Posted by Lieutenant Julien Smith (Doctor) in Captain’s ready room

Posted by Fleet Captain Ghubari Koraia (Captain) in Captain’s ready room

(snip)

Rising to her feet, the most immediate difference aside from the addition of two pips and the lack of long braids was her bearing and stride as she moved around the desk. It was completely fluid and natural, which was hard to fake, even with the best synthetic limbs. But her composure was also different, and not just more confident, but at ease with herself. There was the familiar mantle of command that he also wore, and eyes too that spoke of the depth of experiences she had been through. But if there was one thing that might be more surprising than her apparent fluid movements, it was the lightness present that seemed to hold back the dark.

As soon as he saw her moving his eyebrows went up in positive surprise and he saw a similar change in her that he felt in himself, almost like a mirror in this point in time but with two vastly different paths that led them to this point - just like it had been the first time they’ve met. And wasn’t that a ‘coincidence’.

It was immediately tangible in the way her mouth curled upwards into a smile and lit up those amber eyes. “Julien…” she said with deep fondness as her steps closed the distance between them. Whether expected or not, it felt entirely natural to her to reach out to embrace the man who had been that tiny bit of lightness in a dark time, and she hoped she had done the same for him

Fl. Captain Koraia, CO

There was not a shred of hesitation as he wrapped his arms around her and squeezed her close just for a second, subtly measuring the response of her muscles. She was in top shape and had full balance… how was that even possible?

“Ghubari my friend. It is so good to see you.” he said and then released her again, looking into her very unique set of eyes. What was it with him and unique sets of eyes? he pondered for a second. But the feeling was quickly drowned by an overwhelming feeling of … home? How could she make him feel at home?
But then he realised the reason for it. Just like all those years ago, she was a like-mind. The only one truly able to understand what he had just given up and left behind.

“Likewise,” she replied warmly. “Not quite the circumstances I expected us t be reunited under, but… I’m glad for it nonetheless.”

“I was in a temporal anomaly with my ship when you got your Captaincy, but I hope you still got my message afterwards congratulating you. I was so happy for you!” he said intently.

• Julien Smith

Koraia nodded. “I did, and it was much appreciated.” She gestured to the sofa. “Come, sit and let’s catch up before we get to business.”

Moving smoothly over to the sofa, she settled into one corner of it and angled her body to face his, crossing her legs at the knee in a way she used to find quite awkward, but now only registered briefly in her mind. “I have to admit I was surprised to learn you left the Genesis. I guess I assumed we’d both just die in our captain’s chairs,” she said with a knowing grin, though at the same time her tone was more reserved knowing whatever it was had to have been a very significant change.

Fl. Captain Koraia, CO