Ensign D'tin Breys - Why Starfleet?

[Bea S]

(( Bridge - Deck 1, USS Artemis ))

As Breys bumbled through her initial introduction she did not wonder what convinced her to do this. In an hour you could have asked her what brought her to walk up to her captain, but she couldn’t have told you. It would take her years to track down the brain cell responsible for this moment.

She pushed on, despite the intelligent move being to turn around and return to her console.

Breys: I’m your new science officer, Ensign D’tin Breys. I’m a botanist with a focus in herbology. I went to school for herbalism on Bajor before joining Starfleet. I hope I can be of help to the crew!

The captain smiled a smile that screamed “I don’t want to be here”. Breys didn’t even notice. She was just grateful to receive a “positive” response.

MacKenzie: Well, that's certainly the goal, isn't it? ::lifting her arms with her palms up:: So, what got you interested in herbology?

There was no hiding how quickly Breys turned bright red. She couldn’t tell if the first note was meant as a lighthearted joke or a question of her capability.

Breys: When I was-::she paused and shook that train of thought off:: I won’t give you my whole life story, but I had to start working young. A healer in the camp I was raised in took me in as an apprentice. I mainly foraged for him, but I also studied medicine under him. I learned a great deal under him and was able to get special admission to the Bajoran Institute of Science once I left for Bajor. I like helping people and herbology seemed to be a way to balance my skills while allowing myself to keep working with what I love.

MacKenzie: Interesting. Any particular reason you chose to pursue a scientific path with the subject instead of a medicinal one?

Breys: To be completely honest, Starfleet presented me with an opportunity to help others whether I’m actively treating patients or not. ::she breaks eye contact:: With that want of mine met, I’d rather focus on the plants. I work better with them.

This was a fact that embarrassed her. She’d always prided herself on her care for others.

The captain nodded slowly. That felt like a wrong answer, especially to the renowned doctor. Everything felt like a wrong answer at that moment though.

MacKenzie: And why a career in Starfleet?

Breys paused for a moment and thought. 

oO Might as well give it all up at this point. Oo

Breys: When you grow up just outside of the Federation, you hear this mixed bag of stories about Starfleet. Some people liked to act like we’re the saviors of the galaxy, while all the others thought that “to boldly go” is just an excuse to get into other people’s business. It all seemed to be a mess of bureaucracy. Most of what I heard seemed tailor made to make me resent the Federation, especially because a lot of people blamed us for the wars on Ornara.

Nerves were at their peak. As the thrums of her heart echoed in her ears, D’tin could only hope the shade of red she was currently exhibiting could not be described as “beet”.

Mackenzie: Response

Breys: I’m sorry sir. I don’t mean to speak ill of our institution. I love Starfleet, and I believe in the Federation and our goals. I also grew up on stories of families that Starfleet saved, and each person always remembered the names of the officers that helped them. A single moment changed their lives.

Mackenzie: Response

The words were caught in D’tin’s throat. This wasn’t something it felt right to say as an Ensign, but the week of isolation on Callis had left her more than ever with the feeling that she needed to connect with the people around her.

Breys: I’m not exactly sure what the Federation wants us to be doing out here officially, but I know that when I've heard stories of the crews of Starfleet ships, including stories of the Artemis, they were stories of compassion. The idea of a place where everyone strived to make the world around them better was something I couldn’t let go of. I had to be a part of it.

Mackenzie: Response

TAG/TBC

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Ensign D’tin Breys

Science Officer 

USS Artemis-A

A240301DB4