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Going to the mess hall -everyones welcome- (ATTN: Lt Rico Vanhall)

Posted Nov. 21, 2022, 11:20 p.m. by Lieutenant Rico Vanhall (Armory Officer) (David Shotton)

Posted by Ensign Hawkeye Logan (Security Officer) in Going to the mess hall -everyones welcome- (ATTN: Lt Rico Vanhall)

Posted by Lieutenant Rico Vanhall (Armory Officer) in Going to the mess hall -everyones welcome- (ATTN: Lt Rico Vanhall)

Posted by 2nd Lieutenant Laju Eghimea (Security Officer) in Going to the mess hall -everyones welcome- (ATTN: Lt Rico Vanhall)
Posted by… suppressed (21) by the Post Ghost! 👻
As ensign Logan was going to the mess hall he had his book. He grabbed a cup of coffee and sat down. Although he liked his coffee but then realized the fact that he misses his tea. So he grabbed a cup of his favorite tea and started to drink that instead.

Ensign Logan.

-bump-

It was the same nightmare that woke Eghimea from her sleep again. She had thought about rolling over and trying to push through the emotional roller-coaster that the unforgiving dreams would normally set her on. That idea was rejected because her green-skinned roommate had ‘friends’ over. The group of chattering females were talking about some new world they were going to visit. Eghimea wondered if she could be allergic to the Caitian among the group of Science Officers, due to her red eyes before leaving her room. Or it could just be her lack of sleep. Leaving it behind, Eghimea walked into the Mess to an even greater disappointment.

It was the first time that Eghimea had walked into the main mess of the Saracen during the lunch time hour. She frowned inwardly at the large number of people eating and enjoying socializing. She wasn’t disappointed that they were all enjoying their time with each other, it was that there wasn’t a single empty table in the entire mess, let alone available seating. And after being woken up during her normal sleep cycle, she wasn’t feeling at her best. Drawing in a slight breath, she half thought of just turning around and finding somewhere else to relax. Letting out her breath in defeat as she accepted that this was pretty much her only option.

She walked over to the repicator, “water, with ice, please,” she softly said. The idea of such a device was still a wonder to her. Sure, she knew of them, and even seen some before. But to watch them work on a daily basis was just fascinating. Her eyes danced over the other crew members, the people of the Federation. She wondered if they really knew how lucky they were to live in a world where such technology was at a person’s finger tips. That was when her eyes caught Ensign Logan. ‘Hawkeye Logan,’ she pondered deeply, ‘what a strange name for a Vulcan. I wonder why the deviation from their normal naming conventions.’ She noticed that he was sitting by himself and that there was a book with him.

Picking up her glass of water, she walked over to the table where the young Vulcan set with a cup of tea. “Good evening, Ensign,” she said softly. Considering that for Eghimea, this was the middle of her night, she often didn’t make the mental corrections that for the rest of the crew it was their midday lunch time. The second cup filled with coffee didn’t escape her notice. She half wondered if he had been expecting someone.

Standing before Ensign Logan, stood a Bajoran female of average height yet slim build. She has become well known aboard the Saracen due to her first explosive day aboard. She was Laju Eghimea, a Bajoran Exchange Officer. Surrounding her were rampant rumors of a crisis that brough the very weight of the Captain down to the Sick Bay. With the rumor mill contained, 2nd Lieutenant Laju is now assigned to the Security Department on the graveyard shift.

2nd Lieutenant Laju wore a Bajoran Uniform. To the casual observer, they could easily mistake the uniform as standard Militia. Though for the keen observer and those who follow Bajoran politics, they could tell the uniform was of the now disbanded Bajoran StarGuard. She wore the rank of 2nd Lieutenant, and a unit patch with the words, “BSG Örlagaríkur” on the patch. There is a hand-woven black ribbon sown over the patch. (See her profile for more on the uniform design) Her uniform, including her black boots were in perfect form and without a hint of error, assuming that the observer knew what they were looking for. For Eghimea, it was simply a matter of pride to her former ship, her former shipmates and her former commander to ensure that she looked her very best, even when off duty.

“There does not appear to be any open seats,” she stated as a matter of fact. “Do you mind if I share the table with you, Ensign?” Her voice was flat in tone as she did her best to conceal her emotions behind the thick walls of her personal masks. Still, there was no amount of make-up or skill that could hide the thick rings under her eyes. A tell-tale sign that she had been deprived of full nights of sleep for some time.

2nd Lieutenant Laju Eghimea

Ensign Logan then noticed the young bajoran and then said “Yes Lt. by all means. I’m not picky one who sits here with me. Although, how can I help you?” He asked. As he didn’t really know this 2nd Lieutenant at all.

Ensign Logan

With a slight nod in gratitude, Eghimea lowered herself and slid into the chair across from the Vulcan male. Her movements were precise and with purpose intention. Her back was rigid, and her arms pulled into her sides. Her motions and posture were a sharp contrast to those effortless and graceful movements of Lieutenant Ruby. A stray thought regarding the movements of the two had captured Eghimea’s mind for but a moment.

“Thank you,” she said softly with an even tone. To her new shipmates, she had been accused of being cold and detached in her dealings with them. She had tried to explain and had failed to get her point across to them. She now wondered how a member of a race, well known for their cold and detached dealings, would see her. “I do not require your assistance,” she said calmly then added, “though I do have a query for you.”

She paused a moment to take a sip of her water. The ice softly rattling against the glass drew her attention. Memories of the nightmares that brought her to the mess on this late hour were still fresh in her mind. She blinked a couple of times, forcing her mind back to the moment of here and now. Drawing in a slight breath, she continued, “your name Ensign Hawkeye Logan. It is not traditional in terms of the Vulcan naming conventions. I am curious if you would mind sharing the story behind it.”

2nd Lieutenant Laju Eghimea

“Well, Lieutenant. I was born on Earth until my parents died. The Vulcan high council found me and took me to learn their ways. They have also assigned me to a new family that is Vulcan and I am very happy with my new family. I’m able to suppress my emotions well enough as a human who has learned the Kohlinar ritual.” He said to her as he was a little confused.

Eghimea set across from him listening carefully to his words and watching his movements with a keen eye. That was until he said, “I’m able to suppress my emotions well enough as a human who has learned the Kohlinar ritual.”

‘Wait,’ she thought almost dumbfounded, ‘what!?’

Her mind raced through what she knew of his personal file. It clearly labeled him as a Vulcan. ‘Was he saying he wasn’t a Vulcan,’ her mind questioned. It was as if her mind ran headlong into a brick wall.

While he was a little confused about it he asked, “Why do you ask Lt?” He asked. He wasn’t so sure what else to say. He didn’t really know the main reason of it.

Ensign Logan.

It took a moment for her to blink through the replaying of the conversation in her mind before she could speak again. When she resumed speaking, her voice was calm, direct and her tone was flat. “Your personal records indicates that you are a Vulcan with a rather non-Vulcan name,” Eghimea explained. She tilted her head to get a slightly better perspective on his ears, “I apologize if this sounds rude.” She paused a moment before asking her question. “Are you Human or Vulcan,” she asked softly.

2nd Lieutenant Laju Eghimea

“No Lt. I should apologize. You are correct. I didn’t know what you were talking about. It was meant to be said, my Vulcan parents had died. I was adopted by human parents when I was born. Once I was born, I wasn’t given a name until my human parents gave me the name Hawkeye Logan.” He said.

Ensign Logan

Leaning back in her chair Eghimea gave a slight nod, “there is no cause for apology, Ensign Logan,” she said calmly and softly. She fell silent for a moment as to collect her thoughts before continuing, “I have noticed that a great number of crew members have that similarity in common.” She paused as to take note of something then self-corrected, “tragedies linked directly to their families.” Placing a hand on her chest, “I too have such a similarity.” Her tone drifted slightly darker as the hint of grief was present to the keen listener as she explained, “I’m the cause of my own family’s death.”

Once more she fell silent as her eyes dance over the space between them. When she spoke again, her voice had returned to her normal flat and even tone. “I’m curious if such personnel deployment is intentional by StarFleet Command,” she said softly. “Such similarities could form unconscious bonds between crew members,” she pondered.

  • 2nd Lieutenant Laju Eghimea

“Lt. What are you saying by unconscious bonds between crew member?” He asked her as if he didn’t know what she meant in this case he doesn’t.

Ensign Logan

Eghimea was thoughtful for a moment. Her eyes seemed to move left to right as if she was reading some invisible paper between them. After that moment, she began to speak once more, “Doctor Sana Krishnan wrote of Relationships via Shared Trauma as such. ‘The brain has evolved such that we form social, emotional being-to-being connections in many ways.”

She paused a moment to take a breath, “one such way of forming friendships and other relationships is sometimes colloquially called ‘trauma bonding’ - that is, friendships formed when two individuals talk about experiences of past trauma, rather be directly shared or common. Such conversations of vastly layered experiences which can be deeply empathetic, heavy, eye-opening, perspective-providing and have proven to lead to tighter bonds between the two individuals. The study revealed that individuals who have created such bonds cannot effectively articulate the basis of their bonds without the trauma.”

Drawing in another breath, she gave a soft nod to inform her table companion that she was continuing, “during her study, Doctor Krishnan found that even when such conversations are not shared, that some individuals form bonds completely unaware of their shared trauma.”

She blinked a moment as she fell silent to ensure that she had offered the correct information. Satisfied, she gave a nod again as she asked softly, “does that help you understand what I mean, Ensign Logan?”

“Yes it does Lt. Thank you. But say if we had that. What happens” he said.

Ensign Logan

Eghimea’s eyes moved back and forth a bit as she considered the question posed to her. “I suppose that would require us to better understand the crew assignments of Starfleet,” she finally replied. “Here aboard the Saracen, there are at least four that I am personally aware of who shares similar family tragedies. My Roommate, at least one of her friends, myself and now you,” she said counting with her fingers as she continued to speak, “have all experienced tragedies that have left us orphans to some degree.”

“If Starfleet’s crew assignments are benign, then there is nothing of concern,” she said softly. Her tone grew slightly darker as she continued, “however, there could be the possibility that the crew of the Saracen are unwittingly taking part in a large controlled social experiment.” She waited for a moment before the tips of her lips slowly curled into a slight smile as her eyes softened a bit, thus allowing the hint of her joke to float between them.

Waving a hand, her voice returned to its normal soft and flat tone as she finally conceded, “I merely find it an interesting observation, Ensign.”

  • 2nd Lieutenant Laju Eghimea

“Well I am glad that it is an interesting observation. Although,” as he paused for a second as he lowers his voice a bit. “What about like relationships. Like other then friendship relationships. I know it isn’t right for a starfleet officer to fall in love with another. But what if that comes intonplace?” He asked quietly.

Ensign Logan

Eghimea was caught so far off guard by the question that her mind simply quit for a few moments while she attempted to process what just occurred. ‘He couldn’t be suggesting,’ she questioned herself as she set there blankly looking at him. ‘Isn’t he a Vulcan,’ she continued to question. After a few heartbeats and blinking of her eyes, she finally recovered.

“While I’m not completely versed on all matters regarding Starfleet regulations,” she started to speak making a heroic effort to hide the shock and surprise in her voice. “I have not come across such regulations that would prohibit such relationships,” she said calmly. “I can bring note to an example of such a relationship aboard the Saracen. The Captain and the Chief Medical Officer are married with at least one child,” she said in a flat, matter of fact, voice.

“I can, however, speak on matters regarding the Star Guard. While Bajoran law had strictly prohibited such relationships among officers of the Militia, the Star Guard which is not officially part of the Bajoran Government, nor the Militia, had no such prohibitions. In fact, my brother, who was my Commanding Officer, was married to the Communications Officer who had been stationed aboard my father’s ship. At the time of the destruction of both ships, they were expecting their first child.”

She refused to allow herself to feel the deep grief and pain that surged in her heart. The memories that flashed in her mind as she spoke on the subject matter were pushed aside as she willed herself to box them up and close them off. Her voice remained flat and calm as she spoke. Her real face was hidden behind the blank masks she had forced herself to wear. To the observer, her demeanor was cold and detached. Her voice lacking any emotions, which was a sharp contrast to the emotional hurricane in her heart.

She paused a moment before adding, “and prior to the destruction of the Örlagaríkur, our Chief Engineer and Head Chef were in a relationship. Everyone expected them to get married within the coming months.”

She motioned to her Star Guard uniform, “As I am officially a member of the Star Guard, no such prohibitions would affect me in either case. Though speaking socially only, a relationship with a Starfleet Officer would be frowned upon by my community.”

She blinked a few times as she ran through the memory of his question and the information that she was able to provide. “I hope that this answers your rather surprising question,” she said softly and truthfully.

  • 2nd Lieutenant Laju Eghimea

“Why yes it did. Although, I maybe a Vulcan I didn’t do the Khalinar ritual that makes it where we suppress our emotions. I am a Vulcan that does use emotions. Hence the reason why I joined starfleet to begin with. That but also to find a relationship that actually goes somewhere and get married.” He said before he added anything else. “With me, it’s different for some Vulcans. My parents who are also Vulcan got married and the Vulcan high command didn’t say anything about it. Both were politicians.” He said.

Ensign Logan.

Eghimea hardly batted an eye as she listened to him speak. Her real face hidden behind the emotional masks she had erected. Her eyes fixed on his own as she listened keenly. The man was clearly an oddity to her. Ten years her senior and equal to her rank hinted of his performance as a Security Officer. He was a solid inch taller than her and yet nearly ten pounds lighter than her. ‘Does he have some kind of eating disorder,’ she thought to herself.

As he explained his desires for a mate and his family history, the memory of his words echoed in her mind, ‘I’m able to suppress my emotions well enough as a human who has learned the Kohlinar ritual.’ She noted his ability and knowledge, not necessarily the fact that he practiced the beliefs of his people.

‘How could one not follow his own people’s beliefs,’ she thought with deep surprise.

Choosing her words carefully, “politicians have never set well with me.” She drew in a breath before continuing, “I have found that they hardly ever place the well being of others ahead of their own personal motivations and desires.”

-2nd Lieutenant Laju Eghimea

“Well the politicians on Vulcan are much more different then those on planet earth. Let’s just put it this way they know what they are doing and they all want to make civilization and think of the other people around them.” He said.

Ensign Logan

Eghimea frowned as she listened to him speak. ‘Does the perception of the entire Federation orbit around Earth,’ she wondered to herself.

Shifting slightly as she spoke, “I wouldn’t know. My knowledge of Earth is extremely limited.” She paused then added, “more out of personal choice then opportunity.”

She then picked up her glass of water, “Though it is of my opinion that all Federation politicians are equally horrible and soaked with the blood of the innocent.” Placing the glass to her lips, she took a drink from her water.

-2nd Lieutenant Laju Eghimea

Bump

“Well I wouldn’t say that persay.” He said to the Lieutenant.

Ensign Logan

Eghimea set there in silence for a moment considering his words. Her eyes slowly danced over the Vulcan officer carefully taking in his mannerism and posture. After a few moments she finally spoke up, “I would.”

“Consider the occupation of my own homeworld. The Federation politicians did nothing while hundreds of thousands of Bajorans were enslaved,” her voice lacked any hint of judgement or accusation. She knew that Vulcans would see any emotions as a reason to dismiss her case outright. With that in mind, she made every effort to present her case lacking any emotions at all. She was also careful to hold her masks tightly in place, so that she wouldn’t betray her argument.

“Though I can’t really blame the Federation politicians as a whole. When the Setlik Massacre occurred,” she said speaking of the Setlik III Massacre of 2362. “The people of the Federation barely noticed. I cannot blame the Federation for not caring of Bajoran blood when Federation blood had as little value. The entire war between the Federation and the Cardassians was only allowed to fester because the Federation feared that others might see them as a war like government. So, they allowed the war to continue for over a decade.”

Tilting her head slightly she blinked as she asked, “how many lives on both sides could have been spared, if the Federation acted like each life mattered?”

  • 2nd Lieutenant Laju Eghimea

“That Lieutenant. I have no idea. I was still in the academy when all that happened. So I wouldn’t know.” He said. Wondering about the war.

Ensign Logan

She frowned slight as she listened to him. It wasn’t a genuine frown, yet another mask she manipulated to allow others to seem more comfortable around her.

“I wasn’t alive during the Border Wars between the Cardassians and the Federation. Nor was I alive during the occupation of my world that the Federation allowed to happen. Though, my family fought during both events,” she explained, then added, “the stories that they tell live on in our collective memories as a people.”

She took a sip of her water then continued, “it is what sets us apart from those in the Capital District. We refuse to forget the horrors that were inflicted upon our people.” She blinked then asked, “can you tell me about your thoughts on the Second Vulcan Offensive during 2374.”

She wanted to know how the Vulcan would react to clearly something deeply emotional. Her eyes studied him carefully as she patiently waited for her answer.

  • 2nd Lieutenant Laju Eghimea

“Well Lt. As for me, the second Vulcan offensive was a smart thing. Although, it wasn’t the politics idea for it. It was the Vulcan Commanding officers idea not the politics.” He said.

Not far from the table that the two sat, an officer that would be familiar to Laju walked in and leaned on the bar. The heavily muscled Armory Officer had been in sickbay beside the Captain when she had arrived, and had been the one that had removed her weapons. Still bearing the Lieutenant rank, the man nevertheless had an obvious closeness to the Captain and the CMO.

“Beer!” He announced to the bartender with a grin, who took a moment to hand him a bottle of cold, real alcohol instead of fetching something replicated. Raising the bottle in toast and thanks to the man, Rico raised it to his lips and took a long, slow swallow of the drink then placed the bottle back on the bar and looked towards the door.

Dressed casually, he wore simple jeans and a collarless t-shirt that while modest, couldn’t hide the mans build. Leather straps around the wrist and a chain around his neck finished the simple, tidy but smart look that was capped by black boots that were far more serious than a casual dinner would require. The no-nonsense expression she had seen in sickbay was matched by a short hair style that required minimal maintenance but now, his face was far more relaxed.

“Hey Gus, get me one of those bowls of cheese fries would you, please?” He turned back to the bartender but remained standing, not taking the stool next to him.

Lt Rico Vanhall, Armory Officer

As Logan heard another voice he turned and saw Lt. Vanhall. He turned and looked and said, “Lt Vanhall come sit here with us. I could use some insight or a second opinion.” He said.

Ensign Logan.

Hearing his name Rico turned and looked at the two sitting alone and grinned, then picked up his bottle of beer, another fresh one and the bowl of cheese fries he had ordered and sat down on a third seat at the table.

“Hey you two, what’s up? I’m not interrupting your date am I?”

Lt Rico Vanhall


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