Posted by Captain Felix Rhodes (Captain) in Science Station - The Arrival

Posted by Lieutenant Nijix Tavim (Chief of Security) in Science Station - The Arrival

Posted by Captain Felix Rhodes (Captain) in Science Station - The Arrival
The science station hung lazily in space along the shared border of three powers. Granted the Romulans had become somewhat less of a power since the Hobus event, and the Klingons more hungry for territory as a result, but the science station still sat there and collected it’s data, served as a base of operations for vessels exploring the newly ‘opened’ areas of the old Romulan Star Empire.

It was also where Captain Felix Rhodes, formerly of Starfleet Command’s Fleet Operations, and prior to that Captain of the U.S.S. Broadsword, waited for the Challenger to arrive and deliver cargo to the station, a very specific piece of cargo, apparently. What it was, Felix had no idea. Once the Challenger arrived, the orders he brought with him would be delivered to the Academy vessel and result in the current Captain, Weir, being assigned a new and urgent duty to take effect immediately. There was already another Starfleet vessel waiting for the Challenger to transport the Captain to his new assignment.

Adjusting his collar slightly Felix stood and looked out the window of the stations small lounge at the stars outside, each only a small speck of light, but each one holding a story dating back millions of years. Some held life, others the memory of such but all of them, were a discovery to be made or already made. For the Cadets on the Challenger, it was the wide open spaces for which they had prepared for four years at Starfleet Academy. It was the promise of their future, exploration, and experiencing things that had never yet been discovered. It was why they did what they did.

Looking at his reflection in the window, Felix noted the lines on his face and the grey in his hair. He was no longer the naive Cadet, the brash Lieutenant or even the confident Commander. He had seen war with the Dominion, lost friends, loved ones. Explored places and seen things he could fill memoirs with, but he was not yet old by his reckoning. A shade over 50, he didn’t think he looked it although those lines around his eyes and the grey flecks in his hair and beard betrayed him.

He had brought with him an Officer at the other end of her career, his new Chief of Security who by all appearances, was young and promising. With Trill however looks were deceiving and Felix knew that his new Security Chief most likely had more locked away in those memories of hers than he would have from his whole life to come. With a small smile, he glanced at the time piece above the Lounges bar. She was due here soon, as was most of the other off duty staff around meal time. With limited time to talk, Felix hoped he could get to know her a little more before the Challenger dropped out of Warp. He was far more comfortable talking to his crew off duty than on, and unlike many Captains, enjoyed getting to know them better.

Captain Rhodes, Incoming CO

Nijix didn’t quite look the part she was supposed to when she walked to the lounge. Unless someone glanced at the pips on her uniform, they might’ve actually mistaken her for a Security cadet passing time and over excited for the Challenger to arrive. Against her forearm rested a common PAAD while her other hand wielding a pen stylus, its tip swirled across the screen to jot down quick sketches of any individuals that caught her interest. It was one of many little exercises she used to draw on memories and connect with the previous’ hosts lives her symbiote held within.

Occasionally her bright blue eyes flickered up to ensure she didn’t bump into anyone else using the corridors, then dipped back down to the PAAD. Her arm made each movement with a purpose. Several thumbnail sketches of officers decorated her screen, crude representations that only focused on what got stuck in her mind.

Realizing she was approaching the Lounge entrance, Raji’s familiar presence become dominate. His memories scratched at her mind as if to tell her to make a good impression and come in without distraction. Agreeing with him, she quickly powered down her PAAD then slipped it into her side satchel.

Nijix smiled at his confidence surging into her usually timid nature. It was always a comfort for her and she enjoyed feeling the aspects from the prior hosts enter her. The sensation reminded her she was never truly alone because four others had walked the same path she did now. Sometimes her imagination took over, giving each one a voice to bestow wisdom or bounce off of.

The Trill pushed her thoughts into the present while she felt her eyes instinctively surveyed the area. She easily singled out her would be CO based on his file picture, her lips curled into a confident smile.

Beyond the window that Felix was looking out of, the telltale flash of light announced the arrival of a vessel from Warp and as the sleek grey lines of the Starfleet vessel appeared in view, the angular nose and four nacelles betrayed the Challenger’s arrival before they ever got close enough to view the name painted on the hull. The only reaction from Felix was a lifting of his chin slightly as he watched the ship.

When she approached him, her attention drifted toward the sight of the Challenger. It was to be her career’s first test. A swarm of butterflies darted along her stomach before they faded into oblivion. Memories edged to the surface to remind her she wasn’t the only host to feel inadequate for a new position, but the emotion would shortly pass with time. This made it easier to overcome.

“Captain Rhodes. Lieutenant Nijix Tavium, I look forward to serving with you, sir,” she said proudly then followed up with a more casual statement, “It always amazes me to watch a ship pull out of warp with such grace. My drawings or paintings could never mimic the beauty accurately.”

-Lt. Nijix Tavium, CoS

In the reflection of the window, Felix’s eyes shifted to the woman and he smiled at her remark, before he turned to greet her. Without needing to have known her name, he knew her. The spots identified her as a Trill, and the bright blue eyes alone made the woman stand out in a crowd even more so than the confidence she appeared to carry no doubt, he believed, from the lifetimes of memories she carried within her from the symbiots previous hosts.

Looking back at the Challenger for just a moment before he spoke, Felix continued the easy, relaxed smile. “It’s not so much the way it looks” he said to the ‘young’ Chief of Security, “so much as the thrill of the moment when a vessel seems to appear as if from nowhere. One moment they aren’t there, the next they have used science that defies belief to reach a point where seconds ago, they were millions of miles away from. Drawings and paintings can only capture the moment after the arrival. For the likes of you and me that get to witness it, it’s that moment of freedom that nothing can capture.”

“I’m pleased to meet you Lieutenant Tavium, and I look forward to serving with you as well. Shall we take a seat?” Felix asked, indicating a nearby table with a view out the window he stood beside before stepping over to it. “There is a reception for the Challenger crew in a few hours, we are attending and will get to meet them then. In the meantime” he pulled out the chair for her in invitation, “lets chat a little and get to know each other. I’d like to take a look at your drawings if I may, is that what you carry the PaDD for?”

Captain Rhodes, CO

“I think my admiration comes more from the machinery. A past host, Oyjum, was an engineer who assisted in developing numerous wrap cores. I have an in-depth appreciation of great engineering accomplishments, but sadly my artistic skills fall short of capturing the amazement. It saddens me that I can’t produce accurate work to stirr it in others,” Nijix stated.

At the CO’s request, she nodded, agreeing to it. Casually she slid into the chair at the gestured to table and gently set her satchel down near her chair. When he mentioned her PADD, she blinked in slight surprise. However, Raji’s presence seemed to remind her that she shouldn’t have been. There was not many logical reasons for a future CoS to be carrying around a satchel and considering she mentioned art. It was easy to deduce what she mainly used her PADD for other than data viewing and storage for her job.

She chuckled softly, “I must say, you’re observation skills surprised me. Not many individuals would’ve assumed I had my PADD on my person when I carried a satchel.”

Nijix dipped down to pull free her satchel cover free then pull her PADD out.

“My PADD is a multifunctional tool. It holds my personal data, files on my numerous officers, and my art,” she placed it upon the table before gently sliding it into the Captain’s reach. She tabbed a folder bring up the numerous pieces, mostly sketches, onto the view screen.

“Since you know one of my hobbies, would you be so kind as to share one of yours? I believe it’s fair and an excellent place to start in order to get know each other.”

-Lt. Nijix Tavium, CoS