An old friend with a new face

Posted on Wed Jun 8th, 2022 @ 5:32am by Lieutenant Commander Ariana Monroe-Wayne & Lieutenant JG Deezell Vox

1,476 words; about a 7 minute read

Mission: Episode 112 - A Trip to Remember
Location: Various
Timeline: Current

Having arrived back at SB400 Ariana had made a point of stopping in to see her family before finally getting to her office. Olivia had done a wonderful job of keeping on top of the Counselling appointments, but as per usual there was yet more to do.

Picking up a PADD off her desk Ariana slumped down into her seat as she read the news it contained.

Commander Monroe,

It is with great regret that we inform you of the death of Raekwon Vox.

It would appear that Vox was en-route to Trill when his ship hit a quantum filament and was badly damaged. He was severely injured in the collision. He managed to send a distress call which was picked up by the USS Rotorua. They rescued him before his ship exploded. Sadly they couldn't save him but managed to save the symbiont.

They were headed to Trill but en-route the health of symbiont began to deteriorate and the only way to save the Vox symbiont was for it to be joined to a host. The only Trill onboard was Ensign Deezell Timurs who was on route from Trill to SB400 for her new assignment as an engineer and propulsion specialist.

Ariana stopped in her tracks, was it possible Vox’s new host was already onboard the station?

Deep down one of Starbase 400's many Jeffries Tubes, Deezell was attempting to reconfigure an EPS power tap as per the instructions from her team leader. The computer then chirped to notify her that it required her attention.

"Go ahead computer" she advised.

#You asked to be notified when Lieutenant Commander Ariana Monroe returned to the station. She is presently in her office. #

Deezell smiled. "Thank you computer." she replied.

Once she had finally managed to get the EPS power tap in the correct configuration, she clambered out of the Jeffries tube and headed to the Counselling Department. On arrival she spoke to the officer behind the central desk who said they would let Commander Monroe know that she was asking to see her.

Ariana was pleasantly surprised to be notified that Vox’s new host was requesting to see her, putting down her PADD she headed out of her office smiling as she saw the Trill female waiting for her.

“You must be Deezell...” Ariana offered a warmer smile. “Please come in and make yourself at home.”

"I am and thank you very much. " She took a seat in one of the comfortable chairs. She briefly adjusted the small tools in her uniform's upper right pocket. She then smiled as Ariana took a seat.

Ariana took a seat on the office sofa. “If you’d like anything from the replicator please feel free.” She paused. “I have no idea why this feels so odd Vox, I was sorry to hear about Rae he was a good friend.”

"It does feel odd. This is the first time I, as in Deezell, have met you and yet I know you so well and have fond memories of things we have done, that was Raekwon. I am still having issues with being joined, as I have not had training of any kind. I wasn't sure if I was male or female this morning till I pulled back the sheets." She said with a giggle. "Rae's final hours were terrifying. I can remember it all. Sights, sounds and the burning smells. "

Deezell added

Ariana nodded. “That must be terrifying for you Deezell. Weren’t you offered any training, or for that matter any counselling?”

"Well, I got some counseling and some information to read but that's about it. Once joined, there isn't much they can do. I am making the best of things. "

Ariana nodded. “I wish I could say I understand but I honestly can’t say that I do. As an empath and telepath I can hear the background hum of voices in my mind along with emotions, but you are blended with the memories of lifetimes of hosts. It must be overwhelming.”

"Oh it is. I find myself ordering things from the replicator and then realising I don't like it, but either Lerani, Azrel, Torbin, Jorran or even Raekwon did. " She sighed.

Ariana nodded as she listened. “Is there a way I can help you? Perhaps help you to blend more easily with your previous hosts?”

"Perhaps. I am trying some meditation techniques to help focus my mind. I use my work on the station to keep me focused when I am not able to meditate. Do you know much about meditation?" Deezell asked.

Ariana nodded. “I do, I tend to suggest it as a treatment for those who need it. Meditation is an excellent way to focus the mind and spirit. You may find it beneficial to speak to one of the Vulcan crew onboard, they are experts when it comes to meditation and the mind.”

"That's true. I met one of Raekwon's customers the other day who remarked that I was more pleasing to look at than Rae was. Is that a compliment or an insult?" She said with a smirk.

“A little of both maybe?” Ariana grinned. “Just remember that no matter what you always have me to talk to. I’m no expert on Trill but I am your friend and I will do everything I can to help you.”

"I do appreciate it very much Ariana. My last three hosts were make do I haven't been female for over 230 years. For starters, Rae didn't have to do anything with his hair in the morning." She said.

Ariana grinned. “I remember Rae telling me that he was previously female, I can only imagine how strange it must be to go from female to male and back again.”

"Before Raekwon was Torbin, Jorran, both male. My last female host was Azrel. " Deezell added.

“So how many hosts have you had all together so far?”

"I am the 6th host. " Deezell advised.

“6... wow!” Ariana nodded. “Okay so back to helping you. Keep going with your meditation, you need to concentrate on being whole with your symbiont and previous hosts. To fully blend you both need to accept one another.”

"Of course. The other day I was assigned to refit the empty unit that was my, sorry Raekwon's shop " Deezell replied.

“Seriously?” Ariana sighed. “That can’t have been easy for you, especially so soon after what happened to Rae.”

"I focused on the job the best I could and got it done as quickly and efficiently as possible. I kept hearing voices. " Deezell sighed.

Ariana nodded. “What kind of voices? Old memories do you think?”

"Pretty much yes. The bussle of the gallery when it was busy. "

Ariana gave Deezell a curious glance. “I’m sure there’ll be others that will miss Raekwon, would it help if I suggested a memorial service for him?”

"I think that's a great idea. " Deezell replied. "It will just have to be a service of course as Raekwon has already gone back to Trill and has been buried. Is it ok for me to attend as I was Raekwon?" Deezell asked.

“Of course” Ariana nodded. “I was hoping you’d like to help me plan, you know Rae better than any of us.”

"Of course. I do know him probably better than his own family. You probably need to run it past Fleet Admiral Bremer, as Rae and him were friends and he will want to be part of the proceedings. " Deezell advised.

“Don’t worry I will, nothing happens on this station without the Admiral’s say so.” Ariana smiled warmly. “Would you like to accompany me to meet him, or just let you know what he says?”

"I would like to accompany you. He hasn't met me yet. " Deezell replied.

“Okay then, I’ll arrange a meeting and I’ll let you know the time.” Ariana smiled warmly. “I’m glad you came back to the station Vox, SB400 wouldn’t be the same without you.”

"Well I'm Deezell Vox now, so it wont be the same as it was with Rae but it will be fun I am sure. " Deezell replied. She smiled. "You can call me Dee if you want unless its official and then it would be Ensign as you do out rank me, Sir." Dee replied

Ariana smiled warmly. “Dee it is, and please feel free to call me Ariana.”

"I will. Once I have cleared it with the Fleet Admiral, my mother is coming to see me for a few days. She is somewhat concerned about me." Dee replied.

“I can’t say I’m surprised” Ariana nodded. “You’ve been through a big change, enjoy having your mother around to help. Who better to offer support and advice than your own mother.”

"I hope so. " Dee replied.

{OFF}

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