A Break from Engineering

Posted on Thu Aug 24th, 2023 @ 12:50am by Admiral Deela T'Lar & Lieutenant JG Deezell Vox

1,356 words; about a 7 minute read

Mission: Episode 117 - "Returning to the Mirror"
Location: Ops
Timeline: MD1 1400 hrs.

Deezell was exhausted. It had been several months since the mission to the Delta Quadrant where she, not only survived a portion of Neelix's chili but also getting stabbed. She still found herself getting somewhat fatigued and being her stubborn self, she had not said a word about it to anyone, especially not someone in the medical profession.

Dee entered OPS through its main doors and approached Admiral T'Lar who at that moment was discussing something with another officer, higher ranking than Deezell. So, with her hands clasped behind her back, she stood patiently.

Deela finished. When she saw Dee, she smiled, "Lieutenant, it's good to see you up and around." It had been a while and she meant to go see her but she had a load of things to do that took up most of her time besides her kids. "Is everything okay?" She looked at her with concern.

"Oh erm, sure no problems. Just came to give you an report on the updates to most of the Station's main systems. We have completed 60% of the updates. We are now planning the remain 40." She shook her head briefly to keep herself focused and to dislodge a feel of fatigue creeping in.

"Good work." Deela was hungry and didn't really want to eat alone, "Have you eaten yet?"

"Not yet, that was, um, next on my agenda. " Dee replied.

"Oh good. Then join me on the promenade. I'll even let you pick the place." Deela let OPS know that she would be on the promenade.

"Sounds good. How are you for Hasperat? " Dee asked.

"Perfect. Well, let's go." They both left OPS and made their way to the promenade and sat down. She looked over the menu while waiting for someone to take their orders. "This is nice. I haven't been here for a while."

"I come here often. " Dee replied "Their spicy options are really good. Rae used to come here as well, which is probably why I do." Dee added.

"Ah. Understandable. I quit eating here at the promenade when Captain Solomon went missing. It just isn't fun to eat alone. I mean, I could eat with my kids but it just isn't the same." Finally, someone came, brought drinks and took their order. After he left, Deela made conversation, "You know, I really need to get to know people on this base. So, tell me a little about you."


"Oh right. Erm where shall I start. I grew up in the Tulmeya province on Trill. Going back four generations my family has and continues to make one of the planet's most well known liquors which is widely exported. You might have heard of it, Lakshara. " she paused for a sip of water.

"Lakshara? I might have." The food came earlier than expected, "So why did you join Starfleet?"

"Since I was very little I was fascinated by the stars and other worlds. I always liked to visit our nearest spaceport to see the various different people visiting Trill. I wanted to go and see their planets and experience what life was like for them. Pretty much that. "

She looked at her, "Is it everything you thought it would be?" Deela liked being in Starfleet but unfortunately, a lot of her relationships in Starfleet ended in tragedy.

"So far, yes. But I'd love to do more exploration. " Dee commented.

"Good to know. I'll remember that the next time we do that kind of mission." She took a couple of bites of food, "My father actually encouraged me to join Starfleet. My mom was in agreement. I always wanted to go out in space and travel to different worlds. I never thought that I'd be an Admiral though. I thought I'd always command a ship. But Admiral Bremer gave me an offer I couldn't refuse."

"I kind of find Admiral Bremer somewhat intimidating. Maybe it's because I'm not a well built 6'3 guy anymore. " she said smiling.

"That must be weird, looking in the mirror and seeing someone else or know you carry someone else in you." She chuckled, "And yes, he can be intimidating. It's the Klingon side of him." She whispered, "But I'm stronger than him." She laughed, proud of herself she could make a joke.

"As I was never meant to be joined, as I had chosen to get my Starfleet career going first before considering enrolling as an initiate, I had no training when I became, what the Symbiosis Commission refer to as an EUH Emergency Untrained Host. In the early days after joining, I woke up a few times not knowing if I was male or female till I lifted the bedsheets. " Dee commented.

Deela almost choked on her food as she broke out in laughter, "Yes, I can see how that would be nerve-racking." She wiped her mouth with her napkin, "Sorry for laughing. I'm still trying to get used to all these emotions."

"It's OK. I found it funny myself eventually. I don't miss shaving my face or keeping the hair on my head super short. However, now that I have considerably more hair on my head than I use too, I have a some nicer options. I haven't been female for just over 130 years, but I am doing OK. Rae bottled up his emotions to some degree, so its good to be more open."

"I bet it's a time saver not having to do so much to get ready for the day." Deela started thinking about dessert and looked over the choices. She motioned the waiter over to take her order, "I have got such a sweet tooth right now. You getting anything?"

"Oh absolutely. They do a fantastic Bajoran Mixed Fruit Sorbet that is to die for. " Dee exclaimed and which she the proceeded to order. Just before the waiter was about to leave, she got his attention. "Do you have any Lakshara by chance?" she asked. The waiter nodded. "Two very small shots please." She replied. The waiter then left.

"I do hope that isn't too naughty of me." She asked.

Deela shook her head, "No, not at all. What we do when not on duty is of no one's concern." She took a bite of the sorbet, "Wow, that is good."

"I know, right. " The waiter arrived at their table with two small shot glasses containing a chartreuse coloured liqueur. He put the two glasses on the table, smiled and left. Dee finished a mouthful of her sorbet and then picked up one of the shot glasses and smelt its aroma. "Ah, a scent from home." She said raising her glass. "Cheers Admiral, your good health."

She raised her glass too, "To your good heath as well." She gulped down the shot, "Nice and smooth."

Dee finished her shot. "Yep. Fantastic. I hope to visit home sometime when I have the opportunity to take some leave. It would be nice to be back in the Tulmeya province. Forests, lakes, rivers and some beautiful waterfalls. I think you would like it." Dee commented.

"I would. After this whole thing with Jack, being kidnapped I think we could use a holiday together. Holodecks just aren't as nice as the real thing. And, we'd have our own tour guide." She smiled.

"Well my family home does have a guest suite so I am sure my parents wouldn't mind me having guests the next time I venture home. I wonder if my mother has told our extended family about what has happened to me, as in becoming joined without ever stepping foot in the Symbiosis Commission beforehand. "

She paused to have more of her sorbet.

"I will probably have to visit the caves of Mak'ala whilst I am on the homeworld I suppose. The guardians do like to say hello to any joined Trill who has been off-world for an extended period. "

"Good. The next time we get to have shore leave, we'll make a trip there." She had a ship and she wouldn't mind using it.

"You got a deal Admiral." Dee replied with a smile.

Deela smiled back, "Well, I'd better get back to OPS."

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