Shared Ground

Posted on Sat Dec 5th, 2020 @ 12:52am by Commanding Officer Maralen Seitha
Edited on on Sat Dec 5th, 2020 @ 4:34am

Mission: New Starts
Location: Cael's Office - Tassryth Station
Timeline: 247912.01 16:00

Maralen had finished signing the contracts and was musing to himself as he passed through the huge station that the owner of this particular corporation was a bit... eccentric. It didn't bother him so much as intrigue him. She was not like anyone he had met to date. And, in a different way, he suspected that the man he was now going to see would be o less intriguing. The file Ashlyn had given him had this Cael Maz listed as his Mission Specialist, so he had thought it might be a good idea for them to become acquainted before they needed to depend upon one another.

He went over the dossier as he made his way to the office Ashlyn had given Cael. His species Maralen had never heard of before, something called Trill. Her dossier on the man said that he had come to ShadowDragon from another universe, which would explain how he had never heard of the species. Either they didn't exist here, or they were in some far-off galaxy. Either way, Mar was intrigued and curious. Stopping outside the door to the office, he straightened his jacket unnecessarily and tapped the door announcer.

Cael was leaning over his desk when he heard the call from the door. His hair was a bit of a mess and his uniform untucked. It looked as though he was finishing up a shift or rather, and more accurately, having pulled a triple shift. As the door opened, he continued his discussion with the person on the desk. "Look. We need to get those supplies on board. We need to ensure that we have everything we need for this journey. I don't want to be short on anything and that includes staff. Now please, for all that is Holy in this 'verse, get those crates loaded." He said firmly before ending the call and looking up.

Maralen stepped into the office quietly, waiting for the other man to finish his call. The man before him looked harried and tired but seemed determined. That would serve the crew well, he thought to himself. "Cael Maz?" he asked when the other had finished the call to be certain that he had the correct individual, even though the face pretty closely matched the picture on the dossier.

"That would be us." Cael said as he stood up and attempted to slick his hair back into place. "How can I be of service?" He asked as he now worked toward fixing his uniform. He had been so busy working on things for the ship, he was not clear who stood before him. To him, it could be anybody in a ship this size.

Maralen actually smiled slightly, amused at the man's attempt to look as if he had not been working too hard for too long... and failing. Maralen was too well-trained for observation to buy that. He did not mention it, however, as he approached the desk and extended his hand in the greeting common for this Sector. "I am Maralen Seitha. I'm to be the captain of the FarVoyager, and I was informed that you are to be my Mission Advisor. I thought it might be a good idea for us to get to know one another since we will be working very closely together for the foreseeable future." he informed.

Cael let out a bit of a sigh of relief, "Sorry for the mess. It's a large ship and well, I like to ensure we are as prepared as we can be." He motioned to the leather couches, "Please, have a seat. Can I get you anything to drink?" He asked casually as he walked over toward his refrigerated globe bar and began so pour a dark brown bubbly drink into a glass. He was running on low energy as it was. Perhaps a caffeinated beverage would boost Maz and him at the same time.

Prepared was a good thing, and Maralen smiled, taking back his hand and retreating to the couch. "I'm fine, thank you." he answered. "And please, never apologize for being vigilant and prepared. These are qualities i was taught very young to not only adhere to myself but appreciate and even cultivate in others." he admitted.

Cael nodded, "Mine stems from the best intentions. Humans in my timeline have a saying though. The road to hell was paved with the best intentions. And hell I lived for many years. It wasn't until a few years ago when I found myself here that I found a chance to do something good for a change." He took his glass and headed toward the opposite couch. "Something worth its weight in precious metals."

The words struck a deep chord with Maralen. He also had lived in Hell, his own personal Hell, and he too thought that this place presented him with the opportunity to utilize all that he had learned to be for good. But he was curious how far their similarities went. He tilted his head, ears perking forward, tail tip tapping on his waist -- it would have swished back and forth in curiosity if it had not been wrapped tightly around his waist. "I can certainly appreciate what you're saying. Until I came here, my own life was its own breed of Hell." he commiserated, giving the man a bit of insight into him as well.

Cael sat down and shifted to prop his feet up as he set it to recline. His face looked tired but his eyes were wide awake. "Perhaps then our journey on board might bring us up and out of that Hell that we once found ourselves in." He took a long drink of the liquid and then brought it back down while giving a satisfied 'Ahh' sound. "So have you been briefed on our mission yet? I have been so busy that I think...is this Tuesday?" the man clearly lost as to what day it was.

Maralen chuckled softly. "Actually, it's Wednesday." he corrected with good humor. "But I can understand how you could lose a day, drowning in paperwork." he commiserated. "As to the mission, Ashlyn did give me what she knows at this stage, but" He paused, studying the other man for a moment before finishing "maybe we should have that particular conversation when you aren't running on adrenaline and caffeine?"

"Probably the best idea. I am fueled to get me through the next three or four hours and then I am sure that both of us could use some sleep." Cael said in reference to both him and Maz. "I just need to make sure that those supplies get on board and to the right people. Then after that, I will retire from nitpicking at other peoples jobs and get back to my advisor role." He said with a chuckle.

Maralen thought about the statements for a moment, analyzing them. "Isn't that someone else's job?" he asked curiously. The last statement implied that it was, but then why did Cael Maz feel the need to do it? Had the other person whose job it was failed to perform adequately? Or was the man before him something of a micromanager? Either had its advantages and disadvantages. For now, he did not judge, merely asked.

The Realm would have judged. Well, more accurately, they would have stopped it. Each Representative had their function, and each was kept to their function when performing their duties. Their own time was theirs to do with as they liked... as long as what they did in that time did not impair their functionality in the performance of their duties. But Cael Maz seemed... tired but not too badly impaired... yet.

"It's someone else's job but was asked for help by the department to get things on the right time table. Poor kid is only 43 years old and this is his first time on a vessel this size. He underestimated the task at hand I suspect." Cael said calmly before taking another drink. His mind was a blirr of experiences and memories flooding him all the time. He, due to lack of sleep, was unable to slow the flood of Maz's memories as such. But he was still able to follow conversation for the most part.

Maralen's expression gave nothing away, but his thoughts were conflicted. His training said that the young man should have been trained better, should be able to adapt. But the rest of his mind said that not everyone was the Realm. And it was kind of this man to help. But he also could see the fatigue settling over the man before him like a fog. He could smell it.

"It is possible, and it is commendable that you helped him. But wouldn't it be more help to him to instruct him on how to fix the mistake rather than doing it for him?" That damned training made him think in certain ways, and it made this question even occur to him. However, the tone he spoke it in was not si much judgmental as it was... testing? Curious maybe.

"Some people are better at learning when shown, others when instructed. I believe in demonstrations first and then instructions secondly if that fails. That way one can learn by observing and repeating the process. So far, he seems to have taken to it. He just needs to learn to not be so...whats the word I am looking for...calm perhaps or diplomatic when it comes to people. His orders were simple which was ensure the ship is stocked before departure. What he did not account for was the various supplies needed for a ship this side and sometimes how lazy dock workers can be." Cael said with a smile, "I am sure the next time we need to restock, he will be spot on. If not, we can always transfer him into another department that is more fitting of his personality. We are definitely not lacking in people."

"Hm... yes, that personality type isn't really suited to that job description." he mused. "As I said, I do commend you for your response to the situation. I'm afraid I wasn't really trained for... teaching." he admitted with a slight smile. "I was trained in many things, but not that. And I confess it confuses me a bit. Those who trained me used to screen their" he paused a second to change from the word 'recruits' to a better one "candidates and place them into the training for the positions their natural talents and personality suited them. I suppose I'm not used to such a... free-flowing system where a person can choose a field he or she is not suited to." He had not really intended to admit quite that much, but this man was easy to talk to, and he had come here so that they could get to know one another, so it would be very one-sided if he gave nothing away.

"In my age and how my biology works, I have been some 12 different people. At least I think it's 12. I might have lost track in my old age." Cael said chuckling softly, "And in all that time, I have been several different people with various life skills. Each one different than the next. I carry all their memories and thoughts inside me. At some point, we do shift from using those skills to teaching those skills."

Maralen thought about that. So, this man was versatile like he was, though likely differently. And most definitely built under different circumstances. The bit about multiple lives inside his head made Maralen smile and tap his own head, though it was meant to indicate Cael's as his next words indicated. "It must get noisy in there sometimes, hm?" he half joked. Then his expression became serious but curious. "How does that work anyway? This being multiple people?"

"Mostly the memories are suppressed and can only be brought out fully by a ritual and a special telepath. But it can be crowded. Most of us symbionts do not live as long as I have and thus do not have as many hosts. Exceptional life for an exceptional life span." Cael said with a smile.

Maralen thought about the words for a moment. "Then you are a dual life form? I can't say that I've ever met one before." he commented, his curiosity piqued. "Twelve lives you said. About how many years in each?" And there was the baseline cat that he was, stripped of the training that told him to keep himself aloof and coolly efficient. Nope, now he was curious and chasing it... until Cael told him to stop, that was.

"Oh some longer than others. Average it at about sixty-one years or so. Just one right after the next." Cael said taking another sip of his drink, "And yes, dual being. I would not exist if I did not resize in Cael here. Maz is my name and Cael is his. I answer to both because, well certain things happened that Cael has not quite come to terms with. He's how you say, checked out."

Maralen did the math on that internally. Seven hundred and thirty two years. That made Maz older than that due to the fact that he doubted that Maz had been merged with his first host right after birth. Fascinating and impressive. Felinium, of which Ledarans were descended, lived very long lives, but Maralen himself was only fifty six. He had a long way to go before he reached Maz's age.

"I'm not ignoring your last statement, and I will come back to it as I feel it's important. But I have one more question in reference to the duality of your nature. The proper way to address you, the combined being, would be to use both names then, yes?" Maz had already said that he answered to both names, but if it was impolite to call one name when speaking to the other, he wanted to avoid that. Of course, that brought to mind the question... how could one tell the difference?

"At this time, calling me both names would be accurate. Even though Cael has... checked out, it's respectful to him as a host to me and perhaps, in time, he finds in himself to be ever more present." Maz said as Cael's body moved for the final sip of his drink. It was perplexing for others and he understood and respected that nature. For him, it was just him picking up the extra load. If he could have saved Cael from all the hell he received, he would. But doing so meant killing both of them.

Maralen nodded. "Then I will continue to use the complete, two-part name." he affirmed. "As to the rest, may I ask what happened to him? Of course, if you do not wish to answer, please feel free to tell me it isn't any of my business, and I will respect that."

A solemn look washed over the man's face. It was a few seconds before he responded but he did feel that full disclosure was necessary when it came to working and talking with the Captain of the ship as they would be working closely together. Most likely until one or the other was killed. "His wife and child were murdered by the same foundation that I created. We were supposed to have retired after a final experiment but that ended with us in this alternate universe and time. An offer was made and I accepted."

Maralen winced. He understood the pain of losing everything; he'd done it. Once when he was a child, and then with Ari. The mention of murder that carried a note of guilt with it hit home too. Oh, there were different reasons for that touch of guilt, but it gave them common ground. "I understand." he said in soft tones that held more emotion than he normally allowed them to. "I, too, have lost everything." He was not trying to make this about him, though, so he stopped there. If the other asked, he would disclose; he simply did not wish to give the wrong impression.

"I think...a lot of us have. At least by the records of the staff anyway. Would not make a good mission advisor if I did not do my research on most of the staff." Cael said with a chuckle, "At least the ones I was able to see." He did a lot of research when he was being considered for the Captain's position. But when offered, he declined in favor of a more interesting position. One that he felt might help the crew more.

Maralen's whiskers twitched slightly as did his ears. "And did you read up on me then?" he asked, curious to know what the man knew of him beyond what had been said in this room.

Cael shook his head, "Beyond my clearance level. As is the Executive Officer and a few other positions." He did not wish to even pry where his eyes did not belong. He respected Ashlyn's choice in the superior staff.

Maralen nodded. "Understood. A bit of her paranoia exerting itself, I think." he said with a chuckle. "That being the case, is there anything you would like to know about me?"

"Whatever you feel like sharing. I am more laid back as you can see," Cael motioned to the office, "than your typical being. I look into certain people's backgrounds so I know who to pair up on away missions so it reduces the chance of casualties."

Maralen nodded. "Wise." he complimented, his expression becoming thoughtful. "The problem is that I wouldn't know where to begin. For a man who has lived only one life, mine has been... eventful shall we say." That was a complete understatement, but he meant it as humor.

Cael chuckled softly, "In my seven hundred and some even or odd years, I have not once come across anyone who has ever had a boring life. Start where you feel most comfortable. I suppose what inspired you to take on such a massive job as Captain of such a massive ship?"

That question was not one with a simple answer. Or maybe it was from a certain point of view. He leaned back in the couch he was sitting on, thinking on how to best answer it. "The simplest answer is that I felt it was a chance to use all of the things I was trained to be for good rather than the uses my previous... employers... had put it to." he answered, watching the man across from him to see his reaction to the statement, testing to see if he would read between the words themselves or take them at face value for one thing.

Cael nodded, having caught the meaning. "There are three sides in this universe and each side has a million different shades to them. Some walk the path of light, others dark, but most are in the grey. I am sure there are more than fifty shades of grey area. Sometimes it takes bigger leaps to get yourself to where you feel you belong." Cael said sagely. "On this vessel, you have to be the light in the darkness."

Maralen studied the man across from him for a moment. He suspected, from what had already been said, that these words of wisdom were coming not from the man Cael but from the symbiont Maz. But whichever they came from, they were profound and worth giving thought to. He sat still for several minutes, thinking about them.

"That is wise counsel." he said finally. "I believe there was a song in twentieth-century Earth that said something similar. I believe it was called Point of Light. But I believe you are correct; there are many shades of gray that exist in each person. And it's up to each to decide how to balance them." He smiled. "Thank you for the food for thought."

Cael bowed his head, "Glad to feed the mind in any way that I can." he yawned for a moment, "Just continue to be the light in the darkness. You have a lot of calls to make here in the near future, but I will be here to advise when asked. Another reason I took on this role. I am perhaps...too dark...to be the light. But in all my years, I know that no one is beyond redemption."

If the other man only knew how dark Maralen's life had gotten, the things he had done, he might not say such things as 'be the light' to him. And yet, he found it somehow reassuring that someone thought he was redeemable.

He had not missed the yawn either and frowned slightly at himself. "I will remember that, Cael Maz." he said sincerely. "But for now, I should let you rest." He stood and studied the other for a moment. "And please do so?" It was a request, not an order, but he felt the need to clarify. "You're no good to me or this ship running on adrenaline and caffeine for too long."

"Aye, I shall endeavor to do so. Perhaps a cat nap will do me well." Cael said as he moved to lay down on the couch. He grabbed at the blanket on the back side of it and brought it over his body. "After all, I think that everything will work out just fine for our departure." He stretched out a bit with a groan and then turned sideways on the couch.

Maralen nodded though the man would not see it now. "It will be fine. You've done what you can for now. Rest well." He then quietly exited the office, thinking about what had been said as he headed to his next meeting.