[sb118-khitomer] Ensign Eeso Ayi - A Day of Firsts
Josh Bennett
((Loading Dock, USS Khitomer, Ceram Archipelago))
Eeso Ayi had made it to the “big show”. After all the work at the academy, training simulations, and a bewildering set of functionally unimportant celebrations (including the whole community feast thing that Bajorans are so fond of) she had finally made it to her assigned vessel: The USS Khitomer. Ever since her days on Bajor she had wondered about the rest of the galaxy.
Life. Everywhere. Despite the obvious and difficult struggle in an uncaring universe. Life was out there and now she had both the duty, honor, and privilege of being just one among the stars whose job it was to study it.
But first: orders are orders. Eeso looked carefully through her PADD once more as she walked off the shuttle. She had been so wrapped up in reading about the Khitomer that she hadn’t noticed the shuttle that dropped her off had already left.
oO They call themselves “Khiddoes”...huh Oo
She turned around to thank the pilot only to see the now empty landing area.
oO Welp…another human thinking I’m an aloof alien…which I guess I am. Oo
She shrugged herself back to a kind of focus and found herself wondering out loud this time,
Eeso: Commander Naxell… ::she mutters out loud in a question-like way::
Whoever was walking by her obviously heard her and gave her a raised eyebrow and a quick “no” head shake before he (or whatever term that species uses to refer to masculine features) hurried past her. She reached for her combadge realizing that using the ship’s computer rather than mutterings would be more useful.
Eeso: =/\= Computer, what are the whereabouts of Commander Naxell? =/\=
Khitomer’s Computer: =/\= Commander Naxell is located on Deck 16 in the ship’s Science Lab =/\=
She had used combadges before. But hearing the ship’s computer, even though it was the same voice as so many other bases, simulators, and ships, gave her a smile.
Eeso: To the Science Lab it is, Khiddoe.
((Timeskip, Science Lab, Deck 16))
Eeso Ayi found the Science Lab after a few wrong turns. Reading about the Ceram Archipelago was an endlessly fascinating read. But, as always, it was the alien race, the Velithari, that grabbed her attention. She was reading about their genetic makeup when the door had whooshed open. She about three steps in with her nose stuck in her PADD when she saw the unmistakable red jacket leaned over a microscope. He got up and blinked a few times.
oO Now would be a good time to introduce yourself…now…now Oo
But she didn’t. Before she could gather her thoughts and composure the Commander seemed to anticipate where this was all going.
Naxell: Consider yourself reported, Ensign Eeso. ::gesturing to the PADD she carried:: Your orders, I presume?
Eeso: ::blinking herself back to the moment:: Yes Commander. Ready, willing, and able.
Semara: =/\= Semara to Naxell. =/\=
She handed her PADD over to Commander Naxell thankful for both his anticipation and that there was clearly not going to be another functionally useless celebration.
oO My kind of place. Oo
Eeso patiently waited for Commander Naxell to read her orders. She noticed that he also seemed more preoccupied with reading than the fact that Semara (whoever that was) was awaiting his response. But before the silence got too long he tapped his combadge in reply.
Semara: =/\= We got an idea. We can use the tractor beam to pull the nebula into a retreat, but we gotta know where the Alliance will shoot. We can draw their fire where we want it with torpedoes from the nebula's cover, and drag all the gas can with us when we vacate the premises. We oughta be able to keep that up until the Velithari are innoculated. =/\=
Naxell: ::nodding:: =/\= Have you devised a way to get our torpedoes out of the nebula before they’re snared and explode in our faces? For that matter, where are we on getting ourselves out? =/\=
Semara: =/\= We think we can navigate the nebula safely if we transmit the same sleepy harmonics through the hull, and let the filaments lodged there transmit it to their friends. I'd like permission to test that theory first. =/\=
Eeso may be, ultimately, more concerned with biochemistry than almost anything else but nebulas, explosions, and possible imminent death were the kinds of things that any good Bajoran gets excited about. She tried to hide her excitement but guessed that it was obvious for her new Commander to see.
Naxell: =/\= Don’t think, Lieutenant! Experiment. Cue the Kenny G. =/\=
oO Kenny G? The better call is always Grover Washington Jr. Oo
Eeso’s roommate at the academy was a real 20th Century American Culture nerd so she actually got the reference. But that was neither here nor there! There were nebulas and explosions (apparently)! Eeso shifted her feet back and forth while trying to stand at ease. She was ready to get going.
Semara: =/\= Then there's the last bit. We got a Leviathan-class out there. We'll need the Jorogumo to make an appearance - the more dramatic and frightenin' the better. Any luck, they'll turn tail when they see our's is bigger. If not, we only got one shot, maybe two from the SDA to cover any attack the Velithari make. =/\=
Naxell: =/\= Warm up the band, Mister Semara, I’ll talk to Captain Rana.=/\=
oO This human likes music metaphors. Oo
Semara: =/\= Aye, sir. I'll be in touch. =/\=
The commander’s smile said it all: It was time “rock and roll” as the old Earth Americans used to say.
Naxell: Ensign Eeso Ayi, I formally accept your assignment to the USS Khitomer as Science Officer. Welcome home, but please follow me.
Eeso: Thank you sir. Seems like a busy day ::she takes a beat:: so I’m ready to get at it.
Naxell: ::walking towards the door:: I assume Commander Ohnari hasn’t gotten her hands on your backside yet?
Eeso was caught a little off guard. Was Commander Ohnari someone she had to worry about? Or did the phrase mean something else out in this part of the galaxy?
Eeso: I uh ::she takes another beat here:: …no I haven’t yet met Commander Ohnari, sir.
Eeso wisely decided that the reference to “backsides” would be explained later.
Naxell: We are facing the prospect of combat against the Lattice Alliance and their Sencha weaponry, the effects of which have a nasty habit of pulling the subspace out from under your feet. Dr. Ohnari has devised an implant that helps keep your particles here, where they belong, and it fits comfortably within a standard-issue gluteus maximus. ::pause:: Or so I’m told. I’m overdue, as well.
oO Ooooookay….yup makes sense now. Oo
Eeso: Well I did say I was “Ready, willing, and able”, sir. So it’s no time for “ifs”, “ands”, or “buts”.
Eeso assumed the commander would enjoy the pun.
((Timeskip, Main Sickbay, Deck 6))
Commander Naxel and Ensign Eeso entered the sickbay and were confronted by a small crowd.
oO I assure you my gluteus-maximus is of “standard” issue and not deserving of an audience… Oo
Eeso smiled to herself for this next joke. She considered saying it out loud but figured she wasn’t quite assured of everyone else’s sense of humor.
Ohnari: With your permission, I will demonstrate the scan myself and sample process so we can proceed.
El'Heem / Melville-Kilpatrick / Rana: Response
Naxell: Apologies for interrupting, Doctor, but I’ve come to speak with Captain Rana about the Jorogumo and its combat capabilities. ::an open hand indicating:: Also to introduce Ensign Eeso Ayi, our fresh Science Officer who has not yet received her Sencha implant.
Eeso: Doctor Ohnari, pleased to meet you. I wonder if you could explain how the implant interacts with various species and if there are any complications for species with multiple intestinal tracks?
Eeso considered that this was too forward of a question. But if she was going to get such a device she wanted to know all there was to know. Plus - what if there are multiple intestinal tracks?!? These are the kinds of questions Eeso needs answers to.
El'Heem / Melville-Kilpatrick / Rana / Ohnari: Response
Eeso: ::pointing at the implant on a prep tray:: May I scan it to see how it works?
El'Heem / Melville-Kilpatrick / Rana / Ohnari: Response
Eeso gleefully took stock of all there was to learn. At the academy her instructors often cautioned her regarding her “over-eagerness” but there was much to learn and much to do. Plus - if this is a device meant for one’s butt, she reasoned, then this is a situation where decorum is neither needed nor appreciated.
It was also then that she noticed Ras El’Heem the ship’s Chief Science Officer. Besides the obvious fact that El’Heem was going to be Eeso’s Chief Officer in the Sciences Division, Eeso also had about one million questions regarding Ocular Chromatic Expression.
oO Can you feel the rods in your eyes changing?? Does it hurt?? Does it feel good?? How many known genetic mutations are there on Kressari?? Does drinking the infamous “Tears of Kressari” affect OCE in all Kressari?? Oo
After composing herself she instead went with a more professional response.
Eeso: Chief Officer El’Heem. I am very pleased to meet you as Commander Naxell said my name is Eeso Ayi.
Eeso took two steps forward and extended her hand.
El’Heem: Response