An Abrupt Change

Posted on Wed May 19th, 2021 @ 11:32pm by Lieutenant Timmoz & Captain Björn Kodak

Mission: The Place of Skulls
Location: Captain's Ready Room
Timeline: Mission Day 1 at 0645

[Ready Room]
[USS Sojourner]
[0645 Hours]

Thank you, Captain, for approving my extended leave of absence. I'm sorry I won't be making the maiden voyage of the Sojourner with you. I wish you all well. Safe travels, Captain.

- Lt. Nico Oliveria

With a pang of lament, Captain Björn Kodak put down his PADD and sighed. While Nico did not go into specifics about his request for a leave, the Chameloid felt he was reading between the lines fairly well. While Starfleet did not forbid personnel from dating each other, doing so did come with a bit of risk. If things went sour, both parties were often stuck on the same ship for who knew how long and that could become incredibly awkward for all parties involved. If Kodak was reading the null space between the lines correctly, Nico might be hoping to avoid that particular scenario. While perhaps wise, the Captain was going to miss the young engineer.

"Computer," Kodak intoned, cradling his fingers together, "change status of Lieutenant Nico Oliveria to from Active Duty to Extended Leave of Absence, effective as of this date. Notify Starfleet of the change in status, please."

"Affirmative. Status changed. Notification dispatched," came the computer's helpful reply.

The Chameloid picked up his PADD again, ready to move on to the next item on his to do list, when the the comm twitched its high chirp, signaling that someone stood at the door of his Ready Room and was requesting entry. Even though the official onboarding time was 0900 hours, several members of the crew had beamed up early, hoping to get a head start on checking in. Kodak wondered if this visit might be one of his senior staff stopping in to say hello and request orders.

"Come in," Kodak voiced, looking up from the PADD to spy the entrant.

It was the Verdant One, tall and lean. And he was not alone. And for once, Timmoz's cluros-smile was very much not in place. In its usual spot was a look of pensive tension. The man accompanying him was a man in black, rather nondescript in a way. There was very little about them that stood out. He nodded once at the Captain, halting halfway between the door while Timmoz continued on.

"Captain," Timmoz said and then uncharacteristically he stopped. Timmoz sighed. His long fingers spanned a small piece of the reflective blacktop of the Captain's desk. "I am forced to request indefinite leave. Immediately." His brows lifted under his curls. "I... my time is owed. For my status as an asylum seeker... the 4-077 agreement." The presence behind him shifted, adding to an air of tension. "I do not know if or when I will return."

"Our apologies Captain," the man said on approach, arms folded across his lap. "Timmoz is a key witness and supplier of information on his family's Syndicate cell. In light of some events in the Orion Borderlands recently, Intelligence is stepping up our timetable to strike." He produced a PADD and set it on Kodak's desk.

Kodak, for his part, eyed the Orion with some degree of regret. Not only was he losing Nico, now it seemed he was losing Timmoz as well. The brunt of his feelings over losing them both hit hard, the corners of his mouth twitching as various replies sparked in his mouth and then turned to ash. There was nothing he could say in that moment and so, with a practiced nod, the Chameloid simply picked up the PADD and read the orders, using the time to smooth over his feelings and try to push them back until he had some time to himself.

"This all appears to check out," Kodak finally said, looking up from the PADD to Timmoz and the man who stood behind him. "I very much regret that we're losing you, Mr. Timmoz. You've been a stalwart Second Officer and, selfishly, someone I've enjoyed having around very much. I know the call of obligation, though." He stood then, coming around the desk and offering The Verdant One his hand. "I sincerely hope to see you back here. If you're gone too long, I imagine Debbie will be sending out search parties," he smirked, though the expression did not reach his eyes. "Thank you for everything you have done to serve and protect this crew, Timmoz. I will ensure your service record reflects the incredible gains you've made with us."

Timmoz took the Chameloid's hand. It was warm and feverish feeling as was usual for his species. Timmoz smiled genuinely, "Tell Kaheedi I hope to see her again soon. And tell Nico... " Timmoz swallowed and looked away, "Tell Nico I'm sorry... I didn't want any of this to come between us." He shook the Captain's hand again. "It was a pleasure, Tahedri. Strange sometimes... you V'draysh types... but... I'll miss this. I hope to be back." He smiled with a daring tilt, "Somebody has to break in that Aeroflyer shuttle. Properly."

Timmoz let the man's hand go, "I hope you find your people, Tahedri."

Having shared the news of the puzzle box's message the night before, Kodak had been so excited to track down the Chameloids with Timmoz. It was only then, as the young flyboy well-wished the hunt, that the Captain further realized his own hurt. "You were the one who told me what that was," he said, his golden-black eyes flicking to the onyx orb on his desk and then back. "If it weren't for you, Timmoz, I never would have figured this all out. I owe you, whether I find my people or not. If you need anything -- a letter of recommendation, a formal request to get you back, a get out of jail free card," he chuckled lightly, "I'm your man, alright? That Aeroflyer will be waiting for you."

Kodak's eyes shone in the light, the emotion behind them burgeoning. The Chameloid might have had more to say but the man in black behind Timmoz seemed off-putting to further personal comments. Instead, the Captain simply nodded to Timmoz' request where Nico was concerned. "I'm afraid he's taken extended leave and won't be joining us. I don't believe he's left Risa yet, however. I'll pass your message along to him with my own personal farewells. Safe travels, Timmoz. Continue to be the man you've shown yourself as. He's someone pretty damned special."

Looking up to the man behind Timmoz -- who Kodak knew to be from Starfleet Intelligence, given the orders -- the Chameloid lifted up the PADD and said, "I'll enter the transfer into the system. Lieutenant Timmoz is now officially under your command."

"My thanks, Captain Kodak. Good hunting on your mission," the agent said with a brief extension of their hand to shake. "Lieutenant, let's get you to the Safe Location," they continued, clapping a hand on the Orion's tall shoulder.

Timmoz nodded somberly. He hadn't been able to tell Nico goodbye... and it seemed the little Engineer had left without saying anything. His mind should have been on what was in front of him- but instead, his thoughts seemed vexingly focused on the blue-stained night of Vega's rain forest. It appeared they wouldn't see it in person after all. "Tahedri," Timmoz gave a nod to his Captain and then a last parting gesture like a wave. "Lets go," he said to the man in black.

The tall one turned and walked out of Björn Kodak's Ready Room, the doors closing behind him a moment later.

Kodak moved to the window of his little office, staring out at the expanse of Risa as it stretched out before him. He imagined that, somewhere down there, Nico was sitting at a little café nursing a coffee and looking up, as if he could see the Sojourner. Perhaps he thought Timmoz would still be onboard when -- if -- the engineer someday decided to return to the crew. But given Timmoz' request to pass on a goodbye, Kodak knew the young man below would have no idea that his one-time paramour was leaving as well.

With a huff, the Captain turned away from the window, reaching instead of his PADD. He allowed himself to fall back into his chair, his heart hurting from the loss of two of his very favorite people. The immediacy of Timmoz' departure struck him most in the moment, though the dull ache of Nico's earlier request for an extended leave still throbbed. The Chameloid wished he didn't have to write the letter he needed to begin. He wished things had worked out differently for The Verdant One and the Vegan. But things were what they were and Kodak needed to attend other things. Best to get it out of the way...

Lieutenant Oliveria, he tap-tap-tapped.

We wish you safe travels as well. And, Kodak continued, our hopes that we will one day see you again. But until that day comes -- should it come -- know that our hearts go with you. And with Mr. Timmoz, who has also left in service of other external obligations. He asked me to send along an apology for things coming between you both. You're both missed already.

Captain Björn Kodak
Commanding Officer
USS Sojourner

P.S. Debbie says to eat your vegetables.


=/\= A joint point by... =/\=

Captain Björn Kodak
Commanding Officer
USS Sojourner

and

Lieutenant Timmoz
Starfleet Intelligence