AN: Anything that you recognize from the ST Universe= Not mine. Unfamiliar things=mine


My Life in the Delta Quadrant: The Beginning

Set During Episode 103 Parallax

"Repairs"

Part One of Two

I woke early the next day. I needed to gather my things from my old room and put them in my new room before I could get ready. Also, the light was giving me a headache; I needed my lenses.

My eyes typically did not have a problem with lighting. But sometimes during times of stress I would get these intense headaches if the lights were too bright or too dim. So I had these frames that could be placed on my face that had these special lenses that controlled how much light got to my eyes in them. I didn't need them all the time, just when my senses get more stimulated than usual.

Aunt Katie was still asleep in her bed so I left her quarters as quietly as possible. The lighting in the corridors were much worse. So I steadily made my way to my old room. Even if T'Pera had a new roommate she most likely held onto my things until I could get them.

I eventually got to the room and rang the chime. A relatively tall woman with blue eyes, pale green skin and brown hair opened the door, still wearing a nightdress. "May I help you?" she yawned.

"Is T'Pera awake? I stopped by to get my things. I am her old roommate Nebula."

Nadina looked a bit shocked. "I thought that they only assigned Maquis to bunks that had dead former occupants. I didn't realize I was displacing anyone…" She said sadly. "If you wish me to leave I'm sure the Commander or Counselor can find me somewhere else."

I held my hand up to stop her. "You did not displace me Nadina. I was promoted to Counselor; I spent the night with my aunt because I haven't felt well. No worries."

She nodded looking relieved. "Should I call you ma'am? I am really unfamiliar with Starfleet protocols."

"Call me Nebula, unless we are in the company of the Senior Officers, then call me Counselor okay?"

"Okay!" She said smiling. "Call me Nadina! T'Pera! Nebula needs her things!" She said skipping over to my old bunk. I looked at T's bunk as I let myself in. She looked asleep. She must really be mad at me.

"I don't understand." Nadina said. "My sister T'Lara is half Vulcan as well and she would have never slept through the door chime let alone our entire conversation."

"Oh, She is awake. Just upset with me."

Nadina giggled. "That I understand. I hope you don't mind that I wore your nightdress. I thought you were dead and we were told to use deceased crew's things until we got replicators energy to make our own." She said pulling a box from the wardrobe. Her voice getting sad. "It's odd but we lost all of our things when our ship … exploded. We are actually supposed to take dead crewmembers things to sickbay so you and the doctor can help give out what is left. We didn't have much to begin with but…"

I couldn't resist hugging her. How could I forget that the Maquis were not only far from home but most of them had nothing of their own? I heard that most everyone was able to grab their limited prized possessions, but almost none of them grabbed clothing. What is clothing compared to photos of relatives or religious objects? "Don't worry about it. Keep it. I have a few others. And there is enough energy for everyone to get a new uniform, so you won't have to work in a dead persons uniform." Two other arms joined our hug.

"You may also use some of my clothing although I do not have recreational clothing."

"T, were you not ignoring my existence a moment ago? Now you are being sympathetic? Are you ill?"

The hug ended. "I am not ill. I am supporting my friends in their time of intense emotion. And Maxine and I are angry with you for forgetting to talk to us again after the news of Kendra's death."

I could feel her anger and grief. I could feel her emotions more than I could feel Nadina's sadness. I searched the box for my lenses. And put them on. Then I really looked at my friends face. To a stranger she was stoic and cold: the stereotypical Vulcan. But, knowing her as well as I did I saw the sadness in her eyes the pallor of her skin indicating that she had not slept. And deep down, she had been worried about not hearing from me after we returned from the array.

I hugged her. "I'm so sorry T! It's just my phases started and I have not been able to focus on anything but my new abilities and how to do my new job."

She nodded. "You must attend to your immediate duties and you own health first. Then you will explain what has happened to you to Maxine and I and we will grieve at the loss of our friend."

I nodded. "My quarters are on deck four. You are welcome at anytime. That goes for you as well Nadina."

They both nodded and I made my way to my new quarters. I had been a selfish friend. Thinking of my own safety and comfort first instead of everyone else. I forgot that Maxe and T were very close to Kendra, closer than I was and I hadn't even checked in on them at the first opportunity. I haven't really spoken to Harry after my manic episode on the bridge and I haven't even heard from Vorik since we left DS9. The only way I knew he was alive was I did not have to reassign his room to a Maquis member.

And the Maquis, I never realized their perspective until my conversation with Nadina. They were displaced like all of us but they were expected to integrate with our crew right away. Most had no Starfleet experience, little to no personal items and the only reason that most had a bed to sleep in was because a Starfleet member died.

I had a lot of work to do. More than I had anticipated.


I stepped into my new quarters and looked around. They looked like any other single quarters I have seen: Living area with a half wall separating it from the sleeping area and a washroom connected to the sleeping area. The only difference was the half wall separating the living area from the office. The office had a sofa, an armchair, a small desk with a computer console on it, and a file storage cabinet next to the desk.

I put my data pads in the cabinet and noted that there were a few blank ones already in the cabinet. I then put the few books that I owned on the desk. Then I put the few items of clothing I had in the wardrobe near my bed. And ran to the kitchen to replicate my self a new uniform.

No more cadet reds for me!

After I sonic showered, put on my newly replicated Science uniform, and had a quick ration pack for breakfast, I made my way towards sickbay. The new shift would be starting soon and as people made their way to and from their quarters, they would most likely bring the deceased crewmembers belongings to sickbay at that time. I would then put up notice that during the next shift change people could pick up things that they needed.


"Counselor." The Doctor said from his office. Staring at the boxes that had already accumulated in the corner. "I trust that you know why many packages have been delivered to sickbay today?"

"Yes Doctor. I apologize, that's my job. May I use this lab right here to sort these items for use by the crew later?"

He nodded. Could you please deactivate me? They forgot too after I stitched up LT Carey."

"Computer, Deactivate EMH."

Then I got to work.


ATTN: All Voyager Crew

STARDATE: 48439.7

SUBJECT: Letter from the Counselor

CC: Command Crew – USS Voyager

Captain Kathryn Janeway

Commander Chakotay

Lieutenant Commander Tuvok - Chief of Security

Lieutenant Tom Paris – Chief Flight Controller

? – Chief Engineer

Ensign Harry Kim – Chief Operations Officer

The Doctor/EMH - Chief Medical Officer

MESSAGE:

Though we find ourselves in an upsetting situation there are a few practical matters I must address so our voyage home is a safe one in a healthy environment.

First, if anyone finds themselves needing to talk through their situation please either message me personally or sign up for an appointment using the padd outside my quarters. I will need notice of the appointment so please do not sign up for a time that is less than six standard hours in the future. In the next few weeks I will have walk-in hours daily and a program on the ships computer that will allow you to schedule appointments from your own data padd.

If you do not have a personal data padd yet or know someone who doesn't (although I do see that all crew should have one at the moment), please contact your commanding officer or myself. You should have received one with your room assignment and department assignment. Engineering personal contact me until your commanding officer is assigned.

Secondly, if anyone finds that they are in need of personal items I have sorted the used ones that have been turned in already into piles. The piles are as follows: Women's Sleepwear, Men's Sleepwear, Women's Recreation Clothing, Men's Recreation Clothing, Personal Hygiene Products, Religious Objects, Recreational Activities and the Other box, which has items that I am either unfamiliar with or haven't received enough similar items to warrant using a new box. Stop by the lab connected to sickbay at anytime and if I am not there please just take what you need and do not disturb the Doctor.

If you have items that need to be sorted still there is a "Not yet sorted" box clearly labeled in the far corner of the room. I will try to sort that box as often as possible, and any help is appreciated. If any personnel have anything they would like to donate to give our newer crewmembers some personal items please feel free to donate. If any new crewmembers need something and are unable to find it please let me know.

Also, in the next week the Doctor will be sending messages to anyone who does not have a complete medical scan and history on file. You will then need to set up an appointment with him and/or myself to fill out a complete medical history and have a medical scan. This will be helpful if ever you get ill on our journey. ALL crewmembers, Maquis or Starfleet MUST have a complete medical file ASAP, preferably in the next few weeks.

Equally important, although not as urgent are crew psychological evaluations. Each crewmember MUST have AT LEAST a 50-minute session with me once a year. I am more than happy to see you more than that, but the 50-minute session is mandatory. If you haven't attempted to schedule within the next six months you will receive a warning. If you fail to see me one time a year from this day you will face disciplinary action.

I realize that as repairs and acclimating to our new strange lifestyle are going on that medical scans and psych-evals may seem unimportant so I do not expect this all to happen at once. The medical scan should be your first priority after your duties in your respective departments.

I ask one final thing, a silly personal thing, and optional. Please do not ignore fellow crewmembers just because we were all divided into two different crews a few days ago. We are one crew now with one singular purpose. We are the only family that most of us have. So please at least try to be civil and work together.

Thank You For Your Time,

Nebula Aurora

Ships Counselor

Head of Social Sciences

USS Voyager


AN: so there is part one. part two is in the works. Again sorry for the delay. Horrid writer's block.

Read more related to this fic things on my writing blog and the page devoted to this story links on my profile.

Also! New Cover? Yay or Nay?