Lieutenant Drex - A quite exchange
3 views
Skip to first unread message
Drex Drex
Jan 14, 2026, 12:00:36 PM (2 days ago) Jan 14
to sb11...@googlegroups.com
((Hauteur Serene Hotel, San Francisco District, StarBase 118))
Drex had thought carefully before accepting the invitation. Since the last few missions, being surrounded by people had been more difficult than he liked to admit, and every conversation had been a small negotiation with his own instincts to withdraw. He was still standing there with a glass in his hand, quietly talking with the Trill. He found himself staying, listening and taking part. It was not comfortable, not yet, but it was practice. And with his new role as Chief Science Officer, practice mattered. Avoiding people was no longer an option; he had to learn how to meet them again, on his own terms.
Instead of retreating to the safety of a decorative plant after the initial exchange of names, Drex chose to stay where he was. The conversation had not asked too much of him yet, and that made it easier to push past the instinct to withdraw. With the blue glass still in hand, he let the moment stretch and then gently nudged the exchange forward.
Drex: Do you prefer station assignments, or shipboard life?
Ryden considered the question and answered after a brief beat.
Kel: They each have their own kind of momentum. Out here, you get continuity... you see people grow, recover, leave, return. Ships offer movement, new problems, new skies. ::placing a gentle hand on his torso... feeling Sylvax inside of him:: Right now, I’ll take the stability.
Ryden shifted his stance slightly.
Kel: So, Drex... you mentioned stability. Does that mean you prefer postings with less chaos, or are you just being diplomatic?
Drex: ::He considered the question, eyes briefly tracking the lights along the railing:: I wouldn’t call it diplomatic. I work better when I can take my time with things. Some planets and stations... may give more room to do that.
Ryden nodded.
Kel: Fair. Sickbay has its own version of chaos no matter where you are. Starships, outposts, stations... medicine never really slows down.
Drex: ::A small nod of agreement:: I imagine it doesn’t. Bodies are less predictable than stars. At least the latter give you advance notice before they do something dramatic.
Ryden allowed the corner of his mouth to lift.
Kel: Which side do you usually fall on?
Drex: ::He let out a quiet, thoughtful breath:: I tend to fall on the side that feels safer... even if I know the unpredictable can’t be ignored.
Ryden let that land before steering again.
Kel: And OPS... is it your first station assignment?
The Denobulan lifted the blue glass to his lips, taking a measured sip. The liquid was unexpectedly smooth, the faintly sweet depth of it lingering on his tongue. He set the glass back down, still holding it loosely in one hand, before letting his gaze drift to the nearby table. Platters of food had been laid out: small bites and finger foods arranged neatly. Drex reached for a simple pastry before returning his focus to the conversation.
Drex: ::He chewed thoughtfully, then spoke:: I’m not assigned here, actually. My first posting was on Denali Station. It felt... more like a planet than a station, to be honest. It was huge, just like the Ring it was part of, a place where you could easily get lost.
Ryden considered that, then pushed a touch further, not out of scrutiny but orientation. Ryden dipped his head in acknowledgment, then let the tone lighten.
Kel: Speaking of not getting lost... who have you actually met so far? Anyone beyond the training staff?
Drex: ::He tilted his head slightly, thinking:: Mostly Commander Gogigobo, actually. We’ve spent a few informal hours together since I arrived. Beyond that... I’ve seen a few faces around the labs, but I haven’t met many people yet. .:He took a small bite of his pastry, chewing thoughtfully before continuing:: The station is very big, even with the limited areas I’ve visited. I suppose that makes getting lost a real possibility.
Kel: Response
The science officer sipped from his glass again, letting the conversation settle before speaking again.
Drex: Are there any parts of the station you’d suggest I see while I’m here?
Kel: Response
Drex: ::He nodded slightly, tilting his head in acknowledgment:: That sounds interesting. Is it always open or do I need to check the opening hours?
Kel: Response
TAGS / TBC
Drex had thought carefully before accepting the invitation. Since the last few missions, being surrounded by people had been more difficult than he liked to admit, and every conversation had been a small negotiation with his own instincts to withdraw. He was still standing there with a glass in his hand, quietly talking with the Trill. He found himself staying, listening and taking part. It was not comfortable, not yet, but it was practice. And with his new role as Chief Science Officer, practice mattered. Avoiding people was no longer an option; he had to learn how to meet them again, on his own terms.
Instead of retreating to the safety of a decorative plant after the initial exchange of names, Drex chose to stay where he was. The conversation had not asked too much of him yet, and that made it easier to push past the instinct to withdraw. With the blue glass still in hand, he let the moment stretch and then gently nudged the exchange forward.
Drex: Do you prefer station assignments, or shipboard life?
Ryden considered the question and answered after a brief beat.
Kel: They each have their own kind of momentum. Out here, you get continuity... you see people grow, recover, leave, return. Ships offer movement, new problems, new skies. ::placing a gentle hand on his torso... feeling Sylvax inside of him:: Right now, I’ll take the stability.
Ryden shifted his stance slightly.
Kel: So, Drex... you mentioned stability. Does that mean you prefer postings with less chaos, or are you just being diplomatic?
Drex: ::He considered the question, eyes briefly tracking the lights along the railing:: I wouldn’t call it diplomatic. I work better when I can take my time with things. Some planets and stations... may give more room to do that.
Ryden nodded.
Kel: Fair. Sickbay has its own version of chaos no matter where you are. Starships, outposts, stations... medicine never really slows down.
Drex: ::A small nod of agreement:: I imagine it doesn’t. Bodies are less predictable than stars. At least the latter give you advance notice before they do something dramatic.
Ryden allowed the corner of his mouth to lift.
Kel: Which side do you usually fall on?
Drex: ::He let out a quiet, thoughtful breath:: I tend to fall on the side that feels safer... even if I know the unpredictable can’t be ignored.
Ryden let that land before steering again.
Kel: And OPS... is it your first station assignment?
The Denobulan lifted the blue glass to his lips, taking a measured sip. The liquid was unexpectedly smooth, the faintly sweet depth of it lingering on his tongue. He set the glass back down, still holding it loosely in one hand, before letting his gaze drift to the nearby table. Platters of food had been laid out: small bites and finger foods arranged neatly. Drex reached for a simple pastry before returning his focus to the conversation.
Drex: ::He chewed thoughtfully, then spoke:: I’m not assigned here, actually. My first posting was on Denali Station. It felt... more like a planet than a station, to be honest. It was huge, just like the Ring it was part of, a place where you could easily get lost.
Ryden considered that, then pushed a touch further, not out of scrutiny but orientation. Ryden dipped his head in acknowledgment, then let the tone lighten.
Kel: Speaking of not getting lost... who have you actually met so far? Anyone beyond the training staff?
Drex: ::He tilted his head slightly, thinking:: Mostly Commander Gogigobo, actually. We’ve spent a few informal hours together since I arrived. Beyond that... I’ve seen a few faces around the labs, but I haven’t met many people yet. .:He took a small bite of his pastry, chewing thoughtfully before continuing:: The station is very big, even with the limited areas I’ve visited. I suppose that makes getting lost a real possibility.
Kel: Response
The science officer sipped from his glass again, letting the conversation settle before speaking again.
Drex: Are there any parts of the station you’d suggest I see while I’m here?
Kel: Response
Drex: ::He nodded slightly, tilting his head in acknowledgment:: That sounds interesting. Is it always open or do I need to check the opening hours?
Kel: Response
TAGS / TBC
============
Lt. Commander Drex
First Officer
USS Eagle-A
D240011D14
Reply all
Reply to author
Forward
0 new messages