Invisible Threads

Posted on 31 Jul 2016 @ 11:45pm by Commander Andreus Kohl & Irin’ira Boulen

1,159 words; about a 6 minute read

Mission: Episode 11 - Divinum Mundi
Location: USS Galileo - Deck 2 - 2XO's Office
Timeline: MD 09 - 2000 hours

[ON]

On his way to whatever came to him in the Second officer's office, Ira couldn't help but be intrigued by his surroundings. Deciding to take the long way up from his assigned quarters to the second deck, he almost pulled a muscle in his neck looking around. First at the overhead lighting and then at the various people that walked by him on their way to whatever curious task these Starfleet people did every day.

Leaving his identity of Jacob Roth back on Ferenginar felt both freeing and terrifying. He'd lived as him for so long, finding himself again was still almost too easy, making his feel slightly disoriented as he tried to find his footing on the Galileo. Still, he was sure in his decision to make the change. A small ship like this, with only a hundred people, felt manageable.

From behind Ira, there was a man advancing along the corridor at a pace with far more intention. He appeared to be of a similar build and age bracket as Ira -- perhaps a little broader across the chest, or maybe it was the Starfleet uniform that created such an optical illusion. Without slowing his pace, Andreus Kohl twisted his body sideways to keep moving past Ira, and he offered a quick, "Excuse me," as he went. Kohl's eyes had flicked over Ira's facial features for the scantest of seconds, and he was nearly five paces ahead of Ira when Kohl looked back over his shoulder.

He really looked at Ira this time. "My apologies," Kohl said, and then he continued on his way towards his office.

"Andreus Kohl," Ira called after him, recognising the man as the one he had set out to meet with. Quickening his pace, Ira caught up with him, offering the man an easy smile, as if greeting an old friend.

"I was actually coming to see you," he said with same ease as he slowed down to match Kohl's pace.

Turning to face Ira, as he approached, Kohl stopped outside his office doors. "To what," Kohl asked, "do I owe this pleasure?" Despite the personable lilt to his voice, there was a hunted look behind Kohl's sapphire eyes. He clearly had no notion of who Ira was, or why this civilian was on board this Starfleet ship. There was no fear in Kohl's manner, only questions.

Ira returned his look with the same friendly gaze. "I was told that it is necessary for new crewmembers to come and see the command staff," he explained then made a gesture to Andreus as if presenting him. "Here I am," he added, lowering his hands and resting them behind his back.

"My name is Irin'ira Boulen. I am the Galileo's new chaplain."

The vague look of confusion in Kohl's eyes was deepened by a noticeable furrow across his brow. Kohl shook his head as he started to say, "I don't re--?" but he stopped himself, and then he started again with, "Do you--?" Rather than finish either thought, Kohl cleared his throat and he took a suitably large step back to trigger the door sensors. "Please come in," he said in a manner of crafted politeness. He raised a hand to allow Ira in ahead of his own self.

But instead of following through with Andreus' friendly command, Ira remained where he was, staring curiously at the Argelian. What a curious man, the El-Aurian though, wondering how someone with so many broken up thoughts and sentences could rise up so quickly within Starfleet ranks. Surely they could have considered someone more eloquent for the role before deciding on Andreus. He maintained eye contact with Andreus for a moment longer than could be considered proper before allowing his gaze to lower until he'd taken in his whole appearance. Finally, satisfied with his observation, Ira walked forward to enter Andreus' office, now eager to see what his work space looked like.

Having abandoned his questions about the last chaplain who served aboard Galileo, Kohl focused his attentions solely on Ira. Kohl narrowed his concentration on Ira just when Ira appeared not to accept Kohl's invitation, just when Ira simply stood there and sized Kohl up. At that, Kohl wasn't able to hide the irritation behind his widening eyes. Just as Kohl was about to ask: what's happening?, Ira walked into the office.

Commander Kohl's office was little more than a utilitarian compartment. Four walls --far too close together-- with a desk, and a few chairs, and a small sofa. His assignment to Second Officer had come while he had been serving aboard Nautilus. Upon returning home, Kohl's priorities had lay squarely on his old responsibilities as Chief Science Officer, and then the matter of escaping the alternate universe, and then shore leave -- blissful, blissful shore leave. The bare walls of his office served as a blank canvas for projected imagery. The widescreen LCARS panel set into the bulkhead was alive with a mountain range from Argelius II, and the circular holoprojector on his desk had brought landmarks from what looked like an Argelian temple into the cramped compartment. Kohl ordered the computer to end the simulation, as he followed Ira in.

Not one to let anything go, and seeing how the spartan decor came as a complete disappointed to him, Ira turned to look at Kohl once more. "What was that?" he asked, his mind already trying to place the architecture of what he saw. It wasn't familiar but, guessing by Andreus' race, he simply assumed it was Argelian.

As he rounded the desk, Kohl swept a hand over his desk. His fingers passed through the space where the holoprojection used to be. "Vacation memories," Kohl said. It answered the question, even if it didn't answer the question. As he moved to stand behind his desk, he tilted his head in Ira's direction. Kohl asked, "When did you come aboard Galileo, Mister Boulen?" He blinked. A new chaplain must mean the old chaplain had gone. "That's-- that's what I was starting to ask you earlier."

"A little while ago," Ira replied, mimicking the ambiguity of Kohl's earlier evasion. "I haven't been on a Starfleet ship in many years, so it took a few days to get my bearings. I hope that isn't a problem." After taking in the office, Ira finally settled his gaze on Kohl once again.

"Was there a deadline for reporting in?"

As he considered that question, Kohl's sapphire eyes found the ceiling. His gaze remained fixed upwards for nearly twenty seconds and then he shook his head. "No, I'd say reporting into me is more of a formality than anything," Kohl replied. "You have your security clearance to be aboard and that's all that truly matters."

[TRUNCATED]

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CMDR Andreus Kohl
Second Officer
USS Galileo

Irin'ira Boulen
Chaplain
USS Galileo
[PNPC Idris]

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