Calling a Friend During a Time of Need

[losthunter]

It had been a couple of days since Hunter had learned about the Enterprise crashing, and was still separated from Jim, who was based in Yorktown.

It had been difficult for the artist to focus on his classes. Good thing he had both Chanath and Faris watching out for him, and taking diligent notes in any classes that they shared.

The fact that he couldn't just go see Jim, and be there in person was starting to wear on him.

And he knew he had to talk to someone. So he PINpointed Adia.

Hey. It is Hunter.

Jim is stuck in a situation where I can't see him.

And I need a friend.

Are you available?

Comments

[chiron_survivor]

It's only a short while before Hunter receives a text in reply.

I am. Just give me a couple of minutes to wrap up what I'm doing. Where do you want to meet? Would you like me to bring Anastasia with me?

I can bring Caspar, too. It's up to you.

[losthunter]

The Nexus would be preferred. Get away from the news here.

And I have Zunar. So yes, bring Anastasia.

Caspar is welcome

[chiron_survivor]

No problem. There's a nice little park not far from the Plaza, we can meet you there.

As promised, Adia is at the park with Caspar a few minutes later, sitting on a bench with Anastasia curled up in her lap. It seemed like a good idea to bring Caspar, too, as Hunter is one of the few people he considers a friend, and can be surprisingly calm and reassuring when the situation doesn't involve Adia's safety, and there isn't a crazy witch involved.

Gosh, Adia hopes that there isn't a crazy witch involved this time.

[losthunter]

Hunter is dressed casually when he enters the Nexus, leaving his Starfleet cadet uniform behind in the Academy. Zunar is on his shoulder, excited to be in the Nexus.

Even more so, when the kneazle spots his sister. Zunar jumps off Hunter's shoulder to come strolling up, chirping in greeting.

When Hunter is close enough, he greets Adia with a much needed hug. He nods at Caspar, knowing the Cylon is not a fan of hugs himself.

"The Enterprise was destroyed. Jim was with the ship when it got attacked. And now where Starfleet has based him... I can't see him or visit him as much as I could before." He gets right down to the issue.

[chiron_survivor]

Anastasia hops off of Adia's lap and trots over to Zunar, chirping at him in return. It's been a long time since she's seen any of her siblings and is excited to be reunited with one of them for a short while.

"Hi, Hunter." Adia stands up and returns Hunter's hug warmly, then gestures for him to join her on the bench. Caspar seems content to stay standing on her other side, hands in his pockets, shoulders relaxed, acknowledging the other man's nod with one of his own.

Adia's eyes widen at the news. She wasn't sure what sort of trouble Jim had gotten himself into, although a starship captain's life is never a dull one. In fact, something similar had happened to the other Jim, hadn't it? His ship was destroyed, too... about three years ago, in fact...

Caspar, ignorant to any sort of similarities, is the first to respond verbally. "That sucks," he says in commiseration. "Why the change? Was it just easier to PINpoint to his quarters on the Enterprise?"

[losthunter]

There is head butts and affectionate purring from Zunar, when Anastasia comes over to greet him. Friendly Kneazle greeting time.

Hunter sits down. And sighs. "Starfleet does not know about the Nexus. Or those that do know... have not really told the Senior Members of Starfleet itself."

"So even my time with him on the Enterprise.... is me PINpointing into his Captain quarters and staying there. Making sure I am not seen by anyone else."

"Especially since it would be unusually for a new Cadet to suddenly be observed on board the Enterprise. Given the fact it was on its exploration mission."

"It was hard enough having 'secret dates' all the time. Now I can't even do that."

[chiron_survivor]

Anastasia leans into her brother's head butts, purring happily. With her bonded owners and their extended family, she's never lonely, but time spent with a sibling is very special.

As someone who has kept her world in the dark about the Nexus for several years now, Adia can relate. "That is hard," she agrees sympathetically. "He must have been out of contact for a little while, too. How long until you can see him again?"

Tracking down the other Jim had been a lot harder, at least from what Stratos had told her, but there's no point in bringing up what any of that had been like, it would only stress Hunter out after the fact. She does wonder if this Jim decided to stash and extra PINpoint somewhere, just in case.

"Can you still send one another messages?" Caspar asks. "Starfleet doesn't scan his transmissions, does it?"

[losthunter]

"I am not sure. The Enterprise itself was destroyed. They had to separate the saucer section. And then crashed that section. They were able to repair another ship, called USS Franklin, with the help of a woman named Jaylah." If the older Jim told Adia anything about what happened three years ago, all this information will sound very familiar.

"Luckily since I am technically a Starfleet cadet right now, we can do Video Chats. As far as I know... Starfleet isn't scanning his transmissions."

[chiron_survivor]

Jim actually did not share any of the details of the Enterprise being destroyed, other than that his senior crew survived. Regardless, she knows well enough that a new spaceship is not built in a matter of weeks, or possibly even months. Who knows how long Hunter and Jim will be apart?

"Well, at least there's that," Caspar says quietly. The thought of being stuck to video chats only with Adia has him feeling a little queasy. That's the trouble with empathy, although Caspar tries not to push his own emotions aside, wanting to be a decent friend for Hunter. "But it still sucks."

Adia reaches out and takes Hunter's hand. "It's hard being separated, but it won't be forever. I'm sure Jim will find a way to see you."

[losthunter]

"He did say that he doesn't want to go back on another mission, unless I am with him." Hunter does cling to the promise and hope of being reunited with Jim.

[chiron_survivor]

"Oh! Then you'll be on the Enterprise with him. The new one, I mean." Adia gives Hunter's hand a squeeze. "No more secret dates, I hope."

"Do you have to graduate first?" Caspar asks. "How much longer do you have at the Academy?"

[losthunter]

"The Academy program lasts four years. I am half way through the program, and on track to graduate in another two years." Hunter answered.

[chiron_survivor]

"It won't take two years for the Enterprise to be rebuilt," Caspar points out, noting the discrepancy in timing.

"Do you have to do all four years in San Fransisco?" Adia asks. "Can you get an internship?"

[losthunter]

"I might be able to get an internship. The important thing I am trying to focus on... is the fact Jim told me that he is not going back on another mission, unless I am there with him." Hunter notes.

"I am basically living in Jim's apartment there. Since I don't really... exist on his world. We had to come up with a cover story for me."

[chiron_survivor]

"That's a good thing to focus on," Adia says, giving Hunter's hand a squeeze. "He'll figure something out, I'm sure."

Caspar almost suggests eloping, but bites back the impulse, knowing that Adia would probably give him a look for it.

"Oh, what's your cover story?" Adia asks curiously. "When Jim -- the other Jim -- offered to relocate my people to his universe, I had the same problem. It never came to it, but I think we were going to go with a long-lost colony." She's glad that she didn't have to worry about that after all, although she's ever grateful to Jim for offering the opportunity.

[losthunter]

"That I am from a community that is a little more remote, and thus less knowledgeable about the technology that is most common. And I have had a chance to learn a little more about adapting to that technology, at the Academy." Hunter explains.

"No one has really pressured me to prove anything, at least."

[chiron_survivor]

"I would have had to go with the same story," Adia says with a little self-effacing laugh. "The technology on Jim's world is far more advanced than ours."

"Not by that much," Caspar says, sounding a little defensive. "Aside from the replicators."

"And the medical technology," Adia adds. "I'm sure there are other things, too."

"Haven't heard of any well-dressed sentient robots at Starfleet," Caspar mutters to himself.

Adia gives Hunter a knowing smile, hoping that it'll cheer him up a little.

[losthunter]

"Your technology is even a little more advanced than what my world has. So it has been a lot to get used to."

"But I do like the fact that I get to spend more time with Jim."