Posted by Lieutenant Commander Zoi Haven (Chief of Security) in Vega Colony- Reunions and Unions

Posted by Captain Dira Myqian (Commanding Officer) in Vega Colony- Reunions and Unions

Posted by Lieutenant Commander Zoi Haven (Chief of Security) in Vega Colony- Reunions and Unions
Posted by… suppressed (16) by the Post Ghost! 👻
Dira stood in her bedroom, staring at the tidy piles of clothing on her bed. Unlike her day to day life in her quarters, she was actually a rather organized person. Eyeing the formal wear, she tapped her combadge, calling the other person who probably was already packed and ready to go given they were leaving in half an hour. =/\=Myqian to Haven. Did I remind you to pack several formal outfits? From what my mother has said, there are a few events other than the wedding itself.=/\= Her mother was normally a very practical person, but having made to decision to finally remarry she was apparently going all out and celebrating with abandon.

Captain Myqian, CO

As Zoi finished zipping her bag closed, she smiled at the comm from Dira. She was nervous, going to meet Diras family so she had overpacked. Her bag was large and filled with easily 10 outfits more than she could possibly need. She replied with a sigh, =/\= Yes my love, quite a few. I didn’t know which outfits would look best with yours for the wedding so I packed several options for the wedding and surrounding events. Are you ready?=/\=

=/\=Just about. Have everything and I just need to get it into my bag now. I’ll meet you at the Shuttle Bay.=/\= Dira was gong to have to steel herself for that period of time on Deck 9 but so long as she stayed focus on the purpose of her presence there, it would be fine.

Zoi had never met any of her past relationship partners’ families. She had never let herself get that close or that involved. Usually when her partners suggested meeting the family, she generally let them go shortly after. Dira was different, in so many ways. Zoi was finally allowing herself to be free to pursue something real and connected. Maybe one day, if her mother was having a good day. She could take Dira to meet her. The thought alone scared Zoi but not so badly that she wanted to stop.

Haven, CoS

A little while later, and on time for their planned departure, Dira shifted the bag on her shoulder and picked up another in her other hand. She made her way to the lower shuttlebay level on Deck 9, stilling the twisting in her stomach as their shuttle came into view. Petty office Limiz was holding a PADD and inspecting the shuttle. They turned and took in Myqian, a faint look of surprise disappearing beneath their smile as they took in the loose purple and bright blue floral dress and sandals she was wearing. “Captain, the shuttle is just about ready for you,” they said.

“Thank you, Kers,” she said, stepping inside and dropping her bag inside before coming back out to wait for Zoi.

Captain Myqian, CO

The door to the bay slid open and the XO stepped through. Royal smiled at Dira and walked over. “Justt wanted to stop by and wish you safe travels. Oh, and I had a quick question. I do or do not prioritize loss of life support systems over power failures to the spa? I can never keep those two straight.” and he grinned.

Sinclair, XO

She gave him a withering glare. “Listen, smart ass,” Dira said, breaking into a grin, “I better come back to a ship in one piece. A scratch on the paint? Sure, it happens, but no missing parts, not downed systems, and for the love of all that is divine in this galaxy, stay the hell away form subspace bubble m’kay?” As much as they were joking she was also very serious.

Captain Myqian, CO

Sinclair feigned offense. “Who? Me? What trouble could little ‘ol me get into being in charge of ship like this with no adult supervision?” and then he grinned. “But I’ll keep it one piece. You go and have fun and relax a bit. Enjoy the wedding.” He smiled and turned to walk back the way he came. As he did, he turned and walked backwards so he could face her. “And technically, if we are crushed by a black hole… we are still in one piece!” and he smiled and turned and waved over his shoulder as he walked out of the shuttle bay.

Sinclair, XO

Dira shook her head and stepped back into the shuttle, leaving the ramp open as she did pre-flight checks. Was she nervous about leaving the ship? Yes. Did she trust her crew? Very much yes. But it was still hard to be leaving for more than just a day or two. This was a bigger journey.

Captain Myqian, CO

Just as Sinclair exited, Zoi walked past him. “Had to have a last word with the Captain? Try not to get into too much trouble, will you Sinclair?” She grinned and winked as she walked past to join her love.

For the trip, she wore a simple warm rust colored silk camisole with a long silk skirt that flowed around her feet cinched low on her waist by a dark brown macrame belt. Her hair was down, the cascade of loose blonde curls laying down her back. She tossed her bag next to Diras and took a seat at the controls.

Haven, CoS

“Pre-flight is done,” she said with a smile and hit the comm button. =/\=Shuttlecraft Nuvan to the Shuttbay Control. Pre-flight is complete and we’re ready for departure.=/\=

=/\=You’re cleared for departure, Captain. Safe travels.=/\=

=/\=Thank you. We will try, just like I know you all will try your very best to stay out of trouble as well. Myqian out.=/\= she said with some seriousness in her tone, despite the fact that she was grinning.

Dira brought the engines online and double-checked their flight plan. “Alright, here goes nothing.” She had practiced in the simulator the other day just to make sure she felt at ease, but Dira was a decent pilot. She wasn’t going to change careers or anything but she was more than capable of handling not only standard piloting, but also unexpected scenarios. That desire had been borne of the incident on the Caypso where William crashed them and had she had more than just basic Academy shuttle training, she felt she might have been able to intervene. So even before she started command training, Dira had worked on he piloting skills.

Thus, as the shuttle bay doors opened, she carefully lifted the shuttle up off the deck and moved slowly towards the opening. She timed it perfectly so that as the doors fully opened she passed them through easily. And then they were on their own. “Setting course for Vega Colony, Warp Five and engaging… now.” She little ship lapt to warp and Dira leaned back in her seat and smiled at Zoi. “Well, we made it off the ship. Now what?” she said with a laugh. Aside from away missions, Dira hadn’t been off the ship since they first boarded the brand new vessel.

Captain Myqian, CO

Zoi grinned and let her mind wander to the most fun answers first before she let herself get down to more practical matters. “Well, I should have some kind of primer going in. What do I need to know to make it through this week? I know your mother likes formal functions and surprises. What else?”

Haven,CoS

Dira grinned as she watched the stars streak by. “Well, my mother is a Doctor of Neurology and a research chair at Neurosciences Institute in Hadran City.” She cast Zoi a look. ” I know, right?” she said with a laugh.

“But, despite her analytical mind and practical nature, Sesara is the kind of woman who goes on month long silence retreats in the mountains with no connection to the outside world. She’s a full Betazoid, so she says the calm space and lack of extra input does a lot to alleviate any stressors in her life”

“Dad is…” An almost goofy grin swept across her face. “Oh, I think you will love him. Kesren is Haliian, and deeply spiritual. He’s light-hearted and easy-going. As an artist he spent most of my childhood getting me to try new things and not care what things seemed to be. I’m not really artistic in the way he is, but I do love to putter because he showed me that the practice had merit simply because it was enjoyable”

“Mom is marrying a Denobulan scientist named Redar. They’ve been together for something like thirteen years now, and he lives on Vega with her for half the year, spending the other half on Denobula where he has I believe one other partner. I don’t see that changing once they are married as they happy with the arrangement, but I could be wrong.”

“There will be family coming in from Betazed, Denobula and a couple from Halii, but honestly, I don’t really know most of them. I do have two living grandmothers, but I didn’t grow up with them so we’re not really close.” Dira gave a sheepish grin. “Ummm, what else would you like to know.” There was so much to cover, or that they could cover, but she didn’t want to overwhelm Zoi.

Captain Myqian, CO

It was a lot but Zoi was more than just mildly interested. She wanted to make a good impression on Diras family. Even though it seemed she was not close to extended family, Dira was likely to still respect them. This trip was important to her. She had never gone home to a partners family. She had never engaged in that kind of relationship. Apart from that Zoi had never wanted to be in that kind of relationship or hope to find that desire within her. Now she sat on a shuttle bound for a family wedding. It was a far cry from what she had envisioned her future to be.

Zoi grinned. “Is she going to expect us to be naked? Isn’t that a part of Betazoid weddings? Or any other traditions that I should know about?”

Haven, CoS

Dira laughed. “Actually, no. Sadly, no Betazoid nakedness, though for kicks, some of the Betazoid guests might, but given most of the guests are not Betazoid and don’t share that same custom, and it’s not in a traditional temple, it’s going to be a formal attired wedding.”

“The one thing you can count on is a multi-day event. There’s a pre-wedding gathering of close family and friends where a couple rituals will be done, and then my parents said something about a thing a couple days later, but I don’t have the details on that one.” She shrugged. “Otherwise, nothing you’ll have to worry about. My mother’s gotten even less fussed with tradition over the last few years. It’s going to be a pretty simple civil ceremony, and the reception should be pretty relaxed.”

Captain Myqian, CO

Zoi relaxed a little bit. It wasn’t that she was prudish or particularly modest. There was just a vulnerability that comes with being naked around strangers that made her uncomfortable. Had she wanted to do special ops witb Star Fleet, this would have been a significant hindrance for her to overcome.

“And you Dearest? What do you expect from me during this trip?” She smiled and reached out her hand to hold Diras. “And how can I make this an enjoyable trip for you?”

Haven, CoS

Dira beamed. “Be you, and let me show you all the wonderful things about the place where I grew up.”

The smile faded. “And run interference with people if I am struggling?” She sighed. “I haven’t told my parents about William. They knew a little bit from the Calypso but not details, not that he was my XO back then. “I will tell them when we’re there and it will likely be better in person anyway, but I don’t feel like having that conversation with everyone I run into. I don’t know if you’re been around a group of empaths and telepaths, but they can be a nosy bunch. Privacy is respected but in general both my parents’ societies tend to exist with less boundaries. I love the openness of my cultures, but it can be a lot after… what I went through.”

Captain Myqian, CO

Zoi grinned. “Ready to be a distraction whenever you need dearest. I wonder what they will make of a more closed down person? I’m sure they have been around people who have mental walls but not ones that have been dating their daughter. Should I know what their expectations for your partner in life to be?”

Haven, CoS

Dira turned to Zoi and smiled. Partner-in-life. She loved how that sounded. “Well, in this case, you’re in luck. They loved Paige and it’s been a long time since I’ve had anyone in my life worth introducing to them. They’ll know simply by you being there how important you are to me. That you aren’t an open book won’t be a problem, especially if we’re up front about it. They do understand that our jobs require a level boundary that others don’t need to have. My mother in particular will be thrilled to know I’ve let anyone in again. She was hounding me not long after I settled in on the ship to let myself feel things again some someone.” Dira shruged. “As far as I’m concerned, you’re in the best possible position to be adored by them.”

Her nerves eased a bit and she relaxed even more.

She swivelled back and tapped a few keys, engaging full autopilot. “Speaking of distraction, it isa fairly long and boring trip there. Suggestions for keeping myself occupied? I’m pretty sure my first officer would disapprove of my reading through reports.”

Captain Myqian, CO

Zoi grinned and looked at Dira with a sudden feral gleam in her eyes. Thank the gods for Autopilot. she thought. Then to Dira, she said, “I thought you would never ask.” Laughing. She pounced her love and made sure neither of them cared about work, the ship, or the upcoming nuptials for quite some time.

Haven, CoS

Dira laughed at Zoi’s exuberance but she only encouraged it. It would be a smooth trip and if there was anything to worry about, the sensors would let them know.

A few days later, Dira dropped them out of warp as the entered the Vegan system. A thread of nervousness twisted its way through her and all she could do was acknowledge its presence. “Almost there,” she said, focusing on the readouts and making sure everything was clear for their approach to the colony.

Minutes later she opened the comm. =/\=Shuttlecraft Nuvan to Vega Orbital Control. Seeking clearance for landing on the surface as per pre-filed plan.=/\=

||Shuttlecraft Nuvan you are cleared for landing at the Hadran City hub, Pad 16.||

“Thank you, Nuvan out.” Dira shifted her gaze briefly to Zoi. “Keep an eye on sensors as we descend but weather looks good. Anything we should quickly chat about before it’s too late?” she said with a smirk. She knew one or both of her parents would likely be there to greet them, but she had no idea who exactly.

Captain Myqian, CO