Most ensigns to get to make requests, but given her unusual circumstances and the exceptional distance of her homeworld, Personnel agreed to give her time after graduation to go home to visit, especially given that her family couldn’t make the trip for graduation, and it would likely be years before she saw her family and community again. She didn’t dare think about the circumstances that might mean she may never go home again, but somewhere in the back of her mind, Ka’sora understood that in pursuing this path she accepted the risk that Zahara may become lost to her. Fortunately, she had taken a few steps to ensure that she could manage the homesickness.

Part of those steps were modifications to her dwelling space that not just helped her physically, but provided emotional and psychological benefits. So, these requirements had been sent to the Manhattan ahead of her so that they had time to make the changes before she needed them. The most obvious change was the gravity, which was coincidentally the easiest change. But they had worked out an even better solution for her in that the first meter and a half of her quarters slowly graduated from 1 G to her native 0.915 G. That way, people (including herself) didn’t trip into or out of her dwelling. The other changes were the living walls (two of them- the infrastructure would in be in place and Ka’sora would take care of filling it with plants), and the removal of the bed in favour of a large sling hung from the ceiling. She could sleep in a bed, but it just wasn’t as natural or comfortable, as she discovered at the Academy. After two years, she was eager to sleep in the way she was accustomed.

After two months of travel and waiting at Event Horizon Station, Ka’sora finally received word that the Manhattan was on its way back to base. She had time to pack, but thankfully she hadn’t made herself too at home on the base. What she had done was venture out everyday into the communal spaces. She mingled and observed people, seeking to learn and understand how things worked out here. There was a difference here that she had noticed from her time on Earth at the Academy. These observations were made daily in her personal logs, but she also kept extensive audio and written notes for her work. After all, she was a sociologist and understanding social groups was a core part of her research.

With everything packed, operations took her larger cases over to be delivered to the ship when it arrived and Ka’sora kept two bags with her: a duffle with key essentials, and a tightly woven bag with a traditional nosa print that contained some of her most precious possessions. They were things from home that would help her feel connected to her family and community, and Zahara itself.

Arriving at the airlock, she waited for confirmation that it was safe to proceed and presented her boarding orders. The security officer at the airlock gave her a wide smile. Her tall ears flicked and Ka’sora could almost smell the curiosity off him. “Welcome to the Manhattan, Ensign.”

“Thank you!” she said with her own beaming smile. With a nod, she stepped onto the ship and into her new life. How exciting!

~Ensign Ka’Sora