Commander Toryn Raga - The Bonds of Starfleet

[Rameses]

((Corridor, Deck 10, USS Ronin))

He glanced at them with a raised brow, of course time being what it was had passed so quickly. It had already been well over a year since he’d left the Astraeus and had done so before the counselor had even been among the crew. 

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. 

Shortrith:  I… That's certainly something I haven't heard before, that's for sure. That sounds intense.

A reserved smile brightened his face as they walked and the owl hooted softly before nuzzling against his cheek. 

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. 

Shortrith: Just out of curiosity, why?

He’d had more than a few people ask why he wanted them left in, even his best friend Serala, though she no doubt understood his reasoning better than anyone who knew him well. 

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.

There was a slight chuckle from him at that. His own experience after his first mission was tame by comparison. They’d made it to DS26 without issue and had a normal shore leave. Granted, their first mission ended with a failed attempt to stop an outbreak of war and them having to fight their way to the shuttles to get back to the Atlantis. 

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. 

Shortrith: Could we… could we talk about the Astraeus for a bit? It's nice to talk to someone who once served there.

The tone of their voice caused him to look at them, forcing back the involuntary scowl he was working on getting over and a single brow raised. 

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?

Toryn 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. 

Shortrith: Response

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: Response

Toryn smiled as he continued, realizing he was being a bit longwinded. 

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: Response

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: Response

[Tags/TBC]
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Commander Toryn Raga
First Officer
USS Ronin - NCC-34523
Writer ID: A239410TR0
https://wiki.starbase118.net/wiki/index.php?title=Toryn_Raga