Tumaini Beams Aboard... Almost Part 1

Posted on Tue May 5th, 2020 @ 8:42pm by Lieutenant Selina Fenruse (*) & Commodore Ledeya ‘Ed’ Ehestri (*)

Mission: Mission 11 - Prospecting
Location: USS Cosmos
Timeline: 2396
1172 words - 2.3 OF Standard Post Measure

ON::

"Pardon the intrusion, Captain," came the voice of the transporter operator. Her interjection was transmitted from the communication grid set into the bulkheads. "The new Assistant Chief of Security is beaming aboard and I, uh, I'm experiencing a... technical difficulty. I might need your assistance."

Ledeya looked up from the running machine that she was currently using and found herself smiling a little as she slowed down to a stop to allow herself to speak. What could the transporter operator need her for? “My assistance Chief?” The woman requested already grabbing up her towel and water bottle intrigued.

The transporter operator cleared her throat and the communications system was sensitive enough to pick up the sound. She took a moment to choose her words. "He won't... leave, sir," she said. "He won't leave the transporter room. Really, he won't even step off the transporter pad..."

Ledeya winced at the words that were chosen and hesitated with her own as though it was not the man she not met in a long time. “I am on my way.” The woman assured quietly already heading towards the door. It would do no good to hold up the transporter rooms process right then and then with so many people coming and going for transport to 621.

It took mere minutes for the Captain dressed in gym clothes to appeared in the transporter room. She offered a nod to the woman who had called her instead of anyone else. “Good evening Lieutenant.” The woman greeted good naturally.

"Good evening, Captain," replied the transporter operator. In her timbre and the wideness of her eyes, it was clear the Bajoran crewman was relieved to see someone in authority. She shifted her weight from one foot to the other, remaining in the raised alcove behind the transporter controls. Still nervous, she babbled, "Is that a new top? The colour looks perfect on you..."

All the while, the reason for the transporter operator's nerves remained squatting on the transporter platform itself, surrounded by three massive luggage cases. Tumaini Calumn was a tall, compactly-built man of Betazoid heritage, and his frame looked all the more compact as he was huddled behind a luggage case. At the sound of the Captain entering, his head popped up from behind one of the cases, but only enough to reveal his dark eyes. Otherwise, he remained exactly where he was.

“Thank you. I will allow the replicator to make more in this colour obviously compliments the blush from running five miles.” The Captain said lightly as she leaned against the console. “Go grab a coffee or something Lieutenant. When you come back this will be like a day dream.” Ledeya prompted waiting for the woman to leave before she approached the man and sat down on the platform.

“Hell Tumaini.” The woman greeted gently. She had recognised the mans name instantly when he had appeared on a list of Security personnel. It was hard to forget someone so unique.

"I'm sorry. Imsosorry," Tumaini Calumn hissed from behind his cargo case. He gripped the edge of the case as if he were hanging from the edge of a cliff. In his career as a security officer, Calumn had, in fact, literally hung from the edge of a cliff before. He had, in fact, been far more nonchalant about hanging off the edge of a cliff than he was feeling about stepping out of a transporter room. "I didn't think I would feel like-- I didn't think it would be like this-- I can't breathe," he said in a jumble, despite having the breath to speak clearly.

Ledeya smiled calmly and slowly moved a little better on the platform to see him better. It was easy to see he was having a panic attack. “Nothing to feel sorry about Lieutenant. You are having a panic attack. They are a type of fear response as you know from Security training. They're an exaggeration of your body's normal response to danger, stress or excitement which considering the circumstances it is completely understandable.” Ledeya was not a fool or a former chief Medical officer for nothing and knew how to help him, she had seen it many times in first assignment cadets or people who had recently had life-changing events or changes happen to them. “How about instead of worrying about your breathing for a moment you stand up for me?" The woman stood up and offered both her hands to the man.

"No, I don't accept that," Tumaini said cagily, as if Ledeya was a spy or an interrogator who was trying to trick him. Looking up at her through narrowed eyes, Tumaini said, "If I stand up, you can see me. And if you can see me, this is real? This is really happening?" Of course, Ledeya wasn't a spy, nor was she an interrogator. Tumaini knew that. He didn't stand up, but he did offer her his outstretched hands.

"Of course it is happening Tumaini. Time to get back to action." The woman slowly took his hands and tugged him to his feet waiting until he was fully stood before taking a few steps back. "There we go. I can see you properly and nothing has changed."

Shaking his head twice, Tumaini said, "That can't be true." The sheer panic in his voice was fading. The strength of Ledeya's hands was steadying him. Even so, the words came out haunted. Haunted by everything his Starfleet career had meant to him, and had done to him. He couldn't speak of that, though. Instead, he said, "I got older." He raised a hand, indicating the crow's feet wrinkles beside his eyes.

“Well, I think you are still as handsome as usual even with some dignified crows’ feet around the eyes.” A voice called from the open doorway and Selina Fenruse stood there. The woman was slimmer than usual and had much shorter hair but did not look much different than the last time they had seen each other. The Engineer stepped inside and offered a nod to the Captain. "Hey Tu. Long-time no see." Selina finally greeted a bit better than a flirtatious line.

Ledeya smiled a little bit wondering how long it would take the Engineer to show up after she had requested her assistance. She was the only person she had thought of that might be able to get the man on board and established before they left despite how long it had been since they had seen each other. Shared experiences like she had seen in there personnel files meant years would hopefully mean nothing.

At the sight of Selina, Tumaini's breath caught in his throat. Again, he couldn't breathe, but for entirely different reasons. He took a step back, the back of his heel kicking into one of his carrying cases. Almost immediately, the case toppled over on its side. Despite the distraction, Tumaini couldn't take his eyes off... "Selina?" he whispered.

OFF::