All Men Are Created Equal

Posted on Mon Apr 13th, 2020 @ 8:28pm by Lieutenant Junior Grade Karis & Commodore Ledeya ‘Ed’ Ehestri (*)

Mission: Cosmos
Location: USS Cosmos
Timeline: 2396
1041 words - 2.1 OF Standard Post Measure

Vern Keading stood looking out the observation port in his ready room. He was not a scientist so it had come as a bit of a surprise that he'd been chosen for this ship. But it had been two years since he'd taken command of Europa and though the time had passed and life had settled into a routine as much as any allowed in Starfleet, he still felt a sense of wonder that she was his.

He picked up his thermos of hot chocolate, a guilty pleasure of his which he always hid, and tapped the button on his computer that was beeping with an incoming call.

"Commodore," Vern said surprised.

"Hello, Vern," Ledeya said using his first name to show this was no all technically official. If the bright pink wrap around dress she wore was any indication that this was personal the smile she offered made sure it was known.

This caused him to raise his eyebrows. "To what do I owe the pleasure? Personal call?" He sat back a little bit but his spine didn't seem any less rigid.

"It has been a while since it was a personal call." She said pointedly. "Are you too busy for it?" The Betazoid wondered raising a glass of bright blue liquid to her lips.

"Not at all Ma'am. Just curious. I don't get a lot of social visits, even from my crew members. Maybe I need to work on my winning personality," he joked, though there was only a hint of amusement on his face, in his blue eyes.

"Well, it has been a few months since we checked in," Ledeya commented on seeing how stoic he had become in that time. He normally at least called her Ledeya.

"True, I guess I was under the impression I was off the hook." Vern smiled. "I think I'm doing pretty good. None of my crew have tried to throw me out the airlock, that's progress."

"Vern you are never off the hook with me as a friend." The woman assured. "That is good but how are you actually doing. Last night we spoke you were still feeling unsure and having odd dreams." The Commodore had not played doctor or friend to the man for a little while but it was like slipping back into a comfortable role.

"I'm always going to feel unsure I think. But I have to make peace with what I decided. And the dreams have stopped, mostly. I've been wearing myself out with exercise before bed, seems to knock me right out," he shrugged. "Upward and onward or something like that."

“The choices we make as Leary’s follow us Vern. That does not mean it defines us.” The woman said taking another sip of her wine. “Have you been doing the meditations I suggested?” She wondered knowing that exercise would help a little bit to the point of exhaustion was not the best.

He shook his head. "Can't get my brain to shut up. I've always been that way though," Vern commented. "Seriously Ledeya, don't worry about me. I'm fine. It still felt odd to use her name, but she'd literally lobbied for him to be pulled from the darkness that had swarmed him after Lily died.

"Vern. I am always going to worry about you. We have known each other that long." Ledeya told him back. Wondering if an in-person visit was needed. She was more than happy to look into where the Europa was stationed and where its duty area was.

"Such a worrier, both of us are. Seriously Ed, what's the real reason for your call? Is it social? Or did you need something? Please tell me there's some excitement coming my way?" Vern added, barely containing how his eyes flashed to be doing anything other than cataloging stuff.

"Sadly this is very much social as you can see I have my wine." The woman held up the glass that she was holding and smiled. "I am sure you have enough excitement in your life anyway." She mused thoughtfully. Any Starfleet Captain did.

"I could use a bit more," Vern smiled. "Keeps the blood pumping. So how have you been? You look well . . . different somehow." He couldn't put his finger on it but she did look a little different. "Happy," he finally decided.

“I am my usual self. Nothing has chss as need really other than swapping my Captain pips for my Commodore ones.” It was nothing major in her opinion but some people thought so.

"Hmm," Vern replied not convinced. "Well I appreciate the call and everything but I should probably get back to Captainy things." He reached for the screen to end the conversation.

"If you are sure Vern." The woman was not sure why he wanted to end the conversation but she would grab him another time. Ledeya raised an eyebrow not at all as to why he was wanting to get rid of her. "I hear you are heading out to deliver a crewmember to one of my ships." She interjected quickly to continue the conversation, not entirely sure he was aware of the planet killers and the mess that seemed to be the Andromeda at the moment.

"Yeah, sounds pretty routine and I thought I might get to see my sister for a moment. Why?" He asked, wondering if she wanted to add something to that.

"Just interested in my task group." She assured realising he had no idea at all what he was walking into and it was not her place to inform him if his own task group commander had not.

"Ah, alright." It seemed like an odd thing to comment on. "Well . . . . I'll see you later then? Commodore." He added as if not mentioning her rank one more time would be considered rude. "Feel free to call me up to chat anytime."

"Stay safe Captain. Ehestri out." The woman said quickly and cut the connection without saying anything else. It might raise questions but she not allowed to tell him what he was walking into at all.

OFF::

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

Captain Vernon Keading
Commanding Officer
USS Europa
(PNPC by Bowers)