[JP] Lt. Drex & Lt. JG Alix Harford - A Plain White Envelope Pt. 1
Meri
((Science Labs, Denali Station))
((OOC: This JP takes place as the crew of the Eagle is preparing to depart from Denali Station and during the Astraeus Shore Leave after the Rogue Planet Mission.))
A plain white envelope sat atop Drex’s desk in the Science Department of Denali's Soldotna building. Unfortunately it had accidentally been knocked aside by a stray PADD or some such and had gone unnoticed for the past couple of months. This morning, however, one of the Crewmen in charge of cleaning had found it during their early morning shift. It looked important or maybe sentimental, so they dusted it off and set it neatly front and center where its intended recipient was sure to find it. Across the face of the envelope, four letters were scrawled in fancy loping letters.
Drex picked up the white envelope with curiosity. The few letters on the front were not in a handwriting he recognized. He turned the envelope over, but the back was pristine. He looked around, but at that time of night the laboratory was deserted. He pushed out his chair and, after sitting down, unglued the envelope with the help of the tip of a pencil.
He pulled out the single sheet and unfolded it, turning and rotating it to position it correctly. He began to read while leaning back against the backrest of the chair.
Drex
I couldn’t speak to you in person before I left, I’m not good at those sorts of things. But I wanted to say Goodbye. I’ve taken a voluntary relief posting to help out some of the ships that were hit the hardest by Frontier Day. I wish I could say I did it for heroic reasons, but the truth is far more selfish. I’ve been struggling since we returned from the mission on the Eagle, and before even then really. The truth is I’m afraid of life out here, in Space. I’m afraid, not really of dying, but of being lost to die alone in the void where no one will even know to mourn me. So I saw the opportunity to shake things up, to force myself to face life on a Starship for just a little while and I had to take it. I don’t know how long the relief assignment will be, but it’s only temporary and then I’ll be home to Denali. Until then, just know that I hold you in regards as my very dear friend and wish you all good things.
Alix Harford
Drex: Alix :: He murmured ::
She had left Denali suddenly several months before and at the time he thought he had done something wrong to her. After all, she had left without a word and he had discovered her destination by mistake weeks later.
They had not spoken since, and Drex had never tried to contact her.
He read the letter again, lingering on the last part. She had not left with the intention of cutting ties.
He placed the letter on the desk and put his hands behind his head, starting to swivel his chair from side to side, staring at the Starfleet symbol on the monitor in front of him.
Out of the corner of his eye he looked back at the letter. She had said goodbye. Questionably, with a letter delivered months after she had left, when there were surely at least six better and faster ways to do so, even without showing up in person. He undid his fingers behind his head and, grasping the edge of the desk, pulled the chair closer to the desk. He activated the screen and looked up the position of the USS Astraeus and the time on board. It was late, but not so late. She could actually be awake or on duty. Drex temporised, drumming his fingers on the desk.
oO Patha… Oo
Drex: I’m not scared, she may be busy or sleeping. I don’t want to disturb her.
oO Liar… Oo
((Subspace Call, Denali to Astraeus))
He snorted in annoyance. His left hand reached out for the touchscreen and his fingers pressed the subcomm button to connect to Ensign Alix Harford, USS Astraeus.
The girl's face appeared on the screen, but Drex didn't give her time to make a sound.
Drex: I got your letter.
Harford: Letter? ::confused, then realization struck:: Oh! The letter on your desk? ::worried:: When you didn’t call- I thought maybe you were angry with me.
During her time aboard the Astraeus, Alix had thought of Drex often. Sometimes she was sad she’d left Denali, but she was always sad she’d left without saying a proper goodbye. She hadn’t known at the time that her transfer would be made permanent; another Starfleet lesson learned the hard way. Always say goodbye.
Harford: Drex, I’m so sorry. I should’ve told you, in person I mean. ::pause:: But why call now? It’s been months since I left.
It was late, but Alix had just gotten off duty a little while ago. She sat dressed comfortably in her quarters, the middle of her bed actually, with Pickle tucked behind her like a giant pillow. Dr. Harford had just been reading a medical journal on The Advances in Regenerative Therapies for Delicate Organic Tissues when the call came through to her PADD. As captivating as the case study on regrowing the ocular nerve of a Pygorian was, when she saw the caller she’d answered immediately.
Drex: Because I just got your letter. :: He grabbed the single sheet and holded it so she could see it ::
Harford: No, Drex. I- I left that letter on your desk the day I left. ::ashamed:: I couldn’t face you.
The reason given made no sense to him. But almost certainly a more detailed explanation would not have dispelled his doubts either. She had left around the time of his hibernation, perhaps he had not been lucid and had done something that had made her uncomfortable, causing her not to say goodbye to him.
Months had passed by now, perhaps it was no longer important. The Denobulan put the letter down. When he looked back at her, he smiled.
Drex: I’m glad you’ve answered. How’s life on a ship? Have you seen something interesting?
Harford: ::returning his smile:: I’m glad you called. Interesting? It’s Starfleet. There’s always something interesting. We recently explored a rogue planet and were there to witness it being terraformed. What about you? What have you been up to?
Drex: The usual. I’m working on a mapping of the symbols we found recently in a basement we explored. They are different from the ones we have on Denali, so I guess it will take a long time to get a spider out of the hole. What about your projects?
Harford: Most of my research got put on hold after my transfer. I used the time the Astraeus was in drydock to go back to the Academy and finish my counseling certificate. So now I'm a doctor, a scientist and a counselor, technically. How's everyone on Denali?
Drex: We got a new CO. Another Commodore. A human this time, her name is Kalianna Nicholotti :: He made an embarrassed face :: I still can't pronounce it right. :: He paused :: Have you got used to living on a ship? What’s the best part?
It wasn't just concern for her situation. He too would soon have to face that same change and he was worried.
Harford: Oh- I wouldn’t say I’m used to it. It’s a big adjustment for me. I never told you, I’m afraid of ships.
Drex: Afraid of ships :: He nodded::
He could understand her well, he disliked ships although it was not for fear. He missed fresh air and natural light.
Drex: I don't like them either.
Harford: It’s not all bad. I love the Arboretum and the Galaxy class is large enough that I can forget about space sometimes and just get lost in the hustle and bustle of a mobile city.
He nodded again and breathed deeply. A mobile city with no sun, no trees, no ocean.
Drex: I've been transferred on USS Eagle. We are leaving soon for some long time mission.
The order had arrived a few hours before, a confirmation of what Commodore Nicholotti had announced during the last Award Ceremony.
Harford: Really? How are you feeling about that, Drex?
Drex: What do you think? :: He did not give her the time to reply. :: I hate the whole thing. I don't want to leave Denali.
Harford: I think it’s important you look closer at that, Drex. Why don’t you want to leave Denali?
He moved his gaze away for a short time.
Drex: I don't want to talk about this to Counselor Alix, nor to the Officer.
Harford: Alright, fair enough. Just friend Alix then.
She smiled a warm smile at Drex. In their time apart, she’d forgotten how similar they could be, especially when it came to opening up to others. She hadn’t known that her friend disliked ships, though she should have guessed as much with the amount of time he spent outdoors and the way he acted aboard the Juneau.
Drex: I guess your letter showed up at the right time after all. :: He gave her a light smile :: I don't want to resign and I don't want to leave. I don't even know where the Eagle will go nor how long the mission will be.
Harford: Who mentioned resigning, Drex? Surely your dislike for ships is not that strong… though… ::shakes her head:: nevermind.
She’d almost opened up to him about how close she came to quitting at the end of her time on Denali. In fact, the temporary, now permanent, move to the Astraeus had sort of been a Hail Mary attempt to find her footing. Instead, she shrugged off the admission, wanting to focus on giving her friend a place to vent his frustrations.
Harford: What does DeVeau say? Or Kettick?
Drex: I haven’t talked with them. I’m not sure if Kettick has been transferred, but Alora is busy packing her stuff and getting Shyla ready. She doesn’t need my whims.
Harford: Maybe you should talk to them, Drex. I’m here and happy to listen of course, but they are there with you. Surely you trust their read of the situation. Right?
Drex: Yes… :: He hesitated :: I’ll think about it. Everyone is busy at the moment.
He stopped talking, distracted by the sound of footsteps to his right. Only when he was alone again did he look back at the monitor.
[TBC]
============
Lieutenant Drex
Science Officer
USS Eagle
D240011D14
and
Lieutenant JG Alix Harford
Medical Officer
USS Khitomer
D240104AH2