Tea Greetings Part II
Posted on Sat Apr 5th, 2025 @ 7:01pm by Lieutenant Commander Corin Layal & Lieutenant Siadra Molaur
Edited on on Tue Apr 8th, 2025 @ 1:24am
2,300 words; about a 12 minute read
Mission:
Episode 2 - The Sins of History
Location: Quarters of Siadra Molaur - Deck 4 - USS Artemis
Timeline: MD011 2000 hrs
"There is the process of making certain if the Trill is compatible. Some are compatible but, at times one has been known where they do not want to connect with the memories of the other hosts, and that gives them psychological trouble. They wish to just be the only one in their head. It is sad when that happens, thinking of the history that can be lost."
Siadra poured the water into the cups for the tea to steep. "As for your wondering about what you may or may not leave behind. There are moments as life progresses that, just a momentary meeting, can leave a lasting impression. Or are you speaking of personal history wise?"
"Oh, I don't know actually. This could turn into a kind of morbid first conversation if we keep going. Who will remember you when you die, is more of a "we've been friends for a month" thing right?" Layal commented in a joking manner. "We can move on to something more interesting. Anything I should know about the Captain and senior staff? I don't want to cross any wires while I'm here."
"I am quite willing to move to another subject." Siadra nodded in agreement with Layal's request.
"As for the senior staff, I've barely met Commander Tao. She is the new XO of the Artemis. She is a lovely woman. Captain Kidd is a great CO, personable and also very efficient. There has been a bit of a change in the department heads. I am just getting to know the newest ones. The ones who have been here the longest, Lieutenant Blake, the chief flight officer, and from what I now found out, he's also the Second Officer. The former chief of security left so we have a new chief, Rachel Sinclair. She is great.
"The Captain did seem personable when I met him. I wonder if the ship has had a hard time holding onto a JAG officer," Layal stated. "I know the command structure of a ship posting has kept quite a few of us - myself included - from putting in for a permanent posting here. Prosecutors aren't used to having to answer to security officers. With the commanding officer not being another lawyer or a judge, I'd have reservations about staying here long term," she admitted.
Siadra nodded slowly as she took in Layal's words. "I can understand the wariness of it all. Captain Kidd, even though he isn't a lawyer or a judge, I feel that it is good to have someone who can present a different perspective when needed. As for you reporting to security, I actually thought that the JAG section was in its own department and reported to the Captain. And that there was the sharing of information between the investigative teams and JAG. I might be wrong on this as I am not on the Judicial side of things."
"You aren't wrong, and we usually have a great relationship with investigations. But, we do have to tell them no sometimes. I think you hit the nail on the head actually - we need to be able to run our own department. Usually the departments report to people with law degrees." Layal shrugged. "When I heard about Artemis - before it launched, and they were still building a crew, it just seemed like an unusual way to prosecute a case. Even the Captain reports to someone who was more of your security and investigations sort. It's not how we're used to practicing anyway. But, I don't know anyone personally. Just a hesitation some of us had about the program," she admitted.
"Is Commander Tao new to the ship then, or was she promoted from within? I haven't met her yet. Just the Captain, the second officer - Blake, and the defense attorney - Corwin, so far."
"Commander Tao is new to the ship, and is a lovely woman. There are few more that I do hope you will have the chance to get to know. I am still making my way through my own list of getting to know them. People on this ship have come and gone, and we have new faces arriving. As for this program of this sort of ship. I feel it is needed which is why I didn't ask for a transfer. I do hope that you will be willing to stay from what I am perceiving you will be a very good addition." Siadra picked up her tea cup to take an exploratory sip, and smiled at its flavor. "It is ready to drink."
"Great!" Layal said, reaching for her cup. "Thanks for this." A warm drink was always comforting. "I suppose anything is possible. Though I know a lot of the younger attorneys would probably love to get this posting."
"How do people spend their time around here when you aren't deep into a case? Does it stay busy?" Layal asked.
"Some of us study, or expand upon their hobbies, and interests. Go socialize in the Sidebar, or even over a meal in the mess hall. I have only seen some of what those who are on the ship, can do. And some of the crew has changed. Two leaving that I was fond of. " Wiping a tear that trickled down her cheek. Siadra looked at Layal "They both had been injured while on an away mission. To try to locate Vamcet."
Layal was surprised at the sudden display of emotion coming from the Trill officer. She found a comfortable seat and sat down. "I'm sorry. I knew there was some crew turnover, but I hadn't actually heard what happened. Are they going to be okay?" She asked.
"I got word that the former Executive Officer has recovered. He was injured severely when the away team got into a fire fight. He.. got caught in the crossfire, saved my life." she drew in a shaky breath. Siadra cleared her throat. "Sorry I don't mean to be getting emotional." Siadra fumbled in her pocket pulling out a handkerchief and dabbed at her eyes. "He was a friend of Keema's from when he was younger. We-we connected." she visibly made an effort to get back into control of her emotions, picking up her cup of tea.
"No need to apologize to me," Layal assured her. "If I had one slip of latinum for every time I just needed a good cry, I could own my own chain of Quark's Bars by now."
"So you and the XO, you were close? What was his name?" Layal asked.
A fond smile appeared. "His name was Abernathy Rice, and when Keema knew him back in his academy days, he had a nickname of Archimedes due to him studying in a corner of my shop, well that was Keema's shop. He gave me the nickname of Clothos, like the Three Fates because of being a weaver." Siadra sitting back to take another sip of her tea.
"And that friendship picked up here? Or did you stay in touch all those years?" Layal asked. She had a hard enough time keeping up with people from one lifetime, much less several.
"It restarted here on this ship. I had no idea that I would see him here. Of all of the ships that are out there and in the Sidebar Lounge I walked back into his life." Siadra chuckled, "I got an embrace from him. It was lovely. It was a strange comparison. My face is younger, and he has gotten older. I still could see that studious boy, evident in his gaze."
Layal sipped her tea while Siadra spoke. The experience of being a joined Trill seemed too surreal, but at the same time also reminiscent of a dream that she sometimes had. "And he'll be okay. So you can continue the friendship, right. Was he here long, before..."
"He was for a few months, or longer. And I do hope we can keep in contact. He though I do believe retired from Starfleet. I am not certain, things have been so crazy as of late due to the case we are on." Siadra looked downward to her tea, seeing her reflection in it. "With a ship like this there may be losses, people moving on to another ship or another part of their lives. " looking back up from the tea.
"This seems to be quite the case too, from what I'm gathering in my short time on it," Layal mentioned cautiously. "There seems to have been a lot of turnover in a short amount of time since Artemis picked it up. Where that was coincidence, or a direct result. And, I know the ship's purpose is the worst of the worst as far as crimes go, but you guys are really just getting started as a team, as far as handling these cases.
"Yes that is true, a fairly young team. And I've not poked around nor asked questions after my initial part had been done. Despite the rough beginnings, we do have Vamcet in custody, that is knowledge allowed to be known. Anything else, not my department until I am called in for it. Though truth be told I am curious but, I do have the will to not ask questions. " Siadra responded.
"Interesting," Layal said with a grin. "Granted, I've never served on a ship, but I've always heard there are no secrets on starships."
"It all depends on who is the initiator or instigator on the grapevine. However I don't know if there is a rumor mill on this ship. There is the Sidebar Lounge where you can see people relaxing, taking time from their tasks." Siadra giving a chuckle. "I think that with this ship, its never good to have a rumor mill here, not with this ship."
"You think it would be that different than anywhere else?" Layal asked. "I mean officers know not to talk about classified information - but that doesn't keep them from talking about who is sleeping with who and that sorta stuff." Layal gave her a knowing grin. "I mean, surely you've been around long enough to know that follows everywhere."
Siadra grinned, "Well one can only hope that there isn't one?" giving a wink. "What you say is true, there will be the inevitable grapevine and informational highway. And possible behind the scenes soap operas." giving a laugh, then stretches out her hand gliding it through the air as if underlining a title. Her words come out in a dramatic announcer way. "As Artemis hunts, who knows what lies in the future of our intrepid crew. What will they find lurking in the shadows? Beware, beware evil doers, we will find you, we will stop you. And you will be brought to justice!"
She cast a sidelong glance towards Corwin. "Too much?" having an impish smile.
"Never," Layal smirked. "I'm a trial attorney. We live for a little dramatic flair every now and then."
Siadra grinned towards the Bajoran attorney. "I do wonder if I will get to see the trial of Vamcet. I am interested to see how things play out." She finished up her tea, setting the cup down. "I do hope that you will stay on the ship, as you are needed."
Layal shrugged, "Anything is possible I suppose. I haven't even been asked to stay," Layal reminded her as she finished her own cup of tea before it got too cold to drink. "I don't even know what I'd do with myself. Only one or two cases at a time."
Siadra thought for a moment, then gave a brief nod. "I don't know what to say to that, since I do not know what it is like being a prosecutor, nor how many cases one would be working with. I would like to find out more about that later on. As I do not know if you have all night to give me a brief run through as to what type of prep work you do. Though I wager it is long hours that you put in, judging from what I had interrupted you doing."
Layal sighed. "Well, you work as long as it takes. And unfortunately when it comes to trial prep, there's always a little more that could be done. Every Time you try to walk away, you think of something else. It's Murphy's Law. Luckily I love it."
"Anyway, about that," Layal said, shifting in her seat. "I probably should get back to it. But I do appreciate you giving me an excuse to take a break."
Siadra rose from her seat, giving a nod. "Thank you for the conversation and indulging my desire to get to know you. Don't forget the books either. Enjoy reading them." giving a pleasant smile, "And if you ever need some more tea, I'll fix things up for you."
Layal stood up now as well. "I'll keep that in mind," she said as she picked up the books. "Hopefully we can do this again at some point while I'm still around."
"I would love to do that very much." A nod and a smile from Siadra as she walked Layal to the door, “Enjoy the rest of your evening.”
A Joint Post By
Lieutenant Siadra Molaur
Chief Forensic Science Officer, USS Artemis
Starfleet Criminal Investigations Unit
Lieutenant Commander Corin Layal
Judge Advocate General, USS Artemis
Starfleet Criminal Investigations Unit
RSS Feed