The Bajoran Front
Posted on 13 Dec 2017 @ 11:42pm by Lieutenant Ren Kannu (Dec-Jan 2389 - TRNSFR to Bre'el Dip. Msn.) & Lieutenant Nimh Ahressa (Dec-Jan 2389 - TRNSFR, Bre'el Dip. Msn.)
Mission:
He ho'omaka hou 'ana - A New Beginning
Location: USS Hawaii, Bridge
Timeline: sometime before departure
After having met with the Commander, Ahressa made her way to the Bridge, to get herself familiarized with her station and to inspect how much she could do of her 'other' job while she was in the proverbial heart of the ship.
With the ship stationary, the Ops console was empty at the moment, the duty ops officer likely performing their duties elsewhere. Ahressa sat down and tapped in her access command, effectively letting the system know she was active on the ship. Having been cleared for duty and having reported to the Captain, she was officially the Chief of Operations of the USS Hawaii now.
System response time was her first check than she started running. With Bridge activity relatively low, she could focus on it and tune out other things that were happening.
Ren stepped out of the Auxiliary control room and back on to Hawaii’s bridge. He had noticed in his checks of the flight control systems that switching over to the back system was a little sluggish for his liking so needed to make a few small adjustments. As he approached the CONN he noticed an officer sitting at the Ops station.
“Hey, Lieutenant Ren Kannu, Chief Flyboy.” He said by way of introduction.
Ahressa looked up, "well met. Nimh Ahressa, next door neighbour." She have him a grin and patted the Ops station gently. "Been here long?"
“A pleasure to meet a fellow Bajoran this far away from home.” Ren said with a smile. “I’ve been here a good few hours, just sorting out a few personal bugs in the CONN system.” The Helmsman said as he sat down at his station. “Been here long yourself?”
Ahressa shook her head, "just a few hours myself. Been trying to get a feel for her before I start running diagnostics and taking stock to make sure we've got everything."
“I suppose it’s a harder job starting from scratch. At least when you take over a role on an existing starship there’s already a system in place for your to arrange to your way of working.” Ren commented.
"True, but this way you get to set a standard, if that makes sense?" Nimh countered.
Ren nodded, “Of course, it makes perfect sense. You get to set the mark higher for your own standard.”
Ahressa nodded, "so, homeworld or one of the colonies?" She couldn't help but ask, not having read Ren's fine yet.
“Neither, I was born on Gault. My father was part of the resistance during the Cardassian occupation. He was responsible for killing a high ranking Cardassian which made him very high on the wanted list. He managed to bribe his way off of Bajor and laid low on Gault, where he laid low until the occupation came to an end. He met my mother and they had me, once the occupation ended my father wanted me to grow up on Bajor so they booked passage back. My father was conveniently killed in an explosion on the transport. My mother wanted to follow my father wishes and set up home in Hedrikspool Province, which is we’re my father used to live.” Ren explained as he leaned against the Operations console. “How about you?”
"Mostly Tozhat. Was adopted by the Nimh's when I was young out of the resettlement centre, we spent most of my childhood and early childhood secretly helping out the Resistance where we could. How we managed to stay under the radar, having a farm and all is still to this day beyond me. We were information brokers, my family." She said, tapping against her console, somewhat amused at how close her past occupation was to her current one.
“Information brokers for the resistance, I hope,” Ren teased with a playful smile. “I hear Tozhat is a very beautiful part of Bajor, though I’ve never personally been.”
Ahressa gave him a look that clearly said, I just told you it was
for the Resistance.. "Tozhat? I don't know it's been a while since I've been back. Back in '82 it was still in recovery mode from all that they did." Hopefully she wouldn't need to clarify that theywas referring to Cardassians.
Ren understood the look she gave him. She wasn’t in the teasing mood, so he moved forward with the conversation. “I think Bajor will be in recovery mode for a while. Although the visual Bajor is looking much better, the scars left on the culture and people will take a lot longer to fade.”
This formed a somewhat bitter smile on her lips, "not for another few generations, I'm afraid. Generations have been affected by this and it will take generations to heal."
“You’re probably right. What the Cardassians did in a few decades will take generations to heal. It’s a shame the Federation didn’t reach our world first. Things would have been a lot different if they had.” Ren replied.
Sixty years is hardly a few decades. Ahressa shrugged, "maybe."
“So, what was your last assignment?” Ren asked, changing the subject. He sensed Nimh’s frustration with him. It was something he had sensed from only Bajoran’s. Maybe it was because he was only half Bajoran or because he didn’t really think as Bajor as his home. His father had shielded him from what had happened on Bajor during the occupation.
Ahressa shrugged, tapping at her console, "the Hendriary. We were assigned to the RTC, helping the ceded colonies. You?"
“I was on the Jericho, assigned to the Gamma Quadrant. Our last mission had the Jericho investigate the protouniverse which was discovered by Lieutenant Dax. Met some interesting species.” Ren replied.
Ahressa nodded, putting on a well practiced smile of interest. "Yeah? So what was the most interesting one in your opinion?"
The more you kept one talking, the more you learned about them. This kid wasn't bad, Ahressa had to admit, rather clueless as to the plight of his people, but he seemed to have a good heart and a solid head on his shoulders. What more could she really ask for?
“The Lumenites are the ones that stood out the most. An unusual looking race but very similar culture to our own.” Ren replied, pleased that the Operations Officer seemed interested. “Their ideals and values are the same as the Federation. It was very nice and refreshing to meet such nice race.”
Makes you wonder what they're hiding. Ahressa wondered as she finished her calibrations and nodded, "it's interesting that such an indentical society can spawin in the Gamma Quadrant of all places, considering the not all that recent history."
“Not every species in the gamma quadrant is hostile. Most fear the Dominion, but since they’ve gone quiet most of the races are spreading their wings a little and joining the greater community.” Ren explained. “It’s a shame that this war has interrupted Starfleets exploration of such places.”
"Well, obviously not quite, the Jericho at the very least did it. Hopefully more ships will follow the same path." Ahressa offered. In truth she could not relate to the days of exploration. All she'd ever known was one form of war or another. Whether it was the one of atrition, an information one, an all out one or a cold one. There was always one up in the cards.
“I hope so, as long as this conflict with the Gorn doesn’t escalate.” Ren replied before leaving a short pause. “Before I forget, the Captain asked me to ask you if you’d be willing to allow some of your department take some Helm time. Mine seems to be one of the ones which are short staffed.”
"Of course. We can easily set up a rotation, my guys can fill in where you're short staffed. I believe I have a few flight control cross trained people." Ahressa nodded.
“Thank you, Lieutenant.” Ren said with a thankful smile. “Please don’t hesitate to ask if I can help you out.”
Ahressa grinned, "I might need some flying refreshments. It's been a while since I flew a ship."
Ren smiled, “I’d be happy to give you a refresher course. Just ask and we can take a shuttle out.”
Ahressa nodded, giving Ren a smile. As she finished her checkups and calibrations, she stood up from her console.
"Well, I have to check the CiC out before I continue with the rest of my duties, Lieutenant Ren. It was a pleasure to meet you though and I'm glad to see more bajorans around." She offered with a half smile.
In truth, she didn't really care one way or another, but it was a nice thing to say and it was prudent to have your colleagues on the good side.
“It’s been a pleasure to meet you to, Lieutenant. I agree, it’ll be nice to work along side a fellow Bajoran.” Ren said in agreement. “My apologies for taking up so much of your time, I have work to attend to as well. I’ll see you around.”
