Chipping Away

Posted on Sat Mar 14th, 2020 @ 12:18am by Commodore Ledeya ‘Ed’ Ehestri (*) & Lieutenant Junior Grade Karis

Mission: Cosmos
Location: Starbase 621
Timeline: 2396
1117 words - 2.2 OF Standard Post Measure

Karis had stepped out of her comfort zone and gone searching for a stargazing spot on the station. She parked herself in front of the opening and got a look at Cosmos from the outside. It made her smile especially when she thought of the times she'd been discovered in spots like this by various people including Ryon.

A sound brought her out of her thoughts and she glanced around and got to her feet again. "Captain," she said. "Sorry, I didn't realize this spot was taken."

Ledeya had tried to be discreet and watch the woman for a few moments but her experience being isolated had left her a little less fluid especially on such a high dose to numb her abilities again. "I cannot say it is taken. Spaces like this are open to all." She reminded indicating the seat next to her if the younger officer was wanting.

Karis sat down. "How are you?" She asked, thinking back to the story Ryon had told her and Karis's comments on the other woman needing a mate. "I heard you were ill when we first arrived here."

"I wasn't unwell. I got trapped in isolation thanks to someone grabbing me into it to save me from the gas that keeps floating around the station." The woman admitted thinking someone in her senior team needed to hear the barest of truth around it.

"Ah, I see. Well, I'm glad . . . not that you got stuck in isolation but that you weren't unwell. I've never been in isolation, I imagine it would be very boring but then again I like time to meditate and sometimes that's hard in regular quarters, especially when you live with someone. Listen, I wanted to ask you . . . . would you like to have dinner with Ryon and me? I know you two served together previously and are friends. You'd be welcome to invite someone as well."

It was a small lie. It was enough that the circle who knew about her telekinesis was becoming wider and she did not want it getting any bigger so a white lie over her situation was warranted in the interest of chain of command."Um... I am not sure if I am good company at the moment." Ledeya admitted. Between helping in Sickbay and the effects of the strong dose of her paracortex number she was exhausted.

"Well someday, it doesn't have to be right away. If things ever slow down with the station. The point is, you should keep it in mind. We don't bite." Karis gave her a small smile. "Forgive me for saying it, you've just seemed a bit sad lately."

Ledeya looked at her properly and frowned. She was too empathic for her own good. "Not sure that will be anytime soon but I will keep that in mind. I am just tired, Lieutenant. Burning too much at both ends I think the Federation Standard term is."

"Yeah, I can understand that, especially lately. Well the offer stands . . . . for whenever." Karis turned her attention back to the ship. "I always liked looking at the outside of the ship I served on. I don't think you get the real feel for it until you look at it from this view."

"Very kind of you and Ryon," Ledeya assured quickly. It was kind of anyone to offer but more so the pair as they were private enough about there personal lives. "Every ship I have commanded I have asked the Flight Chief to take me out in a shuttle so I can remind myself of just how amazing the ships are." The Commodore was not normally that sentimental but it was one of her quirks.

Karis grinned. "Good, I'm glad I'm now the only one. Well . . . I've never commanded a ship but you know what I mean. I've gotten to see every ship I've ever been on from a nice view like this." Her memory briefly flashed to the Yorktown and her last view of it before she shook her head, forcing herself back to the present.

Ledeya nodded softly. She knew exactly what the young officer had meant. She could see what Ryon had meant about her as well now with the more time she spent with her. "How is the science department on the base looking?" She wondered knowing that Karis has spent a lot of time with Kaleetha. It was most likely why the woman had needed the alone time.

"Busy, a mess," Karis answered honestly. "I mean I'm sure it's not normal. Everywhere is busy and a mess since the explosions. Chaos is a lot to take in. I have a brain that needs quiet to sort things out, it's always been that way, even as a girl. My sister never stopped talking and I used to disappear into a tree just to get to see the stars and settle my mind."

"I am sure Sloan has been talking non-stop as well." Ledeya could not blame the woman at all in wanting to escape and just have five minutes alone somewhere to recenter. It was why the woman was a fan of practising mindfulness and meditation.

"Well, I'm generally a listener so I don't mind too much for a while. But to be around everything all the time, it's too much. Do you have a favorite area on the ship you like to go and view space? I've been looking for a spot and I've found a couple but I can't decide if they are right." Karis tilted her head sideways as the viewed the Captain.

"Oh, mine isn't a favourite area that I can view space as I have a ready room to do that. I like to go to the heart of the ship where there is a beat." Ledeya admitted. She got to see the stars often enough but the beat of a ship was personal. It was her ship and the heart beating meant she was doing her best for her people.

"That's a nice thought." And it hadn't occurred to Karis. "It means you care a lot about your ship, not just the people on it." She suddenly got up as if whatever she'd been searching for in the view had been found. "Well enjoy your afternoon Captain. And the invitation to dinner still stands. I won't keep you anymore."

"Thank you, Lieutenant." Ledeya nodded at the young woman and returned to her coffee. She was going to carry on her moment of relaxation before she returned to the Operations Centre.

OFF::

Commodore Ledeya ‘Ed’ Ehestri
Commanding Officer
USS Cosmos / TG 72-B
(PNPC Gregnol)

Lieutenant JG Karis
Science Officer
USS Cosmos
NPC by Bowers