If Life's A Beach, Bury Me In A Sandcastle

Posted on 02 Mar 2015 @ 3:48am by Ensign Arandon Khnailmnae Ph.D.

613 words; about a 3 minute read

"Computer, begin log entry."

The sound of page flipping fills the recording for a moment, when he does speak his voice can sometimes not be heard or distinquished and it is not due to the recording device.

"Day one of my assignment here consisted of a series of routine encounters. First I reported to Commander Blake, the Galileo's executive officer. Next I dropped my things off in my quarters, where I was introduced to my roommate, Doctor Mott, a Bolian. He's a physician and has... questionable taste in fashion choices but cohabitation shall not be a problem. He seems very unaware of my culture, sometimes to the point of offense or irritation, but I shall rise above it."

Pacing can be heard.

"Next I met Commander Stace, the Galileo's Chief Science Officer and Second Officer. She is a Trill in her early thirties, and so far I have had but one encounter with her. I do not believe this is enough to form an opinion on her or her character, if one is required. Next I reported to Sickbay to correct a headache and several other ailments in relation to my adjustment to life on the Galileo. I met Doctor Warraquim and Doctor... goddess help me I don't know if I can pronounce her name correctly. Her first name is Tuula, however. Later that evening I was introduced to Commander Kohl and Doctor Chapparal. Both are undergoing romantic troubles. The pond in the arboretum is also not being well taken care of but that is another matter. Oh and now I'm apparently tutoring a young boy in Romulan history, I shall continue a separate series of logs on that."

"Day two consisted of a series of briefings and inspections. Admiral Saalm is a stalwart woman and seems attatched to the ship and crew, despite not being formally in command. I was also introduced to my colleague, or perhaps my subordinate, Mr. Van Zyl. We do not seem to get along, though time will test that theory."

"My third day was... interesting. Mister Hudson is quite unusual for a Starfleet Officer. He's flirty and... promiscuous, not that I am making a judgement on his character by those traits. Apparently he is also having emotional difficulties with another enlisted man named K'os, though I have not yet met him, Ellsworth speaks of him with great emotion...."

"Computer en...."

Silence permeates the recording.

"I would like to state, that the transition to this assignment has been difficult. My head hurts constantly. My bones ache and I don't feel comfortable sleeping in my own bed. Were this assignment my choice I would regret it, but as it was decided for me, I feel I am starting to resent it. The people here are... so very different and diverse and the tempo of their different personalties crash on my senses and the teeth of the rhythm of their thoughts is constantly causing..."

Thirty seconds of the log are missing by the order of the recorder.

"Computer end log and delete last thirty seconds."

Recovery in progress.

"...me to act out in ways I cannot understand. I feel myself warping around them, it feels so odd and so disturbing when I look back on it. I do not like it here, I miss Mars, I miss the sun I miss not being couped up in a windowless box I miss the view of the sands I miss.... oh... goddess I miss so many things. I will grow to hate it here, I just know it. Either that or I'll go crazy, or one will drive the other."

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