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Lounge - Broken Promises

Posted Dec. 18, 2021, 8:52 p.m. by Captain Alexander Cochrane (Commanding Officer) (James Sinclair)

Posted by Ensign Kaia (Engineering Officer) in Lounge - Broken Promises

Posted by Captain Alexander Cochrane (Commanding Officer) in Lounge - Broken Promises

Posted by Captain Alexander Cochrane (Commanding Officer) in Lounge - Broken Promises
Posted by… suppressed (9) by the Post Ghost! 👻
Kaia sat in the lounge, staring quietly at the display on her U.R.I. with a look of dejection on her face. A large mug of something frothy and vaguely smelling like alcohol sat, untouched, on the table beside her. “You promised you’d try to get a transfer,” she sighed, speaking in a quiet, purring language that the Universal Translator refused to translate.

=^=I know, but this opportunity came up and I really couldn’t refuse it. I’m sure you’ll understand, I just had to pursue… other things.=^= The chirps and purrs of the same soft language came back through the device. Kaia put her head down on the table, giving a quiet grunt that almost anyone could interpret as frustration.

I know, Vito. I suppose I was just really excited to have someone from home join me on the Manhattan,” she replied, sitting up straight. “I’m allowed to be upset, even if I understand your reasoning.

=^=I know, I know. I haven’t been alone aboard a Federation Ship. I don’t know what it feels like to be isolated.=^= Vito replied, making Kaia sit up slightly. She was still for several minutes, then finally let out a long sigh.

I’m going to go. I’ll… talk to you later, I guess.” She pressed on the holographic screen, and it blipped away, not even giving her friend time to respond.

Kaia, Eng

“I’ve seen that look before, Ensign.” came a recognizable voice from behind her. Captain Cochrane stepped around her and into view, giving her a half-smile. “And while the language is unfamiliar, the reaction is pretty standard throughout the galaxy. Bad news, I take it?” and he gestured to the seat opposite her, asking with a look if it was okay to be seated.

Cochrane, CO

Kaia looked at the Captain for a few long moments, then shrugged and inclined her head slightly to give him permission. “The Manhattan is a lovely vessel with an incredible crew, but it’s a hard ship to be on when you’re alone. Everything is so empty, and we’re so far away from home.”

She let out a long sigh, then sat up and interlaced her fingers, focusing on that. “Someone from home was going to try to apply for a position on the Manhattan or the station we dock at. But a better opportunity presented itself and she decided to pursue it. I was looking forward to having someone I could… Share heart and mind,” she explained.

Kaia, Eng

Cochrane regarded the diminutive Engineer for a moment and then said “Ensign, there are over a thousand individuals on this ship. And many are the only one of their kind here. So why do you feel alone? I mean, I can understand the kind of ‘disconnected’ feeling with being the only one of your species in a place… I’ve been in that situation myself. But alone? Why do you feel that way?” His words were soft and encouraging, not critical. And there was a strong sense of compassion in his tone.

Cochrane, CO

Kaia was quiet for several moments before she came up with the right words. Apparently she hadn’t explained to the Captain something she’d mentioned to several other beings. Then again conversations with the Captain were rare. “My, um, my species is empathic. We grow up and live our lives with other people’s emotions as an inherent part of our perception of everything. A song that lives in every person, and you can hear that song just by being near them. But for some reason, only people from Galdor show up on that sense. It’s like… living your whole life being able to hear, then suddenly becoming deaf. I don’t know how else to explain it. I figured I’d be able to adjust, but it’s really hard some days,” she explained.

Kaia, Engineer

Cochrane listened and nodded in understanding. “I can only imagine how difficult that could be. And yes, I can understand some days being harder than others. But the hard days would be easier if you had some friends to help you. They may not have the song you are missing… but they have unique gifts of their own to share.” He nodded and smiled as a Lounge server came by and set a drink in front of him. He looked back at Kaia and said “We… all of us… have chosen to live a life of isolation and disconnection from home and family and civilizations familiar to us all. That is a choice we all made and have to live with. But it also binds us to one another. Maybe focus on what you have in common with the rest of the crew, rather than how they are different. It won’t erase the homesickness and the desire for that connection… but it will ease the pain of it somewhat.”

Cochrane, CO

Kaia looked into her drink, staring at the slightly rippling liquid. “I’ve tried to make friends, but they all leave,” she spoke in a soft voice. It was the one thing she hated about being on a starship, whether it be with the GOA fleet or Starfleet, you could never know how long a crewmate would last. You could form strong bonds only for them to transfer off, or you could remain strangers for years and years. She didn’t want to make excuses. She didn’t want to sound all depressed like this, especially in front of the CAPTAIN. But the fog was hitting her really hard today and it was difficult to be her usual chipper self when the fog around her brain was this thick.

Kaia, Eng.

Cochrane nodded and said “Yes, individuals leave. Teansfer, retire, change of profession… or worse.” he soad with a sigh. “But something I have found to be true is that you get as much from others as you give. Sometimes it takes a while to find those that can bridge the gaps we all have, being so far from home.” He smiled slightly and took a drink. “But trust me… you will find those people. As long as you are open and inquisitive about those around you; you will find those friends. Maybe in places you wouldn’t think.”

Cochrane, CO

Kaia nodded quietly, trying to force a smile onto her face for his sake. “We do our best,” she sighed. “Guess I’m just a little too overwhelmed by my disappointment right now to see the bright side yet.” Her center of emotions ached, making her sit up slightly and press a hand to her back, right where it was, a wince on her face for a brief moment. Beings were not made to be alone for as long as she had been, and it was taking a toll on her mental state. “I wonder, would it be possible to… have a brief leave of absence? Just long enough to visit home, see… family? I know that’s a little harder given our universal co-ordinates and how far away from everything we are…?”

Kaia, Engineer

Cochrane nodded. “Of course. As long as it’s approved by Commander Wynter, I see no reason why some time off isn’t allowable. Just make sure you take travel time into account. And one of the advantages to us being out this far, Command has authorized us extra available leave to account for the extended travel time. There is a Leave Coordination Specialist on the Event Horizon that can help you plan your route. Contact them after you talk to the Commander and they can sort out your travel plans.”

Cochrane, CO

bump

“Thank you, sir,” Kaia gave the captain a small smile, then looked back at her drink. It would be nice to share emotions again, even if only for a short while.

“I’ll be heading out now,” she stood up, picking up the drink and glancing towards the recycler. “Thanks for the… conversation.”

Kaia, Eng

Cochrane inclined his head and said “It was my pleasure, Ensign. Enjoy your time at home. I expect holos with you looking happy and surrounded by friends and family when you get back.” and he smiled and then picked up drink and took a sip.

Cochrane, CO


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