[sb118-khitomer] Ensign Ezra Zerva - How do you carry on

[BC Cooper]

((Room 141. Deck 14. USS Khitomer, traveling at warp))

Ensign Ezra Zerva had been cleared for duty by the ships CMO Commander Ohanri with one catch. He had to report to the counselors office the moment the current mission was completed. The Khitomer had two ship counselors, Lieutenant Jacin was currently on the bridge and the last thing he wanted to do was to take her away from her other duties. Lieutenant Pershan was also assisting were he was needed. Seeing as both were currently unavailable, Ezra headed directly to his quarters located on deck 14. The doors to opened to the barking sounds of his puppy Foxy Lady. She was clearly happy to see Ezra as her tail was wagging and she attempted several jumps up trying lick his face. Suddenly whatever problems he had, disappeared.

Zerva: ::smiling:: Hi Foxy! Did you miss me? ::his voice changed to puppy speak:: Yes you did. Oh yes!

::crouching down:: Who’s a good girl. Yes you are.

He tried to stand, but clearly she was so happy to see him, that Ezra was knocked to the ground. He found himself giggling uncontrollably as kicked his hands and face. After a minute his voice changed.

Zerva: Okay, okay. Settle down now. I missed you too. Foxy! Stop it! Enough! ::freezing seeing Foxy back away:: I’m sorry Foxy. I didn’t mean to snap at you. Poppa had a long day today. ::standing up sighing:: Let’s see how you did while I was away.

Now he was snapping at his puppy. He definitely needed to take a vacation, but more importantly he needed to talk to a counselor. He cleaned up her messes and then checked her food. Her food bowl was empty and her water bowl had been knocked over. Shaking his head, he knew this wouldn’t do. Ezra stood in front of his food replicator

Zerva: Puppy supplement number 25. ::the replicator buzzed and a bowl of Foxy’s favorite food appeared:: Here you go Foxy. Some of your favorite kibble. I hope this will help make you feel better.

Ezra placed the food in her food bowl. Next he refilled her water bowl. She ran over and happily gobbled up some of her food. She seemed to have forgotten what it was Ezra had said so loudly. Food had a way of doing that. Especially with a hungry puppy. Satisfied she would be okay for the next couple of minutes, he got out of his uniform and into the sonic shower. Once he was finished, Ezra put on a fresh uniform. Then grabbed a double chocolate muffin from the replicator and some spacerade. It wasn’t the most nutritious foods he’d ever had, but it tasted good and it would be enough until he had time for such a proper meal. Foxy was on his bed now chewing on her favorite toy. Ezra gently petted Foxy on her back. She looked up pushing a tennis ball in front of him as she stopped crewing on her toy. She loved playing fetch. Ezra tossed it across the room and she ran and picked it up, returning and then dropping the ball in front of him. 

After a couple of throws, he knew that it was time to get back to work. Feeling sad he had to leave her again, Ezra tossed the ball one last time. While running to get it, he tried his best to slip out quietly. She whined as he left his quarters. He hated this. Some days he wished he could spend the whole here away from his duties and responsibilities. But this was the life he choose. It was time to take a deep breath and get back to doing what he was trained to do. 

((Brief Timeskip. Security Office, Deck 8, USS Khitomer, traveling at warp))

Ezra had buried himself into his work. He hadn’t yet broken the news that Chief Petty Officer Vanta was gone to the rest of the security team. He wasn’t about to send a memo. No he’d deliver the news in person. Then there was Astrid. Both Chief Vanta and Astrid had this love hate relationship.

The doors to Khitomer’s labyrinthian Security suite parted in a way that Hobart would never again take for granted, after navigating the zombified corpse of the USS Eridani. He navigated the maze of hallways slowly, masking his unfamiliarity with an air of ease. Eventually, he found Ensign Zerva sitting behind a desk, solemnly reviewing PADDwork of some kind.

Hobart: ::clearing throat:: Ensign?

Zerva: ::stands up at at attention:: Sir!

His jaw clenched in response to the emotional shift in the man.

Hobart: I heard Dr. Ohnari cleared you. I wanted to follow up.

Zerva: Yes sir. She gave me the all clear, with orders to follow up at the counselors office. Either Lieutenant Jacin or Pershan, sir.

The commander paused for a brief moment and then gestured towards Ezra’s PADD.

Hobart: What are you working on?

Zerva: ::focusing his eyes forward:: My away mission report on the Eridani sir. ::keeping himself composed at attention as he spoke his next words:: And writing a eulogy for Chief Vanta sir. I’m not sure if she has family or not, but I felt as her commanding officer, it was best if it came from me. I was hoping you’d take a look at first before I sent it out.

Hobart: ::nodding:: It’s destined for my desk, then, and it can wait. Come with me. I’m due for small arms recertification, and we’re due for a talk.

Zerva: Yes sir.

Ezra relaxed his body to an at ease stance and then began following the XO out of the office. 

oO This is it. Oo ::softly sighing:: oO Just like Jupiter Station all over again. Better prepare myself a Micro-resonator. It’s going to be a long day. Oo

((Brief Time Skip. Security Training Range. Deck 8. USS Khitomer))

The walk to the firing range had been met with silence. Neither saying a word as Ezra followed the first officer through the doors. He took an at easy stance as he stood next to the weapons locker. Why was it easier to talk to other senior officers? Maybe it was the XO’s rank and position? Maybe it was something else? Ezra wasn’t entirely sure. The last time he was on a firing range, was during shore leave on DS9. He and Chief of Security Lieutenant Commander Carpenter of the USS Ronin had shared some time practicing together on the station. Ezra smiled remembering their shared love of weapons at range as they did their target practicing. He enjoyed being able to talk to a senior officer who was a member of Starfleet security. He felt at ease and able to communicate with her in a way he felt he couldn’t other senior members of the Khitomer. Ezra felt like he could benefit from the experience Carpenter had. She had even suggested the two secuity teams worked together on some much needed training. A thought that Ezra felt was a good idea. Now he stood next to his first officer. Not waiting for the commander to speak, he decided now was a good time as any to apologize for his outburst in the transporter room earlier in the day.

Zerva: Permission to speak freely sir?

Ezra was nervous. He just hoped Commander Hobart wouldn’t notice.

Hobart: Response

Zerva: Yes sir. I know you have something you wanted to discuss. But if I could just for moment sir?

Hobart: Response

Zerva: Thank you sir. ::cleaning his throat:: I want to apologize for my outburst in the transporter room sir. I was out of line. I let my emotions come over me.

Hobart: Response

Zerva: Yes sir. It’s the first time I’ve had to really deal with death. Especially under my command. I’m not sure how exactly how to do this. It’s all new. Everything is. As an XO does it get any easier for you sir? I was just wondering how you handle things like this?

Ezra’s face had soften and it was clear, at least to Ezra; that this was really the first time he’d spoken to anyone about it since the away mission. Not in a professional way, but in a more one on one setting where suddenly Ezra felt a little more relaxed even though the back of his brain said he was still in trouble and he shouldn’t let his guard down and remain the composer of a security officer he was trained to be. The kind his mother would want him to become.

Hobart: Response

TAGS/TBC

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Ensign Ezra Zerva

Security Officer

USS Khitomer (NCC-62400)

A240101EZ2