Mikali sh'Shar - The Eternal Work

[David Adams]

(( "Deja Brew" cafe, Iana Station ))

Mikali sh'Shar, PADD in hand, arrived early to the whimsically named hole-in-the-wall named "Deja Brew", pulled back a chair, sat, ordered a glass of water and waited to meet her contact. Tasha MacFarlane. Someone she knew absolutely nothing about except that she was working on general ship maintenance and upgrade, with both Starfleet and civilian vessels, and was probably a Human female based on the name. Then again, Benna was named after a Human, so who knew.

As she waited, she scrolling through more of the orientation documentation, presented as a muted, sombre pamphlet entitled "ReachOut: A Health and Wellness Program", but all she could imagine was that it was unofficially called, "So, You Screwed Up Your Whole Life".

She had a number of contacts to meet and get acquainted with on Iana station. A counsellor, various medical staff, her supervisor -- a Human named Musa Darweshi who was noted for his broad skill set and "sense of humour" (no idea why it was written that way, sarcasm quotes included) -- and one Tasha MacFarlane, whose role in this was unclear except that she was listed as one of the people she should touch base with because of her position. Maybe she was just one of the more senior Starfleet staff on the station. Maybe she'd volunteered in some way. Maybe she was a role model for the participants to aspire to. Maybe Mikali would be working directly under her, or maybe she was her boss's boss. She'd find out soon enough.

Either way, she'd be working on The Eternal Party. This wasn't a pleasure cruise. There'd be no relaxing for her. No time off. Just work. Her goal was to always be early to everything and never miss a shift. The Eternal Work.

The list of resources and choices that the program had available was comprehensive but not overwhelming, broad but not too deep, and the language used was simple, direct, and effective. It didn't promise success, it merely outlined the requirements for participation, discussed the goals and outcomes in realistic terms, and focused on the future. There was some frustratingly flowery language there, things like "focus on your goals", and "visualise the people who matter to you", but most of it was clear and direct.

There were rules of course.

- Participants have a choice of work placements, within the bounds of the program

- Participation is voluntary
- A "good faith" effort is expected from all participants

- Standard medical, compassionate and personal leave

- A zero-tolerance policy toward abuse or violence directed at any party, including staff or other participants

- All participants are mandatory reporters for criminal activity

- Steps back are not grounds for disqualification, only hiding them is

- Counselling and medical assistance are readily available

- At the end of the process, a report is drafted and (if applicable) a completion certificate issued with a statement from the supervisor

No threats, no tough love, just the rules clear and simple. Exactly like she preferred it. Follow the rules, you pass. Don't, you won't. Direct. Unambiguous.

Initially sceptical, the more she read, the more she became convinced that, perhaps, the people who were running this program actually wanted the participants to succeed.

After a few minutes, her contact arrived. Mikali waved a hand to flag her down.

sh'Shar: Over here!

MacFarlane: Response

Mikali turned off her PADD, laying it down on the table. She folded her hands, trying to adopt a professional, calm air, even though inside, nervousness chewed at her stomach. She was never good at first impressions.

sh'Shar: Good morning. I'm Mikali sh'Shar, I'm one of the participants with the ReachOut program. Just getting through my orientation before I start.

MacFarlane: Response

Mikali managed a little smile, antenna perking up.

sh'Shar: Thank you for coming, I appreciate it. I'm looking forward to working with you. ::she paused, hesitantly:: We... will be working together, I presume? I am honestly unclear about what role you're to play in all this.

MacFarlane: Response

sh'Shar: Well, I am a qualified mechanic, certified to work on worker bees, shuttles, and other auxiliary craft. That's where I'll be helping out. I'm also a pilot, although I don't think that will come up.

MacFarlane: Response

--

Lieutenant (j.g.) (ret) Mikali sh'Shar

Civilian

simmed by

Ensign Serren Tan

Security/Tactical

USS Gorkon

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