Hi there
Posted on Wed Oct 18th, 2023 @ 9:44am by Lieutenant Commander Rowena McGowen & Captain Edmund Merrick
Edited on on Sat Oct 28th, 2023 @ 9:01pm
0 words; about a 1 minute read
Mission:
Episode 14 - The Poseidon Adventure
Location: Rowena McGowen's Quarters - Deck 2 - USS Pioneer
Timeline: MD007 2000 hrs
Edmund had a heck of a time deciding what he wanted to take with him, when he went to see Rowena. He had been worried about her with what happened on the last mission. He had stared at the selection of plants available, there was lavendar, and also some orchids. He scratched his head for a moment or two then he decided to get both. Hopefully she wasn't allergic to either of them. Taking a deep breath and letting it out, Edmund with plants in hand or rather arms, headed for Rowena's quarters. Arriving there, he maneuvered the plants so that he could ring the chime to let her know that someone was there.
Rowena was still recovering officially, but she had rushed back to work. She could still walk and see, but mentally she was still a mess. And that reflected on her quarters as well. As she heard the chime of her door, she quickly grabbed all her clothes on the floor and threw em on her bed and closed the bedroom. Then she opened the room.
She was casually dressed in a white shirt and her uniform pants. She smiled to the marine captain that was standing outside her door with two plants. "Hello, captain Merrick. what a surprise, would you like to come in? I don't really have a Master's quarters. My predecessor. I believe she did consider join the marines before going in to intelligence."
"Thanks, and the room isn't bad at all. " Edmund stepping inside. "I brought you some plants um flowers, well they are both." giving a slight chuckle. "Just wanted to brighten your day and check on you." he looked around, "is there some place I can set these at? I can bring a grow lamp later on for the orchids, as they need sun."
"Oh these are for me?" Rowena said a little surprised. "Oh You shouldn't have." She looked around herself as well. "Eh.....You can put one here on this cabinet and one on the coffee table. That would look really nice, don't you think." She took the lavender over put it down on the coffee table. "What do you think?"
Edmund gave a nod in agreement. "it does look good there." moving over to place the prurple and white orchid on the indicated cabinet. "That looks good there as well, great idea." a smile appearing on the blonde marine's face. The smile slipped away when he asked, "You doing okay, somewhat, after that er ordeal?" Edmund didn't quite know just yet what to call it, except for an ordeal.
Rowena sighed. She rubbed her arm as she walked over to her replicator. "Maybe we need something to drink first. Can I get you something, Captain?" She had a hard time talking about what had happened. even the counselor was unable to get through to her. She knew the signs were there, everything she experienced in the past were classic to a possession, but scientifically speaking there was no real evidence for the paranormal, even with the amount of technology right now, the paranormal was still a mystery.
In the past she was shunned by counselors for trying to explain her condition, or they just tried to move her in a different direction. Non of the medications they gave her had any effect. Star fleet never wanted to deal with it. They even deny the existence of the Paranormal department in the fleet. But she knew full well, the ship was in danger. And at the moment she sorta had her assistant chief on her side. But even to her this all seemed far fetched, and she wouldn't believed it either if she hadn't experienced it first hand.
"A drink would be a good start." Edmund replied, "What will you be having? I was thinking about having tea, as I don't know if you drink anything stronger than that. Maybe peppermint tea." he responded. "And you can call me Ed or Edmund. Which ever you prefer. I answer either." giving a warm smile.
Rowena ordered Ed a peppermint tea and she got herself a fresh mint leave tea with honey. She brought the drinks to her couch and put the drinks on the table. "I am called Rowena, but I am sometimes called Wena, but it's been a while since I heard that name."She slowly put hand over her glass and felt the warm steam warm her hand. "It's hard for me to speak about these things."
"I'll call you Wena then." Edmund replied, then took the cup into his hands, enjoying the warmth that emanated from the cup and the scent of the peppermint. "And you are worried possibly that I won't believe what you have to say? I've experienced some strange things in my life." he stated "So, you will have no judgement from me."
She looked a few moments at him, blinking, before she pulled her left sleeve back revealing the red hand mark on her arm. "Ed, no one touched me, no one abused me, this appeared the day I got on board the Pioneer." She then pulled her shirt down on her right shoulder a bit and turned around, showing him the same mark on her shoulder. "This I got on our last mission, when I was unconscious. According to your own report no one touched me, you carried me back." She put her shirt back.
Slowly she put her hand back on her glass and let her fingers dance on the tea glass. "Before I served on the Pioneer, I served on the USS Maleficus. The Malificus was enlisted by an organisation Starfleet denies all existence off, the Paranormal unit. Just like Section 31, the Paranormal Unit does not exist." Her fingers continued to dance on the glass as she continued talking. The Malificus is a ship that exists in Star Fleet records. It's no longer in service. It's former crew... gone. Disappeared or died under mysterious circumstances. I am the only one left. Not even the captain is alive. Something happened. Something has come with me to the Pioneer. I served long enough on the Malificus to know that these marks are a classic signs of possession. And they are only the beginning. I am afraid the Pioneer crew is in danger."
Edward took a close look at the marks upon Wena's arms a concerned expression in his eyes. "I am not going to doubt your words, Wena. I have had, an experience with the paranormal. My dead wife kept me from killing myself." he stated that matter of factly. "Literally." moving back to give Wena some space. "We're in danger and that is due to some entity who has connected to you? Contrary to what others may perceive, I believe that someone or something can attach themselves, itself to an object. For whatever reason said entity wants to have happen."
Wena nodded. "I am trying to find a way to get this out. The only thing I know that could work is an exorcism. I knew two people that could perform one, they were part of the Malificus crew. From what i know they are dead. According to starfleet records they committed suicide. And I don't know how to contact the paranormal unit, well yet at least. I am working on it."
"I will help you out, you can count on me." Edmund replied, "We may need to find someone who is connected with a spiritualist or is one who knows how to exorcise. Do you want to start the research?" the marine was interested in helping Rowena out.
"I have started working on that. I have gathered some information. So far they have ended up in nothing. The usual Starfleet bureaucracy. Somehow the Paranormal unit is as illusive as Section 31." Wena rubbed her nose bridge. "Intend to use a different tactic of reaching out. I will let our newest crew member get in there. I believe he knows people and sources I may not have looked in to yet. I will have discuss this at some point with the captain, but it is possible I may need the help of the marines as well. I will need to work that out."
Ed nodded, "Well as I said, I am willing to be a sounding board, for you to talk things over with." He looked at Wena, then asked, "okay this may seem out of the blue, but, when was the last time you went out to dinner?"
Wena shrugged. "Honestly, a long time ago if I can't remember. Why, are you asking, Ed?"She smiled. "And if you are, what did you have in mine?"
Ed scratched the side of his neck sort of nervously, " Yes, I am asking, I would like to go out to dinner with you and we can keep it simple like pizza or, can have a nice casual dinner, with dressy casual clothing? Your choice." Why the heck was he feeling so nervous? And that smile... He had to stop from staring.
Wena smirked a little. "Very well, but since I am picking, let's have sushi, I don't want my first dinner date in ages to be pizza, but also, I really crave some sushi right now. Don't ask me why." She got up from the couch. "Let me go change, do you need to change, or is this it? I don't even know if I ever saw a marine in casual before." She shrugged smiling.
Edmund looked down at what he was wearing, long sleeved denim shirt unbuttoned with a blue tee shirt beneath, blue jeans and work boots. "Um since this is your first dinner date in awhile, I am going to go change. Would twenty minutes be enough time for you? And Sushi sounds great." his eyes lighting up at this prospect of a dinner date with Wena.
She gave a nod. "Yea twenty minutes, sounds good. Are you picking me up, or we meeting at the place?" She walked to her bedroom. She tugged her hands slightly through her hair and wondered if she should take care of that as well.
"I'll come pick you up, after all this is a date." Edmund flashing a bit of a smile, his whole face lighting up. "See you in twenty." with that he spun on his heel and headed out the door to his quarters. Already he was thinking of what to wear, he had a long sleeved bluish grey dress shirt, dark blue slacks and black slip on shoes, that may do well for tonight.
She watched him leave and went in to her bedroom and opening her dresser, trowing clothes on her bed finding the right thing to wear. But maybe she shouldn't make it so complicated. It was just a dinner. Or was it more. She looked in her mirror as she was holding a purple blouse on her front. Even she heard herself call it a dinner date. She actually said it. Not some dark entity. Was she still capable of having these kinds of feelings. She sighed. She was a little scared that the more people she involved, the more people she would put in danger. But on the other hand she thought it might already be too later for that.
She finally decided to wear the purple blouse and just put on a light black and white skirt under it and put on black flats.
It was now only waiting for her to be picked up. For a moment she was a little nervous. It's been a while since she was out with someone. She usually was on herself and dined alone.
Twenty minutes later, the door chimed, Edmund wasn't about to make Rowena wait. He was slightly nervous, worried, and hoped that he wasn't going to mess this date up. When the door opened he smiled, seeing Rowena.
"You are absolutely beautiful" he stated, Ed's eyes looking into hers. He crooked his elbow out to her, an old fashioned gentlemanly fashion. "Shall we? And any recommendation where we can have sushi."
"Well, I have never been on Poseidon station before," Rowena stated as she hooked her arm in to his smiling. "But I am sure there is a place that serves sushi," she giggled.
"Well I know that there is a place named The Izakaya, based off the places known in Japan. I went to one years ago. It sounds good to me and there are rave reviews of it. Lets go there, they even have a karaoke stage there. That is, if you like to do karaoke. " flashing a smile. As they left the ship to walk through the transparent tunnel towards the station, Edmund paused for a moment to gaze at the view.
The stars were twinkling against the black velvet of space, and the greenish blue of Aquil rotated beneath. It was breathtaking to see, and he glanced at Rowena, just marveling at her beauty. "What a view, a lovely backdrop for a beautiful lady." Edmund said softly, not realizing that he spoke his thoughts outloud.
She looked outside to follow his gaze and turned to him as he was talking and then noticed he was looking at her. Rowena didn't know really how to respond to that. For a moment she just stood there trying to figure out the right response. Eventually she just turned her gaze outside and said, "Yes, it is a really beautiful view."
Edmund realized that he may have spoken his thoughts. He though, wasn't going to make any excuse about what he said, as his words were true.
Getting directions from the map, he guided them both to where the turbolifts were, to get to the restaurant. Edmund paused for a moment to gaze at the large arboretum in the center of the station, it was beautiful with the foliage, the trees and paths that wove its way through the greenery. He could see people walking through the paths stopping to look at points of interest there. Some flowers were in bloom, showing off their lovely colors.
"That looks like a lovely place to have a walk." Edmund remarked, then turned to look at Rowena. "Perhaps after we eat, we go explore?"
Wena was really in awe over the place. She never been here. But she could tell they worked hard to make it worthwhile for visitors. "Yes we should definitely look there after we have eaten." She then looked at the lift. "Have you ever been on the station?" She asked curious.
"Earlier I was, some of the crew went to Elysian Dreams. I had heard about it and went there with Lachaln and met up with some of the others. I didn't stay too long, just had some drinks, got slapped because I didn't allow someone to pick pocket me and I wasn't interested in their wares, then I left." Edmund paused remembering something,
"Let me correct something, I actually have been in the arboretum. Just a small part of it. I had heard from someone that there is a spot that looked like a background for elves and such to gather there, and i wanted to sketch that area. Needing supplies I went to the art supply store Color Your Life, and on the way I met Lieutenant Vura, our new counselor. I ended up doing a drawing of her, in that area. It provided a good backdrop with the outfit she was wearing. I plan on showing you that area as well, as it is very pretty."
"Oh that's sounds lovely." She said as she looked through the list of establishments. "Ok we need to find a place where they serve sushi." She moved her finger over the list. She was really nervous this time. For some reason she just wanted to get to eat. Trying to relax a bit she asked, "So I take it you don't know a good restaurant then?" Changing the subject.
"I have heard that the place we are going to, is highly recommended for Sushi." He pointed towards the name of the place they were walking to, before he got distracted by the arboretum. "There." Pointing towards the name The Izakaya. "That is the place. It looks like it is on Level 67." Flashing a gentle smile, "lets go." as they walked along, Edmund was feeling a little bit worried. He's been out of the dating game for so long that he was questioning himself, wondering if he was coming on too strong.
Wena put on a bright smile and then hooked in his arm with her arm. "Lead the way, Edmund," She figured they need to find a place to sit. She noticed they were both very clumsy. It Was probably they both were very wary about the situation not because they didn't care enough to make this work. She for sure hasn't been dating for years, not since she joined the Malificus. And he seems to be clueless as well, so maybe if they could talk about it openly and then move from there they would be more comfortable.
Arriving at the Izakaya, Edmund and Wena were led to a table for two, which had a small waterfall feature which cascaded into a small pool, there were some small bamboo plants which provided a green backdrop, waiting for Wena to take a seat then he did as well. Upon the table were menus. Edmund cleared his throat slightly, "Nice place isn't it?" he began.
Wena realized then he had the same idea. She smiled and said, "It is really lovely here. But before we continue here, I am getting the feeling we're both kinda nervous here. I don't want you to get the wrong idea, it just been so long for me since was out on a date, I guess I am just a little worried I might mess this up."
"You have great instincts Wena." a rather relieved expression becoming evident in Edmund's eyes. "I am nervous, and am glad I am not the only one feeling that way and I am open for a conversation about this. I think both of us may have some things from our past that makes us, nervous that it could affect a possible relationship if things go in that direction. "
Wena smiled. "Well, the last time for me was before I joined star fleet. We lost contact, you know how that goes. He moved on and got married, and I joined the Maleficus and, well, it wasn't really a place to start relationships, if you catch my drift."
Edmund gave a nod. " I get that. As for me, I got married when I was in security for Star Fleet. I met Vivien in 2383, she was in engineering. We got married, I was happy for two years almost three until our ship got attacked by pirates. She died and that caused me to not want to get involved with anyone, until I met you."
Wena looked away a little and then turned back to him. "I am sorry that happened to you. I don't know how I changed your mind. I never thought of myself as very impressive. Also my last performance wasn't exactly something to write home about." She ran a finger behind her ear as if she tugging away some hair.
"Well the first time I caught sight of you, you were sitting at a table with some of your intelligence team. In After 11 run by Chloe." he giving a slight chuckle. " I remember she referred to you as Brown eyes, and to me she called me Blue eyes. I thought your table was rather energetic. Even as much as teasing me slightly." his smile growing into a grin. "Anyway, that was when I first noticed you, your fetching smile, the way your eyes lit up with laughter. When you were with the other ladies." his voice died away as he looked into her dark brown eyes. "Rowena, you are definitely someone I wished to get to know so here we are, now at a restaurant, laying the ground work of hopefully something special in its development." Then Edmund went quiet just gazing at Rowena with a bit of an appreciative smile.
She laughed when he said that, softly squeezing her eyes, but she could feel her cheeks warm and fluster. She was definitely blushing and she couldn't help it. For some reason this did feel nice. 'I may have an interesting past, and maybe an interesting thing going in my life right now, I don't know if I am that interesting. Or am I just being modest?"
" I will say you are being modest." a low chuckle, as Edmund reached out to place his hand upon Wena's. As he did so a waitress came up, "Would you both like to drinks while you decide? Or would you like a few minutes more?"
Edmund looked up at the waitress, "Uh." he looked at Wena. "I'd like some green matcha tea please, for starters."
Wena thought a moment. "Can I have a green ice tea please, no Ice." She smiled and turned back to Edmund. "Maybe I just never put myself out there, I guess. Just doing my job."
Edmund gave a nod, a slight squeeze to Wena's hand before he drew it back.
The server nodded, "I'll be back with your drinks." the waitress moving away.
A quiet chuckle from Edmund he having a twinkle in his eyes. "My, aren't we a pair. Both getting involved in our jobs and not really wanting to be out there to gain a relationship with others. It is at times difficult to do such a thing. Both of us have dangerous jobs, to where we can get hurt. However, I think that is true with everyone. With us being on a star ship going out to explore, to go help others. There is always a little piece of peril that can happen." a warm lingering look as Edmund memorized the lines of Wena's face.
"You know, at times it takes someone to bring a person out of their isolation, to want to make a connection." Edmund added.
Wena nodded smiling to Edmund. She felt comfortable enough to now openly speak freely with him. "Maybe...Maybe I am also a little scared. Scared of what might happen. I don't know what it is, but I feel like something horrible is going to happen."
A look of concern and yet there wasn't an expression of disblief. He wasn't going to scoff at her having that certain feeling. It had been his own experience that when a person had a feeling about something that it was best to pay heed to it. "Wena, I hope to be there to help when whatever happens, happens." him remembering her showing the markings upon her flesh.
Their discussion was interrupted by the arrival of their food, and when the server left Edmund looked at Wena. "I will do everything in my power to help you, Wena."
Edmund had thought to ask Wena to go with him to the Marine Ball then realized something, Wena when it came to going out in public, she seemed uncomfortable depending on the situation. He had noticed it when there was a gathering of intelligence personnel.And there was that conversation before they came here on a date. He came to the decision that he will not bring up the Marine Ball instead he was going to enjoy this meal with Wena.
"In the mean time before something like that happens lets enjoy this moment and eat this wonderful meal." his stomach growled in assent, Edmund looking down at his stomach, a little bit startled.
Then Edmund looked back up at Wena. "Well now, guess my stomach agrees." giving a Wena a wink and a little bit of a laugh.His cheeks were also a little bit red.
Wena looked at her food. "Wow, yes, that smells good. I didn't know how much I craved real food until now. " She smiled a bit shy as she picked up her fork. "And thank you." She smiled to Edmund as her eyes sparkled a bit. "I think I would still be hiding in the SCIF if you hadn't come to my quarters to check up on me."
"I am glad that I did, and that you accepted." Edmund replied, just seeing Wena smile made him feel all warm inside. He lifted up his glass tilting it towards her in a toast. "To you and this evening, may we have more enjoyable meals together in the future."
A Joint Post By
Captain Edmund Merrick
The Cure Executive Officer, USS Pioneer
Lieutenant Commander Rowena McGowen
Chief Intelligence Officer/Second Officer, USS Pioneer
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