Old Friends

Posted on Wed Aug 19th, 2020 @ 11:43pm by Lieutenant Commander Tyroh Vantic
Edited on on Wed Aug 19th, 2020 @ 11:48pm

Mission: Welcome Aboard!
Location: USS Liberty, Personal Quarters
Timeline: Current

ON:

"Congratulations on your advancement, Tyroh. We're happy for you," the woman on Tyroh Vantic's monitor said, a genuine smile creasing her face. She appeared to be in a private room of her own, Tyroh could see in the background, with minimal furnishings and personal touches. The Chief of Security and Tactical aboard the USS Liberty offered a small smile in return as thanks for the praise.

"I appreciate that, Sorha," Tyroh replied. "I'm looking forward to the challenge. I understand similar congratulations are in order for you as well."

Sorha Kennec's head lowered humbly, accepting the well wishes. Tyroh's former squadmate from back during the Tarsian War was approximately his age and height and had a similar muscular build to his. Her skin was fairer, her eyes pale and her hair flaxen. Aside from their stature, two more disparate people could not have existed and yet, the two were as close to siblings as a pair could get.

"Thank you, Ty," Sorha's eyes met his once more. "It was tough to get to where I am today."

Sorha had recently been elevated to the position of Assistant Curator of the Angosian Museum in Sheckit Province. Tyroh was so proud her, though he knew that her difficulties in reaching the position had absolutely nothing to do with her abilities.

"They still don't trust you," Tyroh asked carefully, referring to Museum administration. Sorha considered his question with deliberateness before answering.

"They do," she began. "To a point. In terms of overseeing most exhibits in the museum, they have no issue with how I do things. They tend to get a little...fastidious when it comes to my involvement with anything to do with the military exhibits. My position requires me to have my hands in all things we do yet, in that area, I need extra supervision."

Tyroh could hear the frustration underlying her words, her eyes narrowing slightly. Aside from that, her demeanor was that of one who was at ease. The Starfleet officer well understood the nature of the frustration in his friend. Though the Angosian government had done their best to rehabilitate all the former super-soldiers they had been responsible for creating, there were still individuals within the society who were still...wary of those former soldiers.

There had been many successes due to the rehabilitation process - Tyroh and Sorha being just a couple of individuals who had been able to move on - but there had also been an equal, if not slightly more, amount of failures. Failures, in this case, was measured in the number of former soldiers still having to undergo the rehab process.

"I fear we may never be fully accepted by our 'people'", Tyroh lamented, placing his large, dark-skinned right fist on his desk next to the monitor.

"The fear, resentment and, sometimes, hatred they feel for us runs deep in many of them," Sorha agreed. "Having us become reintegrated into society, having to actually see us, is simply a daily reminder of the things they have done to us in the past. But, you already know that."

Tyroh still harbored the thought that many Angosians would love nothing more than for all the former super-soldiers to disappear, to never have to see or deal with a 'problem' of their own making. But he was thankful for the fact that good people like Sorha were still at home 'fighting the good fight', as humans liked to say.

"Who knows," Sorha continued, putting a smile back on her face. "Maybe someday we'll be able to walk down the streets of our cities without being leered at, have vindictive things said to us in public, or private. Or maybe you had the right idea with joining Starfleet."

Tyroh leaned forward, curious as to whether that was something Sohra had been considering. Though he knew Sohra was intent on being a part of fomenting changes at home.

"I needed something different," Tyroh explained again, having had this conversation with Sohra in the past. "Being in Starfleet has been very rewarding for me. But, maybe someday, I might feel different about Angosia and I will return. Just, not right now."

Sorha put up her hands, understanding in her eyes. "I know, Ty, I know. I'm not here to rehash past conversations in the hopes of drawing you back. I just miss having you around to talk to, is all. When you're ready, just know we'll all be here for you. For now, though, I and all of us squaddies, wish you all the best."

"I miss having you around too, Sorh," Tyroh said, putting all the warmth he could muster in his eyes and smile. A notification popped up on his monitor reminding him of an appointment in a few minutes. "I've got to go, though. I wish you all the best as well. We'll see each other again."

"You better believe it, Brother," she smiled warmly, then smirked. Jokingly, she said, "Why is it I'm always the one doing all the talking in these conversations? You haven't told me anything about how you've been yet. Don't you dare hang up on me!"

Tyroh offered a small, almost sheepish, grin. His hand hovered over the controls to cut off their communications. "Sorry, Sister. I've got to go. I'll call you next week and fill you in on everything."

"You had better," she crossed her massive arms and nodded.

They said their goodbyes and Tyroh cut communications. He raised his large bulk from his chair and checked the chronometer over his desk. He then glanced around his room, observing that he still had some settling in to do but it would have to wait. Duty beckoned and it was time to get up to speed with the Liberty.

OFF:

Lieutenant Commander Tyroh Vantic
Chief of Security/Tactical
USS Liberty