Commence Ensign's Log...

Posted on Mon Nov 8th, 2021 @ 6:37am by Ensign Giras Ra-Ezin
Edited on on Mon Nov 8th, 2021 @ 10:11pm

Mission: Starbase Shoreleave
Location: Transport Ship
Timeline: Mission Day 4 at 1700

In his quarters on board the transport ship, Ensign Giros Ra-Ezin sat quietly in his quarters in deep contemplation when the call from the bridge came in. He was cordially invited to dinner with Captain Bolok, the Bolian captain of the Susquehanna. No doubt to thank him for helping their flight control officer shave four days off their journey with a number of course corrections to Starbase 2.

Efrosians, despite their poor eyesight, have a generally good sense for navigation. Ra-Ezin was no exception; despite his studies to the contrary, he entered Starfleet on the path of Flight Controller. Formally known as the conn position, and before that the helm when ships required a navigation bridge officer, Ra-Ezin had chosen the position where he can absorb humanoid behavior without directly interacting with it.

Ra-Ezin spent most of his life on his homeworld; he received his doctorate in psychology and anthropology as well as a MD as was a requirement on Efros to study the other medical sciences. But he never had the desire to treat people; his studies were for pure academic purposes. After a lifelong career of studying from afar, he concluded that he would never gain enlightenment through studies of reports, texts, news, or other media sources. He had to be out there, observing for himself.

Earlier in the transport run, he had the opportunity to mingle with his fellow academy graduates. Pilots all, all of whom will be helming a starship, Ra-Ezin noticed a certain mentality that he did not share. Starfleet pilots were groomed to carry an air of confidence that they did not necessarily have; their mentality is that they can do anything. The subtle tones in their voices conveyed uncertainty. All those young humanoids were expected to pilot a starship through deep space, into harsh navigational conditions, gravitational anomalies, etc. Ra-Ezin stood in the corner quietly; he studied diligently and knew his craft. His assignment has not yet come in but, unlike the young men, women, and gender non-binary FCO’s, he was truly confident in his abilities.

Throughout the academy he avoided social activities and locked away his desire to study young humanoid social behaviors. Instead, he stayed locked away in his quarters and studied interstellar star charts. He familiarized himself with all four quadrants, as best as he could, throughout his entire career at the academy. There were few activities that he had heard of but did not personally experience; the Sadie Hawkins dance, the homecoming, various “Keggers”. Ra-Ezin denied himself the experience of them all.

Ra-Ezin approached Captain Bolok’s quarters, two decks above his, and rang the chime. After hearing the verbal “come” from within, he pressed the door control and he was allowed entry into the captain’s quarters. The Bolian captain had a pile of pads on top of his desk that he was trying to organize.

“Come in, come in, ensign,” said Bolok. “I am just tidying up these intelligence reports.”

The Efrosian observed the captain silently. He had read about Captain Bolok’s exploits as captain of the USS Destiny during the war. The ship was destroyed shortly after leaving Deep Space Nine and Bolok was the only survivor. He was given command of another starship where he fought all the way to the end of the war. But there was a price.

Bolok had gained about two hundred kilograms and was well outside Starfleet standards of physical fitness. Ra-Ezin spotted the bowl of Denebian chocolates on his desk. The “intelligence reports” that Bolok had said he was organizing did not have the standard Starfleet decrypt on the top of the files. Ra-Ezin’s eyesight may have been poor, but he can see that spectrum of light on the text of the padd well enough to spot a intel decrypt marker.

Bolok stood up and made his way over to the replicator. “I studied your file,” he said as he was programming their meals. “I noticed that you predominantly ate steamed cabbage while you were on Earth?”

“Yes sir,” Ra-Ezin nodded. “I have simple tastes. I do not spend much time exploring human cuisine; the steamed cabbage went well with my protein supplements.”

The Bolian smiled and nodded and replicated their meals. He placed both their meals on the small dining table in the quarters by the porthole. The stars flew by behind the distortion field of the warp bubble just outside as Ra-Ezin’s steamed cabbage sat in front of his seat. The Efrosian took his seat and politely waited for the captain.

“So, I’ve read your file,” Bolok smiled as he took a bite out of his meal. “I was also able to dig up your Efrosian service file as well. Three decades of academy study, two degrees in social sciences, your MD. And yet, curiously, you’ve chosen to become a FCO on a starship.”

“Yes sir,” Ra-Ezin said simply, recognizing the captain’s rank and that he was not given the allowance to speak openly.

“Going over your history,” Bolok said. “I noticed that your mother was murdered on your homeworld when you were only a child. Murder is not common on Efros Delta; the authorities did not know what to do with the killer so they just had him summarily executed. That must have had a devastating impact to your growth. Perhaps that is why you chosen a field of academic study? You could not bring yourself to leave your home or find something to dedicate your life to except for an explanation for this one act of murder? To find the motive behind your mother’s killer? And those demons you carry…perhaps that is why you have chosen to be an FCO instead of counseling or medical?”

Ra-Ezin blinked. It was annoying enough that the Bolian captain repeated things he already knew about himself. Bolok was probing Ra-Ezin’s motives out of his own curiosity but dug into things well outside his experience. Personal things about himself that he did not care to reveal. To anyone. And yet, the captain of the transport ship was expecting a response.

“Permission to speak freely, captain?” Ra-Ezin asked respectfully.

Bolok grinned and nodded. Like a giddy school child about to be told the answer to a puzzle he had been trying to solve.

“You speak of demons,” Ra-Ezin said slowly, his cabbage untouched while Bolok’s meal had been completed. “May I ask about your demons?”

Bolok gave him a quizzical look.

“After you were the sole survivor of a ship that was destroyed under your command, you commanded a mission to Vorlon Two. That was a former Maquis colony that was liberated from the Cardassions by the Federation. Yet, the Cardassions left a hidden sentry drone on that planet in the center of a still populated colony which you discovered. The Federation fleet was heading toward Cardassia on the final push of the war but that sentry drone would have alerted the Dominion forces as to the Federation approach twelve hours before Cardassia’s sensor network would have detected them. You had to destroy that drone in a manner that would have appeared to be an accident.”

Bolok’s smile began to fade as Ra-Ezin continued. “You sent a subspace pulse that overloaded the sentry drone’s generator that made it explode. You knew there would be collateral damage. A nearby home caught on fire. A young girl trapped inside. Her father outside watching helplessly as her child burned to death.”

The Bolian sat silently. Ra-Ezin suspected that the captain knew he was not dealing with a young, innocent cadet. The Efrosian had not meant to hit a nerve, yet somehow, he decided to continue.

“May I ask you a question, Captain?” Ra-Ezin leaned forward. “Do your demons allow you to hear the screams of that young girl as she died? Is that why you have decided to continue commanding a transport mission from Earth to Starbase 2? The shadow of a once great captain trying to maintain his relevance by marshalling young cadets to their new assignments with your experience? I am an astute observer of humanoid behavior. My motives for doing what I am doing are my own. Do you wish me to answer any more questions about my personal history, sir?”

“Dismissed.”


The remainder of the transport mission went quietly. Ra-Ezin had realized he had gone too far what he said to Captain Bolok, but there was no formal reprimand. He also did not see the Bolian for the remainder of the voyage. The Efrosian decided that uncomfortable moment was a point of discomfort for both of them. Bolok had likely come to the conclusion that he was prying into personal matters about Ra-Ezin’s life for his own gratification.

As Starbase 2 grew out the window on their final approach, Ra-Ezin packed his single bag and prepared for disembarkation. A number of excited FCO’s stood by the airlock waiting to get their assignments. Most will be assigned to Starbase 2, flying shuttles from the planet’s surface to the Starbase while the personnel they’re replacing will become promoted. Ra-Ezin was likely going to be one of them; especially after what had transpired between him and the captain of the Susquehanna.

The airlock opened and FCO’s lined up inside Starbase 2’s docking bay in front of the officer who was reading off assignments. As Ra-Ezin suspected, most were assigned to Starbase 2 as shuttle pilots. The general excitement died down as fewer of the FCO’s were assigned actual ships. The officer read off every name and assignment then dismissed all of the ensigns. Every name except one; Ra-Ezin’s.

Before the Efrosian can step up to the officer to inquire as to his assignment, he heard his name called out from the other docking port. He turned to see in the distance the figure of a Bolian. If he were human, he would have recognized the man as Captain Bolok. Ra-Ezin recognized him as Bolok by recognizing his voice.

The Efrosian made his way through a mostly dismayed group of FCO’s to Captain Bolok and stood at attention.

“At ease, Ensign,” Bolok said quietly. “I wanted to give you your assignment personally and let you know that I gave what you said a good deal of thought.”

“Sir, may I offer an apology-“ Ra-Ezin started but Bolok held up a hand.

“No, it is I that owe you an apology,” the captain of the Susquehanna said. “You were right in that I was out of line about probing your past. That is your business as is your motives. Mine was simply meant to be a guide to your first assignment and help you through any of your personal struggles. But I did not go about it the right way with you.”

“I did not hear the screams of the girl,” Bolok said hollowly. “I was on my ship, I knew it was happening, and any attempt at a rescue would have alerted the Cardassions to the approach of the Federation fleet. So, I did nothing while that little girl burned alive. It does haunt me. It will haunt me every day for the rest of my life.”

The Bolian handed Ra-Ezin a padd. “Your duty assignment is the USS Sojourner. I had nothing to do with your assignment; Starfleet had chosen you because you were best suited for this position. I hope that, out there, you find what you are looking for.”

Ra-Ezin thanked the captain and proceeded to the transporter bay to the Sojourner. He did feel genuine remorse for the way he treated Bolok. The war had destroyed a great captain and Starfleet was at a loss without him. He will likely often think about Bolok, who will for the remainder of his career command a transport ship between Earth and Starbase 2.

Meanwhile, Sojourner was ahead of him. And his future…