JP: Cmdr Blake & Capt Rahman: Dewdrops at dawn (Part 1)
r.rahman
((Saucer Hull, USS Veritas - Early Morning, Day of Departure from Kidman I))
Roshanara stepped back out onto the hull and walked around the bridge module, although this time she didn’t have to walk quite so far to the ship’s name and registry. Sitting on top of the saucer with her back leaned up against the front of the deck 1 dome was Starfleet’s newest commander, Blake.
The captain walked over and took a moment to look out towards where Blake was staring. The morning sun was just beginning to dawn.
Rahman: You’re up early.
Blake: Used to live by the mantra, “if there’s no sun, it’s not morning.” Space kind of blows that out of the water.
Her captain chuckled at the thought.
Rahman: I have a groggy Rodulan back in my quarters and under the covers who’d vehemently disagree.
The Brekkazoid huffed in agreement, crossing her arms.
Blake: So what brings you up here? Getting a last look before you captain the take-off?
Rahman: Hmmmph. I was about to ask you the same thing.
Roshanara decided to take a seat next to her XO. She took another moment to savor the view, leaning back with her palms against the hull. The metal was actually a bit warm to the touch thanks to Kidman’s hotter climate. It was comforting, as if the two women were sitting on top of a living creature.
The Kriosian spoke up again.
Rahman: I can see why you like it out here.
The XO rubbed her hands together, arms and legs free of long sleeves and pant-legs respectively. Today, Blake was comfortable in a t-shirt and shorts -- a rare sight to see on the Brekkazoid so unsuited to regular human climates. Bupirninyirring afforded her that which wasn’t always offered on a starship.
Blake: I don’t have to rug up as much. ::she smiled:: A bit of freedom, really.
Rahman: I can imagine. Growing up on Earth in Lahore, it took me a while to get used to the cooler temperatures of Beta Ursae Minor II. This place reminds me a little bit of home.
Silence crept between them on a light breeze. The orange hue of sunrise stained the morning sky. The cloudless blue was atypical of the planet. It indicated a dry heat to set in soon -- often a cause for complaints by some. Not necessarily by the Brekkian-born Blake. It was something Sabor, too, would have enjoyed.
Blake: Can I ask a dumb question?
Rahman: Only if you’re okay with a dumb answer.
Blake: Is it too late to ask you to take it back?
Roshanara turned towards her Number One, scrunching her nose.
Rahman: Take what back?
Blake responded with a piercing side-glance.
Rahman: ::shaking head:: You know, Blake, for a woman many would describe as fearless, I’m always surprised what *does* scare you.
Blake glanced away, back to Kidman I’s bushland. ‘Fearless’ was certainly a descriptor -- maybe sometimes a valid one, but in the case of her personal ‘growth’... she disagreed with the assessment.
Blake: I recognise you, and others, believe I’m ready for this. I appreciate it. But what I’m not ready for… is the necessity of my taking command. When you’re captain, that’s a safety net. I can fall back and execute your word, no problem -- that's my job, and always has been. But now, there’s the possibility I could be called elsewhere.
Roshanara corrected her.
Rahman: That was *always* a possibility. We’re Starfleet officers. We go where we’re needed.
The words were familiar. She was told in no uncertain terms that this was the way things were when Veritas underwent its staff shift, when her first group of friends were dispersed across the region to make way for the staff that built the bones of this particular senior staff.
Blake: “Transfers are part of the career. You don't like it, now is the time to throw in your hat.”
It was something Brandon Cormac had told her almost three years ago when she was struggling with her place on the ship. Cormac had been Veritas’ Special Operations Officer before he was transferred to the ill-fated Outpost 3 during the staff reshuffle. He was the sole survivor of a pirate attack on the station. Starfleet failed to send someone out to assist, word only travelling between friends that something was amiss. Once rescued, he promptly quit the service and moved over to the Colonial Coalition Marshals. He now works planetside, as a marshal on Shadow’s Edge, decidedly happier and in a long-distance relationship with fellow ex-crewmember Elis Nacubaq.
Rahman: ::nods:: “Pack light, pack often.”
It was a familiar mantra she’d shared with Addison MacKenzie when the doctor and Teller took up the opportunities that had opened on the Thor earlier this year.
Rahman: But still, you should put to rest your worries. Outside of wartime and a major crisis, Starfleet isn’t in the habit of just plucking random names across the fleet to put into the captain’s chair. I imagine you’ll start getting offers of your own command in due time once the Admiralty thinks you’re ready, but you could always decline. Eventually, they’ll stop asking -- which I guess depending on whatever your ambitions are, could be a good or bad thing.
Blake: That’s the thing. I don’t really have ambition for the ‘service’.
Rahman: That’s okay. We all have our own reasons for being here.
TBC…
Commander Sky Blake
Executive Officer
USS Veritas
C238803SB0
&
Captain Roshanara Rahman
CO, USS Veritas
I238705TZ0