Old Friends...

Posted on Thu Sep 19th, 2024 @ 12:02pm by Captain David Tonelly [Reece] & Josef Forstinger

Mission: MISSION 0 - History Speaks
Location: USS Elysium
Timeline: MD 1 / 1006 hours
2370 words - 4.7 OF Standard Post Measure

After he had spent the morning talking to Baeryn in her cryotube, David returned to his quarters, to feed Samanthanna and get her ready for the day. He had invited Josef to come over whenever he was ready to talk.

Josef eventually made his way over to David's quarters. It took him a bit to get groomed and dressed in a tank top and jeans, but at least it was better than a dirty old uniform. After a bit of a hassle of figuring out how turbolifts work, David would get the doorbell to his quarters rung.

Hearing the chime sound, David finished dressing his daughter in the first outfit of the day. He then lifted her up and cradled her protectively as he made his way towards the door. "Enter," he stated calmly as he moved.

As he spoke those words, Josef did enter. "Hello David." he said in a simple greeting. It was still early. And his brain had to adjust to the ships local time as well as everything in general. And despite still having baggy eyes he seemed somewhat well rested.

Smiling softly to his old friend, David stepped aside and beckoned the other man inside his home. "Please, come on in, Josef. Make yourself comfortable. Would you care for anything to eat or drink?"

"Just a Coffee if you have some." he replied as he walked into David's quarters, taking a seat on a nearby chair.

David nodded as he moved to the replicator. After making his order, he carried the mug back to his friend. "Here, just like you used to take it." After handing the mug over, he moved to sit in the other chair, gently rocking Samanthanna in his arms as he did so. "So, I imagine you have many questions, Josef. I give you my word that I will answer them to the best of my ability."

"You remember that? Got a better brain than me then," he said as he took the mug, taking a sip from it. "So, still alive hm? And a child. Seems like your career and life has taken off compared to mine," he said with clearly the intent of dark humor behind it.

"Too many to count. Tried asking the Computer a bunch-and it gave some answers, but not all. Where are we? Not as in, the ship. As hard as that's to get into my head to begin with-but where in space are we? I don't think we're near Neptune, right?"

David smiled softly to his old friend. "You'd be surprised all the memories I have. And yes, still very much alive. I suppose I should begin there. Josef, my friend, while my name isDavid Tonelly...I am not from Kentucky. Nor am I even from Earth. My species is known by the name, El Aurian. We are a race of listeners. For nearly a million of your years now, my people have moved among the stars, interacting with other species around the galaxy."

He took a breath, then continued. "As for our current location...well...we are a bit farther then Neptune. We are in the Circinus Galaxy, which is roughly 150 million lightyears from home. While you were brought here by the Thaih'ea, who used highly advanced transportation technology to reach our galaxy, the Elysium found herself tossed here by a combination of fate and bad luck. We are currently trying to find a way to get home."

"Ah, of course you are." he said in a suprisingly calm tone at David's grand reveal. As if it was just nothing at all. Which it was, now that he was practically surrounded on every side by aliens that looked like Humans, but weren't, and some that didn't look like Humans at all. Did it bother him ? Of course it did, it's only natural for him who finds himself catapulted into it. But it was no use freaking out now.

"I've just been on a streak of Bad Luck, so it's good to see I am not the only one. At least it'll give me some time to think before we return to Earth, or wherever it is this ship's port is-I assume there still are ports right? Or Docks-or something along those lines."

David grinned softly. He could tell that his old friend was having difficulty wrapping his head around things. It was completely understandable, given his current situation.

Sitting forward a little, while he continued to gently rock his daughter, David tried to help. "Josef, first of all, I want to apologize for deceiving you back then. My people are known as listeners. For eons, we have traveled the stars, visiting other worlds. In those that did not possess warp power yet, we would carefully observe. I decided to do more than just observe, I chose to live among Humans, as one of you. I chose a profession, the military, and I served with honor. I am still proud of my service to the United States. I miss the friends I made back then. I'm glad Fate brought one back, though, I would never wish what happened to you on anyone."

"I would like to rebuild our friendship, now that I am able, for my own safety, to be completely honest with you." He paused to take a breath, then said, "My people view giving one's word as sacrosanct. Once given, it is honored forever, even by our offspring. So...I am giving you my word, here and now, to both be completely honest about everything that transpires between us." He paused a moment to let that sink in.

"So, that being said, what do you want to know?"

Josef seemed to be listening to David, which- he was, his body was listening to him, but his mind ? His mind started drifting, the more David talked about Warp Travel, His People, History, Their History, Friendship. What did he know ? He wasn't the one stuck here, he got to say goodbye to his friends from back then. He got to live out his days until now as this immortal being. He didn't have his chance at a normal life ripped from him due to one mistake, one bad call. One bad call that doomed him to this fever dream of a future and killed his -.

"Honestly, I got alot of questions. What are these other...species on board? They look Human and at the same time don't look human. With the forehead ridged-big ears, nose ridged....honestly its throwing my whole brain for a spin".

David nodded in understanding. "Well, to start more simply, let's focus on just the the group this ship is affiliated with. The United Federation of Planets. The UFP President's office is in Paris, the Federation Council chambers are in San Fransisco. Starfleet, which I, and every officer and enlisted person on this ship serves, has its headquarters also in San Fran. The Starfleet Academy, where Fleet Officers are trained, is in San Fran. I am actually not Fleet. I'm an officer in the Starfleet Marine Corps. Our officers are trained at Quantico. Fleet enlisted go through basic training at Great Lakes Naval Base, and our enlisted Marines go to boot at Parris Island."

He took a breath, then continued. "At last count, there were about 350 member worlds in the Federation. Of that, I think there are about 200 to 260 different species. The four founding members of the Federation, were the Humans, the Vulcans- stern expressions, arched eyebrows and pointed ears. They, as a race, expelled emotion from their daily lives back when humans were still learning about new continents on your world. They focus mostly on logic above all else. Next, there were the Tellerites, a species that kind of resemble a bipedal boar. Word of warning about them, they take arguing to a whole new level. If one insults you, or blames you for doing something, throw it right back at them. If you insult them back, you'll become fast friends. If you back down and apologize, they will be very angry. Finally, we have the Andorians. Blue skin, white hair and a pair of antennae coing out of their foreheads. They used to be bitter enemies with the Vulcans, but thanks to Humans, they became strong allies."

"Now, the big ears and foreheads? Those are Ferengi. They're relatively new to the Federation, so there aren't many serving in the fleet. Once you start accumulating any wealth of your own, watch out, they are greedy little buggers. Their whole species is built on gaining the most wealth, regardless of how they get it. Much like Humans were, back in the 20th century. They do have their own code of conduct, and pretty much live their lives by a list of rules that their government created a long time ago. It's called the Rules of Aquisition. And believe me, it's heavy read."

David thought about the other races aboard. "You'll find Major answers, with nose ridges and usually a decorative silver earing in one ear. They are very religious, until about twenty years ago, they were slave labor to another species, the Cardassians, who invaded Bajor and for fifty years strip mined the planet. There is still, understandably, a huge rift between their two societies."

"There's Klingons, full forehead or ridges, warrior race. Honorable, but quick to anger and loves a good fight, Bolians, happy blue-skinned people, typically seen in service of some kind. Romulans, who used to be Vulcans, but spilt away several thousand years ago. They retained their emotions. Plus dozens more. However, that will probably be the largest slice that you will see on average, back home." He paused, then added softly. "I know its a lot to take in. I wish I could say that's it, but, there has been a whole lot of history and events that took place after Humans went to the stars. My advice, take it slow. Use the computer, it'll show you anything that your security clearance allows. After that, you can always come to me. My door will always be open to you, old friend."

Josef tried to absorb all the information that David was giving him. Tried being key here as he got partially lost halfway through. "Jesus Christ, I'll never complain about Geography being hard ever again." He joked, to also deflect his hopelessness in the situation. In reality he was quite good at Geography, had been since middle school. But there's a bit of a learning curve from pointing out England on a Map to pointing out Andoria on a Starchart.

"Well, thanks for the explanation though. I'll definetly try and have a read."

David nodded and smiled. "Of course, Jo. We all need a hand now and then. I'm just glad that I can be here to help you adjust."

"Sure. Anyway. I best get going. I have to-do some things." he replied while standing up. Nodding at David before starting to leave. Perhaps on the outside it seemed that David had eased some of his worries. In reality, Forstinger was starting to feel more lost every day on this damned starship.

David stood up with Josef. He could feel that his old friend was still feeling out of sorts. David wished that he could make the transition easier for him. Unfortunately, at the end of the day, it was up to the old Austrian soldier to find his way.

"Before you go, Old Friend, may I introduce you to my daughter?"

"I-" he hesitated for but a moment. But eventually nodded in response with a slight smile."Sure."

David smiled warmly, then stepped closer to his old friend, angling his daughter towards Josef. "This is Samanthanna, she's named after my maternal grandmother. Her mother, Baeryn," he smile faulted as he spoke of his love. "She's currently in Sickbay, in cryofreeze. She recently contracted some rare affliction that Sthilg has never seen before."

Josef smiled slightly. He always did have a weak spot for children. Didn't help that she wasnt healthy. "Well, it'll be fine. You have all this fancy technology I am sure the Doctor will be able to whip up something." he tried to cheer up David. At least the best he could. He never was good at this.

David's natural senses picked up on his friend's misunderstanding. Smiling softly, he shook his head as he replied. "Oh, I didn't mean that there was anything wrong with Samanthanna! She's completely healthy. It's her mother, Baeryn, who's in cryo right now."

"Oh, apologies." It seems Forstinger was still a bit confused, perhaps a side effect of the Cryogenics he was put under. After all, they werent meant to keep him in for so long, nor for an unmodified human just as himself.

David smiled softly. "It's okay, old friend. You've had an enormous amount of information dumped on you in a very short amount of time, not to mention all you were forced to endure before we were able to rescue you from that hell. If you are feeling that you need to return to your cabin and try to rest, it's fine by me. You are my oldest friend, and I want nothing but the best for you, Joe."

Josef paused for a second, at least, it was from Davids perspective. For Josef, it was more like an eternity with his thoughts screaming against the edges of his skull. Oldest Friend ? The Best ? He wanted to believe his words, he did believe them-yet something inside him basicaly screamed at him to reject them, to doubt, to question.

"Yeah, maybe I should. Ill see you around, David." he responded smiling back, yet unlike David's soft smile it seemed more forced, not out of malice, but perhaps desperation to seem...normal ?

And with that, he took his exit out of the Quarters. Deep inside his own thoughts as he wandered down the Hallway.

David watched as his old friend left his cabin. He could hear more than Josef was saying. It was clear that the German was in incredible pain right now. David hoped that Josef would be able to ask for help before something terrible happened to him on Elysium.

~OFF~