Star date 2535.1 Personal log Commander Myka Bering
"We are on our way to much needed shore leave after our last encounter with the Borg. Communication is slow and tense…. still. We are working on improving our understanding. Acceptance… is another thing all together. Newer worlds within the Federation still see the Borg as a pestilence, an apocalyptic plague that ravaged their peoples and planets. To say that that is no longer the case would be close to a lie. However it would not be the truth. The Borg have changed, but into what… is unclear.
On a personal note, Starfleet has seemed to accepted many who were a part of the collective. With Ambassador Anika being one of the most famous if not infamous ExB-s to date in Star Fleet. She was eventually named the Federations Ambassador to the Borg, some would say to ensure that if the Borg's intentions ever shifted she would have been the first to sound the alarm. After a hundred years in this position, the Borg cybernetic implants extending her life, she found the Borg Relic Ship 239159 that had been in hibernation cryo-sleep for over a hundred years close to the end of her life. Her last goal was to reintegrate these children found on the ship into the Federation with adoptive families that would be able to handle the stress of reeducation of these children to a non-Borg society for those that were taken. Those born Borg, a subtle difference that was identified by the Borg, were given back to the Borg to rejoin their families.
Myself, being one of the children sent back to my identified home worlds, makes me a valuable member of Star Fleet when it comes to the continuing negotiations and diplomatic relations with the newest ally to Starfleet. At least, that was the reasoning behind my current assignment."
'Myka's past'
'Thirteen year old Myka looked up at the stars of Vulcan, the only surviving family members left from her past were found on this planet but she barely felt any connection to them. It didn't help that she was half human herself, she already felt out of place. She felt disconnected and alone. She could barely remember what her mother looked like but only her side of the family lived. From what they told her, she was on a Federation ship that was captured by the Borg during the Battle of Wolf. One of the few ships that survived. Everyone was turned, only the children were sent away to the indoctrination ships to become a new type of Borg, where they would never be able to remove parts the way they could with adults that were turned into Borg after a certain amount of time. The cutting edge of Borg nanotechnology was the start of how the Borg planned to infest starships until they were defeated by the Federation.
A history lesson that was taught at her Learning Center, and every one seemed to know it was her life. Considering how education and logic was the basis for Vulcans, they were always the first to point out those who did not belong. Only Spock could truly understand but even he was more Vulcan then Myka ever could be. Even with all of their logic and control, the only thing she ever felt like was a monster: not Human, not Vulcan,…not even Borg.'
"As we continue onto Apothik I, I continue my focus on my task at hand, opening up talks with this new planet that has yet to show any interest in the Federation.
Apothik I is where our newest promoted Lieutenant is from. They advised me that they translated their name so the universal translator could pronounce it properly but the spelling does not work, so they accepted Claudia as their first name for the crew to identify them by, in hopes to connect with their new shipmates. They seems to fit in very well with the Senior officers even as our youngest Head of Engineering and Programing, our systems have never run better.
The integration of the Borg technology to our ship has had several problems that were easy to pinpoint when the Borg first tried to communicate with us. It was difficult for them to accept that the Federation would not be assimilated to their machine. So adjustments were made to ensure that our newest fleet would not fall prey to their technology. Lt. Claudia D'n'van has been on the cutting edge of encryption and system security. They worked well with our Chief of Security Lt. Commander Latimer, they have almost a sibling bond with Pete that I am almost jealous of to be honest. Commander Leena, ships counselor, advised me connection is something we all want but it is something I just need to work at to experience. Command can be an honor but also a lonely experience with no one to lean on fully but yourself. Sometimes I wonder if my goal left me little space to grow as a person. As always, I continue to accept and ground myself when I can."
Myka looked up from her log when she heard her door bell go off.
"Enter… please." Myka still had problems finding a balance of polite and efficient.
"Hey,hey,hey Myks, are you ready for some much needed rest? According to Claud this planet has amazing oceans and views, that I can't wait to explore! Why aren't you packed yet?"
" Mr. Latimer, we will not even be there for another four days. I think I still have time. I have to make sure our travel goes smoothly considering that we are taking the Borg hyperlink network to get there. This planet is two galaxies away from the edge of space, all systems must be monitored until we reach our last stop."
"Pete, Myks, you know I prefer Pete. I know you've got to be formal everywhere else, but I'm totally fine with you calling me Pete anytime. Especially since we're talking in your quarters. I promise no one can hear you." Pete looked at her with a cocky grin.
They had been at the academy together. He was a few classes before her but since Myka had excelled at all subjects, her eidetic memory and mental capacity making it easy to do, she graduated with his class. The one thing she failed at was making connections.
'Just turning 20, if she included cryo stasis more like 120, and graduating from the academy having only started three years ago was nothing new for Myka. Since she completed the Vulcan Academy at a respectable time, she opted to join Star Fleet. Not so surprising, since the Vulcan High Command was unenthusiastic about a ExB joining their military or even their community. Starfleet was the logical option to get back to the stars. She felt no connection to either planet, that is why she continued to look up and forward. She hoped one day that she would understand what people mean when they say the word home.
Her doorbell rang again and this time she was ready. "Enter please."
"S'up Pete," Claudia said with a low five into the hand Pete had for her at his hip. "Not bad Claud, looking forward to your home planet. Haven't seen a beach in years. I can't wait!"
"Me either, man it will be good to be home. My sibling Josh'a wants to meet with us before we have to make a formal visit to the Planet Ambassador and Mayor of my town. I think they said the Mayor's name was Hel'na Welz." Claudia said as they spoke to both superior officers who felt more like family then their siblings. Ever since their family's accident there has been a divide between them, even though medical stasis made their sibling closer in age it did nothing to help the two of them connect. Sometimes it felt like nothing, other times felt like they were a trillion light years away. They hoped time gave their sibling a chance to be without them. "Josh'a said the Mayor was eager to meet you Myka, the Mayor said it'll be a great honor. The Mayor is one of the most brilliant minds on the planet, on their way to be the President of the Planet. So they'll be a good connection for you Myka."
Myka, being one of the first and most decorated ExBs to graduate from and serve in Starfleet, was always looking for her opportunity to expand her diplomatic abilities. She felt she needed to improve on them, so she jumped at any first contact / field duty she could do. Pete said, it's because she loved doing extra credit. Everyone knew her goal was the chair, but she wanted to make a place for everyone in Star Fleet. This was the first step to so much more. "Please thank your sibling for the opportunity Claudia, I will prepare for first contact for government protocols. Please make sure he doesn't bring all of his swim wear." Myka said knowing Pete all to well.
"You got it Myka, but I'm not in charge of Pete… but I wish you luck Commander Myka. I shall be off doing my duty…" Claudia said with an expecting smile for a response.
"Ha… duty. Later Claud!" Pete said with a laugh before he turned back to Myka with a look of surprise humor the denied shame. "What…? Claud wanted me to help understand English and the humorous part of our language." Pete stated with an obvious smirk.
"Pete, I don't think homophones are going to help them understand English, they can make things more confusing." Myka started but stopped when she saw the confused look on Pete's face.
"Why are you talking about gay phones? I thought you and Claud are both pansexual. Still not sure what that exactly means but I am here to support it all. I shall march with all the flags. I do look good in all the colors." Pete said with his boyish smile.
"First of all Pete, that is not what that means. Second, I do not know where Claudia falls on the sexuality spectrum. I am also not sure if they would fit in our understanding of it. Third, how would I know Pete, it is not like there is a club for sexualities. As a whole the Federation accepts all legally consenting adults doing legally consenting acts of love/sex/whatever since it is none of our business and no one is getting hurt. I really do not ask. I imagine that if it were the time to need to support the 2SLGBTQIA+ community I think you would be a wonderful ally. Since you seem to be very heterosexual, with your love of all things female. "
"Hell yeah, the Pete does love everything and everyone who identify as female. No judgement just good lovin' from the Pete-meister. Because who could say no to all this. I don't mind any appreciation for the bod, I am doing very well if I do say so myself." Pete said while staring at his abs as he straightened his uniform
"It astounds me that you are not pansexual considering how much… you love you." Myka said, choosing her words tactfully.
"What can I say Mykas, I have yet to fall for another man… but hey hey hey Pete is not opposed to men loving men or people loving people. I am here to support it all. And I reserve the right to change my mind if I ever do find someone who works for me." Pete said abstractly as he looked at the art in Myka's quarters.
"As you should Pete." Myka agreed as she thought about all the history she read about the sexual repressive past of historical Earth. She had read how hard it was for them to recover all the accurate knowledge about their past because of the persecution they faced to just exist. It was indeed a part of a shameful time in human history. Not to mention what they did to their own people because of some ideology about race, greed, and the "us vs them" mentality. How humanity survived sometimes shocks her.
'All senior officers report to the bridge meeting room at once for first contact protocols.' Captain Nelson said over the comms for the ship. Pete and Myka looked at each other in surprised attention. They did not expect an announcement over ship comms, so this meant one of two things. First is that Captain Nelson wanted no one to bother senior crew while they met, and second something about standard first contact protocols were going to change and it was imperative that all senior officers be present to update their plans.
"Awww man, there goes our shore leave." Pete said as he turn to leave Myka's quarters, knowing her she would be right on his heels. And he was right.