Introductions
Posted on Mon Sep 14th, 2020 @ 3:33pm by
Edited on on Mon Sep 14th, 2020 @ 3:44pm
1,287 words; about a 6 minute read
Mission:
Episode 10 - New Home, Same Pioneers
Location: Deck 3 USS Pioneer
Timeline: MD001 0950 hrs
Eleanor was sat spinning in her chair, she had been doing this for the past several minutes and now she was starting to feel dizzy. Steadying herself she let out a sigh, she needed something to do, truth be told she was bored. Her vision fell onto the wooden carving sitting on her shelf and she smiled, the gift was from Crewman Cipriani and she had not lied when she had stated she knew the perfect spot for the gift, it sat perfectly on the shelf, next to the picture of her brother.
“Computer, any new messages?” she asked, hoping that within the last ten minutes someone on the off chance might have sent something.
The usual confirmation tone sounded before acknowledging her question.
“Negative, no new messages.”
The realisation that an Intrepid-class ship with only fifteen decks may not necessarily need a permanent Diplomatic Officer crossed her mind, other larger ships would have a whole diplomatic department, here there was her. Not that she minded, the upcoming mission was why she was here, she had always had a vested interest when it came to the Romulans.
Another loud sigh entailed when the stark realisation that she may need to look at taking on additional duties and helping elsewhere when her diplomatic skills were not required, but what else other than diplomacy was she good at. The cogs slowly began to turn as she got to her feet, tugging her uniform straight, she thought a stroll may well be in order. Exiting her office, she recalled a perfect spot that she had earmarked, the perfect place to stand, look out into space and ponder the great meaning of life.
((Secret Location, Somewhere on the ship))
It had taken Eleanor several minutes to reach her spot and it was just around the corner, a smile creeping on her face in anticipation. However, the smile soon disappeared, she manoeuvred around the bend and to her horror, a young man stood occupying the space. That is if you could call him a man, he looked more like a teenager, out of place, l but he was clearly doing what she had come to do, he looked completely lost in thought.
For a moment she thought about leaving him alone, to work out and ponder whatever he needed, but as a diplomat, she could judge a situation, she was very good at reading people and he looked sad, lost, in need.
“Beautiful, isn’t it?” she said as she gently approached
Aiden did not hear the approach, looking out at the view, his concentration was focused on Dana, his future, home, quitting. Tears filled his eye, why did she have to go and die, why was she so stubborn and why did she leave him that bloody message, he was not even able to protect her, to save her.
“Are you alright?” Eleanor asked, gently placing her hand onto the young man’s shoulder.
Something touching his shoulder made Aiden jump back int the present, startled he grabbed the arm that had reached for him and he twisted it, defending himself.
“Ouch” Eleanor yelped in pain as she turned with the violent pull.
The ouch startled Aiden, he quickly turned his head to see him was quite forcefully twisting a young women’s shoulder slowly out of joint.
“Oh my god, I’m so sorry.” He said releasing his grip, a look of mortification crept across his face.
Eleanor winced, pain shout down her arm, her face contorted as she yanked her arm back, a soft whimper falling from her lips.
Aiden saw the pain he had caused her, “Please don’t be dislocated” he said out loud panic setting into his voice.
Eleanor held her arm for a moment, gently going through a range of motions.
“Calm down, I don’t think its dislocated.” She replied trying to offer a reassuring smile.
His eyes met Eleanor's face, he didn’t recognize her, he certainly hadn’t seen her around before, “I’m so sorry, I was…” he paused trying to think of the words.
“Pondering the meaning of life.” She said, still holding onto her arm, “It’s exactly what I came here to do, but my spot was occupied and you look…” she paused herself, slightly turning her head. “Upset, lost.”
Aiden gained his composure, quickly wiping his eye and averting her gaze. “Something like that.”
“I apologize, I should leave you alone, I’m sorry for interrupting.”
Aiden watched as the young women turned and began to walk away, “No wait.” He blurted out after all his welcome had not been that welcoming, and he should be the one apologizing.
She paused before she turned back to him. “Ensign Eleanor Raine, Diplomatic Officer, I’d shake your hand, but my arm hurts a little.”
Aiden blushed for a moment, “I’m really sorry about that, Ma’am, I’m Private Pearce, Rifle Fire Team One.”
Eleanor laughed out loud at the introduction, she didn’t want to seem condescending, but she politely said what was on her mind, after all, she was a diplomat. “I’m sorry, are you even old enough to be wearing the uniform, you look what seventeen, eighteen?”
“I’m twenty.” He barked in response, standing a little taller and puffing his chest out, he knew he looked younger than he was, but to be openly called out on it.
“My apologies, but again, forgive me been blunt, are you alright, you looked a million miles away and rather upset?”
“I’m fine.” He said, in a harsh and firm tone.
Eleanor eyed him up and down, he clearly didn’t want to talk about it, but she knew something wasn’t right, but she wasn’t going to push it, she wasn’t going to make him talk about something that he did not want to.
“Okay, then all I have to say, is if you ever need to talk, then the ship does have a counselor…”
Aiden scoffed out loud at the idea, interrupting her little speech.
“But then again, if like me, you don’t like pouring your heart out to a stranger who wants to psychoanalyses every aspect of your and ask if you were locked in cupboards as a small child, or even if you just want a drink in silence, please know, you're not alone, and I have decent private alcohol collection.” She said with a smile, still holding onto her shoulder.
Aiden didn’t know how to respond, he had only just met her and he couldn’t blurt out that he was thinking of Dana, she wouldn’t understand, she wasn’t here, wasn’t part of what had happened to this ship, its crew, she was a stranger. His mouth parted but nothing came out. Thankfully the com interrupted.
“Tremble to Private Pearce. Report to my office.”
Reaching for his com badge, he gently pressed it. =/\= Acknowledged, I'm on my way Sir, Pearce out =/\=
“My apologies, duty calls, I’m really sorry about that arm.” He added as it gave him the perfect excuse to back off.
Eleanor smiled, ‘saved by the bell’ she thought to herself before she shook her head, she thought about calling after him, but she had probably just overloaded the poor soul. But on the upside, her spot was now available, but the pain in her shoulder told her that maybe she should drop on by sickbay first.
A joint post by;
Ensign Eleanor Raine
Diplomatic Adviser, USS Pioneer
Private Aiden Pearce
Corpsman RFT 1, USS Pioneer
RSS Feed