Hello, Farewell

Posted on Jan 05, 2017 @ 9:26am by Thomas Varn
Edited on on Jan 05, 2017 @ 9:27am

Mission: Aftermath

“Hello, Farewell”
(Continued from “Ladies’ Night” )

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Location: USS PHOENIX
Scene: Primary Science Centre → Corridor → Turbolift → The Vulgar Tribble
Stardate: [2.16]0104.
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The centre was mainly silent due to the absence of the remaining science teams having given Thomas and Arak plenty of time to go over the necessities of running the department. Thomas smiled as he looked around at the familiar setting before patting Arak on the shoulder and holding his hand out to the middle of the floor. Arak nodded as he slowly walked stepping into a circular console that now resided in the overhauled room before taking a deep breath. Thomas leaned in and tapped a sequence of commands before watching the holographic displays engage showing the streaming data feeds from each area of the ship and direct link to the bridge science console, “this is your center seat Ensign. From this console you can survey all that is your scientific kingdom even get direct feed from the bridge science station if you are not there yourself.”

Arak slowly ran his fingers across the console before looking back to Thomas. His mind slowly filled with questions upon questions quickly overcome by an increasingly heaviness in the pit of his stomach. There would be so many questions to ask, so many tips and tricks that he would like to know, and the desire to pick the brain of the former science chief, “sir is there, is there any way I can record, record this?”

Thomas smiled softly before straightening his posture and smoothing his shirt with his hands. Laughing softly he shook his head before stepping closer to the young ensign, “I remember being in your shoes.”

Arak’s expression softened before tilting his head slightly at the comment. Slowly his eyes and head looked down to the standard issue boots that he had replicated earlier to ensure freshness, “I beg your pardon sir?”

“It’s an idiom. I was trying to convey the fact that I have been in a similar situation that you are currently in,” he stated before stepping back and motioning to the door, “Come with me and we will discuss it as we walk.”

Quickly moving his thin yellowish fingers across the consoles Arak watched as each holographic display diminished finally vanishing into nothingness. Slowly standing he tugged at the bottom of his tunic before looking at the empty science centre once more and nodding. As the duo slowly walked in step entering the corridor Thomas took a deep breath as the finality of leaving a piece of himself behind set in.

The walk was silent at first before softly and dripping with hesitation a cough was emitted from Arak’s lips. Thomas’ eyes that were momentarily glossed over as his mind slipped into memories smiled and nodded, “where was I? Oh yes, I was in your shoes. You see not many people remember or know this but I was first stationed aboard a vessel as a Flight Control Officer. While it had been my secondary focus, and hobby, at the academy science was the main focus on my training.”

“You, you were piloting,” Arak’s voice sounded indicating his position had fallen behind Thomas as if in a subordinate role.

Nodding Thomas slowed his steps as the two approached a turbolift before stepping aside allowing Arak to step forward first. Slowly moving into the lift Arak watched Thomas as he entered, “Deck ten, forward. Yet, that is not the example that I would say allowed me to be in your shoes.”

As the turbolift doors shut and the transportation began is maneuvering around the veins of the ship Arak shuffled his feet slowly looking at the floor. Thomas leaned over slightly bumping into the young officer causing Arak to look up in his face directly to catch a reassuring smile, “you see Arak. After several months and the additions of some rather unusual appendages I was contacted by Starfleet and moved into the Chief of Science position aboard Gateway Station.”

Arak’s eyes slowly widened as he imagined the enormity of the station itself. Arak could feel his blood rushing to his head as he began to allow himself to be overwhelmed by thoughts of doubt and insecurity, “sir, maybe you, you could do that but…”

As the turbolift stopped Thomas stepped in front of the door before turning his back on it facing Arak directly, “and you will be able to handle the Phoenix as well. Of this I have no doubt. Now, there is a meet and greet being thrown by John Doe, the main cheese of The Vulgar Tribble, come across a console. I have determined that we should be there to finish your acclimation.”

Arak nodded as he planned just exactly how he would be able to retreat behind the winged former chief. Stepping out only after Thomas had left the turbolift Arak slowly took a position behind him and to the left to allow his view of the corridor to be clear. As the doors to The Vulgar Tribble approached Arak began to allow his mind to focus on those that would be inside only to quickly come to a stop before burying his face into Thomas left wing.

Looking at the door Thomas held out his hand, “you first Ensign as I am old news.”

Sheepishly nodding Arak stepped around the winged man and to the doors of The Vulgar Tribble he winced as they opened allowing the flood of music, flashing lights, laughter, and a wave of bubbles to pour into the floor. Looking at Thomas, Arak’s face almost drained of all its color to a very pale white. Thomas slowly shrugged before stepping up to the door standing in the door frame looking at the scene allowing his jaw to slowly open. Standing at the windows surveying the happenings was the trio of Jake, Kane, and Aerdan. Covered in bubbles and what appeared to be silly string in the lower portion of the room nearest to the bar was what he thought to be Eve, Kass, two bynars, and several faces and feet he did not know sticking out of the mass of bubbles flowing from a device.

Suddenly the music stopped and a spot light appeared illuminating and blinding the winged civilian. The familiar crackling of a cheap and overused microphone could be heard as a voice long since forgotten began to echo, “ladies, ladies, ladies, and gentlemen, gentlemen, gentlemen. I give you, you, you. Captain, captain, captain. Cod, cod, cod. Piece, piece, piece. Also know as the Christmas, Christmas, Christmas. Angel, Angel, Angel of Gateway, Gateway, Gateway.”

Thomas’ face slowly lowered resting in the palm of his hand that had elevated to meet it. Sighing he growled under his breath, “Iphie, it had to be Iphie.”

As every eye turned to Thomas and several cat calls were emitted from the depths of the bubbles he quickly pulled Arak to him before pushing him inside. Stepping back slowly Thomas smiled before giving a nod to Kane, Aerdan and Jake. As the doors to the Vulgar Tribble slowly closed and the room fell silent those present could hear him say, “he is ready.” With a tip of his head Thomas Varn disappeared behind the doors to the Vulgar Tribble and their lives.

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“Even though we can’t be together in the end, I’m glad that you were a part of my life.” ~Unknown


NRPG: Well, Thomas has purposely avoided everyone, especially Iphie lol; but, Arak has been thrown to the bubbly wolves. :)


Justin K. Owens
Thomas Varn
Civilian Scientist

&

Ensign Arak Schad
Assistant Chief Science Officer
USS PHOENIX