Meeting in the Mess (Part II)

Posted on Fri Jul 1st, 2022 @ 1:59am by Lieutenant Commander Vladimir Borovich & Cadet Senior Grade Meghan Stefani & Cadet Junior Grade Renae Villanova & Cadet Senior Grade Daniel Weaver & Commodore Peter Murphy & Archibald 'Archie' Dorrian

1,366 words; about a 7 minute read

Mission: The Cadet Cruise
Location: Mess Hall

[PREVIOUSLY]

Daniel seemed to nod, raising the empty glass in a bad attempt to hide the slight red in his face, before setting it down and asking for another. "Then it's a date. After the cruise, we'll go explore the ruins together."

[CONTINUED]

It was Meghan's turn to blush. "Yes. It's a date." She took a sip of her drink.

"Yes, it is." Daniel replied again, reached over to the glass, without realizing it was still empty. He brought it to his lips, taking in nothing but air, before putting it down in surprise. He looked to the glass before looking back to Meghan. "Did they give me an empty glass or have they not gotten to me yet?" Before she could answer he began to chuckle.

She grinned. "I don't think he brought it yet. But then, I wasn't paying attention, so I can't be sure."

Daniel laughed softly, placing the glass down, as he looked at her with a smile. "Well... I'm half Human and Half Bajorian. In case the nose didn't give it away." He smirked, pointing to the recognizable Bajoran feature before continuing. "My father is a career officer and my mom is one too, but now on another ship. When they separated, I went with my mom. Kept my dad’s name, for a while, before going to my mom’s maiden name for reasons you know. Even though I was placed in the Command program, I haven't officially decided where to stick to. Maybe Security or Intel, like my mom, or something else entirely. That's probably all you didn't know."

"There's a lot I didn't know," she said, smiling softly. "Thank you for sharing." She fumbled awkwardly for her drink before glancing at him and adding, "I'd like to get to know you better."

"I'd like to get to know you better too." Daniel replied with a smile as he looked over to make sure the glass was full this time. He took his drink and picked it up before holding up to Meghan and taking a sip.

She raised her glass to him and took a drink. This was promising to be a great cruise.

Shafin Todenhöfer had sought refuge of solitude, finding a corner after he got himself a beverage. Then, he stood alone nursing his beverage, and stood looking out into space. He preferred the companionship of space and stars rather than actual people, though he did observe them, studying them.

Renae went over to the Vulcan. Smiling brightly, she asked, "Hi. I'm Renae. I'm a botanist. What about you?"

"Studying to become a counselor," Shafin replied. He was hoping not to be disturbed nor sucked into socialization, but for the sake of getting through it, he let it go. "Though I am also studying nutrition and health sciences. I want a well-rounded education before I decide exactly what I will be doing."

"Oh, wow! That's fascinating." Renae grinned. "I'm taking a class on herbal medicine. Plants are an important part of good health. Don't you think so?"

Commodore Murphy took a moment to look around the Mess at the cadets and staff gathered there. A small smile formed on his face before looking over to one of the crewmen at the table. He nodded his head, prompting the officer to stand up and remove a bosun's whistle from a box. The officer took a moment before bringing it to his lips and blowing into it, grabbing everyone's attention with its high-pitched call.

When the room fell quiet, and all the attention was on him, Commodore Murphy stood up from his chair. He looked around the room firmly at each table of cadets before speaking firmly. "Some would say, that being a Starfleet Officer, is a risk. That the dangers are far too great to open our eyes, in some cases our minds, for knowledge and alliances with other worlds. Species that are so far removed from ourselves we often fear them before even considering extending our hand in friendship." He offered up a slight nod. "To that, I say, they are right." He paused for a moment before adding. "But I must point out that the potential, the knowledge, for advancement is equally as great."

Daniel sighed softly, looking over to Meghan. "Here we go." He whispered to her, a look on his face like he had been through this all before.

She put her hand over his and squeezed, giving him a look of understanding and empathy.

He looked back at her and smiled. Grateful that she was there with him.

"Risk... Risk is our business. That what this starship, that's what Starfleet, is all about. That's why we are aboard her. That's why we wear these uniforms." The Commodore smirked, looking around the room again, as he placed his hands on the table. "There is always risk, but risk is what led us to where we are now. From the first rocket to the room to the first warp test, risk is a key part in why we do what we do. Without its humanity would still be living in caves or could have died out long ago." He placed his hands back behind his back before clearing his throat. "Starfleet, the Federation, would never have been born and the people, the friends you've grown up with from different species and worlds, may never have even existed. You all stand on the precipice of your own remarkable journey. A journey that could lead you to your own discoveries, your own personal growth, and connections that could potentially last a lifetime. You could fall back, decline, if you want to. It is your right. Especially if you fear the risk, but why would you want to? There is no telling what's out there. Or who is out there. That is the mystery set in front of every Starfleet Officer." He reached down and took his glass, raising it high, before concluding. "And the only way to solve it is together. Risks be damned."

The crew and cadets began to cheer, each raising their glasses in celebration. Daniel raised his glass, but he did not cheer, because it wasn't new to him. He heard the speech before, back when it was still a rough draft, and it only brightened his eyes when he was a kid. Now a days, with all that’s happen, it didn't grab him as much as it used to.

He looked around before focusing back on Meghan. "Do you want to get out of here?"

Meghan raised her glass along with the others, but the speech felt a little too practiced for her to be enthusiastic. Daniel's response made her want to leave, and his suggestion was gladly accepted. "Yes, please. Anywhere is fine."

"Come on." Daniel whispered back to her, taking a moment to look around the room, before back to her. "I'm going to head to the door. I'll convince the officer there I need to head to the bathroom. Then, I'll wait for you on the other side of the door." He paused slightly before adding. "I know a place we can go. Somewhere to have our own fun."

She met his eyes and smiled. "I'll follow you in a couple of minutes." She could definitely use some fun with Daniel.

Daniel nodded his head before getting up. He took a view moments before walking over to the officer at the main door. The cadet spoke clearly and firmly, convincing the officer that he needed to step out to use the bathroom, before getting the nod to continue through.

Meghan didn't count the minutes, but when she felt there had been a sufficient amount of time, she finished her drink and got up to leave. She smiled at the officer. "Too much fruit juice,"she said, giggling. She didn't normally giggle, but if it helped, she'd go with it.

The guard chuckled and waived her through.

____
OFF

Cadet Senior Grade Daniel Weaver
Command

Cadet Senior Grade Meghan Stefani
Science

Cadet Junior Grade Shofar Todenhöfer
Counseling

Commodore Peter Murphy
Commanding Officer

Cadet Junior Grade Renae Villanova
Science

 

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