#7 Coming Home

Posted on Sun Oct 2nd, 2022 @ 12:28pm by Lieutenant JG Jamie T. Kirk/AKA: "Jim"

Mission: Shore Leave Planet Caldwell
Location: Delta 5
Timeline: current

ON:

Ensign Kirk sat at the upper flight controls, her eyes leisurely taking in the streaking stars and white walls of a warp tunnel. Jamie had always found the sight to be quite beautiful, and it afforded her a 'nothingness' with which she could go into deep inner thought. They were returning to Amandora aboard good ol' Delta 5, having taken Commander Green and Doctor Bjorgo to Earth. Green, as the Meji Headmaster needed to rub elbows with the right sorts from across the galaxy. They had said they would find their own ride back home. So, Kirk and Kahn left Earth after a 24 hour reprieve, hitting New Orleans and having the time of their lives. As always Nawlins didn't disappoint when it came to jazz clubs. Now, here they were, almost back to Amandora. Another three hours at present speed of warp four.

"Jamie," came the female voice from Kirk's left. Zenni was sitting at one of the bulkhead stations going over counseling reports from the others on staff that practiced. All medical officers had the basics of psychology, one had to to deal with the atrocities they were often exposed to. And, one had to always remain calm around patient families and fellow crew members, not allowing the stress of grisly remains and horrid wounds to get to you in the eyes of those around you. When Kirk didn't look over or respond Zenni's eyes shifted to the woman from her own PADD. "Jim!" She said a little louder.

Kirk snapped to and looked over, moving her chair slightly so the angle wasn't too harsh. "Sorry," she smiled and half giggled. "Was deep in thought. What's up?"

Kahn gave a smile, seeing she had finally caught Kirk completely off-guard. "Was just curious. How far are we?"

"About three hours out," said Kirk as she got to her feet and went to the replicator. She tapped the order key. "Thermomug of raktajino, twenty ounces, hot." She glanced over seeing Zenni holding up two fingers, wiggling them. "Two raktajinos, same style as ordered." The little transporter/replicator presented two pretty little Starfleet mugs, with the Federation logo on one side and the Starfleet on the other. She delivered one to her companion and then sat back at her station, turning to face Kahn. After the first initial blows and sips she spoke up. "So, not wearing the Meji robes these days?"

"What is a robe but another form of clothing," Zenni responded. "Meji is what I am. Starfleet is who I am. And, I tweak the cloth used for my own personal pleasure. My uniform is Starfleet regulation issue, but it is more 'hand made' due to some secrets I acquired over the years as other hosts." She stood and presented herself in a catsuit style Starfleet uniform, like those worn by Crusher and Troi on Enterprise. She sat back down. "I love my Starfleet uniforms as much as my other clothes. Plus, wearing it makes me available, officially, to aid anyone in distress. Isn't there some old Roman saying, something like; the best way to maintain peace is to prepare for war?"

"Sounds about right," Kirk replied. "I know how you feel. I can be ruthless and cold-hearted but, the moment I put this uniform on all thatrubbish gets set aside and the better parts of myself shine through. I like that feeling. Knowing I can rely on those around me, and they can rely on me is...satisfying."

Kirk did not know that Zenni had began to record this little counseling session. She would tell Kirk about it after, to maintain trust, but right now she was afforded the opportunity to get Jim's tri-monthly psyche eval out of the way. And, with the Ensign opening up like a flower now was as good a time as any. "It's why all my hosts were always involved in diplomacy with one species or another. Klingons are always fun. Romulans are more humorous than most would think, but their humor can be exceedingly dry so as not to insult while attempting levity. Tholians are always stubborn, but patience and respect go a long way with them. Too many who engage with them always seem to be in a hurry to the Tholians, which makes them believe that there is somewhere else the diplomat would rather be. To them it is insulting." There was a few moments of silence as Kahn stared off at a corner, her eyes finally coming back to Kirk as she smiled. "Wow, that was a huge digression. Sorry, Jim, didn't mean to ramble on."

Kirk chuckled. "I liked it. Shows me you have heart, a mischievous side, and you like to have fun. You'd fit right in at home. We're all a bit cray-cray, but in a fun way. Horseback riding, ATV's, snowmobiles, you name it. Enjoy the world while you're still in it."

"Abso-friggin-lutely," Zenni agreed. "I have noticed a big change in you, lately. Not a bad thing, just an observation. You used to be so disconnected from others. I've seen you taking part in more social activities with fellow crew, like you finally feel as if you fit in somewhere. I like this new Jim."

"So do I, honestly." Kirk had to admit it to herself, as well as others. This ship and crew had brought about some serious changes in her character, switching some sets of likes and dislikes for the better. Jamie T. Kirk now knew who she was. A dedicated Starfleet officer with a penchant for fun, parties, and games. "I finally found that spot in my life where both feet are firmly grounded."

Kahn gave a warm grin. "That is a rare thing. Most tend to have some fatalistic ideas in mind for how they could still fail. It only adds to their anxiety during tense situations. And, why Starfleet implemented the Counselor program after the Conni-class five year missions. Many of those crew who survived had to have years of counseling to deal with what they had seen and, in some cases, what they had done. A life in space is not an easy one. The Galaxy program was tested for civilians in space. People who simply wanted to live on a ship and go where they went. But, you are crew/passengers, so you have to obey the Starfleet personnel when they have directives. There are several scientists aboard and I try and visit with them as often as possible. Just to chat and talk shop. At the same time, like now, I can guage their mental status and make sure it is noted so I don't always have to do an actual interview. Work smarter, not harder, right?" She giggled.

Kirk had suspected that Zenni was working on the sly, but it didn't bother her. The woman was doing her job and doing it well. There were always opportunities for crew to leave commentary for Starfleet HQ to read in regards to each department. From what Kirk had seen Zenni was fast becoming the most popular, and favored counselor in Starfleet. She listened and heard everything, brought levity when needed and empathy when a session went that direction. Zenni went to them most times, to their quarters or the lounge to make sure they were at ease, and that they didn't have to come to her quarters. Going to the counselor was still seen by some as shameful, which was ridiculous. "I thought you might be throwing this into the log, but I'm okay with it. You'll probably get more from me now that we've spoken. You're easy to talk to, and that is a rare thing with counselors. Most are stiff and way overboard on professional so they have no clue on the empathy portion. Why? Because they've never seen the hard life so that have no comparison so their answers come back as regurgitated slop that is the clinical treatment but not the compassionate one." Jim waited a few moments, her mind going another direction.

"I don't want to be THAT officer," Kirk said. "The one that does everything, every day, by the book. No thinking, no gut feelings, no curiosity. Just a automaton pushing keys and making sure things maintain functioning. I take risks. I think oustide the box. Without risk there is no gain, in most cases out here. If even one innocent life is saved by that risk then I've done my duty; what I swore to do the day I put on this uniform. It didn't mean squat to me back then. But, now, it's my life and my world and I'm damn sure not gonna waste it."

The two officers continued talking as they flew through the cosmos at faster-than-light speeds. At one point they used the holo-emitters to create a Japanes table in the cockpit area between seats, creating pillows to sit on as they ordered Japanese cuisine and ate with chopsticks. After dinner was finished and cleaned up Kirk sat back down and dropped from warp, calling Amandora and reporting, asking for the maintenance bay in shuttlebay 2. After acknowledging Amandora then cleared her for Shuttlebay 2, opening the doors. Kirk maneuvered within and hovered across the bay to the maintenance bay, descending to a meter above the floor and then sliding the Delta Flier sideways into the bay and landing softly. Zenni began to gather their gear and belongings as Kirk went through post-flight, shutting down and putting the ship on standby. She ordered the doors to the bay closed and the personnel door locked. Delta 5 was her responsibility and she would see to it. Not to mention the modifications she had suggested to Green, with the Commander giving the okay to tinker.

The ladies stepped from the small craft and left through the bay's personnel door, which Kirk heard lock behind them. Saying their goodbyes for now the gals went in separate directions to get back to their quarters.

OFF: