Arrivals

Posted on Fri Jul 26th, 2024 @ 4:42am by Lieutenant Nai Tavik

1,253 words; about a 6 minute read

The cargo transport was a small, utilitarian vessel, designed for function over comfort. The interior was dimly lit, with a low, constant hum of the engines reverberating through the metal walls. Crates and containers, stacked in neat rows, filled the cargo hold. Each one was secured with heavy-duty straps, ensuring they remained in place during transit. The air was cool and carried a faint scent of machinery and metallic tang.

The crew quarters were minimal—just a narrow bunk, a small workstation, and a storage locker. The quarters were enough for rest but offered little in the way of comfort. The solitude of this space was both a relief and a challenge. The silence was profound, broken only by the occasional creak of the ship’s structure and the steady hum of the engines.

Nia paced the narrow corridors of the shuttle, her footsteps echoing softly against the metal floor. The cargo hold provided just enough space to move around, each step a small attempt to dispel the nervous energy building within her. She walked the length of the hold repeatedly, passing rows of containers marked with the colony’s supplies.

The rhythmic sound of her footsteps became a meditative exercise, helping to clear her mind. Despite the solitude, the confined space of the shuttle felt stifling at times. The familiar hum of machinery and the organized rows of cargo were a stark contrast to the chaos of the transport hub she had left behind.

She paused occasionally to stretch and practice a few martial arts forms. The disciplined movements helped center her, providing a physical outlet for her tension. The cargo containers served as makeshift barriers, creating a small training area where she could focus on her routines.

Despite knowing the systems were automated, she found herself checking and rechecking them. Ensuring everything was in order gave her a sense of control and purpose. The process was methodical, providing a mental distraction from the anticipation and apprehension she felt about her new assignment.

Finally, after several rounds of pacing and a final systems check, Nia settled down in the small crew quarters to make her log entry.

Lieutenant Nia Tavik’s Personal Log:

“After what has felt like an eternity of travel, I am finally on the last leg of my journey to Haumea Colony. The transition from the bustling starbases and crowded transport shuttles to this solitary cargo shuttle has been a significant adjustment. I miss the emotions and noise of the crew of the USS Valiant. Transferring through different stations is both a challenge and exciting. The silence is a stark contrast to the constant changing activity of the past few days.

“The journey started smoothly enough. The initial shuttle rides were manageable, thanks to my practiced meditation techniques. I am grateful that Commander T’pren, the Head of the Ventures Science Wing, spent time working with me. She had been studying to find the roots of Zanthi fever and the phase. As I had been taught, I was able to use the hum of the engines to provide a soothing backdrop as I focused inward, filtering out the ambient emotions around me. Other’s emotions and thoughts are constantly in my mind. There is a comfort in the din of them, knowing they are there. These moments of tranquility are vital in maintaining my emotional equilibrium and to help me not actively project my emotions of nervousness onto others. T’pren would have just told me I was being illogical.

“T’pren found it amusing when I would get embarrassed and would project those emotions at her. She did teach me to improve my empathic projection in order to teach me how to control it better. Being able to lower the emotional tension of a situation was not a bad thing for a security officer. T’pren always told me that a good security officer needs to control their emotions. ‘The emotions of an incident can cause an officer to make a poor decision,’ she said in a maternal tone. ‘This is why you and your team must train for situations so rational thinking prevails,’” Nia said.

Sighing, Nia leaned against the bulkhead. It was a bad habit she had picked up from being around humans. T’pren had become like a mother figure in a way, taking Nia under her wing. She had also warned the now young Lieutenant that just because someone thinks or feels guilty are they guilty. Always stick with the facts.

Continuing the log entry, Nia shifted her weight, “The layover at the transport hub was a different story. The sheer volume of people and their varied emotions—anticipation, anxiety, impatience—was nearly overwhelming. It always takes a while to acclimate to the amount of emotions of new places, to learn and tune out the constant hum of ambient emotions. So, I sought refuge in a quiet corner, immersing myself in a book on security protocols. The structured information helped me maintain my focus amidst the chaos, serving as a mental anchor.

“Now, aboard this cargo shuttle, I find myself at the other extreme - alone. The vessel is small and utilitarian, filled with crates and containers destined for the colony. There is no crew, though technically I am in command and piloting the craft, in reality I find myself being cargo and the automated systems are doing the work of guiding us towards our destination. Solitude provides me with the opportunity to reflect and prepare, but it also leaves me feeling very alone in deep space. It seems like being trapped in a holosuite, there are things here but things have no depth.

“To pass the time, I’ve kept to my routines. The shuttle’s cargo hold has just enough space for me to practice some of my martial arts routines. The disciplined movements and physical exertion are keeping me from going crazy and helping me stay in peak condition. I want to be ready for any challenges that await at the colony. The replicator has helped and I have sampled over two hundred-thirty different chocolates, and I hope not to see another one for a while.

“I’ve also spent time exploring the shuttle’s limited systems, checking and rechecking the automated processes. There’s a comfort in the familiar hum of machinery and the methodical nature of the work, even if it’s not strictly necessary. These activities help me keep my mind occupied and focused.”

Moving to the helm, she plopped into the seat.

“As I sit here, while the shuttle hurtling through space towards Haumea Colony, I can’t help but feel a mixture of excitement and apprehension. I am stepping into the unknown.

“I’ve taken the opportunity to reflect on my journey and the challenges that lie ahead. My empathic senses are on edge and I long for contact with others. I know I will need to be vigilant not to project my emotions upon those that I encounter.

“Finally, the computer has announced that we are approaching Haumea Colony. I can feel the anticipation building but I need to go provide the security codes to allow us (meaning herself and the computer) clearance to land,” Nia said with some excitement.

Tapping in the clearance codes, she smiled. She hoped that they had been warned what a Betazoid could be like.

Lieutenant Nia, third daughter of the fifth house of Betazed was ready to face the challenges, she was hopeful they would be ready for her.

Tags: Lieutenant Nia Tavik

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