Fleet Captain Addison MacKenzie - Comfortably Uncomfortable
Addison MacKenzie
(( Arboretum – First Promenade, Deck 225, Deep Space 224 ))
The captain wasn’t often one for fraternizing with other members of the crew – at least, not in matters that weren’t related to the ship's business. She mostly kept to herself, preferring to be particularly mindful of professional boundaries. That was often less true of members of the senior staff (Genkos and, to a lesser extent, Talos), but she was aware that both her reputation and her air of formality often made her come off as intimidating or unapproachable. Still, MacKenzie appreciated that she could have a conversation with Jovenan that pivoted away from work and into the personal, even if the conversation didn’t stray much beyond what one might consider surface-level in nature as they admired this particular section of the arboretum.
MacKenzie: Do you have any particular plans for your time off?
There was a smile on Jovenan’s face that didn’t totally disappear, though Addison could tell that her lips were slightly tighter. Perhaps the line of questioning was unwelcome, though the commanding officer felt it was harmless enough.
Jovenan: Uh, not really. I was touring the station since I’ve only been here a few times before, and I already had dinner with Commanders Dakora and Salkath. I suppose I’ll get time in the lab and then some relaxation.
MacKenzie nodded slowly. It was as non-committal an answer as the Edo scientist had offered before. She supposed one needed to walk before one could run…
MacKenzie: But what do you do for fun?
Jovenan: I enjoy running, especially long-distance. I thought this arboretum would provide a nicer backdrop and some variation to the track at the Fitness Centre on the ship.
Addison smiled and took the opportunity to briefly focus her attention on the landscape before them again, nodding to herself.
MacKenzie: I can’t argue with the fact that this is certainly a better landscape than anything the ship has to offer, even on the holodeck…
A silence settled between the two of them – while Addison wasn’t bothered, she couldn’t help but feel a certain uncomfortableness coming from Jovenan. Just when the commanding officer was about to excuse herself, the female scientist appeared to display both the courage and the interest to continue the conversation.
Jovenan: And, um, how about you, sir? Do you have any plans or activities in mind before we leave the station?
Addison shook her head.
MacKenzie: No. I’m just thankful that things seem to finally be settling down across the fleet and that things are mostly back to normal. I hear Lieutenant Sadar is having some kind of housewarming party. I thought I might attend.
Jovenan: Response
MacKenzie leaned in a little closer to Jovenan.
MacKenzie: I don’t know if you’ve noticed this, Commander, but the crew has a way of clamoring up anytime I walk into a room when they’re not on duty…
She offered a friendly smile, as she was sure the comment drawing direct attention to their current situation was likely to cause Jovenan to become more tense than she already was.
Jovenan: Response
Addison rocked her head back and forth from side to side.
MacKenzie: Well, if you don’t think Lieutenant Sadar would be too uncomfortable…
Jovenan: Response
The commanding officer smiled and nodded definitively. The Mizarian was known for being one of the most awkward people MacKenzie had ever encountered, even after the officer’s tenure on board. To some extent, Addison took a slightly sadistic pleasure in exploiting it.
MacKenzie: You are quite correct about that… And maybe you’re right – it would be good to stop by and show support, even if only briefly.
Jovenan: Response
Tag, and TBC!
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Fleet Captain Addison
MacKenzie, M.D., Ph.D., FASFS
Commanding Officer
USS Artemis-A
Captains Council Member at Large
V239601AM0