Another Life (Bevan) - Part I
Posted on 03/03/2020 @ 1:07pm by Lieutenant JG Salynn Oram
Mission:
Sum of our Experiences
Location: Leran Manev, Trill
Timeline: Day 0 at
It was a beautiful spring day, still a nip in the air and the sky a watery blue color. The flowers in nearby gardens were about ready to bud, heralding a quick ascent into summer within weeks. The year was 2263, and Bevan Oram was certain he would take his last breath before 2264 came to pass. Still, as he sat in his mobility chair, wrapped in a blanket, he was content with his life's work.
He raised a hand to shade his eyes against the sun, only a slight tremor betraying the steady grip that had drawn lines as straight as any could in his profession, and craned his neck to gaze skyward. The last of the hovercranes were being dismantled and removed from the latest addition to the government quarter skyline, a building that rivaled the majesty of the Trill Senate Tower itself. The last and greatest of Architect Oram's creations, the Lanev Oracle Complex had taken nearly 2 decades from conception to completion. No prefab slapped-together building, this. It was avante-garde retro-futurism, unlike anything else dotting the horizon. It took design cues from the squat, classical designs in the Old City quarter, mixed it with the sweeping reflective platework of new architecture, and mixed it with an angular style that would one day come to be called 'Bevanism'.
"Is it everything you had hoped it would be, Grandpop?" asked the young woman standing behind the mobility chair. She was Tasis, Bevan's granddaughter, protege, and ofttimes nurse. The state provided Bevan with homecare in his ailing health, but Tasis insisted on being by his side when he was out and about. Bevan tut-tutted her attention, admonishing her for not spending her efforts on the architecture firm that he had already bequeathed her, but it was an empty complaint. Her divided attention running the firm already yielded a much more successful endeavor than it had ever been under his control - he always had a better eye for lines and angles than for figures and payrolls, after all.
"Everything... and more," replied Bevan, with a hitch in his voice. There had been a time, many years ago, when he thought that the call from the Symbiosis Commission would be the end of this dream, the dream of architecture, and the start of another. It had taken some time to realize that he hadn't needed to give up one dream for another, but it never was so poignant a reminder of that until this very moment. Bevan had designed this building, yes, but not just Bevan. This was Bevan Oram's crowning glory, two strong minds living as one. Bevan knew how to design, but the Oram symbiont knew how to dream. "I hope your next host gives you wings, my old friend," whispered Bevan so that Tasis could not hear. Little did he know it would take more than one host before that wish came true.
Tasis laughed then, the lyrical lilt of youth music in an old Trill's ears. "You're leaving me quite the conundrum, Grandpop. How am I going to keep the Bevan Architecture Firm relevant when it's already hit it's zenith? Who can compete with this?"
"My love, you're as straight and dependable as a foundation beam. If anyone can continue our success, it is you. And you will," intoned Bevan with a nod of finality. "I will be watching to ensure you do." This was a truth that only a Joined Trill could promise.
As recalled by:
LtJG Salynn Oram
Chief Helm Officer
USS Crazy Horse
