Who's the guy with the long face?

Posted on Sat Mar 16th, 2019 @ 7:06am by Lieutenant Commander Aurelia Taylor & Lieutenant Commander S'hib
Edited on on Sat Mar 16th, 2019 @ 7:07am

Mission: MISSION 0 - History Speaks
Location: DS9
Timeline: Current
2021 words - 4 OF Standard Post Measure

Tugging at the mustard yellow collar around his neck S'hib let out an uncomfortable moan, He had always hated clothes ever since he and his family had started wearing them upon moving to earth. But Starfleet uniforms, in particular, irritated him greatly.

"This is ridiculous." He said with an exasperated sigh, looking at himself in the wall-length mirror of his quarters. His one piece uniform stopping just above his knees, a small split tapered on the rear allowed his tail to gently slip through. "Computer, What transporter room will the Elysium senior staff be using when they arrive." S'hib huffed as he attached his comm badge.

"Transporter room three has been assigned to the Elysium for the duration of its visit." Replied the Stations computer as stoic as always

"I best get going," S'hib added as he quickly glanced at his neatly braided mane before leaving his quarters.

---
Still in her cabin, Lia stood looking at DS9. *I think I may have to speak to Bashir once I get on the station* she thought, picking up a PaDD she noticed a personal file. It was for one Ensign S'hib, who was joining her department. This wasn't what she needed right now, but he was waiting on DS9 and would probably want to meet her. *What the hell is he?*, Lia had never come across this species before and his size worried her. Her thoughts were confused, but hey he was waiting on the station, *Just wait and see* she reasoned.
---

Glancing up through the glass panels as he arrived outside the transporter room, S'hib stared up at Elysium, The large vessel dominating the vast and empty backdrop of space above the station. "Today is going to be a long day." He sighed unenthusiastically as his gaze slowly tilted down towards a PADD in his hand, only to shoot up abruptly as the transporter glistened to life.

"Commander Holmes?" S'hib asked cautiously, hoping to put the right name to the many faces he was trying to memorise.

The large creature looming over her caught Lia by surprised, "I'm Holmes, you are?"

"I'm Ensign S'hib, your new security officer." He replied softly, Extending his free hand out towards Holmes. "I wasn't sure who I'd meet first, So I apologise for the impetuous meeting."

She looked S'hib up and down, "Well your supposed to report to the Captain first, then report to me. But walk with me Ensign, I have things to do and people to see. You weren't one of then, but since your here tell me about your self".

“My apologises Commander, The Elysium is my first assignment since leaving the academy.” He Snorted trying not to sound defensive as a hoof nervously scrapped at the floor as Holmes walked off. “I must admit the protocol for reporting to a docking ship is a bit lost to me.” He added, quickly catching up to Holmes with small trot. “If this is a bad time I can leave you to your duties?” S’hib snorted with a slight shake of his head.

Lia listened and out the side of her eye watched S'hib, "Ensign, confidence in one's self is paramount when in Starfleet. Doubly so when one is in Security, if I can offer you a suggestion. Learn protocol, it's there for a reason. But more than that, don't let senior Officers spook you". She stopped walking and turned to face S'hib, "Security puts you front and centre, you need to be confident to stand there. You also need to project that confidence, now your a big guy and easy to spot. I suggest you get to know your fellow Security Officers and learn to be confident, otherwise your not going to cut it". She turned to continue her walk towards finding Bashir, remembering he visits Quarks quite a lot. "Ensign, have you eaten? If not please join me at Quarks, the first person I need to contact should be there. You can keep me company until he arrives, and tell me more about yourself".

“My apologies commander, I have had a lot on my mind recently." He replied calmly, His tail giving the only indication that he was slightly irritated by her comments, and even more so with himself. "But I assure you," S'hib added before letting out an audible snort. "I won't let you or the Elysium down, and hopefully I can use this small opportunity at Quarks to make a better impression than just now."

Shaking her head, Lia smiled as she put her hand to her mouth. "What did I just say about letting senior Officers spook you? As a security Officer you have to project confidence, and that includes in front of senior Officers. I'm your head of department, but you gotta show me that you can face down an Admiral if you have to". She arrived at Quarks and found a table, "Ensign, please believe me when I say I'm not picking on you. But you got to have more confidence in yourself, you're letting me get to you. And I'm not trying to get to you, I just want the best Officers on my team. Now before I make a fool of myself, is there anything I should know about you or your species that isn't common knowledge?" She picked up the menu and waited for S'hib to reply, somehow she felt he may not be enjoying meeting his department chief".

Sitting down slowly, and making sure he flicked his long braided tail out to the side S'hib took a deep breath before looking back up at Holmes. "My species only recently joined the federation, So I can imagine there would be quite a lot of things that people don't know." He said picking up a menu, shaking his head and his mane briefly before examing its contents.

"But what I think you are perceiving as a lack of confidence is actually one of the main reasons I and my fellow Sequus don't leave our home." He said calmly, pausing for a moment before continuing. "I evolved from a prey species, You and everyone else around me didn't." He added, staring intently at Holmes before looking back at the menu. "And by now I'm guessing you must be confused as to why I joined Starfleet Security." He said softly, placing the menu back down and resting his large four digit hands on the table.

Nodding in agreement, Lia looked at S'hib. "Your reasons for joining Starfleet Ensign, are your business. Why you picked Security is something I would question. Your size although good in personal protection, could be a disadvantage in other circumstances. But they are your choices, and you have the right to make them. If as you say, your species don't leave their home planet. Are you sure you can handle the possible results of being separated from your "Herd" shall we say?" She was attempting to pick her words carefully, this was a sentient being sitting in front of her. He had his reasons for doing what he was presently undertaking, could she expect him to just except her and tell her everything? "If you wish to explain your thought process to me, then please do so. But I have no wish to make you uncomfortable, so don't force yourself to do so". She glanced at the menu, finding the Dango she made her choice. She then looked back up at S'hib, "Humans are what I would call a predatory prey species, being omnivores they can appear fully predatory. But when caught unprepared, their just as much prey as your species possibly were".

"I haven't had a herd of my own for most of my life, I think I've handled it pretty well so far." S'hib stated softly. "But I guess because of that fact, not having a herd to look after or a family to protect I'm trying to find that missing piece." He added, gesturing with his hands as he spoke. "And hopefully the Elysium is that piece, And I'll find my herd with her crew."

Lia thought about what S'hib had said, "That will be up to you Ensign, I've been on Elysium for two years. When I was injured and taken off the ship, I fought like hell to get back on". She looked around for either Quark or Bashir, finding neither she continued to talk to S'hib. "Just don't expect too much from the Elysium to early, their close and friendly but take their own sweet time in accepting outsiders. And no disrespect Ensign, but your one hell of a surprise when you first turn up".

"None taken," S'hib said awkwardly as he leant back into his chair and crossed his arms. "I get that a lot." He added, studying the commander intently before twitching his nose and opening his mouth to talk once more. "May I ask how you were injured?"

The question caught Lia on the hop, "Ah well, it was a really stupid reason. We were under attack and I needed to get to the bridge, so I entered a turbo lift. But as it went up, the ship got hit. I ended up getting thrown about in the lift and injured, badly as it turned out. I was found unconscious by a medic and taken to sickbay, we got back to DS9 but I was transferred onto the station because of my injury". She thought back to being left behind and loosing her Second Officer post, "My career stalled and my position as Second Officer was lost, but I fought like hell to get back".

“Well it sounds like you’re more than deserving of your rank, Most people would have taken a career ending injury as just that, rolled over and stuck with the hand they got dealt.” S’hib said softly, glad to see his department head would be someone he could aspire to be like. “Remind me not spa with you during training.” He added with a chuckle.

Blushing slightly, Lia shook her head. "I wouldn't say that Ensign, you see this ship does strange things to its crew. It makes them love it, if you stay long enough you'll know what I mean. As for training, unless you can handle a sword you should be safe. I tend to train on the holodeck, within a fantasy world where sword play is used. It can get a little rough, but you don't seem the sort to engage in that sort of thing". She noticed another Ferengi and after finding out he work at Quarks, ordered her Dango. "If I were you Ensign, I'd grab myself a Ferengi and order your food. Before you fade away through hunger". She laughed as she spoke, and hoped her new Ensign would find his place.

Smiling to himself before waving over another waiter S’hib turned to his CO. “You’re right, Swords arent my thing.” He said coyly before pointing to the menu and letting the waiter know what he wanted.

“But I am very proficient with a Chal’tek, you would probably call it a spear.” He added before his arms again. “My people stopped being a prey species on my planet when we developed tools, We didn’t hunt per say but we became very adept at self defence... The Chal’tek is a modern take on a weapon my ancestors used to defend their homes with.”

"Now that sounds interesting, the Elves I fight against use spears to hold their enemies off while they ready their main defence. What ever that could be at the time. I may invite you one day Ensign, if you feel you can handle it of course". Lia had started this meeting with doubts about her new boy, but he was slowly winning her over.

"I guess we will find out." S'hib quipped as their food arrived, hiding an excited grin.

Lia looked up at S'hib, "Ensign, do I detect a hint of excitement? We will indeed see, bon appetit".

OFF

Ensign S'hib
Security Officer

Commander Lia Holmes
Chief Security/Tactical Officer
USS Elysium