LtCmdr Jovenan – Baby steps on the path to peace
Jovenan
((Arboretum, First Promenade, Deck 225, DS224))
The conversation had bounced around from topic to topic, from personal matters to work and back to personal, finding its course to Doctor Sadar’s party and family. Jovenan was pleased that she had managed to steer the discussion away from herself while still remaining in the area that would allow her to desensitize herself to Captain MacKenzie. Work and science had already been easy to talk with the intimidating Commanding Officer, but there was much to improve in more casual matters, perhaps for the both sides. Jovenan had read between the lines that Captain MacKenzie may want to go to the party, she just didn’t know if she could do that without making everyone uncomfortable or becoming so herself. There was also their new passenger, Doctor Sadar’s nephew, whom Jovenan had yet to meet as well.
Jovenan: I haven’t yet, but I’m looking forwards to it. ::pause:: Having a family aboard must mean a great deal to Doctor Sadar, but to be honest, I would be a very concerned of their safety, especially after, well…
MacKenzie: It’s a dangerous universe out there…
Jovenan stared at the water flowing steadily beneath the bridge and sparkling in the artificial light. She missed the days when she was curious about the small wonders like the river on the space station, asking simple questions like where it came from and where it was heading. Now, the Frontier Day and the ghosts of those events kept rising to her mind, reminding her of their existence. She thought about the meeting with Genkos’ old friend, the veterinarian Tevet Elain a long while ago, and her objections to having pets aboard a ship. Jovenan had defended Genkos and Toto, arguing that they weren’t in such a great danger all the time. Had she lied? Looking back, she had definitely been wrong about a lot of things, predicted the course of history incorrectly. Still, there was a little truth to what she had said: now that the Borg were defeated, there was some hope still that the worst was already behind them and the galaxy would be finally at peace.
Jovenan: You’re right, sir. Well, let’s hope he doesn’t get bored either, then. ::shrugs:: There aren’t many children on the Artemis.
MacKenzie: That is neither your problem, nor mine. If Lieutenant Sadar can’t keep her child out of trouble, well, I can only imagine the implications. She might twist her mood ring so hard she takes her finger right off her hand…
Jovenan had meant genuine boredom – why did Captain MacKenzie assume that bored kids got in trouble? – but that was surely a possibility as well. Either way, she was right, it was Doctor Sadar’s task to worry about such matters, and Jovenan trusted the good Doctor to raise her nephew a diligent and law-abiding person she was herself. Jovenan nodded to the Captain before they both turned their eyes back to the stream below.
MacKenzie: I quite like this spot. I don’t know that it’ll replace Molly Malone’s as my go-to spot as soon as I get off the ship, but this is quite a peaceful bit of green space. You almost forget you’re on a starbase.
Jovenan: My thoughts exactly.
Well, maybe not the Molly Malone’s bit, she had only been there once or twice and wasn’t big on the beverages they served. Captain MacKenzie knocked the railing a few times before turning to her once more.
MacKenzie: About time I be getting back to the ship. Thanks for the chat, Commander – enjoy your shore leave.
Jovenan: You too, sir!
As the Captain walked away, Jovenan remained by the bridge for a few moments longer. When Captain MacKenzie’s back disappeared behind trees, Jovenan let out a long exhale. She felt bad for being so relieved that the Commanding Officer had left her alone, considering that she had apparently only wanted to get to know her. The entire conversation hadn’t been just pain and awkwardness, luckily, as by the end they were actually talking about something and not just Jovenan trying to say what the Captain wanted to hear.
oO Baby steps. Oo
The glittering water looked almost an immobile blanket rushing over the rocks. The water didn’t care about the Borg, CloQ nor the horrors awaiting behind the curtains of the multiverse. It only minded about its course, passing by the stressed people gathered by its shores and ignoring the obstacles. Curiosity took over Jovenan, and she pushed herself off the railing, set aside her other thoughts and started running again, trying to reach both ends of the stream and see where it went and where it came from.
Baby steps.
End scene
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Lieutenant Commander Jovenan
Chief Science Officer
USS Artemis-A
E239911J11