Generosity. If Arys was honest with herself, she had always taken it for granted. Being able to attain the education she wanted, living the life she desired – and, most importantly, being able to change her mind and try something new. It was how she had come to Starfleet in the first place. 

Then, Miranda VII had happened, and all those freedoms were taken away. Perhaps, deep down, she had never returned to her old life in the fear of losing it again. 

 “Starfleet – and the Federation – isn’t like that. We won’t leave anyone to starve or be injured if we can help.”, she reassured Dravani. As stressful as handling their guests was for everyone involved, no commanding officer would ever close their doors to people who needed them. 

At least she had yet to meet someone who would.

“I like this Federation of yours, and your… Starfleeto Once you feed us and treat our injuries are you going to abandon us or what happens next?” Dravani asked, a little anxious still, and not realizing how loaded the question was. 

“Well, one thing I can promise you – we don’t abandon people. And Captain Ceix – I don’t know him terribly well, but he took me in. Even when some of the things that happened in my past were … not something I like to talk about.” A pause “But no, we won’t just abandon you.”

She wondered what it was like on Dravani’s homeworld – she acknowledged that she probably should know at least the basic, but then, she hadn’t been part of the crew for long. If Trova hadn’t yelled at her, she probably would have remained in her quarters and stared at the wall.

What did abandonment mean for her? And was she overstepping when she said that they would continue helping them?

“He seems very noble, a man that I could, potentially work for. Do you think you’ll be willing to hire me as a crewman?” Dravani asked, partially wanting to pay off her debt. And she wanted to find a purpose. Now that her planet was under the control of the Vaadwaur, and there is nothing for her to go back to. She needed a new purpose in life. Something that made her feel less lost and out of place.

“I… think this is something we could explore.”, Arys nodded. She didn’t want to mention that there was more to it than the simple wish to join Starfleet – and yet, it had been the first step for so many of them. “I will be honest – I don’t know what’s going to happen. But as long as we stick together, we have a chance.”

Ugh, she sounded like a fortune cookie there, and she didn’t entirely believe her own words. Still, it was the best chance they had – the only chance. And if the Vaadwuar fleet arrived before help did – well, then none of them would live long enough to prove her a liar.