[sb118-khitomer] Ensign Ezra Zerva - Remembering Chief Petty Officer Vanta
BC Cooper
((Security Suite, Deck 8. 07:00 hours U.S.S Khitomer. Earth Space Dock))
Ensign Ezra Zevra had been given permission by Captain Shayne to have a small memorial for Chief Petty Officer Vanta. Sadly Vanta had passed during the away mission to the Eradani. Ezra knew it was only a matter time before word had gotten out on the Khitomer of Vanta’s passing. Ezra had asked PO3 Maryu to have the rest of the security department meet him in the security suite at 07:00. If this was the Arrow, they would have used the crew mess instead, given the small size of the security suite on the Saber Class vessel they once called home. But here on the larger New Orleans II class vessel, they had the extra space on deck 8 in the security suite.
Ezra stood just outside the doors onto the security suite. This wasn’t going to be easy to give them the unfortunate news. He wasn’t sure how’d they take it. Ezra had been hard on himself, blaming the death of Vanta as a fault of his own. He had lashed out at the XO in the transporter room upon their return. He was told to report to sickbay, were he promptly broke down in front of the CMO. He went to his quarters after to take a moment for himself, getting some puppy kisses from his dog Foxy. After a conversation with the XO on the firing range, he headed off to the counselor’s suite and had his appointment with Lieutenant Jacin.
He felt better about himself after his appointment, learning more about who he was and his relationship with his family. Now that he was feeling better after his talk, Ezra felt like he could return to his work. There was a lot that still needed to be done before shore leave ended, but right now this was the priority. Saying goodbye to Vanta, he hoped it would be giving the rest of the security a chance to morn and in turn would help them to move on. The truth was, he wasn’t sure if he could ever do that. He took a deep breath.
oO You’ve got this Ezra. Oo
Inside the secuity suite, Maryu stood to one side of Ezra’s desk as he entered. Maryu was now the senior crew member of Alpha Shift after Vanta’s passing, a thought that made Ezra’s heart break. Thrusting one in such a position wasn’t easy. Maryu was talking to PO2 Pearl and PO3 Class Siguay or Siggy as they were known in security. Siggy was leaning up against Ezra’s desk talking to Maryu about their recent game of Trill Tempest with Peral.
PO2 Kelana and PO3 Thalev stood on the other side of the room. Ezra noticed they were making plans for shore leave in between their duty shifts that would still be required even while in space dock.
Standing back in one corner of the suite by herself was PO3 Wynters. She stood silently taciturn as ever where she could get the best vantage point of the entire room.
Seeing the Ensign, Wynters stood at attention, as Peral turned just in time to see Ezra before he got to his desk.
Peral: Sir?! ::stands at attention:: Mr Zerva! ::beet:: Security Attention!
Siggy stumbled about as they quickly moved from leaning against Ezra’s desk to attention. The rest of the security team followed suit.
It was almost a year ago that it was Lt Zenno who was introducing Ezra to the rest of the security team. His first full department meeting. He noted that a lot had happened since then. Playing a game of Trill Tempest, training in martial arts and a number of other things that he had shared with the enlisted members of the security team. Today however they would share the passing of one of their own.
Ezra took his place at the other end of the suite. He took another deep breath.
Zerva: At ease. There are a number of things I wanted to discuss, but the main reason I’ve asked you all here becau-
Kelana: Sir is it true?
Kelana was known for blurting things out. She done that during the first department meeting that Ezra had attended. Asking him if he had a Symbiote, all though her level of tactfulness in the way she asked was something to be desired. Ezra shouldn’t be surprised, but he found himself suddenly realizing that they knew. What else could it be? Keeping secrets around here was something that was difficult for one to do. Especially when members of the security team were always watching the cameras a little too closely for all sorts of juicy secrets. Could it have been Kelana? Maybe it was Siggy? Perhaps it was Wynters? Or Thalev? Or another member of the crew?
Zerva: Is what tru-
Siggy: Vanta sir. We ::hesitating:: we herd that she-
Kelana: She’s dead isn’t she?
Peral rubbed his fingers between his nose with his face in his hands. He gave a brief sigh.
Peral: ::beet:: Kelana! ::to Ezra:: We knew Chief Vanta was going on the away mission to the Eridani. When the away team returned without the Chief we knew something was up.
Ezra gave a solemn nod. He couldn’t hide what was true and he knew they had a right to know. He had to be strong for the team. Something he wasn’t entirely sure he would be able to do, but in front of them he would try.
Zerva: It’s unfortunately true.
Maryu nodded as Petty Officer realized why Ezra had the security team assembled. A nod that Ezra was sure wasn’t very comforting to them.
The other members of the security team each reacted differently. Some hung their heads. The others seemed to be in shock as if they couldn’t believe it was true. Even Wynters as tough as she was, had managed to show emotion. Even if it was to kick a chair over as hard as she could, forcing it to bounce off the wall of the security suite. Thankfully nobody got hurt.
Thalev: Sir, if you could? We’d like to know what happened.
Zerva: ::hesitating:: I… I don’t know that’s a good idea. I -
Wynters: Please sir. We need to know.
The other members of the security team waited with bated breath. They wanted answers. The only kind they could get from Ezra.
Ezra took a deep breath and cleared his throat. He swallowed hard as he was asked to repeat the events during the away mission. His left hand began to twitch ever so slightly as he spoke.
Zerva: Very well.
Ezra began at the beginning. From the away team’s preparation that included extra weapons and EDDS, to their beam over to the Eradani. Ezra next explained their move to engineering, where he and Chief Vanta had secured the room. Then the tilt-a-wheel from hell that shook them all up and sent the empty containers that were not secure across engineering. One of which struck Vanta, injuring them in the process. Ezra tried his hardest to hold on and not let his emotions get the best of him. A small part of him still blamed himself for Vanta’s loss. It was difficult for him to explain how the injured Vanta was taken to sickbay aboard the Eradani. It would be the last time Ezra would see them alive.
Ezra hung his head for a moment to compose himself. His left hand thankfully remained calm and had stopped twitching. Looking up at the security team, he then told them the efforts of all the away team members to find a way off the ship. He still wasn’t a hundred percent sure the exact nature of Vanta’s final moments, save that it was the entity that took her life. It was probably for the best that Ezra didn’t know. Thankfully the rest of the away team had made it back home safe to the Khitomer.
The room remained quiet for a solid minute. It was Kelana who broke the silence first.
Kelana: Thank you sir.
The others nodded solemnly.
Ezra knew this wasn’t good for moral. They needed a way to remember the good times and regroup together as one. He could hear Chief Vanta now, telling everyone to get back to work and stop fussing over her. Ezra gave a nod of his own. He opened up the center draw of his desk and pulled out a bottle of alcohol. It was the same bottle that the newly arrived Ensign Forza had given him just the other day before their poker game
Maryu: Sir? What’s that you have there?
Peral: Looks like alcohol to me.
Zerva: This? Oh this I was saving for a special occasion. ::pops the cork off:: As of right now you’re all on 24 hour bereavement leave.
Ezra wanted to give them some time off before returning to duty. With the Khitomer in earth space dock, they had all the extra security they would need to help fill in the gaps.
Ezra had Wynters grab some drinking glasses so that he could pour some drink out for each of them. Just enough for one shot each.
Zerva: Let’s give a toast to Chief Vanta. One of the best and brightest that Starfleet could ever ask for. To Vanta.
Everyone in unison: To Vanta.
Ezra took his drink and then smiled. He looked around the room. This was a fine secuity team. One that Vanta, Lt. Zenno and even Captain Shayne could be proud of.
Zerva: Remember that the XO sent an invitation for the entire crew to come to the wedding of Commander Dewitt and Lt Jacin. Starfleet HQ will be sending additional security to cover your shifts. You should all go. It will do everyone some good.
If anything good was to come out of Vanta’s death, it would be a wedding. A happy celebration to commemorate the union between two crew members who loved each other. Ezra smiled. He knew Vanta would approve.
The security room cheered.
Zerva: Now who would like to say a few words about Vanta? Does anyone want to share some good memories?
One by one, each member of security stood up to tell their tale of fond memories. It was a good send off Ezra thought. A good way to honor the memory of their chief.
oO Goodbye Vanta. I know you’re in a better place watching over us. I promise to take good care of this team. Oo
END
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Ensign Ezra Zerva
Security Officer
USS Khitomer (NCC-62400)
A240101EZ2