Reporting for Duty

Posted on Fri Jan 5, 2018 @ 1:11pm by
Edited on on Fri Jan 5, 2018 @ 1:15pm

Mission: Falling Star
Location: USS Ragnarok
Timeline: MD 1 || 1030 hours

Lyrrhiai heaved a sigh of relief--at last she had arrived. She moved to the Security Officer and gave her name and rank, one hand reaching up to reassure Ceal, her Trel service creature, while she awaited his reply.

"Lieutenant Ra'Thon?". The Security Guard asked, What is the purpose of the creature accompanying you and the other one in that carrier?"

~At least he asks,~ she thought suppressing a sigh. She spoke as graciously as she could, but she was tired....

"Ceal is my service creature," she told him, as she had told many others on this journey. "When he is in contact with me as he is now, I can hear your words. When he is not, I cannot hear. The Trel in the carrier is Ceal's mate."

"I see," the Security Offiucer said. "Please forgive my questions--"

"It is your job," Lyrrhia said quietly. At least this man was courteous....

Kennedy moved through the corridor with her hands clasped behind her back. She'd been busy all day and thought getting out of her ready room for a few minutes would be good. Now she found herself looking at the crew that would be serving beneath her as she went with a smile. This was definitely going to be a challenge, but it was one she welcomed with a smile.

Lyrrhia was finishing up at the checkpoint, the Security Guard having only a few additional questions, which Lyrrhia answeref patiiently, as this man's courtesy was refreshing.

"Now, if I may ask a question of you--where might I find the Captain? I wish to report in promptly."
I
"You have no need to ask," the El Aurian woman said, pausing when she heard the Lieutenant ask her question. "That would be me. Commander Kennedy Harper."

Lyrrhia turned and came to attention, saying, "Lieutenant Lyrrhia Ra'Thon, Commander Kennedy."

"Commander Harper," the CO corrected with a polite smile. "Come, we can walk and look around while we talk. Since I don't have your file, though, I'll need you to answer a few questions for me." She gestured with her hand for the woman to follow her.

Lyrrhia blushed, saying, "I beg your pardon, Commander Harper. She carefully set down the carrier containing Ceal's mate, then retrieved the PADD containing her orders. "I hope that I am not tardy...I pride myself on being prompt...."

"Not at all. People have been coming and going for a good part of the day, and we still have some time before we're set to depart. Which department will you be working in?" Kennedy asked.

Lyrrhia relaxed a bit. At least all the frustrating delays had not caused her to be late reporting for duty. She hated being late!

At Kennedy's question, Lyrrhia replied, "I am assigned to the Science Department. I am looking forward to accustoming myself to it."

"Well, allow me to officially welcome you aboard," the Commander said as they made their way through the ship to her waiting ready room. Once inside, Kennedy moved over to her desk and gestured for her companion to have a seat. "Can I get you anything?"

“If It is not troublesome, a cup of tea would be wonderful,” Lyrrhia replied as she settled herself in a chair, gently lowering the carrier to the floor as she did so.

She looked around as she waited for the Commander to begin the interview.

“From what I have seen of her, Ragnarok is a beautiful ship...” she said.

Kennedy replicated the requested tea and brought it back to the Lieutenant. "She is, and I hope that all my crew takes a little time to familiarize themselves with her. PADDs can only provide so much. Now... why don't you tell me a little about yourself?"

Oh my, that was quite a request! Lyrrhia stuttered for a moment, finally saying, "I do not know where to begin...I am one of four children, the oldest female child. I am very protective of those close to me..."

Lyrrhia gave a small chuckle, saying, "That protective instinct nearly cost me my life--and did cost me my hearing. I was attempting to protect my sister from one of the large carnivores on my homeworld. I succeeded in that respect, but for a long time, they feared I would die. When I finally recovered, I could no longer hear."

Kennedy listened as she spoke, taking in everything she was saying. It sounded like Lyrrhia had one hell of a life, but there had to be more to that story. "Sounds like a very difficult thing to go through."

Lyrrhia sighed, remembering those times. "It was--difficult. Everyone treated me as if I were too fragile to be allowed to be outside alone. I had to leave my home in secret. That is how I found Ceal..." and Lyrrhia reached up and stroked the tiny creature.

After a moment she continued, "Ceal's mate was caught in a trap and he was frantic to free her. I freed her for him and he was so happy that he climbed my arm to my shoulder and licked my cheek. During that brief contact, I could hear. We have been together since that time.". Realizing how loing she had been talking, Lyrrhia blushed, saying, " I did not intend to speak so long...."

"Do not apologize for providing someone with a better understanding. I'm glad that you were able to find a way to hear again, too," Kennedy stated, though, it made her curious. "As a member of Starfleet, why not have your hearing corrected? Couldn't one of our highly trained medical personnel take care of it?"

Lyrrhia swallowed hard before answering. "The physicians on my homeworld have said that the damage is so extensive that nothing can be done. I have begun to contact someone in Starfeet many times, but I could not make the call." She looked at Kennedy, saying, "I suppose I fear the possibiity of disappointment...."

"As much as it pains me to say this, there will be many disappointments in life, but we cannot allow that to define our lives for us," she said as she studied the woman sitting across from her. "If you prefer not to, then that is a decision that I'm going to respect, and I shall not push you on the matter. However, I don't think it could hurt."

Lyrrhia's face stilled as she considered what Kennedy had said. She spoke slowly, saying, "I had not thought of it in that way. It may be worth looking into." She hesitated, then asked, "Would our Chief Medical Officer have the time to evaluate the possibility? I do not wish to leave Ragnarok."

"I believe so. Based on your record, this hasn't hindered your ability to become a damn fine officer, so even if there is nothing that can be done, I know you'll continue on that path. I've got nothing but faith in my crew," Kennedy said. "Of course, until I'm given reason not to."

Lyrrhia nodded, saying, "I thank you. Whether Ceal continues to share his ability to hear with me or my own hearing is restored, I will always give you my best." She paused, then asked, "Is there anything else you wish to know about me, or about Trel--Ceal's species?"

"I would like to know more about the species. I can't say I've ever encountered anything like this before," she replied.

"To the best of my knowledge, Ceal is unique because of his ability to share his ability to hear with me. Trel are not studied very much on my homeworld, however. They are mainly eaters of fruit and insects, occasionally a rodent. Many consider them a nuisance species--at least until they saw what Ceal was able to do for me. When I left for Starfleet, they were planning a study of the Trel, but I would wager that nothing comes of it---Trel are notoriously shy and difficult to observe in the wild; it would be almost impossible to catch enough of them to do an accurate study."

"Ceal--and to a lesser extent his mate--are the exceptions to the rule. While very shy of humans, Ceal and his mate have come to understand that they are safe with me...."

"They won't attack anyone should they find themselves separated from you for some reason?" Kennedy queried.

"I doubt it very much. Ceal's mate is more nervous than he, but I cannot see either of them attacking anyone..."Her voice trailed off, then she continued, " The only circumstance under which it would even be remotely possible would be if they felt cornered. They prefer to run away--escape...."

The Commander nodded her head. "That's comforting. I hope they're never put in a position like that, though. Do you having anymore questions?"

"As do I, Commander," Lyrrhia replied. At the Commander's question, Lyrrhia said, "I cannot think of anything else, Commander. Have you any further questions for me?"

"Not presently, but if I think of any, I'll contact you. If there's nothing else, then I'll let you get settled in. Welcome aboard, Lieutenant," the El Aurian woman said with a smile.

“Thank you, Commander,” Lyrrhia replied, returning the smile. “I look forward to our working together.” Taking hold of the carrier, rose, inclined her head respectfully to Kennedy and took her leave.