Now hear this

Posted on 18 Nov 2015 @ 11:35pm by Petty Officer 1st Class Pieter Van Zyl Ph.D.

1,522 words; about a 8 minute read

Mission: Episode 09 - Empires
Location: USS Galileo, Deck .., Pieter/Tyrion quarters
Timeline: MD5, 1430

ON:

KNowing Pieter had been home for a little while now, Tyrion rushed to the quarters that were supposed to be his home, but which he hadn't slept in since several days now. "Piet!" he called out, hoping his friend wouldn't notice the change straight off. "Piet you'll never guess what just happened!" The Betazoid was visibly excited even though he still couldn't believe it himself.

Pieter stepped out of his room after his new VOICE buzzed. Somehow it had tied with the controls in his quarters and activated when the door opened. Some new feature of the latest model; Pieter hated it.

Looking at Tyrion for what felt like the first time in days, he gave the younger man a once over, taking in the obvious excitement. "Yes?" he prompted, giving the man an expectant look.

"Aren't you seeing anything different?" Tyrion asked as he lifted his chin up, beaming with pride. "I got my commission back! On a trial basis still....I'm an ensign again! And..." He paused, still trying to wrap his mind around the promotion. "and they made me chief of intelligence. Lieutenant Murray has stepped down from the position and she recommended me. I was called to the readyroom you see and here I thought I'd done something wrong...."

Pieter watched Tyrion, eyes narrowing slightly as he took the situation in. Tyrion, the new chief of intelligence seemed...unbelievable. Not that he was underestimating his friend's ability, but some people seemed to be overestimating it. A few months ago, Tyrion was in prison, under murder charges no less and now he was in charge of the most sensitive part of ship operations. Licking his lips, he decided to address the most neutral portion of Tyrion's announcement.

"What's wrong with Lieutenant Murray?"

"She feels unqualified and not ready to lead a department. Actually from what I gather, she doesn't really feel comfortable serving on a ship that'll send her child away if things get a little tight and she wishes she'd stayed behind with her daughter." Tyrion shrugged. "I'm not going to judge her on that, she's entitled to her own feelings. She'll still be around if I need her to help me get settled but otherwise she'll just do minor things."

"Why did they pick you to lead the department?" Pieter asked, looking confused at the information.

"Honestly? I don't know, I'm as surprised as you are Piet. Excited but no less surprised. Apparently, Lieutenant Murray suggested me as her replacement...for now it's temporary, as I really have to prove myself now. I have to convince Captain Holiday that I can do it, and I know I can Piet. I know I can, I just need people to have faith in me." He licked his lips, feeling a little nervous now. "You don't believe I can do it, do you?"

Frowning, Pieter looked down at the floor momentarily to think before replying. It wasn't that he didn't believe Tyrion was capable, only that he needed more experience and training to take on the role of an actual department head.

"I believe you can do it, but it will be very difficult for you."

"I know." Tyrion sighed. "I know it will be difficult, but not for lack of trying on my part. I have to do this, I have to prove that I can do this." He sank down onto the couch and ran his hands through his very short hair. "I just need to figure out how, without screwing things up you know?"

" That's generally not what people in a department want to hear from their superior. "

"Obviously," the Betazoid scoffed, "but hey....I've only been a department head for a few hours, and it's on trial you know. What do I know about being a superior officer? I'm not even officially qualified to be a bridge officer. I'm a computer geek, that's what I know. How am I to learn all this so fast? I have been on away missions though..."

"Maybe you should sign up for more training, ask the Executive Officer for advice. Commander Stace is a capable officer who can surely guide you, " Pieter advised, nodding to emphasise the good nature of his advice. He stood there for a moment before speaking again. "In any case, I'm happy for you."

"Thank you." Tyrion chanced a smile. "It's been a while since I've really felt happy. I'll get with the XO when there's time to do so. A crisis like this is hardly the time, and I doubt it'd be appreciated."

" You could approach the Boatswain as well, " Pieter added. Looking around the quarters, he finally pointed at the replicator, question in his eyes.

Tyrion followed his gaze. "Yes I supppose I could, I've heard a few things about him training others. Is there something wrong with the replicator?"

" You really have been spending too much time out of these quarters. Do you want something?" Pieter asked, giving Tyrion an annoyed look.

"Oh!" The Betazoid cast him an apologetic look in return. "Nah I'm good. I'm sorry I haven't been here all that often but I promise I'll do better on doing my part in keeping this room clean. It's just that I spent a lot of time with Grayson, even while he's in sickbay now and well....I just feel I need to help with his space too. Especially with Oren staying there too...he's lost his quarters you see."

Pieter rolled his eyes. "You think this is about keeping the room clean?"

"No. But I suspect it's part of it?" Tyrion shook his head. "I know you don't approve, and that I'm moving too fast. And I really appreciate your concern, you're my best friend Piet...and really the first real friend I've ever had."

" If I'm such a good friend, then why haven't we spent any time together since you fell into bed with Grayson? "

Surprise registered on the Betazoid's face, genuine surprise as he hadn't realized how he'd neglected his best friend. "I'm sorry..." He bowed his head briefly. "We should...whenever you want, and you can choose the activity. I promise I'll be there Piet, I promise."

Pieter watched him, trying to see if he really meant it, but it was hard to tell. Instead, he just shrugged, clearly not buying it. " Maybe."

"I always keep my promises," Tyrion replied, looking up and looking hurt, "haven't I so far? You are my best friend Piet, and I don't have a whole many that I dare call friend to begin with and you know that."

"Then why? How can you be swept away just like that by someone and forget everyone else?"

"Not just someone. Yes, I love Grayson and I don't understand this either, please believe me. I didn't know it could be like this. But there's also being reinstated, and I have to prove that I can do it. I have to do this. But I made you a promise, and I will keep it. When all this is over, you and I are going to have some fun. Either that or the first opportunity we get."

"You said you loved Kot just a few weeks ago, " Pieter pointed out, unimpressed. Call him jaded, but he found it difficult to believe someone could just fall in love with another person within a week of meeting them. Even then, the idea of sleeping with them so soon made Pieter's skin crawl.

"I do...did. He's out of my reach. I have tried to get in touch but he's not responding, and me and Gray...it's not like I was looking for it you know. But there's something I didn't have with Kot, it's different. A sort of connection that just wasn't there with Kot. It's like...I found the other half of my soul."

"You know you sound insane," Pieter told him seriously, giving Tyrion a look that clearly showed he wasn't taking him seriously. As jaded as he was, Pieter wasn't opposed to the idea of romance, even among crewmembers (as unprofessional as that was). Even so, the words that were coming out of Tyrion's mouth were more like the words of a love struck teenager from a bad romance novel.

"I'm Betazoid," Tyrion answered, "yes I've tried denying my heritage, I know that...but he's Imzadi. There's this connection, and I can't explain it. It's like a bond, and I still can't explain how or why, it just is." He shrugged. "You're entitled to think I'm insane, but I'm not. Anyway...as I just said, I made you a promise, and I intend to keep it. When all this is over, you and me are going to do something fun, and you can choose what and where."

Pieter considered arguing but thought better of it. "I'll think about it."

"Okay." The Betazoid sighed. "I'll come check in later, I have to get back to work."

Pieter nodded, seeing his roommate out.

[OFF]

PO1 Pieter Van Zyl
Botanist
USS Galileo
[PNPC Idris]

Ensign Tyrion Faye
CIO
USS Galileo

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