Need To Stay Busy

Posted on Fri Oct 2nd, 2026 @ 11:13am by Civilian Teevs Dosivi & Captain Gary Taylor

Mission: MISSION 0 - History Speaks
Location: XO Captain Gary Taylor's Office
Timeline: June 19th 2398
1709 words - 3.4 OF Standard Post Measure

Keeping busy was Teevs' way of staying out of his own head. Now that the Elysium was continuing back to the Milky Way, he found himself in a bit of a conundrum: his role as a local expert would eventually come to an end. They wouldn't need such a person once they got back, and the thought was practically existential. It was what encouraged him to stop by an office he had visited before. Teevs had learned since the last time he was here; instead of knocking, he pressed the chime.

Inside, Gary was seated behind his desk, sipping on a vanilla milkshake and reviewing some PaDDs. The Elysium was again on its long, lonely trek to return home to the Milky Way when his door chime sounded. Curious to who it might be as he had no scheduled appointments for the day, he called out "Enter!" and leaned back in his chair to see who came through the doors.

Teevs collected himself as the doors slid open, and he offered a slight smile to Gary. "Mister Gary, it has been a while," he said as he entered.

Gary stood up smiling, "Hello Teevs. No need for mister just Gary will be fine. Please have a seat and yes it has been awhile. I hope you and Kerilia are both doing well. Would you like something from the replicator?"

"We're alright, considering." Teevs didn't come to Gary's office to dwell on recent events, or think about how he felt about them. He was here to find something to do, so he left it at that. He was about to ask for some tea when the slurry on his desk caught his attention. "What is it you're... drinking? Consuming?"

Gary nodded at Teevs answer and didn't pursue it. He realized it was hard to move forward past an ordeal if everyone kept asking you about it. He glanced at his desk at Teevs inquiry. " A vanilla milkshake. I am partial to them. Would you like to try one? You can get a different flavor such as chocolate or strawberry if you prefer something different."

Teevs briefly pondered it before shrugging. Why not? "I'd like to try the vanilla one, please." As he spoke, he eyed the selection of available chairs. There wasn't any meaningful difference between them, yet one of them called his attention more than the other so he took a seat in that one.

"Absolutely." Gary replied as he moved to the replicator to get Teevs his vanilla milkshake. A moment later he was handing the concoction to Teevs. "See what you think of that. I hope you like it." He offered as he sat back down behind his desk, his eyes on Teevs as he preapred to try the milkshake.

Teevs accepted the cup... vase?... of thick liquid from Gary. It was definitely a liquid, or at least a semi-frozen situation. It came with both a spoon and a straw, which momentarily confused him. Opting to try the straw, he drew a little bit into his mouth with some effort. "It's thick... and quite sweet," he commented.

"It is that." Gary agreed with a smile. "Use the spoon if you need to, it's easier to consume that way." As he watched Teevs use the straw. After a moment he spoke again, "Now, what brings you to my door? I don't think it was to come by and try milkshakes."

Teevs did try the spoon and found it easier. What a bizarre beverage, if he could even call it that. "No, Mi- Gary. I have a request." He paused just long enough to eat one more spoonful of milshake before setting it on the desk. He liked it, but it was cold in his hands. "The commodore is letting Kerilia and I stay aboard. I'm appreciative because Kerilia likes the ship, and I think she'll have more support here than if we tried to find a new home in Circinus. She was actually the one who asked the commodore."

For just a brief second, despite the words, Teevs felt a small surge of anxiety. He knew Phoenix was different from Sama, but his instincts saw the position, and the kind of influence that position could have, not the person. It would get better with time, and trust. "I have come to realise that my services as a Circinus resource won't be that useful once the ship... once we return to the Milky Way. I gave it some thought and I'd like to ask if I could assist departments to see where my skillset is most valuable. I'd... like to join the crew, if it's possible."

Gary listened in silence as Teevs spoke and gave his reasons for coming to see Gary. "I am glad to hear that you and Kerilia are staying aboard the ship. You and your daughter have become valuable members of the Elysium family." He paused as he took a sip of his own milkshake then replied. " I'd be delighted to have you assist various departments and in the process find which one you'd like to join."

Teevs nodded. Good, he was glad Gary agreed. It also allowed him to stay busy. "What does that process look like? For assisting departments, and later on when I find something?"

"You have several different options available to you. All depend on what you feel is the best fit for you." Gary replied. "You can enter Starfleet via one of these options. You may want to become a commissioned officer, an enlisted crewmember, or leverage existing professional expertise."

Teevs thought for a few seconds. "What does each one require?"

"Ah. They all have their own criteria." Gary explained for example. 1. Attend Starfleet Academy (Officer Track)The most common path to becoming a Starfleet officer is applying to Starfleet Academy, headquartered in San Francisco. While many applicants enter right around the age of majority, there is no upper age limit .The Application: Any adult citizen of the United Federation of Planets is eligible to apply. Non-Federation citizens (such as Nog, the first Ferengi in Starfleet) must secure a letter of recommendation from a command-level Starfleet officer. The Entrance Exam: Applicants must pass a notoriously rigorous entry exam covering advanced subjects like hyperspace physics, interspecies ethics, astrometrics, and grueling psychological evaluations.

2. Enter as a Direct Enlistee (Non-Officer Track)Adults who prefer practical hands-on work over command or high-level scientific tracks can join Starfleet directly without going through the four-year Academy. Chief Miles O'Brien is the most famous example of this path. The Enlistment Process: Recruits apply through an Enlisted Training Center. Requirements: Applicants must clear a background check, pass a thorough physical examination validating their fitness for interstellar service, and swear an oath to uphold the Federation Constitution. Training: Instead of a four-year degree, enlistees undergo a shorter, highly focused "boot camp" style training program to specialize in specific vocational skills like technical engineering or security operations.

3. Direct Commission via Professional Lateral EntryAdults who are already highly qualified professionals—specifically medical doctors, specialists, or scientists—can bypass standard Academy training. Abbreviated Training: Instead of the four-year officer program, adults with established advanced degrees can take an abbreviated, 1-to-2-year direct-commission training course. Starfleet Medical: Doctors often transition through a parallel track at Starfleet Medical Academy to learn specific protocols for alien biology and starship medicine before being assigned as medical officers.

Gary finished the outline. "So you see, there are options open for you Teevs"

As Gary explained, Teevs indulged another couple spoonfuls of milkshake. "The second and third one sound the most feasible to me. No offense to Starfleet but I have no immediate desire to return to school." He briefly smirked at his own words before continuing. "While my background is in the sciences, a significant portion of my practical skills are in repairwork and trading." He paused for a few seconds, his expression thoughtful, "now that I think of it, I believe the last time I even used my educational knowledge was when Kerilia was a toddler."

Gary nodded, "None taken. I fully understand the reluctance to return to school. I leave it to you to decide which option you feel suits your goals and desires the best as I am sure you want to keep your family together during this time. I would advise you to take your time, carefully think this decision through and only after that make a decision. You may also wish to talk to Kerilia about this."

At the mention of Kerilia, a little bit of the underlying stress began to peek through. While Teevs had said he and Kerilia were alright, it was clear that he simply wasn't saying everything. "Yeah, of course. I don't anticipate making any decisions soon. I probably won't contact departments to assist until Kerilia is back in school, which at the moment..." He sighed, "... I don't even know when that will happen."

Gary noticed the change in Teevs demeaner as he mentioned Kerilia. "I think that is the smart approach, study, think it over. There is no rush to make a decision. You and Kerilia both underwent a very traumatic situation. Give Kerilia and yourself time to recover before engaging in anything new and that includes going back to school. You both need to be there for the other. That is what is important right now."

Teevs nodded slowly. "I will. Thank you, Gary. I will let you know when things settle back down."

Gary flashed a smile. "Please do. You and Kerilia are part of the Elysium family. You are both important and we care about you. Stop by anytime, my door is always open."

Teevs returned the smile with an appreciative one of his own. He glanced to the milkshake, "is it alright if I take this with me?"

Nodding Gary replied, "It certainly is. Enjoy it and anytime you want another or even if you don't and you just want to talk just come on by."

With an appreciative nod, Teevs collected the milkshake cup and left the office. He had much to think about, but Kerilia was spending more and more time in her room and that concerned him. She was his priority, and he'd figure out the rest later.