The Fool's Run

Posted on Tue Dec 18th, 2018 @ 5:40am by Commodore Jane Saulitis

Mission: Run Afoul
Location: Lounge
Timeline: MD 8 2100 Hours
584 words - 1.2 OF Standard Post Measure

Wilfred sat down with his chin resting on his hand and his whole body turned toward the viewports in the lounge. There wasn't much for him to do, not that there ever was. They had not arrested anyone for what he heard was sabotage in engineering. He was so lost in thought that he didn't hear anyone come up behind him until she reached out and touched his shoulder lightly. He spun around and started stuttering. "Captain! I sit. I mean you sit. I mean please have a seat." He panted for breath. "Something I can do for you?"

Jane shook her head, a small smile played on her lips though her eyes had a very unhappy quality to them, an almost sad expression behind the fatigue. "No, I just saw you sitting here and I know you've had a difficult time lately. I thought maybe you'd like some company?" She gave him every opportunity to say no.

"Umm, sure, yeah. Wait, what do you mean a hard time?" He tensed up. Surely she hadn't heard about what happened outside the brig?

"Just a rumor. And well I know it's difficult for you to settle into a new home. I've read your service record." Jane replied hoping it wouldn't send him over an emotional edge.

Wilfred sank back down into his chair. "Great, people are already talking about me." He looked back out the window, knowing it was rude but he had nothing else to say on the subject.

"Forgive me for prying and I know it's none of my business as your reports are turned in regularly and on time and no one has filed a complaint against you so I have no grounds to be even the tiniest bit dissatisfied with your performance . . . why do you care what they think? For that matter why do I care? Here I am with a starship of my own and some crazy vigilante on board who thinks he or she can blow up my ship and get away with it and despite all that I know it's not my fault. There was no way I could have known the secret plans of someone who apparently has worked toward this moment their whole Starfleet career, giving no indication that they were anything other than an outstanding Federation citizen. And here I sit wallowing over what Starfleet will think, what the other Captains will think and there you sit wallowing in your own pity party about two officers who took a prank too far and made you feel like an idiot." Jane stopped for a deep breath and looked over at him.

Wilfred looked like a newborn fawn. Suddenly the most unexpected thing happened, he cracked a smile at her. "Do you want to talk about it or something?"

Jane doubled over with laughter. It took her several minutes to stop the giggles. "And not even a drop of alcohol. See. Everyone has their gifts. Thanks, I needed that."

He was silent again, not at all sure what else to say. She'd nailed it down for him, he was being a fool but then again she'd just admitted she was being one as well. "You're welcome."

"Maybe we should have a drink, we can toast to this fool's run." She looked around for a waiter and flagged her over.

"Sure," Wilfred said, thinking this day couldn't get any stranger. "I'll drink to that."

Ensign Wilfred Wexler
Brig Officer
USS Majestic

Commander Jane Saulitis
Commanding Officer
USS Majestic