Settling In

Posted on Fri Mar 26th, 2010 @ 5:19pm by Captain Liarra Von

Mission: Commissioned
Location: Deck 2, Jaro & Von's Quarters
Timeline: MD-1, 2200

[ON]

Sickbay was finally in order and the next task on Jaro's list was up -- a long hot shower and snack before bed. She had almost completely forgotten that she would be sharing quarters until she was half-way down the hall and frowned. It wasn't that she disliked young officers, in fact she depended upon them to get themselves into all sorts of trouble that she could fix up for them, but she found that sometimes, sometimes they didn't seem to take her very seriously. Not until they were in pieces in her sickbay of course.

She had unpacked her few possessions earlier that day and was grateful that she wouldn't have to worry much about that this evening. She would never admit it, but she was too sore already from all the work she had just done getting her bay up to scratch. The doctor stopped and and keyed in her code before the doors slipped open. Her young room mate was already there and she took a moment to study her before coming inside and providing her hand.

"Dr. Sydney Jaro," she offered with her usual smile. "I'm the old broad you're going to be living with for the next few months."

Liarra was sitting at their desk when Jaro arrived. She had spent the past hour going over the records of her security officers and trying to commit their names to memory before she met them. She was a little anxious to meet her new roommate. She read her file, but knew little more than that.

She extended her hand to Jaro. "It's nice to meet you, Doctor. I'm Lieutenant Liarra Von, and I guess you can say that I'm older than I look," she said with a laugh.

Sydney laughed with the young woman. "I sure hope so, 'cause you look like you're hardly out of diapers." She released her hand with a smile. "I haven't had a chance to read your file, but by the yellow I'd guess . . . security?"

"Yellow could also be engineering, but..." Liarra stretched out her answer. "You were right the first time. I'm the ship's chief of security."

"I'm impressed," she said and shifted subjects almost without blinking. "Any chance you mind taking the upper bunk?"

Liarra giggled at the request. "Sure, Doctor. I don't mind at all."

"Is that funny?" Sydney looked at her, trying to understand the context of her mirth.

"I was just amused by how quickly you changed the subject. You get right to what's on your mind. As a security officer, I like that."

"Glad to hear it." The doctor smiled. "A lot of people are turned off by that, usually."

"Well, I don't like people wasting my time, especially when it comes to security matters."

There was a brief silence in which Sydney studied the younger woman. "So you're a Trill." She stated baldly. "Are you joined?"

Liarra grew excited. "I am, in fact. I was joined just last year, so I'm still getting used to it. Having five lifetimes of memories and experiences can be an odd feeling sometimes. I didn't used to be interested in joining. My mother convinced me to apply."

Sydney dropped herself onto the edge of her bunk as the woman spoke. "Is she joined as well?" The mention of her mother had brought some interesting emotions along with it, a slight sadness but also a yearning for openness on the subject and the doctor found her curiosity peaked.

The Trill shook her head. "No, she was never joined." She paused a moment before going on. "She passed away last year, Darnay's disease. At least she lived long enough to see me joined. I don't think she'd ever been so proud."

"I'm sorry," the Doctor said, with genuine sympathy. When her parents had died she had had a difficult time coping and couldn't imagine what it would be like to one of them so young. "Why was she so keen on seeing you joined?" She realised that she was being remarkably forward with this woman, but she had said that she liked honesty and wasn't going to apologise for it.

"I think she just wanted to see me joined since she never was. I guess she wanted me to be able to do the things she never got to do."

"And have you?"

"That was really the big one. Neither of my parents really wanted me to join Starfleet. Still, I think she was proud of me when she died."

"I should hope so." The doctor gave her a look that she liked to call her 'I'm secretly reading your mind' look. "Are you proud of yourself?"

"I think so, Doctor. But enough talk about me. I've learned nothing about you."

"I'm not exactly known for my reticence." She grinned. "I'm Betazoid, but my telepathy isn't exactly strong, so you don't have to worry about that."

"Don't worry. I don't know if I have any thoughts worth listening in on anyway," Liarra answered with a laugh.

The Betazoid thought for a moment. "Well, I'm married to a human, Admiral Yoshido, actually. Two kids, neither of whom followed us into the 'Fleet but both married and currently being harassed into providing us with grandchildren." She grinned. "I think they're both hoping I manage to find something out here to distract me."

"Just out of curiosity, Doctor, but how does the wife of an Admiral get assigned to a ship like this. I figured you'd have the pick of the fleet."

"I did. I was on the board of Starfleet medical when Gunning asked if I'd like to come aboard. What about you?"

"I actually didn't have as much choice. When my mother got sick, I took an extended leave of absence. I have been gone for nearly two years, so I knew getting back in might be difficult. Fortunately, I served under Alex, rather, Commander Gunning, during his time on the Galaxy. When I heard that he was given this command, I contacted him. We've known each other since I graduated the Academy, so I was thrilled to be assigned to his new ship."

Sydney nodded. "I'm glad you were able to get back in, even if it might not be the most advanced tactically."

"Maybe not, but this gives us a better opportunity to hone fighting with our wits. In any case, I'm just glad to be back in uniform."

The doctor nodded. "I can't imagine ever giving it up." She turned, not intending to cut off their discussion and began loading her clothing into her dresser. After a moment she saw Liarra return to her reports and continued unpacking. She hoped it would be a long time before she had to pack all this up again.

Liarra let the doctor tend to her gear. She knew how much of a chore unpacking could be, and wasn't about to make it any harder for her. She went back to her security reports. She wasn't thrilled about having a roommate, but at least it was someone that she could get along with.

[OFF]

by

Lieutenant Liarra Von
Chief of Security
USS Jackal

and

Lieutenant Sydney Jaro
Temporary Chief Medical Officer
USS Jackal
(played by Lt. Allein Mara)