Objects At Rest

Posted on Sun Jun 26th, 2022 @ 7:39pm by Commodore Keiben Haistro & Lieutenant Commander Tiandith 'Tia' Tobru

1,273 words; about a 6 minute read

Mission: Episode 5 - Objects In Motion
Location: Upper Pylon
Timeline: Mission Day 1 @ 0700 Hours

ON

Tia had always found upper pylons to be quite easy places to find perspective. Usually they had very little foot traffic and the view was always quite nice as the ships came and went with little to worry about apart from docking in the wrong place. That rarely happened.

She watched as a Denobulan freighter began its approach and sighed as it took all the time in the world.

It had been many years since she'd even heard of the Denobulans, let alone see one of their ships. There were many species she'd seen on DS21 that had not fallen on her eyes for some time. It was nice, but it left her feeling displaced, or in a foreign land.

A reminder of how different her life is, or was.

A quiet voice started from the dark, quoting an obscure Human phrase "A philosopher once asked, 'Are we human because we gaze at the stars, or do we gaze at them because we are human?/ Pointless, really...'Do the stars gaze back?' Now, that's a question.”

Keiben stepped from the shadows which in itself was a miracle given the burly frame of the Betazoid.

"Neil Gaiman used that term, a Human. I always feel that his final question has weight when looking out beyond the station from here... I come here when I need time to contemplate. Looks like I'm in good company!"

As Tia turned her long red leather coat (see bio pic) creaked a little. Her holo-disguise served no further purpose as everyone of import knew who she was. It surprised her how even on a station of this size news did truly travel fast.

"Deep Space Nine had an amazing view... if Cardassian built stations were good for anything it was secluded views. That was the last time I was on one of this type. I used to hide away from Captain Sisko in similar pylons before he perished." she said with remorse.

"I would like a conversation with you if you wouldn't mind Tia?" Keiben asked respectfully. "But it can wait if you would rather have some time alone?"

He wanted to know more about her universe, especially given the nugget of information she had just dropped about the famous Captain Sisko, but this wasn't the time or the place.

"We are always alone, Captain. In the end I fear that no matter our connections to people or places, the feeling of lonliness is a constant in any universe." Tia said as she gave a small smile. "I think it is time we had a proper conversation. No prying ears, no snappy comments or egos in the room. An honest conversation... I realise I have been... difficult."

"Without knowing your full story, and in truth I won't ask... I can sense you have been through more than enough for one person and I have some news that may just add to that... Our science teams are still working on a way to return you home but at the moment we have no way to do that... There was no way for me to sugar coat that and for that I am sorry!"

He moved from the shadows, his uniform jacket open showing the red turtle neck tunic below which he had unbuttoned allow himself the chance to be comfortable. He found himself a place to sit across from her, reigning his telepathic senses incompletely, not wanting to invade her privacy in any way.

"I am sure it will come out naturally, my story that is." Tia corrected the end of her sentence. "I have lived many lifetimes over the past 200 years but the last 25 years have been the most difficult." she sighed as a ship flew past the pylon at speed. "Do I want to go back to a universe, a galaxy, under Dominion rule? Where hope is scarce, and trust in short supply?" She asked rhetorically as she shook her head in the negative.

"One day I might return, continue to try and bring back the Federation and Starfleet... but I hung up my Admiral pips many years ago. Part of me died that day too." she cleared her throat and looked at the Captain as he stood and absorbed her information. "I can feel you pulling back, your hesitance to push for information. We El Aurians do not have telepathy as you know it, but we do have an empathetic sense in our locker."

"It's not hesitance... Its a respect for your personal life. That said, talking of a life... I have spoken to Starfleet Command in this universe. I've explained your situation and they have extended an offer... If you want to accept it."
Keiben shifted slightly, pulling an isolinear rod from his pocket and handing it to her. "Its a full commission at the rank of Lieutenant here on the station... if you want it!"

Tia looked at the rod with a piqued interest. It was strange to be offered something with no real strings attached. "I must explain something to you first. My aggression and friction with you, Captain." she paused for effect.

"In my universe Betazed put up a valiant fight for a time but eventually became very much a subjugated species. Their talent for interrogations, the use of telepathy and forced information removal was used many times and in the most horrific fashion and I may have transferred that on to you. I apologise."

"No need to apologise Tia. See this as a fresh start, clean slate so to speak."

Keiben pulled himself up from his sitting position and faced the window seeing his next headache being towed into view. An Excalibur Class Starship. "I will say this, I saw who you really are and what you are capable off and you are also humble about it. You saved my ship with your actions and that I will be forever in your debt. Let me start paying that debt by giving you a new start here."

"Thank you." Tia spoke softly. Kindness was not something that she'd came across all too often. "Where will you be placing me, in security?" she asked.

"Chief of Station Security if you want it... We have an opening for a new Sheriff!" He teased hoping she would get the old Earth reference to the wild west.

She was a little take aback. "What about Lieutenant Verona?" she asked. "Is she not the current Chief? I mean I'm a proficient wrangler. Give me a lasso and I'll catch you a criminal." she followed the wild west theme.

"Lieutenant Verona is being reassigned to the Cerberus full time". was all he said not wanting to admit that her talents did not lend themselves to Station life.

He started to move away towards the turbolift doors. "I'll give you some time to think. I can imagine this won't be an easy decision for you to come to". The turbolift car could be heard ascending as he waited by the doors.

"No... I will need time to think on it, but thank Starfleet for the offer and thank you for thinking I am the right person for it. I'll have a decision for you by the end of the day Captain." she closed her eyes and nodded towards him respectfully as the turbolift arrived.

As silently as he had greeted her from the shadows he now melted away back into the same shadows giving her the time and space she needed to contemplate what a new life could mean for her or if her drive to return home was more important to her.

END

 

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