The Right Decision?

Posted on 02/17/2020 @ 7:01pm by
Edited on on 02/28/2020 @ 7:06pm

Mission: S1E1: Out of the Barn
Location: Transport; Starbase 614; USS Crazy Horse; New Bajor (flashback)
Timeline: Day 2 at 1300

Then

“It’s time, Ilos,” insisted Toran Ayko as she walked past the breakfast table. “Your life has been on hold for too long.” She stopped at the coffee maker an pouring herself a cup.

“Nonsense,” insisted her older brother, Toran Ilos. “I’m still needed here. You still need me here. Your arm—”

“Is fine.” Ayko gestured to the coffee she was pouring. “See? The new arm is fine. I’m not dropping or breaking the mug anymore.” She set the pot down and sat across from Ilos. “The attack was two and a half years ago. You did what you came here to do. You helped, and fewer people are in pain because of it. And I’m glad you did, because I got my brother back, too. But the job is done. And others need you more.”

The truth was he had been considering returning to Starfleet. He knew he wasn’t needed on New Bajor anymore, but returning to that old life, like breaking any habit, was hard. Being told outright to leave was...helpful? Helpful.

“I guess I should talk to the Starfleet liaison here,” he said. “Get myself reactivated. Next transport might not be for—”

“Tomorrow,” Ayko said with a grin. “I looked into it last week. Go talk to Commander Ki. She’ll be glad to hear from you.” The Bajoran Starfleet liaison on New Bajor had indeed been a friend of the family, and was also wondering when the day would come that Ilos would resume being Lieutenant jg Toran.

Finishing the last of his morning coffee, Ilos decided that day would be today.

Now

Three weeks later, Toran Ilos, in his blue uniform (and looking better in it and feeling more confident than he had when he went on Leave, having relearned the value of exercise while on New Bajor) waited for his transport to dock at Starbase 614. He had no window access, so he couldn’t see his assignment among the docked ships, but he knew it was out there.

He was in the middle of the crowd that disembarked onto the Starbase’s main concourse. While most carried small duffel bags, Ilos had a large case connected to an antigravity unit. It was light but very awkward.

Not unlike me, Ilos thought wistfully as he looked around. He wasn’t used to wearing the uniform again. Is this the right choice? he wondered. Do they still need me back on New Bajor?

A young Human woman wearing Operations gold, easily twenty years his junior and with a Crewman Apprentice rank pin, came to his assistance, relieving him of the large box. “Lieutenant Toran?” she asked. “I’m Crewman Heather Rios, USS Crazy Horse. I was asked to bring you aboard.”

Ilos smiled. “Thank you, Ms. Rios. Lead the way.”

The Crewman Apprentice gave him a polite nod and thin smile before heading toward the airlock. She didn’t say a word as she walked. The air hung heavily over them as they walked. Ilos wasn’t empathic, but could tell that something was bothering her. Either she had a problem with Bajorans, with him specifically, or was otherwise troubled.

They crossed the gangway and moments later were in the senior officers’ quarters area of the ship. She found the cabin assigned to him, unlocked the door, and carried in his case.

“If there’s nothing else, Lieutenant?” she asked.

“There is one more thing,” Ilos said. “Crewman Rios. Heather. I want you to tell me whether everything is okay.”

For the first time, she gave him a real smile. “It’s kind of you to ask, Lieutenant, but—”

“But nothing. It’s my job. Or, it will be. May as well start now.”

Heather Rios looked away, but then looked back to him. “It’s the first time I’ve been away from home. It’s the first time I’ve left home, and mum died three years ago so I’ve left my little brother and father alone and I’m not sure this was the right thing to do.” Her eyes began to water.

Ilos smiled warmly. “I’m sure it was,” he said, as much to himself as to her. “Why don’t you show me where my office is supposed to be, and we’ll talk a few minutes?”

:OFF

Lieutenant jg Toran Ilos
Chief Counselor, USS Crazy Horse