[[BACKSIM]] JP: Lt Vailani Zoyara and Ensign Tess Evinrude - Notes on Goodbyes
Tess Evinrude
((Hallway outside Vailani Zoyara’s Quarters, Deck 8, USS Ronin))
Operations had their lab space and the engineering personnel requests were approved. They had the replicator virus plaguing the Ronin on the ropes, and Tess was having fantasies of being a keyboard cowboy of old Earth cyberpunk fame. Of course, it was engineering who had done the heavy lift of isolating and re-programming, but every great cyberpunk netrunner had a team.
Recently, the man had been missing the first person he had teamed up with - Vailani Zoyara. He assumed, with her background in flight operations, that the lieutenant was busy with the rumored incoming pilot training program. The ensign had an interest in learning more advanced flight techniques - he had been running checklists for both the Akira class and the Ronin’s current complement of support craft, but in practice he only felt confident operating a basic shuttle from “here” to “there”.
So, Evinrude did something he hadn’t yet done on the Ronin - called on someone in their quarters, uninvited.
Dropping by someone’s quarters was a fairly common occurrence on a starship, something Tess had actually grown up with. But if she wasn’t home, or didn’t want to answer, he wouldn’t pry.
((Vailani Zoyara Quarters - Deck 8 - USS Ronin))
The only accurate word would be one that Zoyara hated. Whirlwind. It was overused and usually an exaggeration.
Until she had her own whirlwind to contend with.
Several days ago Commander Munro had urged her to put her name in for the newly opened up Chief of Operations spot on the Artemis. To cut a short story scene shorter she was now packing up her quarters and preparing to say goodbye.
To who? She didn't have time, and she didn't like them. Too sentimental. As much as she would like to say goodbye to certain people… Ian, maybe. Vomek, maybe. Luxa, maybe. That overeager new guy. Tess?
It all seemed like it would get overwrought and emotional. So she would probably skip the goodbyes.
Her packing had become a task in pathetic simplicity. Truth was most of her items were blown asunder during the Siege at DS33 and even then she didn't really collect personal items the way others did.
When the door chime sound came she thought it might be Luxa. Worse, Vomek or Ian? Or both.
She tried to hide her disappointment when it was the new overeager ensign, Evinrude. Not that she disliked him. Nonetheless, when the door slid back, Tess was taken aback by the woman’s brusque appearance.
Evinrude: Oh, ah…good afternoon Vailani. ::The ensign clasped his hands in front of his body.::
Vailani: Is there a reason you're here ensign? I'm kind of busy.
Zoyara tried to smile. They could have been friends. In a universe where she didn't make friends that easy, that was saying something.
Then again it made her feel less guilty leaving the Ronin in his, and Munro's, capable hands.
Despite the smile, her referring to him by rank put Tess into a more businesslike posture.
Evinrude: Sorry, lieutenant - I thought I might drop by to ask for a little advice…on… ::He noticed the state of her quarters behind her, and raised an eyebrow in curiosity.:: Are you moving quarters? I can come back, if this is a bad time.
She looked back at the single case that held several uniforms and casual outfits, including the dress her mother had forced her to wear at the gala. The rest of the room was slightly more spartan than normal. She stepped aside as she allowed Evinrude inside her quarters.
Vailani: :: matter of fact :: I've been transferred out. To the USS Artemis as the new Chief Operations Officer.
Evinrude: To the–
That clearly came as a shock. Blinking a few times, Tess began to shake his head. His initial look of bewilderment changed into a smile.
Evinrude: The Artemis! That’s…wonderful news, sir. Surprising to learn at this particular moment, but not surprising that you were chosen.
Vailani: Thanks, it's … a little bittersweet. For a lot of reasons :: look directly at him :: You'll find out soon how special this ship is. She really saved me.
The Bajoran was just full of surprises today. Tess was, at this point, used to the lieutenant’s conversation style - but to drop something personal, unprompted? He wasn’t expecting that.
She was more candid than she normally was. Perhaps it was the farewell to Ian or the thought of saying her goodbyes to Captain Niac and all that she knew she couldn’t say to the Trill that had changed her life. Then again, she could just leave without saying goodbye.
Evinrude: ::His eyebrows raised slightly, and he took a beat. When he spoke, his posture was still formal but his tone was tinged with care:: Would you…like to step away from packing? I’d be happy to listen to some of those reasons…
He looked at his fellow officer keenly, suddenly remembering his first impression of her – running the planetside operations center as a major search and rescue operation kicked off on a dusty, windblown region of Bajor.
From his perspective, she was highly competent, duty-focused, if a little by-the-book. Not that that was a bad thing. He doubted she would accept the invitation, but he also thought she seemed…distant. Tess believed that everyone deserves a chance to feel a bit closer to their comrades.
Evinrude: ::He released his clasped hands and raised them slightly, palms towards her.:: …if you have the time. No pressure.
Vailani: :: sighs :: I don't have time :: softer :: I don't think so.
Evinrude: Oh. ::He replied, sensing that perhaps the lieutenant really was busy.:: Well, then…before I go, I was just curious about openings in the flight training schedule…
She looked at the human, his face so open and earnest. She had never been that way. Softness was a weakness, or so she'd been driven to believe. Now, it seemed like it hardness that was weak.
To be soft, and gentle with others was a skill that she envied.
He waited patiently while the lieutenant seemed to make up her mind about something.
Vailani: Okay. Someone really should brief you properly. Commander Munro has enough to deal with without an ensign that's about to get his protocols back to front.
Evinrude: Absolutely, I’m free for the next few hours - my shift just ended. ::He gestured down the hall.:: There’s the lounge on this deck?
She shook her head, the thought of revisiting that lounge so soon after the conversation with Ian made her want to airlock herself. Several times.
Vailani: How about we go to 47? I need to give you instructions on the holo-imaging system anyway. She’s an old and very particular model. I call her Cranky.
((Several minutes later - The 47 Lounge, Mid Bay))
Zoyara hadn’t said much on their walk to the lounge, her thoughts were complicated and messy and the last thing she needed to do was off load on to a man that she had only known for several weeks. She approached a panel in the corner of the mid bay section, near to the bar in the section of the lounge. She had to yank several times to open the panel to reveal a flurry of bright lights, and neatly coiled brightly lit cables.
Vailani: Tess meet Cranky.
Evinrude: ::Sizing up the holo-system..:: We had to retrofit one of our holo-novels to include a system like this once, on a starbase in the Ficus Sector.
Vailani: :: points to a certain section :: Do not touch that, let the engineers deal with that :: points to another terminal :: This should pop out and let you alter the code. I tend to vary it depending on any crew traditions etc or around Earth’s Japanese culture in the 19th or 20th centuries. The humans love it :: realizes he’s human :: Or so I’ve been told. That’s it really … but I cannot stress enough how much you do not want to touch those cables, Chief Tucker will not thank you.
Tess hadn’t yet fully understood why Vailani had brought him here. But as she discussed how and why she had been varying the holographic images, recognition dawned on the ensign’s face.
oO Vailani is the mysterious holo-artist? Oo
Evinrude: It’s you!
His odd statement had clearly interrupted her train of thought.
Vailani: :: confused :: Care to explain who I am?
Evinrude: ::Tess smiled patiently, lowering his voice to a conspiratorial level.:: You update the holo-art in the 47. From what I’ve heard, the crew has no idea it’s you…but they really like it. ::He gestured up at the current visualization, a field of gently swaying bamboo.::
A mischievous smile allowed itself to form. With a little bit of pride.
Vailani: It's not a big deal, I do most of the coding in my quarters or the holodeck if it's very complex and then I come here. The 47 staff are scared of me, for some reason, so they don't ask questions :: eyeballs him :: You better not tell anyone. Captain Niac likes to make a big deal out of these types of things. And I find that beard irritating so I try to avoid it as much as I can.
It took a special person to take time out of their busy day to perform an act of service like this.
Evinrude: I’m just surprised, that’s all. I hope you find something on the Artemis that…lets you flex your creativity, and do something nice for your crewmates. ::He studied her face for a moment.:: Your secret’s safe with me. I will humbly carry on the duties of the mysterious holo-wizard.
Vailani: :: shrugs :: It's not that big of a deal.
Evinrude: Oh, and I won’t touch those cables. ::He concluded, more seriously.::
She replaced the panel and followed him to a nearby table and took a seat across from him.
Vailani: First thing you have to remember is that everyone likes to think it's their idea. You just give them enough information and they’ll catch up eventually. Do not, and I cannot stress this enough, make demands of the science department. Chief Alieth and now Luxa rule that domain with an iron fist. Tread lightly, ask permission before touching anything and be invisible. Its safer that way.
The ensign’s mouth opened briefly, but then closed. He started rapidly tapping at a PADD he had brought, opening a new file to take notes.
Evinrude: I haven’t met Chief Alieth yet, but noted. ::A thought struck him.:: Have you felt invisible on the Ronin?
Vailani: I could only wish.
Evinrude: With respect…I think you’ve made an impression here, Vailani. You know you were the first officer on this ship that I interacted with, beyond just onboarding and training?
Vailani: What can I say… sorry?
Tess scrunched up his nose, but it was paired with a good-natured smile.
Evinrude: My point is…I won’t forget you. Thanks for…setting a damn fine example.
Zoyara allowed herself a small smile, and held back any emotion that was beginning to surface.
Vailani: Don't let me down, Ensign. The Ronin is a good ship but she, and her crew, need someone that's going to :: pause :: guide them from their worst impulses. That's your burden now, Evinrude.
They spoke for a short while longer, and Tess continued to take notes. He recorded Vailani's wealth of knowledge, of both the Ronin and her crew's "worst impulses." It was a burden he would gladly bear.
Mission Ops Specialist, USS Ronin
Lieutenant Commander Luxa Lorana
Acting Chief Science Officer, USS Ronin
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