Going Away

Posted on Sat Nov 16th, 2019 @ 11:17pm by Captain Enalia Telvan & Lieutenant Mona Gonadie & Commander Rita Paris & Lieutenant Commander Mnhei'sahe Dox & Lieutenant Commander Thex sh'Zoarhi & Lieutenant Commander Sonak & Lieutenant Asa Dael & Lieutenant Samuel Clemens XV & Lieutenant JG Rena Pacci & Ensign Varnok Jahal & Petty Officer 1st Class Cicero Delacroix
Edited on on Sun Nov 17th, 2019 @ 3:31pm

Mission: Family Detention
Location: USS Hera, Deck 10, 10-Forward
Timeline: 2396

Pacing back and forth, Asa felt the anxiety of the moment wash over them. They had made such good friends on the Hera....in truth a second family. However, Starfleet had reassigned Asa to gene studies division back on Earth after reviewing the work Asa had done in repairing gene damage to their shipmates while on the Hera. They had put off the transfer as long as they could, but the time had come. They had to leave the next day, and it was time to say goodbye.

The decorations had been put out by the 10-forward staff, and Asa had already said goodbye to their staff. Tonight was for farewell to friends, and they stood stiffly near the door waiting on others to arrive.

In the turbolift, on its way to deck ten, Lieutenant Mnhei'sahe Dox nervously adjusted her uniform top. At her side was her wife and bond-mate, Ensign Mona Gonadie, who was wearing a more accommodating maternity uniform to allow for her slightly more prominent baby bump.

The ride from the deck eight senior crew quarters was a short one, but for Dox it felt like an eternity. Her face was tight and she was doing her level best to not let the loss she was feeling show on her face. The past couple of months had been some of the hardest to endure in the young Rihannsu pilot's life and this seemed like a step too far to bear. After spending a month as a prisoner on a Romulan Warbird, enduring emotional, mental and physical torture, watching her father get executed and then having to fight to keep her career for two weeks on Earth with Starfleet Intel Command, now she had to say goodbye to her best friend.

She didn't need to say any of this with words to Mona, who held her love's hand tight. Their empathic bond had become touch telepathy, so all of their thoughts and feelings were one in that moment as the lift stopped and the doors hissed open. Taking a breath, the couple made their way to the doors of Ten-Forward and stepped in. Once inside, Dox met the eyes of the person that had held their hand through so much trauma and shared so many good times together, and it was all she could do to put on a smile. "Hey, Asa."

With their customary boundless energy, Asa sprung into a full-body hug with their friend. The tears had come early to the party it would seem, and Asa tried to brush them away as they whispered, "Hey Min. Long-time no hug."

Wrapping her arms around Asa, Mnhei'sahe squeezed them a bit tighter than normal and held on a bit longer than normal. "Too long, Asa. Far too long."

Pulling back just enough, the Rihannsu Lieutenant's eyes were shiny and full already, but she did her level best to keep it contained. "But... this should be an amazing opportunity for you. I mean... I suppose I was your unintentional test subject for a lot of the work, but you discovered and undid genetic manipulation so well hidden, nobody else caught it in my entire career. You're going to be able to do great work."

"I for one, look forward to reading about you in the Federation Medical Journals," added Mona, stepping in for her own hug even as she also was getting teary-eyed.

Reaching out to include Mona in the bleary-eyed hug, Asa snuffled out their thanks. "If I knew it would take me away from you....well, maybe I wouldn't have filled out my reports quite so precisely. This really isn't how I saw my life going, but then again, what part of life goes according to plan?" the young doctor said.

"None of it, really," Enalia replied, sneaking in from the corridor to make her own entrance without any fanfare, a small box wrapped in gold paper in her hands. "As they say, the best-laid plans of symbiont and host... We're going to really miss you, you know. You're not just a member of the crew, but family."

Trying bravely to meet the Captain's gaze without tearing up, Asa said, "So...so are you ma'am." Halfway through speaking tears leaked out their eyes again.

Thex stepped forward giving her friend a big hug. " I'm going to miss you Asa. Thank you for everything you've done."

Returning the hug, Asa attempted a smile. "You are welcome. It is no more than any doctor would have done, but I am honored to have served you. To served all of you really. I....I didn't see this coming. At all. It feels like life has run away from me and I'm just hanging on to its coattails....."

"Sometimes that's all you can do, Doctor. Hang onto those coattails, and hope life slows down long enough for you to adjust your grip," Rita Paris chimed in as she entered with Sonak. Stepping over, she opened her arms and held them out to the young immortal for a hug. "C'mere Asa, give the old lady a hug, would you? Because I'm going to miss you terribly, and I'll need one to remember until we meet again."

Returning the embrace with gusto, Asa wiped an errant tear from their eyes.

"It feels like just yesterday I was coming aboard, green from the Academy. I never would have guessed the adventures that were waiting here for me. Thank you for that....all of you. I'm the better for having served with each of you."

Nodding, Dox couldn't keep her own tears from flowing as she choked out a reply while Mona squeezed her had to give her strength. "And we're all better for having you in our lives. And no matter where your life takes you, this will always be your home, Asa."

"I couldn't have said it better myself," chimed in Enalia, handing off the small gold box she carried. "And just so you don't forget, here's a small reminder from all of us to you."

As Asa opened the box gingerly, they were taken aback at the beauty if front of them. A small object, fitting inside the palm of Asa's hand, reflected the light gently. The model of the Hera was stunning, made in a clear crystal that made it glint in reflected light as Asa gingerly turned it over in their hands.

"Th-thank you, Captain," they said, clearly choked up at the gift. "I will treasure this always."

''A suitable object for meditation as much as for remembrance, '' Sonak commented with a nod. '' For us, what you have done on this ship will forever be part of its legacy; and live within each and every one of us. May you live long and prosper, Lieutenant, '' he formally offered with the time-honored salute of his people.

"You as well, Sonak," Asa replied, returning the salute respectfully.

"So, um, let's eat?" they said, eyeing a nearby pastry with a touch of longing.

Wiping a tear from her cheek, Mnhei'sahe chuckled nervously. "That sounds like a good idea, Asa. And... and I think someone may have instructed them to have a pot of fondue prepared."

The young Rihannsu pilot smiled at her departing best friend, mentioning the first meal that Asa had shared with her in this very room just a couple of days after Mnhei'sahe had joined the ship.

Eyes alight Asa followed Mnhei'sahe over to the fondue, smiling at the shared memory. Fondue would always hold a special spot for them now, as would many shared memories.

"So, who hasn't had the pleasure of this dish before?" Asa asked, twinkle back in their eyes, spending one last night in the company of family.