A Spooky Conversation
Posted on Sat Jan 27th, 2024 @ 7:46pm by Lieutenant Junior Grade Mira Jayde & Petty Officer 3rd Class Emiko Marley
Edited on on Mon Jan 29th, 2024 @ 10:26pm
0 words; about a 1 minute read
Mission:
Episode 15 - The Evil That Lies Beneath
Location: SCIF - Deck 9 - USS Pioneer
Timeline: MD002 -1700 hrs
Now that the ship was underway, Jayna was getting caught up on intelligence business. Part of that was meeting the new non-com in the department.
Emiko was exhausted. It was not a new sensation for her. She could work until she dropped. Generally, she was not about to allow anyone else to see that she was exhausted. After all, if she failed at her job, someone or the Federation itself could fall. So, she had to do more and had to be better. Granted, sifting space, her computers had not found anything threatening in chatter, but anyone bold enough to use normal channels was using them as a rouse or had their communications so highly encrypted, that it would take someone like her to sort it out. In the meantime, all she could do was learn new techniques and new languages to make herself more competent.
With her elbows on her desk, she let her head fall into her cupped hands as she read the same paragraph for a third time. Emiko gave a small huff of a sigh, not caring if her shift was over or not.
Jayna slipped silently into the room. It was a skill she'd practiced since childhood and she continually practiced it for when she had to use it to gather data covertly. She didn't mean to catch the new communications specialist half-asleep. "You know, being alert is also part of the job description," she said dryly.
Emiko popped up and whirled around. "I'm up!" she insisted. "I'm just continuing to work. Got to protect the Federation..." she huffed in a, soft but high-pitched voice. "Can I help you?"
"I think it is I who can help you," Jayna countered. "Saving the Federation should only come at the loss of your health if it is an emergency, and we are not at red alert. I also do not believe the safety of this ship is a current concern."
"No, the safety of the ship is not a concern now," Emiko agreed. "But it could change at any moment." She sighed. "So, I get the hint. You want me to do something else. What do you want to do?"
Jayna ignored Emiko's last comment and focused on the first. "It will at some point, yes. The question is, will you be able to respond as required or will your brain and body be too tired or too stressed for you to do your job?" the half Vulcan asked. "You cannot spend every day expecting an emergency. And when there is one, we will all have to do our part. Sometimes we will have to do someone else's. You need to find a work-life balance or you will be of no help when you are truly needed."
She looked at the other woman for a long moment. "What do you do when you are not falling asleep in front of your console?"
"I was not falling asleep," Emiko insisted. Damn Vulcans trying to logic everything, even if they're often right. Wait, her eyes.... No pupils. Betazoid and Vulcan. Wow! I wonder how that worked. Logic and antithesis of logic.... "And I do quite a bit of things when I'm not at work," she replied with a soft shrug. "But perhaps I am due for a spot of aerobic activity."
"Perhaps when your shift is over...unless you need a break. If so, you can take one now." Jayna wasn't going to belabor the point. She had a tendency to get too wrapped up in her work as well. "What sort of activities do you enjoy?"
Pleasantly she told Mira, "I assure you that I do not need a break." She then tilted her head to the side, stretching her neck and then added, "I like to exercise. It is important to me that I stay attractive both in mind and body. I also like anime. I've been known on occasion to cosplay some of the characters. And you?"
"I enjoy various forms of exercise. There's a climbing wall and ropes course in the gym. I also meditate and read." She raised an eyebrow as she looked at the other woman. "I have only heard a little about anime since joining Starfleet."
"I'm not a complete weeb like so many of those who are completely into anime. I just like the style, the flair, and the fun of dressing like some of the characters. The weebs are a bit out there, if you ask me. However, it is fun to watch them drool," she said with a pretty laugh. "But, you'll see me in the gym from time to time, I suspect."
"Anime can be a good creative outlet." Although it wasn't something Jayna was particularly interested in, she had been introduced to a different game that sounded similar called Dungeons and Dragons and found that one fascinating. "Hobbies are as important as exercise." She paused. "But so is sleep, and that is where you are falling short. Not in your job, but in seeing to your mental acuity."
"I assure you that I am as sharp as a tack," Emiko continued to defend. "Romulan conjugations are quite subtle."
Jayna just raised an eyebrow. She was not going to convince this woman that balance was necessary, and that included sleep, any more than someone could have convinced her when she was in her teens. "They can be. Romulans themselves can be quite subtle as well. So why did you choose intelligence?"
"It chose me more than I did it," Emiko admitted. "I'm a polyglot. When I was going through basic, my drill sergeant caught me uttering a number of unflattering things towards some folks in various different languages. I ended up doing a lot of extra exercises that day. However, sometime after that, I was pulled aside and told with my talent that I could be an asset to the Federation. I wanted to help. I had to help. It was my calling. So, here I am."
She paused for a moment and continued, "I think I might have also been good in infiltration but, well, I sort of stick out...."
"In some settings, yes," Jayna admitted. "But perhaps not in others. Tell me why you think this is your calling? I've heard very few use that particular turn of phrase."
Emiko did not hesitate in her answer. "I have always wanted to do something, something that would have meaning and have an effect on the universe. Certainly, with my language skills, I could have done other things, be a translator, been a language teacher, maybe even a tour guide, or even been a merchant trying to work with cultures that still have some barter or monetary systems, but none had the opportunity to make a real impact, at least not in my mind. Here, I can serve the Federation, keep it safe from threats, and potentially make a huge difference. Does that make sense?"
"It does. I think that was one reason I agreed to join Starfleet," Jayna said. "I was making a small difference delivering supplies to disadvantaged worlds during the Dominion War, but Starfleet gave me an opportunity to do more." It was true. She didn't mention that she had also been Maquis and had a choice of joining Starfleet or being hunted like her fellow rebels. But she also delivered supplies-and sometimes weapons--to worlds conquered by the Cardassians. It was a long time ago, and she was a different person then. She wasn't sure what sort of difference she made, though. Then or now. She was happier in Starfleet. Especially now.
"And have you?" Emiko asked curiously.
"Sometimes." Jayna shrugged. "But not often. Most of my time is spent collecting and reviewing data. That's pretty much standard for anyone. Being in Starfleet is often a case of hurry up and wait. But in my experience, that's standard in many places."
"Can you tell me about what you did? I do recognize there is a lot of hurry up and waiting."
"I started out as an infiltration specialist. I've had many opportunities to go undercover to find information. On one of the more recent ones, I went undercover with Makeba Brown to infiltrate the New Maquis when Empok Nor was taken over. We were able to help retake the station because of what we learned."
Emiko exhaled a dreamy sigh. “I only hope that I will have the opportunity to do something significant like that someday.”
Had she ever been that idealistic? No. Jayna chuckled. She had to face the realities of life under occupation as a toddler. "You probably will if you stick around long enough. The Pioneer has a...colorful history."
"Well, while I simultaneously hope for no threats to Pioneer or the Federation, I cannot help but tell you that I hope that I have one of those moments here."
Jayna nodded. "I cannot say if you will or not, but I can say that if you don't get enough rest, you will be unprepared if the opportunity arises. You need to have a clear mind and quick reflexes in intelligence. When you are tired, you will make a mistake. Perhaps that will put this conversation in a different perspective?" She had no doubt the young petty officer would have opportunities during her career, but she had to learn to deal with the slow times and maintain a proper balance. The thought made her smile to herself. That sounded like her sister.
"My shift ended hours ago, so I suppose that I should go do something else."
The half Vulcan raised an eyebrow at hearing her shift ended hours ago. She would have to make a point of checking on Emiko to make sure she didn't overtax herself. She'd also have a word with Commander McGowan. "I think that would be wise. Perhaps, when you settle in and make some friends, it will be easier for you to find balance." She was one to talk. Until Neil, she didn't have much of a balance, either.
Part of Emiko wanted to be humorous and show the Lieutenant how perfect her balance was but she refrained herself. "I'll just check out then, and be on my way?" she asked, making certain that she should leave.
Jayna wasn't used to dismissing people. "Yes. Have an enjoyable evening." She hoped the petty officer would, but she wasn't so sure.
Emiko rose from her seat, gave a polite wave, checked out and said, "Thank you, sir," before leaving.
Jayna watched her go, then logged in to her own computer. She set up a spider that would record the amount of time Emiko spent on the intelligence computers just to make sure she didn't overdo it too much. Then she settled in to her own work.
A Joint POst By
Petty Officer Third Class Emiko Marley
Intelligence Communications Specialist, USS Pioneer
Lieutenant Junior Grade Mira Jayna
Assistant Chief Intelligence Officer, USS Pioneer
Intelligence Liaison, The Cure
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