Post 228: Left to His Own

Stardate: 70618.0700
Title: Left to His Own. . .
Author: Ensign Xhian (formerly 2 of 8)
Scene: Private Quarters, Holodeck, The bar at Seven
Time: Before and During "Under the Table 3"

(Scene: Private Quarters)

It'd been a long time since anyone had really talked to Xhian, but this sort of thing didn't bother him at all. He knew that a lot of people still might have mixed feelings about a former Borg being part of the crew.

Until he got to know people better, he would just stay focused on his work.

He was still working on designing better tools, and upgrades for the ship. So far he had designed a universal scanner that science, engineering and medical personnel may use on away missions. Com-badges with increased communications range, and emergency self-remote lock on location teleportation system in case away team members were in a dire situation- if his design worked, theoretically they could be teleported -without the use of the ship's transporter- to Sickbay.

He'd also been dreaming up design improvements for the ship's life-support systems, weapons, replicators, holodecks, engines. . . he had ideas for every system on the Independence.

He was prepared to present his ideas to Commander Salvek and to the Captain at some point, but was still unsure if they would be accepting of his innovations.

He heard the whispers sometimes, quiet comments people made as he passed by. It seemed some may still be prejudiced against those who were formerly Borg and may just speak to you out of professional courtesy, not out of interest or care.Xhian entered the holodeck now and called to the computer.

"Computer, create a simulation of all phasers and self defense items issued by Starfleet to its personnel."

The computer complied. In front of him a long table appeared, displaying every phaser type Starfleet had ever created.

Xhian studied each phaser, with his usual Borg-like precision and care and noticed some improvements he could make, even to his own designs. He made note of them for future reference.

"Computer...save data under Xhian designs.

The computer did so and Xhian turned to leave. As he was heading out the door of the holodeck he saw two crew members he had not met before eyeing him.

He looked at them for a moment then went about his own business. He'd been eyed like that before at Starfleet Academy. He had come to know those stares very well. The reaction was just what he figured it would be before he arrived, and believed it would be for the rest of his life. Always.

After duty shift had ended Xhian sat at the bar in Seven forward and thought over the encounter with the crewmen in the corridor. He thought back to a conversation he'd had with Captain Jullian at Starfleet, long ago.

"You are who you make yourself out to be, and nothing more." The Captain had told him.

He replayed that conversation over and over in his head for a little while, then went back to the holodeck to continue working on his own time
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Ensign Xhian (formerly 2 of 8)
Engineering Officer
USS Independence