A Trill, A Shagra, and Honor

Posted on Sun Feb 20th, 2022 @ 1:58pm by Lieutenant Didrea Zade & Lieutenant JG Xava Denlorr

Mission: With Gleaming Eyes
Location: Shuttle Nightingale, en route to USS Athena
Timeline: MD03 - 2230 hrs
1542 words - 3.1 OF Standard Post Measure

Once everyone had gathered in the shuttle bay, the Nightingale promptly departed the Colossal at 2100 hours, flying out into Cardassian space. Once a course was laid in, the flight procedure was largely just babysitting the console. They were about an hour and a half into the flight when Zade switched out of the helm with another science officer.

Once the officer was situated, the Trill stretched before wandering away from the helm. The back part of the shuttle was filled with supplies, meaning that most of the team was in the forward part of the shuttle. Looking around, she recognized most of the blue shirts, but there was one she wasn't too familiar with. She approached the replicator and turned her head to the woman to ask, "hey, Denlorr, right? You want anything from the replicator?"

Xava was starting the next chapter n her service to her people. She had been one of four winning a global competition to represent the Shagra, but also to judge if the Federation was worthy of them. She learned much in Starfleet Academy and her four years on the Colossal, and she had even allowed herself to have fun along the way. Now, she was with a group being assigned or transferred to the Athena, herself going there as chief of science. Normally calm and disciplined, she had to put a lot of effort into not doing what some Humans called a Snoopy dance.

Xava was filled with wondrous thoughts about what she would experience, so she didn't see one of the other transfers approach until they mentioned her name and asked if she wanted something from the replicator. It was Lieutenant Didrea Zade.

Xava quickly composed herself, looking directly eye-to-eye at the security officer, both hands in fists touching one another, her elbows extending outward.

"I am Lieutenant jg Xava Denlorr of Shagrus III. I live my Path and my Path is to serve. We serve together and in service we live."

The Trill blinked as she processed the introduction, then gave a small smile. This young woman seemed excited to be part of the away team. "A pleasure to meet you, Lieutenant jg Xava Denlorr of Shagrus III," she repeated, giving a slight bow. "I'm Lieutenant Didrea Zade of Trill. Now, would you like anything?" Zade turned to the replicator and got herself a raspberry tea, then glanced back at Xava to see if she wanted anything.

Xava paused for a few seconds, but when the proper reply didn't come, she shrugged inwardly. Xava wasn't hungry, but they still had hours before reaching the Athena, so she politely asked for something that had become her favorite snack on Earth.

"I would like a small bowl of candy corns, please."

Zade repeated the order, then brought over a steaming mug and a bowl of little orange and white things. She caught a whiff of their sweet scent as she passed the bowl to Xava; she didn't have to taste these 'candy corns' to know it would probably be too sweet for her. "So, that thing you said when you introduced yourself," Zade began, pausing to sit in a nearby chair, "I think I've heard you say that a couple times. I hope it's not rude to ask, but what does it mean?" She was vaguely aware of a new species joining Starfleet to potentially join the Federation, but because there were so few of them, the odds of meeting one were so low. Add on that they looked pretty humanoid, and it would be easy to mistake a Shagra for a human, at least from what Zade could tell.

Xava thanked Zade for the sweet treats, popping several into her mouth, a burst of sugary flavor tingling her taste buds. She wished her home world would have had these. She resolved to take some with her the next time she visited.

"The greeting goes back to ancient times," said Xava. "My people are dedicated to the greater good, so when meeting with another clan, the saying assures our commitment to that. The proper response is to make the gesture, introduce yourself, and say, 'We serve together and in service we live,' but it's okay that you didn't know." Xava offered a reassuring smile.

Zade took a tentative sip of her tea to gauge its temperature, deciding it was still too hot. She placed it on the flat surface next to her. "Ah, interesting. I don't want to be disrespectful next time we meet. The gesture was..." she paused to try and recreate the gesture, making her hands into fists and touched her knuckles together. The position made Zade's elbows stick out. "... this?" Zade asked.

Xava chuckled. "You're fine. It's generally used only once to show respect and to gauge someone's worthiness."

"Well, there could be a chance to meet others from your world," Zade replied, lowering her hands. "In my experience, it always helps to learn a little about another's culture." She leaned back a little in her seat.

While eating another candy corn, Xava reflected on how far she had come in the eight years since she left home. She was proud to represent her people, but at age sixteen and far from everything she knew, she was afraid. Now, she was a proud, confident, and accomplished officer. The goddess Lurina had been good to her.

Zade watched the woman return to her thoughts for a moment before picking up her tea again, taking a slow sip. Xava looked so young... if Zade had to guess, she was probably younger than when the Trill joined Starfleet. To be a representative of her people on top of that... Zade silently admitted that she was impressed. "If I recall correctly," she began, "you're going to be a science chief with this new posting. You nervous?"

"Nervous? No," said Xava. "I am Shagra. I have proven myself worthy. I will do my duty and serve my captain, ship, and crew mates." As if to accentuate her confidence, Xava happily devoured a few more pieces of candy.

The Trill cracked a smile at that before taking another drink of her tea. So lively and confident... Xava's energy reminded her of Nayisa. "I know you will," Zade agreed. She then winked and added in a lighthearted tone, "just don't get yourself into any trouble, because I'm the one that has to debrief to Captain Munro when the mission is over."

"Are you going to be the new chief of security?" said Xava. She wasn't aware that position on the Athena was open.

"Maybe if I impress the Captain enough," Zade replied jokingly, giving her mug a swirl to mix the tea. "I was primarily told to be a security escort for you blue shirts. We are in Cardassian space, after all. Once we arrive, I'm helping the Athena's security team." She glanced at the liquid, the steam barely visible now, and shrugged. "But who knows, it's not unheard of for plans to change."

"In whatever task we are assigned, we will serve together and bring honor to the Shagra and the Trill." Xava held out the bowl of treats. "Candy corn?"

"Indeed, we shall," Zade agreed. She then looked at the bowl offered to her, and while she could smell an ungodly amount of sweetness from the treats, a part of her was tempted to try it. Maybe it was just the smell that was sickeningly sweet. "I've actually never had one of these before," she said, taking one and inspecting it. She had watched Xava eat them and assumed she was to eat it whole, so she popped it into her mouth and chewed.

There was a pause, then Zade fought the urge to grimace as her mouth was assaulted by sugar. The taste is sweeter than the smell, she thought, forcing herself to swallow it. She immediately took a big gulp of her tea to try and reduce the lingering sweetness on her tongue. "I did not expect that to be so... sweet," Zade commented. She took another drink of her tea and let it sit in her mouth for a moment to try and neutralize the sugar before swallowing. "Where did you hear about these things?"

Xava laughed at Zade's reaction. "My roommate in my first year at the academy introduced me to them. For that, I will always be grateful."

"You seem to like them, so I won't take any more from you," Zade added with a small smile. It's not even made of the Earth vegetable called corn, so why was it called candy corn??? It was truly a deceptive piece of food. "To be honest, I was expecting a caramelized vegetable." She looked into her mug, seeing that it was now almost empty, and downed the rest. "Well, I'm going to get some rest," Zade said, standing. After a full shift, plus training afterwards, she definitely felt the exhaustion. She walked to the replicator and deposited the mug. "It was nice talking with you. If anything happens, wake me." Giving a little wave, the Trill walked to the back of the shuttle. Xava seems nice. We should keep in touch.