Walkabout

Posted on Tue Jan 28th, 2025 @ 10:21pm by Lieutenant Commander Rin & Josef Forstinger

Mission: Season 6: Episode 5: A church beyond heaven
Location: Ajanie Station
Timeline: Current
1703 words - 3.4 OF Standard Post Measure

Rin understood finding oneself in a strange new world surrounded by strangers, trying to make sense of it all while everyone around you had expectations of you fitting in. She had done it once, so she had some sense of what Josef was going through. She also knew he had been largely hiding himself away onboard the Elysium. So she had invited him to tour the station with her.

Now she waited at the airlock connecting ship and station, waiting for Josef to arrive.

An Invitation ? Josef had done his best to try and fit in around the ship, socializing and eating-but it was hard, especially with his mind already burdened by having to process everything that had transpired. The War, The Arena, The Ship. From an outside perspective Events that had stretched on for hundreds of years and were even in History books. For him, it had all happened in a couple of weeks.

As Josef approached the airlock, Rin would be able to immediately spot him. Still wearing his mix of old civilian and military clothes in stark contrast to modern fashion. "Lieutenant Commander." he greeted her with a nod. His expression casted a slight smile, Though smile or not, one could notice the bags under his eyes persisted, giving him a tired look.

"Forstinger," she said, nodding back. "Or do you prefer Josef?"

She noted the bags under his eyes but said nothing. She suspected she wouldn't be the only person noticing them and he might well be tired of people asking. Rather, she'd judge his mood and state of mind on their outing and decide whether there was anything to be concerned about.

"Whatever you prefer. I am used to both." he responds. "Thank you for the invitation. But, are you sure its safe over there ? I mean, I know theyre monks, but." he pauses for a second. Despite previous reassurance and having listened to others speak of these Aliens, his gut couldnt shake the feeling of danger. He just didnt know if there was actual danger, or his mind was just messing with him. "Nevermind. Apologies, I just need to get used to not having to look over my shoulder at all times."

"It's not an easy thing to get over," Rin assured him. "You've suffered severe trauma. Despite our advances, PTSD is still very much a thing. You're not alone in that."

She gestured for them them to walk into the station together. "I can't make a promise of safety. The universe is a widely varying place. But Teevs assures us these monks are known for their benevolence. They have nothing to gain by harming us. They gather knowledge, and welcoming newcomers helps them gain that knowledge. This sector of space generally considers this station off limits to violence."

Josef seemed to hesitate for but a second. Though inside his head, thoughts formed and argued for or against each other in seconds. Surely, if Rin and the other Starfleet Personnel think it safe, it must be! But, the last time he trusted someone's word like that-no, that was years ago. 100s by now. It wont hurt to just take a look. Hell, he might even see something interesting. And at least it was a break from the same hallways and that constant droning noise of the engine. Something which his brain seemingly decided to especially focus on.

"Alright then. I'm ready when you are." *he responds, gesturing to the Airlock. Seemingly accepting her explanation with the small hint of a smile.

Venturing out of the airlock, the two found themselves in a large thoroughfare lined with shops. Some were sleek buildings set up against the bulkheads, Others had clearly been put together piecemeal as if it had continued to expand over the years. Some were merely tents, perhaps recent arrivals who had not decided if they were going to stay. Or perhaps they simply were not a big enough endeavor to afford a proper shop. And everywhere were the towering reinforcements of the structure, each decorated by tracework in what looked like stone.

Rin motioned for Josef to lead the way, although she stayed at his side, hoping her presence would give him some sense of safety.

Josef took lead when Rin motioned for it. Slowly stepping out of the Airlock he felt looked around the station. It looked kind of ragtag, as if the station had been built on and expanded over time. It felt weird to him, thinking that beyond the bulkheads was the empty, cold, desolate void of space-yet in here it felt like a shopping male and apartment all in one. Thats something his brain had to get used to. He hadnt been on a Planet since his rescue, having remained on the ship during shore leave. And was starting to regret it a bit.

"Wow, this place is huge, almost like the one they kept me on. Does Starfleet also make large Spacestation like this ?" he asks this time out of genuine curiosity. Placing a hand upon a support pillar, inspecting the Material. It looked like stone-but, it couldnt be-right ?

"Starfleet does construct large stations, but nothing as large as this. And nothing out of materials like this. Our stations look quite similar to the interior of the Elysium," Rin replied, examining the stone-like material. "My understanding is this isn't actually a station, or at least, that wasn't its original purpose. At its heart, its a space transport vessel. Just a very, very large one which has been added to over the centuries."

"I understand this feels very much like the far future for you, but from my perspective, Starfleet is fairly young. It was formed less than 300 years ago. The United Federation of Planets is only 230 years old. I would guess this ship began its travels well before you were born."

"Fairly young ? I guess so if you take it in a broader perspective. But youre right, this feels like the far future. Post Scarcity, Aliens, Spaceships, Teleportation. Stuff youd find in Sci Fi Novels or perhaps as a fringe Scientific Theory. Sometimes it feels more likena feverdream than anything else." He admits quietly. Finishing to inspect the stone as he took another wide look around them. A voice in the back of his head urged and practically screamed at him to return, to leave this place and go back to where he knew-or at least believed-he was truly safe. But, Josef shut out that urge the best he could, for now anyway.

"So what about you, if you dont mind me asking. Being an officer aboard a starship." he switches the topic, trying to strike up another path of conversation and at least get to know her a little better. God knows he had tried so with a very limited number of the crew with varying success. But he was at least trying.

"I guess you dont have to worry about space scurvy huh ?" he interjects a bit of...rather poor humor as well, mostly for himself however.

"I grew up on a starship.," Rin explained. "Mother was an officer. My time at Starfleet Academy was the longest time I've ever spent planetside. Being here gives me purpose. It gives me the ability to apply my knowledge, skills, and experiences in a way that benefits others. That might sound a bit rehearsed, but it's true. I've found a place I more or less fit in and can contribute to. That's my major want in life. Was there something in particular you wished to know more about?"

"Growing up on a Starship. Sounds like any Kids dream back in my day. I probably couldnt have standed it all. Not being outside, the constant same hum of the engines, the same corridors. But hey, you probably didnt get the Measels when you were a kid."

Josef responds, but doesnt seem to be entirely....there. Having moved to stare out at the bussling promenade of the Station. Memories flooding back from his own childhood, replaced from the bitter truth that, he was far from home....but was home even still as he knew it ?

"Well, seems you had it all figured out from the beginning then, but no. I dont wish to pry into your personal life Lieutenant Commander. But good to know people nowadays actually focus on what they want out of their future. Me and the Boys back in the Day werent as well planned out between exams, drinking, and getting into trouble. And when we just about finished Highschool, most of us didnt have a clue what were gonna do next. I mean not that it would have mattered. War took that choice from us in the end. You know, we were actually excited to go. Blinded by Excitement. Wed get to have an adventure, shoot guns, be like cool heroes on Television. Like nowadays a brave Starfleet Officer out to save the day !" he seems to be caught up in some memory now. A mixture of grief and anger present within. But then he just stops talking for a few seconds. Before turning back to face her.

"Well, I do have one question. How is the Academy ? If we ever get back to Earth id love to see it." he asks her, as if his previous reflection just.....did not happen, continuing to walk the station as they had intended.

"I'm a terrible person to ask," Rin confessed. "I don't remember my Academy days. I was, for lack of a better term, a prisoner of war for 17 years. The Borg inserted a bunch of cybernetics in me to link my mind to their Collective, which has largely wiped my memories. They think they are saving us from the chaos of free will and individuality. They are... not.

"From what others have told me, my path at the Academy was not an easy choice. I seriously considered a career as a musician. I played the violin quite well. I am guessing Starfleet just felt like home, which it kind of still does. Even without memory of it, I determined fairly early on in my recovery that I wanted to return to duty. Couldn't really imagine doing anything else."

(OOC truncated)