Long Time No See

Posted on Mon Dec 9th, 2024 @ 9:10pm by Lieutenant Commander Rynn Upland & Lieutenant Commander Thriss Kla'ren
Edited on on Tue Dec 10th, 2024 @ 9:57am

Mission: Character Development
Location: DS9
Timeline: During "Downtime"

The Sunfire had been docked for a little over an hour now. The crew of the Sunfire were celebrating their downtime in Quark's bar. Thriss had been there for a little while, but found quickly that he wasn't in the mood for that many people. After leaving the bar, the Andorian found himself sauntering through the main floor of the promenade.

He didn't really have a destination. The man was lost in his own thoughts. Rightfully so too. He had become a Borg drone, a part of the collective, even if he hadn't been fully assimilated. To be honest, he didn't agree with the doctor's decision to clear him so quickly. He knew Doctor Wilson and her medical staff knew what they were doing and they had been lost in space.

He felt this way because mentally he was a train-wreck. Who wouldn't be? Physically, he now had this fear that he could snap at any given point and return to the collective, destroying everything in his path. Thriss was in his own head and in reality he needed to snap out of it, somehow.

He did appreciate Baldric's advice and deep down he knew she was right. It wasn't is fault. Everything that happened was out of his control.

Eventually, the Andorian found himself on the second floor of the promenade, staring out into the vacuum that was space.

He stood there for an unknown amount of time, spaced out and lost in his thoughts. He snapped out of it when he heard footsteps approaching him, and a familiar voice.

"Someone's lost" the voice said.

Thriss turned around to see his best friend, Rynn Upland, who was the Varley's Chief Engineer.

His eyes lit up subtly. He hadn't seen her since he transferred to the Liberty and that felt like ages ago. Thriss smiled lightly. "You could say-" he was cut off when Rynn pulled him into a warm hug. The Andorian knew why.

They were like that for what felt like forever and quite honestly he needed that.

Rynn pulled away. "Sorry. I just haven't seen you in forever, and I felt like you needed that."

"Honestly I did" he trailed off. "Thanks."

"Yeah" She said. "Are you good?"

"Heh" Thriss chuckled. "I am, now that you're here" he knew better than to lie to her. She'd find out anyway. "But outside that I'm not okay."

"What do you need?" Rynn asked.

He laughed like he was delirious. "That's the thing. I don't know."

"Don't lie to me Thriss" she began. "I think you know exactly what you need."

"And what would that be?"

She sighed. "Do I need to spell it out for you? You need a break. You were assimilated and that's all you can think about."

"Say it for the whole world to hear" He snapped before stopping himself. "Sorry, I didn't mean to snap. But I'm taking a break now. We're on shore-leave."

"That may be so for the rest of the crew. But I know you well enough to know that you'll want to waltz right back into the engine-room to help with repairs" She sighed. "I don't blame you. I did the same on the Varley."

"I was going to go back to Earth" he muttered.

"I heard that" she quipped. "And I figured much. But a few weeks isn't enough time."

"For what?"

"Recharging your batteries, seeing family."

Thriss raised an eyebrow. "It absolutely-"

Rynn interjected. "Not for you. Not for what you've been through."

"Are you suggesting I take a leave of absence? That I can't afford to do."

"Thriss, the Sunfire can't afford to have a Chief Engineer that is burnt out and struggling, questioning every move he makes and if you ask how I'd even know that, it's because I know you better than you think" she stated.

"Not only that but your engineering staff is more than capable than operating without you. After all, you taught them most of the things they know."

Thriss shook his head. "They'll still be down personnel with my Assistant Chief leaving my department."

"That's where you're wrong" Rynn smirked and handed him a PADD containing transfer orders to the Sunfire.

Thriss smiled as he looked over the report. "You do realize that is technically a demotion for you, since you replaced me on the Varley?"

She nodded. "Read more."

He looked back at the report and his eyes widened. "A promotion to Lieutenant Commander" Thriss smiled and looked up. "I'm proud of you Rynn."

She smiled. "Thanks."

After a few minutes of silence, the Andorian spoke up again. "I take it this means that you'll be the acting CHENG then?"

She raised an eyebrow. "Is this you telling me that you're taking an leave of absence?"

"Yeah" he trailed off and handed her back the PADD. "I've gotta request it first."

"They'll accept it Thriss. They need you at 100 percent."

The two fell silent before Thriss spoke up. "I guess that means you're still after my job" he chuckled.

Rynn punched him in the arm playfully. "He's back" she smiled.

"Oww" Thriss whined before relaxing a bit. "I think I will be."

"You will" Rynn said before they fell silent.