Welcome Aboard Consul Orin

Posted on Sat Jun 18th, 2022 @ 8:02am by Captain Samuel Woolheater & Consul Andrinn Orin
Edited on on Sat Jun 18th, 2022 @ 8:02am

Mission: Season 5: Episode 4: Reef
Location: USS Elysium - Quartermaster
Timeline: MD01 - 0800 hours
Tags: Orin, Bell
5177 words - 10.4 OF Standard Post Measure

[ON:]

The Quartermaster got me all squared away with my quarters and my office, but was having trouble with my access codes, since they were secure diplomatic codes from the highest levels of the Federation and some of the oldest. He looked down at his console, scrambling to get some of them in and tapped his combadge, saying, “Quartermaster to OPS, any available Boatswain. Can someone come down to the shuttlebay? We have an issue with our new Chief Diplomatic Officer’s access codes and I won’t be able to show him around. Do you think you can show him around for a little bit?”

Boatswain’s Mate 1 Trevor Bell was busy working on a project when the QM called. It was a busy day, new crew were coming aboard and there was a lot of crew rotation this time around. Someone called, “TREV???? You’re up!” Bell, stopped working on an inventory manifest, put the PaDD away and went for the shuttlebay. He was going to meet a senior officer too. The new Chief Diplomatic Officer for the Elysium. The ride on the turbolift was slower than usual. Not every lift had been repaired yet - and some just simply needed maintenance. Eventually, the doors opened onto the shuttlebay. Bell went for the QM’s office and it was packed. He thought he could maybe guess which one of these new folks would be a diplomat. It was a little game he played. But this time, nope. “Hey QM?” he said to the man behind the computer panel, “Here for an escort?”

Standing over in a corner and looking over a cargo manifest, Orin waved his hand and said, “Yeah, that would be me. Appears that my access codes are just so incredibly old and unique that your computers are having some trouble with them. Think you’d be able to show me around long enough for them to sort everything out?”

Bell turned to see the new CDO. A tall man, at least six-feet tall and looking nothing like a diplomat that Trevor thought, “Yes sir! Welcome to Elysium sir. I’m BM1 Trevor Bell. I can show you around until the paperwork catches up. Here? Let me help you with those bags sir? We can stow them temporarily out in the shuttlebay lockers. Let me get the code and I’ll help you secure your stuff.” Trevor went to an open terminal, logged in and retrieved a secure code for a locker. He returned and picked up two bags and then led the way. Asking the new officer, “So, where are you coming from sir?”

“I’m coming from the Trill Embassy on Earth, working with the Federation and Trill to make sure the universe doesn’t go to absolute chaos. An ex of mine thought that I could use a change of scenery, especially after a couple decades on Earth. How about you? Where did you come from before joining the crew?” Orin asked, helping to secure his bags in the shuttlebay locker. Once the door was shut and the pad said it was secure, Orin let the young man lead the way.

The man didn’t look much older than he did when he started his career back on Trill back in the day. He had just been thinking about his family and where he had come from on the shuttle ride here. So, he didn’t want to be too sappy about his own past and wanted to think about something else and hearing about this young man’s past would do just that. Plus, his mother’s people were listeners and Orin actually liked hearing about other’s lives. He said that if he didn’t stay with the Federation that he would have opened up a bar somewhere and listened to everyone’s stories.

Trevor verified the locker was secure and answered, “I’m from New Johannesburg. It’s a colony planet, Merab IV is probably how most people know it. A little burg. My family’s always been Starfleet. Grandad, my Dad, my brother…we’re all Starfleet former or current. But I heard that happens a lot on colony worlds?” He noticed the spots now on Orin’s neck. They were not as dark, not as pronounced as other Trill. Trevor said, “Trill embassy? You must be a little bit Trill then yourself sir? I can see some faint spots on you and I don’t think they’re freckles, sir? He then added, “I’ve never been to Trill before sir. I’d like to get there one day? Take a dip in the Hoobooshian Baths? I heard they are spectacular!” here he chuckled and led the way to the large bay windows that overlooked the rest of the shuttle bay.

Looking over the shuttlebay, Orin listened to the man and said, “Yeah, you would honestly love it down there. Also, yes, I’m half Trill. I’m also 337 years old, which explains why the spots are not quite as bright. My mom’s 487 and doesn’t look a day over 40. Straighten up kiddo. Looks like you’ve just seen a ghost.”

Orin chuckled as he watched Trevor drop his jaw to the floorboard as Orin explained his heritage to the young man. He wanted to see if Trevor was clever enough to pick up on his other side and to be able to guess when he was born. “Wanna guess what year I was born in, too?” Orin asked with a soft chuckle, patting Trevor on the shoulders as they began walking down the corridor.

“Wait a minute here. Now, I’ve heard that the symbiant’s can be hundreds of years old? But not their hosts? Trill, the unjoined? The hosts? Whatever? They have regular lifespans like my species do. Humans? So, are you talking about your symbiant’s age? Or your age? You the host?” he asked as they walked down a crowded corridor heading for a working turbolift.

“The Orin symbiant is actually closer to 450 years old. I’m the one who has had the symbiant for the longest because I, Andrinn, is over 337 years old. I am a product of two humanoid species, but I’m also of a longer lived species too,” Orin said as they finally found a working turbolift and entered it.

“So, let me give you a quick tour of Elysium sir? Let’s go from bottom to top? I promise we won’t spend all our time on a turbolift.” Orin let the man order it to our destination because he wasn’t sure if he commanded it, that it would actually go anywhere. The lift was about half-full and Trevor said, “Attention please? This is the new Chief Diplomatic Officer, Lieutenant Orin. It’s his first day and I’m giving him an escort. If you could hold off on your destinations until I get the Lieutenant on his tour? I would be very appreciative!” he said in a take charge voice. A few crew nodded and offered their welcome.

Orin waved back to some of the other crew members and blushed a bit. He didn’t like being that center of attention. But, he officially knew about five or six more people than he did this morning.

“So, the ship basically has two sections, a stardrive section and a saucer section. We’ll start in the stardrive section and I’ll show you the starfighter hangar. Deck thirty-five!” Trevor said to the lift and it started to move downward Trevor continued, “450 years old! That’s several human lifetimes. You have to go through an initiation too right? To be a host? Not just anybody can be a host? And you’re not even fully a Trill? So what other species are you sir? If that’s not too personal a question?” Bell tried to guess but Adrinn looked…Human.

“Well, sir, if you had to take a guess, what do I look like? I’ll even give you a few guesses and hints. If by the end of the tour, you can’t guess my other lineage, I owe you a drink on your next day off down in the bar on the ship. How does that sound?” Orin said, a small smile on his face. He wanted to make some new friends onboard and he loved teasing some of the new recruits onboard, so he wanted to see how long he could drag this out.

At least five people made a groaning sound that turned into an “oooo!” sound. Someone said, “Bell is the *worst* guesser on the whole ship - better get that drink poured Lieutenant!” to which a round of laughter at Trevor’s expense was heard. Trevor chuckled too and simply said, “No comments from the peanut gallery while the tour is in progress. Please!”
As the turbolift went through the ship, Orin said, “I’ll give you your first hint. I’m most definitely not a human being. I’m not originally from Earth, nor is my mother. Otherwise, we’d be some old humans.”

There was some more teasing but he kept going, “Alright, not Human. But, you have a long lifespan. Not Vulcan, I can see that.” Trevor took a good look and was coming up at a loss. Someone, another crewman whispered in his ear. Trevor lit up, “Oh? Yeah!” He snapped his fingers but he couldn’t recall. “The…the….Deltans?!!”

A chuckle came from everyone in the turbolift, including Orin this time. He was enjoying torturing the newbie and letting the crew observe, even if it was only for a few moments. The doors to the turbolift opened and deposited the two men onto Deck 35. They walked out onto the deck and the doors behind them closed.

DECK 35
Looking around at the various bits of equipment and instruments around them, Orin was in a bit of awe because of how much stuff there was. “Hanger deck, you said, right? Definitely looks like one, doesn’t it? But, what does it all DO?!?!” Orin asked as he stepped further onto the deck, making sure to stay out of the way long enough for some of the fighters to be shifted from one side of the deck to the other.

“Deck thirty-five sir, the Starfighter Wing. This is the dedicated deck for the fighters. Elysium has a full complement of fighter craft. I’m not sure if they are marine pilots or Starfleet pilots or both sir” Trevor said as they took a good look around.

Stepping back, so neither one of them got injured while doing the tour, Orin said, “You’re actually incorrect on the Deltans part. They’re the ones with the bald heads and hormones that drive any other species insane. If you have relationships with them sexually, it’s said that you lose your sense of self and just want to have sex…repeatedly. Next clue is that my mom's species isn’t native to the Alpha or Beta Quadrants, but is native to the milky way galaxy.”

Trevor thought about that, he gave the Lieutenant a serious sounding, “Hmmmm…”. He realized that just trying to guess by looks alone was getting him nowhere. He said, “OK, spots are Trill. Your eyes are not all dark…so not Betazed. I don’t think they are long-lived either. Not bald so not Deltan.” He pressed the call button on another turbolift on the starboard side of the bay. While they waited he asked, “What color is your blood sir?”

“It’s probably the same color as yours is. Crimson red, even though the little booger in my gut likes to try and play tricks on the medical scanners from occassion and try to make it seem a little bit darker than usual. Gotta love having a symbiant sometimes. Do you think you have a guess, sir?” Orin asked, poking the BM1 on the side of his shoulder as the doors opened up to a turbolift with an Ensign and two Lieutenants.

“Not Axanar, definitely not Borg” Trevor said as they stepped into the lift. “El Aurian?” he said almost flippantly with an aside.

Shocked that he finally guessed the correct answer, Orin looked at him and said, “Yes, actually. My mother was an El-Aurian that was working with the Vulcans on First Contact when she met my father back in the 21st century. I guess that I owe you that drink now.” Orin let out a small chuckle, but he enjoyed it because he enjoyed listening to the young man try and guess where his mother was from.

Trevor had a broad smile, “No way?! I guessed it? Hot damn! I mean sorry sir, sorry sirs!” he said to the turbolift full of officers. Addressing himself to the turbolift, “Deck 30.” Then after a beat he said, “You don’t really look El-Aurian” he said and then immediately realized that he had no idea what an El-Aurian “really” looked like. He had no frame of reference. Other than that he knew that there was at least one other El-Aurian on the ship. He tried to move on by saying, “Deck 32 is ‘Marine County’ sir. Usually we don’t go down there unless they need something. We got a new couple of marines recently too. Anyway, the whole deck 32 is for them. I’m taking you to Engineering on Deck 30.”

As the turbolift began heading upwards towards Engineering and Deck 30, Orin looked over and asked, “What kind of ship is this anyways? My ex…person…told me about the posting and I was able to get my hands on schematics for the ship. But, I don’t know if it said much about the type of ship we’re on or why it’s so special, besides the people of course. Is it a first of its class kind of ship?”

“Yes sir” Trevor answered, “First in her class. A shipboard AI, we call her Avalon. A starfighter wing, full detachment of Marines. Full scientific services, Diplomatic offices, of course that's your area of expertise sir. Civilians here aboard too sir. Many officers have their entire families onboard. We have a school, gyms, library, movie theater. If you haven’t been to Deck 2 yet, you are in for a treat! Here we are - Deck 30” he said as they exited.


DECK 30
Orin stepped out of the turbolift and looked around Main Engineering and all its glory. It was a beautiful sight to see and he saw the warp core, which his middle brother worked with on a daily basis over at Utopia Planetia Fleet Yards on Mars. Orin asked, “Lemme guess…the warp core is special too? Like, some plasma infused, critter crawler manually realigned, type of warp core or something along those lines?”

Orin walked over to the core and examined it, even though he didn’t know much about the mechanics of it. He could tell you that if the matter and antimatter touched, the ship would go boom. But, that was about the extent of his engineering skills. Now, if the core and him could have had a conversation, they would have been golden, but that’s not ever the case.

Bell shook his head, “I’m sorry sir, I don’t know much about Engineering or what kind of power we’re using.” Trevor did show Andrinn what he did know about Engineering, which was a little bit more than one might have expected for a BM1. Continuing the tour, Trevor entered another lift with Orin and said, “Deck 21.” Next he asked him, “How do we properly address you sir? Consul Orin? Lieutenant Orin? Which do you prefer?” he asked him.

“I think my technical term while onboard is technically Consul Orin, but I think the Captain told me that the rank is most closely related to the rank of a senior level Lieutenant. But, you can call me Orin or Andrinn, either way. I hate using rank sometimes because I have had them since I was young. I just want to listen,” Orin said with a smile on his face as they rode the turbolift up toward Deck 21.

DECK 21
Arriving at their destination, the doors parted open and they stepped out. Bell said, “This deck is the onboard Starfleet Academy dedicated deck. No better way to get first-hand, real-world experience than on an actual training vessel right?” he asked rhetorically. Trevor asked Andrinn, “Do you have to go to school to learn how to be a Diplomat sir? Or is it more, on the job training?”

Looking around the deck, Andrinn thought back to when he was in school at the Academy. He didn’t have a senior cruise because of all the experience that Andrinn gave towards Trill and the Federation. He was a bit jealous of all the incoming Academy cadets that actually get to do theirs as he looked back at Trevor and said, “Well, I actually went to the Academy to make sure that I knew what I needed to work for the Federation. However, I went to an Institute back on the Trill homeworld to be able to learn what I needed. How about you? Did you have to go through the Academy to become a BM1?”

Trevor answered, “No sir. Not the Academy. I graduated from a technical school. Logistics and Supply Chain. Learning how to make sure the ship has everything it needs in between ports of call. We can replicate a lot of what we need right on Elysium, but some of the more complex parts or items that have special power or diagnostic components to them have to be manufactured off site. So, really specialized stuff. But after I get done with my tour of duty? And I get my years in? I can probably go work for Universal and get a nice retirement job. Keep me busy and also have plenty of free time to relax. Not like these cadets. They are here to become full fledged officers. Maybe even Captains one day?”

Thinking about what you said, Orin was curious why Trevor didn’t want to become an officer one day or do anything on an officer track. “Why don’t you want to become an officer? Didn’t you say that your entire family were Starfleet Officers before you? Your dad? Grandpa? So, why not you, Mr. Trevor?” Orin asked, curious as to why this bright young man didn’t pursue something in the Academy, like Operations or Engineering.

Bell answered, “Now that’s the El Aurian in you speaking huh?”

“Yeah, it’s the part of me that wants to listen to the stories of others and just listen. I think that’s part of the reason why I’ve been doing well with the whole Diplomatic track with the Federation,” Orin said with a smile on his face, offering up an ear for listening.

Bell said, “I thought about it before. But no one in my family was an officer with a commission. We’ve been in Starfleet but no one in my family ever was an officer. There’s a lot to lose being an officer. Lots of responsibility for others. I just want to do my job, best I know how to do it and then when I’m off shift - you know - just relax and not have to worry about anything else. Plus, places like Universal would rather hire non-commissioned folks anyhow. That’s what I’ve heard. Work on Mars and then probably retire on Earth? Seems pretty sweet to me sir. It’s just not worth it to me to become an officer. I respect all of those that do. But, it’s not for me.”

Listening to this young man, it sounded like he had his life pretty much mapped out and it sounded perfect. If he were a younger man without a past like he had, Orin might’ve gone down a similar path. But, the fact of the matter was that Orin wasn’t and he was looking for something….something he couldn’t quite put into words.

Trevor said, “From here, Deck 18 is Security, Deck 17 is Science and Deck 16, that’s probably where you’ll get your quarters. Senior Officers and their families are berthed on 16. You have a family sir?” he asked.

Bringing him back out of his own thoughts, Orin asked, “What did you just say?”

“Sorry sir? I didn’t mean to pry? I just asked if you have a family that you’ll be bringing to the ship?” Bell answered.

Orin thought back to who actually helped him get the job on the Elysium and thought about how they talked about having a family together one day, but that was just a part of the past that was no longer a future. “I would love to have a family one day, but I would have to find someone to have a family with first. The last guy I dated and got engaged to broke it off about a year ago because I worked way too often. Which is why what you talked about was something that really spoke to me. I wish I could be as young as you are again and just have everything planned out like you do. It seems like the perfect plan.”

Scratching the back of his neck, Orin thought about it and said, “How about you? Did you ever want to have a family for yourself?”

Trevor said, “Yes sir. I have a girl right here onboard. We’ve been seeing each other for a year now. I guess it's getting pretty serious. We met onboard. I think that probably happens a lot. Well sir, there are a lot of people on the ship. A lot, two-thousand officers and crew. You got like 150 Marines and I think like 300 civilians and contractors. So, 2400 people? 2400 potential dates Consul” Trevor answered back. “I’m sure that you’ll make lots of friends here, Lieutenant.” Trevor pressed the call button for a new turbolift car.

“Minus the people like yourself that are dating or already have pre-established families that they brought with them from back home. But, that does leave quite a few people onboard that I could have a relationship with one day, potentially. That’s what my ex-fiance said to me a couple weeks ago, before I applied to the posting onboard. He said that I needed to move on because I hadn’t done so in several decades. He said I needed a change…” Orin said as he trailed off and thought about the night that Michael told him about the posting onboard the Elysium.

Orin had always had a bit of a chip on his shoulder because of how he grew up and Michael could tell that, so he knew that Orin needed to get away from the stuff that his family and his people always did. Smiling over at the gentleman, Orin smiled and said, “Thank you, by the way. For being my first…friend onboard. You’re a pretty cool person…for a straight guy.” Orin gave Trevor a small, playful wink as they looked around.

Trevor laughed, heartily. “Well thank you sir.” The doors to the turbolift opened and they stepped inside. “Deck 12” Trevor said. As the laughter passed he said, “People come into our lives and they go. I look on the experiences as all for the good. We’re all on a journey sir. Along that journey we get to walk, if we’re lucky, with different people. We just have to make the most of the time we have and that’s it.” The doors open and Trevor motioned for the Consul to go first.

Looking over at Trevor, Orin waved his hand and said, “Sorry, there’s just a lot more to unpack there than I’ve let on. Back on the Trill homeworld, when my mother came to work with my father, Trill had a bit of a Xenophobia and bigotry problem that became a bit more rampant during the latter half of the 21st century due to some stuff that happened. It got better in the 22nd century, but not after my mother and I got shouted at by locals throughout the capital. My ex, who happened to be that Betazoid I think you knew that I wasn’t, could sense it from deep within me and tried to help me change. However, the long hours I put in with the distance that we both felt on several dozen occasions just pushed us away. So, I’m glad that he came into my life and helped me to make the change that I needed to.”

Orin walked over and held the turbolift door for Trevor as they both stepped off together.


DECK 12
Trevor said, “Deck 12 is medical. You’ll need to see the medics here before you’re cleared for duty. There’s not too many places on the ship where everybody is equal, but sickbay is one of those places. Doesn’t matter who you are or how many pips on the collar; they treat you all equally well here. Nothing but respect for the medics. They do a hell of a job sir. Pardon my Klingon.”

“I’ve never been the best around doctors, but I think that’s due to my Trill heritage. My people didn’t like outside doctors looking through us as though we were aliens, even though we totally were. Has the doctors onboard treated any joined Trill before?” Orin asked, slightly holding his gut near where the symbiant was.

Trevor nodded, “Chief of Medical is Doctor Sthilg, he’s a Gorn sir. But he’s the best doctor in the whole fleet. We’re lucky to have him. The best of Starfleet medical is right here. I’m sure that he or one of the others on the medical team have cared for a joined Trill before. Doctor Sthilg is pretty thorough.”

Trevor called the turbolift again, “You ought to check out some of the other ship board activities sir? There is a dance troupe, a theater group, and a musical group. They play at weddings, parties and special events. Oh? You’ll probably use them huh? In your Diplomatic role. So, I heard Diplomats throw the best parties?” he said as his eye lit up a little. They stepped inside the turbolift.

As they stepped onto the turbolift, Orin thought about it for a second and said, “Depends on which delegation is throwing the party. The Vulcans can be a bore and complain for a species that represses their emotions. But, they're good people. Do you want to know who throws the best Diplomatic parties? You’re not going to believe it, but the Betazoids do. Whole telepathic abilities and they’re just able to sense when something needs to change for the better. Great times. Also, don’t ask. Just…don’t.”

Trevor laughed out loud, and tried to speak but couldn’t. The doors opened onto Deck 3 and he almost spilled out into the Arboretum. He took a breath and said, “Sounds like you got some stories there Consul?” and another bout of laughter.


DECK 3 - ARBORETUM
The artificial sun was out and the arboretum had a few gardeners here. BM1 Bell said, “This is a popular place, the Arboretum. Look up? See that walkway? That’s Deck 2, that’s where the Diplomatic Offices are. So, maybe your office will have an Arboretum view? It’s very nice here. And the water system is entirely recyclable. Nothing wasted Lieutenant. This is a good place to take somebody on a picnic? Deck 10, which we skipped, is the shopping mall. There’s a club there, “Hades Inferno”. It's a hook-up joint but after a night out, the Arboretum is still open and sometimes, the night is just right and you can see the stars. It’s worked for me on a couple of dates at least.”

“I’ll have to take your advice and see what I can’t find out. I’ll have to go shopping beforehand though because I only brought so much from back home. They only allowed so much, you know? Sucks, but I’m sure I can find something when I go out,” Orin said as they looked around the Arboretum. It was a beautiful morning and it had been awhile since he had enjoyed any sort of fresh air and sunlight of any sort.

Trevor said, “That’s pretty much the nickel tour Lieutenant? Shall we head back down to the QM and see if they found your credentials? Get you officially onboarded?”

Shaking his head, Orin looked around and said, “Yeah, I guess we’ve got to get back to reality sometime. The tour was amazing and I’m sure you bring all the new recruits onboard to be able to have fun like this, don’t you.” He let out a small chuckle before offering Trevor to lead the way back down to the QM down near the shuttlebay.

Boarding the turbolift for one more time Trevor said, “I’m just part of the team sir. Like you. We’re on the same team now. Being ‘new’ isn’t as much fun as the brochure would have you believe. You can call on me anytime sir. Chances are I’ll be seeing you again when we host Diplomatic functions again. Somebody has to setup those tables and order the chairs.” He said with a grin. He held the door open as the lift came to a stop. They walked to the Quartermaster’s Office again, a little less crowded. Trevor said, “Welcome aboard sir. It’s been my pleasure to show you around a bit. If you ever get lost, you can just ask the computer. I hope you have a good tour of duty Consul Orin.”

Extending a hand out and shaking the hand of the man who he had spent the better part of an hour or two with, Orin shook Trevor’s hand and said, “Thank you for the tour of the ship, sir. It’s a pleasure to get such a personal touch on the new ship that you’re working on, and if you need anything in the world of diplomacy, just let me know. I’ll see what I can’t do to help you out.”

The two men parted ways and Orin headed back into the QM’s office to check on his access codes. They had been completed for a little bit, but Orin was happy. He had made one of his first true friends onboard.


[OFF:]

Consul Andrinn Orin
Chief Diplomatic Officer

&

Trevor Bell
Boatswain’s Mate 1
NPC - Woolheater