Casual Conversation - Josef

Posted on Thu May 9th, 2024 @ 5:52am by Commodore Phoenix Lalor-Richardson & Commander Kyle Reece & Commander Sthilg & Lieutenant Commander S'hib & Josef Forstinger & Captain David Tonelly [Reece]

Mission: Season 6: Episode 4: Memory Lane
Location: Medical, Private room
Timeline: MD10 - 09h00
1748 words - 3.5 OF Standard Post Measure

Phoenix took a breath and even though she normally would not have gathered the officers who were with her, due to the person she was about to visit’s past, she knew that Josef would have seen similar beings, so with the Chief Medical Officer, the Chief of Security and the acting XO in tow, she walked up to the small private room and knocked on the door. “Mr Forstinger?” she said in her softly accented federation standard. “I am sorry to disturb you, but I wanted to have a conversation with you.” She knew he would recognize her from the day before.

Kyle stood behind Phoenix's left shoulder, his features calm as they waited for permission to enter.

"Come in" responded a male voice. It was Josef, sitting on the bed of the small room, a few things were kept carefully such as his bed and clothing. with him just wearing a tank top and some jeans provided to him. He was reading a book-one that was in his possession and within his backpack for all this time, closing it and laying it on the bedside table before standing up. "What do you wish to talk about ?" he asked rather straight forward. Having attempted to distract his mind with the book but failing, it still being abuzz, trying to cope with everything that was happening. On the outside he so far seems to have kept a calm demeanor-though on the inside it was much different.

S'hib was the first through the door, a cloven thumb resting atop his belt near the holstered phaser. Human or not he wasn't taking any chances as he moved inside.

He had, after all, seen the inventory report of items that had been removed from his person... an entire weapons locker was needed just for them alone.

his eyes scanned the room as he clicked across the carpet, relaxing his posture and placing his hands behind his back as he moved to one side.

Phoenix forbore to roll her eyes as she stepped into the room. "Thank you Mr Forstinger. I understand you have a lot to process but I wanted to speak with you while we are in a lull." She had her diplomatic voice on but Phoenix was a naturally polite person. She waved at the officers behind her. "My security chief and acting XO are eager to hear your story as well."

After Phoenix entered, Kyle stepped in behind her, staying behind her left shoulder as she spoke.

Phoenix tilted her head slightly. "Would you tell us the basics of your story?"

"The Basics? Well. We were deployed to stop the launch of a rocket by the Carpathian Mountains. Stumbled into an Ambush inside the Compound and-I was the only one who made it." He pauses for a second, his outside remaining stoic-yet his voice having a hint of pain in it, looking over to another book on his beside table, one that seemed to be a journal. "Once aboard the rocket I intended to sabotage it-but was unable to. It launched, and having no active oxygen on board I had to save myself into one of the Cryopods-probably saved my life too, I was bleeding a lot. Next thing I knew I woke up, got enslaved by some Alien Freaks, got injected with a bunch of drugs and forced to cave in heads with metal pipes. Touting me as the Barbarian from the Alpha Quadrant or something. At least until you guys picked me up. Now the showers do not use water anymore, my education is practically useless and everyone I ever knew or loved is dead and has been for hundreds of years, and of course. Aliens are real. Like talking Horses-no offense to you Lieutenant, and ones that look awfully a lot like Humans." he finishes his rant for a second. Letting out a sigh. "Apologies, don't know what overcame me. Any questions ?"

" Was thisss rocket launch during the third world war or the eugenticsss conflict?" Sthilg enquired. It seemed rather trivial but the closer of any mission from either of those two conflicts would greatly be appreciated by the human historians on earth.

"I-Im sorry, the what now ?" he asked, a bit in disbelief. Quickly striking the thought and horror from his mind he took a sigh. "The Eugenics Wars." he replied. Making the timeline a bit clearer. Meaning He was taken somewhere around 1997

Phoenix listened with a straight face. And mentally she made a note to make sure any quarters provided had the water shower option for this gentleman.
"You have indeed been through a lot. What is your rank?"

"The NATO Equivalent would be Staff Seargent." he responded to Phoenix. Not sure if she even knew what NATO was or meant.

" North Atlantic treaty organisssation." Sthilg added his inner book nerd and historian coming in handy. " Precuressser to the new united nationsss. "

"Ma'am," Kyle spoke up softly. "Perhaps it would help to have someone come down here to speak with the Staff Sergeant, who was on Earth during that time?" He was thinking of the Marine XO, Captain Tonelly.

Phoenix nodded. "Summon him." then she looked at Josef. "Staff Seargent, This is going to be a very hard learning curve for you, more so with the trauma you have suffered. That said, this ship and its crew are going to help you as best we can. Once the good Doctor here has confirmed you are well enough, we will get you settled into a cabin, with a water shower" she added with a smile. "And give you time and space and counseling and retraining in whatever you wish."

S'hib turned to Lalor after studying the man, watching his body language while everyone conversed.

"Commodore, he will need shadowing until he's learned his way around the ship, last thing we want is you getting lost." He said dividing his attention between Lalor and Josef.

"But not someone from security, I don't want you to feel like we're monitoring you."

"I am sure counseling will be able to assist with that." Phoenix said calmly.

"Wont make me feel less than a toddler. I don't even know where to begin or what career to pick-hell, how is Earth even ? I assume a desert planet, with no oceans left all ?" he makes in a reference to some books he read set in the future. Hoping it wasn't true at all.

“Avalon, holographic image of Earth please, Current time line” The Commodore called out. And in front of him appeared the image of Earth. “No, it’s a beautiful place.” She assured him. She had been carrying a small satchel which she now opened and pulled out a leather bound book. She handed it to him. On the front was written “Earth History – 1900-2100’s” “Once you have read this, there is another, 2100-2300’s” She assured him. “I used the same books when I came to Earth at 16.”

"Kind of seems just how I left it except, well. The Space Stations. And the people" he said on a sad note. His Parents, Friends-all gone. Earth still looked familiar, but was it really the same ? "Funny, I was studying to become a history teacher before I got conscripted." he says, studying the first book, seeing some events he remembers learning about or witnessing himself, before stopping right before the year 2000. Its as if even his hand didn't want to go further, closing the book again. "But, I guess God had different plans huh ?" he says, in an attempt to lift his own mood, but it still left him sad nonetheless. While not really showing it on the outside-he was hurting on the inside.

As they spoke, Kyle made the call. A few moments later the door to the small room slid open and CaptIn David Tonelly entered. As soon as he saw Josef, a tired smile crossed his face. "Josef! Hallo, mein alter Freund!"

Josef was obviously surprised, seeing as he just saw a face that he had believed had died god knows how long ago-it at least seemed to make him happy, for now. But also very much confuse him "David, was-uh-wie ?" he questioned, obviously his german outburst translated to everyone around him. What the fuck was going ?! He wasn't going insane was he ?

David raised his hands in a calming manner aa he replied. "It's alright, my old friend. As I'm sure you've heard by now, you are safe and among friends." He moved closer slowly as he spoke. "There is much to explain and much for you to learn. As you became my friend, when you were teaching me about West Germany and Austria, allow me to continue being your friend and teach you about this new world." He finally reached Josef and extended his right hand in friendship.

S'hib turned to Phoenix while all this was going on, taking a few slow steps until he was behind her. "Ma'am, I'm going to go wait outside." He said quietly before leaving.

Obviously, David going on about a whole new world was kind of a lot for Josef. First seeing someone who should've died hundreds of years ago-even if a familiar face didn't do too well for his psyche, nevertheless it did help ease his nerves a little. Though he was clearly in thought as what to say, not noticing S'hib even take his leave in the first place. But, in the end-not seeing much like he has a choice in the matter he took Davids hand. "Alright. Ill try."

David gently pulled Josef into a bro hug as they shook hands. When they finally separated, he spoke. "That's all anyone can do, old friend, try their best each day." He then looked at Phoenix and asked. "While I will also speak to the Colonel, Ma'am, I think I will take you up on your earlier offer of some time off. I'll use it to both take care of my daughter, and help my friend learn about his new world."

"Good. Both of you. We will leave you all to it. And Captain Tonelly you are both to work with Medical and Couseling. We will give the Staff Seargent quarters on Deck 19, there are spare VIP cabins there." Lalor-Richardson said.

David nodded. Thank you, Ma'am. I'll keep you updated with our progress."

Phoenix nodded and ushered the rest out of the room to give them time to speak and for Josef time to absorb things.

OFF

 

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