Not an Insomniac
Posted on Sat Mar 17th, 2018 @ 3:49am by Jasper Offermans
Mission:
Mission 6 - Azzia
Location: Mess
Timeline: MD2, 0400
1270 words - 2.5 OF Standard Post Measure
Though not usually this early a riser, Lhaes found himself awake and up well before the proverbial crack of dawn. As alone time for him was rare, especially while singlehandedly raising three children, he didn't really mind being up early.
Activating his holonanny to simply watch over the children and alert him when they would wake up, Lhaes got himself dressed and headed out to the mess hall. By now he had learned what food items were and weren't available and so he ordered simple pancakes with maple syrup. It was an Earth dish he had grown a liking to, and took it as a regular breakfast, together with a large mug of black coffee.
Jasper glanced at the name of the room and smiled, "finally," he said with a chuckle as he entered.
He had been trying to figure out where the mess was, it certainly wasn't where he remembered and even though he had been there the evening before to grab a bite finding it again had proved a bit of a challenge. Jasper was wearing a clean uniform thanks to the replicator, a device that wasn't present on the ship during his day. The human grabbed a tray and got himself some eggs and bacon. The aroma broadened his smile and then poured himself a steaming cup of black coffee.
As he looked around he spotted the Romulan physician and drew in a deep breath. He walked over towards his table, "Doctor Sommers, do you mind if I join you?"
Looking up from his stack of pancakes, and the PADD lying next to his plate, the Romulan smiled and gestured towards one of the seats. "By all means. I have no claim on these, so feel free. How are you feeling this morning?"
"Just fine," Jasper said as he took the seat across from him, "thanks to you and the medical staff." He grinned at the man, "I see you're an early riser."
"Not usually, but when I wake up early I relish in the alone time. Raising three children on my own while juggling my duties as a doctor can be a hardship sometimes." He shoved a forkful of pancake into his mouth. "Are you adjusting well?"
"Adjusting," Jasper replied as if it were a question, "i'm not sure this is real yet." He chuckled and shook his head as he cut a piece of his egg, "but listen I need to apologize Doctor, i had no idea we hadn't somehow been captured."
"No apologies are necessary Jasper, you could not have known so naturally you went with the knowledge you did have, from your time." Lhaes smiled gently at the man. "For all you know, you were a prisoner but I assure you, you are not. I am only the ship's doctor, nothing more and I look out for everyone's health and safety. I might be Romulan, but I am a Federation citizen, I was born on Betazed."
"Betazed," Jasper questioned, "is that another Federation planet." He didn't remember hearing of them before though his mind was still a bit foggy on some things. "So much has changed since I, well, since I was a Ensign. We were at war with the Klingons and relatons with the Romulans wren't much better."
"Yes it's another Federation planet. My parents were assigned there when I was born. I was even raised there after my parents died. I'm Romulan by birth, and I do identify as Romulan, but I identify with Betazed too. Though...it's still beyond me how they failed to discover I'm a telepath." He paused, then corrected himself. "Touch telepath, really..."
"Touch," Jasper began furrowing his brow, "you mean you have to touch someone to use your telepathic abilities?" He shook his head, "must be interesting being a physician then, you have to touch people on a regular basis."
"It requires a little bit more than just touch but yes...much like a Vulcan mind meld. Otherwise I get nothing more than feelings which actually can be helpful. I don't need touch to sense strong feelings but anything else does cost me a good deal of energy so I don't use it unless it's an emergency. As a doctor, I can control it...I am well trained in keeping myself shielded from unwanted thoughts."
Jasper nodded, "fascinating," I haven't experienced a mind meld but I understand the concept." He took another bite and smiled, "so are all Romulans Federations citizens now, I mean it seemed an impossibility, you know before."
"No, they're not. But the Romulan Empire is severely damaged as the homeworld has been destroyed. There may be refugees but not all are citizens no. I am because I was born here, and I was adopted as a child. I spent a whole of four years in the empire, and came back as soon as I could. My loyalty lies with the Federation."
"Romulus destroyed," Jasper questioned as he tilted his head, "what cause it, the Federation didn't distroy it did they?"
"The sun went nova." Lhaes fell silent for several seconds, then shook his head. "It's not something I like to talk about, sorry. I may not have lived there for very long, nor enjoyed my stay there, but I did have a handful of friends. I'm sorry..."
Jasper's expression became one of shock, "oh wow so sorry to hear that. The Romulans may not have been our friends but that is a horrid thing to happen." He drew in a breath and shook his head, "so how did you come to be a doctor on the Mary Rose?"
"The captain was short an experienced doctor and I met with him. He liked my resumé and so here I am." It was not a blatant lie, but it certainly wasn't the full truth. Thankfully due to his training, Lhaes was a near expert liar. "I needed a new start after my wife abandoned me, I needed to get away so I quit my last job and here I am."
"I'm sorry to hear about your divorce doctor," Jasper said with a sympathetic look, "we may have been adversaries but that's not what I would wish on anyone."
"We are not adversaries," Lhaes insisted, stifling a yawn, "I have no reason to call you one, and I hope to never give you cause to call me one."
"No," Jaser said shaking his head, "the two governments used to be adversaries, "i didn't mean to imply we are."
"I'm sorry Jasper, I'm not thinking very straight," the Romulan apologized, "I'm very tired. Perhaps we can talk again soon, I really should try to get some more sleep before the next emergency hits."
"Alright Doctor," Jasper said with a smile. He chuckled and stared to stand himself, "now to figure out what I can get done today. I actually have no idea."
"What did you do before you went into the transporter?"
"I was an operations officer and did a lot of programming on the LCARS," he said with a smile, "that's the computer system." He chuckled again, I'm not sure what they call it now."
"LCARS," Lhaes chuckled. "Good night Jasper, try and get some more sleep. Come by sickbay later and we'll have a chat."
Jasper furrowed his brow and chuckled, "sure thing Doctor, I'd like that."
"See you later Jasper," Lhaes smiled, stiffling another yawn. He got up and left the mess, falling right back asleep as soon as he crawled back into bed.
OFF:
Lhaes Sommers
Senior Medic
SS Mary Rose
Jasper Offerman
Opperations
SS Mary Rose
