JP- LtJG Jones, LtJG Jovenan, Ens Sadar, Ens Chevalier and Lt Silveira: Sudden Goodbyes
btv.abreu
(( Hiro’s Quarters, Deck 3, USS Artemis-A ))
(( stardate 240101.01 ))
It had been such a relief when, a couple weeks ago, Genkos had declared the chair no longer necessary, and Hiro ready to simply check back in weekly with sickbay (other than his daily physiotherapy that is). The point being: Hiro had slept in his own bed in the silence of his own quarters now for about two weeks. The cane had taken some getting used to, but it was simultaneously grown more natural and less required. His legs were still quite stiff, being in the breaking-in-new-musculature phase of his rehabilitation, but things felt more normal, viewing his surroundings from a standing position.
The roasted acorn squash with browned butter now steamed up at him from the replicator tray. Removing it and walking gingerly to the small table, he tried making smooth, graceful movements, but couldn’t help flopping into the cushions of his two-seater sofa. At least he’d managed to set the plate down first. The first experiment like this he’d attempted had resulted in him wearing a full serving of spaghetti bolognese. So this was progress, right?
The first bite had barely touched his tongue when a ping sounded from the computer terminal in the corner. Rather than make the trek across the room, he reached to the end table where a PADD had been serving double duty as a coaster, removed the 2-day-old tea cup, cleaned off the screen, and read the new message:
=/\=
/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\
FROM: Cmdr. Karrod Niac, Commanding Officer, USS Ronin
TO: Lieutenant Junior Grade Hiro Jones
SUBJECT: TRANSFER ORDERS
Greetings Lt. J.G. Jones,
You have been assigned to the USS Ronin as a Counselor/Medical Officer. It's my privilege as your new commanding officer to be the first to welcome you aboard!
Report for duty by 240101.02
\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/
=/\=
Jones: What?
He couldn’t help but ask the question aloud. This was out of nowhere! Did it have something to do with his injuries? There were like, a zillion doctors on the Artemis though, so it couldn’t be due to his care. And the language in the transmission had been so simple and to-the-point. Sometimes he wished Starfleet communications read more like short stories, but then he would remember all the debriefings he’d read (and written) over the years, and this desire evaporated. He re-read the orders. Report by … tomorrow!? What was going on!? There was still so much to do here though! He’d just had a breakthrough with Sil, he was sure Gila was warming up to him (ok, maybe that was a delusion, but he was getting there), Jovenan still needed him, Savel was making such strides with his social coaching … there were so many other cases that now vied for prominence in his mind. Yet the orders were there. Official. Final.
Jones: This is weird. =/\= Jones to Jovenan =/\=
Jovenan: =/\= Jovenan here! =/\=
Jones: =/\= Hey, sis, I’ve got some news. Can you come over? =/\=
Jovenan: =/\= Really? Sure, I’ll come there right away! =/\=
A few minutes later, he answered the door chime to see the sweet but somewhat perplexed face of his sister. Taking seats on the sofa (ignoring the congealing cooked vegetable on the table), he simply handed her the PADD. Reading through the communication, a confused expression took over Jovenan’s face.
Jovenan: Hiro, what is this?
Jones: It says I’m to report tomorrow. That doesn’t give me much time.
She read through the short message again, barely able to grasp the words and the intentions behind them. Her free hand came to partially cover her mouth as she read before looking straight at him.
Jovenan: Does this mean you’re leaving? Tomorrow!?
Jones: I don’t think I have a choice.
She turned her eyes to the PADD in her hand to Hiro and back in quick succession. This was not the kind of news she had expected or hoped to hear. A transfer might be a reward, a punishment, a reallocation of Starfleet resources. It certainly meant a new position, new opportunities, but from her perspective, this one was taking her brother away from her.
Jovenan: B-but why? Why do they want to take you from here?
Jones: I really have no idea. I was just as confused when I read it. ::attempting to lighten the mood:: They must have heard about my cooking.
Realizing Hiro’s intention, Jovenan tried smiling, although it died fairly quickly as tears began to form under her eyes.
Jovenan: Yeah, maybe… It’s just that you’ll be leaving and I won’t.
Jones: Hey, I promise you: I will keep in touch. You’re going to hear from me all the time. I love you, sis. A few lightyears between us isn’t changing that.
She nodded, but also wiped tears from her face with her forearm. Hiro had never made her a promise he hadn’t kept, and she wasn’t losing him forever as she had feared during so many missions.
Jovenan: Y- you better. I’ll be so alone if you don’t.
Hiro’s eyes were starting to tear up, but he blinked the moisture away, offering her a weak smile.
Jones: And I expect you to write me back. Maybe we can even meet up if we get corresponding shore leaves?
Rather than responding right away, Jovenan stepped closer to him. Had it been any other circumstance, she would have rushed, but with his condition, she was careful as she spread her arms and enclosed him in a hug.
Jovenan: I love you too, brother. I will.
Between the strength with which she held him and the earnestness in her voice, Hiro didn’t stand a chance of blinking the tears away this time. And that was ok. Tears were how the soul washed itself, and these were tears of love. He wrapped his own arms around her slender frame and squeezed as though he might never let go. There were so many things he wanted to say - so much encouragement, advice, jokes, stories, questions, and laughter to share. He could only manage one syllable.
Jones: Good.
Her tears were once again making spots onto his uniform as she held her head against him.
Jovenan: And you better tell Commander Niac I don’t appreciate him stealing my brother.
She giggled a little through her tears.
Jones: ::a choked giggle:: I don’t want to terrify my new CO right off the bat.
(( timeskip - the next morning, Main Shuttlebay, Deck 11, USS Artemis-A ))
The long-range shuttle Tortuga was ready for his departure. Hiro looked at the open loading ramp at the back as though it was the open mouth of a large creature about to swallow him alive. He was still painfully curious about what lay ahead of him, but couldn’t stop thinking about all he was leaving behind. He’d been cleared for duty this morning, under threat of new bodily harm if he didn’t keep up with his rehab exercises, but still carried the cane.
He leaned on the sleek, matte black carbonized stick now. It was a simple design, and lacked the hidden embellishment Genkos had added to his own cane. Hiro was weary. Not only from the weeks of recovery, but mostly owing to the fact he’d barely slept last night. Now he was watching as his belongings, meager as they were, were loaded onto the shuttle. There was the crate containing a few trinkets and souvenirs from his time on the Excalibur and Artemis. There was the stasis case with his plants. There went all the physical vestiges of his time here. He only hoped he’d done enough good to leave this ship and her crew better than when he’d arrived.
These thoughts weren’t particularly morose, but they were rather all-consuming. He hadn’t even heard the person approaching from behind until they spoke.
Vitor walked to the Shuttle Bay with an extra knot in his throat. The last time he was there was to say his goodbye to Ana.
Now it was Hiro.
Right at the worst time.
The last thing he needed now was to say farewell to his friend and counselor.
Hiro healed him more than once, this last time more significantly.
He forced those thoughts away, noticing Sada at a distance. As a reflection of how his mood was different, Vitor didn't walk to her. Instead he kept going, and got closer to Hiro.
One good thing was that he was out of the chair, and as Vitor got closer he forced a smile.
Silveira: It’s good to see you standing. Even if it's before you go away.
Hiro looked over his shoulder, then turned gingerly to see Sil standing a few feet off. He looked pained, but better than the last time they’d met. That was good. He’d felt no shortage of guilt in having to leave the man so abruptly after beginning what was sure to be a long, complicated emotional recovery.
Jones: Hey, Sil. Thank you for coming. ::glancing down at his legs:: Yeah, I’d like to say I’m good as new, but frankly I’m still breaking them in. ::beat:: I wish I’d had more notice about this transfer. I honestly don’t actually know what the rush is about.
Hiro wasn't the first comrade to be transferred away, nor would he be the last.
The shifting demands of the Fleet, and the departure of friends were always painful, but this time it hurt just a little bit more.
Silveira: You better tell Captain Niac that I will have my rematch next time we meet. Stealing Ana and now you is really giving me motivation to get in the ringue with him again. ::Vitor smiled at the memory of their encounter back in the Excalibur. Almost a lifetime away.:: Now seriously, I know you will be in good hands. And send Ana a hug from me.
Jones: You can count on it. I expect to hear from you too. I’ll sleep better knowing how you’re doing. Take care of yourself, ok?
Vitor nodded, offering an honest, yet sad smile.
Silveira: You will. And the same goes your way. Be careful out there.
Watching the exchange from afar, the skittish Mizarian Doctor remained sheltered by numbers in the midst a number of other crewmembers, there to participate in the sudden farewell ceremony for Lieutenant Jones. The announcement had been a complete surprise - for everyone, apparently - and speculations were aplenty for the sudden transfer. Gila didn’t find it all that surprising. Considering the news coming out of the Alpha Isles - a war proclamation - it was no surprise that more hands were being shuffled to that very contested area of space, but that did not equal that she had to like it. While she’d made it something of an art to avoid the overzealous counselor, he was a good man, and while she knew what they’d all signed up for as part of Starfleet, the idea of someone she had a personal connection to being transferred to such a perilous area was… Complicated.
Something caught the counselor’s eye over Vitor’s shoulder. The gray hood was unmistakable. Catching Gila’s eye, he offered a Mizarian gesture of gratitude and respect he’d looked up in case he saw her before leaving. Fingertips touching the hollow between his clavicles, he inclined his head, lowering his eyes. He wasn’t sure if she’d approach, but he at least wanted her to know he was grateful to her for this olive branch. They’d spent so much time in his office not talking, it seemed a bit silly to start now. There were so many things he wished to tell her: that she was far stronger than she imagined, that she was a brilliant doctor, had a good heart, that she should give herself grace and permission to not always be perfect … so many things. For now though, unless she approached him, the gesture would have to suffice.
To say that Gila was surprised when she saw the counselor bid her goodbye in traditional Mizarian manner would be an understatement. The idea that he’d spent time researching her culture - probably quite extensively - to gesture that gesture and (because Lt. Jones never did things halfway) ensure that it was appropriate for the context of their current situation was simultaneously very touching and very sad. The bitter taste of guilt and shame at her own cowardice settled onto her tongue, as she raised her own hand in response, resting her fingers at the base of her hood as she tipped her head in his direction, downcast eyes both showing sadness at this parting and hiding her shame as she recalled their first meeting just after she arrived from the Academy.
oO I think we're going to be friends, Doc. Oo
Chevalier: Lieutenant?
Chevalier stood there, behind Hiro in his dress uniform. His corners twitched, perhaps as if to indicate a smile... Weird face expression, so unusual, nice, yet in reflection to the normally pale, cold man that Ensign Chevalier usually was, it did look quite predatory and unnatural.
Jones: oO How are so many people sneaking up on me today? Oo Oh hello, Chevalier.
The Ensign nervously tucked his hair behind his ear and tried to smile a little more, sincerely? He didn't make it better. He still looked like a predator whose prey caught him just before he was reaching out to jump. A strand of hair slipped out from behind his ear again and he let it go. He sighed.
Chevalier: I just wanted to say to you, I... I'm sorry I was not able to get to know you better. Crew always talked about you... positively and respectfully. And I wanted to... I wanted to say goodbye to you.
He turned back and took something from a nearby crate. It looked like a cane or something like that. As he turned back, he twisted it over his wrist, and when he caught it in his other hand, reached forward and the sound of the blade coming out of the sheath finally gave away what it was.
Chevalier: Where I'm coming from, the person of respect who transfers away from their ship, receives a commendation saber for their dress uniform to not forget their legacy. Federation – of course – is less ceremonial, and our... ehm, we don't even wear all the medals and ribbons on the uniform, but I still think it is a nice tradition, and, nice gesture.
The saber was obviously really old, judging by the design style, not that different to one from the times of sails. A brass hilt was decorated with the federation delta engraved with a medical cross; a blade was sanded and engraved with inscription “USS Artemis”, the ship crest and presumably the ship motto. The rest was hidden behind a decorated leather scabbard with gold fittings and hanging rings.
Jaseb slipped the blade back into its scabbard, and offered his gift to Hiro in some apparently ceremonial way.
Hiro looked at the gift with some surprise. He hadn’t expected parting gifts - ceremonial or otherwise, and wondered at how quickly the ensign must have acted to bring this about. He reached out with the hand not resting on the head of his cane, gingerly placing it on the scabbard of the beautiful weapon, but not yet taking it.
Jones: Thank you. Really. This is very thoughtful. There’s no way I’ll forget you all, but this will remind me all the more of this fantastic bunch of people.
Chevalier: Just take the saber, lieutenant. ::laughed:: We will be missing you. I will be missing you.
Chevalier stepped back and straightened up, as he fisted his chest and nodded to Hiro.
Chevalier: Be good, lieutenant Jones
Jones: ::returning the gesture:: I will strive to do so, Ensign Chevalier. You do likewise.
Hiro walked from person to person, either embracing them in a tight hug or shaking their hand as was appropriate for each relationship. By the time he’d finished, the Betazoid shuttle pilot was eyeing him, anxious to get a move on. One more thing needed to be said though. He raised his voice just enough for those near to hear him clearly.
Jones: You have all become my family. Family isn’t perfect. Family makes mistakes. But we stick together. We all signed up to serve where we’re needed, and I guess for me that means the Ronin now, but I want you all to remember that family isn’t contingent on proximity. If any of you need me, all you have to do is reach out and I’ll do all I can to help however I can. Take care of yourselves; take care of each other. We’ll meet again soon, I’m sure of it.
There was more to say, but he didn’t trust his voice further. With a last, all-too-brief look at each face looking back at him, he offered a bittersweet smile and an inclination of his head. Then Hiro turned and made his way up the loading ramp into the shuttle. As the door closed behind him, he lowered himself into the seat by a small viewport. He wanted to see his friends with his own eyes for as long as he was able.
End of Assignment for LtJG Hiro Jones, but the story as always is TBC
LtJG Hiro Jones
E239510KD0
LtJG Jovenan
E239911J11
LT Vitor S Silveira
O238907VS0
Ens Gila Sadar
A240006GS1
Ens Jaseb Chevalier
A240009JC1