Posted by Lieutenant Helena Laursen (Helm/Nagivation Officer) in Pre-Sim - Watch Your Head (Arrival of the Armory Chief)

Posted by Lieutenant Mthunzi Nkosenye (Armory Chief) in Pre-Sim - Watch Your Head (Arrival of the Armory Chief)

Posted by Lieutenant Helena Laursen (Helm/Nagivation Officer) in Pre-Sim - Watch Your Head (Arrival of the Armory Chief)
Posted by… suppressed (3) by the Post Ghost! 👻
The shuttle settled to the ground in the densely populated city of Ulundi, former capital of the African nation of KwaZulu-Natal. The side hatched opened and a figure, bent almost double to allow his tall frame to exit the craft, stepped out and then stood up… and up… and up. The African sun shone down on the shaved ebony head, and intense brown eyes surveyed the hustle and bustle of the shuttle port… and brilliant white teeth contrasted against dark lips as a broad smile stretched across the imposing man’s features.

He was home.

He hailed a taxi and squeezed inside and the ground craft set off. Soon, the paved and crowded streets gave way to a broad, well-traveled road leading off into the interior of the African countryside.

After about three-quarters of an hour, they pulled off the main road and traveled up a long gravel road through dense tree coverage. The sounds of animals could be heard clearly, and if one wasn’t completely aware of where they were going, cardinal directions would be lost quickly. Fifteen minutes on the gravel and the taxi pulled into a large flat area that fronted a large house.

Rather than metal and advanced building materials, the structure was made of wood. It was decorated as if it had been there in that spot for millennia, becoming part of the savanna around it. A large porch faced the parking area, on which sat many chairs of varying sizes and types but all were made in a traditional sense. Large fans turned slowly in regular places under the roof of the porch. Antlers, masks, bits of pottery and other indigenous crafts and trophies were placed all over; some on small tables and some mounted on the walls. Of the many chairs on the porch, more than several were occupied. Tall and muscular ebony skinned men and women rose to their feet, and their lips parted in smiles of joy and happiness. Several of them began shouting in the Zulu language. As the figures poured off the porch towards the car, two older figures came out through the open front door and stood in the doorway, an arm around each other and smiles on their faces. With a big grin, the traveler extricated himself from the vehicle. Standing tall, he was immediately swarmed by the people from the porch. After a few moments and the exchange of greetings and hugs and kisses, he looked up at the two figures and smiled and waved his large arm, to which they raised one each of their own.

The tall man led the way up the wide and broad wooden steps to the covered patio. The smell of fresh herbs and flowers hung thick in the air, but it wasn’t overpowering. Rather, it seemed to make everything fresh and clean. The couple in the opening of the large double doors smiled warmly and the man stepped forward and put his hands on the new arrival’s shoulders. A huge smile crossed his face as he looked up at what could only be his son, the resemblance was that strong. After a brief exchange, he wrapped his arms around the traveler, closed his eyes tightly, and embraced him. “Mthunzi… my son… welcome home.”

The woman in the doorway came forward and, following the same routine as the man, embraced her son. “Mthunzi… it has been far too long. Come.. Come inside. We know you do not have very long with us.”

Crossing the threshold, ‘house’ wasn’t quite the right term for the structure. Completely open throughout, it was a three story structure with a large square-shaped open expanse in the middle; the upper floors hidden by the trees when looking from the outside. The ceiling high above was clear so the whole interior was lit by the natural African sunlight. Large windows stood open all around the ground floor with screen over them to keep out insects. A soft, cool breeze seemed to blow continuously through the rooms, ensuring that the inhabitants stayed cool despite the heat outside. Looking up, the upper two floors seemed to be made of rooms surrounding the open space of the home, with doors leading off on all sides. Spiral staircases sat at opposite corners of the ground floor leading up the next. A large seating area decorated with large couches, chairs, stacks of pillows, and a large, low table in the center sat at the bottom of three steps that lead down from the front door; inviting all who entered to sit and relax. Past the seating area, the floor again rose into a huge kitchen complete with fire pit with a large copper hood providing an exit for smoke. Counters partitioned off the kitchen area from the rest of the room, but there were multiple openings for people to move through. Past the cooking area was another large seating area, the walls of which were covered in bookshelves. Hundreds and hundreds of books, files, albums, vids, optical disks, and holo emitters filled every shelf. Actual photographs graced the walls, as did more African and tribal artifacts and maps, some of which looked (and were) hundreds of years old.

“Don’t just stand there, you big ox. Help me fetch the drinks.” his mother said with a smile and she dragged him to the kitchen area as he dropped his traditional hide bag on the floor inside the door. They set out large clay cups and a massive pitcher made of some kind of pottery and colored in bright and contrasting colors and filled it with some kind of dark reddish-purple liquid. Mthunzi and his mother carried the drinks out and distributed them amongst the family.

Kagiso, his father, raised his glass and said in a deep voice not unlike Mthunzi’s “For the first time in many seasons, our home is blessed with all of our family within its walls. Short as his stay may be, we are truly blessed by the Ancestors.” and he smiled. “The Spirits have seen fit to put us all together, and that means we will show our thanks. Tonight, we feast as our ancestors did. In celebration of family, hearth, and home… with open arms and open hearts.” and he took a drink, but did not sit down. The family followed suit, but did not speak.

“Mthunzi, my son. My oldest. You have learned our ways perhaps better than even I have. And you bring honor to us by living in balance between the old and the new. Tonight, you will invoke the Spirits and carve our bounty.” This statement was met with a stunned look from Mthunzi and broad smiles and few soft words of celebration from his siblings.

Mthunzi remained silent for a few moments and then said “Father, I thank you for your blessings, and I will be honored to invoke the Spirits and ask for their blessing. Thank you.” and he looked down for a few moments in deep thought. He took a drink and returned the handshakes from some of his siblings and a hug or two. As everyone began settling down a bit, he leaned over to his parents and said “I need to get settled and make a call. I will be back in a few minutes.” and he smiled a warm smile at them and then went and picked up his bag. He took one of the spiral stairs to the second floor and to the room that was and always would be his. He opened the door and stepped inside and sighed.

It was good to be home.

He set the bag on the large bed and untied the cord and wood the clasp. Reaching in, he pulled out a standard issue communicator and flipped it open. The familiar chirp indicated it had activated and he said [O] Nkosenye to Star Fleet Command. Have arrived. Awaiting orders. [O] A few moments passed and then an automated voice replied [O] Nkosenye, Mthunzi. Lieutenant. Star Fleet Security. Report to USS Sojourner two standard weeks from now. Assigned as Chief Armory Officer. Standard issue will be provided upon arrival. Travel itinerary will follow in two days. Acknowledge. [O] Nkosenye replied [O} Acknowledged USS Sojourner two standard weeks from now. Issue provided upon arrival. Itinerary in two days. Out. [C] and he closed the communicator. He looked around the room and then took a deep breath of the fresh air before turning to spend time with his family.

---

“Vuka, Mthunzi. Vuka…” The voice of his mother flitted through his subconscious as Mthunzi Nkosenye, the new Armory Chief of the USS Sojourner slept stretched out on the deck of the small shuttle craft that slid through space towards the waiting ship, his frame stretching almost half the length of the cabin of the shuttle. Nkosenye woke up and blinked. The shuttle pilot looked back and said “Hey, L-T. We should arrive in about fifteen minutes.” Nkosenye sat up and tilted his head form side to side and then rolled his shoulders. A childhood sleeping on the ground outdoors had ensured that the giant Zulu could find comfort almost anywhere, but the confines of the shuttle made things a bit cramped.

Standing up as much as he could, he pulled on his uniform top that had been carefully laid over a seat back and he checked to make sure that the single bag and long crate he had with him was ready to go. “There she is, Lieutenant, if you want to take a look.” Nkosenye moved to the front and bent low to peer out the viewscreen. The Sojourner sat motionless in space waiting for the shuttle’s arrival. Nkosenye took a deep breath and said “Hail them and let them know we are here, Ensign.”, his voice so deep it seemed to fill the small space. “Aye, sir.” and as the pilot hailed the ship, Nkosenye made sure he looked presentable for his new home.

Ten minutes later, the shuttle settled to the deck and the hatch slid open. The scene here was far different from his arrival at his home. The metal deck of the launch bay was a far cry form the dirt and gravel of his home, but when Nkosenye stepped out and onto the deck, it was obvious that this setting was as natural to him as the other. He lifted the bag off the deck and looked around for his first contact with the crew.

Nkosenye, AC

Another shuttle was sitting in the bay and the hatch opened about the time that the green light showed indicating the bay was pressurized. A tallish blonde haired woman stepped out. “That wasn’t bad Brinks, but if you don’t watch your thruster output you’ll send yourself into a free spin on reentry. Use the simulator control I gave you. We’ll have another go in a few days. Don’t worry you’ll get the hang of it.”

The young petty officer nodded. “Thanks Lt. I’ll give it some more practice.” Helena turned as he left to glance at the newly arrived shuttle. She took in the colored strip and pips. She walked over, a fun relaxed smile perpetually on her face. “You must be our new Armory Chief.” She held out her hand, “Lt Helena Laursen, head pilot. Welcome to the Sojourner.”

Laursen, pilot

Nkosenye looked down and inclined his head slightly. “Lieutenant Mthunzi Nkosenye, and yes. I am the new Armory Chief.” His words were even, measured, and his voice was like a massive bass drum. He took her hand and it disappeared inside his massive hand. “A pleasure. Thank you for the welcome.” His voice was heavily accented, but his words were clear and easily understood.

Nkosenye, AC

Laursen carried a heavy accent as well and her slight turn of emphasis indicated English was not her first language, although she was also easily understood. “Any more gear?” she asked peering g at the other shuttle. “Happy to help so we can get off the deck so the shuttle can take off.”

Nkosenye picked up the long case as well and said “No, this is all. But thank you.”

“I’m happy to give you the nickle tour. The Captain is on the bridge and the XO is either in the labs or on the bridge. I can show you your quarters too.” The woman grinned as if she enjoyed meeting new people. “So where was your last posting?” And never knew a stranger apparently.

Laursen, pilot

Nkosenye followed her out of the launch bay as the engines of the visiting shuttle whined to life. The noise was gone when they passed through the door and it slid closed. “Quarters would be appreciated. And then a tour would be welcome… after I meet with the Captain and Executive Officer.” he said and began to follow Laursen through the passageway.

Nkosenye, AC

Helena led the way to the lift. “Senior staff and bridge officers are on Deck C.” The lift came to a stop and she stepped off and turned to the fore of the ship, walking along and stopping by a door. The ID in the door read Armory Chief. “Here you go. Whenever you’re ready for that tour, my quarters are berth 13 on the aft end of this deck. If I’m not there, just use the ship comms. Welcome aboard Lt Nkosenye.”

Laursen, pilot

“Thank you, Lieutenant. I look forward to working with you.” Nkosenye said and opened the door to his quarters and stepped inside.

Nkosenye, AC