Star-Crossed Voyagers

Posted on Thu Oct 12th, 2023 @ 5:03am by Lieutenant Reeza Cuyu & Lieutenant Commander Rayek trLhoell & Crewman Doria & Lieutenant Kit Murrow

2,641 words; about a 13 minute read

Mission: Into The Void
Location: Astrometrics

ON:
After Doria was "awake", Reeza set about readying the children for their outings. "Doria, please return your coloring books and crayons to the tote bag I gave you earlier. Soja, please help Doria. Put your shoes back on!" For Prophet's sake! They weren't at home! She looked down at her own outfit; she still looked fine. Probably not as fancy as she felt like she SHOULD be-appearances were important to the Bajoran woman-but she'd do. She looked like a "mom"-her brother often told her as much, and she supposed that fit. "Commander, please gather-please excuse me. I am used to commanding the children. Please let me know when you are prepared to leave." She had nearly ordered him to straighten his own outfit and wash his face, like her mother did to her. She was VERY glad she'd caught herself in time.

Doria obediently placed her crayons including retrieving the one loaned to Mistress Soja to there container and placed them and the colour book in her tote. She then began putting on her shoes allowing Mistress Soja to help despite not needing. Once done, she helped Mistress Soja do the same and both waited holding there bags and stuffed animals. The android girl then stood at attention ready with Mistress Soja for the outing as they then followed Reeza.

Rayek gave the counselor a slightly bemused look as she apologized for nearly ordering him about. He wondered which of his habits wasn't up to her standard. His hair had the tousled looked that Tess had always found irresistible. He knew from Tess' shared private thoughts that she loved the fact that she could run her fingers through his hair and not have anyone be able to tell because of the already tousled look. That would never have been possible with a typical Romulan smoothed straight cut. He ran a hand over his facial scruff. He'd trimmed it that morning, so it should still be fine.

For the longest time, Rayek had always been clean-shaven. He'd always thought that looked more professional and commanding. Yet all it took was one tiny comment from his wife that she liked the look of his 5 o'clock shadow for him to let it grow out a bit until it was the length she thought looked best.

For the past two weeks he'd kept that same appearance but he wondered now, what was the point? Tess wasn't here to appreciate it...and the beard only seemed to accentuate the gauntness of his face. Would he look less haggard if he shaved? Maybe he would do that tomorrow, for now his appearance would have to do... this outing had been put off for too long already

A moment later, the four were ready, and Reeza was leading the way to the Turbolift and then to Astrometrics.
"Are they expecting us?" She asked to Rayek.

Rayek nodded. "I called ahead to let the officer on duty know we were coming."

When they arrived, Rayek took the lead. It was ingrained in him by now that wherever possible to be the first through the door to assess the new room for danger. He did so now, stepping in but pausing briefly to glance over the room, noting the number of people, their position, where the exits were and if there were any discernible threats. All that in a single glance before stepping in further so the others could file in.

"This is the Astrometrics Lab."

Reeza watched as Rayek entered. She had assumed that he'd been either a POW or T'al Shiar at some point in his life because he was VERY paranoid. Reeza had missed the occupation by a few years, luckily, but the older people in her family and her friends' parents had had the same sorts of reactions to new places and situations. She held tightly to both girls' hands, Doria on her left side, and Soja at her right. To anyone who didn't know otherwise, they were a family, there on a family outing. If one was astute, one would notice that the child on the right was clearly Bajoran-a series of six ridges from the middle of her nose to the base of her forehead were prominent, as were the blue eyes she shared with both of her parents. Doria was darker-featured, but you could tell from the soulless gaze that she was an android-it hadn't ever bothered Reeza but the Uncanny Vally-ness of it all might others. She could pass as Rayek's child but not hers. Anyway, she snapped back to the present moment. "We need to be quiet, ok? People are working. Doria, you may find us a place to sit. Soja, stay close to me, please."

Doria held gently to Reeza as she walked with the others. Carefully she entered slipping off to find a nice set of four seats, sitting in the fourth. She looked around in awe and joy as she got the chance to learn more recording every bit of data she could. Knowing not to speak she offered a hand up to show the spots were located.

While Doria found them some seats - the lab quite often attracted off-duty personnel looking for a peaceful place to wind-down so the staff had long ago set out a half dozen chairs in row in good view of the screen - Rayek moved to go speak with the crewmember on duty.

"Jolan'tru" he greeted the man in Romulan, expecting the crewman's universal translator to translate the phrase appropriately. "I'm Lt Cmdr Rayek tr'Lhoell." He introduced himself since he had yet to meet the Science officer prior, though he was certain the man would have heard about his odd arrival on the ship some two weeks prior. "I messaged ahead that I had some children wishing a tour of the Astrometrics lab."

"Yes sir," Kit smiled. "I got your message personally, Commander. Lieutenant Kit Murrow." he said in introduction. "And I'll be happy to show you and your party around."

Rayek nodded at the introduction and then continued on with introducing the others. He gestured towards Reeza first. "This is Counselor Cuyu... and her daughter Soja." Rayek then directed the man's attention to the other child-like member with them. "And this is Doria."

The Romulan watched the man for any sign of recognition that he'd heard of the android previously. There was a saying nothing is faster than warp 10 - except gossip.

Doria bowed her head obediently to the Lieutenant.

Kit put on his best smile. "It's a pleasure to meet all of you!"

Surprisingly, Rayek didn't notice any awkward reaction at all. Perhaps Miss Cuyu was correct and most of the crew were unaware of Doria's true nature?

Reeza smiled warmly. "Lt. Cuyu Reeza, welcome aboard." She said. She thought he'd come aboard the same time that she had, but honestly, the past fifteen days had been a whirlwind and she was lucky that she remembered to feed herself and the girls that day. She was already bustling about, getting Soja and Doria seated. Soja, being younger, had a shorter attention span than Doria did, and Reeza wasn't sure if she was going to have to remove the child shortly. Into small hands went bottled water, orange slices, and stuffed animals, once more. "Soja, Mommy needs you to focus for a little bit longer. We will go home shortly where you can relax." She said. "Thank you, Doria, these seats are wonderful. Please remember to stay quiet." She was speaking in a low voice, as well, as she accomplished her tasks before settling in next to the girls. Soja had already seemed to take a keen shining to Doria, and thus, wanted to sit next to or near her at all times, but Reeza also needed to be able to carefully watch the children-AND she didn't want Doria to feel smothered.

Doria smiled when handed the water and orange slices. She carefully nibbled the snack as she remains very quiet. Her eyes scanned around and took in everything finding the place wonderful. She would observe while also making sure Mistress Soja was alright.

Kit cleared his throat and took a second to compose himself. "Hello everyone and welcome to Astrometrics, your very own map to the stars. My name is Lieutenant Murrow, but I'd love it if you called me Kit!" He smiled

Reeza simply made a face but nodded once. "The children will call you Lieutenant Murrow for now," she said. It was polite, and she needed to teach Soja manners. "You can call me Reeza; Cuyu Reeza is a lot to say," she said. "I learned a long time ago that you humans are more casual with your speech with we are," she said, indicating herself and Rayek. Plus, they were the same rank, and on or about the same age, so it made more sense. "Doria, what would you prefer to be called by Lt. Murrow?" She asked the girl, quietly.

"This one is to be referred to however the Master wishes to refer. If the Master wishes to use the Doria designation that is acceptable, if the Master wishes to call this one a It, Thing, Device, or whatever He wishes to call this one Mistress Reeza.", Doria said lowering her head a bit.

Reeza sighed gently, but nodded. "Well, there you go." She said. She didn't elaborate on the situation. Murrow would find out in time-or not-what the situation was, and to explain it would probably end up with her out of work on a psych watch or something. She was surprised the Captain hadn't been a bit more concerned about her eager willingness to care for the android child. She looked to Rayek, but shrugged. "Ok, Doria, that's perfect." Reeza knew when she'd been beaten.

"When we start, perhaps we can begin with Romulus, for the Commander, here," she said, indicating the man. "Perhaps Bajor and maybe the Sol system, as well. If you have time."

Rayek was a bit surprised when Reeza dismissed allowing the children to use the Lieutenant's preferred name. Being Romulan, Rayek had been raised surrounded by the belief that names held power, which is why some Romulan had secret names. Rayek was a bit of a skeptic, but he did find it a bit rude to ignore using someone preferred name, for something more formal when permission was expressly offered.

He understood the principle behind Reeza's insistence on formality, but didn't quite agree with it. However, as had been made plain to him earlier today, Lieutenant Cuyu, was not in favor of him continuing in the role as one of Doria's caretakers. So it made no sense to confuse the children by debating the issue openly. He would just have to adjust his own response accordingly.

When Reeza suggested they start with a look towards Romulus, Rayek was a bit stunned. It took a moment to realize that she likely had no knowledge that in his own dimension that planet was gone, wiped out by the Hobus star going nova.

Rayek wasn't certain he could handle seeing his planet thriving yet so near to destruction again... the temptation being to intervene would be near overwhelming; however to avoid the subject would only draw more attention to it. Well, so be it.

"Bajor and the Sol system will do." Rayek stated.

Reeza looked at him, but shrugged. She had only been trying to include him, but then she remembered that not everyone always had fond memories of "home"-however that looked to them-and of course, having to have left behind his family definitely would've fit into that category. "Ok, that is perfect. Thank you both. Excuse me, I'll get the children settled and we can begin." The children were already settled but this would get awkward fast if she let her thoughts out, so instead she busied herself with that.

Doria sat quietly unsure what was going on so she tried not look alarmed so Mistress Soja would be alright. Carefully she smiled to the young girl, "This one looks forward with joy to see Mistress Soja's homeworld as well as the capital of the Federation." Nibbling an orange slice the Android girl watched the planets that would show to learn.

Rayek nodded towards the Astrometrics officer to begin, then took a seat. Given the seats that Doria had chosen, with Doria sitting at the end in the fourth seat with Soja beside her, and Soja's mother obviously sitting next to her daughter, that left Rayek to sit beside Reeza. For some reason this felt uncomfortable. Perhaps he felt more bothered by her attempt to reduce his involvement with Doria than he liked to admit. Regardless of the reason, he hoped it didn't show much in his demeanor.

Doria looked to Rayek longingly and whimpered before turning her attention to the spacescape. She was programmed to learn and did her best but kept looking to Rayek before turning away from the group looking down to the carpet as she felt very alone. But she would not let on, she did not wish to displease the Masters.

Reeza noticed that Doria was out of sorts. "Are you alright?" She asked, her voice a loud whisper. "Here, trade me spots, then." She stood up quickly, allowing Doria to take her spot, and she wedged in between the children. Soja was already fascinated by the stars floating by and the attention that two young girls always got, especially from the female crew. She glanced around, allowing herself to relax a little bit.

The whimpers had been heard by Rayek as well, and the Romulan keenly aware of her furtive glances his way had been just about to give in and move to the other side of Doria and crouch in the cramped space of the aisle to be beside her. However, Miss Reeza changed seats and allowed Doria to sit beside him. Rayek smiled in appreciation.

A gentle but cold hand went to hold to Rayek's as the girl watched the astrometrics show with joy now. Her whimpers had stopped and she felt 'better' now. She understood this could not last, but she would enjoy while she could.

When Doria took hold of his hand, Rayek gave a slight squeeze of reassurance, then turned his attention back to Mr. Murrow's presentation.

Most of the details Rayek was already familiar with, having studied the human homeworld quite extensively as a teen using smuggled in information sources that his best friend's father had access to. Still, he enjoyed the 'tour' of the Sol and Bajor systems.

He reasoned that there was no point to learning about the Romulus system because in a few years it would be gone. As much as Rayek felt the desire to prevent his homeplanet's destruction here, if went against every directive in the Starfleet protocols. This was not his universe. It's fate would have to be determined without his interference. He had to keep repeating that to himself - but in a way it felt like he was the one to blame for the tragedy that would come.

After the presentation, Rayek rose from his seat, still holding onto Doria's hand. He offered a slight bow to the Science officer. "Thank you for allowing us to interrupt your duties briefly."

Then it was time to leave. Given how late it was, Rayek suspected that Reeza would want to head back to her quarters with Soja and Doria to prepare them dinner. It was as he was dreading the thought of leaving that he remembered Reeza's offer of Hasperat at her quarters.

"Is the offer of hasperat still open?" he asked.

Reeza nodded. "Sure. We would enjoy your presence. Let's go." She led the group out.


OFF: Lt Commander Rayek tr'Lhoell, Counselor Cuyu Reeza (Cuyu Soja), Crewman Doria.

 

RSS Feed