Revelations

Posted on Sun Jan 5th, 2020 @ 2:39am by Commodore Jane Saulitis

Mission: Promenade
Location: Poseidon Station
Timeline: Shoreleave
1235 words - 2.5 OF Standard Post Measure

Hanover sat at a small table on a cheap plastic stool in front of a bowl of wonderfully flavorful broth and noodles. Despite the spartan decor in the restaurant, the length of the queue stretching out the door implied that the wait would be worth it. Breathing in the fragrant steam wafting off of his soup, he looked across and studied his lunch partner and tried to scry whatever was left unsaid about their respective jobs. But for now, he was content to enjoy a good meal.

"Thanks for sticking around that massive line with me," he began. "It was everything I hoped for. Gotta say, that shuttle pilot knew that he was talking about when he recommended this place."

"No problem. I took the afternoon off, it's nice not to have to be somewhere or have a report due at a certain time." Jane replied, "And this is delicious." She was going to have to stop eating soon though, only so much could fit into a human stomach before it rebelled and hers was on the edge of that. She wondered if they should get a few things out of the way, like who they were. It wasn't often that she just came to lunch with someone she knew nothing about.

"I'll drink to that," Hanover lifted his glass of water. "So stranger, you know my name. I must admit, curiosity is getting the better of me. But I think it'd be more fun to guess, so if you'll oblige, let me see how close I can get without knowing anything about you. One condition though," he lifted a finger. "Don't be offended, I don't mean anything personally."

Jared took another spoonful of broth and considered the information available to him. The fact that they were both members of Starfleet had already been established. There was a peaceful quality about the way she looked around and observed her environment. The distinct lack of panic at the earlier situation with the thief was another telling sign. Near annoyance at the inconvenience was relatable to him - almost painfully so.

"Well, judging by the way you handle yourself in unexpected situations, I know you aren't new to deep space. You take in a lot of detail from your surroundings and build your situational awareness off of that, so I'm down to either flight control or security/tactical. But, something's missing," Hanover stroked his chin as he continued to think. "Well now, would you like to try? C'mon, give me your best shot."

"Pretty close actually." But before she admitted to anything she studied him for a moment. "I don't know, you're a bit more of an enigma I suppose. You have a lot of skills, You could be in security but I don't think so. Maybe a background in it. You hold yourself far too confidently for any mere security officer. I would say some sort of command because you are . . . forgive me, older or more distinguished. It makes the most sense to me."

Jane suddenly snorted with laughter. "Did you ever see those ancient television shows where the audience and a contestant had to decide who the real person was.? For example I would sit up there with two other women claiming to be Jane and then the host would ask us all questions. At the end they would ask the real Jane to stand up. I feel like that's what we're doing."

The mention of her name seemed to send Jared deep into thought. "Well this is quite awkward, because I am supposed to report to one Captain Jane Saulitis. Tell me, is this one of fate's little tricks?"

"It does appear fate is teasing us. You must be Commander Hanover." She offered her hand properly for a shake this time. "Tell me something . . . why do you not have your own command by now? You could have had several. Well not that everyone gets one when they turn a certain age, certainly not. But with your record . . . ." Jane felt like if she didn't stop talking to she was going to insert her foot even farther in. She'd already called the man old a couple of times, he'd even teased her about it once.

"You're right," Jared nodded in agreement, "I probably should have four pips and a ship of my own, but from time to time a man has to make a decision on what's important to him. I'm sure you read my personnel file. It lists a long tenure at the Academy as an adjunct professor, but the truth is, that particular posting was me calling in every favor I had to raise my daughters as a single father. It was more important for me to be involved in my kid's lives at that time. That's the long story."

Hanover grabbed the bowl of soup and withdrew a final spoonful of broth, balancing the liquid inside the concave surface of the utensil until he decided to finish his meal. The resounding clunk of the ceramic bowl on the wooden table punctuated his satisfaction with the meal.

"Or you can go with the short story, which is that I'm a crap student and finished right in the middle of the class on most of the formal testing at the Academy," he grinned, clearly embellishing his own record for the sake of humor. "Point is, I now have the privilege of being your second in command if you'll have me. I look forward to the opportunity to pick up where I left off, so to speak."

He was direct, but also sarcastic. Something she highly valued given her leanings toward humor. Sometimes laughing about the stupidest things was what got her through horrible times. "I think I can live with that." She was giving him a smile. They already got along well. "In fact I will give you your first assignment while you are sitting right here at this table."

Jared raised an eyebrow and drew his lips to one side. He took a short breath before replying.

"Okay," a small smile appeared. "I'm listening."

"Convince the restaurant to give you the recipe for that broth. If you can do that you can come on my ship," Jane stood up not giving any indication as to whether or not she was joking. She simply strode off back towards the promenade of Poseidon Station.

Left speechless by the unusual rite of passage laid down before him, Hanover could do little more than sit on his plastic stool and watch as Jane left the restaurant. He chuckled quietly to himself, thankful that he had the opportunity to meet his new captain and see what she was like as a person without any pretense of title or rank muddling the interaction. Standing up from his meal, he bused his own tray and made his way out of the dining area.

Exiting from the crowded room, he rounded the corner with a hunch that the alley located behind the building would be where the chefs took their breaks. If there was any chance to learn the secret of the broth, that was going to be the location.

"Ah, hello there friends," he waved as he approached the kitchen staff. His hunch had paid off. "I have a most humble request..."

---

Captain Jane Saulitis
Commanding Officer
USS Majestic

Commander Jared Hanover
Executive Officer
USS Majestic