A Quest for Water
Posted on Wed Jul 10th, 2019 @ 2:19pm by Lieutenant Alyssa Walker & Nidria Rilog & Lieutenant Commander ur'Sa M'jora D.V.M., M.D.
3,595 words; about a 18 minute read
Mission:
[JM New Haven] S1 E2 A New Haven
Location: New Haven station
Timeline: MD001 1030
Tags: Luuna, Sombra
A large white-furred ursanoid came lumbering onto New Haven Station on all fours. Trailing behind her were two thylacinids. Even though she bore only her furcoat and a large backpack with medical-teal highlights she still felt quite flush. She had been lucky her pilot was a Catian and since they were alone together with two large canine-like marsupials the Catian had agreed to lower their runabout’s environmental controls to a more suitable temperature for the shaggy variety. Now though, the Ursidae-like al'Hmatti had to deal with the environment of a fully populated station. Perhaps it wouldn’t be too ill-advised to lose a kilo or three.
The al'Hmatti had paused to take in her surroundings. She had left the landing pad and traversed the corridor set before her to egress in to a large open mall of some sort designed for commerce and trade. She had just come to rest in front of an information board and was attempting to peruse it, when one of the thylacinids nuzzled her.
~It’s time. Alpha~
“What?” ‘Alpha’ raised up onto her haunches to regard the domesticated carnivorous marsupial before her. The male of the pair, he had a mottled black, tan, and white tri-colored coat. A rare pattern for his breed. His eyes were unique too, like hers, he had Heterochromia iridum in this case, his left eye was an icy-blue, and his right, gold. The canid-like quadruped was sporting a service animal vest which also had medical-teal highlights and indicated his various status granting him access to anywhere his charge could go.
Near-by a black & tan sable female stood-by patiently and scenting the air. Her fur was similar in length – she was in fact the male’s twin sister – but she had not inherited Heterochromia; instead her eyes matched a lovely shade of green. A rare color for her species, but not for her breed. The female Thylacinid wore a vest too. A working vest, it sported the mustard colors of security. It too had patches on it indicating her training and access to many of the places a species of her type couldn’t usually go.
“Sombra, what is it?”
Sombra nuzzled ‘Alpha’s’ pack, specifically the sealed pocket where ‘Alpha’ stored her medication. ~It is time. ~
Just then ‘Alpha’ zeroed in across the way she smelled and spotted a serving establishment for sustenance. She crossed over and entered with the smaller quadrupeds in tow. The establishment smelled heavily of alcohol, both synthetic and real. Crinkling her nose, ‘Alpha’ looked quite lost. She peered at the stools lining the bar and second-guessed her decision to sit there.
“Hey!” the tender at the bar hollered.
‘Alpha’ looked, confused at the man with large ears.
“We don’t serve their kind here!”
“What?” All eyes were on ‘Alpha’ now. Under her fur, her face flushed.
“Your dogs! We don’t want them here!”
‘Alpha’ rose up onto her two feet, she could tell by the large-eared man’s scent that his bark was worse than his bite. Confronting the bartender, ‘Alpha’ said, “These two are with me.” She pointed at Sombra. He’s a licensed service animal, can’t you see his vest? You must allow him in. As for her…” She grumbled low, “…maybe I should have her search for contraband?”
Alyssa was on the base waiting for the ceremony and party to commence as she passed Nolok’s Bar. She wasn’t fond of Nolok; like any Ferengi bartender he never passed up the opportunity to try and come on to the female Starfleet officer. Her attention was caught by a commotion in the bar from someone that could only be described as a polar bear wearing a backpack with medical-teal colors and two service dogs. She knew immediately this must be the al'Hmatti she had heard about; ur'Sa M'jora. Alyssa walked in to the bar as she heard the whole thing.
“Nolok, leave them alone. Starfleet regulations clearly state service dogs are allowed everywhere on the station,” She said in a stern voice as she avoided his eyes. She met up with his eyes once and what she perceived from him wasn’t that pretty. “May I remind you that you are on a Starfleet base, under the grace of Admiral Llewellyn himself, who allowed you so kindly to open your bar here.”
Nolok walked off mockingly as he knew she was right, and when she was right there was no further debating with her. Alyssa turned over to ur'Sa. “Hello there,” She said in a friendly manner and looking passed her. “I am Lieutenant Alyssa Walker, ship psychiatrist on the U.S.S. Ottawa. Can I interest you in joining me at Dan and Rilog’s Bar and lounge? Both Dan and Nidria are very nice people. Dan’s food is to die for. He is a Vulcan who allows himself to have emotions and Nidria Rilog is a joined trill. She is the one serving drinks.” She pointed up ahead on the promenade.
M'jora considered Ms Walker’s proposal. “I’m just trying to find a drink. Do they have carbonated honey or queen’s wyne?” Her forehead twinged and she rubbed the bridge of her muzzle between her eyes. “Lead the way.”
“Well, I don’t know honestly,” Alyssa replied. “But we can ask Nidria.” She smiled and pointed again, “This way.” And then walked in to the direction she was pointing.
They got to the Dan & Nidria bar and lounge. It looked quite inviting. “Here we are,” Alyssa said as she looked through the window. “Looks like Nidria is in now.” She walked in to the lounge and up to the bar.
Nidria walked to Alyssa and looked to M'Jora. A warm smile came on her face. “Hello and welcome to Dan and Nidria’s bar and lounge, I am Nidria, what can I get you?” She said.
Alyssa looked around. It was quite busy, it seemed they had patrons any time of day. She looked to the liquor bottles on the shelves then said, “I would like a sweet white wine, thank you.” She turned to her companion. “And you?”
Sombra came up behind alpha, ~remind. No alcohol. Not work.~
~I know.~ M'jora looked at the co-owner of this establishment. “Just carbonated liquid roden-berry blossom honey please.” She smiled then reached back for the small side-pocket of her pack, and without looking deftly brought out a prescription bottle.
Meanwhile Luuna yawned while she kept a watch-out.
Nidria nodded smiling. “Coming up.” She walked away to the cold storage in the back to get the drinks.
Alyssa turned to M'jora now and said, “So, even though I haven’t met your kind before, I have been expecting you. I have been acting-Chief Medical Officer on the Ottawa and have been notified you will take on the position. I was informed about your dogs. If you trust me enough, I will do the final inspection of your dogs before you board our ship. But I am sure they will check out.” She smiled warmly.
((OOC: Given there are bio-filters and detailed medical scanners, I’m not sure there would need to be the same type of customs inspections (or whatever) that you normally find and expect when you want to take a non-human across an international (or in this case inter-galatic) boarder like there would be today. Besides, if there was something very recently like Jason mentioned then I don’t think it’d be quite as necessary or as long as it might have been coming to the station.))
M'jora shook her head a little confused. S/he wasn’t sure such a thing would be necessary. “Well I’m not sure, can you tell me any reason why I shouldn’t trust you?” ur'Sa asked lightly as a half-joke, smiling.
Alyssa smiled, “I guess there is no reason you shouldn’t.”
ur'Sa nodded, that seemed to settle it in her mind.
Then Nidria returned, putting the drinks on the bar. “There you go. She then leaned over the bar, looking to the dogs, “And what can I get these two cuties, I am sure they could use a little break. Why don’t you sit down at a table? I will bring your drinks to the table. And whatever your dogs want.” She looked a moment to M'jora a moment and then took up the drinks. “Follow me, I have just the spot for you and your dogs.” She walked to a curtain and then pulled it aside revealing a kind of pit with steps that were dressed as couches with pillows. A table in the center. There was plenty of room to sit and for the dogs to roam around. Nidria put the drinks on the table. “We call it the pit. Usually we reserve it for events and such; but today it’s not reserved. You can take it; so, what would your dogs like?” She repeated her previous question.
M'jora was impressed by the generous spacious seating the host had provided, “thank you kindly for your thoughtful accommodations.” She looked at the pair of thylacinids and translated.
The pair had entered the area and were investigating. Luuna was ‘securing the perimeter’ but Sombra was just having fun exploring. Although when they hear about the prospect of a snack, the immediately came to Alpha and began to beg enthusiastically; tails wagging. ~pupcicles!~ They replied to her excitedly.
ur'Sa chuckled at their antics. “There is a product called ‘pupcicles’ I think one would like peanut butter flavored, and the other would like some sort of berry flavor
Nidria nodded. “I have heard of that, I am sure our replicator has them. Unless our chef has some secret dog snacks I don’t know about. He does seem to be able to cook and prepare for anyone.” She grinned at that. “I will be right back. If you need anything, just let me know.” She then made her way to the kitchen.
Alyssa looked around the area as well. She’d never seen behind the curtains, it was a nice place to be. She took a seat at the table and got her drink and took a sip. She then turned to ur'Sa again. “So I trust your journey to the base was a good one?” She asked hoping to start a conversation.
ur'Sa settled into a seat, while the thylacinids joined her. Sombra cuddled into her lap. ~Time now?~ ur'Sa took out her meds and popped one into her maw and took a sip from her glass before putting the prescription bottle away again. “Yes, it was relatively uneventful, if long.”
Luuna was still checking out the seating area. The al'Hmatti gave her a signal that allowed her to relax a bit. She went over to ‘the other’ which she was not familiar and sat, wondering if she liked thylacinids since she hadn’t tried to pet or talk to her yet, and she wasn’t technically working.
Alyssa looked to the dog that was staring at her. Alyssa never really had pets. She always been busy. She did have the occasional crew’s pet, but nothing as big. She reached out to the dog to let it smell her hand. She learned that was how dogs got to know you. Taking in your scent. She had her hand stretched out, letting the other dog come the rest of the way.
Luuna sniffed the offered hand and reached out to lick it gently.
ur'Sa enjoyed her beverage for a moment as she observed the interactions between Doctor Walker and her other dwelling-mate. Meanwhile she reached down and stroked Sombra absentmindedly as she squirmed quietly inside unsure what to say or how to either expand upon the details of her trip or figure out what else say to help strike up a conversation.
Sombra lay still, quietly murring and enjoying the pettings he was getting from his charge, Alpha. Here and there he’d squirm a bit as he’d perk up when he thought he might hear the return of the lady who promised to bring treats, but each time it turned out to be just another server bringing something to some other table, and soon he’d settle his head down again.
Nidria came back with the snacks for the dogs. “Well guess what, the chef somehow knew you too were coming.” She held up the pupcicles. “One peanut butter and the other berry flavor.” As she waited for the dogs to come and get them as she held them down.
Luuna pounced up and snatched the snack. She carried it off, and laying by Alpha’s feet, she finagled it between her paws and started licking the ice cream out of the cup eagerly.
Sombra gazed up at ur'Sa. ~Can? Haz?~
ur'Sa nodded stopped petting him and lift her arm to allow Sombra up.
Sombra got up slowly, moseyed over and with great big puppy-eyes pleaded for the treat.
Nidria gently gave the treat. “You go ahead…eh…” She looked ur'Sa. “Is it a boy or girl?”
ur'Sa made a playful show of quickly checking under Sombra’s tail. “Yep, ‘it’s a boy’…” S/he pointed at Luuna, “she’s his sister.”
“Boy…” Nidria looked to Sombra. “Boy! Go ahead.” She giggled. “Oh, I love dogs. Never owned one, I am not sure if my previous host had one. Well the recent host doesn’t for sure.”
Alyssa smiled. “Our family was too busy to have pet, but these are not exactly pets, Nidria.”
Nidria nodded. “Oh, I know.”
“Even as pets domestic canids and thylacinids can have tremendous health benefits to both the caretaker and the quadruped.” ur'Sa stated, then cocked her head and gazed at the lovely Trill. “You’re not sure of your previous hosts, Nidria? Are you recently joined then?” The al'Hmatti smiled warmly at her.
Nidria looked to ur'Sa and nodded, “Yes a few months ago. I am slowly getting memories back, but right now I keep dealing with the last memory of the previous host. Cadru. He was a pilot on the U.S.S. Clausius. When they left Earth they got attacked while Cadru was at the helm. I don’t know much about the attack, I only know what he remembered. His console exploded in his face. He was blown away and was instantly dead, the symbiont survived but had to be removed immediately to be saved. Their only option was to take it back.” She put her hand on her belly as she felt Rilog move a bit. The symbiont was traumatized by the event and it was reflecting it on Nidria.
ur'Sa listened sympathetically, she didn’t notice the symbiont squirm since Nidria’s pocket was under her outfit and usually it was nestled deep in among her abdominal cavity. She did see her discomfort on her face though. “What’s wrong? I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable.”
Sombra couldn’t help it, he broke protocol and went to the woman and nuzzled her.
Even Luuna squirmed a bit. She took Brother’s place, so he could go check on Alpha. She licked Nidria’s hand.
Nidria smiled as she patted the dog on the head. “it’s my symbiont, Rilog. It’s traumatized, but because we are joined, I feel it too. Alyssa has been so kind to have sessions with me. It’s hard to distinguish my own feelings and that of Rilog and Cadru.”
“Cadru?… was your previous host then?” Doctor M'jora asked addressing Rilog. S/he reached down to Sombra fiddling with his ears absentmindedly. Then her stomach gurgled, her meds sometimes made her hungry.
Nidria nodded. “Yes…well, I have to get back to work, customers won’t server themselves, and I shouldn’t allow them.” She smiled and then just walked out of the room.
Alyssa watched her leave. “So, Commander, maybe you would like to tell something about yourself. About your kind? Your dogs?”
ur'Sa listened thoughtfully, but she hesitated. She was stumped. “I don’t know where to begin, what would you like to know? Do you have anything specific you’d like to learn?”
Alyssa thought about that a moment. “Eh…ehm…so how long have you been a member of the Federation?” She asked, hopefully this would give her a moment to think of other things.
ur'Sa frowned; “Well, al'Hmat is not yet a member of the United Federation of Planets. Though the Klingon Empire has been granting us more and more freedom and autonomy our relationship seems to be a complicated one. It seems they are still not quite ready to let us go. (They have slightly acknowledged our sovereignty by admitting to and calling our planet by its proper name al'Hmat though.)” She forced herself to smile trying to think on a more positive note. “I on the other paw have been apart of Starfleet for several years now after I received a sponsorship from Doctor Vanth and an invitation to apply to Starfleet Academy after I performed well during my stint in the officer exchange program and scored high during my exit evaluation.” Somewhere underneath of her ur'Sa’s ursine tail wagged causing her to squirm.
Sombra nuzzled Alpha to be sure she was alright and licked her wrist to get a better sense of her. She kneaded his ear in return.
Alyssa nodded. “Well it’s great to hear you have more freedom; and it’s great that you are here with us today,” She said. “I’ve heard some great things about you. Maybe after this we can go on to the ship and I could give you a tour. Show you sickbay.” She smiled.
M'jora’s tail continued to wag, she returned the smile. “I might enjoy that.”
Luuna came up to Alpha and nestled her head into her lap; looking up at her with doe-eyes.
“Perhaps we should make a detour along the way though. Is there an Arboretum on the station or the ship?”
“I believe there is an Arboretum on the station. The natives on the planet helped construct the station and kind of offered the Arboretum as a diplomatic gift to Starfleet. I haven’t seen it, but I think there is time to go explore it.” Alyssa suggested with a smile.
“Well then, shall we go exploring?” M'jora asked.
The two dogs picked up on Alpha’s tone and began to get excited turning in circles, tails wagging, and bouncing slightly within the limits of the height of the underside of the table. They didn’t get too excited however, they both knew they needed to hold it just a little longer.
Alyssa walked to Nidria, who was cleaning tables. “Nidria? Could you point us to the Arboretum?” She asked friendlily.
Nidria smiled, “Of course, it’s actually down two decks. The Arboretum is so big, they needed almost half a deck for it. You will enjoy it, there are whispers it is the biggest in Starfleet.”
“Thank you,” Alyssa said. “I didn’t know that.”
Nidria pointed outside and said, “Just go to the nearest turbolift and request to go to the Arboretum.” She then walked to the area behind the curtain to go clean the tables there.
Alyssa motioned for M'jora to follow her. She then walked to the turbolift. Once they were all inside the lift she called, “Arboretum.” The computer chirped and the car moved to their destination. As the doors opened a beautiful sight appeared. One Alyssa’d never seen. A small stream was softly running in the middle, and there were flowers she never saw in her life. She walked on the deck and looked down to the soft green grass.
ur'Sa entered the Arboretum with her pair of companions. She surveyed the paradox that was before her. The artificial environment that was designed and grown to look random and naturalistic. She smiled at its beauty and complexity. She wiggled her bare bear toes in the lush grass and reveled in its soft, lush feel as it serpentine between the phalanges. M'jora looked down at the pair of canid-like marsupials. ~ “Go take a break.” ~ she said both in their minds and out loud because there were others around.
Luuna tore off to explore, making a beeline for the stream. She took a brief drink then disappeared into some bushes her nose to the ground.
Sombra in the meantime stayed at his partner’s side. ur'Sa had to squat down and take off his vest. ~ “Go, go do your business. It’s time. Then go have some fun with your sister, we’ll be here for a little bit; I think she wants to play hide-n-seek.” ~ She then returned to her full height as he trotted off.
Alyssa looked smiling to the two dogs running off. She had her hands behind her back. She then turned to M'jora. “Doctor, maybe after this we should go to the ship, don’t you agree? I can show you around, if you like. Check out sickbay and show you your quarters.”
“I’d like that,” ur'Sa rolled hir eyes, “but the thought of having to setup a whole new living space is daunting.” S/he winked hoping that Alyssa would run with it.
End
Lieutenant Commander ur'Sa M'Jora D.V.M., M.D.
CMO USS Ottawa
Lieutenant Alyssa Walker
Chief Counselor USS Ottawa
Nidria Rilog
Lounge manger SB New Haven
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