip of her water. Shy'na could not decide whether to start by apologizing for the earlier incident or start in with what she wanted to say. Probably sensing Shy'na's concern over that, the CO sighed. As she was watching the ice cubes in her glass, she started the conversation.
"Commander, I must admit I wasn't pleased with your reaction to our Cardassian Ambassador. However, you actions were appropriate. You treated him with the proper respect, because if you hadn't, I'm sure he would have raised a stink." The CO took another drink. "Your thoughts are your own, and I would never try to coerce you to think like I do. However, I do feel the need to remind you that if those feelings must not, at any time, impair your ability to work with Consul Torlith. Now, what was it you wanted to discuss?"
Thinking of what the Captain had just told her while taking a sip, she knew that the captain was right. That was one thing that she had been taught, to not let one's own feelings get in the way of doing the job.
"Sir, first of all let me say that I find it an honor to be serving under you. From all the reports that I have been able to read, you are a first class officer. I feel that I will be able to learn valuable lessons from you. I also want to assure you that my feelings, good or bad, will in no way affect my objectivity in doing my job. I do apologize for not checking my feelings earlier and I will try not have it happen again. I further do not usually vocalize them to anyone." Shy'na replied trying to be honest with her new boss.
"As to what I wanted to talk to you about is who I am. I am not sure how much they told you of me when they assigned me as First Officer. Just so that you and I are on the same wave length, I want to make sure you do know me. What I tell you will be Top Secret between us and the others are on an a need to know basis." She paused to take a sip seeing the interest in the captain's eyes she continued. "For the last twelve years I have been with Starfleet Intelligence. I have been undercover in many a culture, hopefully, we will not meet any that I had to deal with other than Cardassia. I believe that SFI will try to inform us if there might be a problem if they can. I have been in Cardassia more than once and there is a bounty on my head. I do not believe they know exactly what I look like as I was under disguise when I was there. I also want you to know that I am still SFI and they want me to be their liaison here in the Delta Quadrant. I hope this does not pose a problem for us." Shy'na stopped to let what she had to say sink in to her captain while she finished off her tea.
(USS Arakov - Sera's Quarters - Stardate 236.11.1 -19:06 - D1 CO Sera Vaun)
Sera knew this was coming but she wasn't thrilled to hear it anyway. "I was informed that you were with SFI, and would be acting in that regard. I don't like covert operations. Perhaps it's the Betazoid in me. We like everything to be open and honest." Sera got up and paced a bit. "Unfortunately, I don't have a choice in the matter. Starfleet has insisted on a SFI presence. But let me make this clear. If you do anything other than gather information, I want to know about it. I can't perform my duty if you're running around sabotaging my efforts."
Sera took her seat again. "Now, I have a few questions. First of all I assume that if you were disguised, you also used an alias?"
"My government thought it logical that we have a presence in the quadrant to help maintain order."
"Does the Vulcan government expect much problems in the Delta Quadrant, then?" Jovan asked, his eyebrows arched upwards.
"It is illogical to expect that all races in the the quadrant will welcome us with completely open arms Captain." Deleane answered him without even breaking a stride.
"Captain do you believe that all races in the Delta quadrant is going to be our friends as soon as we find them?" Deleane replied to his question.
He snorted. "Judging from what we've read on the species of the Delta Quadrant, we already have our share of enemies out there... the Kazon, the Hirogen, the Vaudwaar," he shrugged. "Need I go on?"
"exactly and a cool head might be better in some of these cases. Maybe in future cases as well."
"You're implying I cannot keep cool under tense situations?" Jovan said, bridging the space that lay between them until he stood almost nose to nose with this presumptious ambassador.
"I was not referring to you in particularly, but, your actions now prove my point captain. I think that this conversation is at an end now. When you have had time to reevaluate your actions maybe we can continue." Deleane responded without even batting so much as an eyebrow.
Jovan took a deep breath and turned away from this infuriating peacock. He pressed the chime on the door they had now reached and mocked a bow.
"Be welcome aboard the USS Arakov."
Without waiting for an answer, he stalked away. Who did she think she was?!
"Thank you captain for personally seeing me to my quarters." Deleane said to his back
(USS Arakov - Deck 9 - Shuttle bay 4 - 2386.11.1 - 19:15 - AS0 Alex Kerr)
The shuttle just landed and back door opened, Kerr got of with his bags in hand then proceeded to the turbolift. Once kerr walked over the turbolift he wondered were to go, so he thought he'll go the security.
Kerr got into the lift and said to the computer "security", then the lift started and went to deck 3. Kerr now thinking about back at the academy, they were fun times he said to himself as he became lost in his thought's. Kerr then thought back to his vulcan master who was like a farther to him, who cared for him and taught him how to control his emotions without totally losing any.
Kerr then heard the door swish open and then proceeded of to security.
Shy'na had not known but guessed that Starfleet would have told Captain Vaun that there would be a SFI presence on the Starbase. She did not need to be a Betazoid or someone that had psychic powers to know that the Captain was now uneasy with what she now knew.
"Captain, in telling you this, I wanted you to see that I have it in mind that we shall work together as much as I can. I would rather have you with me than against me. Being the CO of a starbase, and my boss, I want to work completely honest with you." Shy'na said in answer to the captains statement.
"As for your question, I have always been totally disguised and I used a different name, I can not tell you what it or they might have been though." Shy'na then decided to lighten things up a bit and tell some of herself.
"I have become rather skilled in some forms of entertainment that might give you happiness and the people on the starbase. It has nothing to do with what and who I am also. Just because I am Orion does not mean we crave sex at all hours of the day, but, it is fun." Shy'na finished up with a smile.
"Captain, I look so much to work with you and to be trusted by you. I know that since I am SFI it may take some time for you to trust me, but, I promise you will one day. Anyway, we have a meeting to attend and we don't want to be late, so, I guess I should leave to let you freshen up for it." Shy'na finished as she put her glass down to get up.
(USS Arakov - Personal Quarters - Stardate 2386.11.1 - 1917 - Ambassador Deleane) After watching Captain Eval stalk away she shook her head and entered her quarters. As she walked in she could see that her belongings had indeed arrived. She went to her clothes to get things to freshen up and get ready for the meeting at 2000 hours.
(USS Arakov - Sera's Quarters - Stardate 236.11.1 -19:20 - CO Sera Vaun)
"Anyway, we have a meeting to attend and we don't want to be late, so, I guess I should leave to let you freshen up for it." Shy'na finished as she put her glass down to get up.
Sera nodded. She stood up and escorted Shy'na to the door. Sera had a feeling this subject would come up again, so she didn't feel a need to continue objecting. "See you at the meeting, Commander."
As the doors closed behind Shy'na, the thought came to her. If she was able to give Consul Torlith, who likely didn't deserve it, a small measure of trust, why was she so reluctant to give Shy'na the benefit of the doubt? Sera didn't like to think she was prejudiced in any form, and she blushed at her realization that she was prejudiced against those in Intelligence.
Sera picked up Shy'na's tea cup and her own glass, taking them back to the replicator. "Recycle."
Sitting at the workstation in her quarters, she looked through the list of her crew that were on board. Jovan had mentioned that he lacked a CMO, and that was one officer she had. He'd apparenty come aboard, but hadn't reported in. "Computer, where is Dr. Bren?"
<Dr. Bren is in his quarters.>
Rather than contact him over the commlink, Sera decided to pay her CMO and 2nd Officer a visit. She freshened up a bit, then left her quarters. As she made her way to Dr. Bren's quarters, she speculated on what he might be like now. She had heard of Dr. Bren, who had been a great scientist. That had been the old Dr. Bren, however. Dr. Bren was Trill, and the host she had heard of died recently. For all Sera knew, his new host was a woman, not to mention younger than she was.
Sera found Dr. Bren's quarters and pressed the chime. "What?" came an annoyed voice from within. Sera took that as an invitation, and entered the room.
She was not prepared for the shock she recieved upon entering. The man standing before her was Rovan Delyn, her former mentor. He seemed as startled as she was, and for a moment, she stared blankly into his badly scarred face. Her heart beat wildly in her chest as she tried to think of something to say to the man who had once been her superior officer, and who she had loved from a distance for so long.
"Dr. Delyn, I had no idea you were on board. What happened?" she asked with concern, looking at the scar near his eye.
Rovan sat in his room thoroughly miserable. He was sure if he searched around what passed for his 'room' he'd find the old mop and broom that this cupboard had no doubt once stored. Also one of the taps in the makeshift washroom dripped continously and nothing, not even six former lives of plumbing no-how, seemed to be able to make it stop.
It was almost enough to make him want to attend the meeting held by the captain of this vessel. Almost. Truth be told he had no intention of attending, what could possibly said that he could want to hear? Oh yes, there would be all that 'so happy to have you aboard' nonsense, how very twee. About the last thing Rovan wanted was a lot of sickly sweet pleasantries to have to sit through. Besides, thanks to the knowledge possesed by his symbiont he now knew them in more languages than he cared to count. Thanks for nothing.
Luckily his headache had gone. Unluckily it had been replaced by a most uncomfortable stomach ache. If he cared to view it scientifically (and once more he more than had the knowledge for such now) he knew it was simply the instability in chemicals between his own stomach lining and those required for the optimum symbiontic environment, and such discomfort was the result of this. A side effect of being too old for a bonding, one that could well take many months to harmonise.
However the way he preferred to look at it (science be damned) it was the cursed worm tormenting him once more. Wretched thing just refused to settle down no matter how much Rovan dispaired.
Come to think of it maybe he would go to the meeting after all. Rovan found the prospect of sitting at a table full of officers, yelling at his own stomach to shut up and be still, darkly amusing. With a frown he wondered why that was though, he never used to be one for such thoughts...had he? Maybe it was another quirk of the symbiont...perhaps the life of-
The door bleeped, interupting his train of thought. "What!" he growled at the door, hoping it was nothing. Perhaps somebody was just looking for some disinfectant or bleach from the old closet.
Instead it slid open to reveal a face he knew all too well, although it had been a few years since he saw her. Last he knew of Dr Vaun she'd taken a position on the Jefferson at his recommendation. She'd done well since his tutelage it seemed, she now sported Captain's rank pips. Seeing her shook him right out of his reverieand he stood, genuinley astounded to see her. She spoke whilst he gained his wits.
"Dr. Delyn, I had no idea you were on board. What happened?"
Rovan winced as he saw her look over him, an odd look in her eye that Rovan took for disgust. She could only mean one thing, the scar that now dominated the left side of his face. He knew all too well himself how it looked, but then such was penance.
"What happened?" Rovan just shook his head, a mixture of shame and not knowing where to start. "Death, rebirth, i...i really don't know where to start." He gave a faint smile, the first expression of kindess to grace his face that day, "i guess you could just look on my file now you're a captain. Well done on that by the way." Rovan suddenly shook his head as a thought entered his head. "Hang on, if you didn't know i was here why come? Oh, and technically its Dr Bren now...kind of." It was all so confusing still to him. At least he knew the memories of Sera were own...but then what was 'him' seemed a blurred ground these days, and instead he had another six previous lives of symbiont throwing its interpretations on things too. Just how did a man (and ex-woman!) get used to such?
Shy'na had left her Captain's quarters feeling better than she had when she arrived. The Captain was much like the reports that she had read of her. Shy'na felt that they would be able to work together and soon she would be able to gain the Captain's trust. Shy'na could understand that the Captain had reservations because Shy'na was part of Starfleet Intelligence(SFI). Shy'na would have some reservations of the Captain if she had trusted Shy'na right off. No one has ever trusted anyone from SFI at face value. Shy'na made a mental note to put that in her daily report.
Shy'na noticed that she had indeed finally made it to the observation lounge.
(USS Arakov - Rovan's Quarters - Stardate 236.11.1 -19:25 - CO Sera Vaun)
"Hang on, if you didn't know i was here why come? Oh, and technically its Dr. Bren now...kind of."
Sera finally understood. She should have realized much earlier, but the surprise of seeing Rovan had made her lose focus. "Ooh, I see. I came to see my CMO, Dr. Bren. I just hadn't realized he was you. Isn't it unusual for someone to be joined past a certain age?"
Sera regretted her question as soon as it came out of her mouth. Although he tried to hide it, Rovan tensed considerably when she mentioned the circumstances of his joining. She picked up a few images from his mind, enough to get a general idea of the circumstances. She put a hand on his arm. "It's ok, I understand."
"Anyway, I came to ask a favor of you. The Arakov is short a doctor, and I was hoping that since you were on board you could fill in for them. It's only a request, so if you feel you're not up to it, you're not obligated."
"Anyway, I came to ask a favor of you. The Arakov is short a doctor, and I was hoping that since you were on board you could fill in for them. It's only a request, so if you feel you're not up to it, you're not obligated."
Rovan paused in thought, still dwelling on the fact that she too had seen he was too old for a joining. She claimed to understand but could she? Honestly? He didn't think so, not when he couldn't understand himself. Still she was only being kind, no doubt for old times sake.
"I..." He found himself distracted by the symbiont bringing up memories of his tenure with Sera on the USS Orion. He did his best to put the past in the background whilst he talked to his old student. "I'll go. If anything it'll keep me occupied and out of this shoebox they call 'guest quarters'." Rovan honestly didn't know if he was going to find their role reversal difficult. It had been a long time and he was a different person now but even so.... It wasn't as if he'd ever courted command, he was a Doctor first, but then thats what he'd thought of Sera...hadn't he? Just what had he expected when he pushed her for the CMO position on the Jefferson? "And I suppose you'll be wanting me to call you 'sir' now?" A test.
(USS Arakov - Rovan's Quarters - Stardate 236.11.1 - 19:30 - CO Sera Vaun)
"I'll go. If anything it'll keep me occupied and out of this shoebox they call 'guest quarters'."
Sera wasn't sure what to make of the change she saw in Rovan. He had clearly been through a traumatic experience, and that could be what had altered his usually friendly personality. It was also quite likely that it was Bren's influence on him, and the man she had come to know and care for was gone. She didn't like that thought one bit.
"And I suppose you'll be wanting me to call you 'sir' now?"
Sera smiled at this, and forced a chuckle. It was a loaded question, and she knew he was probably trying to see how much she had changed. "Hmmm. Well, turnabout is fair play. I've called you 'sir' often enough. It might be nice to have you licking my boots for a change," Sera told him, her eyes twinkling. She laughed at her own joke before continuing. "Actually, I'd prefer it if you would call me Sera. I'd like it if we could be friends rather than captain and doctor. I'd always wished we'd gotten to know each other off-duty."
Jovan paced through the dimly lit room. He had a meeting to prepare, but could not focus on it. The silly conversation he had had with the Vulcan Ambassador kept playing through his mind. Her behaviour had been childish and most annoying... why could he not forget it?
Once he had arrived here he had set the lights of the lounge to 30% intensity. He always did that, it helped him think on what he was going to tell the crew.
What was he going to tell the crew? They were to transport the crew of the station Delta One to there and then they were off to explore the Delta Quadrant. Not much of a mission, actually. Still he could not focus. He knew he had to speak with her, this had to be settled.
Time passed, and Jovan kept pacing... unaware that the chrono now read 19:55... and the meeting was approaching.
"And I suppose you'll be wanting me to call you 'sir' now?"
Sera smiled at this, and forced a chuckle. It was a loaded question, and she knew he was probably trying to see how much she had changed. "Hmmm. Well, turnabout is fair play. I've called you 'sir' often enough. It might be nice to have you licking my boots for a change," Sera told him, her eyes twinkling. She laughed at her own joke before continuing. "Actually, I'd prefer it if you would call me Sera. I'd like it if we could be friends rather than captain and doctor. I'd always wished we'd gotten to know each other off-duty."
Rovan gave a faint smile, his first of the day in fact. "Well, you know how-" He stopped abruptly. He was about to say about the benefits of having kept their relationship stricly professional, after all, they'd both become better doctors for it. But now he was....well, different, it didn't ring true. Yes, that was how Delyn had seen it for certain, never considered anything outside the job, but Bren....Bren had a different view.
It threw him totally. Years of his life he'd spent living like that, being friendly but keeping a small distance there so as not to effect their work. Was he wrong, had that been a mistake? A waste? How did he know now what the right course of action would have been? Damn this confusion that had come with the joining. How could he deal with re-examining his life through new perspectives.
"I..." he croaked, "i suspect you might be write there..." He trailed off, not quite knowing what to say next, or how to say it at all. Still he stumbled bravely on, trying to make sense of having a fresh light on old memories. "Tell me...was i wrong in what i did? How i handled things?...How did you see those times?" Perhaps if she agreed he had done the correct thing then all would be well, this sudden self-analysis would stop and he would know his own mind once more. But then what did he believe any more about the past when he couldn't even be sure of his own mind?
(USS Arakov - Rovan's Quarters - Stardate 2386.11.1 - 19:40 - CO Sera Vaun)
"Tell me...was i wrong in what i did? How i handled things?...How did you see those times?"
Sera instantly realized she had said too much. She spoke quickly to reassure him. "Oh no, You handled things well. If you hadn't encouraged me the way you did, I'd still be were I was back then. Thanks to you, I'm about to take command of the first starfleet base in the delta quadrant."
Rovan shakes his head. "No, don't thank me for simply doing my job. Besides if you learnt it from me then why am i not a captain myself." He looked wistful for a second but then it was gone as quickly as it had come. "No Sera, credit where its due, you've done just fine by yourself. If i've hepled a little then thank you for saying so but don't deny yourself your fair share of pride on my account."
Sera blushed. "Thank you for saying so. I was afraid you would disapprove of my leaving Medical for Command."
Rovan gave a mock sniff of indignation. "Me dissaprove of you? Never. You always were my 'star pupil' if you will, how could I ever be anything less than proud of you for doing so well. Although I have to admit that I never expected to be serving under you but given... " he waved his hand in an encompassing gesture, "everything I'm trying to deal with right now I can't think of whom I'd rather have to work with."
Sera reached out at put her hand on Rovan's arm. "If there's ever anything you need, I'm here for you."
Rovan smiled, a sad smile but one also of understanding. "For that I thank you. All I ask is that you bear with me though. This is a," he swallowed, "difficult time for me. You're a Doctor and a betazoid to boot so I know if anyone could help its you. Its just something I'm going to have to come to terms with and that could take time..."
Rovan's voice trailed off and his eyes lost their focus, as if he were staring far far away, or perhaps into the past. He stayed like that for a few seconds then broke it off with a shake of his head, before looking up straight into the eyes of his old friend. "Thank you Sera...I'll...I'll try not to let you down on Delta One despite everything. On that you have my word."
Sera smiled. "I never had any doubt of that." On impulse, she leaned forward and kissed him lightly on the cheek. "Now, perhaps we'd better attend the staff meeting?"
Rovan reeled in mental shock, trying to keep it from his face. There was something she would never have done all those years ago. But then there was something he would have ignored then too. Now...
"Sure!" he said perhaps a little too eagerly, thrusting his thoughts aside. Then he grinned, a facial gesture of the Rovan of old. "After you Ma'am?"
As Deleane freshened up she kept thinking about how much Captain Eval had to learn if he was going to be a great Captain. She had been talking generalities and he had taken it personal. She thought that if the Captain had a bit more logic in his life he would be a lot better at making statements that don't make him look so human.
Putting her robe aside she grabbed her long black dress and put it on. She had decided it was time to put her robe aside for now. Thinking of how she looked in the black dress gave her a smile and that usually got her into trouble amongst her Vulcan friends. Vulcans are not suppose to smile much less like what they looked like in certain clothes, but, she did. She brushed her long black hair out so it did not look as though it had been hiding under a robe.
Finally she was ready to head to the meeting and probably another conversation with the captain. She had thought that since his CSO had left on him, it would leave him without one. She had been trained in the area of Science, so, it would be logical for her to offer her services for the cruise to Delta One.
(USS Arakov - Observation Lounge - Stardate 2386.11.1 - 1955 - TAC/SC (Delta) Richard Ian Lee)
Richard walked into the observation lounge, intent on listening into the meeting that was supposed to take place. He wasnt part of this crew, but he was bored.
However, instead of walking in on a typical meeting atmosphere, he walked into a near dark woom with a shadowy figure pacing back and forth. Rich cleared his throat and crossed his hands behind his back ."Uh, Sir...whoever you are. Am I disturbing you? I thought there was supposed to be a meeting here, but I could be mistaken"
He chuckled, "Its been known to happen." The figure stopped and light gleamed off his pips...
...four of them.
Rich came to attention in an instant. "Sir, sorry Sir, didnt know you where a Captain!" ~Great Rich, perfect start...just peachy~
"Uh, Sir...whoever you are. Am I disturbing you? I thought there was supposed to be a meeting here, but I could be mistaken," there was a pause, "It's been known to happen."
Jovan walked over towards the author of that voice and stopped near him. The scant illumination fell on his face and uniform - and his pips.
"Sir, sorry Sir, didnt know you where a Captain!"
Jovan was still nettled over his conversation with that Vulcan Ambassador. "And only because of my rank you act kindly to me?" he said with a frown and walked towards his seat.
Kerr was getting himself familiar with the security crew and the shifts that the cheif of security had made to all his security crew. When he heard about a meeting that was going to be on very soon, so kerr decided to leave and go to the meeting.
Kerr then packed up his datacards and left for the meeting.
Saskia didn't like being late in a meeting, but well, time had gone much faster then she had noticed. So she hurried from her quarters to the turbolift.
"Observation Lounge," she told the computer, and the lift quickly went to the higher deck on which the observation lounge was located.
While Saskia walked into the observation lounge and sat down, she was a little happy to notice that she was not the only one who was late. A lot of the other ones also dropped in during the last minute before the meeting was about to start.
Arriving the Observation Lounge she saw that only the captain and one other had arrived. She entered catching the eye of the captain, she actually smiled at him. She thought that might ease the tension between them because it being a human gesture. Then she nodded and found a seat in the corner by the door to be out of the way. She figured that the crew needed to be closer to him than she did at this moment.
Immediately, people started to arrive and take their seat. As the flow of people ended, The Captain stood up and started the meeting. She listened up to what he had to say.
Shy'na walked in after checking herself over and then she followed a few others in. She saw the Captain of the Arakov, a woman in a black dress sitting away from the rest, Captain Vaun, and a few others that she had not known. Looking back at the lady in black she finally could tell that she was a vulcan. She wondered why she was sitting way in the back, but, decided not to pursue just yet. As she turned back to the others she caught a strange look Captain Eval was giving the Lady in Black.
~Hmm they must have had a run in, but, I wonder who she is to make him look like that.~ Shy'na thought to herself.
She went and found herself a seat a little closer to the heart of the meeting then sat down. After a couple minutes more, Captain Eval got up and started the meeting.
Danmir entered the lounge behind a blond female he smiled and as he passed by he noticed the three pips on her collar he moved to the table and sat nodding to the Captain. And looking around the table at all the unfamiliar faces he waited for the briefing to begin...
(USS Arakov - Deck 1 - 2386.11.1 - 2003 - Ass Tec/Sec Alex Kerr)
Kerr got of the turbo lift and headed straight for the observation lounge, he speed up to get there in time and trying to make time. Kerr passed a few people on the way there and brushed past a few and accidentally ran into a few, he didn't stop to apologise he just kept on going.
Kerr then stopped at the door to the observation lounge and entered, he saw a few people and glad he made it on time, so now he waited.
There was a soft hum and the next moment Jovan sat blinking in the bright conference lounge. He did not pay any attention to whom was entering, instead he read his PADD.
After a while he did look up and noticed that quite a few people were sitting there, all patiently waiting for him to start. He smiled slightly and felt the strange atmosphere that hung in the room. It wasn't quite like electricity, but the uneasy nervousness all humanoids felt when they were among strangers.
All humanoids that were, except Vulcans. With a tired sigh he saw that the Vulcan Ambassador was also here.
He tapped his hand lightly on the table to draw the attention towards him and spoke up.
"First, a good evening to each of you," he began, his eyes meeting each crewmember as he spoke, "and a warm welcome to the USS Arakov. She's as new to me as she is to you, so we'll all be learning on this trip." He took another breath, "Let me begin by introducing myself properly to each of you. I am Captain Jovan Eval, a 91 year old El- Aurian. I've previously captained the USS Yvin through fifteen years of faithful services until it was destroyed in a plasma storm."
He paused for a moment, letting that sink in. "I spent several months in Narendn three in one of the biggest medical facilities of the Federation. After that episode of my life concluded, I was offered this commission by Starfleet."
Jovan shrugged and held out both his hands for a moment. "Here I am. Now I would be interested to hear a little bit about each of you. Of course I can read it in a personal profile, but I think word of mouth would be the best way to begin with."
He turned to Sera. "Captain Vaun, would you like to begin?"
Deleane listened to what Captain Eval was saying the he ended with an illogical statement and she just could not leave it at that.
"Here I am. Now I would be interested to hear a little bit about each of you. Of course I can read it in a personal profile, but I think word of mouth would be the best way to begin with."
He turned to Sera. "Captain Vaun, would you like to begin?"
Standing up in the utmost regal manner as a Vulcan, Deleane spoke.
"Excuse me Captain Vaun" she started and bowed slightly as she looked at Captain Vaun, "Captain Eval, I do believe since it is illogical to go over what you can most easily go over at your leisure. Each of the crew can access none secure items on each person also at their leisure. I would think that going on to the mission at hand would be most pertinent." She could see that Eval was not liking what she was saying but continued anyway. "And to that purpose, I see that your supposed CSO did not like or want to be on this ship and left. I have had training in the Science department and I think it logical that I offer my services in the interim." She then sat down to wait to see if he would answer her by his emotions, like all humans do, or by the logic in it.
Standing up in the utmost regal manner as a Vulcan, Deleane spoke.
"Excuse me Captain Vaun" she started and bowed slightly as she looked at Captain Vaun, "Captain Eval, I do believe since it is illogical to go over what you can most easily go over at your leisure. Each of the crew can access none secure items on each person also at their leisure. I would think that going on to the mission at hand would be most pertinent." She could see that Eval was not liking what she was saying but continued anyway.
"And to that purpose, I see that your supposed CSO did not like or want to be on this ship and left. I have had training in the Science department and I think it logical that I offer my services in the interim." She then sat down to wait to see if he would answer her by his emotions, like all humans do, or by the logic in it.
Rovan made no attempt to hide his smirk of contempt for the supposed diplomat. His headache had come back too and so wasn't in the best of moods for an uppity Vulcan to irritate him. If he didn't know better he'd blame her menstrual cycle but then Vulcans didn't work that way. Breathing in deeply he stood before any others could.
"As once a man of science myself i like to think i've come accross a little logic in my time. The first piece of logic is that diplomats should know when to speak and when to shut the hell up. The second piece is that when a captain gives an order, its obeyed. The third is that if you ask me we've just seen an audition for the worst possible officer candidate in this room. It seems logical you don't touch her offer with a bloody great stick." He looked specifically at Captain Eval, "Shes already shown no respect for your command and I don't recall you asking for her for her opinion either" He paused for a second, then carried on. "Oh yeah, and logically i'd also suggest that shes now had her turn and so would kindly shut the hell up whilst others speak." He glared briefly at the haughty Vulcan. "Now where were we, oh yeah, Sera i believe the ball was in your court."
With that he sat down. To think he'd told himself earlier he wasn't going to come to this meeting. He'd have missed out on all this fun!
(USS Arakov - Observation Lounge - Stardate 2386.11.1 - 20:10 - CO Sera Vaun)
"Now where were we, oh yeah, Sera I believe the ball was in your court." Rovan ended his speech.
Sera was momentarily speechless. The outburst was so unlike the Rovan she knew. Rovan Delyn had been friendly and polite. Rovan Bren, however, had a bit of an attitude. Although she had to admit, she rather liked it. Vulcans and Betazoids weren't known to get along very well, and Deleane's speech had irritated her as well. However, as Captain, she had to remain diplomatic.
Sera stood up and addressed Ambassador Deleane. "First, I'd like to correct a few errors you made, if I may. The CSO that quit was assigned to Delta One. The Arakov has two science officers, Lt. James Frost," She pointed to where James sat, "and Ensign Jim Janssens." Sera pointed to Jim as well. "Although your services are not needed here, I would welcome any assistance you can provide when we reach Delta One, if we have not received a replacement by then."
"Back to the introductions. I'm Captain Sera Vaun, soon to be CO of Deep Space Delta One. I'm thirty-four Earth years old, and I am Betazoid. So, in warning, when I give you an assignment you don't like, be careful what you think about me." Sera grinned, and a few chuckles were heard around the table. "Delta One is my first command, so bear with me. I was previously First Officer on the USS Jefferson, and before that, I was a medical officer."
Sera couldn't think of anything more to add, so she turned to Devon. "Consul Torlith, would you like to start things off, and tell us about about yourself?"
Venlore arrived onboard ship and when striaght to the Observation Lounge. Upon entering he when stright t the grup of officers and said, " Excuse me sirs if I am interruppting anything. I am Ensign Venlore Denlorgin, Soon to be the Cheif of operationa aboard delta one and I was tld to report here. If any of you would be so kind as to point out my Co sdo I could report before this meet offically begains if it has not already?"
