Lt Alex Storm - Epiphany
Karen Morris
(( Molly Malone’s Irish Pub – First Promenade, Deck 225, Deep Space 224 ))
Everyone comes to their calling in life through different means. For Alex, she followed gladly and proudly in her mother’s footsteps. Others took tests to determine what they would do best. Still others just knew in their blood what they were supposed to do because they couldn’t do anything else and be happy. Alex stood at one space on that line, and Meris occupied a totally different one, yet they were both on the line and both in a career which they enjoyed. So what did it matter how they came to their decision? It only mattered that a decision was made.
~*~
Meris: What about you, Lieutenant? Were you 'born to Tactical'? Or did it come to you later?
As Meris entered her personal space, Alex shifted sideways slightly, placing her elbow on the bar, but maintaining her friendly smile.
Storm: In many ways, I was born to Tactical. My mother was a peacekeeper - kind of like a tactical officer. I was able to spend time in the office with her and others when I got older. I shadowed a couple of different officers. And when I went to the Academy, it was a very natural choice for me. I like knowing that I’m keeping people safe.
Meris: That must be very satisfying then - to have fulfilled your calling.
Alex considered their words. It was very fulfilling, fulfilling to do what she was good at, fulfilling to have her parents approval of her choice, fulfilling to know she was good at what she did.
Storm: You mentioned how families are structured. Why don’t you tell me about your family, Meris?
Alex could both feel and see the pilot take a little time to consider their words.
Meris: My family unit may be dissimilar to what you are accustomed to. My parents are Zereth, a scientist, and Tarell, an educator. My twin, Seral, is following Zereth’s path and already making a name for themselves. I was trained to follow Tarell’s example, but I never felt the calling to stand at the front of a learning hall. I prefer to think of myself as a courier of knowledge. My intent is to learn about the world beyond Andris J'naii, as a member of Starfleet, and then return to the homeworld to share what I have learned with others - thereby fulfilling my purpose to J'naii society. My family believes I am avoiding my purpose but I do not agree. Rather, I am building a galactic curriculum and providing a view that is rarely glimpsed by my people.
Storm: You’re right. That’s different than most societies that I’m familiar with. But isn’t that part of the wonder of the Federation - we are all different, but we can work together in harmony.
Storm picked her glass up and took one last sip of the Flavor Cracker. She enjoyed the burst of flavor and carbonation just before she swallowed. She looked down into the bottom of the glass and briefly considered ordering another. But Meris had started in and she wasn’t going to interrupt them.
Meris: Indeed. ::nodding:: That is what I believe. ::a beat:: Lieutenant Storm, did you ever have moments where your family disagreed with your career path?
Storm: Not with my career path. ::She shook her head, but something passed across her eyes.:: But there was a different decision that they didn’t agree with.
Meris: Had they disagreed, would you have presented an organized series of compelling arguments - or simply changed the subject to a more agreeable statistical anomaly?
And while Alex had looked at herself as the one lighting the way for the younger officer through much of their conversation, she realized that this J’naii in front of her had more gumption than she did nine years ago - when she was about the same age. She hadn’t stood up to her parents, and they had.
Storm: I’m ashamed to say that I did what my parents asked of me. I made a request of them. They denied it, and I caved.
Meris: Response
Storm: I wish I would have refused…
She did. It hit her like a hundred-and-five mile an hour fast ball. For a second she couldn’t breathe. She either never realized it before or would never give credence to it, but she did. She wished she wasn’t searching for her husband and child. She wished she had told hers and Kona’s parents and Kona that she refused to marry him until she knew him better, until they knew that they were compatible. But realizing that her words had trailed off, she brought her eyes back to Meris’s and feigned a smile.
Storm: but that’s for another time. Both of us have to make the most of what we have now.
Meris: Response
Alex turned to face the J’naii, looked them right in the eyes, and let her words fall out deliberately.
Storm: I admire your courage, the courage to step outside of what your culture and parents expected of you. Not everyone can do that or will do that. You’ve got an extraordinary spirit, Meris. Never let anyone tell you differently - even Lieutenant Vailani.
Meris: Response
~*~
Tags / TBC
~*~
Lt Alex Storm
Tactical Officer
USS Artemis
O240103SK2