Ensign Renaie Shortrith - Connection
Renaie Shortrith
((Corridor, Deck 10, USS Ronin))
Shortrith: … All the memories you carry? If I may ask… What happened?
Raga: Ah, it’s something that happened when I was still on the Astraeus. Quite a while ago. We found this planet or moon while out in Par’tha that used to be a Caraadian colony. Some of our away teams ended up missing and we eventually discovered a species of non-corporeal beings that resided there. They attacked me by mistake, believing me to be Romulan. ::He gestured to his ears:: Their form of punishment was to make the condemned experience the memories, particularly the last moments of their victims.
Renaie frowned a bit as they tried to figure out what to say.
Shortrith: I… That's certainly something I haven't heard before, that's for sure. That sounds intense.
Raga: It was definitely an experience. They of course came to realize I wasn’t a Romulan and apologized. They were going to remove the memories but I asked if they could leave most of them.
Renaie raised their eyebrows slightly.
Shortrith: Just out of curiosity, why?
Raga: I know it sounds strange. But I already carried similar memories of a sort with me. If simpler. In the form of the name, rank and posting of every shipmate I’ve ever lost. It started with our first run in with the Consortium on the Atlantis. I have the memorial plaque memorized. It’s my way of honoring them, so when it came to those actual memories of people who’d been brutalized by the Romulan occupation I didn’t hesitate to carry them with me. ::he shrugged slightly, which elicited a surly hoot:: By carrying them it’s both a way of honoring them and ensuring they live on in a way. ::he looked at them:: Does that make sense, counselor?
Shortrith: Yeah, I suppose it does.
Raga: The reason I think I mentioned poetry was because I had been ruminating on the idea of writing some in their honor. Anyways, I’ve been going on. Now that you’ve been with us for a little while, how do you like the Ronin? I know how hard it was to leave the Astraeus behind when I came here. But this crew and this ship quickly became family and home as much or I daresay more.
Shortrith: I've come to find comfort here, running into someone I know is always a nice surprise. I must admit, with the Astraeus being my first ship, receiving the orders from Starfleet that we were being transferred were… certainly not the best way to end your first mission.
Raga: This life is oft filled with surprises. My first mission was unsuccessful but we lived through it and had many more missions. ::he shifted back to the Astraeus:: I had read the report that she had been decommissioned, what happened?
Shortrith: Yeah… As far as I'm aware, the Astraeus was brought back to Earth for repairs, and all the crew on the ship was dispersed throughout the fleet. A couple went to the USS Chin'toka, a few went to the USS Thor, one went to Amity Outpost, a few went on LOA… except for Commodore Mei'konda, who returned to Earth to teach at the Academy, if memory serves.
The mention of his best friend’s ship elicited a smile as they walked and he nodded. Not looking in their direction but fondness in his voice.
Raga: I don’t know much about most of them but the Captain of the Chin’toka is my best friend and former Astraean. So they’ll be in good hands.
oO I'm glad to hear it. Oo
Shortrith: Could we… could we talk about the Astraeus for a bit? It's nice to talk to someone who once served there.
The Commander looked at Renaie, and they noticed a flicker of a scowl.
Raga: Certainly. I served on the Astraeus for several years. I’ll gladly talk about my former home. What would you like to know?
Shortrith: May I ask what things were like when you were there?
Commander Raga smiled as he looked ahead at where they were walking.
Raga: Home. Family. Comfortable. Astraeus was technically my fifth ship I’d served on. The Juneau and Project Capstone aside, all three ships were more or less the same crew.
oO Just like my experience. It was home, in its own way. Just like the Ronin is becoming my new home. Oo
Shortrith: That seems similar to my experience.
The Al-Leyan offered more detail as the corridor turned slightly.
Raga: To clarify, out of the Academy we were briefly on the Athena but that was mostly just a glorified shuttle. We relaunched the USS Atlantis. Several of us right out of the Academy with crew from all over, led by then Commander Brell. Some crew came and went but the core of us remained even as Brell was promoted and left to another posting. We received a new Captain on the Atlantis for a while before we as a crew all moved to the Chin’toka.
Shortrith: So like one big clump, essentially.
Raga: After the Chin’toka was broken following our last mission on her, we transitioned to the Astraeus. Where I’d stayed until taking the First Officer posting here. So, long story aside, for me the ships changed but the people. The core…heart of our crew had been the same. That, I think is perhaps why it had been such a Winds-damned difficult decision to leave them all behind and come here. ::he looked at them:: We were bonded through all our ordeals, stronger than family.
Shortrith: That makes lots of sense.
Raga: It was something I had long pondered on. Sure, it was most likely that most if not every Starfleet crew were forged through their shared experiences just as tightly as we were. And having been on this ship, serving with this crew I’m glad to find it’s true. It’s why I’m grateful to have taken the leap off the mountain and come here. I’d dare say the bonds I’ve forged here are stronger than those before.
Shortrith: I can certainly understand that a shared experience can bring a whole group together.
Raga: Response
Shortrith: Do you still keep in touch with them?
Raga: Response
Shortrith: I suppose so, I did promise some people that I'd keep in touch before I left.
Raga: Response
Ensign Renaie Shortrith
Assistant Counsellor
USS Ronin
They/Them (Player) They/She (Character)
A240204RS3