Far Over, The Highland Mountains, Cold - Part Seven

Posted on Wed Mar 18th, 2020 @ 3:22am by Fleet Admiral Heather Duval & Commander Ethan "Hardcase" Duval & Lei "The Thunder King" Shen

Mission: Mission 98: Building Our New Home
Location: Deneva - Highland Mountains
Timeline: 1300Hrs - June 17th, 2393

The doors opened at their approach as brother and sister entered the large messhall that could seat several hundred at a time, the place was simply enormous and it was across three levels with a very open feeling, similar in design to a sports stadium, Duval looked around as she marveled at the sight of the place. "Impressive," she commented.

"Several hundred can dine at one time, all of the kiosks and food outlets all get their food from the central kitchen which has over forty people working within and can produce meals for five thousand people in one day," Jefferson explained. "This Monistary is also a fully functional town with events taking place at all times of the day or night."

"I can see why people would want to live here. This truly is a lovely place to call home."

"I consider this world home," Ethan responded with a nod. "You would too if you knew it as I did."

"Well that's quite a claim," Duval answered, a smile playing at her lips. "I don't call any planet home. Not since I left Earth when I was a teenager to go to the academy, once I left Earth, however. I said I'd never go back." the older human female explained.

"Having ties to ones homeworld is all well and good but its where your heart lies, that is what is important Ms. Duval." Interrupted Lei Shen as he seemed to congeal from out of the shadows.

Duval regarded him with a look. "So you are the Lei Shen I keep hearing about. Jake has mentioned you to me, as has Jeff Duval," she explained.

"I see." Lei Shen answered with a nod. "I do my best to help those who come to me," he explained evenly. "Ethan, is all well?" he inquired.

"Yes, Master Shen. Heather and I had a long conversation. I had originally refused her offer."

"May I ask why Ethan?" Shen inquired asked with a gentle smile.

"Because I had not considered the possibility that what I seek is out there and not here," Ethan answered quietly.

"There is nothing wrong in admitting you are not happy Ethan," Shen responded with a gentle smile. "Besides, we will always be here when you decide you find what you seek," Shen explained as he shifted his attention to the nearby brazer as it burned merrily away. "You have found a great many things here Ethan but you can't find the peace you wish to seek. You can only find that in facing your demons."

"My demons wear the uniform," Ethan responded. "I was unsure about this."

"I can understand your hesitation, considering what you have told me in the past," Shen responded before Duval moved off to see what she wished for her lunch, the area was noisy and there were a lot of people here but she assumed that this was normal for more or less all day and all night.

She located the kiosk she sought, before she moved over to it, after getting into line she ordered herself a meal that was really unhealthy but looked so delicious and had a scent that, to her, was to die for. "Mmm... the largest mountain of fries you have, gravy and cheese please?" Duval grinned as she paid the amount required and then she watched as her meal was prepared before her. "Thanks, guys." as she received her item.

Duval came back to find Ethan and Shen deep in conversation. "Let's go find ourselves a table guys." when they paused for a moment.

"Yeah. Let me go get some food." Ethan commented before he moved off to do exactly that, while Duval sat down at the nearest table she could find that was empty, Shen sat down across from her. "What will happen to Ethan?"

"He'll be assigned to work with Tom Lasky, I believe you know him?"

"I do, He is my brother." Shen smiled. "Ethan will be in excellent hands then," he added with a gentle nod of his head.

"Yeah. Ethan will be reinstated at the rank of Commander, his original rank and he'll be wearing red rather than black, he'll be working closely with Tom Lasky who is somewhat desperate for skippers, he's been asking and not getting much of anything. Ethan will be able to shape the crew of a ship and lead them in the field." Duval then smiled. "I have access to the classified stuff in his file, even the stuff Starfleet doesn't want me to read." she smiled with a small grin.

"I was an I still remain concerned for his welfare and well-being," Shen commented quietly. "I do not wish for him to face more issues than he is ready for."

"I understand," Duval answered as she ate a french fry, a smile of bliss came over her face. "Mmmm," she added. "Now I get what Tom said before I came." the older female added. Upon noticing Shen's odd look on his face. "He said that these french fries would be better than anything I've had from a replicator," she explained.

Shen nodded slowly. "Ahh. I understand." as he watched the older female start to eat her meal, Ethan returned a moment later, as he selected a chair and sat down next to Duval. Shen could tell that these two were related, he smiled. "When do you leave?"

Duval turned. "As soon as you are ready, not before."

"Good," Ethan responded as he got stuck into his meal, Duval smiled as she began eating as well.