LT Gila Sadar - Plans for the (Immediate) Future

[LT Gila Sadar]

(( Sunset at Temtibi Lagoon - Risa ))

Gila had failed to account for the amount of translating she had to do with Vai-net re-joining the crew of the Artemis-A. When she’d first seen Vai-net’s name on the incoming list of transfers, with all the medical journals to accompany it, she’d been very excited to be serving with her friend again. She still was, of course, but since Vai-net first came aboard and until now, Gila realized that she’d gotten to know the crew of the Artemis-A well in the past two years. She’d grown accustomed to their behaviours and habits in a way that Vai-net wasn’t, and it alarmingly often meant that communication didn’t happen without a few hiccups.

Barely having managed to avoid one such hiccup by distracting Vai-net was the opportunity to assist with Gila’s algae research, Gila watched her Bajoran friend return with slight trepidation as Lt. Commander Dakora tactfully changed - or at least tried to change - the subject.

Dakora: So, anyway, like I was saying, there’s this great little place down the coast, near the Maklau Beach Resort called Harmadu’s Paint Your Own Horg’ahns. You two should check it out! They’ll show you the traditional way of decorating and painting these great little Risian statues. 

Vailani: What is the significance of these horg’ahns? Are they an important part of Risian culture?

Sadar: They’re statuettes symbolizing fertility and sexuality, and while they may not be the most important piece of iconography to the Risians, it’s certainly one of the most, uhh, famous? ::sees the looks:: I-I, uhh, I research the planets we go to.

Gila knew Lt. Commander Dakora’s shipboard reputation well enough to know that his recommendation was given with the full knowledge of what the two of them walking around with horg’ahns would invite, but thankfully, they could always transport them straight to quarters once the class was over.

Dakora: You get those samples handled? ::He flashed her a wry grin.:: Leave it to Gila to find the only other person interested in sneaking a little science in on their vacation.

Vai-net’s expression told Gila that she was unsure how to receive the comment, but Gila found it entirely within the positive range. While she would maintain that it was, in fact, Vai-net who had found her, and not the other way around, it was one of Gila’s most treasured encounters since she joined Starfleet.

Vailani: I collected the samples … but more interestingly I observed these curious little lagoon creatures :: points :: Look there's one there! 

Gila watched as Vai-net pointed out a small colorful creature that zipped between them before disappearing again. While Gila hadn’t been able to see many details of the small thing, she knew enough from the brief look to have a probable identification.

Sadar: Oooh, interesting. They look like Risian souringel. ::thinks:: Risian ‘Smiling Dancers’? The literature suggests they tend to avoid the more populous area of the coastlines though.

Vailani: They aren't as shy over at the cliff, they were dancing in the water. I swam with them, Gila-net :: to Dakora :: See, Science can be fun. 

Lt. Commander Dakora raised his hands in mock surrender. 

Dakora: I’ve got no problem with science. ::He shrugged.:: The science of data collection and analysis was– is my bread-and-butter as an Intel Officer. But I don’t know if you’d catch me sneaking a cheeky scan of some glowing algae, just for giggles.

Gila realized a second before the Lt. Commander did that he’d voiced that in an unfortunate manner, and he hastily tried to salvage his attempt at light-hearted chit-chat.

Dakora: Bu-but I’m impressed by your curiosity! Both of you!

Vailani: I … I … 

Sadar: Th-Thank you, Lt. Commander. ::anxious looks between the two:: I-I know you’ve a-always appreciated any inputs I might have, e-even if you are c-concerned with my, uhhh... ::scrambles for word:: ‘Extraordinary’ work ethic. ::wrings her anxiety band:: Th-Though, Vai-net, m-maybe we should try something purely extra-curricular?

Evidently fully aware of how anxiety had crept into Gila’s mannerisms again when faced with the increasingly likely event that their conversation would turn semi-hostile again, Vai-net deigned to be gracious this time, and let it go.

Vailani: Maybe we should paint these horg’ahns? I need something to put in my new quarters anyway. All of my belongings were blasted into space during the Siege of DS33. 

Dakora: Response 

Sadar: I-I can find a class with open seats for us. ::looks around:: Is there anything else that would be valuable research material?

Vailani: I have room for one more sample, I figured we could take a sample from the dried kelp on the rocks as we leave? 

Sadar: G-Good idea! It might be interesting to see what effect the lack of hydration has on the light-absorbent faculties of the flora here.

Dakora: Response 

Gila waited as the final samples were collected, before the small group started wading back towards the coast. All in all, she was feeling... Not confident, as that word itself was an antithesis to Gila’s personality as a whole, but at least comforted in the knowledge that she’d managed to keep the Lt. Commander and Vai-net from falling straight into hostility. At least, on the Lt. Commander’s part.

Dakora: Response?

Vailani: :: stubborn :: No :: heaves in a breath :: Don't slow down for me :: determined :: I can keep up. 

Gila blinked, brought out of her own head at Vai-net’s stubborn show of pride, and while she didn’t want to slow down - in an effort to let Vai-net keep her pride - she did start investigating the sea floor a bit more thoroughly, hoping to find something xenobiologially interesting that she might examine more closely, and thereby delaying herself a bit.

Dakora/Vailani: Response

Sadar: It’s, uhh... It’s not been bad? I’ve managed to get a fair bit of work done- ::realizes:: a-and, o-of course, I-I’ve taken, eh, measures to ensure I get an appropriate level of rest and relaxation as well, Sir!

Dakora/Vailani: Response

Sadar: Thus far, the crew has been... Behaving? Beyond some hangover medication, I’ve not been alerted as to anything more serious. ::suddenly suspicious: Why?

Dakora/Vailani: Response

TAGS/TBC

LT Gila Sadar

Medical Officer

USS Artemis-A

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