Steps Forward

Posted on Sun Feb 12th, 2017 @ 3:24am by Captain Rueben Gregnol

Mission: Mission 3 - Negligence
Location: Bajor, Spaceport
Timeline: Timeline: MD -07 16:00
1295 words - 2.6 OF Standard Post Measure

ON:

Sanuye watched her walk away and stood for a moment on the periphery. With Cinon back at the campsite, he was free to think. For months, he had wandered in a dark place. There really wasn't any other way to describe it but that time was ending and if he were to continue, he needed a purpose. The lack of one was, in point of fact, unnerving. Just as learning to make choices had been at first .. whether to go this way or that, whether to wear traditional garments or try something new, whether to lay down arms completely ... so many choices. And it had seemed to all of them that each choice made took them yet another step away from the life they had all sworn to lead. When honor was everything, how does one get past betrayal on such a scale?

And so, Sanuye wandered around the spaceport and happened upon a man posting a sign. He paused long enough to read over the man's shoulder and stepped back as the man turned toward him.

Rueben hated to admit that he needed a Security Chief was annoying. He assumed on a ship that small that he could control the situation but he was wrong, he needed someone to replace Saija Rionuj. Why was it becoming such a pain to keep security personnel let along someone to lead them. It wasn't like the ships crew caused trouble or the ship in general got into trouble. What trouble could a 'merchant' ship get into?

"Sorry." Rueben muttered as he turned from putting up the old fashioned poster in the area that people left things to recruit crew in the space port and saw that someone was just behind him.

Sanuye understood at once that this was a man who sought service -- not in the way of his people of course -- but service was something familiar. though negotiating such things was not. That had always been the Imai's privilege. Still, he remembered some of the sessions she had had with outworlders and drew on that knowledge. "What is your need," he asked.

Rueben looked at the man then back to his wanted sign. “I need a Chief of Security.” The Captain said quickly.

Sanuye nodded, his expression smoothing out into familiar lines, the impassive face of an Azhadi warrior. "I understand and I do not. What work do you do where you have need of warriors?"

“I am a Captain of a space ship.” Rueben admitted pointing through the window to where SS Mary Rose was stationed. It was easier without transports to come down to the lower atmosphere space port.

"You are a man given to few words," Sanuye said. He glanced over the ship, aging technology at best, and returned his full attention to the man. The measure of the one requesting service always mattered most in the Imai's negotiations. She had said this often to no one in particular at the conclusion of her discussions. "This I can understand but if I am to give my life to your service, I would know more. What does your ship do that you need a security team as well as one to lead such a team?"

"We have a few security crew members but no one leading them at the moment. We are a merchant ship i guess." The Captain hadn't really decided what the ship was yet. Barton wanted the ship to be criminal but it wasn't in the former Executive Officer at all. He was still hoping to one day return to his career and life. "I would need a man or woman to secure the crew, guests, provisions and items that the ship carries. that we carry and if we go on away missions to assure the safety of the crew i send off the ship." Was this man wanting the job?

Sanuye listened. This was not his domain and often, in such negotiations, the Imai's skillful interrogation revealed that there were often layers to such matters. He did not possess that skill. "I am Azhadi. I would do this work, serve you and your ship."

"Well Azhadi... I am Rueben." He held out his hand just like Jeassaho had earlier in the day. "You are wanting to be my Chief of Security?" Rueben was surprised by that. He had the build for it after all, the man was huge which sometimes was all you needed.

Again, Sanuye held his hand in the same position but did not actually touch the other man. He was indeed capable and he had served as Azhadi leader, been forced to fight in the merging duels, had served his tribe with honor and distinction. But all that meant nothing and he struggled to find a form of the ancient words that would serve in this new, strange place he found himself.

"I am called Sanuye. I will serve you and so long as your cause is honorable, I will do all that is within my power to do to achieve the task you set for me. In the way of my people, I ask only this. The time may come when you no longer wish my service. If that day arrives, I ask that you release me on a world where I may seek other service."

"I don't hold people to do something if they don't want to do it." Rueben said quickly dropping his hand when it wasn't shook. "You don't know anything about me or my ship properly." Rueben needed a Chief of Security and the man looked like he needed a home.

Sanuye dropped his hand as well and made a mental note to ask, when the formalities were over, what this gesture actually meant. He suspected he was missing something and, like all of his caste, he was immensely curious.

"Where are you living? You look like you are living off the grid?" The Captain was still trying to work out more about this man.

"I have a camp in the woods," he said and then at the man's expression, added. "My needs are simple. " He stiffened slightly, if that were even possible considering the formality of the moment, and added. "There is no dishonor attached to my name if that is what you mean by ... off the grid." Another choice loomed in his mind and with the courage that was as much a part of him as his hair color or his size, he made it. "I am Azhadi. Warrior caste. I trained all my life to be a warrior. I served with honor. I gave everything. And the day came when we ... all of us ... were told to leave. That we were no longer needed."

"I understand." Rueben nodded, being unwanted was a feeling he knew very well. The man sounded like he was a simple man and didn't need much, the ship would be a culture shock. "If you still want to join in the morning your name will be on a movement pass for the gangway."

"One last question. What does this," he said as he extended his hand as before, "mean?"

Rueben took the mans hand in his thinking about how to explain that handshake were commonly done upon meeting, greeting, parting, offering congratulations, expressing gratitude, or completing an agreement. Its purpose was to convey trust, respect, balance, and equality.

"It means welcome to the ship." Rueben said trying to find the simplest way to explain it to the man.

Sanuye shook hands for the first time in his life. "Welcome," he repeated. "That has a good sound to it. "

OFF:

Captain Rueben Gregnol
Commanding Officer
SS Mary Rose

Sanuye
(Brand New) Chief of Security
SS Mary Rose