Musings

Posted on Mon Oct 21st, 2024 @ 4:35am by Commander Jennifer Baldric

Mission: Character Development
Location: Ready Room
Timeline: Current

Commander Jennifer Baldric headed from the command chair to the Ready Room as the bridge emptied out. Tired chatter and fingers locking consoles was all the encouragement she needed to let the crew have a well needed break. She had authority to give them 3 days without needing to ask permission from Command, but she planned to get them more.

As the doors closed behind her, she allowed her shoulders to sag a little. No longer in sight of the crew she didn't have to maintain the totally 'capable' body language that screamed she was in control of every situation. Inwardly she knew control was a fallacy that could only ever be achieved in portions, generally small ones.

She headed for the desk before changing course and grabbing a drink from the replicator. "Gin, Tall with tonic water, a twist of lime and lots of ice" Yes it was replicated but she didn't think to bring much with her. A few uniforms, a stack of data padds and the very few small momento's of her life so far. A rather dismal collection really when she thought about it.

The couch looked inviting she she curled up on it, resting against one of the arms and kicking off her boots to tuck her legs underneath herself. The wormhole looked angry as it spiralled open to allow passage for a ship, its usual blue serenity tinged with red. She wondered what it would be like to speak with the beings that inhabited there, if there were even such things. She had read Captain Kaylen's reports and knew she had encountered them, so had Captain Sisko. That was but two people right? Thousands of people travelled through that workhole every day - what made those two so different?

The liquor slipped down her throat, spreading coolness through her mouth and down to her belly, rolling like an icy wave through her innards. The first sip was always the best. Always.

Turning her attention to the station her thoughts drifted to the report she needed to write for Command, and the request she needed to make for more leave for the crew. She understood why Captain's always seemed that little bit drained. There was always a report to do, or something to approve or request. They never did properly clock off. And it made her wonder, was it really all she had hoped it would be? She'd run the Sunfire for her first full mission. Gotten lost in some Godawfull region of space, and had to hitch a ride home in the mouth of some space whales - spat out like a chewed dog toy at the end. Some mission. They'd battled the Borg and still bore the scars. Not everyone had survived, she needed to write those letters as well.

At least for now - the crew had some down time. That was what really mattered.