PNPC Commander Etan Iljor - Out of the Mouth of Children

[Michael Meir-Wright]

(( Botanical Arboretum, Deck 9, USS Octavia E. Butler ))

Iljor had never visited the impressive Botanical Arboretum before and he knew that should not be before he transferred to his new command he would regret it. Amongst the holodeck buffers, docking ports and the primary maintenance support center, life blossomed and nature thrived, a small oasis amongst the cold barrens of the void. As he walked under the boughs of a Weeping Willow, he felt calmer than he had in days and he savoured every moment of it.

He stopped his amble to appreciate the majestic aboreal’s thick and gnarled trunk, stroking its uneven surface with a brush of his hand. The Bajoran closed his eyes and drew a deep breath in through his nostrils and for a moment he felt that his anxieties were light years away on the other side of the gal-

Milly: Hi.

In surprise, Iljor’s eyes flew open and his heart made a valiant attempt to break free of his ribcage. He barely managed to stop himself barking a particular odious Cardassian curse when he saw that the owner of the voice was a young girl with dark hair with a shock of deep green highlights.

Placing a hand on his chest, he forced himself to respond as calmly as he could.

Etan: Hello. :: he took another moment to gather his wits about him. :: You took me by surprise. :: Realising that the girl was alone, he made a point of looking around for any sign of a parent, guardian or supervising officer. :: What are you doing here?

Milly: Oh, I like how peaceful it is away from the pathways. ::Pausing to put her pack on the floor.:: Why are you out here on your own? Are you hiding?

Perplexed, Iljor smiled uncomfortably. There was also something about the girl that seemed familiar, yet he could not quite place her. Her accent also seemed to be unusually familiar, but in his discombobulated state the answers were just out of reach.

Etan: Hiding? What sort of- :: he stopped as mind finally caught up. He recognised her. :: Aren’t you Lieutenant Maxwell’s-

He had seen her- just a few days earlier when he was returning to a book to her father. The Marine had leant him an old Earth text to give him something to do during his mind-numbing recuperation from his injuries on Cheyd’alang. She had been lurking in her room and had only stuck her head out to see who was visiting their cabin before she had gone back to whatever else was occupying her attentions.

She cut across him quick as a flash.

Milly: He's my dad. But you're avoiding my questions.

Iljor hiked an eyebrow upwards, more than a little impressed by the young girl’s bolshy attitude. It was not difficult to understand where she had inherited that particular trait; after all, Arturo Maxwell was never one to be a wallflower in any situation.

Etan: I could ask you the same question…? :: he trailed off, hoping that Maxwell’s daughter would fill in the blank space for him. ::

Milly: Response.

The Bajoran smirked, quickly warming to Milly. Although the Octavia E. Butler was well equipped to provide for families, there were only a small handful of children and teens aboard the Sagan-class cruiser. Milly was one of them, as was Jack Kessler’s sister, Crystal.

Etan: So tell me, Milly- :: he replied. :: Do you make a habit of sneaking up on command officers out for a quiet stroll?

Milly: Response.

For a second Iljor wondered if Maxwell’s daughter possessed some sort of telepathic or empathic powers. Dismissing the idea, he felt strangely uncomfortable unburdened himself.

Etan: I’ve never been to the arboretum before and I wanted to visit before… :: he hesitated for a moment. It was still so surreal. He pressed on. :: … before I leave.

Milly: Response.

Iljor felt a strangely proud smile blossom on his face.

Etan: I’m leaving to take command of a starship.

—

Commander Etan Iljor

Commanding Officer

USS ‘Oumuamua

as simmed by:

Commander Margaret Walker

Director of Intelligence

Gamma Flotilla Expeditionary Taskforce

USS Octavia E. Butler

C239203TW0