Posted by Civilian Kara Nakuto (Civilian, Former CO) in Ready Room -Nakuto goes in search of Akorem

Posted by Commander Akorem Nevin (Executive Officer) in Ready Room -Nakuto goes in search of Akorem

Posted by Civilian Kara Nakuto (Civilian, Former CO) in Ready Room -Nakuto goes in search of Akorem
Snip
Posted by… suppressed (3) by the Post Ghost! 👻

“Uncle Boorvall brews this in his distillary, but Cardassia’s export duties are stupidly high. It’s cheaper for him to export to Fernginar and re-sell from there,” Nevin said as he began to pour. Nevin was not referring to his biological uncle, but to his Cardassian foster-mother’s brother.

But Akorem Nevin was not the first native of Bajor to offer her such a Cardassian-fuelled toast on this ship. There had been another…a man she had not thought of in a long time. Akirel Ros. In her formative days as the commander of this vessel, the engineering chief had been her best friend, her lover and soulmate. Until the darkness had proved to powerful for him to resist. The last time Kara had lain eyes on him, it had been in the very same tunnel-system that eventually consumed her as its captive. Had Ros been responsible, even in part, for the agonising torture of the past year? Or was he, like Maj, simply another victim?

“Am I…the only one who made it out?” she dared to finally ask the question, although her fear for the answer refused to dissipate. “Have you…found any traces of the others?”

Kara Nakuto

“We found a young einsign running around asking for ‘Ensign McHarrie’ She had been missing a couple of years by my guess,” Nevin said, “But no-one else.”

-Akorem

“McHarrie,” Kara echoed, sadly. She’d been fond of the young medic and angry when he’d been torn away by the nefarious workings of Section 31. Back then it had often felt like the Viking could not get a single break. No sooner had a decent crewmember landed than they were being ripped away again by the triple-curse of desertion, disappearance or death. At least half of the current roster were strangers to her now, her old, familiar friends scattered across the four quadrants.

“I see,” she replied. “Perhaps we should consider assembling a search party for those who remain lost?” Although with the portal now seemingly vanished from the ship, Nakuto knew they had no singular thread to follow.

Sipping at the kanar, the half-Klingon settled herself wearily into a vacant chair. Strange to be on the opposite side of the desk. Unnatural, almost.

“It will take me some time to become re-aquainted with the ship and its crew,” she stated. “Not to mention my current position amongst them.”
Piercing brown eyes were fixed on the Bajoran as she continued.
“I am aware that Starfleet has replaced me as Commanding Officer.” The statement was delivered without a trace of emotion, although were Nevin watching closely he might detect a slight ripple of anger momentarily crossing her features.
“Not that I blame them. A starship can not afford to drift for a year without a commander. Not even one that is in full working order. Although I am surprised that you did not take up the mantle yourself.”

A sharp laugh filled the space before her next sentence. “But then I understand not wishing to be laden with an albatross like the Viking around your neck!”

“They turned me down,” Nevin replied, “Not enough experience and let’s be honest - In Fleet Command’s position, would you have chosen me? I literally lost my CO less than 6 months into my first XO post, and now my next one is currently off duty on medical grounds.”

Kara raised an eyebrow at Nevin’s admission, but made no further comment. Although his revelation concerning their current CO was some cause for concern.
“Medical grounds?” she repeated. “What happened?”

Relaxing back into the worn chair, Kara swallowed the rest of her kanar before continuing, the warmth of the cerulean liquid spreading to her face and enticing a genuine, if somewhat weary, smile across her lips.

“So, how have you been, Commander? How have you all been?”

Kara Nakuto

“Most of us are well. Or As well as this ship allows. Ensign Akaba has been on medical leave, but is due to join us again when we reach starbase,” Nevin replied, “Antos is growing.”

-Akorem

“Antos,” Nakuto smiled warmly. She had met the young boy only once before her disappearance. But his innocence and youthful energy had been like a light in the darkness of this forsaken ship.
“How is your son taking to life on the Viking, Commander? I hope he is not…troubled by…well, you know as well as I the things that lurk around this vessel.”

Kara Nakuto

“He had an encounter with one of the ghosts aboard. It had taken the form of my biological uncle,” Nevin said. He looked down before continuing. He felt embarrased about what had happened and it reminded him of his own childhood when he had been Atos’ age. He felt as though he’d failed as a father, “And some of his ‘less savoury’ appetites.”

Nevin drank his kanar before continuing “I’m sure he’ll get over the experience. He’s too young to fully understand what has happened so it may not hit him till he’s a teenager. I just hope that when he does, he doesn’t blame me.”

-Akorem

Kara nodded. She knew only too well the incident of which the XO spoke. Before swallowing her, the portal had unleashed a tsunami of disturbing and traumatic visions upon the crew, monsters clawing their way out of long-distant pasts to be made wholly evil once more. She shuddered at the recall.

“I am glad that he escaped relatively unscathed from that…incident,” she replied, before adding more softly, “And I am sure he will not blame you. You was a victim too. And you did everything that you could to protect him.”

The half-Klingon rose to her feet and wandered over to the murky picture window, gazing through the gloom to the infinite space beyond. Somewhere out there flew countless other starships, vessels with full and adequate lighting, with functional warp cores and safe holodecks. Vessels where the crew could feel safe and empowered to perform their assigned duties without the ever-present whisperings of death. What a forsaken lot they had been given, this unfortunate crew.

“But our ability to protect is greatly dampened on this ship,” she stated, turning once more to face the Bajoran Commander. “Be sure to keep Antos at arms length always, Nevin. For a light so bright must surely be a beacon for more than just the living on this vessel “

Kara Nakuto

“There is a reason that Section 31 is so interested in the operation of this ship,” Nevin said, “And I dare say that is why this ship has not been moth-balled. What-ever the reason, I strongly suspect it is related to the odd goings on. There’s too many co-incidences.”

Nevin paused, “Until you get a new command, would you mind staying and helping me figure it out? I could really use a friend.”

-Akorem