~Snip~

“‘Unpleasant’ is an understatement,” Rakia said, her tone laced with a diplomat’s practiced calm, though a hint of bitterness lingered beneath the surface. “If I remember correctly, the Xindi made their intentions known in the most horrific way possible—by using some kind of weapon to gouge a massive crater into a place on Earth called Florida. Thousands were killed. I doubt anyone would call that a misunderstanding.”

Her knowledge of the specifics was limited—Rakia wasn’t an engineer, nor did she need to be. Her work revolved around negotiating peace, not analyzing the technology that destroyed it. Yet the Xindi’s first strike was a moment etched into her memory. It wasn’t the mechanics of the act that stayed with her; it was the sheer brutality of it, the devastating loss that left a scar not just on Earth but on every world that valued diplomacy over war.

Ensign Rakia

Kota’s eyes went wide at Rakia’s words, shivering at the thought of so much death. “Is that why we don’t see any of them in the Federation? Cause they killed so many people?”

Kota
Civilian Child

Someone, who up until this point had only been listening in, decided at that moment to come over and join the conversation. A Vulcan man, possibly mid-50s, who didn’t so much walk as glided over. He was in loose civilian clothes, had disheveled hair with long wispy bangs covered almost to the bottom of his eyebrows. He lend against the wall and spoke with a surprising amount of authority,

“From what I heard there are a few Xindi officers in Stat Fleet. One cannot judge an entire race for what their governments did so many generations ago.”

| Solkar, Civilian|

“Oh hello there I am Lieutenant Becket Chief engineer. Please have a seat.” He looked over at the civilian.

Lieutenant Junior Grade Alex Becket
Chief Engineer
U.S.S. Ark Angel

“Solkar,” he said with a half nod as he slid into a seat, “I’ve only recently come aboard. My wife is… an officer. She is occupied so I thought I’d familiarize myself with the ship. I didn’t mean to interrupt your conversation, please continue.”

| Solkar, Civilian|

“No no. Please it’s okay. So your wife? As in T’Mor? Chief Science Officer?” Becket asked Solkar.

Lieutenant Junior Grade Alex Becket
Chief Engineer
U.S.S. Ark Angel

“Yes, that is she. I am rather surprised you could tell. I did not believe she wanted to…” he paused, “Nevermind.”

“Don’t worry. Her and I work very well. I’m more stuck in Engineering while she’s on the bridge.” He said.

He glanced over toward Kota, a glimmer of lightness in his eyes though his face remained neutral. He enjoyed being around children, even if T’Mor and him never had any of their own. They might, someday when they are older, and when he would be more ‘responsible’.

Kota listened as the adults made their introductions. She was lost in thought, contemplating the new information she’d learned. Xindi. Xindi. She repeated it in her head. She was going to ask Tak about it when they finished work tonight.

Kota
Civilian

“So what about you? I assume you have a parent that works onboard.” he addressed her.

| Solkar, Civilian|

(OOC: Personal apology for continuously misgendering Ensign Tak I’m not very good at reading and my brain just skips pronouns most of the time.)

OOC: It’s alright.

Lieutenant Junior Grade Alex Becket
Chief Engineer
U.S.S. Ark Angel

[OOC; it happens.]

Kota nodded enthusiastically towards Solkar. “Yes, my parent is a science officer. I live with them and my little brother Paku. I like living on a Federation Starship. There are a lot of people. It’s scary sometimes but I like learning about all the people.”

Kota
Civilian

MaQ walked into the Mess Hall to see if they had any prune juice and noticed the Chief Engineer sitting and thought about approaching them to give an update but saw that they were talking to someone and decided against it and continue looking for that delicious warrior drink, prune juice.

MaQmlgh, Engineer

Hayley looked up as another officer entered the Mess. “Hello Ensign, would you care to join us?”

Lt. JG Hayley Marshall CMO