Why any of us are out here
Posted on Sun Oct 25th, 2020 @ 1:36pm by Ensign Eris Ch'Thinor
893 words; about a 4 minute read
Mission:
Equivalent Exchange
Location: U.S.S. Titania
Timeline: TBD
Ensign Eris Ch’Thinor stepped back from the empty suitcase to take stock of their small cabin aboard Titania. As a junior officer, and one on temporary assignment at that, Eris’ quarters were located closer to the center of the Intrepid class ship and thus lacked the sweeping stellar view that Starfleet officer quarters were known for. This particular cabin was little more than a sleeping area, a desk, and a bathroom. The limited space did not, however, discourage Eris from filling it with plants of all shapes, sizes, and colors.
Under normal circumstances, the specimens in question would occupy nearly every level surface, beneath specialized lamps to provide them with the various types of simulated sunlight each required. Now they sat upon a flat tray atop the desk, nestled closely together. The lamps had been fed back into the replicator, recycled to later become someone’s next duty uniform or perhaps a meal. Eris took a moment to ponder this as they stepped around the bed to face their small closet.
Here was a small collection of clothing items that could not be replicated; at least, not without stripping them of meaning. Eris pulled each of them out, one by one, and began the process of folding them away to fit into the cylindrical fleet-issued hardcase. Here, a traditional suit embroidered with Andorian silk which Eris’ shuma had bought them when they came of age. There, a vibrantly patterned dress which had caught their eye during a weekend in Paris. Each item had a story to tell, and held an ineffable quality which the replicator could not dare to imitate.
With the last of their garments packed away, Eris did one last sweep of the room. The cabin was spotless, the bedding was squared away, and yet something gnawed at them. This feeling followed them into the corridor, hardcase slung across their shoulders and tray of plants in hand. Perhaps it was the anticipation of arriving at their new home. Eris had grown up on a starbase, and save for their four year stint at Starfleet Academy on Earth, they had spent very little time planetside.
Their antennae twitched nervously at the thought. Even temperate San Francisco, kept cool by the sea breeze and nightly covering of marine layer, had days that were too warm for their comfort. According to reports, Xaeprea experienced more extreme seasons than central California and Haumea colony was experiencing a spring thaw. Eris dreaded the thought of the hot summer awaiting them in the coming months.
Their dreadful ruminations were interrupted by the chime of an arriving turbolift, which Eris had hardly registered that they summoned. The doors slid open to reveal the short, stocky figure of Lieutenant Cragg from Environmental Control. The Tellarite smiled at them and quipped “going up?”
Eris shook themself out of their reverie and entered the lift. They gave what they thought was a reassuring smile and replied “yeah, transporter room 4.”
The lift doors slid shut and the deck beneath them jolted slightly as the lift began its descent. They passed a few moments in uncomfortable silence before Cragg mentioned, almost casually, “I heard about the transfer. Exciting stuff, yeah?”
Had they not spent a lot of time collaborating on Titania’s life support systems, Eris might have answered the question perfunctorily. However, in their short time aboard the ship the Lieutenant had become a friend and occasional confidant, despite the difference in rank. Being in separate departments helped. “I may have sailed too deep into the ice.”
“Cold feet?”
“Andorians don’t get cold feet.”
Cragg grunted, “human expression, I always found it strange too.” He paused a moment, then probed “colony life sure is different than aboard a starship.”
Eris took a moment to formulate their response. “I wouldn’t know, I grew up aboard a space station.”
Cragg ran a finger across the tip of a tusk thoughtfully. “I grew up on a colony, myself. Dreamed of joining Starfleet my whole life. 20 minutes into my first shuttle ride, I got space sick.”
Eris’ antennae twitched in surprise. “You, space sick?”
Cragg laughed “crazy, right? As the shuttle jumped to warp the artificial gravity fluctuated, as it does on those older ships when there’s a big power draw. Anyways, every time I stepped foot on a spacecraft after that, my stomachs churned.”
“How’d you get over that?”
“Starfleet is all I ever wanted, I wasn’t going to let something like space sickness stand in the way. I’ve seen you at work, you love what you do. And think about all the new plants down there, waiting to be discovered. That’s why any of us are out here.”
The turbolift glided to a stop and the doors slid open. Cragg put a hand out to hold the door and continued, “this is your stop, how are you feeling?”
“Better, actually. If you can get past space sickness I can learn to love surface life, right?”
“I know you can.”
Eris stepped off the lift and turned back to Cragg. “Thank you, for everything.” He smiled and replied “don’t forget to write when you become a famous botanist.” The doors closed and Eris headed down the hall towards the transporter room, feeling lighter than they had in a long time.
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