[USS Charon, Ready Room]
It was a mess. Shiarrael frowned at the charred holes drilled into her desk by the random disruptor fire. Next to her desk she noticed Shrishnar sitting on the floor, his eyes were focused on her but she knew the Andorian was disoriented after have his antennae basically severed, the slinder thing was held on only by the tiniest of muscle threads "Lieutenant, return to the bridge. Medical assistance should arrive shortly." She smiled at the Andorian. He struggled up and stumbled slightly towards the door- she reached out to help him but he simply waved her away and entered the bridge. When he was gone Shiarrael sighed deeply. The exhaustion of the recent events was threatening to overwhelm her. There is still much to do, she noted to herself trying valiantly to forget her own limits. She made for her desk when a whimper caught her attention. She twisted around to find the Rihannsu child sitting on the floor, knees pulled to his chest, with his head buried between them. In all the excitement she had forgotten about him. Forgive me elements. She stepped next to him and then crouched down placing a hand over the back of his neck "aei-a gaenoh, ninte daehp?" She asked in her native tongue.
The child sniffled but stopped whimpering. His eyes slowly lifted up past the crests of his knees and studied Shiarrael "who are you?" He asked, his Rihannsu was of a different dialect but understandable.
Shiarrael smiled softly and gently massaged his back "you must have been scared? I am Shiarrael, the Captain of this ship."
He nodded his head "you killed all the demons?"
Demons? Shiarrael wondered for a moment before realizing that he meant the Gai'Shian. She slowly nodded her head "they are no more" and stood up making her way to the small cabinet that was set neatly behind her desk. She was relieved to see that it was in one piece and opened the cooler. Pulling out a bottle of ihor'yeho she filled a glass with the lavender colored juice and returned to the child's side. "Here" She said allowing the child to take the drink. He held the glass between two small hands and carefully pulled it to his mouth. At first he sipped gently but quickly drowned the glass after a first taste. "What is your name?"
"Nveid." The child said still holding the empty glass tightly between his hands.
"Beautiful name. Would you like some more juice?" When he nodded his head Shiarrael stood up and went back to the cooler grabbing the entire bottle this time. Returning to his side she refilled his glass. "Who is your mother and what department does she work in?"
The child drowned the second glass just as quickly. When he finished he looked at Shiarrael curiously "department?"
"The station she is assigned to- science?" Shiarrael guessed- a majority of the Romulans on the Charon were scientist and this child's parents would most likely be one of them.
"My mother is not on the ship." Nveid said his eyes beginning to well up with tears again.
"Where is she?" Shiarrael asked.
The child stood up. He turned and looked out the large viewing windows. Shiarrael realized for the first time that the Charon was now safely out of Yy'a and felt more at ease. The child lifted a small arm, glass in the other hand, and pointed. She had to wince to see what he was pointing at but she soon noticed the marble size globe as it grew larger "ch'Dabhae? Is that where you are from?"
The boy nodded.
"You came with the Vulcan woman?" Shiarrael asked, referencing Sakarra who the boy had followed into her ready room during the calamity.
He nodded again.
"I see." Shiarrael smiled, it was all she could do. How does one tell a child his world is dead? That he was blessed by surviving but everyone he left behind were gone? It was despairing. She looked at him, pitied him, but knew she could do little for him. Taking a step back she held her smile as she pressed her commbadge "bridge to Counselor Grey, please come to the bridge as soon as possible." The boy was watching her but she switched to standard. She doubted he could understand her. "Would you like more juice?" she asked the child?" He nodded and she filled his empty glass.
It was all she could do for him.
[End]
Captain Shiarrael t'Rehu
Commanding Officer
USS Charon
