Exposition
Posted on Sat Jan 25th, 2014 @ 12:32am by Commander Eliana Masters
Edited on on Sat Jan 25th, 2014 @ 1:26am
Mission:
New Frontier
Location: Second Star on the Left
“Well would you look at that.”
“Hmm? What’s that?”
“The ship, of course. Don’t be ridiculous Ellie, you may be centuries older than me, but you aren’t fooling anyone with this new found apathetic life view. You’ve always loved starships - how is this one any different?”
It was true.
Ever since Eliana Masters had seen her first starship, she had taken every chance possible to see them up close when the opportunity presented itself. Something about their massive scale compared to her relatively tiny being helped the young El Aurian keep everything in perspective. She took a deep breath and took a look out the window as the soft blue light of the ship’s nacelles drifted by.
What was not true, however, was the misdiagnosed “apathetic life view” used to describe Eliana’s lack of chatter. There was hidden intent behind Petra Monahan’s statement - she knew it would draw a response out of her lifelong friend.
“The USS Bellerophon, Intrepid class, registration November Charlie Charlie Seven Four Seven Zero Five.” Masters deadpanned, though she was cut short of listing every name on the manifest by a short jab to the shoulder.
“Ellie! If I wanted the database entry on the ship, I would’ve pulled it up on my own HUD, thank you very much.”
“Yeah, and if I really decided to read out every fact I know about the Intrepid class, I would still be reading at your retirement ceremony, explaining the benefits of bio-neural gel packs as some member of the admiralty pins some medal on your jacket to commemorate the greatest Operations officer to ever wear the uniform. Tell me Petra, am I wrong?”
“I, um. . .” The sudden outburst caught Monahan off guard.
Silence ruled for a moment as the two friends stared out into space.
“Every. Time.” Eliana smiled as she blew on her fingertip, channeling the old gunfighters of the Terran wild west. “It’s like taking candy from a baby.”
“Not fair!” Monahan protested. “One of these days, I’ll be able to figure out when you’re just messing with me.”
“Ah, but it is not this day,” Eliana quipped. “Now, come on, we’ve got a ship to catch if we’re ever going to make it to the base in time.”
The truth of the matter was, Eliana was looking for anyway to delay having to face the moment that was looming closer now than it had ever been. For the first time, she had not managed to pull the strings necessary to find both herself and Petra on the same assignment, and in this case, they would be across the quadrant from one another. Maybe, just maybe, some of the glamour surrounding starships was losing its lustre.
The walk from the observation deck of the station they had called home for the past few days to the boarding area was a short one. It was not long before the usual garb worn by the merchants in the area began to give way to the usual maroons, teals, and golds familiar to all of those associated with Starfleet. Liana herself was wearing a freshly pressed uniform with her hair pinned up, looking like a combination of a wide-eyed, fresh-faced recruit and grizzled veteran waiting for her next assignment. The oldest thing on her were the pips she wore on her collar. Everything else about her screamed “Hey! Look at that twenty-something who stole a commander’s uniform!”
“Welcome aboard Commander Masters, first door to your left.”
Gold uniform, a member of operations no doubt. Oddly enough, he was struggling to make eye contact.
“Thank you Chief,” another deep breath ensued. “It’s nice to be back ship-side. It’s been a while.”
“Two week leave ma’am?” Assumptions were dangerous to make when Eliana was the subject.
“Oh, no,” Liana’s features sported a wry smile. “More like forty years or so. That was after you lot put me away in some form of detainment facility for a decade. I got so tired of running, I guess I decided it was best to join up.”
“Uhh. . . you’re welcome, I guess? I’m sorry ma’am, I don’t really know what to say.” The man from operations was struggling.
“That’s quite alright Chief, I’ve put you in an impossible situation and you’ve handled yourself quite well. Your hospitality and relatively quick wit is noted.”
“Ellie! Be nice!” Petra hissed, knowing that her friend was fluent in sarcasm.
“Yes ma’am. Thank you ma’am.”
“See Petra?” Masters turned and smiled to her friend. “This is the kind of guy you need to meet. Smart, good looking, good at conversation. Win-win.”
“Do you see me right now? Do you see this?” Petra pointed to her face. “This is me rolling my eyes at you right now.”
“I’m old, not blind,” Masters laughed. Without any further shenanigans, the supercentenarian walked down the corridor to her accommodations for the flight out to the starbase where her new posting was. The door slid open and her bags hit the floor, followed quickly by the sound of a tired body hitting the bed.
Eliana Masters
Second Officer
