Chatting Up
Posted on Wed Apr 27th, 2022 @ 12:46am by Captain Edmund Merrick & Lieutenant JG Mira Jayna
Edited on on Wed Apr 27th, 2022 @ 5:14am
1,735 words; about a 9 minute read
Mission:
Episode 12 - Risin' To Risa
Location: The Snake Pit - Deck 9 - USS Pioneer
Timeline: MD010 1800 hrs
Jayna had yet to meet the new Marine XO. As she would be the intel liaison with the Marines, she wanted to say hello and take the measure of one of the men she would most likely work with from time to time. Besides, it would be a good opportunity to get more familiar with Marine Country on the Pioneer. It would also help her get her head back into work after shore leave. The computer told her he was in the gym, so she changed into shorts and a tank top and headed there to meet him and get in a workout.
Edmund was in the Marine training area working on his fitness. He had a routine he liked to do, jump rope, pushups, planks and sit-ups. Then he'd go do pull ups. He was in the second set up for his jump rope, the rope almost in a blur as he was working on the speed of his feet. Then he slowed down for the easy part of the jumping then came to a stop. He was breathing hard, walking around to cool off before he went to the next part. He wiped off the perspiration that was dripping down his face. Wet patches were seen on the dark grey tank top he wore. He picked up a bottle of water and slowly sipped at it, looking around the gym.
She spotted him right away, recognizing him from his profile. "Lieutenant Merrick? I'm Warrant Officer Mira Jayna."
Hearing his name, Merrick's gaze turned swiftly towards Jayna. He walked over towards the woman, "That be me." giving a smile, "What can I do for you?" mopping his brow with his towel once more, then draping it around his neck, with the ends over his shoulder. "I recall seeing your image in the files. I had been meaning to go meet the rest of the marines."
She gave him a half-bow. "I'm the intelligence liaison with the SFMC. Welcome."
"Liaison, even better, thank you. What would you like to know?" Edmund asked, as he walked over towards the treadmill, to do some running. He set it at a moderate speed to cool down his muscles.
"Oh, the usual." She grinned. "We intel types like to know who we're working with." She nodded to the treadmill, "But I don't want to interrupt your workout." And she had yet to start. She began to do a series of stretches to warm up her muscles.
"You can ask the questions, won't disturb my workout." Edmund replied, as he stepped onto the treadmill, adjusting the pace to where it was just 'walking' speed. "Where do you want to start as to the questions. What have I done in the past? I used to be in Star Fleet Security. Now I am in the Marines." taking a look over his shoulder to glance over at Mira. "Do you work with a Lieutenant McGowan? I've yet to meet, even though I could have sworn she was there at After 11." he gave a shrug and continued his walking, then turned to where he was walking backwards upon the tread mill.
"I've met her, yes." Although Jayna couldn't say if she knew the new chief very well or not. "Why did you switch branches?" she asked as she began a new set of warm-ups.
"At the time I was in security, an incident had happened where I felt that security was ill-trained, ill-equipped to handle. People were injured." he paused to turn and shut down the treadmill. "My personal feelings is if there was an away mission upon a planet and there was an unknown factor either Star Fleet security needed to be more updated on their fighting skills or, a small amount of marines needed to go. This would save lives, I know at times no matter how well trained a person is, it doesn't completely cover the possible encounters that could happen." going over and getting a drink of water.
Jayna finished her stretches and went over to him. "You're right. Starfleet security is good at what they do, but they're no Marines."
"No, they are not, both Security and Marines have their own strengths though. I feel they can work well together, balancing each other where they lack in certain areas. " Merrick replied. "Such as security personnel can deal with the public and Marines get in and do the dirty jobs that need to be taken care of. I know that is putting it too simplistic but in essence that is what each of them can do."
Jayna knew it was a lot more complicated--and varied--than that, as she'd worked with both security and Marines over the years. While their jobs did overlap in some areas, in others they were markedly different. "The Pioneer does a good job of keeping both groups busy. I expect it to be more effective with Major Tremble as the first officer."
"It will be interesting to see what happens. I was informed by Major Tremble, I will most definitely be involved in keeping the Marines busy amongst other things. Not that I was planning on sitting on my butt either. I still need to meet the other marines and I am behind on that." Edmund remarked. "Did you get to go on shore leave?"
She chuckled, sure he'd have plenty to do once the ship got underway. "I did for a change. It was a nice break." She smiled as she thought about her time on the island. "Did you do anything fun on Empok Nor?"
"Well, I explored the station to a point, met the Helmsman who likes to cook. Visited some bars. And explored the ship a little bit as well. I had gone to see engineering as well as the science area. You've got some magnificent people upon this ship."
"Yes, the crew is impressive. I think a lot of it is due to the captain." He definitely seemed to attract a talented crew, at least from what she'd seen so far. "I'm sure you'll fit in well."
"I do hope that I do, Tyler, er that is Captain Malbrooke, he and I were friends back in academy days." Edmund smiled, "Took me under his wing and showed me the ropes of what was needed to be done there. Guess you could say he was my mentor."
Jayna smiled. "And now he can see what you've done with that mentor-ship. So maybe there's a touch of fate that brought you here." Sometimes she wondered if she was meant to be here herself. She hoped so.
"That maybe so, I'm starting to believe it to be such. It seems the Pioneer draws people towards her, almost like a siren's call. Could it be Kismet, Fate, Destiny? All rolled into one." he giving her a warm smile. "Could it have been my dead wife sending me here to learn to live again? One never knows." he paused then gave a bashful chuckle. "Sorry, maybe a little bit much on my sharing, things." rubbing the back of his neck. "I am finding myself being a bit more open than usual." giving a shrug.
"Sharing is not necessarily a problem. We intel types are good at keeping secrets." Jayna considered him for a moment. "While I do not strictly follow the prophets, I do believe that there are times when otherworldly forces have a hand in our destiny. It is not beyond reason that your deceased wife has led you here. Being on the Pioneer has brought positive change to my life." She couldn't help smiling as she thought of Neil and hoped those changes would continue to be good ones.
Noting the smile, Edmund remarked, " Have you been drawn here as well? And I find your words comforting. I may end up shaking the ghosts from my past and sending them to where they belong. No longer haunting my dreams or mind."
"Yes, although at first I wasn't sure I belonged here--especially when my sister left--but the recent changes have been good for me." There generally wasn't much need for someone who's specialty was infiltration. But working with the Marines gave her new things to learn and new opportunities for growth--both personally and professionally. "I lost both my parents when I was young. The ghosts do settle, to be replaced by fond memories. I've learned that sometimes it's those very ghosts that help us become stronger."
"Thinking upon that, you may be right. It’s another reason why I joined the Marines. An awful event happened, I change directions and my life changed as well in a drastic way. I don't see it as a bad thing though? I just need to come to terms with what happened."
Jayna nodded. "And coming to terms with it takes time. How much time changes from person to person and situation to situation." She was angry for a long time about her parents, but eventually she came to terms with it.
"I would like to be able to snap my fingers and it changes but, I know that can't happen. I just have to work through it. If I allow myself, I am still struggling with that. I..." his words fade away. "You are easy to talk to, you are very good, very good indeed." giving a small smile.
"I have learned from my childhood how to talk to people," she admitted. Then, with a twinkle in her eye she added, "It helps in a number of situations. Although I have enjoyed our conversation, I should let you finish your workout."
"Thank you for the chat, it was very lovely. And I'll see you later on from time to time when you work with the marines." Edmund replied, he moved away to head for the showers, he was ready to get back to his quarters.
Jayna nodded. "I enjoyed the conversation. See you later." She turned and headed for the climbing wall. She planned on coming here more often as part of her new training. She had a lot to learn, but she was looking forward to it.
A Joint Post By
Staff Warrant Officer Mira Jayna
Assistant Chief Intelligence Officer, USS Pioneer
First Lieutenant Edmund Merrick
The Cure Executive Officer, USS Pioneer
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