Previously
Dramatis Personae
Prologue
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Lieutenant Melinda Barton's personal log; stardate 49171.2.
The new ensign is scheduled to arrive at 1215 hours.
Oh, glory be...oh, happy day.
Computer: end sarcasm.
The Ensigns showed up to the conference room at 1200 hours on the dot. There was an unspoken buzz, a mix of excitement and tension, which was to be expected. They'd started to bond, and weren't really in the mood for any additions to their group.
But on the other hand, misery loved company, and splitting the Borg Queen's attitude problem six ways was definitely better than five.
Lt. Melinda Barton paced the room, lecturing as though it were just another day and she hadn't been assigned an ensign. Perhaps, in her desperate denial of another inexperienced charge, she'd forgotten.
"In four days," she intoned grimly, "the Enterprise will engage in a massive survey mission of the Ketara System. The science department is short-handed, so you will be participating. Our assignment is the third moon of Ketara V. We will travel by shuttle; you will be divided into groups of three. One group will be headed by Lt. Cmdr. Bhatnagar, and the other by myself. We'll be leaving the ship at 0900 hours, so you will have to forego your usual gym hours."
The Ensigns breathed a sigh of relief, which Melinda didn't miss but let slide nonetheless.
The doors opened and shut suddenly, and a petite young woman entered in a blue and black uniform. She was human, and she spoke with a British accent.
"Ensign Miranda Willoughby reporting, sir," she announced herself smartly, beaming like a schoolgirl and yet somehow remaining perfectly professional.
The Ensigns sucked in their collective breath, waiting for the Queen's usual snarky remark about being interrupted. And yet...there was something about this Ensign which made Melinda simply nod and reply neutrally, "Ensign."
Miranda took a seat next to Alejandro Kanaway, who was already giving her the once over. Gabriel was looking as well, taking in her fit form, dark hair, and striking eyes.
Mylanti, however, hated the new girl right away and sensed Cillia felt the same. She could actually feel the Trill stiffening next to her while Isi Soyinka blinked in dismay, no doubt recalling her first meeting with the Queen.
"I was briefing your new teammates about an upcoming away mission," Melinda explained.
Miranda nodded. "The assignment on Ketara V," she said. "I understand the science department is short-handed. I happened to double major in xenogeology and xenobiology while I was at the Academy. I hope to be of assistance."
Melinda raised an eyebrow. "I'm sure you will."
Mylanti cringed. This bitch.
"I've been to the Ketara System," Miranda went on casually, which no other Ensign had ever been allowed to do before. "It's about two light years from the DMZ, where I was born."
Isi's head snapped her way. "You're from the Demilitarized Zone?"
Miranda nodded again. "My parents were amongt the first people to settle Chiras II. But since I didn't fancy spending the rest of my life wrestling with Cardassians over ambiguous territory, I chose to enlist in Starfleet."
"Smart choice," Melina commended her. "You'll be on my team for the Ketara mission."
Mylanti twitched. This bitch.
"That bitch."
After a grueling four-hour simulation in Holodeck 2, Cillia stripped off her sweaty uniform and threw it haphazardly on her bed.
"I had that stupid Jem'Hadar fighter right in my sights," she railed. "It's not my fault the phasers went offline, and speaking of...why do the weapons always conveniently go offline in Damian's simulations?"
"Because the asshole rigs it that way," Isi grumbled, pulling burnt hair off her singed uniform. Apparently, tying it up didn't help that much when the whole bridge was exploding.
"He wanted to see if we could recalibrate the relays while under extreme pressure," Mylanti scowled. She sat down on her bed and slowing began to pull off her boots. After two hours in the gym, two hours of lecture, and four hours of fighting the Dominion, her whole head and body ached. "Which apparently, Ensign Perfection knows how to do."
"That bitch!" Cillia barked. She put on her loose-fitting, gray satin pajamas and marched to replicator. "Double Jabalian fudge sundae." She sounded close to sobbing. "Extra whipped cream."
"Make that two," Isi called, pulling off her uniform. "Guys, am I the only one feels like we're not enjoying our time on the Enterprise? I mean, I want to go to a party. I want to go on a date on the holodeck!"
"I want to have sex," the Bajoran and the Trill mumbled.
"And I'd kill for a bottle of Begosian wine," Mylanti added wearily, leaning forward and rubbing her temples.
Isi looked appalled. "That stuff kills brain cells, you know."
"Believe me," Cillia grumbled, coming over with their desserts, "we need brain cells killed, namely each one containing a memory of Ensign Perfection."
"She has a name, dude."
If Alejandro called Miranda "Ensign Hottie" one more time, Gabriel's head was going to explode.
"Dude, who cares?" came the expected reply. Alejandro snagged another slice of pizza, which had ingredients from worlds spanning at least three sectors. It didn't even taste like pizza, but Gabriel was tired and hungry and not feeling picky. After living without a working replicator, this was like being on shore leave.
"Think she's seeing anyone?"
"This is Starfleet," Gabriel yawned, going over to his bed and pulling off his uniform. "No one's seeing anyone."
"Please tell me you're not still hung up over the Bajoran. Especially not with the way Ensign Hottie was checking you out."
Gabriel paused just as he was about to pull his undershirt over his head. "What?"
Alejandro chuckled. "I hate to admit it, bro, but Miranda couldn't stop looking at you."
His roommate struggled for words. Alejandro crossed the sea of dirty clothes and house shoes to sit across from him.
"Bro, do me a favor," he began tentatively. "Just ask her out, will you? One date on the holodeck, and just see how it goes, okay? If she says no, or ends up hating your guts, I promise to back off about Mylanti."
Gabriel raised an eyebrow. "Promise?" he asked sternly.
Alejandro raised both hands. "Promise, bro."
Lt. Cmdr. Pranay Bhatnagar was looking forward to the Ketara mission. For him, it was the very reason an institution like Starfleet was supposed to exist - exploring the galaxy, seeing new life forms, and building up star systems. Unlike most of his fellow officers, Pranay believed violence was never an answer.
He stood in Ten Forward now, rather than head off to Damian's quarters for another one of his cooking experiments. It was late, and the lounge bar was mostly empty. He liked the quiet; coupled with star-watching, it reminded him of late nights at his village temple on Vulcan.
"You couldn't sleep either, Commander?"
Pranay turned to see the young Trill, who was looking positively defeated. Pranay had heard Damian's glowing report about the new Ensign during the Ensigns' longest simulation to date, and figured Miranda's presence had something to do with Cillia's growing depression.
"You should be getting your rest, Ensign," he told her with a raised brow. "Damian has planned a no-win simulation tomorrow afternoon, and after your morning gym hours, I've scheduled rounds in Engineering, Astrophysics, and Xenobiology. Each is bound to be a long and dull experience."
"Kill me now," the girl hung her head.
Amused by her misery, Pranay relented. "You will thank us for this later. Captain Picard runs a tight ship, and demands the highest level of performance from every single officer on board. Especially in times like this," he added gravely, looking back towards the stars.
"Please don't tell me you're one of those Dominion Conspiracy theorists," Cillia sighed.
"War always comes to those who wish for it the least," he told her soberly. "Damian and I fought in latter years of the Federation-Cardassian War. We too were only Ensigns, and we weren't nearly prepared as you as now.
"The first ship we served aboard was the USS Chiron. We started out in a group of nine Ensigns." He turned to look at her meaningfully. "Of that nine, Damian and I are the only ones who survived."
"You think my teammates and I will see combat?" Cillia asked softly, perhaps to hide a tremor in her voice she didn't even realize was there.
Pranay turned back to the stars. "In this business, you can count on it."
Insomnia appeared to be the theme of the evening; at around 2349 hours Gabriel rolled over to see Alejandro roommate gone from his bed.
"Lights," the young Ensign called wearily, yawning despite his inability to sleep. He rose from his bed and stretched, figuring a hot drink would trigger a deep slumber.
The computer alerted him to someone at the door and Gabriel shrugged as if to say Why not?
"Come," he called, heading for the replicator.
Ensign Miranda Willoughby entered, still in uniform and holding a clear carafe of some steaming red liquid.
"You too, huh?" she smiled, taking in his tousled hair, gray T-shirt, and flannel pajama shorts.
"Miranda," Gabriel blinked. He didn't know what to say after that.
"I ran into Alejandro at the cafe near the shops," she shrugged, as though pleading guilty. "It appears no one is falling asleep tonight. Isi and Mylanti are in the yoga room right now, stretching out their tension, and your roommate is cozying up to some Orion civilian." She raised a reproachful brow.
"Sounds like Alejandro," Gabriel nodded.
"I brought red leaf tea," she raised the thermos. When all she got was a clueless stare, she elaborated, "A little bird told you me recently replicated some Cardassian sugar candies."
Gabriel nodded slowly, as his lips twitched, resisting a wry smirk. We sure have an awful lot of little birds on this ship.
"I figured Cardassian red leaf tea wouldn't be much of a stretch," Miranda told him brightly.
Gabriel sighed, giving in. "Computer," he ordered at the replicator, "two empty teacups."
As the computer had a sense of humor, it replicated cups which matched Miranda's carafe. But before Gabriel could think too long about it, he was sitting down to hot, steamy red tea, its spicy aroma filling the room, driving away feelings of disappointment and regret.
"So, Gabriel," Miranda began quite easily, "what star system are you from?"
Up Next
Chapter 9
Dramatis Personae
Prologue
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Lieutenant Melinda Barton's personal log; stardate 49171.2.
The new ensign is scheduled to arrive at 1215 hours.
Oh, glory be...oh, happy day.
Computer: end sarcasm.
 |
| Melinda Barton |
But on the other hand, misery loved company, and splitting the Borg Queen's attitude problem six ways was definitely better than five.
Lt. Melinda Barton paced the room, lecturing as though it were just another day and she hadn't been assigned an ensign. Perhaps, in her desperate denial of another inexperienced charge, she'd forgotten.
"In four days," she intoned grimly, "the Enterprise will engage in a massive survey mission of the Ketara System. The science department is short-handed, so you will be participating. Our assignment is the third moon of Ketara V. We will travel by shuttle; you will be divided into groups of three. One group will be headed by Lt. Cmdr. Bhatnagar, and the other by myself. We'll be leaving the ship at 0900 hours, so you will have to forego your usual gym hours."
The Ensigns breathed a sigh of relief, which Melinda didn't miss but let slide nonetheless.
The doors opened and shut suddenly, and a petite young woman entered in a blue and black uniform. She was human, and she spoke with a British accent.
 |
| Antonia Thomas as Ensign Miranda Willoughby |
The Ensigns sucked in their collective breath, waiting for the Queen's usual snarky remark about being interrupted. And yet...there was something about this Ensign which made Melinda simply nod and reply neutrally, "Ensign."
Miranda took a seat next to Alejandro Kanaway, who was already giving her the once over. Gabriel was looking as well, taking in her fit form, dark hair, and striking eyes.
Mylanti, however, hated the new girl right away and sensed Cillia felt the same. She could actually feel the Trill stiffening next to her while Isi Soyinka blinked in dismay, no doubt recalling her first meeting with the Queen.
"I was briefing your new teammates about an upcoming away mission," Melinda explained.
Miranda nodded. "The assignment on Ketara V," she said. "I understand the science department is short-handed. I happened to double major in xenogeology and xenobiology while I was at the Academy. I hope to be of assistance."
Melinda raised an eyebrow. "I'm sure you will."
Mylanti cringed. This bitch.
"I've been to the Ketara System," Miranda went on casually, which no other Ensign had ever been allowed to do before. "It's about two light years from the DMZ, where I was born."
Isi's head snapped her way. "You're from the Demilitarized Zone?"
Miranda nodded again. "My parents were amongt the first people to settle Chiras II. But since I didn't fancy spending the rest of my life wrestling with Cardassians over ambiguous territory, I chose to enlist in Starfleet."
"Smart choice," Melina commended her. "You'll be on my team for the Ketara mission."
Mylanti twitched. This bitch.
***
"That bitch."
After a grueling four-hour simulation in Holodeck 2, Cillia stripped off her sweaty uniform and threw it haphazardly on her bed.
"I had that stupid Jem'Hadar fighter right in my sights," she railed. "It's not my fault the phasers went offline, and speaking of...why do the weapons always conveniently go offline in Damian's simulations?"
"Because the asshole rigs it that way," Isi grumbled, pulling burnt hair off her singed uniform. Apparently, tying it up didn't help that much when the whole bridge was exploding.
"He wanted to see if we could recalibrate the relays while under extreme pressure," Mylanti scowled. She sat down on her bed and slowing began to pull off her boots. After two hours in the gym, two hours of lecture, and four hours of fighting the Dominion, her whole head and body ached. "Which apparently, Ensign Perfection knows how to do."
"That bitch!" Cillia barked. She put on her loose-fitting, gray satin pajamas and marched to replicator. "Double Jabalian fudge sundae." She sounded close to sobbing. "Extra whipped cream."
"Make that two," Isi called, pulling off her uniform. "Guys, am I the only one feels like we're not enjoying our time on the Enterprise? I mean, I want to go to a party. I want to go on a date on the holodeck!"
"I want to have sex," the Bajoran and the Trill mumbled.
"And I'd kill for a bottle of Begosian wine," Mylanti added wearily, leaning forward and rubbing her temples.
Isi looked appalled. "That stuff kills brain cells, you know."
"Believe me," Cillia grumbled, coming over with their desserts, "we need brain cells killed, namely each one containing a memory of Ensign Perfection."
***
"She has a name, dude."
If Alejandro called Miranda "Ensign Hottie" one more time, Gabriel's head was going to explode.
"Dude, who cares?" came the expected reply. Alejandro snagged another slice of pizza, which had ingredients from worlds spanning at least three sectors. It didn't even taste like pizza, but Gabriel was tired and hungry and not feeling picky. After living without a working replicator, this was like being on shore leave.
"Think she's seeing anyone?"
"This is Starfleet," Gabriel yawned, going over to his bed and pulling off his uniform. "No one's seeing anyone."
"Please tell me you're not still hung up over the Bajoran. Especially not with the way Ensign Hottie was checking you out."
Gabriel paused just as he was about to pull his undershirt over his head. "What?"
Alejandro chuckled. "I hate to admit it, bro, but Miranda couldn't stop looking at you."
His roommate struggled for words. Alejandro crossed the sea of dirty clothes and house shoes to sit across from him.
"Bro, do me a favor," he began tentatively. "Just ask her out, will you? One date on the holodeck, and just see how it goes, okay? If she says no, or ends up hating your guts, I promise to back off about Mylanti."
Gabriel raised an eyebrow. "Promise?" he asked sternly.
Alejandro raised both hands. "Promise, bro."
***
Lt. Cmdr. Pranay Bhatnagar was looking forward to the Ketara mission. For him, it was the very reason an institution like Starfleet was supposed to exist - exploring the galaxy, seeing new life forms, and building up star systems. Unlike most of his fellow officers, Pranay believed violence was never an answer.
He stood in Ten Forward now, rather than head off to Damian's quarters for another one of his cooking experiments. It was late, and the lounge bar was mostly empty. He liked the quiet; coupled with star-watching, it reminded him of late nights at his village temple on Vulcan.
"You couldn't sleep either, Commander?"
Pranay turned to see the young Trill, who was looking positively defeated. Pranay had heard Damian's glowing report about the new Ensign during the Ensigns' longest simulation to date, and figured Miranda's presence had something to do with Cillia's growing depression.
"You should be getting your rest, Ensign," he told her with a raised brow. "Damian has planned a no-win simulation tomorrow afternoon, and after your morning gym hours, I've scheduled rounds in Engineering, Astrophysics, and Xenobiology. Each is bound to be a long and dull experience."
"Kill me now," the girl hung her head.
Amused by her misery, Pranay relented. "You will thank us for this later. Captain Picard runs a tight ship, and demands the highest level of performance from every single officer on board. Especially in times like this," he added gravely, looking back towards the stars.
"Please don't tell me you're one of those Dominion Conspiracy theorists," Cillia sighed.
"War always comes to those who wish for it the least," he told her soberly. "Damian and I fought in latter years of the Federation-Cardassian War. We too were only Ensigns, and we weren't nearly prepared as you as now.
"The first ship we served aboard was the USS Chiron. We started out in a group of nine Ensigns." He turned to look at her meaningfully. "Of that nine, Damian and I are the only ones who survived."
"You think my teammates and I will see combat?" Cillia asked softly, perhaps to hide a tremor in her voice she didn't even realize was there.
Pranay turned back to the stars. "In this business, you can count on it."
***
Insomnia appeared to be the theme of the evening; at around 2349 hours Gabriel rolled over to see Alejandro roommate gone from his bed.
"Lights," the young Ensign called wearily, yawning despite his inability to sleep. He rose from his bed and stretched, figuring a hot drink would trigger a deep slumber.
The computer alerted him to someone at the door and Gabriel shrugged as if to say Why not?
"Come," he called, heading for the replicator.
Ensign Miranda Willoughby entered, still in uniform and holding a clear carafe of some steaming red liquid.
"You too, huh?" she smiled, taking in his tousled hair, gray T-shirt, and flannel pajama shorts.
"Miranda," Gabriel blinked. He didn't know what to say after that.
"I ran into Alejandro at the cafe near the shops," she shrugged, as though pleading guilty. "It appears no one is falling asleep tonight. Isi and Mylanti are in the yoga room right now, stretching out their tension, and your roommate is cozying up to some Orion civilian." She raised a reproachful brow.
"Sounds like Alejandro," Gabriel nodded.
"I brought red leaf tea," she raised the thermos. When all she got was a clueless stare, she elaborated, "A little bird told you me recently replicated some Cardassian sugar candies."
Gabriel nodded slowly, as his lips twitched, resisting a wry smirk. We sure have an awful lot of little birds on this ship.
"I figured Cardassian red leaf tea wouldn't be much of a stretch," Miranda told him brightly.
Gabriel sighed, giving in. "Computer," he ordered at the replicator, "two empty teacups."
As the computer had a sense of humor, it replicated cups which matched Miranda's carafe. But before Gabriel could think too long about it, he was sitting down to hot, steamy red tea, its spicy aroma filling the room, driving away feelings of disappointment and regret.
"So, Gabriel," Miranda began quite easily, "what star system are you from?"
Up Next
Chapter 9
I sense trouble ahead. Catfight!!!
ReplyDelete"A little bird told you me recently replicated some Cardassian sugar candies.
ReplyDeleteMiranda did a little birdie tell you that or are you a stalker?
That would be telling.
Deletechick just gonna roll up into a man's bedroom. a man whom she barely knows.
ReplyDelete*raises eyebrow*
IKR? What game is she playing?
DeleteOn the one hand, it's not like she hasn't been there before....
Delete