Post 323: In An Official Capacity

Stardate:70727.1230
Title: In An Official Capacity
Author: Acting CO Zanh Liis
Scene: Ready Room
Time: Following "All Expenses Paid Trip to Trill" and "The Situation Part Two"
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"Come."

With the one word, Zanh invited whoever was ringing the chime inside. She looked up from her computer screen and her expression changed from one of expectation to one of happiness as she saw Jariel.

[[Good morning.]]

"Good morning!" She waited to see if he had anyone with him, but found he was alone. "Where is your young charge this morning? Did you drop her off at the care center?"

[[Lair Arie is in school,]] he began. His expression grew serious. [[Captain, I need to speak with you in an official capacity.]]

Zanh stood up and straightened her shoulders. This was a first. "Go ahead."

[[Lt. Grace has asked that I accompany her and Dr. Trind on their trip to Trill. I am requesting permission to disembark with them.]]

"Permission granted." Liis moved toward him, beaming with pride. "Your first official assignment as ship's chaplain," she smiled. "Well, let's see. Do you have everything that you need?" She looked him over from head to toe, surveying the clothing that he had selected for this momentous occasion.

He had given up wearing his traditional bright orange Vedek's robe when he'd returned to the Indy, in favor of much more practical clothing. As his new Starfleet commission was honorary, he would not be wearing a fleet uniform. He had chosen a simple outfit, all in black. His shirt had long sleeves and a high collar, upon which he had affixed a small pin- the symbol of Bajor. He wore a Starfleet communicator, and had a tricorder strapped to his belt.

[[I believe so.]]

"There is something missing, but I can't put my finger on it." She knew he wasn't carrying a phaser, and she didn't expect him to. Jariel was a man of peace. A spiritual advisor, not a soldier. He would only ever carry a weapon under the most extreme circumstances, and only once had she ever known him to fire one. That was almost a decade ago, when they had been living on the Independence before and the Borg had boarded the ship.

Yes, this was a man with the utmost respect for life. He preferred to avoid even killing an insect in his garden, if he could.

[[You think?]]

"Yes. It'll come to me." she noticed the bag slung over his arm. "You're ready to leave now?"

[[I am.]]

"Then I'll walk you to the runabout."

As they passed through the bridge, Liis told K'Pajek that she would return shortly. He nodded and continued his work.

"Deck 23." Liis addressed the lift. "So, who is going to take care of Arie if you have to go?" she looked worried a moment, concerned he may ask her to do it.

[[I have made all the necessary arrangements. She will spend her after-school hours with Ensign Stabler, and stay overnight with Lt. Commander N'Dura for the next few days. Until Lair is ready to bring her home.]]

Liis laughed out loud. "N'Dura? Now that is going to be a show worth more than the price of admission." She continued to eye Jariel, still trying to figure out what was missing from his 'uniform'.

[[I hope that February will be all right. Dr. Trind says the situation is much more serious than is generally known.]] Jariel signed sadly.

"That's what she was telling me earlier. That both Grace and February are in danger now."

[[I don't know what I can do for her, besides just trying to be a calming influence.]]

"You do so much more than you know, just by being in a room." Liis replied, straightening his collar gently. Then it came to her. "I know what's missing. Here." She took one of the pips off of her uniform and pinned it to his collar, right beside the symbol of Bajor. "Your commission carries an honorary rank of acting Ensign. You need one of these."

[[I can replicate one on the journey.]]

"No, please." She lifted her arms up and draped them around his shoulders, then leaned in to kiss him. "Take mine."

[[Yes, sir.]] He grinned, placing his arms around her waist. Just as he was about to accept her kiss the lift stopped unexpectedly, the doors flew open and revealed Micah Samson. He looked up and his jaw dropped. Being as new to the crew as he was, Micah hadn't heard yet that the Vedek and the acting Captain were. . . so well acquainted.

"Excuse me, Sir!" Samson turned his back. "I'll take another lift."

"At ease, Lieutenant, before you hurt yourself. I'm glad to see you've recovered from your accident." he looked back, and she beckoned him. "Where are you headed?" Zanh stepped back from Jariel, hands clasped behind her back.

"I was going down to the runabout bay to wish Lt. Grace good luck on Trill."

"That's where we're going. Come on with you, then." He stepped inside reluctantly. "Computer, resume. Deck 23." Zanh nodded to the Vedek. "Vedek Jariel Camen, I don't know if you've had the pleasure yet. This is Lt. Micah Samson, science. Samson, our ship's chaplain, Vedek Jariel."

[[I have not.]] Jariel extended his hand in the human custom he had grown so used to by now. Samson shook back firmly. [[It's nice to meet you. Wait. Samson, I know that name.]] Jariel signed excitedly. [[We kept missing each other down on Bajor, but I've been wanting to talk to you. You were the one who tried so hard to get the government to put up a weather modification net?]] Jariel signed, and Liis translated.

"Yes." Micah bristled. Every time he thought of that experience and the storm on Bajor, he felt sick to his stomach. "That was me."

[[I'd like a chance to sit down with you later on, if you don't mind. I have a few questions.]]

"Of course."

The lift stopped, and the trio proceeded down the hall and into the runabout bay.

"I hope that it turns out that we really are just saying good luck to Grace," Zanh whispered to Jariel as Samson went on a few paces ahead, "and not goodbye."

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Zanh Liis
Acting Commanding Officer
USS Independence NCC-90791