New Tribe

Posted on Fri Jul 25th, 2025 @ 10:05pm by Lieutenant Commander Sabastian Walker & Lieutenant JG Zai Walker & Lieutenant Adrianna Baciami & Lieutenant Lanna Alexander

1,359 words; about a 7 minute read

Mission: Vinyl and Void
Location: XO's Quarters | USS Arcadia

ON:

Sabastian gave once last glance at Zai's old quarters. He smiled as he picked up the last box. He'd reset the pass code so that Adri and Vance could set it. Last night they'd come home. Zai had slept for a couple hours and then he'd gotten up, dressed and packed like a mad man. He hadn't talked, hadn't stopped just packed. Sab had started moving the boxes as Zai packed them. It was now mid morning the next day and all was moved but this one box.

He heard the door hiss open and looked over to find Vance and Adri walking in, Lanna was with them helping with the move. He smiled, but it didn't reach his eyes. It had been a rough few days, a rough night and he was worried about Zai. "Hey, we're all moved out." He said to Vance and Adri. "I scrubbed down the bathroom and everything, your new bed arrived an hour ago and this is the last of our stuff."

Adrianna smiled, "thank you for this-- really. The bath was the selling point. You should get them standardized across fleet." Her eyes fell to Zai, "are you alright?"

Zai had come out of the bedroom carrying a a throw blanket he'd forgotten just at the tail end of the conversation with Zai and Adri. He shrugged. "Fine." Sabastian looked over at Zai as he walked over to the window taking a look at the stars. He'd had the same floor to ground window put in in the XO quarters thanks to Fang moving out. When Zai wasn't looking Sab shook his head at Adri and Lanna.

Zai turned back and came to Sab. Like a zombie he took the box. "I'll take this to our quarters." He walked out.

Lanna watched Zai go, her concern was evident from the look on her face but she said nothing for a moment.

Adrianna cautiously watched him leave. Once the doors shut she asked, "so alcohol or shrink problem?"

"Both." Sabastian sighed. "This was the first thing he's said in 24 hours..." Sabastian ran a hand down his face. He took a breath and told them about what happened with the council and how the elders had tried to punish Zai for handing over his throne to his sister even though they suggested it. He told them about the hair and the different lengths and how Zai had disowned his entire tribe. He looked over at Adri. "He had a feeling they would do this but he thought it settled. When he saw the designated length apparently in their culture that's the equivalent of dishonor so he cut the rest off to make it short and disowned the tribe. His hair...it was who he was it brought him joy and he sacrificed it for the good of his people and they turned and dishonored him." Sabastian shrugged. "He's been walking around like a Zombie since. Last night he slept two hours then got up and packed and I helped and moved all the stuff. I...I can feel how sad and broken he is."

Vance whistled. "That ain't right."

Sab looked at Lanna and Adri. "I was hoping you ladies could help. I'm at a loss."

Adrianna looked a Lanna, thinking for a moment before looking back at Sab, "I'll be honest and say that I don't understand the culture and practice. But, I know if be devastated of I had to cut off my hair. So, from that perspective-- I do understand. But-- and forgive me if I'm wrong, but I'm right in saying that it grows back, right?"

He sighed. "Yes. It does but for Zai it was more. It was his pride, with was his identity and brought him so much joy. He hadn't cut it more then an inch or two since he was young. All these years...think on it as like your Samson. When he had his hair cut of he lost a part of himself, no?"

Adrianna resigned in understanding, "I understand."

Lanna had listened quietly to everything that was being said. “To be honest I didn’t know about the significance of Zia’s hair in cultural terms, having lost that and disowned his tribe, he’s more or less lost a significant part of the person he is. What we need to do is try and fill that gap with a new tribe.”

Adrianna nodded, "that's a point. I mean we're a mismatched crew, but he still has a semblance of tribe here."

Sab sighed. "We are a tribe here. That's why I'm glad I'm staying." He thought a moment. "I also have an idea. Vance I'm recruiting you to help. Can I count on you ladies to keep Zai occupied for a bit?"

"Depends," Adrianna replied with a shrug, "is he required to be sober by the time you're done?"

Sab laughed. "It would be nice, yes."

Adrianna muttered something under her breath but nodded in acceptance of the request.

Vance and Sab left on their errand.


=/\= XO Quarters =/\=

Zai sat on the sofa surrounded by boxes. He was still coming to terms with everything. The sound of the chime broke him out of his thoughts. "Enter."

"There are words for people who sulk in my language. Most are reserved for toddlers or teenagers," Adrianna walked in, seeing him, "we are here to cheer you up."

"Remind me to make Sabastian sleep on the sofa." He ran a hand down his face. "I do not need cheering up."

"Si, and I don't need coffee to speak standard," Adrianna said flatly, "as for the sofa, that's up to you, but at least give him a blanket for opting to give you the choice of alcohol or shrink."

“This shrink is simply here as a friend right now” Lanna grinned as she walked across to Zai. “You’ve probably had enough of me doing the Counsellor thing for now. I want to help as your friend.”

Adrianna just grinned, but nodded in agreement.

He sighed. "I'm fine. Honestly I just need to come to terms with everything. It's not the first time I've been betrayed nor is it probably the last but..." His hand reached towards his hair but he stopped and dropped his hand.

“We know what that meant to you Zai” Lanna gave him a comforting look. “We just want you to know that you have a tribe here. You’re a part of our tribe now, you have been since you joined this ship, since you joined Starfleet. We’re all here for each other.” She paused feeling a little light headed, no doubt because she hadn’t had much breakfast that morning.

Adrianna nodded and perched on the arm of a couch, "I second that. One big, severely dysfunctional family. But a tribe nonetheless. The only betrayal on board is one about someone eating the last of leftovers in the fridge before you get there."

Zai's eyes filled with tears and before he could stop them they spilled down his face.

“Oh hey!” Lanna did the automatic thing without thinking about it, offering Zai a brief hug of support before grabbing him some tissues. “You don’t have to hide your emotions from us, what happens in private stays private. Let it go Zai, let it all go.”

He did. He cried himself out and held onto Lanna and Adri. When he settled. "Thank you, both of you."

Adrianna, although allowing herself to be hugged, felt a little distant. She was cautious of her own emotions and didn't want anything out in the open about her family. Not yet. Still, Adrianna offered a small smile, "you know where we both are, Zai. Don't be a stranger."

Zai studied her. "Are you alright?" He asked picking up on holding back her emotions.

"Si, I'm just tired," Adrianna nodded, brushing it off, "I was hoping for an early night-- but tribe first."

He smiled. "But that means you trust us too."

"For once, Zai," Adrianna cautioned him, "don't. I'm fine. I'm just tired."

"For now." He said.

OFF:

 

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