| Date & Time: | 04, 0844 |
| Location: | Quartermaster’s Office |
| Written By: | Lieutenant JG Zotras Lazol S. Warrant Officer Braxx Esrann |
| Post Date: | 02/21/2026 |
| Episode: | Ep. 1 – Fool’s Errand |
Braxx stood in front of the panel inside the small office he’d been provided, “And tell Soleya and Molaya I love them,” He said to his spouse Dixis with a smile over his bluish face. The Bolian loved his family, he had been thankful for the short amount of leave he’d gotten before arriving on board the station one day earlier.
=/\=”I will,” Dixis responded, “And I love you.”=/\=
Braxx still had a warm smile on his face, “I love you too,” He told her just before the call ended. At least he’d gotten to the station as communications were brought online. Braxx had told, warned rather, his daughters Soleya and Molaya that he may not be able to call them right away. The Warrant Officer was glad that he’d been proven wrong.
Zotras stood outside the small office, that was more like a closet, of the station’s quartermaster. He’d heard the end of the conversation, and said nothing until he was certain the conversation had ended. “I’m sorry to interrupt Warrant,” He began, “Do you have a moment?”
Braxx was rather calm, even as he turned around and faced the man who’d just spoken to him from behind his back. “Please come in,” He said indicating that the man could come in the rest of the way. “Sorry, I don’t recognize you.”
Zotras had expected this, many of the personnel were still coming aboard the station, so it wasn’t all that surprising when someone had to introduce themselves. “Lieutenant Zotras Lazol, I’m one of the operations officers on board.” He stepped inside the office and took a moment to look around, “There was something I wanted to discuss with you.”
Braxx nodded, assuming that the Lieutenant already knew who Braxx was. He was the only quartermaster on the station. And, Braxx was already feeling some pressure because of that fact though calls with his spouse did help. “Please sit down, sorry that it’s still a mess in here. I got here yesterday and haven’t had a chance to put things away.”
Zotras raised his hand as he sat down, “No need to apologize Warrant, I understand,” He took a moment to look around. The room was small, though it was located in the central core of the station. And, it was rather close to the turbolift leading up to the main operations center. At least that was rather convenient.
“I was informed earlier this morning that the civilians are expected to begin arriving today, I wasn’t sure if you were tracking that?” Zotras asked.
Braxx began digging around in the mountains of paperwork and datapads he had scattered all over the small desk he had. Then, with a slight grin on his face the Bolian found what he was looking for and picked it up. “Ah yes,” He said and looked it over, “The Captain’s yeoman had sent me something about it earlier this morning.”
Braxx read through the datapad and nodded before placing it back down onto the desk before continuing to speak. “Thanks for making sure I was tracking that though,” He appreciated the officer for it. Braxx looked around realizing he was tracking too many things at once and he’d need to get organized sooner rather than later.
“No problem,” Zotras answered then he’d prepared to leave the office before hesitating for a moment and turning back to face the Warrant Officer. “If you don’t mind me asking,” He began to say, “Was that your wife?” Zotras asked, “And, I’m assuming the two names you mentioned were your children as well?”
Braxx nodded, “That’s correct, I have two daughters. And, they’re on Bolus,” He didn’t mind talking about his children. Braxx anticipated the next line of questioning as he began to realize from the name that Zotras was an El-Aurian.
Zotras nodded, “I see,” He said. It took him a moment to ask the question he’d had on his mind, “Again you don’t have to answer, however, if I may be so bold. Why aren’t they on the station with you?”
Braxx had been asked that question before, and his answer was always the same. “When my children were younger they did live with me. And, my wife also lived with me, but to be honest I’ve always been nervous about having them here. Especially when I’m on the very edge of Federation controlled space. My last station was a starship and raising children on a starship can be challenging.
“There’s also the matter of what happened during the Dominion War where the Dominion came really close to threatening us.” He shrugged his shoulders, “Besides my daughters have lived on Bolus much of their young lives. They’ve made friends there and have attended the same schooling since they were very little.” Braxx explained. He found himself shrugging after answering the question, “I take leave as much as I can, and we have regular subspace calls.”
Zotras nodded, “Still, it must be difficult to be this far apart from them.” He said, and Zotras did know that the Captain had his daughter on the station. The Exec also had her daughter on the station as well so there were a small group of children already around. He wondered if it was challenging for them as well. They really didn’t have anyone else that they could count on.
“It’s certainly not easy,” Braxx answered him. “However, we’ve made due with the situation, and I know others have children on the station. I’m sure both Soleya and Molaya would get along quite nicely with the girls that are already here. However, my eldest is getting close to graduating from school and the youngest has lived on Bolus for as long as she can remember.”
Braxx found himself thinking about the question and knew the El-Aurian had meant well, “Space is dangerous. That’s probably why not many Starfleet officers have children. It can also complicate their lives making it that much less appealing for them. I’m certain the Captain and others are happy having their children close. And, I know I would be too… It just doesn’t work for everyone I suppose.”
Zotras found himself smiling warmly, and realizing that several good points had been made. “I’m sure you’ve figured out that I’m El-Aurian by now.” He said.
Braxx nodded, “Yeah, I did. I was curious as to just how old you are?” He asked, “I know your species live for a very long time. Though, you’ve probably not been in Starfleet for that long I’m guessing.” He could look at the man’s service record and figure that out for himself if he’d wanted to.
Zotras had been asked for his age in the past, “I’m only twenty-five years old. Very young by El-Aurian standards.” He told the Bolian, “My parents had me while they were living on Deneva, they still live on Deneva. I’m also probably one of the few El-Aurian’s my age though I’ve often wondered why that was. I’ve long assumed it was because after the destruction of my people’s homeworld my parents just wanted to settle down. They were refugees from there, and eventually they became Federation citizens before my birth.”
He thought of his parents and how he’d probably needed to call them, “They’re still alive and living on Deneva too,” He answered. “My parents opted for the quiet life unlike so many of my species who wanted to travel or even try and return home one day. I think that’s why so few El-Aurians were born from the group that survived the Borg attack. That was also a long time before my birth.”
Braxx listened to the explanation and felt as if he’d gotten to know Zotras a little bit better, and also began to understand why the junior lieutenant hadn’t married. It was probably difficult to find another El-Aurian to mate with. Assuming, Braxx thought to himself, that this young officer wanted to marry another El-Aurian in the first place. “That makes sense,” He finally said.
Zotras nodded as he, once again, stood up and started for the door. “Anyway, I’ll leave you be. I can tell you have a mountain of work waiting for you. Let me know if you need any help down here.” He told the Warrant Officer before leaving the man’s office.