Second Chances
Posted on October 31st, 2014 by T'Lira

New Beginnings

“So let me get this straight: You want to rejoin Starfleet, even after you left citing ‘issues with your posting’?”
T’Lira had to resist the urge to beat her head against Captain Zahn’s desk as she replied, “The only reason I cited was the need to care for my newly adopted son. I cited no issues with my posting. However, if you truly have the desire to go in depth as to why I left, look at your training standards. You will find they have fallen since after the Dominion War.”
Zahn looked taken aback, and sighed before sitting down with a thump.
“Okay, I’ll admit that the standards aren’t so great, but so many officers have refused postings as professors to explore unknown regions of space. Hell, I even tried to ask Captain Riker-Troi to teach a semester, but got turned down!”
T’Lira took a moment to consider the opportunity. If she were to teach, she could remain on Earth with Taril. However, she would inevitably end up wishing she had chosen a career in space.
She focused her gaze on Zahn and said, “I believe I have a reason for you. Many officers fear boredom. After all of the exploration, they may feel that if they return to Earth for such a task as teaching the next generation of officers, that they will fall into a routine, something you will find that even you may fear.”
Zahn carefully phrased her next words, if her facial expression was anything to go by.
After a few moments of silence while Zahn collected herself, the captain spoke.
“I’m sure that as a Vulcan, you could not truly comprehend the full truth behind what you say.”
“Indeed? I am here because I… feel that very boredom. I wish to return to space and seek out a non-routine lifestyle, such as the life I had before I was posted to a Starbase that knew nothing but routine.”
With a slight curse, Zahn thumped a PADD before T’Lira and responded, “I wasn’t ever going to turn you down. Welcome back to Starfleet, Cadet T’Lira. I’m sorry I can’t give you a reinstatement to your old rank, but there’s always more to learn. I’ll contact you in about three days with all the final details. Good luck and godspeed!”