What's A Quark?

Posted on Tue Sep 19th, 2023 @ 5:16pm by Lieutenant Alinar Vasatra

985 words; about a 5 minute read

Mission: S1E0 - Prologue
Location: Shuttle en route to DS9

Would the war ever be over was a question Alinar asked himself as he felt the bump of the shuttle as it flew towards DS9. There was some thought in his mind if he should go up to the cockpit and ask if the pilot needed a hand, or simply let him take over… guy looked like fresh meat. However, there was also a part of him that didn’t care much and at the end of the day the shuttle ride was almost over.

“First time heading to Deep Space 9 sir?” the voice sitting next to him spoke up.

Alinar turned and it was indeed another fresh faced Ensign in the colour red.

“No, I’ve been a few times and not always in the best of circumstances.” he sighed.

It took a few minutes but the Ensign got the impression he was talking of the Dominion War and that DS9 was the focal point of a lot of that campaign.

“Did you see a lot of action?” he asked.

“Action?” Alinar looked at him with a raise of one eyebrow and a look that said more than words could. “Yes, Ensign. I saw a lot.” he replied. He’d been a huge part of the Maquis' rise and was there for their fall during the war and it was only through their need for experienced officers that he was offered amnesty to return and assist in their effort to beat the Dominion back. “What’s your name kid?”

“Oliver sir. Oliver Jameson. I’m joining the Alliance as a pilot as my first assignment.” he said with a certain amount of pride.

“I have one piece of advice for you.” Alinar said without asking if the man wanted any. “Don’t hit your superior officer like I once did and you’ll be fine.” he winked at him.

“Did you?!” he almost shouted before looking around and regaining some composure.

“I fought in the Federation-Cardassian War as well. Some people have a great sense of entitlement and distasteful opinions on the subject. Disagreements happen.” Is all Alinar said to the young Human. “That and I am your superior.” he smirked.

“Oh I know sir, I can see your Lieutenant rank on the bar on your collar. Strange that it's not pips though.” Oliver commented.

“I’m special kid…” Alinar ignored the comment of his rank as the bar denoted provisional rank and that was not something he was about to get into here and now. “But I was meaning that I am Chief of Flight on the Alliance.” he let that sit for a moment as the ensign said nothing.

Alinar could see the kids' cogs turn in his mind as he decided whether he should continue the conversation now knowing that it was his boss next to him. It took five minutes but the words that finally left his mouth were, “I won't hit you sir.”

The chair creaked as Alinar moved his body to a more comfortable position. “I know you wont Ensign. You would never get close enough.” he smirked again. “Look, I know this is your first assignment but you’ll be fine. If you perform your duties well then I won’t come down on you.”

“Wait! Are you Alinar Vasatra?” Oliver asked turning to show an old vid on his PADD to him. “That’s you right? Winning the Bolian Grand Prix in 2367? You don’t look any older…” he said looking back and forth.

“I’m El Aurian. I don’t age the same way you do and yeah, that’s me.” Alinar replied.

“Aww man! I watched that race when I was 14. My dad let me stay up to watch it with him. He loves you! That turn you made at Hroa Pass was… I can’t… I don’t have words for it! How did you do that?!” Oliver was clearly now going fanboy on him.

“I’d been flying for years by that point. Entering races here and there but if your dad followed my racing career I’m sure you know that.” Alinar commented. “But mostly instinct. You get the feel of a ship, know how it moves, how to push it and as I dropped main engines and engaged lateral thrusters at one quarter just at the right time.” he closed his eyes remembering it perfectly as the song of that moment played in his head. “Everyone else just flew past me…” he sighed and nodded to himself. “Definitely miss those days. I’ve not raced in a while.”

“Why not?” Oliver asked with disappointment in his voice.

Alinar looked at him as if to make him think for a moment.

“Oh right. Dominion War.” Oliver nodded.

Alinar didn’t correct him that it was also the fact he was wanted by Starfleet and the Federation alongside all of the other Maquis. Racing was pushed to the back of his mind as he fought for what he thought to be right.

“Yeah.” Alinar responded. In time there was no doubt the kid would find out about Alinar’s past but this wasn’t the time to crush him. Who knows, he might not be that disappointed. Some still sympathised with the Maquis even if they didn’t go as far as to join them. Opinions of them were still a hotbed of debate amongst the fleet, especially as some had been welcomed back into Starfleet like himself.

There was a quiet announcement just before the shuttle landed with a small thud within DS9. “Hope you land better than that kid.” Alinar said as he rose to his feet and gave the young man a hard slap on the shoulder. “I’ll see you on the Alliance. Don’t get lost… and watch out for Quark.” he chuckled as he left the confused looking ensign behind.

“What’s a Quark?” Oliver frowned.

 

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