Stardate: 10109.2344
Title: The Road Goes Ever On and On...
Author: Louise Reaper
Scene: Cappy's Office
Time: Current
Goodness, the office is awfully small for the size of the station!
Louise sat quietly thinking in Captain Bell's office off Command Central. It was the first time she'd even been on that deck, since it was reserved for Starfleet personnel only. The Captain hadn't arrived yet, and a very large Klingon stood siletly behind Louise at the door. She'd met him breifly when she first came aboard 6 months ago, and hadn't seen much of him since. SAH had a well known reputation, however.
Finally, the door slid open behind Louise. She turned to see her boss, Lieutenant St. James, and the Captain enter together. They both had a natural air of importance as they came in, and combined with Louise's unfamiliarity with this part of the station, that made her feel a bit insignificant. Which made it even harder to admit what she'd come to say. She stood to greet them.
"Louise, so good to see you," Captain Bell shook her hand earnestly and spoke to her like an old friend, though they'd never actually met except in passing at a few briefings and meetings. Louise immediatly liked her, and the crew's dedication to her seemed obvious all of a sudden. Tessa smiled at Louise; they knew each other personally, even if their relationship was still mostly work-based. It would be hard to say goodbye to these outstanding women, let alone a whole outstanding crew.
"Shall we sit?" the Captain invited. As all took their appropriate seats, an awful squeak was heard as Captain Bell sat. "What's on your mind, Louise?"
Louise looked into her lap as her mind went blank. She could feel herself turning red, and stared at the PADD in her hands a long second before coming back to senses. She lifted the PADD and smiled nervously at the Captain, who seemed not to have noticed her brief confusion, or was at least being polite about it.
"Well, ma'am... just a quick update, ummmm," Louise tapped a few times before coming to her list of discussion items. It was short, only five items, but its purpose was weighty. "Of course, MACII is in good shape, his systems were just updated and I made several small improvements which I'm sure he'll tell you about soon. CIPP-Y is intact, though for some reason Doctor Dray still seems unhappy with him. It's really of no consequence since her medical staff is usually large enough for their work load. Commander Gilbert beat me in chess last week; I really no longer consider him an assignment as much as a good friend to Istari and I!" Louise laughed openly, then remembered she was in the CO's office. Her nervousness again took its rightful place before Louise looked back up at Captain Bell and Lieutenant St. James. They were smiling, listening as intently as ever. Louise continued.
"The holographic 'personality' at the Rem, Uncle Ron's family, and other miscellaneous AIs on board have all been looked over and updated as necessary. And finally, although he's been around for a few weeks now, I haven't had a chance to meet the THI yet, though I hear he's extraordinary..."
*Oy!* Louise thought she heard something, but wasn't sure. She looked up. The Captain was rolling her eyes.
"Ma'am?"
"Oh, it's just... extraordinary indeed!" Captain Bell laughed to herself, then looked at Louise and waited for her to speak. Instead of saying more, Louise became nervous again. "You didn't come all the way up here to give me an update, did you Louise?"
"No, ma'am."
Captain Bell and Tessa glanced at each other as if they had been expecting something. Tessa spoke now.
"Lou, I think we know what you're going to say. And believe me when I say that we all understand. It's hard work raising your boy by yourself, and you've got a big job here on the station that keeps you awfully busy."
Louise shrugged and looked down at her lap. "Yes. That is why I came. Istari needs to be with his father again." She looked back up expecting to see cold faces that simply could not understand, but she was disappointed.
"You've done well here, Louise, despite your quiet existence. and we're all grateful. And," Captain Bell reached her hand out and put it on Louise's, "I think you really got what you came here for, didn't you?" Catrina smiled softly. Louise did not retract her hand or break the eye contact.
"Yes, I believe I did. And now I'm ready to go home."
Louise Reaper
Civilian AI Specialist
Starbase Arcadia
