On the Road Again

Posted on Wed 12th Feb, 2014 @ 1:47pm by Lieutenant Zhara Rynn

843 words; about a 4 minute read

Mission: http://sb109.sim-station.net/index.php/sim/missions/id/6
Location: Starbase Protector

ON

Zhara sat quietly in the back of the shuttle, rhythmically running her fingers through the soft fur of her therapy dog, Sophia. The husky had received several visits from the children on the shuttle -- which she enjoyed tremendously, but now both dog and owner were taking advantage of a lull as the children had all grown tired of the novelty of a dog on a shuttle and were now reading or playing games with their families.

She watched the children through half-closed eyes, chuckling as one little girl hit her older brother over the head with her plush Targ as he tried to play a 3D game on his PADD. Whenever he complained, she feigned innocence and then blamed it on a toddler next to her who was busy himself attacking his own plus Targ with a toy starship.

The counselor had no children of her own, never having stayed long enough in any one place to grow a permanent attachment. All her liaisons had melted away like hoar frost in the warmth of the sun, unable to withstand the forced separation. But that seemed to be the nature of life in Starfleet and one day, perhaps, she would find the one man from whom she could not walk away and there she would plant roots. Until then, she would do her best to help other families be happy and healthy. It pleased her to see that the ones on the shuttle with her seemed to be well. "Sophia, if all the people on Protector were as emotionally stable as the ones on this shuttle, we would soon be out of a job."

The dog opened her eyes and looked over to the children, thumping her tail in agreement. Then she put her muzzle back on the floor and went back to napping.

A plush targ landed at Zhara's feet and she looked up to see the little girl looking at her, eyes wide in fear. "I'm sorry." The girl pointed to her older brother. "He did it."

"Yeah, that's because you keep hitting me on the head with your stupid targ," he muttered. He looked up at Zhara and the dog. "Sorry, lady."

The counselor bent over and picked up the targ and looked at it for a moment. It had clearly been loved -- and abused -- by its owner. "I suggest you not use him for a club, targs like this deserve to be cuddled. Have you considered teaching it to carry one of your dolls?" She expertly tossed the targ to the girl and smiled when it was caught.

The girl looked at Zhara, then at her targ. "Not yet... Do you think Molly would like it?"

"Probably. Dolls enjoy riding, almost as much as little girls do," Zhara replied. "Try it now, and maybe when you get to your destination your parents will take you onto the holodeck so you can try riding a tame targ. Or maybe just a pony. I think a pony is a much better place to start, don't you?"

The little girl's eyes widened in excitement, all fear gone. She turned to her mother, who had been trying very hard to pretend nothing was going on around her. "Please, Mommy, can I ride a pony?"

The mother looked up from her tablet and appeared to be considering her options. "Okay, but only if you can go the rest of the trip without hitting either of your brothers."

The little girl grinned and nodded energetically. "I promise. I'll spend all my time teaching Molly to ride Tina the Targ."

The mother looked over to Zhara and mouthed, "Thank you."

Zhara smiled back in acknowledgment, pleased that her idea had taken hold of the girl's imagination. The girl had pulled a doll from a bag and was now on the floor, patiently teaching Molly how to ride Tina the Targ.

She then looked down to her dog, who hadn't moved during the exchange. "You've grown lazy in the past weeks, my girl. Nothing but sleep and eat. Fortunately, we shall be arriving at our destination in a few hours and then we can both stretch our legs."

Zhara had never served on a starbase before. It would be an adventure. So much room for Sophia to run, so many people. And a large counseling center with a dozen counselors, not just the two or three she was used to. She'd already ordered everything she could think of for a full remodel. Rich colors and fabrics, aromatherapy, more animals... She grinned down at Sophia. "They have a place called Tivoli Gardens. We need to go there. I think they will welcome you, my girl."

Sophia thumped her tail again but neither lifted her head nor opened her eyes. "Yes, a good idea." Zhara lay her head back against the seat and closed her eyes. A nap my just be in order. There would be much to do when they arrived at Starbase Protector.

OFF

Lieutenant Zhara Rynn
Chief Counselor

Sophia
Therapy dog

 

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