RP Log: New Old Friends

Roleplay Log
Participants: ch'Vyran	Linx Sawyer
Location(s): Deep Space 3
Stardate: 138068.85
2026-04-21 14:10

The door chime at Out sounds, "*be boowoop*"
You knock with 'Come in!'.
ch'Vyran arrives from Medical Administration.

Here is the woman that Nolan knows as Viari Tilar. She still looks very much the same, perched in her seat at her desk, an empty mug sitting to one side. She looks up as the door opens to see who is there, a bright smile appearing on her face. "Nolan!"

Nolan walks in, looking a bit tired and ragged. He's had his head down somewhere for... A while now. Even so, he lights up with his own smile. "Well hello the-" he stops as his little antennae wiggle a bit. He blinks and fixes her with a look. "Vi?"

She blinks once at him, her smile faltering just a bit. "Yes," she assures him with a nod, pushing herself up onto her feet. "I guess you haven't seen the reports yet?" Her hands lift, gesturing to herself. "I'm... TECHNICALLY Viari Linx now. Not by any real plans or intention, though."

"I see" Nolan says, evenly. "I hadn't caught up yet, I've been in review with a paper I submitted while I was on my sabatical... I suppose congratulations aren't in order then?"

One hand lifts and wobbles in an 'eeehhh' sort of gesture. "Unclear," she tells him, crossing the room to approach slowly, watching and giving him space if there's any sign of discomfort. "I did consent to this. Linx was dying, and is very much traumatized by its experiences. I don't have a lot of memory yet. Just... feelings and the like. Doc Sawyer is worried about me. The specialist we have at present is less worried."

"Vi seems to be taking this well" Nolan remarks. His commbadge lets off a small triple click. "Oh! One of my cultures is done, would you mind me stepping out a moment to take care of that and I'll be right back?"

Nolan returns, and it's a bit clear he's had a sprint across both station and ship. He drops into the chair before Vi's desk. "You were saying?" he says, coolly.

"Vi is still settling in with having another personality in her head that is angry and afraid," now-Linx tells him with a quiet laugh as he returns, plopping herself down in the chair that sits beside him. "I've basically been instructed to keep going about my life, to help encourage Linx that it's safe now. But restricted to light duty for the time being. Commander Choma seems in agreement that doing nothing is a bad idea right now."

"Choma's usually amenable to light duty as long as nobody prescribes it to him" Nolan nods. "Linx is recessed then, for the moment?"

Linx nods to him, hands folding to settle in her lap. "Yes, for now. I didn't even get its name until we returned to DS3." She blinks, realizing he missed that part of the story. "So we found it when me and three other Trill were taken. Linx's previous Host apparently knew something that was valuable, and wouldn't talk. So it was forcibly removed from the Host, and 8 failed Joinings on non-Trill later, they figure out they need Trill. Coil is joined. Ryu is joined. Doctor Paux is the specialist. I was the best choice. The alternative was that Linx would die."

"Eight failed joinings? At force?" Nolan says, mouth gawping in disbelief. "My word... I can't imagine how awful that must have been"

Vi nods to him, nose wrinkling. "We found the bodies," she tells him. "It was... not great. Suffice to say, I wasn't in a great mental state when the connection was made. Kellen had to restrain me, and Doctor Paux sedated me for a while. Being here... helps." She gestures around. "It's familiar. Known safe spaces. Safe people. I'm still very jumpy and easily startled, though."

Nolan sighs, the retelling heavy on him secondhand. "I apologize... Nobody should have to go through that. It was very noble of you to take all that on. What all have you done since, in terms of normal life?"

She looks around the office and shrugs. "Debriefed with Hatter. Got yelled at by Doc Sawyer - who felt bad, by the way. Did some paperwork. Drank some tea. Ate lunch." Vi looks back in his direction and shrugs. "Normal things. I've been told to keep talking to Kellen, since he'll have some good insight for me. Haven't caught up with him yet today, though."

Nolan nods, somewhere between a friend and a doctor in the moment. "And outside of this office? Any recreation? Visits to the holosuite, read a good book, visit with some friends outside of work?"

"I did some reading." One hand lifts to point at her desk. "I don't... I don't have a lot of people I'd consider 'friends' here, Nolan." Vi purses her lips a bit, looking back towards him. "And this is still very new. Like... a day or two. Doc Sawyer checked me over. I haven't had a chance to talk to too many other people yet about anything, much less something as big as this."

Nolan nods and leans back in the chair, slipping out and away from analytical mode. "I see.. Well, I'll try not to be so far away in the future, I apologize. We hadn't talked almost at all lately..."

Linx laughs quietly and shakes her head. "It's hardly your fault or your responsibility. But. It IS good to see you, Nolan," she tells him, smile warming again as she looks at him. "You were busy when the Coleman came and retrieved us, or you'd have been there firsthand to see me trying to hold it together. Not my most glamorous moment."

At that Nolan just sort of shrinks in his chair. He's quiet, peering down at his hands in his lap.

Vi sighs quietly and pulls her chair over closer to his, reaching over to rest one hand on his arm. "I'm okay, Nolan. For now, at least. I'm... kind of scared? But I know that I have people who are watching out for me." She smiles at him, tilting her head. "There's an Andorian fast food place here. Do you want to go check it out?"

At that Nolan's head pops up. He still looks all kinds of sad, but he does raise an eyebrow. "Never had Andorian fastfood. Sounds interesting"

"Neither have I," she tells him with a grin. "I just see it there. I haven't tried it yet." Linx rises up onto her feet, offering her hand and tilting her head towards the door. "Come on. You can make sure I don't have a panic attack out in public.

Nolan takes her hand and manages a smile. "Only if you look out for me too, same as we've been doing" he says, following along side.

Andorian Fast Food <Deep Space 3>

This small restaurant serves foods from Andoria, or reasonable facsimiles. There are several small tables throughout the space, more for two person dining, but a few tables have been pulled together for a party of four.

ch'Vyran arrives from Commercial Fore Ring - Level 125.

Unless he releases her hand, she seems perfectly content to keep it in his. If nothing else, the physical contact seems to help. Nolan can feel some of the tension as her fingers tighten, the anxiety rising as she steps out of the more comfortable bubble into the more public eye. But not enough that she rises to genuine panic. Sure enough, there is Andorian fast food. She guides the way and steps inside, moving to the side of the door to gesture around without barring the entrance. "Ta da."

Nolan has a peek around. "Boy, you weren't kidding. Don't think I ever heard of an Andorian fast food joint, and here it is" Nolan chuckles. His own hand is just fine where it is around hers, squeezing back in kind. "Heard good things about this place from others?"

"Haven't heard anything bad." Linx shrugs at that question, looking over towards him. "I don't know a lot about Andorian food. But I'm certainly not against trying it. I figured you might like it." She looks over at the menu, reading the display before shaking her head. "I have no idea what any of that is. I'll probably just pick something."

"Uhhh..." Nolan says, squinting at the display likewise. "Hmm. Well, to be honest, you picked about the worst Andorian to tell you what's good or not, I was raised on hotdogs and mashed potatoes... But Metlak does sound kinda familiar... I think I remember dad getting that from an Andorian grocer every now and again. Mom didn't have a taste for it herself but I think it's pretty close to chicken"

"Oh I'm aware," Linx tells him with a grin. "I remember you were raised on Earth. But you looked sad and I thought this would cheer you up some. If nothing else, we can both experience the same thing at the same time. And it will either go horrible or great. In both situations, it will be a story, right? And it's not work-related, so that counts as light duty and 'normal' things."

"Sure, couldn't hurt" Nolan nods. "I always mean to try and find out more about my Andorian side anyhow" he remarks, using his free hand to tap in an order for the Metlak bowls on the terminal.

Linx nods to him and releases his hand as he goes to place the order. "I'll find a place where we can sit." She moves away as he focuses on the order, stepping over to find one of the tables and plunk herself down. The outermost coat of her uniform is removed and draped over the back of her chair, and she settles down with a slow release of breath through her lips.

It takes a couple of minutes before Nolan approaches the other side of the table and sets down a pair of bowls, each filled with finger sized strips of cooked light meat, resting in a dark brown sauce. "Have you always sat facing the door?" Nolan notes lightly, taking his own seat.

The food is examined as it's placed down in front of her, and Vi leans over to study it curiously. The question draws her gaze up from the food to look at him. Then the door. Then back at him with a soft 'huh' sound. "Not purposely?" she says, tilting her head thoughtfully to one side.

Nolan nods. "Sorry, just an observation. Common habit amongst the nervous or previously abused. Not a bad one to be in though" he hedges. "Looks good actually, smells nice. The sauce is warm which is a little weird" he studies before reaching in to grab one of the pieces. His fingertips are unavoidably covered with the brown sauce but he pops it in his mouth all the same. "Mmm. Tender and savory" he says after swallowing.

"No no, I don't mind," she tells him, waving a hand somewhat dismissively. "It might be nothing. It might be something. My desk naturally faces the door, so I hadn't noticed." Linx watches him as he starts to eat, watching for any specific method or pattern before following his lead and reaching in to pick up a piece and pop it into her mouth. She chews slowly, looking thoughtful before nodding her approval. "I like it."

"Lil messy but not the end of the world" He says, licking his fingertips. "And I don't think there's most any office that has you facing away from the door, I think that's just natural design" he chuckles. Underneath of the table, he slides his foot forward a bit until his shoe contacts hers, trying to provide some physical grounding. "Doing okay so far?"

Her gaze drops to the floor when she feels his foot, figuring out quickly what that is before nodding. "I'm okay," Linx tells him. "This is still my turf, as it were." She blinks once, voice dropping slightly to not carry as she remembers something worth mentioning. "There are phasers in my coat, and my medkit. Worst case if something happens. Not EXPECTING anything, but there are tools at hand if you need them." Then she's reaching in to pick up more food, shrugging at the messiness. "Nothing a napkin can't fix."

Nolan nods lightly, dropping his own voice. "Not entirely unwarranted from what I've heard around here" he says before grabbing another strip. "Y'know this might be good in a sandwich, it honestly reminds me of barbeque"

"Barbe... that's the grilling thing, yeah?" One hand lifts, moving in a cooking sort of gesture as one would at a grill. "I think I had some of that while I was at the Academy. I had a lot of Human cuisine there." Linx looks over the food curiously, considering it. "It kind of reminds me of that? I suppose there are only so many ways to cook things."

"Yeah, grilled meats, although this is more cooked than grilled per se" Nolan comments. "I really shouldn't act like I know food all that well... I actually was a really picky eater growing up, I used to only eat cheese sandwiches a lot of the time"

That makes her laugh, a genuine and warm sound. "So you were a kid," Linx tells him with a grin. "I'm sure that your parents weren't annoyed at all by that." Yes, sarcasm. "I've never been terribly picky. And one of the reasons I joined Starfleet was to experience new things. Food counts as new things. It's also one of the reasons why I hate being on a station."

Nolan shrugs. "Dad really didn't care, he was honestly as bad as I was when it came to quick and easy things to eat. If he couldn't prepare it in less than 3 minutes, it wasn't viable. Mom cared more though, and once I understood nutrition properly, I tried to do a little better" Nolan says, and then smiles. "And yes, I was a kid at some point, do I look that horribly aged that it's so inconceivable?"

"Oh yes, the white hair really ages you," Linx tells him with a somber expression that doesn't really last before it's replaced with her grin again. "Kellen likes Klingon food. I... do not like Klingon food. BUT!" One finger lifts. "I do like raktajino." She eats some more of the food, nodding approvingly. "He's probably over at the Klingon restaurant if you wanted to say hi. Or on his ship with real alcohol, which I've been told is NOT a good idea for me right now."

"No, probably not" Nolan shakes his head. "And my hair isn't white, it's" he says, peeking up and pulling a lock forward to inspect it. "Oh. Wow, I guess I'm greying now... When did that happen?"

"Some time between the day you were born and today," Linx tells him, one shoulder rising in an unbothered shrug. "I'm not much of a drinker anyway. Though I DID drink when I got promoted. OH YEAH! I got promoted. See?" She turns slightly in her chair, tugging at her collar to show off the full Lieutenant pips. "Got line certified, too. Apparently Command suits me."

"Good for you!" Nolan says, toasting with one of the Metlak strips. "Couldn't be me, clearly. I've barely got the heart for taking care of myself, and apparently not doing that super well if I hadn't noticed my hair going grey... But congratulations all the same. Nobody I'd rather have in a command position"

Linx scoffs softly and waves her hand again. "I'm not going to be in Command any time soon, really. Other than being CMO right now, but that's a bit different. I'm still nowhere near the ranking officer, but after this stint on DS3, having that skillset under my hat is going to be useful." She chews on her food, looking thoughtful. "And you know, it's probably going to help THIS whole thing." She gestures to her general self.

"I think you've got a decent chance of most anything being uphill from here" Nolan replies. "And you're a very strong person, the both of you" he says to Vi and Linx. "Obviously, time will tell but you've been very calm since we left your office"

"Nothing and no one has been out of place," she notes. Her head bobs over towards the door. "People have come and gone, but none have behaved oddly." Then she tips her head towards the counter. "Food is prepared and served. Again, nothing strange." Her thumb rises, hooking over one shoulder. "No one is trying to sneak up on me." Another piece of food is brought to her lips and eaten. "Linx might not know this environment, but I do."

Nolan nods along with all the observations before picking up the bowl and draining it of the sauce, then wiping his mouth with a napkin. "No idea if I've committed a terrible social crime there, but I think I need to get a bottle of that stuff, it's good"

Her eyebrows hitch up as he drinks the rest of the sauce, but she chooses to just finish eating the meat in the bowl before sliding hers towards him. "You can have mine if you want," Linx tells him with a grin. "But why not just look up the recipe? Or check the replicator? I'm sure it isn't quite the same as what they serve, but at least you have an idea of what you like."

"Oh, that's absolutely the plan, I just had no idea" Nolan says, eyeing that second bowl. "I can't tell if you're being genuine or if you just wanna see me do that again. I apologize, I lost control for a moment" he says, looking a bit sheepish

"No no, genuine," Linx tells him, holding up her hands before picking up the napkin. "You don't need to apologize. You didn't do anything wrong, Nolan." She shrugs and wipes her mouth and her fingers clean, nodding to the bowl. "Really. Go ahead. I'm glad you enjoyed it."

He eyes her for a moment before looking about the general area before indulging and draining the other bowl. "That can't possibly be good for me, but we're focusing on the self" he says, with a small chuckle. "You'll speak of this to nobody"

"Speak of what?" Linx asks with a wry smirk. She pushes herself back from the table, looking around the restaurant. "Hmm. I'm not sure I know of any other neat little niches. Kellen is probably at the Klingon restaurant. The holosuites are nearby, but I don't know what programs they have. My quarters are on deck 70, but there's really nothing interesting in there except maybe some programs or music."

"If you invite me back to your quarters, I think folks might talk" Nolan jokes. "Oh, speaking of... Well, you'll have to pardon me but since it comes to mind, what about that nice young man you had eyes on?"

Her head tilts at the question, expression blank for a moment before she remembers with a soft 'oh' sound, shaking her head. "He ended up pursuing someone else," Linx tells him, looking down at the table before shrugging. "Doesn't really matter. He's not on DS3 anyway, so it probably wouldn't have worked out."

"These things, they happen" Nolan says. "In a sense, one less thing to worry about, you don't seem too bothered about it"

"It's been a while," Linx tells him with a small smile, shrugging. "I've had time to get over it. I was upset for a while, but what's the point in fixating on it? It won't change anything. And you're right; it's one less thing I need to worry about. Though having someone nearby who KNOWS me would really help in this scenario."

"For the moment at least, I'm not too terribly far away as long as my office stays in one place" Nolan offers. "You can always pop over for some tea or to journal how you've been feeling. And I'm always happy to come over"

"Kellen has gotten to know me moderately well, though that's NOT the same," Linx tells him, nodding. "And Hatter has said that he'll help telepathically if needed." She makes a strange face, something resembling confusion and surprise. "He actually picked up on me being out of sorts just by looking at me through the viewscreen when we were trying to get retrieved. I didn't think much of it at the time, but that surprised me."

Nolan chuckles. "It's actually funny, but most telepaths don't realize that they have a better sense of reading facial cues than most. Their brains automatically associate emotions from the source with the most subtle expressions. That viewscreen trick is just a matter of him being really damn good at reading faces, I'd wager"

Linx thinks about that for a moment before nodding her agreement. "That makes sense," she agrees. "And I was very close to a full-blown panic attack in that moment. It was VERY challenging to keep it together with everything so... raw." Her nose wrinkles at that memory and she sighs. "And, fun fact, I was the ranking officer. Doesn't that sound like a party?"

"There's always another one below you" Nolan offers. "The system is built to ensure that one officer dying, or becoming otherwise incapacitated, doesn't spoil the crew. Don't ever feel like you've got to hold it all together, you've got support structures all around... Most of the time, anyways"

Linx shakes her head at that. "Nope. Jetrel is off-duty for medical reasons, Kellen isn't Starfleet, and neither was Doctor Paux," she tells him. "That said, Kellen took the lead on most of that. Which I am TOTALLY fine with. I just had to do the debrief and the paperwork afterwards. Which... I'm pretty sure is done?" Her eyes shift to one side as she thinks before nodding. "Yes. It's done."

"Well, I more mean going forward. It's not impossible to find yourself in situations like that again but..." Nolan pauses, trying to find the message. "Try to take it easy. You have time and space to grow into this new experience and learn to be strong again. Whatever that means"

"If I end up having new tastes, I'll let you know and bring you on my culinary adventures." Linx laces her hands together, thinking and nodding slowly. "I think journaling will be a good thing, actually. Especially since Linx is so quiet right now. Whatever it wants to tell me, it might end up wanting to hide that again later. Remembering may show that I'm trying to help."

Nolan tilts his head. "As long as you try not to think of it like a cross-examination. Victimology tells us that having that sort of critical attention put onto us can make us feel as though what we're keeping inside is a valid thing to hide"

"No, it doesn't feel like that to me," Linx tells him, shaking her head. "I'm not sure it CAN feel that way to me. Not with connections like this. I could be wrong. I don't exactly have a lot of reference to work from. But Linx is part of me now, so it's more... self-reflection? I think? It's hard to explain."

"Integration is a hard thing. On a physical and even mental level, it's occurred in the sense that very few things will ever truly be private from one another. But clearly, as you can see, socially it hasn't occurred. You don't move in lockstep yet. Just something to think about, and only spoken from some experience watching Coil fight himself" Nolan says

"Right that!" Linx points at Nolan as he explains, eyebrows rising slightly as she nods. "I know that you two have some history at this point. Between both of your stories, I put it all together." She smiles at him, hands resting on the table as she clasps them together. "Physically, the connection is stable. But yes, socially it hasn't quite clicked yet. Feelings and flashes, but nothing I can really latch on to, and I'm not trying to force the issue."

"It might help to get you two in a space alone with one another" Nolan offers. "Maybe an immersion pod like we had in the spa, or just a holosuite that's all blacked out. No environment, just your mind... Although, perhaps I ought to be nearby to keep an eye on you too"

Her nose wrinkles a little bit at that, though it's a more nervous expression than distasteful that flickers across her features at that. "I'd want to run that past Kellen or Doctor Paux first," Linx says slowly. "Doctor Paux is a specialist from the Symbiosis Commission send by Starfleet Medical when I requested someone to help with Jetrel. Kellen is the one who has been guiding me up to this point, limited though that may be. I was actually advised not to try meditation yet. Given the trauma, I would absolutely want medical observation."

Nolan nods and sighs. "You're very wise to have that sort of council. There's a reason Trill take care of their own mostly. I'm barely qualified to take care of one brain at a time"

"Wise?" Linx laughs at that and shakes her head. "No, just fortunate. Kellen and I had already had lengthly chats before this all happened, and he'd commented that I'd have made a good Host. I like him, and he seems to like me, so it works well for us both. Doctor Paux is, I think, unsure of what to make of this entire thing. I feel a bit bad for him. He had no idea what to do. He isn't an Officer, and doesn't have the training for that kind of thing."

"It takes all kinds... Well, pen me down for a friend at least. My office is always open to you" Nolan says. "And I'll be right over if you need"

Linx smile warmly at him and nods, straightening somewhat, seeming visibly pleased. "Thank you. I will send you a message if I need you. I MIGHT need medical, but I THINK that's handled for the moment," she says, nodding. "Having someone nearby that I know I can trust will definitely help, though."

"Anyhow, anyplace else to go? Or have you had your fill of social activity for the moment?" Nolan asks

"Um." Linx looks around thoughtfully. "Nothing specific? I should check in with Kellen at some point. I actually don't think he knows the Symbiont's name yet. I'll have to touch base with Doctor Paux eventually, though he usually comes looking for me. Those are really my only things on my to-do list."

Nolan nods. "Not trying to ditch you either, I just know you've got a routine to keep, people to see" he says, pausing a beat. "I'm perfectly happy to be here as long as you'd like"

Captain Sawyer arrives from Commercial Fore Ring - Level 125.

"Not that many." Linx pushes herself up onto her feet, picking up her coat to slide it back on. "Light duty, remember? Most of my patients have been passed to other staff." The pair of physicians are at one of the tables, a pair of empty bowls between them, and Linx is just getting up onto her feet.

Sawyer ambles into the restaurant. He orders something bluegreen and fried on a stick. "Had a captain tell me about this once," he tells the person behind the counter. "Andorian skipper."

Nolan is likewise getting to his feet before he hears Sawyer grousing. He turns over his shoulder. "That skipper is good at hockey once he's got a keen on the rules" he comments before stepping over to Sawyer. "Metlak's good too, it's like barbeque" he says, keeping a hand open towards Linx at his side.

"Nolan! Heard you were kickin' around here somewhere," Sawyer says, extending a hand to shake the hybrid's. He smiles at Linx. "Howdy Vi."

Linx seems perfectly willing to take the moral support, fingers reaching over to curl gently around Nolan's arm. She looks over at Sawyer as he reappears, brows rising in surprise. "Decided to slum it on the station again, Doc?" she greets with a grin. "Hey. Was just giving Nolan the rundown and using him as my personal support buddy. Wouldn't be the first time he talked me down if it came to that."

Nolan shrugs. "Nothing she hasn't done for me. We're a good team like that" he says. "Good to see you Phil"

Sawyer smiles. "Good, looks like you're on the case," he tells Nolen. "Me? Well, I gotta be getting back. Otherwise people will start talking about me and Vi here." He grins.

Linx blinks a few times at that before looking puzzled, her head canting to one side. "What? Why? What did you do?" A pause before she continues. "What did I do? Did I do something?" She looks between the pair, visibly confused. "I don't THINK I did anything. Did I forget a report?"

"Don't ask me, I'm never in the loop" Nolan says with a chuckle. "Nothing bad, I hope"

Sawyer grins and laughs. "No Vi, you didn't miss a thing." He shakes his head. "There's a Horta with a hangnail in alpha sector and they want me to tend to him. So I'm heading back thataway."

"A... what?" Linx doesn't look like she has any further understanding, and her eyes continue to shift between the pair. "I don't understand what that has to do with me." She rubs gently at the side of her head, remaining confused. "Do you need a consult on that hangnail or something?"

"Not you, Vi. But I'm heading out," Sawyer says. "It's time for me to be getting back to alpha sector. I just didn't want to leave without sayin' goodbye either," he adds.

Linx nods slowly, still not fully understanding what Sawyer is talking about, but she DOES understand not leaving without saying goodbye. That part earns him a smile. "Alright. Well, I PROMISE that I'm being good. I have a lot of people looking out for me, and Nolan here has offered to be one of the poor souls that will help with any problems that might appear." A gentle elbow is given to the man at her side. "I'll keep you updated, too."

"If you've got a minute before you ship off, we can catch up if you'd like" Nolan offers. "After I drop Linx off, of course"

Sawyer says, "Absolutely. I'll be on my ship. Upper aft docking ring. Vi, hey ... take care of yourself. K? Nolen's a good doctor. I've known him a very long time."

"Nolan and I have had some good chats in the past," Linx says with a nod. "I trust him. I might not have known him as long as you have, but that's fine." She looks over at the Andorian beside her and grins. "He's managed to talk me down from some pretty significant rage before. Though this is a bit different. I have lots of people looking out for me, Doc. I'll be okay."

Nolan just sort of blushes a tinge from all the attention. "I guess I must be an alright fella" he comments. "I'll try and catch you before you leave Phil."

Sawyer grins. "Good deal." He finishes his Andorian treat, smiles again, and heads out."

Captain Sawyer goes Out.

"Well then, back to the office, to quarters, or anywhere you'd like?" Nolan offers

Linx laughs quietly at the deeper blue that appears on Nolan's face, reaching her other hand over to pat his arm. "Would you rather we said you're an asshole who shouldn't be in this profession?" she asks, looking over at him. "You're a nice guy, Nolan. And I'm glad that you're here. Really." There is a pause as she thinks before nodding her decision. "I should probably head back to my quarters and try to get some rest. Did you want quarters on DS3, or are you going to stay on the Coleman just in case they get called out?"

"I'm just happy you all think so highly of me. More than I do..." Nolan replies. "And to the point of quarters, best I sleep on Coleman, likely where I'm needed most. But I'll escort you back to yours, if you'd like"

"Yes," Linx says with a nod. "Please." The latter is quickly added as she turns to lead the way out. "Why wouldn't we think that? I mean, you've probably had a mild headache from me at least once. Possibly twice now."

"No more than anyone else. I think I'm my own worst enemy to tell the truth" Nolan says, allowing her to lead

Central Fore Ring - Level 70 <Deep Space 3>

The corridors of the station are spacious and curve with the wide central ring, allowing for easy access throughout the level. The walls and bulkheads are a subdued beige. This is accentuated by horizontal and vertical inlays in the walls of a slightly darker beige, creating a half-meter square tile-like effect. The carpeting down the center of the corridor is an almond colour, then to the walls it is a roughly a half-meter wide sand colour. Recessed lighting in the ceiling and along the floor boards provides ample illumination, adjusting in colour should the alert status of the station change. Spread intermittently at junctures are a single piece of glossy panelling, allowing partial access to the LCARS interface.

ch'Vyran arrives from Central Turbolift.

"Well, you're the empath. At least you know I'm not lying when I say that I trust you," Linx tells him as she leads the way through the station to her quarters. "It's normal for people to be their own worst enemy, though."

"I mean to say, it's never a burden to help you, really" Nolan states. "I find you excellent company"

"Likewise." Linx turns to smile warmly at him. "And I know that I'm going to need help. So I'll take whatever I can get." She steps off the lift and doesn't have to go terribly far down the hall before stopping in front of one of the doors. "Thanks again, Nolan. And I will absolutely send you messages."

"I'll be close at hand. Goodnight Vi" he says, waving.