Spiritual Discussion

Posted on Wed Oct 21st, 2020 @ 3:15am by Gunnery Sergeant Gaagii & Sergeant Azure Thompson
Edited on on Wed Oct 21st, 2020 @ 3:17am

764 words; about a 4 minute read

Mission: Episode 10 - New Home, Same Pioneers
Location: The Snake Pit - Marine Country - USS Pioneer
Timeline: MD012 1330 hrs

"Sergeant, can I have a word?" Azure asked Gaagii.

"Of course Thompson pull up a chair." Gaagii said with a smile and pointed to one of the chairs. He was interested in what she had to say. Most of the time no one wanted to talk to him unless it was mission oriented.

"Thank you," Azure said taking a chair. "You're a spiritual man, ain't you, Gaagii?" She asked.

"Yes... I follow what is known as the Red Road." Gaagii replied, he wondered where she was going with this. It was rare for a member of another species to ask him about his faith.

"Interesting, and what does that entail, if you don't mind me asking?" Azure asked.

"The Red Road is a path through life that one walks. It brings you in communion with nature and the galaxy at large. It is much more than a religious faith to my people. It is our entire culture. These practices have been going on since time immemorial." Gaagii did not mind the conversation however, he was curious as to why Thompson was interested. "May I ask why the sudden interest?"

"I know very little of 'my own' culture and the last few missions have me pondering about my place in the galaxy, and thought spirituality might help me find out." Azure said. She only ever learned anything about Andorian culture once she came to Earth.

"hmmmm" Gaagii pondered sagely. After a moment he continued to speak. "Questioning your own faith is normal and encouraged. I would suggest that you explore your own culture's spiritual beliefs first. See if they fit for you and if they are in line with your own belief system. If they are not then seek other cultures until you find what works for you. I am sure that the holodeck would be able to run some programs about Andorian religious practice."

"I'm not entirely Andorian, in fact I'm an artificial Andorian-human hybrid, I was created in a lab and banished from Andorian space." Azure explained. "The only place I've felt at home is the Corps."

That was something that Gaagii was not prepared for. She was artificially created, some would find that fact alone intriguing, not Gaagii. To him everyone was a part of the great tapestry. It did not matter if you were born or created in a lab. "So tell me then what race or culture do you identify with? What speaks to you?"

"When I studied herbal medicine, I was exposed to the traditions of many cultures." Azure said. "And I use remedies from these different cultures, perhaps I could do the same when it comes to my belief system?." She added.

"Hmmmm..." Gaagii thought for a moment. He had never approached spirituality in that way. "It could work that way. Although I have never encountered one who built their own faith or belief system. That said your idea still holds water."

Azure smiled. "Do you know any medicinal remedies?" She asked.

"My people teach the ways of hebalism from a very young age. My mother is a medicine woman. Oft times I wonder if the healing ways of my people are better than the modern ways. I feel that my ways are more in tune with nature and the natural order of things. When one is saved from herbal medicine it does not feel like death was cheated." Gaagii replied. There was a small point in the back of his mind where he wondered where this was coming from. For the second time this week someone had come to him to speak of the ways of the gods.

"An interesting way of looking at it." Azure remarked.

"As I stated you must find your own path. Figure out what works for you in this life." Gaagii observed. Another thought occurred to him. "No one can tell you what to believe or how to feel. It is uniquely personal."

"Indeed," Azure said. "I studied botany so I could understand how to grow the plants I use for healing."

"Then I see that you have begun your path. The journey begins with that single step." Gaagii knew that he was being cryptic. However, he felt that it worked in this situation.

"Thank you, Sergeant, you've given me a lot to think about." Azure said.

A Joint Post By

Sergeant Gaagii
RECONN Fire Team Leader, USS Pioneer

Corporal Azure Thompson
Corpsman Command Fire Team, USS Pioneer

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