Lieutenant Commander Etan Iljor - New Beginnings
Michael Meir-Wright
((Shuttlecraft Weryk))
((On Final Approach to U.S.S. ‘Oumuamua))
Ensign Qitea: Commander, I think you miiight want to see this.
At the playful note in the Bolian pilot’s tone, Lieutenant Commander Etan Iljor peered over the rim of the leather bound hardback book that had captured much of his attention for the days long trip from Deep Space 9. As he did, he half expected a strand of his long shoulder brown length hair to fall from its perch behind his left ear and partially obscure his vision. It took a second to remember that he had visited DS9’s barbershop before his departure aboard the Weryk having decided to adopt a shorter style for his new assignment.
As he looked in the direction of the junior officer- presently sat with her back to him at the conn- his eyes caught sight of the alluring vista beyond the panoramic transparent aluminium windows.
His heart skipped a beat.
Appearing like a sprite from the nightside of the planet it orbited, the U.S.S. ‘Oumuamua came into view. Two chunky-yet graceful- warp nacelles lay either side of a sleek secondary hull and held in place by sweeping pylons that resembled the wings of a Pyrithian bat in flight. Golden light spilled out into the void from the drive section’s portholes, little flickers of flame against the infinite black of the void. The lower half of the vessel rose in a gentle curve to meet the vaguely oval saucer section that was defined by catamaran-like struts. Upon those sat a state-of-the-art sensor pod containing some of the advanced technology available to the United Federation of Planets.
Etan: Oh my… ::he breathed, his words trailing off as he beheld the majesty before them. He did not recall crossing the surprisingly spacious forward compartment, so awe-struck by the sight of the Luna-class explorer.::
At the helm, the affable pilot chuckled and regarded the awe-struck Bajoran with a lop sided smile.
Ensign Qitea: What did I tell you, sir? ::she said with a mock affectation of somebody who knew that they had been right.::
Iljor’s head moved in a vague approximation of a nod as he found himself unable to tear his eyes away from the ‘Oumuamua, which was now growing larger by the second. One of his hand rested on the edge of the console in front of him, the other he had placed atop the backrest of Ensign Qitea’s chair. He stayed like that for several moments, absorbing every little detail he could before an unfamiliar voice filtered through the Weryk’s communications system, snapping him from his reverie.
Operations Officer: =/\= ‘Oumuamua to Shuttlecraft Weryk, you have been given permission to land. Please proceed to the main shuttlebay immediately. =/\=
Iljor straightened himself and looked down at the Bolian as she set about adjusting their heading.
Qitea: Understood, ‘Oumuamua. Beginning landing procedures now.
There was a slight pause before the voice at the other end of the commline.
Operations Officer: =/\= Commander Etan? You’ve been asked to report to the Captain’s Mess once you have arrived. =/\=
Qitea looked up at Iljor long enough to give him a wry look that practically screamed “what have you done?”. He smiled, although he repressed a chuckle- not wanting to seem unprofessional to whoever was currently directing the Weryk.
Etan: Understood ‘Oumuamua. I’ll report there at once. Weryk out.
The shuttle’s onboard computer bleeped and chirped for a moment, signifying that hailing frequencies were now closed. Straightening himself to his full height, Iljor tugged the hem of his crisp new uniform tunic and took a moment to compose himself.
Qitea: Ready?
Eighteen months of service in The Borderlands and a three month stint at StarBase 118’s so called ‘Black Tower’ had primed the Bajoran to be ready for anything. Yet, as he gathered himself to embark a new chapter of his career- full of unknown possibilities- he suddenly felt ill prepared. He drew in a calming breath through his nostrils, imagining the light of The Prophets entering him. When he breathed out, the light had been replaced with a calm serenity.
He looked back at the Bolian and nodded.
Etan: As I’ll ever be. ::he then turned his attention back to the ‘Oumuamua, whose shuttle bay now loomed large.:: Take us in.
((Twenty Minutes Later))
((Captain’s Mess, Deck 2, USS ‘Oumuamua))
V’Airu: Beverages, all?
As far as meeting one’s new Commanding Officer for the first time went, this was turning out to be a relaxed affair- or so Iljor thought. He had been so terrified to meet the then Fleet Captain Nicholotti as a freshly graduated ensign that he blanked the conversation from his mind. He had done the same for the Resolution’s First Officer, Addison MacKenzie, a woman who somehow still managed to put the fear of the pah’wraiths into him (and rather liked the fact, he suspected).
He had expected a brief conversation with Commodore V’Airu, replete with perfunctory platitudes and niceties, before being dismissed to report to the CMO- but instead the flag officer had invited him to dine with her and two others. Truth be told, he was glad of Lieutenant Katsim and Ensign Promontory’s company- their presence made the entire situation significantly less intimidating. The fact that they represented the apex of the ‘Oumuamua’s science and intelligence divisions- both areas that Iljor had at least some familiarity with- was not lost on him. He suspected it was intentional, and for that he was grateful.
Katsim / Promontory: Response.
The temptation to order a spring wine to help lessen the flutterings of anxiety in his stomach was considerable- yet he chose not to indulge himself. Perhaps as the evening progressed he would, but for the time being he felt ordering a non-alcoholic option would be the best bet.
Etan: Just an Altair water, ma’am. ::he responded politely.::
The Commodore saw to the order and dispensed them in short order, along with a hearty selection of appetisers- all of which Iljor eyed with interest and a sudden hunger. He demurely nodded his head to his new CO as she handed him a long stemmed glass cylinder filled with the gently fizzing water. He took a sip at the same time that V’Airu quaffed a hearty amount from her own beverage.
When she finished, she looked around at the gathered officers, her eyes coming to rest on Iljor.
V’Airu: Welcome to the Gamma Quadrant, Etan.
Etan: Thank you ma’am, it’s a pleasure to be here.
Katsim / Promontory: Responses.
Iljor sipped his Altair water once more and as he gingerly selected his first appetiser (a human delicacy called ‘calamari’), he replied.
Etan: I spent eighteen months or so assigned to The Borderlands on the Resolution and the Excalibur-A under Commodore Nicholotti. Following that, I was assigned to the Intelligence division on StarBase118 as a Data Analyst, all in service to my studies on the Command Training Program. When that placement ended, Starfleet Command asked me to serve as Mission Specialist here. ::he glanced between his new superior and his two new crewmates:: They figured I could gain field experience across the ‘Oumuamua’s different departments. ::he paused for a moment and smiled as thought came to him.:: And yourselves? Where have your careers taken you?
Katsim / Promontory / V’Airu: Responses.
He took a small bite out of the calamari rings as he listened to his new crewmates- and found it to have an odd, rubber-like texture. To his great surprise, he found that rather liked it and the accompanying taste that reminded him of the plychyk omelettes that his grandmother had made for him as a child. He quickly took another bite and savoured the scent.
Etan: I primarily specialise in anthropology and archaeology- but The Borderlands quickly made me become a, uh, what’s that human expression? ::ever amused and confounded by the bizarre idioms of Earth, Iljor searched his memory for the phrase.:: A ‘jack of all trades?’. ::beat:: What about you? ::he asked, once again lobbing the question back at the assembled.::
Katsim / Promontory / V’Airu: Responses.
Etan: Before I was given this assignment, I wasn’t aware that Starfleet had any ships permanently assigned to the Gamma Quadrant. ::he looked around the three once more as he sipped his water and asked the question that had been niggling at the back of his thoughts since Starfleet Command had issued the transfer paperwork.:: Have the Dominion given you much trouble?
Katsim / Promontory / V’Airu: Responses.
-
Lieutenant Commander Etan Iljor
Mission Specialist
USS ‘Oumuamua
NCC - 81226
C239203TW0(he/him - IC)