Stepping off the shuttle, Lillian took a deep breath, letting the cold air fill her lungs. It was such a wonderful contrast to the humidity of her home planet. Most Orions, or so she'd heard, were alienated by the drastic differences the rest of the galaxy presented the first time they left their homeworld, and yet Lillian found the differences exotic and exciting.
Gamma Vega was a snow planet whose main income was tourism. Unlike its icy neighbour Delta Vega, it was free of large predators. In fact, the largest species of animal that lived on the planet was not unlike a terran house cat, except that its fur was many times thicker - she had heard the creatures were the only export of the planet and were used for therapy, particularly with pregnant women and young children. Apparently petting it released hormones or something.
The fact that that creature was the largest predator on the planet really put things into perspective... Perhaps Orion was just a harsh place. Perhaps there were places in the galaxy where she could be accepted, where she could raise her child in safety...
She had heard stories of the federation, with its equality policies, and even family polices on starships. She grinned at the thought – now that would be something for her... If they would accept an Orion, that is.
She pulled her furs closer around her girth, and walked on. There were many people around, laughing and shouting. There was a huge variety of species too, although she was the only Orion in sight – she looked around, taking it all in. A couple of Tellarites, some Andorians, Cardassians, Therbians...
"Miss? Are you alwight? You seem... lost?" She spun around feeling the hand on her shoulder.
"I am tewribly sowry, ma'am. I not mean to startle you. Can I help?"
She was about to turn him away, but the combination of his Starfleet uniform and an expression that reminded her of a puppy, not to mention the mop of messy, yet endearing gold-brown locks on his head stopped her. She still eyed him suspiciously.
"Perhaps... I wish to reach Terra... or Earth, I think it is called... You are Terran, are you not?"
He gave a sprightly bob of his head and a wide smile: "Da! ... I mean, yes, ma'am. I am from Russia, one of the best nations of all Earth! Many good things were invented there, da?"
She did her best to stay focused, despite his seemingly contagious happiness. "I'm sure you are right... but do you think you get me to Terra? I'm sure I'm not the first Orion to want to head to the federation. I mean, I understand if you won't help me... My kind is often not trusted, but you must understand..." She trailed off. She did not want to reduce herself to begging but she still needed to convey her desperation. She had to find a safe place to raise her child. But of all the reactions she had expected, the young man still surprised her. He smiled.
"It is okay! I can and vill help you. And you must not worry about being Orion – one of our best engineers, apart from Meester Scott, is Orion. Gaila – she is wery good. Wery smart. Everyone on our ship likes Orions and if not then the Keptin vould maroon them on Delta Wega as punishment. The Keptin and Gailia are friends."
"You think that your... Captain would let me have passage on his ship?"
"Da, He vould, yes. You might know him. He is Keptin James T. Kirk of the USS Enterprise. He is a good man. Also, I saved his life once. He was falling vhen Wulcan was... anyvay, he owes me, so even if he wouldn't let you onto the ship..." He gave Lillian a shy glance, "I could ask him as favour. You will come with me?"
She smiled and nodded, and let the young man take her by the wrist.
Ma'am, can I ask your name?"
"Lillian. I'm Lillian" she said.
"That is a very beautiful name ma'am. It sounds Russian. I am Ensign Chekov, Pavel Andreievich. You may call me Pasha, though. All my friends do."
