Gravitons & Bygones

Posted on 26 Feb 2015 @ 10:14pm by Ensign K'os Beaumont & Lieutenant Asahi Kita

2,978 words; about a 15 minute read

Mission: Episode 07 - Sojourn
Location: USS Galileo - Deck 7, Chief Engineer's Office
Timeline: MD 45 - 1300

ON

Main Engineering hadn't been this busy since the tribbles invaded. Most, if not all of the staff on duty had their hands full, if not with last-minute cleanups from the installation that had taken place a few days ago, than from any check-ups that needed to be done. Asahi had parked himself at the entrance to oversee most of the preparations, pulling his attention from doing so to verify documents that came zooming in from various PADDs throughout the workspace. Almost everything had been taken care of and accounted for, down to the tiniest of bolts, and the engineer had faith that it would all be in working order before the end of the hour, especially with how efficiently everyone was working.

Nodding toward the nearest engineer, he made a gesture to his office, signaling where he would be for the next few hours. It only took him a few moments to step through the threshold of the quiet room, allowing him to finally take a breath of air. There was a lot of work ahead of him, if he wanted everything to go smoothly, but he had someone to meet with first.

After taking a seat in his office chair and spinning about a couple of times for extra measure, he tapped his commbadge. "Petty Officer Beaumont, can you come to my office when you get a minute, please?"

"On my way." K'os announced over the comms. He had only just arrived on the Galileo but he had check in almost immediately so he could begin working straight away. He attempted, again, to ignore the buzzing warm feeling in his head. He had first felt it on SB 84, and it only got stronger as he approached the docked ship. Now that he was onboard he could feel Ellsworth's presence on the ship. His Imzadi's presence felt closer at times as the young Betazoid moved through the ship. Was he looking for me?

By the time K'os reached Engineering, the vibration in his head had lessened to the point where it was just quiet background noise. He was greeted by his some of his colleagues who seemed glad to see him again. Others were new. He didn't return smiles, and only stiffly shook hands. Had he been himself, he may have become overly excited at the sentimentality of seeing his friends again, but instead he wordlessly made his way to Asahi's office.

"Sir." K'os announced as he entered.

By the time the young hybrid had arrived, Asahi found himself engrossed in the PADD in front of him, which displayed a new model of memory device, similar to an isolinear chip, but supposedly 'much more efficient,' or so it bragged. It wasn't the concise attempt to get the man's attention, but the subsequent pup yipping at the new arrival. Glancing up, the small engineer immediately put his PADD down, gesturing for the other to sit in the opposite chair, grin plastered on his face. He couldn't help himself, after all. "Please, sit down. I want to catch up before throwing you at the wolves-if that's alright with you, of course."

K'os sat as directed, perched on the front of the chair as if ready to spring back onto his feet at any moment; like a tense but observant cat. He was hoping just to get down to business, but before he had left, he had had a good working relationship with his LT. It wasn't surprising that the man would want to socialize. He wasn't willing to let go of his iron grip on his emotions however; the second he did, Ellsworth would be able to freely sense his emotions right along with him. He placed his PADD on the desk, clasping gloved hands as he leaned forward. K'os looked tired. The bags under his eyes, in contrast to his very pale skin made him look almost unwell. He forced a quick, but fake smile on his face that lasted briefly, "Things are...going well, sir?" His voice was even; not quite monotone, but close.

He didn't detect it at first, but as the moments wore on, Asahi felt the impression that something was amiss. If K'os' unexpected behavior didn't tip him off, it was the nagging suspicion that he was missing something. The young hybrid didn't seem to want to be in that chair, which only served to add a nagging guilt to the sudden awkward discomfort in the room. His grin slowly disappeared, concern replacing it on his features. Asahi didn't want to assume, but he could sense that K'os was trying to hide something, or at least suppress it.

"Well, you missed the tribble-ocolypse." Asahi didn't know what else to say, not really. "And we've received an Assistant Chief. You'll see him about at some point-Grayson Jones. He's good, real good." He paused, eyes narrowing as he chose his next words as delicately as he could. He knew this could have been a touchy subject. It tended to be with others on the ship. He thought he could forgo the most awkward of questions, but he couldn't. "There... really isn't a good way to ask, but where did you disappear to?"


"Training." K'os said reflexively. "Leadership qualification course out of HQ." The half-Vulcan didn't bother to mention it had only been a two week course. "I also took some personal leave to visit family." The lie came easy for K'os now that his emotions were under control. K'os would never have been able to lie before. Somehow it was easier to do when he wasn't grinning or having his ears turn red. He tried to sound friendly, as to break the tension in the room. Well, not that K'os felt tense, it was more for Asahi's benefit. "I heard you have a pet?" He said smiling, though it lacked the usual dimples.

Asahi wanted to take out a chainsaw and try to cut through the awkward he was feeling right now. Either that or cut through K'os' head to see what was actually going on in there. Was this a Vulcan thing? This was a Vulcan thing. This had to be a Vulcan thing. He shifted uncomfortably in his seat. "I see." This was too mechanical. He expected this out of a Borg, or someone with a stick jammed so far up their ass that they couldn't ever dream of prying it out, but not K'os. This seemed... weird, somehow. "Leadership qualification, huh?... Well, I guess it'd fit..."

"I do. Hojo." He gestured toward the black and white collie who had been sitting to one side, obediently far away from the pair. "He's friendly, if you don't mind dogs. Well, he's friendly if you mind them, but he's good about keeping away until called..."

When K'os saw the dog his eyes lit up. "Hojo?" He asked the dog. He clapped his hands together and turned in his seat so the dog could come over. He immediately started scratching the dogs ears and back. "Who's a good boy? Aww, your da puppy. Yes, you are. Look at you." The grip on his emotions fell away as he played and talked with the dog. A big goofy grin fell over his face as he turned back to Asahi. "Kita, he's adorable!" He practically squealed. "How old is he?"

Likewise, Hojo was more than happy to meet a new friend, tail wagging and barking as if K'os was his best friend. Asahi's mouth hung open for a few moments, trying to understand exactly what had just happened. "He's... a few months-a year?... something like that. I adopted him awhile ago, so his age is a guessing point..."

K'os laughed and pulled off his gloves, flopping them onto the table. He could use the emotional release, even if it were just for a minute. When he touched Hojo again, his dimples appeared as he started to laugh. He shared the dog's excitement. The singularity of the animal's emotions were simple, uncomplicated, and unclouded by the analytical mind of people trying to make sense of the why behind their emotions. Hojo had no motivation other than to be happy and loved and to do the same in return. "Aww, Kita he needs to pee. He's been waiting but doesn't want to do it here. He doesn't know why, but he knows it's not good if he does. He thinks I'll take him if he pays enough attention to me." K'os laughed genuinely, and his eyes were wet from the over-intensity of his own happiness. He calmed him self with a deep breath, and Hojo seemed to settle down. K'os stroked his face slowly as he sat panting and wagging his tail calmly. After a moment he released the dog and replaced his gloves. That was enough of a release for K'os. Anymore, and he'd have to rest. When his gloves were securely back on his hands he put the control back up and his smile faded in intensity as his body responded to the lack of stimuli. "I'm sorry. I couldn't resist. I--like animals." He said simply as he stared at Asahi's open mouthed expression. An expression K'os was all too familiar with from others these days.

The few solid seconds it took for Asahi to even register that K'os was speaking to him, and even then, all he could do was blink a few times. Professionalism clearly wasn't his strongpoint, but he couldn't help himself. Whatever he was seeing in front of him was just odd. Why did the skin-on-skin-well, in this case, skin-on-fur-contact matter? This was something he was going to have to investigate further. "You're fine, K'os. I don't take him into Main Engineering, but he's here most of the time, if you ever want to take a break during your shift... Oh, right." Almost robotically, Asahi stood and moved to the replicator, turning to give it a command, before narrowing his eyes and glancing back over at K'os again. "Do you mind if I ask you a question about what just happened? I don't mean to pry, but I'm... well, I don't want to assume one way or another really."

K'os studied the other man curiously. He hadn't anticipated having this kind of conversation with the Lieutenant and he was a little apprehensive. He liked Asahi. Indeed, before his Leave, he thought that they had had a great working relationship. Ashai always gave him the freedom to start and finish projects in his own way, knowing the results would be more than what they had expected of K'os and in turn, K'os did everything Asahi asked him to do without questioning his decisions. He was loyal. This however was usually the point where K'os would explain his ability and his personal struggles with it, then the other person would forever look at him differently. He could lie, and make up something that sounded less odd or he could tell him the truth and risk losing the good working relationship they had.

K'os shifted in his chair and in the end decided he thought highly enough of the Chief Engineer to at least offer him a condensed version. "It's a little complicated to explain." K'os started off with. "I've always had trouble controlling my emotions, with outbursts and things. Mostly due to my half-Vulcan biology. I tried a lot of different ways to cope with it, and for most of my life I thought I had found a way. A couple months ago I started to feel a little sick. Under the weather I think they say. I went away to practise the Vulcan things I learned as a kid. It didn't really help much back then but now that I'm older it seems to be helping. I miss feeling things though. A lot actually." He grinned again. "I'm sensitive to animals. Well, telepaths, and empaths too. Animals are just easier. It was...nice to feel something again. I needed that." He looked at Asahi, perhaps wondering if he'd see the same judgment he saw in other people.

Any judgment that crossed Asahi's features was not only brief, but unintentional, immediately covered with concern and confusion. There was a complexity to the situation that he was fairly certain he didn't understand, and under normal circumstances, the questions would spill right out of his mouth. The internal battle between his curious nature and the necessity function as Department Head played out like a war in his head. On one hand, he could ask the poor hybrid in front of him the probing questions that had come to mind, but on the other, all Asahi really needed to do was stamp the seal of approval and send K'os on his merry way to deal with his own personal issues.

But that had never been Asahi's mode of operation, especially with K'os. "I'm... not sure what to say, K'os." He paused to set the astroturf down in a corner for Hojo, settling down in his seat to continue his awkward attempt at not seeming so lost. "I mean, off the record and person-to-person, I'm glad you feel you can trust me-or anyone for that matter-with this information. I can't say I completely comprehend what you're going through-and that may just be me not really having the right knowledge-but... I get it, at least the why." Asahi inhaled deeply, footing regained, at least for the moment. "And if there's anything I can do to help, I will-or I'll give it a shot."

"Just being understanding is more than enough for me. Thank you. It's a complicated situation, and I'm sure you have lots of questions. Maybe if you're still curious we can talk about it more over coffee sometime. I can assure you that it won't affect my work. I just might be more...robotic about it." K'os scratched the back of his head, suddenly looking a little self conscious about having revealed something so personal.

Asahi relaxed, slouching against the back of his chair and smiling weakly. "That'd be good. I'll be sure to do a little more research so I don't seem so... clueless, and if anyone says anything you aren't comfortable with in Engineering, let me know... or Lieutenant Grayson Jones, he's the new Assistant Chief. I don't think he'd do anything i wouldn't in a situation like that." His expression turned serious as he slid a PADD over toward K'os. "That way, you won't be completely lost to the wind if something does happen over the next few days."

Just saying it made Asahi nervous. They may have been training exercises and games, but there were procedures and lists of decorum he had to follow, most of which required training or a dedicated diplomatic team breathing down his neck. He didn't have any training on the matter, and last he checked, two diplomats did not make a 'dedicated' diplomat team for four ships. Nonetheless, orders were orders, and he had to get over himself. "We've been assigned to participate in the NIMBUS exercises with the Klingons. Most of the pertinent information is in the file, which you should read up on. The Galileo's had a recent transfer to flagship status, so I expect the pressure will be on us all."

K'os didn't pick up the PADD but instead flicked through the information quickly with his finger, absorbing the information in that way of his. "I must have already read through a newer version of this report." He looked up and smiled at Asahi. "You already managed to increase the output efficiency of the graviton polarity generator for the new deflector dish."

"Increase the..." Asahi trailed off, blinking and staring down at the PADD. "Oh, well yes... I'll give you firm copy of the most updated report on the deflector, you'll need it for the upcoming mission. Both Grayson and Chief Quinn know the specs of the set-up in and out, so if anything comes up or you have any questions, they'll be who you defer to. Grayson is who you'll be helping for the next few days as well. Were you briefed on your assignment as Engineer's Mate?" Usually, he would have rambled into a long description and stood on pomp and circumstance, but there wasn't usually a need for it in K'os' case.

K'os' eyes flashed with excitement when he heard Asahi say he'd be helping with the deflector dish. Thinking about reading through the systems logs made him beam a grin like a kid that was told he could lick the icing from the mixing bowl. "I was briefed yes. I think the course I did prepared me well. I'll be overseeing the duty roster and training of Engineering personnel in departmental procedures and maintenance, managing the supervisors and team leaders from the enlisted ranks and helping bridge communications between Officers and enlisted ranks. I've also been trained and certified to act as Chief when ordered. Is there anything else you would like to delegate?"

"I... don't believe so, actually." As expected, K'os came prepared. Asahi felt the swell of pride bubbling in his chest, threatening to spill out and sing praises in the hybrid's direction. "If there are any changes in your duties, it'll occur on a case-by-case basis. I'll shoot you an updated briefing for our next mission. I have to say, K'os, it's good to have you back. I almost forgot how well-prepared you are."

K'os stood, beaming a grin at Asahi. "It's good to be back." He said, realizing it almost for the first time. He extended his hand, "Thank you."

OFF



Lieutenant Asahi Kita
Chief Engineering Officer
USS Galileo

&

PO3 K'os Beaumont
Engineer's Mate
USS >i>Galileo

RSS Feed