Secondary Introductions

Posted on Fri Oct 6th, 2023 @ 8:35am by Lieutenant Commander Rayek trLhoell

4,011 words; about a 20 minute read

Mission: Short Treks
Location: Enlisted Mess
Timeline: Day 10 (after Mess Hall and Engineering)

ENLISTED MESS HALL

After having followed around the two Vulcan-fearing locals for the first half of his shift, Shon was now on lunch break. He had a half-hour to eat and relax some before he might get called back to escort duty. The Andorian had arrived and finished ordering himself a Redbat noodle bowl. He took a seat at secluded table and began to eat. He sat alone because no one liked to sit with the sour Andorian.

Evati was out of the sickbay but on leave for the day to recover. She was hoping to thank the kind gentleman who took care of her as she was bleeding out. Wearing a new sensornet smock the Andorian girl carefully navigated the corridors with her cybernetic antenna scanning about. The computer told her that the gentleman was at the Enlisted Mess so she went there.

Timidly walking in Evati smiled her overly cheerful smile to the Andorian and waved. "Hello Sir. I am on leave today recovering but I will back to work tomorrow. I wanted to thank you for taking care of me and wanted to ask if you saw a Ushaan-tor. It's missing from my supply pouch?" Her smile was ear to ear as she was oblivious to the activities and rambling she did while delirious.

Shon barely withheld his groan at hearing her sickeningly cheerful greeting.

"You do realize you outrank me, right?" the Andorian commented at being called Sir, when he was just a crewman while she was an Ensign. He glanced over at the zhen and his expression twitched a moment as she thanked him for yesterday. "I was just doing my job."

Shon didn't answer her question about the Ushaan-tor; if he did he'd have to tell her he had it tucked away in his quarters, which he didn't want to admit to. So it was best to say nothing at all.

"Yes I do outrank you Sir, but my parents on Andoria, as well as my adopted Vulcan parents, as well as some bandits I lived with.. all said I should call everyone Sir or Ma'am despite there station. So how are you Sir!", she smiled bright enough to light the room as she sniffed. "Is that redbat? I bet it's good. I like mine with a bit of Aldeberan pepper. Doesn't give it a kick but adds to the flavour."

Returning to the task at hand. "Doing your job or not..", she sat awkwardly in the chair. "You were a wonderful person and I shall speak to the Captain about giving you a official thank you. And I will myself." She leaned in with a smile, "Thank You!, Thank You!, Thank You!, Thank You!"

Sitting back she rubbed the back of her head, "All healed but still hurts like I got hit with a cudgel. I was unaware of another Andorian on board, is it just us Sir?" She was smiling as she made small talk.

The Sec/Tac crewman tried not to show his sour expression too openly (to be seen by onlookers). Evati was a ranking officer and the last thing Shon needed was a reprimand for disrespecting her brought up by others. He gave a bit of a shrug and grunt (not that she could see the shrug) when she pointed out her upbringing. He didn't need to know her background. In fact, he preferred not to know how others treated her. The less he knew the better!

When she questioned about his meal, he kinda pushed it aside. All appetite lost with the arrival of Evati despite her bright smile. Then Shon was forced to lean away, his antennae twisting a bit when Evati over enthusiastically thanked him multiple times. "No, really, I don't need nor want that kind of attention." The last thing he wanted was the others getting wind that he'd had any sort of contact with the blind zhen.

For a moment he seemed surprised at her question. How could she not know that there were at least three others in the SEC/TAC department alone? But then one glance at her, staring past him blindly, he could understand. She couldn't see them and they would never consider introducing themselves. Should he lie to her about them? No, that could bite him in the ass. "No. There are a few of us in Sec/Tac. You know the real zealous warrior types." That was what he was striving to become, but for the moment he was lowest in status of the group... well... other than Evati.

"Ooo I bet it would be nice to meet them too. I knew some strong zealous warriors from the bandits. They were nice enough to me... when I remembered my place of course. Maybe if I know my place with them they will be nice to me also. I would love to make more friends. I spent so long on Vulcan before the Academy and I just miss Andorians. I know I shouldn't I was not liked for what I was but the Vulcans treated me like a porcelain vase", she stopped rambling.

"So whats it like being security? Have you got to do anything fun or interesting of late? It gets boring down in engineering, could you tell me some of your brave deeds?", she smiled sweetly up at him and seemed very bouncy for some reason. "You were a hero and saved me and I just can't say thank you often enough!"

Shon couldn't believe what he was hearing. Nice to them?! She surely had to be mocking him. No one could be that oblivious, right?! Her remark about maybe the others being nice to her if she remembered her place made him feel uncomfortable since she was comparing Federation officers to bandits. But the comparison wasn't wrong. The only way she might be tolerated by the others was with a lot of boot-licking. Shon's sense of discomfort grew and it showed in his antennae which began curling in knots unhappily.

Her sudden change of topic to what it was like in security was a welcome change. Or at least it was until she brought up his saving her again. "Security is fine enough. Dull most of the time.. Until it's not. I don't have stories to tell as I'm still rather new. Lowest ranked and all that - and I'm no hero. I wish you'd quit calling me that. I'm what you call a 'grunt'... the one they'll send in first when things are stupid dangerous, because I'm expendable."

"You're not expendable to me. But I will let you eat so have a good lunch," Evati reaches over hugging the man and hurries off with a giggle.

He tried to lean away from the hug the moment he realized what she'd intended, but since it wasn't in his experience for people to give hugs so readily, he was completely unprepared for it. As she hurried away giggling, Shon glanced about the Mess Hall with a slight frown noticing a few curious looks from a couple having their lunch.

This was not good. He didn't need rumors of him with her being spread about the ship. Should he point out to them that the hug had not been welcome? Or would that just exacerbate the situation?

Before he had an answer to that question, the couple left leaving him to frown at his redbat noodles unhappily.


~ ~ ~ ~ ~
ENLISTED CREW QUARTERS

Later that day, after his shift ended Shon wearily entered his shared quarters and collapsed onto his cot. Today had been long and dull - escorting the two escape pod occupants as they toured the ship from Engineering to Bridge (may edit this if they don't make it there).

No sooner had he just closed his eyes to rest for a bit than his antenna flicked up alertly hearing the door to his quarters swish open. He turned his head glancing over, half expecting to see cabinmate, but instead it turned out to be his fellow Andorian security crewmembers Bobiahl ch'Chisrin, Tholric th'Vollat, and Relaari th'Irhilroq or as Humans preferred to call them Bob, Rick and Larry.

Shon sat up on his cot, his antennae leaning away, clearly showing his apprehension at the unplanned visit. "What's up?" he asked warily, though he had a sinking suspicion he knew why they were there.

"You tell us Shon. Rumor has is you were being hugged by some Andorian girl... This ship has only one zhen. So.. what's up with that?"

Roozh! He knew it! Shon's antennae leaned further back, nearly touching his short, well-groomed white hair. "Look, it's not at all what it seems like. I had no choice the other day but to provide her medical assistance and today she stopped by the mess to thank me.... that's it... end of story."

It took a long amount of hunting and getting lost, and rehunting, and then getting lost again. However Evati found her way to the Enlisted Crew Quarters and continued on carrying a plate of Gristhera and Andorian Spice Bread covered in a lid. As she walked along she heard the sound of Andorian voices and spotted the four.

"Hello Sir's!", she said despite the rank difference. The stance of her body and the posture along with her mannerisms screamed that she was used to following orders. "Shon didn't seem to have an appetite when I interrupted him at lunch so I brought him some food. There's enough for all four of you Sir's if you want?" She was smiling and happy sounding with a bright smile but her orange eyes and cybernetics on her antenna made it clear she was blind. The sparkling sensor smock didn't help that fact. "I have been wanting to meet the other Andorians on board. It's a pleasure to meet you my name is Evati Zh'thiathek!"

Hearing the cheerful greeting from Evati, Shon groaned in dismay. He was so gonna get the snot kicked out of him now. And sure enough Bob (the group's leader - he was a Petty officer first grade) reached out and grabbed Shon's uniform collar and pushed him up against the wall hard.

"End of story, huh? What are you playing at Thrissenshon? You think I'm an idiot or something? You think OUR customs are as easily swayed as the pinkskins?" Bob questioned as he continued to press Shon against the wall.

In all his time among Humans, Bob had come to realize that they survived mainly by being adaptable. To him, human took on aspects of those they encountered losing much of their own identity along the way. That rarely happened with Andorians. His people were steady and sure in their culture and customs. Be damned to any outsider who thought to interfere with that!

Meanwhile, Rick and Larry had moved around Evati to behind her blocking her way to the door. Rick palmed the lock and the door gave a soft bleep to indicate the task was done.

"No!" Shon answered several of the questions at once. "Look, I'm not playing at anything. I never asked her to stop by or for her to be grateful I saved her life. But don't I regret doing so. It's my damn job! You'd have done the same if you'd been there."

Bob grunted skeptically, before turning to look back towards the zhen. Shon was still held pinned to the wall by a fist at his collar, very close to his airway. "So you wanted to meet other Andorians? What for? You can't be so blind to not know we would be offended by your mere presence. So why go out of your way to do so?" Bob questioned Evati.

"When I was tossed out into the snow by my Father.. I was taken in by bandits. They did not shun me.. they said I was obedient, well behaved, and warm at night. So I want to meet others. To be friends. We are all Starfleet so we can co exist! My adopted Vulcan parents said so.", Evati said putting the tray of food down on a table. She then looked over to Bob, "Please Sir let him go. I do not wish to have to pull rank Sir."

Evati was small even for a zhen but she tried to reach out toward Bob but Rick and Larry were in the way. "There's no reason to dislike me anyway, I can see due to my smock." She patted the twinkling outfit she wore over her uniform. "We're the only Andorians, it would be wrong not to try to be friends!" She offered a hug to Rick hoping to break the ice that way but it was slightly displaced the hug but still directed enough to make it clear it was for Rick.

Bob snorted when Evati claimed that she would pull rank. "Yeah, I somehow doubt that. As for coexisting... your adoptive Vulcan parents lied." He then chortled as Rick dodged a hug. "Oh we can see how well you can see. Good, thing you're an engineer, cause you wouldn't last a day in Security. No wonder your father abandoned you."

Evati's cybernetic antenna lowered in a obvious tell of heartbreak as she listened to the Andorian speak of her father.

"Hey ch'Chisrin - leave her be! She's an officer." Shon spoke out.

"Bah, she's submissive. I bet I could get her to do just about anything..." Bob bragged

"That's enough! Try and I'll report you to the Commander." Shon warned, despite the hand at his collar near choking him.

"Oh you think so? Well, as your superior Crewman, I get to say what is enough." And with that Bob punched Shon in the gut, causing the crewman to double over in pain.

Watching the scene and knowing she could not do anything physically to stop them she lowered to her knees as the bandits had taught her and begged. "Please Sir.. I will do anything you say just please don't hurt him anymore!", her voice was frantic as she lowered her head to the ground and begged louder. "Just stop hurting him... he's my hero.. whatever it takes as long as he isn't hurt anymore please." She looked up slightly remaining low, her orange eyes filled with tears. "He is a good person... he doesn't deserve to be hurt. Hurt me not him. I'm used to it."

Rick and Larry were a little taken aback by Evati’s sudden prostration and pleading. They looked uncertainly towards one another. With that submissive mentality, was she really an officer? It seemed so unlikely.

Bob chuckled hearing her beg. He’d been right. She would do anything. This could be very entertaining.

But as Bob was thinking of his first debasing task for her, Shon found the will to fight back. Doubled over as he was, Shon tried to go for a genital shot but Bob was quick to block and Shon’s fist hit thigh instead. Bob’s reaction was to then knee Shon in the face. This broke the bridge of his nose, and blue blood dripped steady from one nostril.

“Roozh! What do you think you’re doing, Shon?” Bob asked in surprised anger, as he grabbed Shon’s collar once more. In the two years since the four had enlisted together, never had Shon stooped to such a low blow. Genitalia were generally an off limits area for their personal scuffles. No one wanted to risk another not being able to sire a new generation given their species at one time had a serious declining population problem due to low birth rates. That past still affected their whole society.

It was because of this that Evati’s genetic defect, her blindness, was viewed so harshly. While as a zhen, she was just a carrier for any fetus; there was still the unfounded misconception, bias, and fear that she could pass on that same or other defects to any child she bore.

“Leave her alone...” Shon wheezed, past Bob's the tight grip. “And you'll remain leader among us... but if you dare to order ENSIGN (he stressed the word) Evati - even once - I’ll report you.. and ensure you are drummed out of Starfleet!”

He was a hero again. He was protecting her. Now... she needed to do something.

Rising she stood and put a finger toward the three, "Assault upon fellow crewman is a prohibited action... Sirs." She looked down, she was what they said a submissive. But she was not going to give up. He saved her twice now. He needed her now.

Bob glowered and his antennae sank back at Shon's declaration. What the Roozh!? Why was Shon defending the abomination? His attention then turned to the zhen when she 'grew a pair' and pointed out what he was doing was prohibited. He barked a laugh "Assault? This is just Andorian discipline." He justified himself. She more anyone else should be familiar with such.

She looked back up and with a deep breath she hit the badge on her chest. =/\= Evati to security, Crewman Shon is being assaulted in his quarters by three Andorian senior crewman. This seems to have been happening for some time. Please send a superior to Enlisted Quarters before they hurt him more. Please! =/\= She was pleading before the transmission was over and she looked to all three.

"I am a submissive. I will do as told with those I trust. But I am no longer a slave. No longer due to you three. The bandits.. with all the bad things they did were better people then you. They would have sliced you and hung you by your Antenna. Now let him go. That is an order!", she was shaking like a leaf visibly. She for the first time ever was taking charge but rather then a sense of pride... it was a sense of oh god I am about to piddle on the Crewman's floor.

SECURITY OFFICE

Rayek was prepping his security report to the Captain when the call came in. He listened to the Ensign's comm with a look of surprise. Assault? That was quite serious. "Elle, begin recording all comms from all Andorian crewpersonnel and if you have a holo-emitter in the Crewman ch'Oqysron quarters, I want you standing witness to what is going on. Don't intervene except to safeguard someone by beaming injured personnel to Sickbay or apparent aggressors to the brig." He locked out his computer and started for the door.

=/\= "This is Commander tr'Lhoell. I'm on my way. I've sent the ship's computer to record the scene." =/\=

A representation of Elle shimmered into being.

Bob immediately released his grip from Shon collar. Rick and Larry stepped away from Evati, their hands lifting as if to gesture that they didn't touch her. Shon coughed from the sudden ability to breathe easier. "Evati, what have you done?"

"I saved you? Like you did for me in the turbolift and a few moments ago when you stopped them... you were being hit and choked and hurt.. I could not let them. I would have done the same for each of them despite there cruelty to me! We are one large clan in the Federation! Even abominations like me..", she turned away. "We look out for each other.. we are not bandits.. and I shall not let any of you act like worse than bandits. Now we will wait for the superior officer and we will work this out peacefully. Now would anyone like some spiced bread and Gristhera Sir's?" She lifted the lid and offered the plate to all four crewman with a smiling happy face, her orange eyes still staining her cheeks with tears.

Shon had been just about to explain to Evati that this was an Andorian issue and that involving the Commander had been an bad idea, until he realized he'd used that exact threat on Bob, moments before - and probably would have followed through on it if pressed. Her explanation of how the Federation was like one large clan made him pause for a moment. She was right.

Bob, however, was furious; and what was worse - he had to keep that fury tamped as the ship's hologram watched him. When he attempted to leave, Elle stepped in his way. "Commander Rayek has stated he's on his way. You should remain here to answer questions."

Rick and Larry looked to their leader and then to the Ensign offering spiced bread and gristhera, and well... they figured might as well get in a decent snack before the Romulan sent them all to the brig. Larry picked a piece of spiced bread and took a bit. "Mmm.. this is really good! You should try a piece!" he commented holding the other half of his slice out toward Bob. Bob angrily swatted the food out of Larry's hand.

"How can you accept food from her?"

Evati rather then scold Bob just gave a new piece to Larry. Smiling she placed the food down and offered the angry man another hug. "We are one clan here, from the strongest to the weakest. Maybe you just need people to depend on, to care about you. I care Sir." She was smiling and sincere as her orange sightless eyes twinkled.

Larry happily accepted the new piece. Rick helped himself to seconds; while Shon stared in confusion at how unfazed Evati was with everything. Bob? Well, Bob had a look of disgust on his face at her approach and rather than move to evade, stood his ground, hand forming into a fist and cocking back to slug her.

THAT was the scene that Rayek walked into.

"Stand down, Petty Officer! That's an order!" the Romulan barked seeing the Andorian preparing to strike a fellow crewmember... over a hug?

Bob dropped his fist, and assumed an at attention stance. Rick and Larry followed suit, quickly swallowing the food in their mouths and coming to attention. Shon didn't bother and instead reached over to pull Evati away from Bob and turn her towards the Lt Commander.


"What's going on here?" Rayek demanded to know. Four of the five Andorians present Rayek recognized - as he'd spent the better part of the past two evenings reviewing all Security personnel files to familiarize himself with the personnel reporting to him. All the reports of PO1 ch'Chisrin, whom most called Bob, were glowing reports of efficiency and skill.

"Just a misunderstanding, sir." Shon tried to down play the situation, but his raspy voice from the choking a short time ago, had the Romulan looking towards him with a sharp-eyed alertness.

"A misunderstanding generally won't leave bruises." Rayek remarked and smirked when his words prompted Shon to feel at his neck.

"While that might be true for Humans, Andorians have a different set of social rules." Bob responded, speaking up before Shon or Evati ruined everything. "I'm within my rights to discipline those below me."

The Romulan scoffed. "Does it look like we are on Andoria, Petty Officer ch'Chisrin? Aboard any Federation ship, ALL members of the crew are treated with respect and are afforded the right to not be abused or bullied by their superiors - Andorian or otherwise - and if you haven't yet learned that yet, it seems you have not earned that rank you hold."

Bob's eyes widened at bit in surprise at the Romulan Commander's implied threat. "But..."

"I don't want to hear your excuses Mr. ch'Chisrin." He then expanded his gaze to include Rick and Larry "Each of you will head to your directly to quarters where you will remain confined until I call for your statement. There will be no discussion of this incident amongst yourselves or with any others until that time."

Rayek glanced to Elle. "Please watch over them. If anyone of them do not adhere to my orders, beam all three to the brig to individual cells with solitary confinement settings." The Romulan was not going to allow them to conspire to together.


END SCENE

 

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