CDR Naxell — Puzzles
Naxell
((Museum Row, Dangan Prime, Alpha Isles))
The shuttle ride to the surface had been not without its turbulence, physical and social, and Commander Naxell enjoyed the time he was given to observe Lt. Commander and Lt. Dewitt, as people. He couldn't yet see himself the P’Rell to Dewitt's Naxell, but he imagined neither could P’Rell at their first meeting. They served as Captain and First Officer together for almost nine and a half years, and what was at the end could never have been foretold at the beginning.
Much like this cruise. He imagined the Indulgence would be, well, indulgent to an extreme. But Dangan Prime was something else. After a pleasurable lunch in a park, they bid Ayemet a (hopefully more comfortable) adieu and set off into the city proper. While other major planets had thoroughfares built around commerce, it seems the Dangani centered their cities around memory, historical and cultural alike. And so, it seemed, every city and town, big or small, had a “Museum Row” in much the same way many cities on Earth seemed to have a “Main Street.”
C. Dewitt: Does the entire planet run on historical documentation?
Naxell: In a way. My understanding is that it's only about half a cultural quirk. I think they emphasize it for the tourism. “Dangani Means Remembering,” they say.
C. Dewitt: Memory is useful… Just not sure I need this much of it on shore leave.
Naxell tilted his head thoughtfully, his loose, wavy black hair dangling its tangles. It was another piece to the puzzle that was Lt. Commander Dewitt, the man he’d trust with his life, and his ship in a pinch. What a person liked to do (or not do) on shore leave could say as much about his inclinations as an officer as his performance evaluations did.
Naxell: Others might say that shore leave is where you make the memories you most want to keep. ::A sideways, nonjudgmental look:: Interesting.
Ahead of them a human woman approached, seemingly lost in her own thoughts. Her presence wouldn’t have been noteworthy except for her eyes. She was almost unremarkably human, but those bright, gleaming crystalline blue eyes would mark her anywhere in Federation space. He’d never had a conversation with her, but the faces of the regional Admiralty were the easiest to learn, especially when they bore features as striking as Rear Admiral Kalianna Nicholotti.
Nicholotti: Well then. Looks like there was something more interesting to this place than the ever chaotic history of the region.
C. Dewitt: Admiral.
And it seemed that Connor Dewitt knew her as well as he did.
Nicholotti: Commander. ::Turning to the unfamiliar face next to him.:: And Commander.
Somewhat surprised by the triangle of recognition among them, Commander Naxell tipped his head respectfully.
Naxell: Admiral Nicholotti.
C. Dewitt: Good to see you somewhere that isn’t falling apart around us.
Nicholotti: Indeed it is. I dare say that we didn't let even that fall apart though.
He quirked a brow and looked to Dewitt. The recognition ran a fair bit deeper between them. A lesser man might have felt a sense of inadequacy, or jealousy, but Naxell only felt himself reassured. Dewitt was not only a serious and experienced officer, he was a fairly well-connected one. As they spoke, Naxell allowed his mind to color in the history from context clues. There were only so many ways places they could have met in with the kind of descriptions they were giving. It was enough to hazard a guess.
Naxell: I’ve read the reports of the siege. Hairy business, and a torpedo detonation? It’s a marvel anyone survived at all. ::half a smile:: Not exactly the most welcoming territory to serve in.
Nicholotti: Fortunately for you, the Isles may be ever so slightly less caustic at this given point in time.
Naxelll: With any luck, we’ll find a way to keep it that way.
C. Dewitt: Response
The Admiral began to resume her walk, and she gestured for the two men to join her. It didn’t seem like an order, but Naxell wasn’t fool enough to decline that invitation. When a Rear Admiral asks you to join them for a walk among museums, you join them for a walk among museums.
Nicholotti: They had me here for a symposium on the ambassadorial corps, something about the next generation of diplomacy on the far reaches of our borders. Hopefully there are some younger ones who have taken and learned something from it, but as of now I am to report aboard the Khitomer.
There was a deeply-weighted pause before she remarked further.
Nicholotti: Which I understand is not here.
Naxell: No, ma’am. The Khitomer is undergoing repairs, and most of its crew have taken leave aboard the Indulgence. I decided to join them aboard, rather than wait for them at spacedock. ::looking to Dewitt:: I think there’s far more to be gained in meeting the crew than the ship that carries them.
C.Dewitt: Response
He nodded at Dewitt’s comment with satisfaction. He had surprised the man on vacation, and it was unfair of him. But he was the Commanding Officer and that, he knew, was his prerogative. And if Dewitt didn’t know it, yet, he would come to.
Nicholotti: Then I guess you are stuck with me in the interim.
Naxell: Delightful, Admiral. ::mild concern:: We’re only scheduled to be here for the day. I’ll secure a cabin for you aboard the Indulgence.
C. Dewitt / Nicholotti: Response
He nodded with some relief. It was a task he felt equipped to meet, though not without some doubt. He wasn’t sure how much space was left unreserved aboard the Indulgence. Determination coursed through his veins—even if it meant giving up his own bunk, he’d ensure the Admiral had hers. But, that would have to wait until he returned to the cruise ship.
Naxell: Have you had much time for the museums, Admiral?
C. Dewitt / Nicholotti: Response
Naxell: Eclectic, yes. ::smiling:: In my experience there’s always at least one new thing to learn, and there’s always a little bit of joy in finding it.
He looked up at the building they stood beside and considered the text scrawled across its facade: “Jigsaw Puzzles Across the Quadrant.” It was a subject he wouldn’t have given a moment’s thought to but for standing in front of it, and now, with the seed planted in his mind it seemed a peculiarly interesting thought. How many worlds, across how many sectors had jigsaw puzzles? The rudimentary nature of their construction spoke to how they came about, he imagined, and the skills one needed to complete them spoke to their evolutionary import, perhaps.
C. Dewitt / Nicholotti: Response
Naxell: After you!
C. Dewitt / Nicholotti: Response
TBC
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Commander Nax-Ellarneii-Tellargo
Commanding Officer
USS Khitomer (NCC-62400)
A240001NH3