Lt. Katsim Peri - "Ponderings"
Amanda Nordstrom
((7-Forward - > Transporter Room, USS Oumuamua - > New Zealand, Earth))
The stars were not the only ones putting on a display. Normally, they were the most numerous of dancers, twinkling and sparkling in the hopes of catching the attention of someone. That day, though, someone else had taken centre stage. There, her dark blue waters interrupted by stretches of green and brown, swirls of white curling over them in foamy waves, Earth slowly rotated her face so that everyone could regale on her entire splendour, not just one part of it.
Peri was familiar with the planet, at least to some extent. It was there she and Ayna had attended the Academy, and enjoyed the cosmopolitan nature of a planet that played host to so many different species all eager to learn, grow, and serve in Starfleet. There, she too had plunged into the depths of her studies, only pried from them every now and again by her friend who was far more gregarious than Peri could ever hope to be.
It was a lovely planet. Not as lovely as Bajor of course, a place that Peri had come to love even more despite having only lived there for a much shorter period of time. Even with the mixed reception by the inhabitants, Bajor had called to her. The Prophets lingered nearby. How could she not love it? But she could also not deny the appeal of Earth. It might not be quite so wonderful, but it was close, and it was indeed beautiful. There were other things about it that appealed, Starfleet’s home base notwithstanding. Peri had spent most of her time within the walls of the academy, though she’d ventured to a couple of places not too far away.
At one point, Wes had intended to take her to meet his family. Would he wish to do that again? She didn’t know - and she hadn’t seen much of him as of late, but he’d been rather busy dealing with the aftermath of what had happened to the Thor. That was how it was in Starfleet, as an officer, particular as one who was part of the command team.
The computer beeped and reminded her that her appointment to transport down was nigh, and so, after giving her little dragon a scritch, Peri turned and made her way out of the lounge to a turbolift, and down to transporter room one. A few moments later, she was whisked away to the planet below.
The view that greeted her once that light dissipated was breathtaking. They had put her in a place called Fiordland national park in the nation state of New Zealand on the Kepler track. She had been placed at the very beginning, where the bush began, trees and shrubs lining a manmade trail made of some sort of material that mimicked wood. The ferns that sat at the feet of the wide trunked plants who stood straight and tall, some with spindly arms that stretched out, palms up, others dipping down, weighed by slender fingers of moss that trailed downward in filigree designs. More moss clung to many of the trunks, some coating them in thick blankets. Other ferns stretched up and over the smaller, miniature trees themselves in the dense forest that had been cut through by the trail. Inhaling deeply, Peri paused for a few moments and began to stretch, easing the tension from her muscles and allowing herself to enjoy the scenery. A few moments later, at some silent indication from her pet, Echo launched from the Bardassian and took to flight. For a brief moment, Peri watched the miniature drake as she eagerly took to the wing and, with great glee, caught the low level currents of air that sifted through the branches and lifted her higher as she pumped her wings to move forward. Smiling, Peri, too, set herself into motion.
She started slow, the pace easy and light. This was no race, she had no opponent to keep time with, but simply a relaxing jog in beautiful surroundings. From what she knew, at a walking pace it would take about three and a half standard hours to get above the bushline. She would be jogging, a slightly faster speed than walking, but not her top. Running all out in that situation would be foolish. No, she would keep a steady but relaxed clip, save the energy she would need for the uphill trek as the trail wound its way upward.
It was not an easy climb, which was why Peri was cautious. The trail itself was free of debris, easy save for the incline. She was not unfamiliar with such runs, but even so, she had to steady her breath. A few miles later, it sharpened considerably and Peri slowed to a walk. Above and around her, she could hear the chatter of insects, the chirp of birds and the call of animals. A few avians flew from branch to branch, bugs buzzed around her ears then darted away, and occasionally the rustle of leaves and brush indicated the presence of something else. Nothing, however, was harmful, all would leave her be as she made her way through their domain. At one point, the track became a bridge, traversing over a large creek that flowed lazily beneath, the laughter of the water sounding as it sprayed against the rocks in its path.
Eventually, the trees began to thin, the brush with it, the ferns became more sparse, the grass more prominent, rocks more numerous. By that point, Peri had slowed to a brisk walk, her breath smooth and even, despite the exertion. Finally, it all petered out and gave way to lower born plants, the grasses grew higher, more bolded, greens sprinkled throughout golden yellow and deep reddish-brown hues. The trail kept them at bay, first by the wooden-like material, then later by the mere virtue of being tread upon, the hard packed ground devoid of much in the way of foliage because of its popularity. Even so, she was still alone, still making the journey solo.
Finally, the apex drew into view and she picked up her pace a little more, jogging the rest of the way to the top. Echo beat her, settled upon a boulder and chirped at her, as if encouraging, though it was unnecessary. Delicate fingers tracing the top of her head, scritching lightly before moving on. Another creepy-crawly flew past and settled nearby and the little dragon pounced upon it before gobbling it down, then pushed herself back into the air.
Reaching the top, Peri paused and took in the view. One one side, rolling hills and low mountains, grey and dark green rolled on and on, green forests peppered like patches of blankets spread over the ground. On the other was the same, but interrupted by a large stretch of water, a great lake, water shining and shimmering beneath the kiss of sunlight dancing upon its surface. The breeze cooled the sweat upon her brow and she closed her eyes, inhaling again, taking in the thinner, crisper air, its taste sharper than the heaviness of the atmosphere that dwelt in the forest.
Echo darted to and fro, up and down, catching a stray insect here and there, but the hunting was less than it had been in the forests, though enough to distract the purple creature. At various points, she landed, turning the shade of the ground beneath, or the shrubbery upon which she perched. Peri let her play, simply enjoying the beauty before her, the breadth of simplicity and complexity that made up nature on a world that had played host to her for four years.
For some time she remained, taking her own perch upon a boulder that afforded her a resting place. The flask upon her hip half empty by the time of her arrival, drained more as she sat. And as she remained there, still and silent, she pondered. The events of the days prior, the weeks before that, and all that had preceded it. The times of triumphs, the times of trials, friendships found and lost, but the hope that ever stayed constant.
What would come now? What would she find ahead of her? She didn’t know. No one would know, save for the Prophets. She had to have faith, faith in them, faith in others, those around her, those who had become more than mere acquaintances, those who had become friends, those who were now family. The future was frightening. Newness was frightening. And yet, she could not allow herself to be chained by that uncertainty, though she struggled with its unceasing attempts to batter her.
Another breath in. Another breath out. Smooth, controlled, as if she might inhale the courage that the mountains afforded and the daring nature the winds possessed. Her own position was in limbo, tossed about in ambiguity. She was an officer without a posting and no word had come yet as to where she might go. She knew what she dared to hope, and feared what she might lose should it not come to pass. But what could she do about it? She was subject to the whims of Starfleet, though the inclination of the organisation was certainly for the best, to keep the peace, to explore. And that was the life she had resigned herself to upon her entry into it. Could she change Starfleet’s very nature? And if she could, would it be for the better?
So she prayed. Sat and stared at all that surrounded her, communed with the Prophets and asked for their guidance as well as their favour. They could withhold it, certainly, for they owed her nothing, and had already given her more than she deserved. But if they found it amenable, she hoped they would grant her request. And that was all she could do. Hope and pray.
The sun had risen to the height of its trajectory and now eased over more. Peri’s stomach growled the sparse snacks that she had afforded herself on the trail, while high in protein, did little to curb actual hunger. The morning was done and afternoon settled in its place, and her body informed her it was time for something more. Rising from her seat, Peri whistled to Echo who immediately danced through the air over to her and settled back on her pet’s shoulder. A brief reward of a last tidbit was given, and then Peri tapped the badge upon her shirt and indicated her readiness for transport, and the beauty around was consumed by glimmer and shine as she was whisked away back to the stars above and the vessel that awaited her.
-- Lt. Katsim Peri Chief Science Officer USS Thor M239008AD0