The Betazed Conference Failed Departure

Posted on Sat Sep 7th, 2019 @ 11:41am by

1,405 words; about a 7 minute read

Mission: Episode 100 - A Hatred of Atonement
Location: Various Locations
Timeline: MD 01 0100 hours

ON:

Braxton lay in his bed. His mind was lost to thoughts of leaving Starfleet. It had been plaguing him for days. He had hoped the trip with Vox would help him sort things out in his mind but....they had had to turn back. He recalled the incidents of a few days go.


MD 03 -- A few days ago

One month to go before the Art's and Crafts Conference on Betazed and Vox was well into planning the trip. He remembered that the very helpful Mikhail Braxton was interested in coming along so he made sure to send him a notification which should appear on his personal console in his quarters.

Braxton was finishing a few things. He'd taken a month's leave and left to clear his head. He'd returned only hours ago. Something in his gut told him that there were things to be doing. He'd arrived, dropped his bag and was drawn to a flashing screen that told him he had a message. He read it quickly and headed out to the gallery.

Vox, who was going through the Gallery's inventory at the back of the shop, noticed Braxton enter. "I am back here Braxton." He called.

Braxton wandered in. "I got your message. I am sorry I did not respond sooner. I just arrived at the station a few hours ago."

"Oh, have been anywhere nice? " Vox asked, putting away his inventory padd.

He smiled, "Not really just visiting an old friend. I had to clear my head." He looked around. The gallery changed a lot. "You changed things here? It looks nice."

"Yeah, things needed a change around so I have made some alterations. Glad you like it. " Vox replied.

He smiled. "So tell me about the conference plan."

"Well, once we have everything loaded aboard my ship we can get moving. Then, on the route I can work on my ship's party trick," he said smiling. "When we arrive at the conference, my ship has a special docking bay as she becomes a gallery in her own right. Also, there are many different speakers and demonstrations going on throughout the conference. "

"Sounds interesting." He rubbed the back of his neck. "I have not painted in a long time. It will be nice to see other artists."

"I may bump into some old friends as well which will be nice. " Vox replied. " I didn't know you use to paint. What do you prefer as your subject matter?" Vox asked.

"I liked the landscapes. There was something about the beauty in nature. I think I have some paintings still." Truth was that he had not painted since Nicole had died. He wondered if he still knew how.

"Why not bring some with you? You can display them in the gallery aboard the ship if you want. " Vox replied.

He'd never thought about it. Nicole had always said that he should. "Perhaps."

"No pressure of course but it would be good I think. My ship has been sorted out for its role as a gallery for when we arrive so all that is left to do is to pack our stuff we need ourselves for the trip. " Vox replied.

Braxton sighed. "Very well then. I shall pack."

"My ship is in the same hanger as before," Vox replied. He handed Braxton a keycard. " This will let you in the ship and access to where you need to go. " he continued.

He took the offered card. "Is there a cabin that you prefer?"

"You can't miss the door to my quarters. It's the one with the blue and gold stripes down the middle of the doors. There are 4 other guest suites, take your pick." Vox replied.

He gave a nod. "Looking forward to the trip."


Skipping forward to departure day.

Vox was sat on the bridge of the Taneran, going over the flight plan at the helm.
Whilst going through the plans, he had a tune playing in the background, a remix of a theme tune from an ancient computer game from the late 20th century on Earth, "Monty on the Run".

Braxton finished unpacking his bags and stowing his paintings on the ship. He was lost in thought as he came onto the small bridge of the ship.

Vox turns as he heard the doors to the bridge open. "Hey Braxton. You ok there? " He asked.

Braxton snapped out of his trance. "Yes. I was just thinking."

"Oh fair enough. Just a thought, unlike other ships, if you need the computer for something, you don't use the term computer, you need to address her as Tamaran. " Vox replied.

"No this is a more personal decision I will have to make when we return." He sighed feeling as if the weight of the world were on his shoulders.

"I understand but I meant if you need to request basic stuff from the computer, she responds to her name Tamaran rather than Computer." Vox clarified.

He studied his companion. "Why Tamaran?"

"Tamaran is the name of an area of the Trill homeworld that is considered to be of outstanding natural beauty. I named my ship after it."

"I see. A good explanation." He sat down. "Tell me more about the conference we are going to?"

"Well, its a gathering of artists, sculptors, craftsmen, and art and crafts dealers from all over the Alpha Quadrant. There will be talks by different artists and craftsmen, displays of their current works, and of course, the best bit, the traders fair where the general public, from all over, can come and purchase paintings, sculptures and other items. It's a very busy affair. There is also a hall where another variety of artists show off their talents, and these artists are my favourite, they are chefs. Food from all over the Alpha Quadrant. It's fantastic. "

"It will be fascinating. May I ask you a personal question?"

"Sure, go ahead" Vox replied.

"Have any of your hosts ever been a part of Starfleet?"

"Only the one, Jorran, my forth and previous host. He was part of a special team on the Trill homeworld who liaised with Starfleet on diplomatic matters. He did this between 2355 to his death in 2376. The symbiont was then transferred to me when I was 25. " Vox replied.

"Did your previous host ever think about leaving Starfleet?"

"Well, there were times when there was some friction shall we say between the team and Starfleet and Jorran did become frustrated by it all but he stuck it out in the end. " Vox replied.

"I see." He was silent a moment. "What made him stay?"

"He enjoyed the work at the end of the day and so, in a way, put up with the issues he couldn't really change and where he could, he helped change policy and process. " Vox replied. " Shall we get moving and get on our way?" he asked.

Braxton gave a nod. "Let's go."

Vox set about getting them underway. After a short time, the ship had left the Starbase and was now free to navigate. He plotted the course into the ship's autopilot and engaged the warp engines at warp 5.

The ship jumped into the distance, disappearing in a small white flash.

"Well, we are on our way. We do have a small holodeck so would you like to try some of my interesting programs? " Vox asked.

They were just leaving the system when the ship shuttered to a halt. Braxton sighed. "What just happened?"

Vox looked concerned but confused. "I have no idea. Things were working fine when we left. Let's head up to the bridge to find out. " He replied.

Braxton ran a diagnostic. "Damnit! It's the thrusters an orbital lock. We'll have to head back to the station. They were not far.

"Dam. Ok, I'm heading us back but it might take a bit of time with the state we are now in but when we get back, I'm going to take those thrusters apart and sort it. "


MD 01 -- Present Time

Braxton through back the covers and sat up. There would be no sleep tonight. He decided to hit the gym. It would calm his mind. He had to make a decision soon. Stay in Starfleet or leave. If he left what would he do?

With the questions swirling in his mind he changed and headed out of his quarters.

OFF:

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