Ensign Kelor Zh'taan - The third wheel
Kelor Zh'Taan
((Lab 2, Deck 10, USS Ronin))
After working for hours in the laboratory, Kelor felt hunger rising, and above all, loneliness slowly creeping in. Since the Ronin arrived in the Lolagi IV system, he had not even taken the time to walk around the ship, to meet other colleagues outside of a professional setting. oO Come on Kelor, it's time to socialize! Oo
He placed his Padd next to his workstation, surrounded by documents, schematics, spreadsheets, then left the lab. He only crossed paths with a few people in the corridors, most officers enjoying their shore leave on the planet, and greeted the few he encountered.
((47 Lounge, Deck 4, USS Ronin))
He then stepped into the turbolift, hesitated about his destination, and finally chose Deck 4, where Lounge 47 was located.
He once again walked through a series of nearly empty corridors and finally arrived in a lounge where a group of officers he partially knew were gathered. oO Alright, here we go, this can only go well!! Right…? Oo
He moved toward one of the replicators, selected a typical Andorian dish, and approached the group of officers.
Zh'taan: Hello, gentlemen.
Then he sat down and began to eat silently.
Kel: So what exactly is that you have on your plate?
Knight: Oh, the sub? There was a little sub shop in San Francisco that made the best Italian Subs in the quadrant, trust me, the Marines run on their bellies. ::he chuckled::
Toryn chuckled at that.
Ryen: I have not yet had the opportunity to explore much of Earth's regional cuisine.
Raga: It’s diverse like any world but most of it’s too bland for my liking. However that’s not through any fault other than my species diminutive sense of taste and smell. Cajun food is nice, but mild. And ghost peppers make a good snack from time to time. ::he nodded::
Kel: This chilidog and root beer combo is very good, but if I'm cooking I prefer food from the Earth's Southeast Asian region. The flavor combinations are most impressive.
He looked at his plate. oO Come on Kelor, you can do this!Oo
Zh'taan: Nothing beats traditional Lor'Tan cuisine!
knight/Any: Response
Ryen: If I may return to an earlier point. Mork from Ork. I would be interested in understanding the origin of that reference.
Raga: Ah, an example of Terran culture’s pervasiveness. ::he grinned at Kel::
Kel: ::shrugging his shoulders:: All I know is that my brother got the name from a holovid. I guess it's about an alien visitor to the planet. I guess?
Zh'taan: oO Mork from Ork, what a strange name… I wonder which system he comes from...Oo
Knight/Any: Response
Ryen: What would you say is the most important thing for a new officer to understand about this crew?
Ryen: The Marines seem to value adaptability and resilience.
Ryen: But the Ronin as a whole appears to operate with a great deal of cohesion. I would prefer not to be the variable that disrupts that.
Raga: Very astute, Ensign. A significant part of that cohesion, aside from our Starfleet training, is due to the sheer amount of conflict this crew has faced. Between the Lattice Alliance and the Consortium our crew has been in more battles than most in a short order. We’ve had to repel boarders multiple times and while the rest of the fleet more or less was facing the Borg during Frontier Day, we, along with the Khitomer’s crew defended Deep Space Thirty Three from the Alliance. Shared adversity and reliance on one another is why this crew is as close as we are. We’ve given more than a few todays for other’s tomorrows. ::he sat back in his seat slightly, mug in hand in front of him:: It can be summed up even beyond our ship’s official motto, to the one not on our commissioning plaque. Ronin strong.
Kel: ::rolling his eyes at Raga:: Now how am I supposed to follow that? ::pause:: I believe that this crew operates like a family. There's a lot of trust we have for each other to give our best and do what's asked. I think that "esprit de corps" helps us meet the challenges we face.
Kelor ate his meal while listening to the officers talk. He had not been on the ship longer than Jace, and he listened carefully to what Commander Raga and his superior had to say. He still had much to learn about how the Ronin and its officers operated.
Knight/Any: Response
Ryen: Cohesion formed under sustained stress conditions tend to be highly resilient. I will make sure that I do my part to earn that trust.
Raga: Trust in your Academy training and learn from your colleagues. The rest just takes time. That being said, if you haven’t I would read through the ship’s database on our run ins with the Alliance and Consortium. Particularly about the latter’s spiderbots. They vary but the smallest is Mork’s size and all of them are deadly. I also recommend you keep up with your phaser qualifications. Given our past experiences everyone needs to be able to handle one competently since our foes don’t have any qualms about firing on anyone. Since you’re Security, you understand I’m sure.
Kel: I'm working on that particular skill. I'm more adapt at putting people back together rather than taking things apart.
Ryen: I'll make that a priority sir. If they're as adaptable as you say, I'd rather not learn about them the hard way.
Kelor recalled his small firefight during his expedition on Moon Sigma, a firefight that was more of a dodging session for him than actual target shooting. In fact, it was likely that none of his shots had hit their target.
Knight: Response
Raga: We’ve had our fair mix of surprises that didn’t involve fighting either. Let’s just say, we’ve had a visit from Temporal Investigations Department. And explored a few phenomena as well. I for one hope this recent encounter of yours while the Captain and I were away doesn’t result in TID lurking through the corridors again. If they do, I'm sending them to you, Commander. ::he chuckled::
Kel: I've dealt with temporal investigations and for the record I don't believe the Ronin moved through time at any point. I hope that keeps them out of it.
Ryen: I'd prefer to avoid attracting their attention if possible. I've read enough reports to know how thorough they can be.
As he took a bite of his meal, he imagined himself in another timeline than the one where he joined the Ronin before arriving in the Ross-580 system. He spat out his food with that thought in mind. oO Get a grip Kelor, you're going to look like an idiot again! Oo
Knight/Any: Response
Raga: We even have a Starfleet Ranger on board. Though, I imagine now that we’re on leave again Osiris might disembark for a while. Since he’s the only one in the Isles, he can only stay on board for so long and still be effective. He’s little more than extra Security here. Speaking of, I’m curious why you chose Security as your Prote, Ensign? ::he quickly clarified:: Was that your first choice of duty assignment?
Ryen: It was. It just felt right to me. Being in a position where I can help protect the crew and keep things from getting out of hand. All of that matters to me. But, I have to admit, engineering also has a strong appeal.
Knight/Any: Response
Kel: On that subject how are you finding Lt. Kessler. We've served together before so I'd be happy to give you some insights.
Ryen: He seems solid. Straightforward, focused. I appreciate that. I'd definitely take any advice you might have, however.
Raga: He hasn’t been here long, but Commander Kessler has made an impact and become a valued member of our crew. I’m sure there’s a great deal you can learn from him.
Any: Response
Kelor regained his composure and resumed eating. He didn’t know Lieutenant Kessler well enough to get more involved in the conversation, but from what he had seen during the previous mission, he was someone who clearly knew what he was doing in any situation.
Kel: Jack's a great guy, Starfleet brat through and through, in fact his father's ship is still missing in the Gamma Quadrant.
Kel: He takes the ships safety very seriously I can tell you that much.
Ryen: That kind of perspective probably shapes how he leads. Especially in the field of security.
Raga: No doubt. Everyone’s experiences lead to different perspectives. Take Starfleet Marines for example. ::He gestured towards Knight:: Exceptional at “kicking in doors” but most are far more capable than just their ability to fight. It’s similar to Security. Though they don’t have to deal with the forensic or policing side of Security generally, they have a lot of secondary skills. Case in point, I believe Chief Solana built and designed her own knives.
Knight/Any: Response
Kel: Believe it or not I started out in Medical. My shift to Chief Science Officer is fairly recent.
Kelor looked up at V'len.
Zh'taan: Under what circumstances did you become Chief Science Officer then?
Ryen: That's quite a shift. Still, I guess it gives you a different way of looking at problems. I have often second-guessed my decision to pick Security. Don't get me wrong, I am thankful for the position, and I believe I will succeed at it... But the thought of tinkering with engineering problems, well, it does cross my mind often.
Raga: While that’s somewhat strange to me, only because for my people once you know your profession that’s what you do for the rest of your life. We don’t ever change jobs. That said, this is Starfleet. If you like to tinker I’m sure Commander Tucker wouldn’t mind having some extra help from time to time. Even if it’s in downtimes outside your duties in Security.
Knight/Any: Response
Zh'taan: That seems harsh to me. Where I come from, offenders are sent to prison in the best cases, otherwise it’s a duel to the death, which isn’t necessarily better...
Raga: Everyone has that reaction. ::he sighed:: My people have their reasons. And I’m here, and happy. If you’re that curious I can explain more though that’s a conversation for another time. ::to Kel:: Changing subjects, I don’t suppose you’ve heard anything back from the Constitution about that prosthetic for Sylara?
Kel/Knight/Ryen/Any: Response
Kelor jetta un regard intrigué vers le chef scientifique.
Zh'taan: It seems to me that the Constitution discovered an uncharted planet in the Rigar Nebula. The planet Syraya, I believe.
Kel/Knight/Ryen/Raga/Any: Response
L'exploration d'une nouvelle planète étant son rêve absolu, il avait lu le rapport de mission du Constitution, et il essayait tant bien que mal de s'en rappeler.
Zh'taan: It seems to me that this planet is surrounded by a nebula, which could very well be a stellar nursery.
Kel/Knight/Ryen/Raga/Any: Response
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