Shipmates of Faith
Posted on 07 Oct 2024 @ 3:41pm by Commander Allyndra illm Warraquim & Lieutenant JG Hovar Kov
Edited on on 07 Oct 2024 @ 9:16pm
2,074 words; about a 10 minute read
Mission:
Episode 20 - Reconstruction
Location: USS Galileo-A - Deck 2, FO's Office
Timeline: MD 03, 1600
[ON]
Chaplain Hovar is a Klingon on a mission. He had met with some of the Department Heads and some of the crew, but there was one person who he was lacking in knowledge of: the First Officer. He had heard of her in passing, but he never introduced himself formally to her. He had passed by the Captain's Ready Room, which he had suspicions of, the Mess halls, which he was only able to enjoy a ration bar and a glass of juice, and finally he found himself face to face with the First Officer. He was hoping that she was not on the Bridge, as that was one spoke he was sure he would not be needed. Then again, God always has a sense of humor. Therefore, he hit the chime bell to announce his presence, waiting for a response.
Allyndra was not sure she should have taken the position. There was so much that had to be done and dealing with medical records was one thing, personnel records was another. Then she had her upcoming test. "By the Twins!" she pushed a set of PaDDs off to the side to pinch her eyes and then the chime to the office sounded. "Great," she muttered a moment. "Enter!"
When the doors opened, a walking contradiction stood before her. First, it was a Klingon who wore the uniform of the Chaplains Corps. Second, the tab collar of a Catholic clergyman rested in front of his neck, barely hiding the scars of his combat training of his youth. Lastly, there was the perceived meekness of the Chaplain instead of the proud, boastful Klingon that everyone is used to. Looking around, the Klingon witnessed PADDs as high as the eye can see on her desk, the pinching of her eyes, the mountain of bad timing before him yet again was in front of him.
"I do apologize if you are too busy. I just wanted to introduce myself to all of the crew. I am Chaplain Hover Kor. I come back later if you wish."
"No, it is fine. It saves me from having to call you in." Allyndra sat back and took the new Chaplin in with her sapphire-colored compound eyes. "Please have a seat, or get something from the replicator and then have a seat. I must admit, this is the first time I think I have encountered a Chaplain aboard a ship I have served on."
Hovar made his way to the chair, his thirst was satisfied earlier, giving a soft chuckle.
"Ahh, yes. Members of the Chaplain Corps are usually on larger ships, planetary bases or on bigger space stations. I actually volunteered for this post."
Hovar took his seat with his hands on his hips and slightly leaned forward in gentle humbleness as he also took in the sight of the First Officer up close. He had to admit, the First Officer was a rather interesting individual. He had heard of her from others, but this was the first time he met her face to face. He could not lie, he admired the daughter of Akkadia as an individual who he had never met before, and will never meet again.
"To make a long story short, I have a fascination for archaeology and religious sociology, as well as being a trained counselor and ordained priest. When I mentioned that I would accept any assignment they offered me. They asked if I wanted to volunteer for being on a deep space assignment, i.e. the Galileo. So here I am."
"I see," Allyndra replied. She wasn't sure she entirely did, but having someone to help keep the crew's morale up was always a welcome addition. "Tell me, what advice would you give to someone who lost their spouse and their children?"
Hovar narrowed his eyes slightly as he felt like he got hit with every weapon fired in every war ever fought out of nowhere. A spouse and their children? What could one say? He knew what the Klingon would say: fight in a glorious battle so their place in paradise is assured and then wipe out their whole bloodline under the rite of vengeance! That, of course, is what he would say to a Klingon. That is, of course, what he would do as a Klingon. This question though was strangely specific, very specific, and this peaked Hovar's curiosity. For the moment, he let it pass by. After careful consideration, Hovar opened his mouth and spoke.
"I can think of no greater sorrow than the parent, especially the mother, to bury their child, or children in this case. There is no consolation, there is no cure. There is only the everlasting desire to hold them, to nurture them, to hold them letting them know that their mother will protect them and that everything will be okay. The only way to do that after the children die is to be at their level, and that is to die with them."
Hovar took a deep breath, doing his best to come up with the right words.
"The heart of the widow is equally pierced. Sure, they can always find another spouse, but there was something special about the one who fell. They made a vow to that individual, they made a promise, they gave up something of themselves to produce children. They become partners, interdependent on each other, they become one flesh, one heart, one soul. To have that ripped from the other, even if it was a natural death, I cannot imagine that pain. Again, the only way to fulfill the vows is to die and be at their level, to be in perpetual mourning."
Looking into the First Officer's eyes, he confidently yet softly spoke,
"They are forced to wear this mask of contentment to their peers, living their whole life as a lie, desperately trying to maintain that mask and deny the fractures. They make it their religion and a cruel religion at that. They never allow themselves to frown or cry. In private their faces become unrecognizable even to the memories of their lost family; in public, they become obsessed to wear the mask, enduring this living hypocrisy for as long as their willpower can sustain their dying conscience until finally, they can sustain themselves no further. It is at that point, my friend, that all the love for their family has been purged; it has been replaced with this cruel hatred of both themselves and the mask of which there is only one solution to that hatred."
Blinking a few times, he realized that he preached again. He had to learn how to get the point across quicker.
"My apologies. My point is, they need to find someone who they can trust to remind them that life is still worth living, that picking up the mask will not be what their family would want. If I were their chaplain, I would acknowledge their sorrow, understand their emotions, and let them process their loss as best as I can because I will need their help to lead them away from the mask."
Allyndra tapped absently on the desk a little while listening. "Interesting." She stopped and sat forward slightly. "Welcome aboard Lieutenant. I think you will do just fine." She made a little rolling shrug. "Kāʻawi nā māhoe iā mālou i ka mea haki iā mālou ke hoʻomanawanuia." She smiled. "The Twins only give us what we can bear."
Hovar smiled back as he appreciated her gesture of good faith in his job. Then again, he couldn't help but to feel that there was something more to what was just said. There was the specific question that she asked him. Then, there was the low rolling shrug that accompanied the prayer. The phrase that she gave is something similar to what a Christian would say, which is why Hovar said,
"If the Twins are anything like the god I worship, then they will provide meaning to your suffering so their deaths were not in vein."
In for a penny, in for a pound. The courage of a Klingon is what permitted him to speak what he spoke next,
"I do wish to extend my regrets and condolences for the loss of your family."
"It was many decades ago. I have my scars on my hearts but I've learned to go on. Is there anything you wish to ask me?"
"Actually yes. Are there any concerns that you have about the crew that I should be aware of on a spiritual level? I understand that deep space exploration can be incredibly isolating, and I was already told by the Captain that there will be next to no help for us should anything go wrong."
"I avoid talking to anyone about their beliefs, if they have any. As a former counselor, I find things work best if one comes to the counselor rather than the other way around."
Note to self: Hovar had to be specific.
"I beg your pardon. I am not talking about one's belief system of a religious or a philosophical nature. I am talking about their propensity to be jealous of their shipmates, develop an envious nature, or condone, command, provoke, or defend various acts of selfishness. I understand that we are going to be on the frontier and we will have to rely on each other. For those who are new on board, that will remain to be seen. For those who are veterans, I do not have any baseline as to what they have been through."
"Ah, I understand. Very well, I would urge you to get together with the chief counselor, and, between the two of you, can make a ship-wide announcement. Hopefully, we will be at the station for refitting for a little time and should be able to allow the crew to have more time for both recreation, but also as you have said, to talk and engage."
"I have spoken to Counselor Carlisle, and we will be developing a plan to help provide mental and spiritual/pastoral care of the crew. I have made it my mission during this immediate time is to observe the crew, to introduce myself to everyone so I am not a stranger to everyone. I do regret that there are those of the crew who only see as a stranger, or as someone who is brand new because I am a Chaplain, and very few, if any, knows what a Chaplain is meant to do or how they can help the crew. That is why I am on a tour to meet at least the senior officers before I can work my way down to the rest of the crew."
"Excellent. It sounds like you have things well in hand. If there is anything more, I will let you get onto the rest of your duties." Allyndra paused. "Have you done your formal check in with medical?"
"I have yet to put in my formal check in with the Chief Medical Officer. There have been a lot of personnel transfers as well as equipment transfers from what I have been informed."
"I would urge you to get that done immediately. Until you are formally cleared then you cannot attend to the rest of your duties. I have no idea yet of what this ship will be called upon next," Allyndra said.
Hovar nodded, as he figured that no matter what they were going to be doing, he was going to make sure that they were going to survive it...somehow.
"Whatever it is, I hope to do my duty in whatever way I can."
Seeing as there was a natural break in the conversation, and not wanting to take up more of her time, he started to make his exit, verbally at least.
"If you don't have anything for me, I'll see if the CMO has any open availability to get me processed. If you need anything, please feel free to let me know."
"Very good. Once more, welcome aboard."
"Thank you, Commander. I look forward to our new adventures."
With that, the Chaplain gave farewell gestures in accordance with the honor and privilege of the Commander's rank and position as First Officer.
[OFF]
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Chaplain (LTJG) Hovar Kor
Chaplain
USS Galileo-A
Cmdr Allyndra illm Warraquim
First Officer
USS Galileo-A