A new adventure awaits

Posted on Fri Jul 3rd, 2026 @ 10:28pm by Lieutenant Commander Savin & Jerant van Rijn & Nveid tr'Rehu
Edited on on Tue Jul 14th, 2026 @ 4:29pm

968 words; about a 5 minute read

Mission: Intermission: Safe Haven
Location: Border outpost

Though the chances of being reunited were slim, Savin found himself glad to be part of an officer exchange together with a few familiar faces. Of course, Jerant always joined him on his assignments, being his aide but NVeid also being assigned with him was a bonus. Yet, as he studied the man he couldn't help but notice the tension.

"Are you alright?" He asked his friend as he studied the older man more closely. He'd just been reunited with his teenage son, after having been resigned to shore leave visits for the past seven years.

NVeid nodded slowly, swallowed a few times, then continued to shake his head. "No," he answered in a bare whisper, which was only noticed by those which hearing ability. "I don't feel well at all."

Jerant, who had just been about to walk off as he'd spotted some interesting buildings he could try to scale, turned and frowned. "You don't sound so great either doctor," he answered, well aware of the turmoil of emotions around him. "Come to think of it, you didn't sound so great for the past days, as we travelled here either. I think you should see a doctor..." His keen sense of linguistics has noticed a shift in the hybrid's voice, which was fairly heavily accented to begin with.

The hybrid looked pale as he nodded in confirmation, as if he already knew what was going on. "My voice is starting to fail me," he explained, the dread of that happening plain on his face, "I knew this was a possibility in due time but I did not expect it so soon. I knew the risk when the surgery was performed as it was high risk to begin with and it can't be done again."

Savin's expression was a mix of concern and compassion as he reached to touch the surgeon's arm. "You will not be going through this alone," he promised, "and you have Jarron with you. He will be your pillar and your foundation. You are not alone this time."

NVeid nodded gratefully, remembering how lonely he'd been when he had first lost his ability to speak and how long it has taken him to adopt a new means of communication. Except where they were going, telepathy would once again be a taboo and as an outcast he was terrified of how he'd be treated.

"Not alone, and nothing to fear," Jerant chimed in, "now if you'll excuse me, I have an appointment with those buildings over there. I'll join you tonight for dinner somewhere, just let me know where." A last supportive smile was cast the surgeon's say before the Betazoid ran off.

"Come." Still touching the older man's arm, Savin beckoned him. "We will discuss your options later, now we must meet with Jarron as he is arriving just now." He gestured towards a just landed shuttle from which a lanky lad and a young woman exited.

Spotting his father, the teenager broke into a run and nearly knocked his father over in his enthusiasm. "Dad!" He cried out, wrapping his arms around the man, "is it true? Are we waiting on a Romulan vessel?" He looked towards the counselor who had stepped back a few paces to give them some room. "Counselor?"

"It is true," Savin confirmed, then offered a light bow towards the young woman. "Miss Avent," he greeted politely, "you arrive at a most convenient time. Your brother may require your support."

"Doctor, surely by now you can just call me Xelena?" The young woman smiled, "and if NVeid needs help all he has to do is ask." She smiled at her brother, reaching out. "Brother, it has been too long." Knowing how he was adverse to touch, she only touched the fabric of his sleeve. "I'll be here a few days to make sure Jarron is settled, so we can talk later. He was a delight to have with us but we understand that he belongs with you. It'll never be a bother should we have to again."

Savin observed the change in his friend and felt the shift of emotion emanating from him. "I am going for a walk," he announced quietly, "if you need me, just send a message to my PADD." Giving the reunited family some privacy, he turned and walked away.

"Dad?" Jarron prompted his father, who had yet to respond.

NVeid sighed softly as he gestured towards a nearby restaurant. "I'm losing my ability to speak," he confessed miserably, "the deterioration is rapid. I'm scared."

In response, Jarron hugged his father again, and this time Xelena wrapped her arms around him too. "You'll be alright," she encouraged, "I know you will be, and we're only a call away. There's no shame in being scared brother, remember how scared we were when dad suddenly told us we had a Romulan half brother?" She smiled at him. "And you couldn't speak then either and you taught us to sign. Well ... Some anyway... You've come a long way, don't let this throw you back, consider it a challenge. And if they give you a hard time... I'll have a chat with them about respect."

Seeing the ferocity and honestly in here more than black eyes, NVeid managed a genuine smile. "That means so much to me," he answered gratefully, bowing his head.

"Hey, none of that now." She put her fingers under his chin and lifted his face to make him look at her. "Head high doctor," she said sternly, "be proud of who you are. And you can be, because your family is too. Now, go and spend some time with your son. We will talk tonight after he's gone to sleep. Now, I'm going after your friend." She leaned in and lightly kissed his cheek. "Later .."

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