Cmdr Sky Blake, "Meetings. Always meetings."

[Deliera Jay]

((Mess Hall))

Blake: Worst shuttle trip.

Caide: Really?

Blake: Really.

Rairen Caide's face crinkled. He leaned back in his chair, glancing away as he considered what to say. Blake reached forward and took a cracker, dragging it through the dip.

Caide: To be honest? Trip from Kidman to Ketar.

Blake stopped mid-chew, eyes narrowing with a shocked expression. Years ago now, during their first search for Kehive na-Soldim, they'd stopped over on Kidman I. Caide had gotten into a minor accident, but the injuries he'd sustained weren't anything to sniff at. He sometimes muttered about still feeling an ache in his shoulders.

She pointed at him with the remaining half of her cracker, speaking soon after swallowing what she'd been munching.

Blake: I take offence to that.

Caide: Do you?

Blake: I seem to recall nursing you back to health.

Caide: And I seem to recall lacking necessary medical supplies to properly support me.

Blake: We got to medical eventually.

Caide: I'm painfully aware.

The Brekkazoid grinned, thinking back on the incident.

Blake: That was a good day for me. Helped out Largew, caught a saboteur, saw the spots on your back...

Caide:::with a chuckle:: I'm glad my suffering provided you some amusement.

The XO glanced left, spotting one of their gold shirts headed their way.

Caide:::continuing:: Speaking of amusement, I believe you've provided me too much. ::standing:: I'm running late.

Disappointment etched into Blake's face. She reluctantly stood to see him off.

Blake: Give the Commander my regards.

Caide: He may not want them.

Blake: Why, because he knows I'm gunning for his job?

Caide:::wincing:: That's irresponsible.

She stepped forward, pulling him into a hug.

Blake: A debate for later. 

He hummed again, resting his cheek against her neck for a moment before pulling away. With a nod of his head, Caide departed. She gave a wistful sigh as he left.

She turned to see their new Ensign ready and waiting for her.

Reade: Hello Commandar Blake, this is our first formal meeting. I am Scotty, the new Ensign in Engineering.

Blake: Ukinix's new minion. I've heard. Welcome aboard the Veritas. I'm sorry I didn't meet with you earlier -- the circumstances of our last conflict has left things a little frazzled...

Reade: Thanks for the warm welcome. That was a fun mission for sure. How long have you been the XO for the Veritas?

She thought back. Blake had served as the ship's executive officer in different stints. She'd been given the role when Captain Rahman had first taken command of Veritas, and she gave the position up after a few months, recommending Mei'konda for the position. She hadn't felt suited for the position.

Then, in 2396, she took the role again.

Blake: About three years, on and off.

Reade: Wow! Congrats on that milestone. I am just taking a look at EPS conduit to ensure its in working order. Nacelle 3 sustained some major damage. I rather fix things when we have downtime then go head to the Star Station Esperance.

Blake: Fair enough.

Reade: Nice meeting you! Hope to see you again soon!

Blake: You too, Reade.

((Corridor))

Without Caide, the walk back to her quarters went by devastatingly slowly. Repairs were well underway, if not already complete, which left the casually-clad XO dodging workman leaving repair stations. She was almost to the turbolift when she was waved at.

Wong: Greetings, Commander Blake!

Blake: Hey, Wong. Everything okay?

Wong: Do you have a moment? Or maybe a few moments?

Blake: Sure. What's up.

The blonde-haired man spoke thoughtfully.

Wong: Well…. There’s something I had on my mind these days. I’m a bit worried about the mental health of our ship.

One of the requirements of Blake's active duty was bi-monthly check-ins with a counsellor to keep an eye on her ongoing mental health problems. A recovering alcoholic, among other things, Blake had her fair stint with mental crises. Part of the problem with ongoing retrograde amnesia was a problem with identity: everyone else seemed to know Blake better than she knew herself. People like Hannibal Parker claimed to know what was best for her out of experience in a friendship they supposedly had. Any decision Blake made years ago, during a period totally missing in her memory, frequently return to haunt her.

For the longest time, she'd asked herself what the point was to live a life that was for all intents and purposes, not hers. 

Depression was a dark cloud that resided around her head, one that she'd managed for the last five years. Her last appointment with a ship's counsellor had been with Callistra Navarro, following an argument with Hannibal Parker in her quarters that'd crushed her resolve into little pieces. She'd worked with Navarro to build it back up, but like all things health-related, it took time and patience.

Blake: Worried?

If Ikaia had reason to suspect something was wrong, it needed to be addressed -- and quickly. Navarro was now on long service leave, and they hadn't been able to secure her replacement. With their issues revolving around Kallo, Blake had been side-tracked from the personnel roster.

Wong: Well…. People seem to be a bit er… wound up, I guess. I think we need a counsellor around at least in the short haul.

Blake: I agree. I'll put another request in with Personnel.

Wong: Response?

Blake: I hate to ask, but are you permitted to serve as a temporary counsellor until one arrives? I'm not sure what accreditation you're required to have for that.

Wong: Response?

Blake: Okay. Leave it with me, I'll sort out the roster as soon as I get back to my office.

Wong: Response?

Blake: Was there anything else?

Wong: Response?

Tbc . . . 

Cmdr Sky Blake

Executive Officer

USS Veritas 

C238803SB0