JP: Ensigns Meris, Taj'el, and Vharo: The Paths We Choose, Part 1
Meris/Brian
((Officer’s Mess Hall, Deck 5, USS Thor))
Taj’el sat at a small table near the center of the mess hall, methodically scanning the area while adjusting the placement of their tray. The low murmur of conversation and the faint clatter of utensils provided a predictable, rhythmic background. Their attention shifted as they noticed the two Ensigns at a nearby table, one absorbed in something, fingers moving swiftly across the interface, the other quietly organizing their meal.
Taj’el observed a natural pause as the second Ensign lifted their head, seemingly considering something, while the first appeared to reach the end of their task. Calculating the optimal moment, Taj’el rose and approached the table, ensuring to maintain a respectful distance. They allowed their gaze to briefly meet each Ensign, an acknowledgment of awareness and intent. With careful modulation of voice, they spoke, neutral but deliberate.
Taj’el: Ensigns. May I join you?
Meris looked up from their bowl of trifold grain with voidberry sauce, slightly surprised to see Ensign Taj’el who had so recently performed their onboarding physical.
Meris: Ensign. Certainly.
With their hand they motioned to the empty chair across from them.
Vharo looked up from her PADD, wordlessly regarding the new arrival for a handful of moments before she dipped her head in their direction. Her focus squarely on her task, though the thought that she’d been a touch too dismissive of her fellow Ensign did linger in her mind, so much so that she quickly looked back up to offer a smile to the Vulcan before once again focusing on her PADD.
Oo Nailed it. oO
Taj’el: I hope I am not pulling you both from your meal or from work.
Meris: Not at all. Ensign Vharo and I were just discussing an article in last month’s copy of Fleet Monthly. It’s an interview with my former Captain aboard the Artemis. Five Leadership Lessons from Addison MacKenzie That May or May Not Involve Airlocking Your Ensigns. Ensign Vharo was just pulling up the digital copy.
The Orion gave a bemused look at her PADD seemingly successful in obtaining the aforementioned article. She tapped her thumb and forefinger against the device to lock it before sliding it into the center of the table should someone actually want to read it.
They had finished their academy training with Fleet Captain MacKenzie, and from their little knowledge of them, she had been a force you did not want to cross. However, the article bore a disconcerting title, eliciting a trace of concern in Taj’el. They considered the possibility that the Captains might exhibit a less disciplined response to failure. Quietly, they placed a hand upon their PADD, recording notes for subsequent review.
Vharo: The title is more humorous than the contents I’m afraid, still a good read if you are looking for leadership advice or insight into how to avoid airlocking those lesser in rank or both.
Taj’el hands rested lightly on the table, fingers lightly tapping a measured rhythm against the edge. Internally, they calculated the most logical path for conversation, ensuring their inquiry allowed the Ensigns to respond freely while providing data for further interaction.
Taj’el: I have not yet had the opportunity to speak with either of you regarding the recent mission. I am interested in your observations and the tasks you undertook.
Meris: Mmm… ::motioning to Vharo:: Well, Ensign Vharo and I were both assigned to the shuttlecrafts Magni and Modi to study the radiological lifeforms and attempt to find a way out of subspace. ::motioning to everything around them:: As you can see we were successful on the latter front. You’re welcome. ::mouth twitching with amusement::
Vharo: ::dipped her head slightly:: It was quite the…experience. New life and old life meeting in the middle was quite unexpected and the new sub-space lifeform observed was something quite extraordinary. Though I would be remiss to mention since Meris is underselling it a touch the danger we avoided is something I could do without for a while, it did make me appreciate the more mundane aspects of my work.
Meris took a bite of their trifold grain and, after chewing and swallowing, then asked the Vulcan Ensign the reciprocal question. They did not intend to mimic Taj’el’s speech patterns though it wouldn’t have taken much for someone to think the J’naran might have been mocking the Vulcan in that their speech patterns were decidedly similar.
Meris: What about you? What tasks did you undertake during the recent mission and what were your observations?
Vharo: Oh yes, were you one of the medical officers to assist with Commander DeVeau tachyon affliction?
Taj’el raised an eyebrow at the mention of a tachyon affliction. It appeared they had overlooked a matter of considerable interest in Sickbay. Regrettable. They observed Meris repeating certain words but did not draw any unusual conclusions, as they were accustomed to hearing the speech patterns of other Vulcans.
Taj’el: I had been assigned to Sickbay for a period, though not during Commander DeVeau’s treatment. You were together throughout the mission, an advantageous circumstance. I was reassigned in sequence: the away team, Sickbay, and then the bridge. I concede those were not my preferred postings, aside from medical. Nevertheless, I was able to observe one of the entities undergo rapid evolution, from a mass of biological matter into a more defined physical form capable of reverting to its ultraviolet state.
Vharo continued to pick apart her hashbrown with clinical precision as the Vulcan spoke, her expression remaining muted though the ghost of a smile lingered on the Orion’s features. The current interaction had started to slowly raise memories of old friends and a different time; however compared to that of Auggie, Meris hadn’t made her hate flying nearly as much yet and this Vulcan wasn’t nearly as jaded with her antics as Favon, there was still time for both such things.
Taj’el once again moved a hand to their PADD, casting a brief glance over both Ensigns’ files to acquire a basic understanding of them and thereby improve the effectiveness of communication. Failure was not an acceptable outcome. They noted that the woman, identified in her file as an Orion, displayed a facial expression of some kind. However, Taj’el was unable to precisely interpret it and therefore proceeded.
Vharo: Her condition was worrying, I was pleased to see her back to herself in short order. Myself and Meris were quite fortunate to avoid sharing a similar fate, in saying that there would’ve been something humorous about it in hindsight but in the moment it would’ve been something of an issue.
Taj’el: Forgive my inquiry, but may I ask what the circumstances were? It appears I should review the mission files; my attention had been directed toward the sample you brought in.
Meris: The Commander was struck by a tachyon blast which caused her to age up on the surface. Then, while aboard the Magni, she aged down to approximately ten years old. ::to Vharo:: And, perhaps you’d enjoy reliving your ten-year old life, but I would not. No thank you..
Taj’el: Fascinating.
Almost immediately, Taj’el recognized that their choice of wording had been suboptimal, particularly in light of the Commander’s possible ordeal. They averted their gaze and began tapping lightly at the edge of their PADD, concluding that they had compromised the course of the conversation.
Meris seemed to pick up on Taj’el’s concern and was quick to allay their fears.
Meris: Don’t worry. I saw Commander DeVeau this morning and she’s back to her usual self. ::to Vharo:: She wanted to discuss the ‘hypospray’ issue.
Vharo: ::offered a sympathetic look:: I’m sure it will not be a standing concern, the situation was rather fluid given the unique circumstances. The Commander does not strike me as one to retain a grudge.
The J’naran pilot raised a glass to Vharo.
Meris: I’ll drink to that.
Taj’el looked back to the two officers before lowering their gaze once more to the PADD, briefly reviewing Meris’s information and allowing them a measure of privacy to eat without observation. They then returned their attention to the others.
Taj’el: Then you were the helmsman who had been unaccounted for. I admit I have no desire to return to the bridge in the near future. The view was… engaging.
The pilot appeared to stir uncomfortably in their chair.
Meris: Helmsperson. ::flatly:: I am not a man. Nor am I a woman. I am J’naii.
Vharo drew her lips into a thin line for a brief moment, a mistake yes but one easily made. Though it wasn’t the comment that had raised concern in the security officer as her hand reached out to take back her PADD.
Taj’el tilted their head slightly and raised an eyebrow. They then activated their PADD and made a brief notation.
Taj’el: I was referring to position, as many Hu-mans use the term man to denote a person. However, this will be duly noted, and I will adjust my language in future interactions.
Vharo: If that is the case then may I suggest you don’t fly with myself and Ensign Meris together, given our current track record is quite the mess of engagements.
Taj’el looked toward Ensign Vharo and offered a curt nod, noting with some concern about flying with them. Taj’el’s preference for the relative safety of Sickbay.
Meris gave a wave of the hand to make it clear they held no ill-will towards Taj’el’s faux pas. However, they were concerned by what the Vulcan had said.
Meris: As for my being unaccounted for … I’m not sure what you mean. I can provide a full accounting of my whereabouts throughout the mission. First on the bridge, then aboard the shuttles Magni and Modi.
Vharo: ::she began to scroll down the crew list slowly.:: It was quite the unusual situation, perhaps something was simply crossed or missed. If that isn’t the case then I have quite the conversation to have after lunch. It does appear to be the former's case so far, I’m not noting any notable crew absences amongst the flight crew.
They noticed right away they had caused panic in the other two and now felt responsible. They held up their hand to clarify.
Taj’el: Forgive me; it appears I chose my words imprecisely. The Lieutenant assumed the helm while we were on the bridge. Upon later reviewing the duty roster, I noted that you were typically assigned to that position at that time. However, you were, of course, correctly assigned to the shuttlecraft. I intended the remark as an… ice breaker.
Meris: The Thor does have about 75 individuals assigned to the flight department between the bridge and the shuttlebay. About 12 of those sit regular bridge shifts. Perhaps it was a different helmsperson that was being referenced.
Taj’el was mildly surprised by this, having been unaware of how many individuals were capable of piloting a vessel. They lowered their head once more in apology for the error.
Vharo: Lieutenant Kreshkova perhaps was the one on duty, her status as a mission specialist notwithstanding she is one of the more senior helm officers, her absence would be notable however. If I was a wishful thinker then perhaps I would say it is a case of a missed encounter regarding those creatures we encountered, an energy projection or some such. That would make a more interesting story than simply a computer error.
Taj’el: That is correct. Lieutenant Kreshkova assumed the helm following our communication with the entity designated as Bio.
Taj’el trailed off as Vharo began speaking about the entities outside the ship. They had been singularly focused during the mission and had therefore had limited interaction with those beyond the vessel. They found the account compelling, as personal insight often provided context beyond what was recorded in the logs.
Vharo set her PADD back down on the table, sharing a look between her fellow Ensigns for a moment before she offered a shallow smile as her head shook.
Vharo: As I said if I were a wishful thinker, alas I’m not a detective nor am I a science officer. I will have to be content in the hope that we left everything encountered behind ::she paused for a beat:: There is always the next adventure through the unknown to worry about, especially since the Thor and her crew seem to find enjoyment in such things much to mine and the rest of the department's expense.
Taj’el: Herrick expressed conclusions similar to those of my study in Sickbay. I do acknowledge a desire for additional time to examine the energies involved; however, prioritizing our own safety was necessary.
Meris wasn’t exactly sure why but for some reason they bristled slightly at Taj’el’s use of Commander Herrick’s last name as their singular form of address for their Acting Captain.
((TBC))
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Ensign Meris
Helmsperson
USS Thor
A240207M14
Ensign Taj’el
Medical Officer
USS Thor
T240211T14
Ensign Saeihra Vharo
Security Officer
USS Thor
T240209SV3