The Calling

Posted on Thu Jun 11th, 2020 @ 3:08pm by Commodore Jane Saulitis

Mission: Cruel Meridian
Location: Leyana's Quarters
Timeline: MD 08
1296 words - 2.6 OF Standard Post Measure

After meeting with Commander Hanover, who turned out to not be the Commander Hanover of the same day as her, Jane was cautious of moving around the ship given that they hadn't yet figured out if different areas were stuck in different times yet. But, she had a very special guest on her ship and she needed to make sure that she was all right. She pressed the chime on the door and took a small step back, not wanting to appear as if she was barging in.

"There's someone at the door," Leyana called over her shoulder as she slid out of bed, grabbing the sheet and hastily wrapping it around her body. Tucking the edges in to make a make-shift dress, Leyana called for the visitor to come in.

Jane came in and tried not to look around, after all it was a private personal space even if it was on her ship. Seeing Leyana's attire was a sheet however she opened her mouth, closed it again and opened it once last time. "I can come back later."

Bert scrambled around the Princesses bedroom trying to find his clothes from the previous night but a shoe, sock and shirt wasn’t going to be enough. He found the Princesses robe and put that on before he walked into the main living area where he was shocked to see Captain Saulitis standing there. “Captain!” He said shocked after swallowing hard.

Jane made no effort to keep her mouth closed this time. Her eyes flashed over him and back at the princess and it was completely evident to anyone that knew her, she was not amused. "This is obviously a bad time. I just wanted to check on you and make sure you weren't feeling uncomfortable with the strange things going on."

"Oh no captain," the princess exclaimed, gesturing for her to come in, "no it's not a bad time at all. Just give me a moment to get dressed and you can tell me why you came here." She smiled brightly, seemingly not embarrassed at all. She caressed Herbert's arm as she passed him while going back into the bedroom.

Barr looked at the Captain, embarrassed. He hadn’t come to the ship with the best of records and this was not going to do him any favours. He’d be more than likely swiftly kicked off Majestic once they reached the nearest base. “Excuse me, Captain. I’ll just put something more appropriate on.” He said before quickly disappearing into the bedroom to find his clothes from the night before.

Within a minute she came back, wearing her baggy sweater and leggings again. "What did you want to see me about captain?"

Bert followed the Princess out of her bedroom doing the last few buttons of his shirt up.

"Nothing more than a welfare check. We hadn't spoken since you first came on board I thought it was perhaps because I'd been busy and you'd been well cared for by my staff, I see now that was the case." If she could have killed Barr with a look Jane would have done so. Not only did this reflect his record, it made her ship look unprofessional and they already had a dead ambassador under their record.

If looks could kill, he’d have been dead the moment the Captain had seen him in the Princesses robe. He wasn’t sure if commenting was the right thing to do but he felt he needed to say something. “The Princess has been well looked after in a professional manner, Captain. What happened last night was...” he paused for a moment and looked at Leyana smiling before turning back to the Captain. “Personal.”

"He stayed for dinner," Leyana answered, casting Herbert an appreciating look. He sure did clean up nice! "And the night as it got really late. Again captain, what did you want to see me about?"

Jane looked back at her wondering if she was being obstinate on purpose. How many times did she have to explain herself? "Apparently nothing that's of any concern now that I see Mr. Barr has been keeping you company. At some point in the future I would like to meet with you about your wedding contract, I understand there's been some discussion about it and I want to make sure nothing about your view on it has changed."

"I will follow tradition, my view hasn't changed," Leyana told the captain, "I've even told Herbert that I must marry the prince. And I will. But I will not be this innocent he expects me to be. I was protected all my life...a stranger to the world. I will not be a background queen... I will be fair, and I will know what goes on the the universe." She paused. "I'm a princess, I can do what I want."

“The contract is wrong Captain, it feels like we are trading live stock for peace. There must be a different way for these people to find peace other than the Princess being forced to marry someone she doesn’t even know.” Barr said stepping forward.

"The choice is not mine Mr. Barr nor yours, it is hers. And as Starfleet representatives it's our job to see this through unless she changes her mind. I understand your . . . . apprehension because it's not the way we do things on Earth but it is their way and even if you think their way is wrong, we cannon interfere."

“Of course, Captain. I have read this contract and I don’t agree with it one bit, but although the Princess feels obligated to fulfill it, she doesn’t want to marry him.” Barr explained. “She has been shielded her whole life from basic things like washing and dressing herself.”

"She still signed it and until she changes her mind and refuses to honor the contract, it's out of my hands. For the record I don't like it anymore than you do but it's not my place to say what her future is. It's hers. We're only here to help her fulfill it. Some culture exchange never hurt anyone . . . . but there are limits." Jane wasn't sure if she was getting through to him but honestly this was not the place for this discussion. "If you want to come by my ready room later we can discuss it."

Leyana gritted her teeth as she glared at them both. "I'm right here," she snapped suddenly, "don't talk about me as if I'm not here. No, I don't want to marry him, I dont know him only of him. But it's tradition and we can't break tradition, but I'm not going to be just ferried off. I want to have some fun, and I want to experience things."

“Of course, my apologies, m’lady.” Barr replied quietly.

"What you do on this ship is your business but he is a member of my crew and I expected him to act as such." Jane kept her voice even but there was no doubt that she was furious. "I want you in my office at 1600 hours Mr. Barr. Good day Princess." She turned to leave and was gone before she really said something she'd regret.

Barr could see what little of his career and reputation leave the room with the Captain. There was no way back now. All he now is to make sure the Princess got the life she deserved. “I’m sorry, Leyana. This wasn’t the way it was meant to be.”

"It's exactly as it's meant to be," Leyana answered softly, drawing him back into her arms. "it's my choice, our choice."


Princess Leyana
Royal
npc Lhaes

Captain Jane Saulitis
Commanding Officer

Herbert Barr
Mission Advisor