Reporting in

Posted on Sun Dec 1st, 2019 @ 9:34pm by Commodore Jane Saulitis & Lieutenant Laural Hawke

Mission: Promenade
Location: Starbase Poseidon
Timeline: MD 01 09:00 Hours
1313 words - 2.6 OF Standard Post Measure

The Captain of the USS Majestic would never freely admit that she was happy to be out of her office or that the sometimes mundane nature of being a starship captain was getting to her. But as soon as they docked at Starbase 50 Jane was kicking up her heels and practically running for the airlock. Of course there was the wedding to think of. She was sure her mother would plan it well though, there wasn't much for her to do except write up a speech as the maid of honor.

Once onto the station Jane turned a corner and had to hop aside when she discovered someone directly in her path. "Oh, I'm sorry."

"It's fine. I imagine everyone on the ship is eager for some shore leave Captain" Laural replied, recognizing Jane's face from her personnel file. "especially after those negotiations."

"Negotiations, yes." So word had not gotten around about the alien visitors. That part she would not have minded but it was good that most people didn't seem to know about the crew acting oddly, hooking up with each other and nearly causing the negotiations to falter. "Can I help you Lieutenant? Are you headed for the Majestic?"

“Yes ma’am. In fact I was hopping to see you before you went on shore leave so I could report in.” Laural said, teaching into a shoulder bag and pulling out a PADD, “here are my transfer orders. I am to be your encryptions specialist attached to your intelligence department."

The thought of going back to her office was depressing. "Do you mind walking with me? I'd really like to get out and stretch my legs. Oh here, let me take that. I can have security deliver it to your room." Jane held her hand out for the bag, if the other woman would let it go.

Gripping the bag’s strap a little tighter, Laural shook her head, “that’s alright Captain, I don’t mind carrying it around” she said, readjusting the bags position on her shoulder, “in any case, is there somewhere specific you had in mind as your destination?”

"I thought I might explore some lunch options. Getting off the ship for a little bit sounded like a plan to me Would you like to join me for lunch?" Jane started walking. "Is there any type of food you would prefer?"

“It would be a pleasure Ma’am, it would also allow us the opportunity to get to know one another before serving together” Laural replied, thinking over the next part of June’s question, “as for cuisine, I shall allow you to choose. After spending a fair amount of time on Earth, I’ve had an ample selection of foods.”

"Alright then," Jane said, her head already scanning the options."Follow me." She led them to a Betazoid Cafe. Jane had become accustomed to the food during all the years she'd been together with Hak. She could have chosen something more exotic but this felt like home to her. "So Lieutenant, tell me about yourself."

"What would you like to know? boring stuff like what's in my file? or stuff that isn't in there?" Laural asked.

That got Jane's eyebrows raised. "Well . . . where did you grow up, let's start there. I have an interest in how people were raised, my upbringing was less than what I would call normal by today's standards anyway."

Laural took a deep breath, “I was born on a Federation colony world. My childhood, what little I had of it, was spent running around with the other children while the adults set up prefabricated housing,” she said, swallowing before she continued, “My home was attacked by Orion slavers. Those few of us that they didn’t kill were herded into cages, fitted with restraint implants and shipped off to be sold to the highest bidder. No one was interested in a half-bread child, too week to be a servant and not old enough for ‘other’ services. I spent years in Orion cages being dragged from market to market. Eventually, after a few years I was sold to an Orion scientist who wanted test subjects for his twisted experiments.” She said, distain dripping from every word as her face twisted into a mix of hatred and disgust.

“For years he subjected us to something called operant conditioning, pitting us against one another in a fighting pit. I was forced to kill so many children. The child that I was died in that pit, what came out was a monster.”

Any Starfleet officer was trained in a certain amount of medical and counseling techniques. But Jane found hers severely lacking in that area as she listened to the woman's story. She didn't even feel qualified to comment. Her stomach knotted up instantly. "That's terrible, I'm so sorry. How brave of you to survive though and end up in Starfleet."

Laural gave Jane a sarcastic look, “brave? Was it brave to slaughter everyone between me and a shuttle? Just thinking about that place makes my blood boil. So yea, my upbringing was great. I can’t even remember what my mother looked like, and the only reason I even know my father is....well, above your pay grade if you will” she said, stopping herself before she revealed classified information, “let’s just say he’s Romulan and a Commander with the Republic”

"Yes it's brave, it's brave that you made it through that. I know you had no choice but you still survived as a person. Most people would have given up I fear." Jane thought for a moment. "I understand classified information, you haven't met my husband yet. Regardless, thank you for sharing. My upbringing was unconventional but more normal than that. I was raised on Earth on a lake in Montana by a mother who didn't believe in technology for cooking. She sewed, cooked, cleaned . . . everything was done by hand. She even had a large garden. We didn't see eye to eye but I still respect her decisions though I followed in my father's footsteps. He was a diplomat in Starfleet."

"Sounds idyllic. I never saw Earth outside of San Francisco. My mother was from Betazed and I know very little about her. Perhaps one day I shall go to Betazed" she said, looking around the Café, "have you ever been there before?"

"No,but my husband is half Betazoid, so a trip is definitely in our future at some point. And well, my father is going to become a father again which means I will have a sibling there to visit as well." Jane wasn't sure how she felt about that yet.

“Congratulations” Laural said, trying to think of what else to say, “I look forward to seeing Betazed.”

"Yeah, it's strange. But I'm glad he's happy. Anyway," She moved a bit to get more comfortable. "What are your goals while on Majestic? Do you have any ambitions beyond your current position?"

“To ensure our boarder colonies do not have to suffer what my home did and if possible to find and eradicate the Orion Syndicate” Laural said bluntly “protecting this ship and her crew is my primary concern so the needs of the majestic will come first”

"Well that's good . . ." Jane wasn't sure what all to say about the Orion Syndicate but Laural's answer made her deeply nervous. "Welcome aboard then. You can check in with my XO at your convenience if you haven't been assigned quarters. Do you have any questions for me?"

“None right now, though I will be sure to check in with the XO. He sounds interesting” Laural answered before standing up, “I guess I’ll see you onboard Captain.”

"Absolutely," Jane stood up to see her off. "Welcome aboard Lieutenant."

---

Captain Jane Saulitis
Commanding Officer
USS Majestic

Lieutenant Laural Hawke
Encryption specialist
USS Majestic