Posted by Lieutenant Commander Kastarak (First Officer / Navigation Officer) in One-to-one with Ensign Forster

Posted by Ensign John Forster (Security Officer) in One-to-one with Ensign Forster

Posted by Lieutenant Commander Kastarak (First Officer / Navigation Officer) in One-to-one with Ensign Forster
Posted by… suppressed (20) by the Post Ghost! 👻
While cloaked in Klingon space, Kastarak had the opportunity to meet with Ensign John Forster, a security officer who just recently joined the Chernov. Kastarak had not yet had the chance to speak with Ensign Forster, and Mr Forster’s personnel file was also curiously empty – only listing some medical records. Kastarak thought he perhaps had access to those due to his Starfleet physician’s licence.

In any case, Kastarak prepared himself and his office for the arrival of Ensign Forster.

Kastarak, Lt Cdr
First Officer and Navigations Officer
OOC: We’re still on the Chernov. The Chernov is cloaked according to Romulan technology, but it’s still a Starfleet vessel. I’ve taken the liberty to update what you wrote accordingly – Ric

Ensign John Forster exited the turbo lift and wondered down the hallway of the Chernov. He was only transferred to this crew not too long ago. Before the trip out here he was just on a academy vessel, the stripe on his sleeve marked that he was a ensign and for some reason, his shirt felt a little heavier than it used to be. He got to the room with the first officers called his office and he knocked hard because he did not know where the bell was. He waited out there or felt like to him a long time in the unfamiliar environment, waiting for the answer on the other side.

ensign John Forster (Security)

“Enter,” commanded Kastarak. If John entered, he’d see the layout of Kastarak’s office. It’s a spartan room with minimalist decor. There are a few Vulcan objects, and some actual books (about six) on the shelf. In the centre of the room is Kastarak’s desk. It’s largely empty, except for a pad lying face down, and a pot of tea, with two cups. There is also a caraffe with water.

“Mr Forster, I presume?” Kastarak said and rose to welcome his colleague.

Kastarak, Lt Cdr
First Officer and Navigations Officer

When John met the lieutenant Commander, he saluted, and said “Ensign Forster sir” John always felt uneasy in an office setting it reminded him a lot about the principal’s office at the schools that he used to attend, especially when he was 14 the age, he was when his mother‘s vessel went missing. John stayed in a state of attention until he was ordered to relax

Ensign John Forster (Security)

Kastarak noticed an uneasy emotion in John. With a slightly calmer voice than usual, Kastarak said, “At ease, Mr Forster. Please sit down. May I offer you some tea? There’s also water, and the dispenser over there can dispense coffee.” Kastarak pointed to the in-built machine in the wall _(OOC: a precursor to replicators, not yet invented fully).

Kastarak, Lt Cdr
First Officer and Navigations Officer

John looked at him and eased up a lot and took a set “ I will like cold water but I do have some pure green tea leafs in my bag I can make you cold green tea with pure honey Ginseng” he said “my next door neighbor was Vulcan and he loved the cold tea brew I made” now his body was relaxing as he talked.

Ensign John Forster (Security)

Kastarak never appreciated cold tea, but for him, it was logical to accept Forster’s offer. Kastarak knew that it was important in his role to build his relationships with his crews. In most cultures – perhaps the Vulcan one excepted for reasons unique to Vulcans – offering favours and gifts and accepting favours and gifts were a way to solidify relationships. It showed respect, appreciation, and a willingness to part of something of one’s own for the sake of another.

“Thank you,” Kastarak said. “Please, I look forward to the cold brew. There’s an empty pot on the bookshelf you can use. Might I help?”

Kastarak, Lt Cdr
First Officer and Navigations Officer

John looked at him “Sir I said I had the leafs in my bag that is in my room. I don’t have them on me if you want. I can go grab them from my room and we can brew the tea or we can wait until next time to have the cold green tea. I’m pretty sure you will like it.” he said sounding a little confused.

OOC: I did say that the tea leafs were in my bag in my room, right ?

Ensign John Forster (Security)

Kastarak nodded. ”Forgive me for misinterpreting. Perhaps next time then.”

Kastarak poured some cold water for John.

“I should like we can get to know each other. Please tell me more about yourself. What do you think I should know about you in my role as your first officer?”

Kastarak, Lt Cdr
First Officer and Navigations Officer

As John took a set you can see and old batch clipped to his belt (It said UEG: Aurora-COS Commander Lisa Forster) John took the glass of water an took a sip “the water ship doesn’t taste right if you ask me” he said with a smirk.

Ensign John Forster (Security)

John’s answer confused Kastarak. First, John hadn’t answered Kastarak’s question, and then John mentioned the water tasting badly while still smirking. Kastarak moved his head ever so slightly to the side, reminiscent of how a dog looks when it is slightly confused.

“I apologise for the water,” he said. “I notice your badge on your belt. Please tell me about it. What is the Aurora, and who is Lisa Forster?”

Kastarak, Lt Cdr
First Officer and Navigations Officer

John unclipped the badge from his belt and placed it on the table. “UEG: Aurora was a deep space mining vessel. Commander Lisa Forster was my mother her ship went missing when I was 14. The UEG only looked for them for 3 months then called in Star fleet when the can’t find it. Then Star fleet looked for a 3 months and it turns out the UEG sent them to work in the wrong area. My mother she started on that vessel when she was an ensign and worked her way up this was her badge she was running late that morning and forgot it. This badge is the only thing I have left of her” he said wiping tears from his eyes.

Ensign John Forster (Security)

John had quickly opened up to Kastarak. But John’s story struck a chord in Kastarak. He spoke softly to John:

“I empathize with your loss,” he said, “I lost my mother, too, at a similar age. You honour your mother with wearing that badge, and by being a good officer on this ship.”

“What happened to you after losing her? Where did you grow up?”

Kastarak, Lt Cdr
First Officer and Navigations Officer

“After my mother went missing i stayed with a family friend who was Vulcan his name was Sel-ver but my nickname for him was Silver. He taught me Vulcan martial arts and helped me get into the academy” he said then he grabbed the glass and took in a long drink. He didn’t like talking about his mother it always made him sad but it was true what the first officer said he wears the badge to honor his mother and it helps him push forward and maybe one of these days he’ll know what fully happened to her and finally have closure.

Ensign John Forster (Security)

John’s anecdote was curious, yet Kastarak sensed deeper emotions in John the same. John was trying to convey something, whether consciously or not. Perhaps now was not the time.

“I see,” Kastarak said plainly. “I am still curious about you. You’ve spoken about your mother and about Sel-ver, but what about you?”

Kastarak, Lt Cdr
First Officer and Navigations Officer

John looked at him “ I am me my story is still being written. As far as my father will say I am a screw up that was unwanted but I can care less of my father” he said not fully understanding the question.

Ensign John Forster (Security)

It was a strangely vague answer from John. Twice had Kastarak tried to ask about John, but John had not answered. Were Kastarak’s questions too difficult, too confusing, or did John perhaps have a high level of integrity, seeking to evade Kastarak’s probing questions? But then, John did “leak” a lot of pain in his answers, and Kastarak did get an insight into John’s emotional life. Kastarak’s assessment was that John had lot of non-processed feelings within.

He decided on not discussing the emotions, lest he might fall in the trap of returning to his old work of counsellor again:

“I see, that sounds difficult” he simply said. “And where did you grow up?”

Kastarak, Lt Cdr
First Officer and Navigations Officer

John smiled and said “ Dublin Ireland (🇮🇪) I always remembered running through the countryside after a fresh snowfall” he closed his eyes as if to re life his childhood.

Ensign John Forster (Security)

Snow was a concept somewhat alien from Kastarak’s childhood. Vulcan was a hot and arid planet, and while there was some pack ice and some snow in the far north and far south of the planet, as well as some few mountain tops, Kastarak had never actually touched snow or felt snowfall on his homeplanet. He wondered in his mind what the snow on Vulcan would have been like. How would the crisp white look on the otherwise reddish planet?

Of course, Kastarak had experienced snow – on other planets. Especially during his stint in north America while studying at Starfleet Academy.

“That is a poetic picture,” he said, “I have never been to Ireland, but I did study some Irish cuisine and drinks while we were on Titan a few weeks ago. We served Guinness stouts and lamb stew.” Kastarak attempted to build rapport with the younger officer, which was quite un-Vulcan-like of him, but he still tried, knowing psychology and the necessity of building metaphorical bridges with non-Vulcans. If Vulcans are to survive as a near-extinct species, they need to adapt much more to the species and cultures around them.

“How did you end up in Starfleet? I understand this is your first ship as a commissioned officer. You were a cadet just before coming here, I believe?”

Kastarak, Lt Cdr
First Officer and Navigations Officer

John opened his eyes “ the old Vulcan silver knew some people in Star fleet he saw something in me cuz I took his old shuttle a few times. He never got mad at me for that I always did my best thinking in space believe it or not “ he chuckled of how it seemed.

Ensign John Forster (Security)

Kastarak hummed empathetically. “Please tell me more;” he said.

Kastarak, Lt Cdr
First Officer and Navigations Officer

John leaned back in his chair “ I remember when I was 15 the first year I was living with him there was a test I had a hard to studying for so one day he called me out of school and gave me the use of his shuttle for a full week. The freedom I felt and the chance to decompress was amazing and the chance to get away from the bully’s the strict teachers and the uptight rules of the school that was suffocating. For a week I went where i wanted got a chance to help a fellow who was out there to think just like me he was about the same age i was from Andoria He was left with a decision to either join the military or stay in a small town and do nothing. He joined the military and I still talk with him through mail and a week before I started at the academy. He invited me to stay with him for a little bit and I got to see his home world I even got to see how there disruptors work and got to fire them and a few Romulan and Klingons weapons. The 3 days I spent there was breathtaking and a good way to see how an other race operates. During the academy during the security training, simulators I implemented a few Klingon and and Andorian tactics that proved very effective” he said. As he talked about his but seemed to relax in a story flowed and you got to see how he really was.

Ensign John Forster (Security)

As the young ensign before him seemed more relaxed and open, Kastarak couldn’t help but think that there was something endearing about John. Not that this was a common Vulcan feeling, but Kastarak determined that that emotional response in him was a good signal regarding the young officer’s future on the ship.

”Thank you for sharing,” Kastarak said. ”It is agreeable to learn more about you. Is there anything you’d want to ask me?”

Kastarak, Lt Cdr
First Officer and Navigations Officer

John thought long and hard but then he said “ no, I’m good Nothing at the moment” he started to gather his things.

Ensign John Forster (Security)