#29 Totally Not Expected

Posted on Sun Jun 12th, 2022 @ 11:59pm by

Mission: Rescue On Romulus
Location: Another ship
Timeline: current/somewhere in between

ON:

Aboard the U.S.S. Hubble, an Oberth-class science vessel, Ensign Zenni ran her diagnostics on the port lateral sensor array. Science had always been her first love, but as she grew older she began to be curious about what drove people to do the things they do and to act the way they do. She had entered Starfleet at sixteen with parental permission and had done quite well in all her classes, always within the top twenty. Adding to her science knowledge Zenni decided to take medicine, to be equal to a nurse should need be. As her classes progressed she became interested more and more with psychology. Angling her education more in that direction Zenni passed the courses and became a Starfleet nurse backed by a degree in psychology and xeno-psychology. Now, doing what she loved best, Ensign Zenni tapped away at the console, putting data where it was needed and sending her findings and adjustments to the Science Chief. As she had been working she saw the Captain get spoken to in his ear and then he got up and hurried into his ready room. Captain Clinton Stone was the son of Admiral Aaron Stone, a science officer with a few distinguished marks in his career. To see him hurry meant trouble.

Just finishing her duties Zenni took up her PADD and stood, spinning to head for the lift when the speaker sounded with the Captain's voice. "Ensign Zenni, report to the Captain's Ready Room. Stone, out."

She had frozen in place, glancing around nervously. She had never been within the confines of the CO's private office. Zenni caught others glancing her way, seeing her frozen in place. The XO finally looked at her with a grin. "It's okay, Ensign. Go ahead."

"Aye, Sir." Zenni angled herself and went to the office, which opened at her approach, so she stepped inside, clutching her PADD down over her abdomen with both hands as she came to a stop in the proper spot in front of the desk. "You wanted to see me, Captain?"

"I did, please sit." He stood long enough for her to nod and sit before he sat back down. "We have a situation. The Amandora went to Romulus and chaos broke out. She is now screaming to get back to Federation space, using the Fazon Expanse as a cover for comm silence. Just before we lost total contact there was a report that a joined Trill officer, Commander Liza Kahn, is not going to make it. Trill is too far away for them to get here fast enough to save Kahn. I have been tasked with asking you, Ensign, if you would be willing to join with the Symbiont to save it's life."

All of that stunned Zenni into silence. She had, many years ago, decided to never join. To be her own person and live out a solitary lifetime. But, this? This was a dire emergency and she too knew how valuable the Symbionts were in keeping Trill history, technological advances, and many other aspects of their society and culture. Just thinking about home made Zenni miss the purple skies and purple oceans. She garnered the courage to sit up straight and address her CO. "Captain, I chose to not join for my own reasons. If this were any other case I would say no. But, if a Symbiont's life hangs in the balance then I will say yes. Grudgingly, but I will agree."

The Captain could see how deeply this bothered his officer. "Ensign, I am truly sorry for asking this of you. The officer in question is the XO of the Dora. Kelliza Kahn, previously known as Captain Azala Kahn of the USS Sovereign-A. I know what the Symbionts mean to your world and your culture and that finsing yourself saying no is almost impossible. However, there is another part of this."

Zenni cocked an eyebrow. "What other part, Sir?"

Captain Stone let out an anxious breath. "After the Symbiont is joined you will be assigned to the Amandora since there is another joined Trill there, and it will give you time to adjust to your new self around people Liza already knew."

Relying on her psyche training, Zennie replied. "Or, sadden them even further. Kahn itself will need adjustment time. I'm not Liza, nor will I try to be."

The Captain could have gotten mad at her tone, but he didn't. "Look, I'm treading water here, Zenni. I don't understand this whole joining thing. And, it never interested me enough to delve into it with any gusto. We're going to warp to Outpost 27 along the Neutral Zone and await the arrival of the Dora. Once she is within transporter range then you will be beamed over. Thankfully there was a science summit on Emeniar VII, so a Trill medical team is fairly close and will meet us all there. Again, Ensign, I can't thank you enough for this."

"Of course, Sir." Zenni stood up slowly, in a kind of haze as she auto-piloted back to between his guest chairs. "I have a lot to ponder until I get to leave. I'll go pack."

Stone came around his desk and shook her hand. "I can't say anything about how you feel because I have no idea. That being said, Zenni, you take care of yourself. You have what it takes to go far in Starfleet. Dismissed."

Giving a few nods of acceptance, agreement, whatever; Zenni left the ready room, crossed the Bridge and entered the lift while walking like someone half asleep. As she left the Captain appeared, informing the Bridge staff of what had just transpired, and why. Orders were given and the USS Hubble shot off at warp towards Outpost 27.

***

Once in her quarters Zenni gathered her spare belongings and packed them away. It took her no time at all. After that chore was done she then sat down on her couch and stared off into space, trying to come to grips with what was about to happen to her.

OFF: