Chapter Text
Grey.
The sky was Grey.
The builds were Grey.
The colour was comforting, like an old friend – albeit one whose company he was growing tired of. But, still it was comforting nevertheless.
He'd woken this morning with a renewed sense of purpose and hope. It was his first day at his new job – one suited just for him that matched his exact set of skills and talents. But more than that, it gave him the chance to feel useful again.
Bitter memories of a bloody conflict had flashed through his conscience this morning before he’d woken on a soft bed. The dream had been so vivid with its array of sounds and smells. So real, he felt the caked ash - charred remnants of things and people he loved - so palpably under his short nails. But then, like a drink of cool refreshing water, he’d woken and once again felt that wash of gratefulness that here was here.
That he was safe.
After showering and shrugging on his new regulation clothing, he found himself outside his complex. There, he followed the sole path along with everyone else, but hitting the divide, he was suddenly lost. “Excuse me-“ He followed the heels of a tall man who seemingly hadn’t heard him the first time. “Excuse me!”
“Oh!” The man turned to him. “I didn’t hear you, I’m sorry. Can I help you?”
“Yes,” He looked down at the device in his hand. “It’s my first day and I’m… well I’m a little lost.”
“Well,” The older gentleman with the kind face scanned the page. “You’re in Metrics. I’m going that way myself. I’ll take you there.”
“Thank you,” He breathed a sigh of relief, taking back his items as he followed his new friend’s steps.
“So you’re new here?”
“Yes,” Still captivated, his eyes were captured by the grandiosity of the city.
“We’ve had lots of newcomers recently,” His companion punched in a code at a large set of doors. “This is a short cut,” He said. “The code for the doors should be in your license. Where’d you come from originally?”
“Dorvan,” He replied automatically. “How many people live in this city?”
“It changes every day,” The grey haired man replied. “I couldn’t give you an exact figure, but close to a billion I would say. I don’t think I’ve ever heard of Dorvan.”
“Did you say a billion?”
His new friend laughed. “It’s hard to believe, I know! And there are new people, just like yourself, coming every day!
"When did you get here?” He asked.
“A little over six months ago,” The man stopped. “Well this is it. Do you know where you’ll be working exactly?”
“No,” He shook his head. “I was only told to come to Metrics.”
“Well, then you’ll have to find Noriean. He’s the supervisor for Metrics. He’s always around,” His eyes scanned the upper levels, spotting the man in question. “There. And I work at that console down there,” He pointed. “If you need any help later on, let me know.”
“Thank you,” The younger man extended his hand. “I didn’t get your name, by the way.”
“Jaffen,” His new friend smiled kindly. “And yours?”
“Chakotay.”