"A Different World"
[Con't from Jessica's "To Hold The Universe In The Palm Of Your Hand"]
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"It's not so much what you have to learn if you accept weird theories,
it's what you have to unlearn."
- Isaac Asimov (1920 - 1992)
Stardate: 60299.1245
Setting: NEW ALEXANDRIA, Section D, Level 5, Primary umbilical
connection to the USS ANUBIS
Refreshed and ready to return to the work he had been doing prior to his having been dismissed for lunch, the Oltharian made his way back to the ANUBIS contemplating just how different this place was from all others he had ever served on. These differences were in no way making the NEW ALEXANDRIA a place to be avoided, on the contrary it made the secret base of operation something to be admired in many ways. All that the Robotics Engineering Officer had to do was to adapt to this new environment, its people, its requirements and most important the way things seemed to come to pass so deep inside the world of Intel.
As an Ensign fresh out of the Academy serving under Captain Callista, Elan had learned that a crew quickly became one's family and it had not taken all that long for the Oltharain to look upon his Commanding Officer as a second mother. When events now filed and classified deep in the vaults of Starfleet came to pass and claimed her command, Fairborn had learned a second important lesson - that like it or not things change.
From that point on in his life the Oltharian experienced this second lesson multiple times seeing his position and responsibilities within various families change time and time again. Even his relationship with Lieutenant Commander Amber Satori had not been spared this fate, the woman who had taught him so much having been taken from him by the actions of a being from another dimension. Looking back on his own personal experience Elan held on to the hope that this too would change in time since only her mind had been taken, leaving an empty delicate shell in the capable hands of Starfleet Medical.
There were very few constants in the universe and the Oltharian only knew of one for certain - that the universe was a dynamic entity in a constant state of change and that those who did not adapt to these changes were doomed to fail. Right now Elan would help in this universal change by assisting in the upgrades of the ANUBIS' specialized crafts known as the SPHINX and BARRACUDA respectively.
--==(/\)==--
Stardate: 60299.1637
Setting: USS ANUBIS, Deck 29, Specialized craft storage area
The installation of the remote drones on the two specialized crafts would take as long as believed, the Oltharian specialist having been working in conjunction with several engineering teams from both the ANUBIS and NEW ALEXANDRIA. Although Elan had been more than qualified to perform all aspects of the required work, his new status as a simple Robotics Engineer had reduce his range of work to insuring that the drones responded to all remote commands - a task that the gentle giant had naturally given his fullest to.
Since the integration of the physical drones had been the responsibility of the ANUBIS' engineers and the computer interfaces that of the NEW ALEXANDRIA teams, Elan had been left with the two drones which he had laboured over for almost eight hours now. While testing some of the more delicate systems of the drones, the Oltharian noticed a new figure in the large bay, one that had not been there before yet one that he recognized from the short period of time he had spend on the AVALON.
"It is a pleasure to see you again," the Oltharian respectfully said as he stood and bowed to the Romulan/Human hybrid who now displayed the rank of full Lieutenant. "Have you come to inspect the flight abilities of the drones?" The question had been based on the Oltharian's remembering the approaching officer as having once been the Assistant Flight Control Officer onboard the AVALON. Elan knew that with the rank promotion there might have also been a change in position, but the massive engineer thought it safe to assume that she had remained in the flied of Flight Control. This was before the Oltharian noticed that the approaching woman had been wearing the golden colour of Operations and Security instead of the standard red that Command and Flight Control Officers normally wore.
"I am here to get your report on the progress of the upgrade installations," the Lieutenant said coldly, reminding the Oltharian of the Romulan efficiency of the person who had walked in as well as hinting that her interest had been that of a higher positioned officer.
Quickly remembering that all things change, the Oltharian recognised the error of his initial assumption and offered another deep bow, this one meant as an apology. "My most sincere apologies Lieutenant, I did not mean to offend. The last time we met you were an Assistant Flight Control Officer and it was an error of my part to believe that you would have remained in that field."
"There is no need to apologise," Serenna said as warmly as she would allow herself to, "things have changed since the AVALON, I am now the ANUBIS' Chief of Operations and Second Officer."
"Congratulations," Elan said adding yet another respectful bow. "The installation of the drones is nearly proceeding without incident and we should be ready for the final tests by mid day tomorrow."
"Excellent," Serenna acknowledged, "keep up the good work and by the way, it is nice to see you here," the Chief of Operations added before she left the Oltharian and the other engineers to their work.
--==(/\)==--
Stardate: 60299.1825
Setting: NEW ALEXANDRIA, Section D, Level 5, Primary umbilical
connection to the USS ANUBIS
Elan had been asked to report to Lieutenant Commander Jack Foley to give a report on the progress of the day as well as receive some new instructions to be implemented following the completion of the upgrades. The visit had given the Oltharian the chance to run into an old friend and fellow Engineer, Lieutenant David Dawson, a meeting that had reassured the imposing alien that not everything had changed. After seeing two former members of the AVALON crew, the Robotics Engineering Specialist began to wonder if there had not been more members of that particular ship that had found their way to this hidden base. The answer to that question would soon make itself known in the form of a crimson haired woman.
"Elan? Elan Fairborn? Is that you?" Commander Rikar asked, not expecting the giant walking a few meters ahead of her to be anyone else since there had not been that many *giants* serving in Starfleet. As the Oltharian stopped and turned, the Executive Officer of the ANUBIS introduced the woman walking by her side to the moving mountain that she had called out to. "Ensign Summers, please allow me to introduce you to Lieutenant Commander Elan Fairborn, the tallest and friendliest creature in Starfleet."
The Oltharian bowed with respect at the two women and quickly pointed to Rikar one of the things that had changed about him. "It's Lieutenant Junior Grade now. I resigned my commission a while back and after having gone through the Academy for a second time I was given this rank in recognition of my past experience. Am I to gather that you have transferred from the AVALON as well?" The Oltharian asked, wondering if he would get to see anyone else from the crew.
"That is one long story, one that I would be more than happy to tell you about, but at a later time. Right now I just have too many things on my mind," the Executive Officer said, not able to hide her troubled thoughts from the outside world. "Lieutenant, let me introduce you to Ensign Lea Summers, she was assigned to the AVALON as its Assistant Chief Medical Officer just as we received our new orders that saw the majority of the crew transferred to the ANUBIS."
Elan gave the Ensign a bow filled with respect and devotion that far surpassed anything that the woman had ever experienced. "Healer, it is an honour. I am at your service."
Lea glanced at Sabrina not certain if this had all been for real. "Is this guy for real?"
The ANUBIS' Executive Officer grinned and nodded, "Elan is as real as it gets. Have you been assigned to the ANUBIS?" The Commander asked wondering if Admiral Koneki had authorized another transfer without letting her know about it.
"I am the NEW ALEXANDRIA's Robotics Engineering Specialist and am currently working on installing and verifying the upgrades to the SPHINX and BARRACUDA."
The First Officer smiled, "well with you on the job I have no doubts that everything will be perfectly working in no time. I will let you get back to your work, I have several things to take care of, but when you have some time come and see me, we have a lot to catch up on."
The Oltharian respectfully bowed and left the two women to continue, not at all surprised or troubled by the expression of complete surprise that had been on the Lea's face.
"I thought he was about to drop to his knees and worship us," the Assistant Chief Medical Officer said still finding it hard to believe that anything the size of the alien she had been introduced to could be a member of Starfleet.
"Not us," the Executive Officer clarified, "but you. Oltharians revere healers. You'll get use to it in time. Just keep in mind that Elan, like all Oltharians, are from a much different world than the one we are used to."
--==(/\)==--
Francois Charette {f_charette@hotmail.com}
Lieutenant Junior Grade Elan Talak Fairborn 2005 post #057
Robotics Engineering Officer
NEW ALEXANDRIA
