Post Number 107 New Assignment

Posted on Wed Jan 4th, 2023 @ 2:08pm by

Mission: BUGS OH NO!!
Location: Various
Timeline: Current

[Betazed]
Ilim stood at the transparasteel window of the shuttle craft that was to take him to his new home away from home for the foreseeable future. While not the first time he’d stepped foot off Betazed it felt like the first time. He could feel his connection to the natural world – Eliah – slipping away, and a sharp feeling of panic threaded through him. He forced himself to calm down, reciting the words of his Order in his mind.
I am one with Eliah, and it is with me.
I am one with Eliah, and it is with me.
I am one with Eliah, and it is with me.

His breathing returned to normal and he
steeled himself for the journey, and rewards, ahead.

[Starbase Pegasus]

Ilim approached the docking ring and showed the Security Ensign on duty his papers. “Reporting for duty.”

The Ensign looked him up and down, silently judging the slightly disheveled look of his uniform but said “Science, eh?” as if he had no real idea what Scientists did aboard a Starship.

“Something like that.” Ilim responded, noncommittally, although the Ensign appeared to be the chatty sort. It was no wonder, given what must be a terribly boring assignment.

“What branch? Stellar Cartography, Geology, Xenosciences?”

“Botany.” Ilim said, brightening. He was floored that the Ensign could name some of the branches. It was a humbling reminder that, just like with Eliah, not all was what it appeared to be.

“What a coincidence!” He said, “I’m a Biologist Major myself, or I was, before I switched to Security.”

Ilim arched an eyebrow. “What led to that decision?”

“Peer pressure I suppose.” He said sheepishly. “My father was Security, and my Uncle, and my Brother…let’s just say I got tired of being left out of the conversations at family dinner.”

Ilim nodded like he understood, but he really didn’t. He couldn’t imagine touching Eliah, and then just walking away from it. Though, in a way, that’s what he was doing wasn’t it? Panic suddenly gripped him. Was he making the right decision? Was experiencing the Natural Worlds of other places so important as to warrant the long stretches of being separate from it? Would his power and skills wane and would he still be a Master when he returned. His thoughts were interrupted when the Ensign surprised him again with deep and penetrating insight into what he was feeling.

“Don’t worry,” He said, pointing the way toward the docking berth, “The Amandora is a Galaxy Class Starship with one of the largest and finest Hydroponics Bay, as well as an Arboretum that takes up two decks. Any time you need to reconnect with your roots, you can go there.”

Ilim looked at him with gratitude as the panic gripping him receded. “Thank you.” Ilim said with genuine warmth.

“We’ve all been there.” He said, nodding.

With that, Ilim turned and headed toward his new adventure.

Off:
Ensign Ilim Ocha
Science Officer – Botany
USS Amandora