Catching up
Posted on Tue Feb 22nd, 2022 @ 3:20am by Commodore Tyler Malbrooke & Captain Edmund Merrick
1,171 words; about a 6 minute read
Mission:
Episode 12 - Risin' To Risa
Location: Bridge - Deck 1 - USS Pioneer
Timeline: MD003 0930 hrs
Edmund followed after Tyler and when they reached the bridge, he remarked. "I never thought I'd see you again, after all these years. You are looking good. How is life treating you?"
"Pretty good First Lieutenant. I have my ship, my crew, my wife, and a baby on the way. A Captain cannot ask for much more out of life. You know I never thought I would see you again either. But when I saw your name on the list of eligible candidates for Tremble's number 2 spot, I couldn't resist getting you aboard." Tyler spoke easily and with a smile. Even though he enjoyed catching up with his old friend decorum on the bridge demanded he use ranks instead of names.
An eyebrow raised upwards, when Merrick heard on the how and why he was there. A bit of a return smile then he remarked, "A wife, a baby on the way and a ship. I am glad Captain." he looked out over the bridge, remembering when he used to serve on a ship. "And now here we are. And definitely congratulations are in order as well." his smile brightened, then it faded as he spoke his next part. "For me, no wife, she died, and no kid. A change of career. Funny how things work eh?"
"I am sorry to hear that, and yes it is funny how things work. But, you are home now and I will wager you did not think you would be serving aboard a starship again. The Cure even has a bridge station on this vessel..." Tyler stood up and motioned toward the station at the rear of the bridge labeled Marine Ops. "This is you..." He said as he arrived at the station. "The Pioneer has a way of turning people's lives around." Tyler added with a tone of sympathy to his old friend.
Merrick felt an honest to goodness smile appear. "I am thinking that this will hold true for me. You helped out back at Academy, and here we are once more. The newbie being shown the ropes, Captain." he gazed at the station, and gently ran his hand over the console. "I feel very honored sir."
"Well back in Oklahoma I learned that we always take care of our own. Besides I needed a player for D&D night..." Tyler realized that he had not ran a game in some time, and it was high time he did. Although he was not sure who on the crew would play. "You will be given a lot of leeway in running The Cure as Major Tremble will be tied up learning the ropes of being an XO. Believe me I am not so easy to keep in line."
Merrick cracked a grin, and also laughed. "You were certainly a ball of fire there at academy and I learned a lot. You did well, Captain. Also I'm quite willing to play once more. It's been awhile for me. As for the Cure, looks like both Major and I will get to learn the ropes together. Well not together but maybe at the same time?"
"I just wonder if you still remember how a starship operates, or did the Corps scrub all that information from your brain." Tyler teased. They had been trying to get the fleet and Corps together. But there was nothing wrong with some good natured ribbing. "Things aren't what they used to be, think you can keep up?"
"Oh I do hope so." Merrick replied, having a exaggerated expression of worry. Then he let his face go back to normal. "I think I can keep up, but will require some burning of the midnight oil." taking a seat at the station and looking it over. "Having the Marines and Star Fleet blend, or work together I think is a great idea. I do hope that I can fulfill this role to the best of my ability, and to keep the faith you had in me back in the day, Captain."
"I have no doubt that you will. Tell me, how is the love life?" Tyler lowered his voice when he spoke, he did not want others to hear. He knew that Edmund took the death of his wife really hard. Tyler wanted to see if he was coming around.
Merrick gave a slight grimace which quickly slipped away. "I am still having some difficulty. If you noticed that I didn't stay at the Christmas party. I just couldn't. I tried but still gets to me. Right now me and a love life just don't mix too well." giving an apologetic expression. "I'm not good with that, not anymore."
"That is understandable... But, I do think that Vivian would have wanted you to move on in due time and when you are ready. The Pioneer is a magical place in that regard. Give this ship some time and it will make you right at home and find everything you need." Tyler smiled as he finished speaking. He truly thought of the Pioneer as a living being, especially with those gel packs.
"I am sure she wishes me to do so, I probably will. Guess I'm still stuck on her. She was quite the woman, Captain. Kept me on my toes, a bit of a spitfire and didn't want to be treated like a helpless little woman. She was rather determined, headstrong, creative. Just someone who was a force of nature. And kept that ship we were on running, along with her fellow engineers." he stopped and looked around then looked back at Tyler. "I think you would have liked her. And she would have loved this ship. It feels right to be here, serve in your command. "
Tyler cocked an eyebrow with a smile. "You just let my Kat get her hand on you and I bet you will have someone in no time. But, you are right it is great to have some old friends on the ship. Keeps me on my toes."
Edmund raised an eyebrow then he said, "Do you think she'd convince me to get back into the dating game? She'll probably have a lot of work to have that happen." giving a slight laugh. One more look around the bridge. "Well Captain, I think I will get going to my quarters and hit the books, got some studying to do." giving a wink to his friend. "And thanks for the tour of the bridge. Permission to head for my quarters?" Merrick rising up from the station he had been examining.
"Granted... and character creation in my quarters tomorrow evening." Tyler added as the doors to the turbolift closed. He smiled broadly knowing that a crew of friends worked better than the alternative.
A Joint Post By
First Lieutenant Edmund Merrick
The Cure Executive Officer, USS Pioneer
Captain Tyler Malbrooke
Commanding Officer, USS Pioneer
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