A New Home

Posted on 07 Dec 2019 @ 3:54am by Captain Jonathan Reynolds & Civilian Iola Hawkins

Mission: Mission 2 - The Agora crossroads
Location: USS Andromeda
Timeline: MD6 13:00
1979 words - 4 OF Standard Post Measure

Iola straggled behind as Aidan all but ran out of the transporter room. Having never used a transporter before, at least not as far as she could remember, she felt disoriented and scared. And not being able to communicate now, uncertainty was etched on her face as she waited on the transporter pad.

What was she expected to do? Was she to follow Aidan? Was she to wait, or go somewhere specific? Her eyes followed the man who had been designated as the captain, but she was afraid to reach out and draw his attention. So... hands folded in front of her, she waited, head bowed down as she was used to doing.

Jon watched as the Trill just made a dash for it. Ten to one he was heading straight to his wife and not sickbay. He turned to Amelia. "Give him half an hour to reunite with his wife then make sure he goes to sickbay number one."

She nodded and disappeared.

Jon turned to their new guest. He could sense she was overwhelmed and frightened. "Welcome to the Andromeda Iola. Come with me, we are going to sort out some guest quarters for you."

A thought occurred to him. "I know you can't talk but can you write?" he asked. "Just nod if you can. We can get a PADD organised and communicate that way." He gave his transporter chief a look and the man started pulling things out of one of the storage containers.

She nodded eagerly. Yes she could write, and she could sign but she doubted he would understand much of that. She watched with interest as the transporter chief rummaged around until finally producing a PADD. She cast him a most grateful smile before looking away. She didn't need to flirt now to get anything done, did she?

Iola studied the PADD for a moment, then tapped away on it. What am I? she wrote, then added a bit more before turning the screen around. What do you expect of me?

That questions threw him a little. "Well your here as envoy for your Don. By their request. I don't expect anything of you unless we need to … speak to them I suppose." He wasn't entirely sure why the Don had insisted on it. He assumed Iola knew what she was meant to be doing onboard the ship when the Klingon made the condition. "Advice perhaps if we encounter a race or a system you have knowledge on but we don't. If your willing to share of course. It would be helpful but its not a condition to stay here as my guest."

"Thank you Ensign," he added to the chap for finding him a PADD and headed in the direction of the door. "Your our first guest to use one of the Ambassadorial suites," he told her.

Eyes wide, Iola shook her head. I'm but a lowly servant, I don't need such grandeur. I'll be happy to advise you on anything you need but that's not what I meant. I don't know where I'm from, I don't know what I am. I know I have this effect on men but I don't know what it means. She was typing very fast, feeling a little awkward as she turned her PADD around. I don't even know what you are... or anyone here. I know nothing about your Federation.

"Oh … Oh well that we can definitely help you with. Your species is Orion. You have what we call pheromones which can have an effect on certain species. In fact that's something we do need to do. I will have to ask that one of you. We will have to get medical to put an inhibitor on you.

I am afraid I cannot have my crew under the influence. Its a painless procedure. Lets get you settled in first to your quarters and I will show you how to use our computer. It can give you information about your species and our Federation," Jon said. "I also expect you will require sustenance? So let me show you how to use our replicators."

The young woman nodded, not quite sure what this all meant. I did notice a compliance with certain men. she acknowledged, smiling faintly. Even Aidan...to a degree, but it was different with him... But others....I've seen men fight over me, is this what these pheromones do? She walked with him as they 'talked'. What does this inhibitor do? Does it control me, like those agonizers?

"Well it can do yes," Jon said walking them to a turbolift. "Like I said they can have quite an effect on certain species. Sometimes aggression, sometimes as you say make men compliant. And by the goddesses no. All it does is keep the pheromones at a safe level so they cannot affect the crew like that. No one will be inflicting any pain on you here Iola," he told her. "You are safe. And no one will be controlling you either. You are your own person and can think and speak freely. Deck 8," he said loudly.

Speak freely... She smiled at that little slip even though she understood what he meant. Can I go where I want to go? Can I explore? Meet people? Talk to people once I learn how? She looked hopeful. Even though she hadn't really wanted for anything while she served her Master, she did crave the freedom to do as she wanted to do. Learn new things, go places without an escort. Am I really free?

"Well go "anywhere" no. Within reason. We have many places on this starship restricted to certain personnel due to safety. And we don't really know you so I can't really let you have a look at certain technologies I'm sure you understand. I have to be honest there," Jon told her.

"But theres lots of places and areas that yes you can have free reign to explore. The Medusas head - our lounge, the gyms, the holodecks, the swimming pools …. I will organise someone to give you a proper tour of the Andromeda.

Meet people of course. In fact I encourage it. The only way you can really get to know us is to meet the people here and see what we do. And we will teach you to speak and theres plenty of other things if you fancy learning more. I take art classes myself in my spare time," he told her. "I started painting."

I'm not sure what I'd like to do... I never really had any free time. Maybe people can show me things they like to do? I know Aidan likes something called...ice dancing? She frowned, not sure how to picture that. He told me a few things...

Jon nodded. "Yes I imagine its an adjustment. You will likely now have a lot of free time. We have a counselors if you feel you would like to talk to someone," he offered.

"And yeah, ice dancing's not really my thing so if your interested in that I'll leave it to Mr Datari. If you fancy a painting lesson though I am more than happy to take you along to one of my classes,"

"Here we are, these are your quarters," The door opened for him sensing his access level on his comm. badge. "You will need to wear the comm. badge I gave you at all times. The door will open sensing the unique frequency of that. Please," he extended his arm out allowing her to walk in first.

Iola stared at the door for a moment, before stepping forward. For all the technology she was used to, an automatic door wasn't one of them. i wouldn't mind trying to paint. she typed. But learning to speak had priority if I'm to be a proper ambassador for my master. she smiled, not at all disturbed by by calling the Don still her master. What are your expectations of me?

"You already asked that question," Jon said. "Your the Dons envoy and have kindly agreed to advise us on species and things you may have come across but we haven't. In terms as being a member of my ship, then I expect you to feel safe and happy. You are not a prisoner or slave here. And like we have discussed if there are things you are interested in … learning to speak, ice dancing ….. I encourage you to take the opportunity."

Iola nodded. I never felt like a prisoner, she's always been good to me. I've never known any other home than where I grew up, with her. She frowned. Please don't think bad of her, she has a reputation to uphold or her sector will crumble instead of flourish. The others, they're far worse. Their slaves are afraid, they're hurt and broken. My Mistresses, most of them are actually happy. They wouldn't dream of leaving.

Jon nodded. "My second officer wouldn't have saved her life if she was a monster. I believe you. However if things ever change in that respect just know that you have options now. The Federation can accept asylum. If you ever decided you want another home or to make this permanent.

This will be a very big change for you Iola. You might find out things about yourself you didn't know you wanted. That life that you have only ever known may not be enough to go back to. All I am saying is you get to make your own choices while you are here. Cherish that even if you decide it may only be temporary."

Iola nodded as she glanced around her new room. can I decorate this? she asked, looking back with question in her eyes.

Jon nodded and smiled. "Of course. This is your private space now. Your home. Make it comfortable for yourself. If you need something specific please speak to my ops chief and we can work on getting that for you."

"This is the replicator," he added walking her towards it. "Okay so you can't talk yet," he said suddenly realising this was not as straight forward as he was thinking. "I need to get my engineering staff to create an interface from that PADD to it so you can order whatever food, beverages, clothing .. whatever you need. Let me organise one of them to come out to you. I will make it a priority. Tonight though, please dine with myself and some of my senior staff. As my guest."

Iola smiled politely. Will Aidan be there? she asked, hoping that there would be someone she knew a bit better than just from a brief meeting. I'm sure I can manage with the replicator.

“I’ll issue him and his wife an invite of course but I can’t guarantee after the last week or so he might be feeling up to socialising. That’s understandable of course. We have two new officers and yourself now as a guest so it would be a nice thing as we resume on exploring,” Jon said. The more he thought about it the more he actually liked the idea.

I took care of him as best as I was able. Iola smiled sadly. I'll be there, I'm looking forward to meeting people. Should I see the doctor too?

“Yes please,” Jon said. “Let me walk you to sickbay and then I’ll leave you to speak with engineering.”

And operations. she reminded him with a smile.

OFF:


Iola
Don's Envoy
pnpc Aidan

●●●● Captain Jonathan Reynolds
Captain
USS Andromeda