Posted by Lieutenant Shock (Chief of Security) in Deck 14 – Arboretum: Studying among the trees (everyone welcome!)
Shock had a rare afternoon off. He had finished all his private chores – he had no letters to write to friends or family, his meditations were all on schedule, as were his exercise regimen.

He decided he would spend the afternoon among the trees. He headed off to the main Arboretum. He had never spent time here for recreation, only to assess security and drills, so it was a nice distraction from the tasks of his daily life.

The Arboretum was interesting. It intrigued Shock how plants from various plants could co-exist despite having such different evolutionary niches and nutrition and sunlight requirements. One day, he promised himself, he would find out how it all worked out. He noticed trees that he recognized from San Francisco, including a sequoia (smaller than the sequoias of fame for height restrictions but impressive still), as well as trees from Betazed, Risa, and his native Vulcan, as well as many other places whose endemic life he could not accurately place.

He decided to sit down on a bench by the sequoia, and he took up his pad, turned off the universal translator, and started reading. Languages was something he was fond of – he had studied some Earth languages as part of his graduate studies, but this time, he thought he’d brush up on his Klingon. He became fully immersed in his studies, forgetting about the world outside – it was almost as meditating. While going over practising phrases, he whispered them audibly, but not recognising that he did so.

“‘IwlIj jachjaj… [may your blood scream], … naDevvo’ yIghoS! [leave me alone], qamuSHa’ [I love you]”

One subjunctive, one imperative, and one indicative phrase. All using pronominal positions. Good sentences for practice.

– Lt Shock (COS)

Orvos had a lot on his plate. A fake marriage to Marishka. An intense connection with Janna, one he was still learning how to keep it on the down low for the time. The ship’s day to day activities were bustling. Strange people coming aboard that he most certainly had to meet with. Intelligence briefings and projects to be had. And here he was captain of it all. His once lowly, disconnected life was now turned upside down and he was involved in more than he had originally wanted. But he could accept it for now. He was a leader, and that wouldn’t leave him no matter what he did in this life.

T’Pon had been one of the caretakers of the Arboretum. She was no longer here, having left with S’Raal and Stark and Laraan. It wasn’t the same without them, but he had learned to keep going. He only hoped to see them again one day. Still, the Arboretum had it’s peace hidden within. He could come here and truly let go. Orvos had stepped in and taken a seat unaware of Shock at the present moment.

-Captain Orvos Legen, CO