Lt. Commander Pholin Duyzer - It Ain't The Sagittarius
Pholin Duyzer
((Nahdra Beach, Væron))
Pholin had the widest smile on his face he’d had in months – it was so amazing to see the rewards for the accomplishments of his new crewmates. He’d been in the background enjoying it all, this time without worry of being called forwards. He remembered his first promotion ceremony – somewhat – fondly.
They had gathered on the bridge of the Nebula class vessel, a tiny space compared to the beach. Pholin had deliberately stood in the background, hoping to get through it without becoming the person in the spotlight. Of course, that was not how it ended up unfolding.
((Flashback: Bridge, USS Columbia, 239501.03))
Whittaker: Ensign Duyzer, please step forward. ::he said with a beckoning finger.::
Pholin looked around making sure he was the one being called forwards. Maybe his husband, who also went by the name Duyzer, was on the ship as well, or something? Then he would have to have gotten a promotion to ensign, of course... He quickly realised his paranoia and took a couple of slow breaths before responding.
Duyzer: Aye. ::rather silently::
Moving past some other officers who’d stood between Pholin and the main viewscreen, he became more and more nervous. He wasn't getting a promotion, that was certain. The two commanders were called on at the same time, so why wouldn't Pholin’s coincide with Saden’s?
Right, right? A court-martial for the mission it must be then... but in front of the entire senior staff? That just seemed rude. He found his way to the captain and waited for him to begin. Somehow, the captain still had all his pride on his face.
Whittaker: Ensign... there is a great deal that I could say about you but I don’t want to keep everyone here all night. ::his eyes twinkled with mirth.::
oO Oh no, this is it. I'm out of Starfleet. Oo
Whittaker: Since you joined us from the academy, I have heard nothing but good things about you and having worked alongside you I know that what people say is completely true. You have carried yourself like the consummate Starfleet officer and you have been graceful under some very trying circumstances. You are credit to Commander MacKenna and the science department as well as a credit to this entire vessel. In my mind you deserved this- ::he produced one final wooden box:: -within days of coming aboard. Ensign Pholin Duyzer, I hearby promote you also to the rank of Lieutenant junior grade, with all of the rights and responsibilities therein. Congratulations, Lieutenant.
((End of flashback))
How naïve had he been back then. Since then, he’d only thought he was getting court-martialled a dozen or so times, never quite getting used to any praise. Luckily, he hadn’t done anything wrong… yet. The fact that he didn’t know half the people around him had allowed him to disappear into the shadows for the night.
Well, up until it ended. There was quite the hypothetical elephant still in the metaphorical room, whose name was Theo Whittaker. He’d known the captain was on the ship from the moment he’d set foot on the Gorkon, the – former? – colleagues had not exchanged any words since.
Pholin was not quite sure what to expect of their inevitable first conversation. The Denobulan had never stopped admiring his first commanding officer, who’d accompanied him from ensign to lieutenant commander on the most beautiful ship in the most beautiful region of the galaxy – although he was willing to change his mind for this little Sovereign.
He wasn’t sure if the same could be said the other way around though. The Denobulan had only been the first officer for a few months; the most notable event in those months had been the decommissioning of the ship. He knew not to think so negatively, but the thoughts came naturally.
Pholin had moved back to the bar, fully aware four pips were walking towards him while he was staring into his empty glass. As he peeked over his shoulder, he saw Theo’s face transform from a scowl, into the spark in his eyes he knew so well.
Whittaker: Out of all of the planets in the quadrant, I never expected to run into here! ::his greeting was laced with a sing song laugh as he found himself genuinely excited to see his former colleague.:: Pholin, my good friend!
Duyzer: I cannot believe our paths can simply cross like this. ::the Denobulan smile appeared as a reflex to Pholin’s new-found joy:: It’s so good to see you, captain.
Theo threw his arm around the man in camaraderie and friendship. It seemed clear to Pholin his paranoia had always been unfounded. Their paths might have been separate for a while, in the moment it seemed not much had changed. Captain Whittaker had always been such a caring man; how could now have been any different?
Whittaker: How have you been?! ::he said, eager to hear all about what Pholin had been up to in the months since they ceased serving alongside one another.:: You are looking well! ::he added, appraising the man.::
Duyzer: Well, I think this night has been the best in many. ::that seemed like a fair statement, considering the many nights he’d spent reading archaeological reports:: The Gorkon hasn’t seized to amaze me so far, I must say. ::he smiled:: How ‘bout you?
Whittaker: Aside from being asked the potentially steal the Gorkon's private stash of Romulan Ale- I've never been better! ::glossing over the fact that he had been trapped in a burning museum not so long ago was surprisingly easy, he discovered.:: Working for the SCE these days! Speaking of which... is Nelis with you? ::he looked around the man's husband.
He chuckled. Nelis had always tried to avoid the higher-ups, but when his husband had become one of them it had been next to impossible. Pholin had dragged him to many parties and informal gatherings, much to his chagrin. He was about to respond, but noticed another voice enter their conversation – a remarkably familiar voice.
Colquhoun: Yeah, where is my old sailing buddy, commander? ::The Canadian grinned at the pair.:: I probably just missed this, but how are youse both?
Duyzer: My, oh my. Are we holding a reunion, now?! ::he grinned, while he couldn’t be more happy to see his former crewmate again:: If I’d known I’d have dragged Nelis with me tonight; he’s somewhere between decks 3 and 4 right now, I believe.
Although the hybrid was scheduled on shift for the night, the Denobulan was quite sure there was some regulation they could exploit to get him out of it for their makeshift reunion. Though Nelis would likely want to avoid the entire celebrations, Pholin assumed he’d love to meet his sailing buddy again.
Whittaker/Colquhoun: Response.
Duyzer: I’ll be sure to pass it on, gentlemen. I’m sure he’ll crawl out of a Jefferies’ tube next you when you least expect it, though. ::he said, remembering the story Nelis had told him of his meeting ensign Megan Bendyn::
Whittaker/Colquhoun: Response.
Duyzer: Definitely! It’s not the Sagittarius Reach, ::he said, vaguely pointing to the sky above them:: but it’s much better than a science base on Denobula, I must say.
Whittaker/Colquhoun: Response.
---
Lt. Commander Pholin Duyzer
Assistant Chief Science Officer
USS Gorkon, NCC-82293
C239509P10