"Memories and Feelings"
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{To work is to give thanks for your skills and intellect, but sometimes
you just have to stop and give thanks to those you let you do your work.}
- Deltrel Serrai Elbtun, first head of the Oltharian Religious Circle
--==(/\)==--
Stardate: 60329.1700
Lunch had been most pleasant, the food warming the body while the
company and discussion warmed the soul, but as much as the Oltharian Engineer
had enjoyed himself he had wasted no time to returning to his first passion
the moment time had permitted it. Since he had left Starfleet Academy and
made his way into Starfleet, Elan had spent more time working than doing any
other activity. Many believed that this had been because the giant had
originated from a world with 38 hours days, but to those who truly knew
the Robotics Expert of NEW ALEXANDRIA, the reason for his dedication had
been of an entirely different matter.
"Chief!" The HATHOR's Chief of Security called out as he and the ship's
Flight Control Officer walked into the room immediately making the room
feel half its original size, "can we have a word with you?"
"Of course," Elan replied, offering the two Ensigns a reverence of welcome that made them both feel out of place, not because the Engineer had not been the type to show this sort of respect to all living creatures, but mostly because he outranked them both. "How may I be of assistance?"
"Uxtar and I were talking about the various systems onboard the HATHOR," Nico began, looking around Main Engineering as if he had been searching for something in particular.
"We were just curious about the ship's cloaking device," the Hirogen Flight Control Officer added, believing that the Oltharian deserved more than being driving around the block several times before they finally reached the point of their visit.
"The technical information concerning the cloaking devices used by Starfleet is available to all Officers," the Oltharian replied with a gentle smile easily suspecting that the answer he had provided would not be sufficient to offset the two Ensign's curiosity.
"We know that since the Klingons joined the Federation, Starfleet gained the cloaking technology that they brought with them," Nico nodded which his gaze still hunted for the equipment in question. "But reading about it and actually seeing a real cloaking device are two very different things."
"Since we are on a mission to test *every* system of this ship," Uxtar
interjected, "it does make sense that we get a better idea of what that
system looks like and how it is integrated into the other systems of
the HATHOR."
Elan smiled remembering his own enthusiasm and curiosity the first time he had boarded the first Starfleet vessel he had been assigned on, a ship which contained a very similar technology. That ship had helped shape the man that he had become, opening a universe of possibilities, allowing him to work in the field that he had proven himself in and most important introducing him to a dimension of emotions he had never dreamt possible - good and bad alike.
--==(/\)==--
The same day Elan had accepted to work for Admiral Koneki and the NEW
ALEXANDRIA complex, Amber Satori had been transferred to the state-of-the-art medical facilities of the base. What had been stranger had been that the Oltharian had never made the request even though it had been what his heart had desired.
It had been over a year since Amber had fallen into a coma after having
been knocked over the head by a trans-dimensional being. Although every
available resources had been used, no actual cause could be found to
explain the state that the Communications Specialist had fallen into, it had
been as if a part of her had been taken to another dimension, out of reach of
her physical body.
Since that day Elan had visited her every chance he had, hoping that
her condition might have changed while he had been away - but nothing had
ever changed. Her body had not moved since the last time the Oltharian had
come visiting, and her bio-readings had been as shallow as they had ever
been. Working for the Robotics Engineer had been the only way that he could
survive each day without madness taking over his soul .
As mush as Fairborn towered over her, the giant felt insignificant
while gazing down at the unconscious woman, his latest visit to her bedside
ending in the same manner as the hundred previous had - with him leaving and
her staying.
--==(/\)==--
"So Chief," the Nausicaan began, "are you going to show us the cloaking
device or do we have to guess as to where you have it hidden?"
It was just then that the Oltharian realised that his mind had been in
another place, another time. The Chief Engineering Officer of the
HATHOR had been just about to do as the two men had asked when a fourth person
stepped into the room, her arrival almost unnoticed by the three giants
already there.
"If I had known that there was a meeting I would have brought
refreshments," Ensign Mei said, joking her way towards the tallest and most visibly distraught of the three. "I hope that I am not interrupting anything."
"You are not," the Oltharian respectfully replied. "Ensign Uxtar and
Rostov were inquiring about the HATHOR's cloaking device," Elan explained.
"Well, I will leave you boys to your toys, but first I wanted to
mention to you that we are planning a surprise party for Lea to celebrate her
promotion. I hope that you three will be there." The Counsellor said,
studying the giant engineer with great care, her instinct and
experience in her field picking up on the Oltharian's suffering.
"It will be an honour to attend," Elan replied, forcing his sadness to
be pushed aside for the time being so that his honouring of the Chief
Medical Officer remained undisturbed.
"I knew that I could count on you," Susan said taking the opportunity
of Uxtar and Nico talking to one another to whisper something to the
gentle giant. "If there is something that *I* can do for *you*, you know
that I am there for you?"
The Oltharian smiled and nodded, thankful that he had not been along to
shoulder the burden that had been his to carry for so long.
--==(/\)==--
Lieutenant Junior Grade Elan Talak Fairborn 2005 post #531
Setting: USS HATHOR, Engineering Department
Stardate: 60329.1600 (1 Hour Earlier)
Setting: NEW ALEXANDRIA, Long-Term Medical Facilities
Stardate: 60329.1715
Setting: USS HATHOR, Engineering Department
Francois Charette {f_charette@hotmail.com}
Robotics Engineering Officer
NEW ALEXANDRIA
&
Chief Engineering Officer
USS HATHOR
