"Coming Home" Part 2 with special gues Naara

[Trichon 0]

Trichon found himself back in the most familiar place on Arcadia to him. Main engineering had always been a safe haven for him. The hum of the machinery buzzed around him. He listened to the various crewmen on duty as they pointed at opened panels and told each other the best way to repair something. He nodded at some of them that he knew as they walked by, some he didn't even recognize. Had he really been gone that long?

 

***** 2 months ago ******

 

"I expect to see PADD's on my desk with your report on Advanced Warp Mechanics by tomorrow's class." he yelled as the class filed out of the classroom as he turned to put away his notes from his lecture.

 

"I can almost bet that you never thought you would hear yourself say those words Trichon."

 

He turned around and looked at the voice from the back of the room and saw Admiral Cuttey leaning against the back wall, "How long have you been there Admiral?"

 

"Long enough to hear your boredom in teaching Warp Mechanics to first year academy students." she grinned as she walked down to the podium where Trichon was standing, "I heard you wanted to talk to me so I thought I would take this opportunity to come see you at work. I've heard good things from the students."

 

"Oh really," he said as he slipped the PADD in his briefcase, "What are they saying about me? You've piqued my curiosity."

 

"I recall one student saying that you seemed wise beyond your years," She grinned. The admiral was only one of a few who knew about Trichons true heritage. "Most of them just enjoy having somebody here thats done the job there working towards. Arcadia is a name that carries some weight with the students."

 

"Well its nice to know that your appreciated," He snapped his briefcase shut and motioned to a chair, "As much as I love you speaking my praises though Admiral. I think its time we got down to the business at hand."

 

"Ah yes indeed." She walked over and sat in the chair that Trichon had pulled out for her, " So what can I do for you?"

 

"Well Admiral let me start by thanking you for giving me this opportunity to teach here. It was the reason I came back, and I know after I explained my unique situation that most people would have made sure I never set foot aboard another star fleet vessel ever again."

 

Cuttey nodded remembering when she got the message 2 months ago that Trichon wanted to meet with her about a teaching position. When he arrived he had been on a leave of absence from Arcadia for almost 14 months. He arrived and decided to come clean about his past to her. When she found out that he was an El-Aurian and that his personal information on his Starfleet records were falsified her first thought was to court martial him, but she listened to the man and gave him the second chance she knew that he deserved.

 

"I remember that. I thought it took alot of guts to come clean the way you did. And I also remember that I told you that your secret would remain classified and the real records sealed with a admirals clearance. So I know that this meeting is not in regards to that leaking out. Whats going on Trichon?"

 

"I came back with the intention of staying here and teaching. Bringing my wife and son here to start a real life. Settle down on solid ground. I guess my life never is that easy." he sighed, "I need to go back to the Arcadia admiral."

 

"I would hate to lose you here Trichon. So dare I ask why you want to leave?"

 

"During the time I was piecing together my memories while I was traveling something kept coming up in alot of my memories. The words Gren and something called The Initiative."

 

"So why go back to the Arcadia?"

 

"I need to investigate this further. I've tried searching through the library here but I cant find anything."

 

"What are you going to be able to find on Arcadia that you cant find here?"

 

"My fathers logs," he paused for a moment almost in revelation, "That and with Arcadia always moving maybe I'll come across someone or something that can make heads or tales of this Admiral."

 

The admiral stood and paced for a moment. "I'll have to find someone to cover your classes, and your students are not going to like this."

 

"Thank you admiral." he stood and shook her hand, "When I have found the answer's I am looking for. I'll be back."

 

"I'll make sure that your reassigned to the Arcadia. As a matter of fact I think I saw a request for a position cross my desk from Hayden not too long ago..."

 

****now***

 

A cup of coffee and a good engineering journal was all someone needed for a successful "dull" shift around the engines. Naara was a firm believer in this, and every day before she went in (assuming that they didn't have some important mission -- for instance, not becoming space dust), the Orion picked up a cappuccino from her replicator, a padd of a back issue, and in she went.

 

She'd temporarily stolen Fitz's office until he came back on Alpha shift, and, in between riveting articles on nanotechnology, she happened to glance out at the engines. Was that...?

 

The woman quickly made her way out of the chief's office, approaching the still figure quickly. "Light? That you... Chief?" she asked, moving towards him quickly.

 

Trichon snapped out of his staring at the warp core as he saw a orion woman making her way over to him very quickly. "Chief is something I have not been called in a while."

 

"When did you get back?" she inquired, a little excited. "No one told me!"

 

"A few hours ago." he grinned, "And dont worry. Nobody knew I was coming back."

 

"Well, welcome back." She returned the grin. "So... back to Engineering -- home?"

 

He shook his head, "Not this time. As of right now they have me flying this thing. Scary thought huh?"

 

"Only a little bit. At least you'll know not to stress the engines... unlike some helmsmen."

 

Trichon walked over to the engine and looked back at Naara, "You might want to adjust your phase modulators. They sound out of sync."

 

"You can hear that?" she asked, looking at a display. "... and you're right." She synchronized the modulators as he'd recommended. "That's good hearing you have."

 

"I just know this engine," he looked at the warp core and sighed knowing that leaving had cost him his spot in engineering, "You'll get there. If I remember right you were becoming a pretty good engineer when I left."

 

Naara blushed. "I hope so. Working on it, at least."

 

Trichon put his hand on her shoulder to reassure her, "I bet since I've been gone you've whipped this place into shape."

 

She laughed, grinning up at him. "Blame Fitz. As much as I'd love to take credit... he's been the one doing all the work. I dropped to Beta shift for awhile... he's kept everything together. Now we've traded spots -- at least for awhile."

 

"Well at least you guys didnt blow the ship up while I was gone," he laughed with her, "I will say this. Its good to be back. I missed you guys."

 

"We didn't blow it up... much..." she corrected, teasingly. "Oh yeah. It's good to have you back. I know we all missed you."

 

He paused for a second and looked over at her, "How's Merri?"

 

She shook her head, sighing. "I haven't talked to her for awhile. I haven't seen here... but I'm sure she's doing well. River too."

 

"Thats good to hear. Its good to know they were well while I was gone," he stopped for a moment and looked around engineering again, "Well I'm proabaly interupting your work. I'll get out of your hair."

 

"Not at all! I was just... studying..." Naara chuckled. "You're always free to drop in."

 

"Trust me I will. I may not be assigned to Engineering anymore but you know the saying," He grinned, "You can take the engineer out of engine room, but you cant take the engine out of the engineer."

 

Naara chuckled at that. "I don't know how I'd function if they took me out of here... you get attached to the machines."

 

He just nodded as he turned to leave, "Oh and one last thing Naara."

 

"Yes... Commander?"

 

"I would appreciate it if Merri didnt know I was back yet. Its a..." he stopped looking for the right words, "Delicate situation."

 

The engineer nodded. "I understand, Sir. I'll keep it under wraps."

 

"Thanks," He headed towards the door, "I'll see you around Naara. Take care."

 

"You too." Now there was a blast from the past for you. Then again, when on Arcadia, one learned to expect the unexpected...