Lt. Commander Tahna Meru - Community Is The Antidote
Tahna Meru
((Coralis Beach, Deluvia IV))
After a long day of reports (for the first officer) and papers (for the scientist), a trip to the beautiful beaches of Deluvia IV was long overdue. This was shore leave, after all—they were supposed to spend at least some of it relaxing. Still, with Pace’s talk of “staying useful”, Meru couldn’t help that her mind wandered back to previous missions. She let the silence linger between them for a moment as she decided whether to voice what was on her mind, though between the sound of the waves on the beach and the birds and music in the air “silence” was a relative term.
Tahna: I don’t mean to bring up anything you’d rather not linger on, but I think I owe you a proper thank you for what you did in the Unimatrix. ::She paused.:: We wouldn’t have all made it out without your quick thinking and sharp shooting. Thank you.
Pace: Well, thank you, sir. But, without your leadership and your idea to superheat the phaser’s power pack and without Commander Aegam and Ensign Nin… I think things may have turned out differently. I’m just glad we all made it out.
Tahna: Of course, it takes a team. ::She smiled slightly.:: Clearly, I’m glad we all made it out also.
Aegam and Nin had been instrumental in their heist and escape, just as Pace had been, and Meru was grateful that all of them had been on her team. But there was a fine line between showing due appreciation and deflecting praise.
Pace: How often do you think about it, sir? Our time over there?
Meru’s eyebrows raised and she glanced at the Elaysian, caught a bit off guard.
Tahna: As often as I think about anything.
Pace: I’m so sorry, sir. You were kind enough to bring me to this beach and all I can do is bring the mood down! ::She tried to chuckle and think of a new subject.:: I wonder if this bar’s got any specialty Tidesong drinks?
Tahna: I’m sure they do. Let’s see…
Pace: Response
Meru looked over at the holographic menu on the table between their chairs. It offered a selections of drinks suitable for a variety of physiologies, it appeared. Both alcoholic and nonalcoholic options were present.
Pace: Response
Tahna: Well, this one’s glowing, like the plankton I suppose. And this one, the Jewel of the Sea, is based on a traditional Selkie drink…. I think I’ll try the Selkie one. You?
Pace: Response
Meru put her order in before leaning back in her chair. The sun was warm on her face, the breeze lightly ruffled her hair, the fruit she’d acquired earlier was sweet…it could hardly be a more beautiful day. One cloud still lingered in her mind, though. A question she hadn’t quite answered.
Tahna: You know, I almost left the Fleet as an ensign, after a couple bad experiences in a row. Sami is a lot of the reason why I stuck it out. ::She paused, a slight frown creasing her features.:: It’s easy to get stuck in your own head after something like the Borg, but community is often the antidote. We have literally all been there.
Pace: Response