Whatever Happened To V?

Posted on Sun Dec 18th, 2022 @ 7:57am by Lieutenant JG Deezell Vox & Skye

1,363 words; about a 7 minute read

Mission: Episode 114 - A Time and Place for Everything
Location: Promenade
Timeline: MD1 1130hrs

Beautiful works of art, sculptures which had been carved by some of the finest artisans in the galaxy... replaced by a restaurant. Wrinkling her nose in disgust, Skye stared inside newest establishment to grace the Promenade, reminded of how disagreeable she had found Bolian food in her younger days. It had been a necessary evil at the time but thankfully those days were behind her.

Her first visit to this station had led to an unexpected reunion with her father, an event which had turned her entire life upside down. Now she was back, albeit briefly, to tie up loose ends and collect - amongst other things - a puppy.

Yet from the far side of the Promenade, her piercing blue eyes had noticed the bright lights and noise and as she drew closer her suspicion had been confirmed. The art gallery was gone.

The paintings. And the bear...! It had been ancient, priceless. One she had crossed past with many times in her now twenty years of life and had been so tempted to 'acquire'. But she had liked the owner. He had been so genuinely friendly and he had treated like - well, an adult. She had still been nineteen and her appearance often made her look younger still but he had made her feel welcome and appreciated her knowledge of some of his collection.

She was much more accustomed to being eyed with suspicion. Which, in fairness, was warranted.

Tucking a lock of her long red curly hair behind her ear, Skye sighed. "Such a waste..." she whispered, shaking her head. It was then she noticed one of the staff bringing out a board detailing specials on the menu. On impulse she stepped forward, putting on her best and brightest smile to seem like a friendly bystander. "I am so sorry, but the art gallery that was here before... do you know what happened? Is number five - I mean, Mr Vox, still around?"

Maybe he had moved to somewhere with more space. Better security. Or maybe he decided on a career change and was now tending bar somewhere. Who knew?

To her surprise, it wasn't the Bolian who answered her, but a female voice from somewhere behind her.

Deezell was making repairs to a promenade display board when she overheard a familiar voice. She put her tool back into her utility belt and stepped up towards the young woman.

"Hello Skye, it's been awhile. Vox is still around but I'm Deezell now. "She announced as Skye turned around to see the young woman behind her.

Apologising to the woman from the restaurant, Skye stepped away from her as she turned and found a woman standing not two feet away. Vox had told her he had been the fifth host to Vox, and sure enough this woman had the distinctive markings of the Trill. Still it was a little disconcerting at first and her hand immediately slid to her right hip, instinct telling her to be on her guard despite the friendly tone.

"And Starfleet too, huh?" Skye replied, gesturing towards the uniform the other woman wore as she forced herself to relax. It was the middle of the promenade and she knew there were at least two pairs of eyes watching over her every move. She studied Deezell, considering. "What happened? To Five, I mean? Was it Zorin? I tried to warn him - well, you - about him -"

The trader was bad news, very bad. At least in her experience. If he had hurt Raekwon, she would happily hunt him down to make sure he paid for it.

She abruptly stopped talking. Realising she was saying too much and for the woman facing her, her questions were perhaps unwanted or even painful. She offered a small apologetic smile. "Sorry."

"No not Zorin. Raekwon was on a trip to the Trill homeworld when his ship hit a quantum filament, causing critical damage. He was badly injured. The ship I, Deezell, was on, received his distress call and managed to rescue him before his ship exploded. Sadly Raekwon died of his injuries. We then headed for Trill so Vox could have a new host but on route, the symbiont's health deteriorated and being the only Trill onboard I had to join with Vox to ensure their survival. So now I am the sixth host. It's good to see you again Skye. " Deezell replied.

"I'm sorry about Five. He was nice. He had some amazing items in his collection," she added. "Most people thought I was there to steal something but not him. I'm glad his symbiont made it though. I came to pick up some things for my dad - Dr Hades?

Anyway, when he left it was all kind of sudden so some of his things are in storage. And for Doctor Corrigan too. She is pregnant," Skye confided with a warm smile, "with my niece or nephew. Which is a weird thought! My dad is fussing over her like a mother hen right now. It was driving us all crazy. So I thought I'd come take care of things here."

"I have all of his memories so he's still with us in a way. So. the good Doctor is pregnant. Lovely. I think I can access the storage. " Deezell replied.

"You can? That would be such a help," Skye smiled, rummaging in the satchel that she had over one shoulder, removing a PaDD. "Dad gave me this, it has their approvals to release their belongings to me. He said I should speak to Admiral Bremer if there was any trouble but I don't wanna do that. I'm sure he's crazy busy and wont want to be troubled with stuff like this."

Deezell took the padd. "Okay. Let me gather my tools and we can then head to the storage and see if I can access it. I am pretty sure the access code hasn't been changed. " Deezell advised. She then picked up her tools and put them back in her tool belt.

"Okay, shall we?" She gestures in the direction to head for the storage.

With a nod, Skye fell into step with her new acquaintance, while keeping a watchful eye. “So do you like art too? Or not really your thing?” She asked.

"I do have an appreciation for the arts but I am not into it as much as Raekwon was. But, when I do see something I really like, I do find a place for it my quarters." Deezell replied.

“Guess it can’t be easy when you are in quarters, not a lot of space. I had hoped to find something to take back with me. Carolyn has given me presents to deliver for Christmas - said to channel my inner Santa whatever that is - but it made me think that I should find something nice for my dad. And Carolyn too but the chocolate shop is still here so she is easy to buy for. I thought he’d like a painting or something. Anything that doesn’t have his face on it, really.”

"Sounds fair enough. " Dee commented. They eventually reached the storage facility. Dee entered the code and the large doors opened. "Here you go, happy hunting." She added with a smile.

Skye studied the vast space neatly organised with storage crates of various sizes. Her younger self would have been in heaven trawling through them to find anything of value but she had made a promise - best behaviour.

“Thanks,” she offered, “I’m not exactly old enough to buy you a drink but maybe if there is time I could get you a coffee or something?”

"A coffee would be great, thank you. Maybe we can get some nice Coffee and Walnut Cake to go with it " Dee said with a grin.

“Walnut cake?” Skye repeated, “never heard of it but sounds like fun. I’ll be sure to come find you before I leave the station.”

"Great. Just ask the computer where I am." Dee replied.

“Will do,” Skye promised. “And thanks again for helping me.”

"Any time Skye. Take care of yourself." Dee replied.

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