[USS Juno] Importance of Family

Posted on Fri Aug 3rd, 2018 @ 8:20am by Captain Harrold Anderson & Lieutenant Avril Taylor

813 words; about a 4 minute read

Mission: [USS Shanghai] S1, E3: Down Time
Location: Ready Room
Timeline: 05/21/2394, 1300 Hours

"Welcome to my ready room Lieutenant, please have a seat next to me." He said. He was already sitting at the sofa, he got up to replicate another coffee. "Can I offer you a beverage?" Asked Harry.

Avril was not sure why the Captain had requested her presence in his ready room. She walked in as requested and took a seat. "Coffee with two French Vanilla Creamers please." She said, as she watched the captain bring her the cup of coffee, and then take a seat next to her. "You wanted to see me Captain?" She asked, wondering what he wanted.

"I do, I have been meeting most of my senior staff. Trying to get to know everyone a little better. And also to get some advice." He said.

"Not sure what advice I can offer to you sir?" She asked with a puzzled look on her face? Avril wondered what was on his mind?

"As you probably know, I have two daughters. I think you meet Kerja?" Asked Harry? He was not sure if Avril and Kerja actually met.

"I have Captain, she is a shy girl but very nice." Said Avril, she knew that Avril was about to leave and go back with her mother. "I did not know you had a second daughter." Said Avril, a little surprised by this news.

"I do, her name is Carly, and unlike Kerja, she has nowhere to go. Her mom is being incarcerated. I am told that you are very close to your family?" Asked Harry halfway.

"I am Captain, I am not sure what you are trying to get at?" She asked? Where was he going with this conversation? This started to feel a little awkward.

"Sorry if I am prying, just trying to make small talk." He said, curious on how she was going to respond to his inquiry.

"Yes Captain, we are very close. I think your asking do I miss them. And the answer sir, is yes I do. But I know the importance of our mission, despite the Crescent. I still believe in the ideals of the Federation. I hope your not considering on replacing me, cause I miss my family." Asked Avril, trying to make sense, why the Captain was asking her this line of questioning.

"Sorry if I gave you that impression. No, Lieutenant you are far to valuable. I am actually going to promote you to be honest. I am very impressed with your piloting skills. I was more curious if you had any coping skills you could teach me. For the first time, I have loved ones that I am losing for this mission, and I am struggling on coping with it all." He said.

"I am able to write to my family and make calls, as a matter of fact, just last night I was able to call my family. Not sure what type of relationship you have, but I would suggest with writing her letters, and see if she writes back. Once she departs. I find the letters to be therapeutic myself." Said Avril, hoping this was helpful for him.

"I will give that a try, I appreciate your suggestion." Said Harry. As he smiled and went on to ask. "Do you have anything you want to address, since you have my attention?" Asked Harry, giving Avril the floor. In case she had any grievances she wanted to report.

"No captain, I am very happy on the Juno, and I look forward to our mission ahead. I think we have one of the best crews in the fleet." Avril said, not trying to sound patriotic. She tried not to laugh at herself, for doing that. She had no idea, why she said that. She meant every word, it just sounded funny saying that.

"Happy to hear that Lieutenant. I am a firm believer as well, we have the best crew. I believe together we will pull through this ten year mission." Said Harry, sounding almost as patriotic as Avril. He smiled as he went on. "Let's hope the rest of our missions, are not all rescue operations." He said, as he stood up and motioned her to follow him to the door of his ready room.

"I agree sir, I like to think, we are a ship for exploration." She said, but silently agreeing Harry. She hoped the rest of the Gamma Quadrant was not as hostile. But given the fact the Dominion dominated part of this quadrant, her hopes were set low, and the attack by the Crescent proved for aggressive this quadrant could be.

"Thanks for stopping by Lieutenant Taylor, dismissed." He said, as the doors to his ready room opened up. He smiled as she left his office. He was thinking, he still needed to talk to Commander T'San.

"Thank you sir." She said as she left.

 

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