The Return

Posted on Sun Oct 15, 2017 @ 4:41pm by Commodore Michael Aravan & Ensign Zahara

Mission: Strange Matter
Location: Observation Lounge
Timeline: MD 31 || 0100 Hours

"Yes, I am aware that Commodore Aravan is off duty and sleeping, but he will wish to know that I have returned," Zahara said as she clasped her hands behind her back.

She had only returned to back to the ship less than an hour ago, and now found herself standing on the bridge much to the chagrin of the officer on duty. Such practices were frowned upon as the Thasian woman was technically considered to be a civilian, but after what she'd done to help them all, he was more than willing to overlook it. The Commodore, however, might not be as forgiving.

"If you would please be so kind as to wait in the Observation Lounge, I will let the Commodore Aravan know that you have returned," he offered, giving her directions to the area he'd just suggested. It was only when she vacated the bridge that the Chief Flight Control officer (and current senior officer on rotation for Delta shift) tapped his combadge. =^=Bridge to Commodore Aravan... I hate to disturb you, Sir, but the Thasian woman... Zahara... has returned to the ship. I thought you would like to know. She is currently in the Observation Lounge.=^=

Michael grunted when the computer relayed the message to his combadge which only happened on key events. He had programmed it to search keywords and when a duty officer messaged him and the name Zahara came up, he rolled out of bed quietly and began to slip into his uniform. He put his boots on after making sure Spencer was still sleeping, then headed out of their quarters before he responded.

=^=On my way=^= he replied before he rubbed the sleep out of his eyes and headed for the turbolift. Did I actually sleep? he wondered as he entered the lift and headed for the Observation Lounge. When it arrived, he pulled down the front of his uniform and walked down the corridor until he arrived at his destination and entered.

"Zahara?"

Zahara turned when she saw her name spoken and smiles when he saw the Commodore standing there. "I am sorry to have woken you, Commodore. My return should have waited until morning."

"It's fine," Michael said as he approached the woman with ethereal beauty. "I'm glad you got out of the Sphere okay. Was it destroyed with the lifeform?"

"Yes. It is no more. I stayed behind just to be sure," she said with a nod of her head. "I did not wish to take any chances. I was able to use it as a weapon before it was destroyed, though. It was quite effective against the Borg. I almost felt sorry for it."

"Were you able to communicate with it?" he asked her. "Regardless of if it were a weapon or not, did it display any sentience other than aggressive mindlessness?"

Zahara shook her head. "While I was able to communicate with it, all it wished to do was do what it was created to do. Destroy. That is the very reason I left the ship with it. If for one second I though it could have been reasoned with... rehabilitated such as I was, then I wouldn't have destroyed it with the sphere. There was no chance of it doing anything other than what it was created for."

"It was created to destroy?" Michael asked with a note of horror and disgust in his tone. "Did you learn where it came from or anything else?"

The Thasian shook her head. "No. I do not know its original origin, but yes, it was created to destroy."

"Thank you for all that you've done, Zahara," Michael said. "In recognition for your efforts to protect the crew and ship, I hereby give you the honorary rank of Ensign."

Zahara was truly humbled by what she was just given. "I thank you, Commodore," she said. "But, I did not do what I did to receive any kind of reward. I did what I did to help and keep everyone safe. I still have much to atone for, and I could spend a million lifetimes trying, but it would never be enough. Not to me."

"Nevertheless," he said. "It's what I'm choosing to give you. Redemption and atonement come one step at a time and you are proving that you want both."

"I do," she said softly, looking down at the floor. "I just do not feel what I have done warrants such a gift."

"It's not exactly a gift, Zahara," Michael said. "With rank comes responsibility. I want you to familiarize yourself with the various departments. Meet with the department heads and find out what they do and get any material they offer for someone of your rank, then learn where you can best fit in to help out."

Zahara nodded. "I will do my best and try not to let you down."

"I don't think you will," he said with a smile. "Now you've earned some downtime. I suggest heading back to your quarters and getting some rest. Tomorrow is likely to be a busy day for you."

"I do not require rest, but I will do as you suggest. Rest well, Commodore Aravan," she said before making her way from the Observation Lounge and heading to her quarters.

Michael watched her go before he headed to a terminal to make the changes for her status. While an honorary Ensign wasn't the same as an official Ensign, it would open more doors for her. He hoped at any rate. While he was there, he sent a uniform pattern with a white collar for her to have an idea of what she should look like while 'on duty'. With that taken care of, the Commodore headed back to his quarters.