"A Counsellor, a Shillian and a Monkey Walk Into A Bar"
(Previous Post: "Assumptions")
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Stardate: 60329.1530
The majority of the senior staff had already left the
Black Hole Lounge and returned to their respective
duties and tasks, the launch of the USS HATHOR and the
start of the research and testing mission being less
than two days away. The Shillian scientist had
remained behind to review some of the comments that
had been made during the gathering, an obligation that
the Enaran primate had been most thankful for as it
gave it the chance to sample some of the cuisine that
had been left on the table.
Unbeknownst to the Chief Science Officer and acting
Executive Officer, the Counsellor of the USS ANUBIS
had also remained behind, watching the Shillian from
afar as she rummaged through countless PADDs. It had
been a unique opportunity for Ensign Mei to examine
the entire crew all at once, and the scientist had
stood out amongst those the Counsellor had observed.
Since David had been under the care and guidance of
his Oltharian supervisor and since Lieutenant
Commander Serenna had not been a stranger to the
demands of command, the Counsellor had thought it best
to dedicate her immediate attention to the Shillian
woman who seemed to be on the verge of a breakdown.
"Cute little creature," the Counsellor said referring
to the small monkey which had comfortable set itself
between two plates, its miniature hands happily
fetching the most palatable items on them. Ensign Mei
always disliked speaking to Captain Rikar because the
Commanding Officer had at one point been a Counsellor
and therefore easily recognized any and all of the
tricks Susan had at her disposal. As she sat down
next to the Shillian scientist, Ensign Mei felt
comfort in the knowledge that the Chief Science
Officer had not possessed such an advantage.
"She was a gift from Pravat," the Shillian woman said,
glancing only momentarily over the PADDs in her hand
to the feasting animal. "If I had more time I would
see just how smart she is, but preparing the specifics
of our next mission, coordinating with NEW ALEXANDRIA
to make sure that all of the supplies will be
delivered on time and making sure that everything is
as it should be has taken more time that I had
expected. I mean I knew that this would not be an
easy task and that it is also a way for everyone to
see if I am qualified to take on more responsibilities
especially in the field of command, but this is all
proving to be quite overwhelming at times."
"Maybe you should do like her," the Counsellor said,
pointing with her gaze at the happy miniature primate.
Of all the tricks at her disposal, the ability of
using an alternate subject to focus the attention of
someone had always been one of the easiest methods a
Counsellor could use, and thanks to the monkey it had
proven to be even easier than Ensign Mei had expected.
Of course having the Shillian be as talkative as she
was only made this part of the job that must easier.
"What? You want me to eat with my hands?" The
scientist asked, completely having missed the point
that the Counsellor had wanted to make.
"No," the Ensign laughed, "take a moment to enjoy the
joys that are around you. You have made your
responsibilities to be much more demanding that they
need to be, and I suspect that this was why Lieutenant
Commander Serenna wanted you to experience this.
Being the head of the science department and being the
Executive Officer of a ship are not the same thing,
and require a different approach."
"You might be right," the Shillian woman said,
intensely looking at the Enaran primate. "Maybe I
should try a different approach." Feeling rather
proud of herself the Counsellor watched as the
scientist reached for a piece of pie that had been
left untouched following their lunch and brought it to
her lips without the aid of any cutlery, making the
Chief Science Officer mimic the miniature monkey.
Just as Susan was about to excuse herself and leave the Shillian be,
Maya frowned. **Oh dear...** Susan thought. She wasn't certain whether the frown was to do with the taste of the pie, it's stickiness, or her new decision to enjoy the joys around her. Whatever it was, it didn't look good.
"What's wrong?" Susan asked, forgetting the tirade this query could invite.
Maya brow furrowed, "The only problem is, I don't know what to do to
enjoy those joys. I mean I enjoy my work and I've been so busy concentrating
on this mission and on being a good Executive Officer because I want to
make a good impression that I'm not sure what to do with my time other than
prepare for the mission. In the science department this preparation would be
all important and consume all my time, but as the Executive Officer I
understand it's different. I mean, I could play with and observe her" she took a breath and gestured to the primate who was scurrying across the table to a bowl of fruit she had yet to sample, "But that, while it is a long and involved
process, will not serve to entertain me for very long taking into account that it would have to be a process of examination stretched over days and thus allowing for only a few hours - if that - a day to be spent" she
gasped for air, "with her." She ended abruptly.
Susan just smiled tolerantly. While she hadn't caught much of what the
Shillian had said, she had got the general idea. "You don't have to
plan each second of time you spend."
Maya looked doubtful.
"You don't even have to do anything. You can just relax..."
Maya looked even more doubtful.
Susan shifted in her seat, "Look, if you carry on the way you are,
you'll wear yourself out before we even start the mission. Maybe you should do
something to take your mind off it. Concentrate on something else for a
while" Susan saw the Shillian eye the primate. "I don't mean her. I mean..."
She stopped. What did she mean? She had to think of an example. Somehow
she didn't think Maya was the kind to enjoy a good holonovel and they were
pretty far from any good holiday destinations. She needed to suggest
something else that the scientist could set her mind too, that wouldn't
cause her too much stress but would also provide entertainment.
Suddenly the idea hit her. She smiled wickedly. "Maya, what do you know
about surprise parties?"
Maya blinked, "Well it's an old EARTH tradition when a friend or family
member of a particular person organizes a celebration without the
person knowing. Traditionally the person is lured away from their house while
all their friends and relations set up the party and then hide in the dark
until the person returns and switches on the light at which time everyone
jumps out and says "surprise" or some such sentiment and then a party
precedes although it has been known that instead of being lured *away* from
their house, they are lured to a different location where everyone is already
hiding in the dark until the person *arrives* and switches on the light
at which time everyone jumps out and says "surprise"." Maya paused for
breath before asking, "Why?"
Susan, who's mind had been working out details the whole time the
Shillian had been talking raised her eyebrows, "I think I have an idea."
"About how I can enjoy the joys of life until the mission starts and
thereby prevent myself from burning out as it were and prevent myself from
making a bad impression as the Executive Officer of the HATHOR before we even
start the mission?"
"Yes." Susan said quietly, her eyes glinting evilly. Maya wasn't sure
she liked the expression on Susan's face. Susan decided to put the
scientist's mind at ease by telling her the idea.
"Well, you know our dear friend Lea has just been promoted... and there
are still two days till our mission starts... and everyone is supposed to
be relaxing and unwinding after the MERCURY mission and all that stuff
with David?"
The Shillian nodded, too curious to halt Susan's revelation with
speech.
"Well there's nothing better than a nice social occasion." Susan looked
at the tables that were still decked with food. This had been a social occasion, but though officially informal the very nature of it had been formal. And meeting for drinks had been a social occasion but that was completely different to a party. Especially a surprise party. Organizing a surprise party would not only be about the celebration, but as a counselor Susan could appreciate the benefits of the espionage and secrecy surrounding it that could bring all those involved in organizing it closer together. They didn't have much time so they had to get moving. "How would you feel about being the Executive Officer in charge of organizing a surprise party for Lea?"
Maya looked surprised herself.
"It could be good practice and there isn't so much weighing on the success of the party so you won't need to get worked up or stressed about it." Maya looked doubtful, but Susan continued before the scientist could open her mouth. "It will be fun. We can organize it for tomorrow night. In sickbay. Lea will never expect it."
Maya went pale, "But there isn't much time... we can't invite everyone
by COMM because maybe Lea will overhear, we'd have to do it by word of
mouth... and who will we invite..."
No matter what her objections, Susan could see that she was becoming
excited. "Well the senior staff definitely, the two new ensigns of
course - they need to get to know everyone and there's nothing better than a
party." Susan could remember all too well that feeling of being the new ensign
- the odd one out. "Then we'll need to get the medical department in on the
plot so we can use sickbay. We can invite everyone else Lea knows. But I
think you're right. Word of mouth will be safest." Susan made her face
serious and said in a sinister tone, "She must not find out before hand. That is of utmost importance."
Suddenly Maya's COMM badge beeped, =/\= David to Maya... =/\=
Susan looked down at it as if it was an unwelcome intruder. Susan
shrugged, "There's your first mouth."
The Shillian smiled at that and tapped her badge "David. I'll meet
you in ME."
---
"To see the world in a grain of sand,
and
--------------- 2005 post #526
Setting: USS ANUBIS, Deck 16, The Black Hole
Jessica Solarik { maya_992003@yahoo.com }
Lieutenant Commander Maya
Chief Science Officer
USS ANUBIS
and a heaven in a wild flower.
Hold infinity in the palm of your hand,
and eternity in an hour."
- William Blake (British, 1757-1827)
Tallulah Habib {thabib@eject.co.za}
Ensign Susan Mei
Head Counselor
USS ANUBIS
---------------
"Life is mostly froth and bubble,
Two things stand like stone,
Kindness in another's trouble,
Courage in your own." - Adam Lindsay Gordon
