Posted by Lieutenant Commander Kastarak (aCO/First Officer / Navigation Officer) in Transporter Room - Supper is on Me Tonight (All Welcome)

Posted by Crewman Ngokav Sega’a (Yeoman / Steward) in Transporter Room - Supper is on Me Tonight (All Welcome)
– 2 weeks prior on Montana, Earth –

“While it’s been lovely, O’Malley, I’m afraid I really must be going…” Sega’a’s attention dragged from the doorway, whose peeling white paint and jagged edges reminded him of his childhood nursery, to the willowy man leaned against the banister before him. “I’ve kept my friends waiting long enough. Thank you for taking such good care of Hago and I.”

“I understand,” came O’Malley’s swift but heartfelt reply, “Elms and I appreciate you joining us for the past few years. It’s been a pleasure to treat Hago… even if her payment comes in the form of claws, growls and nibbling on every plant she came across — oh! That reminds me.”

Sega’a watched as he wagged an excited finger before disappearing into the adjoining room, leaving him not with silence, but the rustling of autumn leaves and the distant rumblings of animals roaming free about his property. In the few years since Hago’s condition demanded he find an expert in ‘exotic pet medicine’, he had grown to see Elmira and Shawn’s ranch as a second home, somewhere he felt secure and free to live without constantly watching over his shoulder. Sure, their hospitality came with its own host of oddities, like Shawn’s unique regard for a beaten up shovel that was always on display above the living room fireplace, but it was real and presented with a kindness that made his heart ache for the friends he’d left behind. How were Kastarak and Umbri doing? It was hard to get a good connection so deep into the mountains as they were, so he often resorted to long-range communiques that took longer than he’d like to transmit across the vastness of space. Truthfully, he wasn’t sure if they ever arrived.

O’Malley returned a few seconds later with a bag and small, spherical grey pot adorned in a trail of paw prints that led to its mouth where a series of spindly green shoots stood erect, resisting the light breeze passing through the house. He handed Sega’a the pot and said with a knowing laugh, “your companion has a habit of eating toxic plants, but here’s one she can munch on that won’t leave you to deal with the mess. Elms included a few dormant seeds in the bag, should this one not tolerate the transition to space.”

Touched by the gesture, Sega’a pursed his lips to distract himself from the tears welling at the corners of his eyes, and took the pot.

“Thank you, Shawn. I know you want to keep this place private,” he said in a quiet nod to his previous offer to do a small article on them, “but if you ever think of anything I can do to repay you, please let me know. You’ve got my address.”

“You fixed my fence and made sure we ate well for 2 years, Ngokav,” he raised a dismissive hand before leaning down to give Hago a little under-the-chin scratch, “besides, the kids have enjoyed having you both around. I’m sure they’ll miss their disgruntled bedmate tonight.”

Sega’a managed only a soft ‘okay’, before he stepped forward to give Shawn a parting hug.

“All right,” he cleared his throat and adjusted his bag about his shoulders before taking Hago’s carrier from Shawn, “I better go before we spent all day debating goodbye. I’ll see you around, Shawn. Don’t forget to give Elms and the kids my love.”

He didn’t wait for Shawn’s answer, knowing it would be too painful to truly say goodbye and not ‘see you later’, before he turned about his heel and headed to the designated transport coordinates.

Sega’a flipped open his communicator, paused to admire the distant snow-capped peaks a moment longer, before saying: “Sega’a to Yazzie. Two to transport.”

---

– Present Day, Chernov Transporter Room –

By the time Sega’a re-materialized on the Chernov, he was already tired. It had been a long two weeks of recertifications, trainings, and arduously long meetings to ensure every line of his reinstatement was accurate and approved by every necessary layer of Starfleet’s bureaucracy. He didn’t mind, though, because he knew with every signature and “Training: COMPLETE” message that popped onto his PADD that he was one step closer to being back where he belonged. And here he was.

Sega’a held his breath for a moment longer before he reached to grab Hago’s carrier from the adjacent transporter pad, prepared to make his way to his assigned quarters before reporting for duty. Stiffening, but refusing to let the inkling of anxiety that crept up his spine have any power over him, he stepped off the transporter pad and made his way for the hallway.

Sega’a

Kastarak had been told of Sega’a’s re-emergence a few days after the sudden (and painful) departure of captain Chris Taggart. It was some sort of warmth to the cold Vulcan heart. Kastarak wouldn’t dare admit it to himself, but he had missed Sega’a, Sega’a’s warmth and carefreeness, his cheerful and very un-Vulcan (indeed, un-human, even) demeanour.

At the appointed time, Kastarak stood in the transporter room, ready to welcome his old friend back.

When Sega’a began energizing, Kastarak raised his right hand into a Vulcan salute, and stood still to greet his friend with all due honour and respect. A prodigal son had returned; this was an occasion to be marked.

Kastarak, Lt Cdr
Acting Commanding Officer; First Officer and Navigations Officer

“Kastarak!”

His name left Sega’a’s lips quicker than he could modulate his tone, so it came out like an exasperated whisper – like he’d been waiting to say it for so long that he’d almost forgotten how.

Sega’a gently released the straps of Hago’s carrier as he set her on the ground, and made a slow approach toward his friend. He studied the man for a moment, looking for any changes or signs of how he was doing, even though Vulcans had always been so good at revealing only what they deemed necessary. Sega’a stifled an inward chuckle at the thought, leaving him with a warm smile.

“It is good to see you, friend,” he said as he lifted his right hand in an attempt to return Kastarak’s gesture. He held position for a second longer, paused, then asked, “may I give you a hug?”

Crewman Sega’a, Chef & Yeoman