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)

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

[Snip, snip]

– 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

Kastarak listened to his body. There was something light and fluffy in his gut, close to his heart. He felt lighter and more in the moment. He regarded Sega’a’s honest question with consideration. Vulcans didn’t do much touching like that, but it was more cultural than anything else. Not engaging the oxytocin would make it easier to regulate emotions. But at this time, Kastarak didn’t need to be super-regulated.

He opened his arms, as if inviting to a hug. “It is good to see you too, t’hy’la. Your absence has left a mark.”

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

In a swift gesture, Ngokav pulled Kastarak into his arms, fighting the hesitation that sneaked into his loosened grip. He wanted to squeeze him—hold him with such fervor that it betrayed the breadth of his joy—but, he contained himself. He did not want to overstep his friend’s boundaries.

‘T’hy’la’…? Sega’a halted. He knew there was a kind of friendship more profound than any one word could name, and so ‘t’hy’la’ carried with it many connotations so that it may honor the relationship it attempted to describe. How Kastarak was using it, he wasn’t sure, but he was sure of the warmth that filled his chest and brought a smile to his lips.

“And yours, too, my friend. I hope you’ll allow me the chance to make it up to you,” he said as he pulled away, missing his embrace before it was even gone, “and to hear about your adventures in these past few years.”

Sega’a turned to grab Hago’s carrier, before turning back to Kastarak. “Are you still on duty, or do you have a few minutes to walk with me?”

— Ngokav Sega’a, Yeoman