By Commander TC Blane
and Lt.(SG) Zander Blakeslee
80125.1936
--=Early Morning- Following Nothing Lasts Forever=--
and Lt.(SG) Zander Blakeslee
80125.1936
--=Early Morning- Following Nothing Lasts Forever=--
Zander was duly impressed by the speech that Captain Zanh had given on the bridge prior to the Serendipity’s inaugural launch from space dock. He had been impressed from their first meeting in the arboretum and that was a handy task for any captain to do.
Zander’s career in Starfleet may not seem that long on paper but it had been distinguished. Plus, he was a Starfleet brat, his father having been an officer and died in its service. During his life he had met several officers and captains, many stood out in his mind. He felt that Captain Zanh Liis had the potential to be one.
He had stayed on the bridge just long enough to make sure the ensign that would be manning the tactical station was not going to be too excited about the launch that she would forget her job. She handled everything with the utmost professionalism as was expected.
He had made his way through the halls, too ramped up to head back to his quarters. He was due on the bridge in the morning when things should get interesting. With his wife and children yet to arrive his quarters seemed too big and empty so he opted to wander the ship.
--=Hours later=--
Eventually he had found his way to the aft observation lounge. The name plate on the door titled it as The Afterthought Café. The doors swooshed open quietly before his approach. Because of the very early hour the interior was dimly lit but enough light was given off by the table lamps and from the large windows that lined the far wall that seeing his way around was not a problem.
He took in the ambiance of the room, round dark wood tables and chairs were strategically placed to allow unobstructed view out of the large windows. The carpet was made up of dark grays and blues with the Starfleet crest prominent in the center. One wall was lined with booths and the opposite wall had a long bar. A few replicators resided near the entrance.
The smell of coffee beans permeated the air. He glanced over at the coffee bar, it was obviously no currently manned.
* Damn that is too bad. I could use a cup. *
He turned back to the replicator, his mind and stomach now craving a cup of joe.
“Coffee, two sugars and one cream.” He thought for a moment. “And a corn bread muffin, warm with butter.”
There was a mild hum as the replicator filled his order. Smiling, he retrieved his goodies from the replicator pad and made his way to the windows taking a tentative sip en route.
The windows offered a dramatic view of the slowly retreating shipyards and dry dock as the Sera slowly made her way toward orbit. The addition of an aft observation lounge/coffee bar was an excellent idea in his mind. He knew that he would be spending time here.
As her neared the windows he noticed a ledge that ran the length of the windows that was topped with comfortable looking cushions for those caffeine craving stargazers among the crew.
Zander however opted for one of the tables nearby. Setting down his coffee and muffin he pulled out a chair and plopped down into it. He stared out of the windows and wondered what his wife was doing right now.
“This is a good place to come and reflect.”
The new voice practically caused Zander to jump out of his skin. It was even more dramatic in the silence of the room and the moment.
“GEEZE!” Zander emitted as he jumped up.
Peering into the darkened room he now noticed a figure seated in one of the booths. He was not sure how he had missed the person before.
“Sorry, I did not mean to startle you.” The voice offered in apology.
Zander squinted to make out the man behind the veil of darkness. The figure stood and walked towards him and into the starlight emitted by the windows. He finally recognized the man and he felt his body relax.
“Oh, hello Commander Blane.” Zander exhaled and laughed slightly. “I did not notice you sitting there.”
TC smiled. “So I gathered.”
“I…I hope I did not disturb you sir?” He began to gather up his coffee and muffin.
“We are off duty Zander, call me TC.” He smiled, “and you're not disturbing me. Please sit down.” He turned and looked out of the windows.
Zander nodded. “OK.” He put the mug and pastry back onto the table and once again plopped down in the chair. He glanced up at the commander and remembered the man demeanor during the dinner. “Um, would you care to join me Commander, I mean TC?”
TC looked down at the open chair and pondered for a second. Then pulled it out and sat down.
There was an uncomfortably long silence as both men sat looking out of the windows at where the Sera had been. Zander picked up his muffin and began to pick it apart as he ate it. It seemed, at least to his own mind, that every smack of his lips was echoing in the empty and quiet café.
He glanced over at TC and wondered if his should be the one to break the silence. “So, what brings you to the butt end of the starship so late at night?”
“I could ask you the same.” TC responded without breaking off his gaze from the windows.
Zander nodded. “Fair enough. I was too excited to sleep.” He looked back out to the stars. “Plus, my family has not arrived. The family suite they assigned us just feels way to empty.” He shrugged.
TC nodded his understanding.
Zander looked back at TC. He raised his eyebrows expecting TC to respond as to why he was in the Café so early. He realized that one would not be forthcoming. A flicker of reflected starlight off of the commanders rank pips caught his eye. He noticed how dramatically they stood out on the obsidian black of his collar.
The collar that was a different color than the one Blane had been wearing at dinner the night before.
Zander nodded towards the black collar. “I almost applied for special ops out of the Academy.”
TC turned to him. “I read your file. You have the background, you took the right courses. Why didn’t you?”
Now it was Zander’s turn to get that far away look. He turned his attention back to his coffee and stared into it. He thought traveling back in time to what seemed like to him as another life.
“Well, I did not think that they would be helpful to me reaching my goals. Well, my goals then anyway.” Zander comment seemed quiet even in the stillness of the deserted café.
TC stared at the younger man, sizing him up with his eyes. “Have you met your goals?”
Zander looked up from his coffee. “No, I am not seeking the same thing anymore.”
TC nodded and turned back to the window. “That’s good. Revenge can eat a man up inside over time.”
Zander frowned shocked at the bluntness from TC.
TC continued to stare ahead. “I told you I read your file.”
Zander shook him head. “That’s in my file?”
TC tugged at the black collar. “In my files it is.”
Zander's face changed to an incredulous look. Then he shook his head.
“So, why are you in spec ops?” He asked.
TC visibly tensed and then shifted in his seat. “Just doing my duty.”
Zander smiled. “Un huh. Right.”
He stood up. “Well, Commander I’ll leave you to your thoughts.” He picked up his mug and headed for the door only stopping at the waste reclamation station to toss away the muffin wrapper. He turned around for a second.
“TC, I hope I am not being too forward in saying this, but I am going to anyway. I don’t know you beyond the past week but from what I have heard your reputation is impeccable.” He paused for a second to give TC the chance to tell him to shut up. When no reply came he continued. “Others besides yourself will be upset about the collar you now have on. Don’t sulk in darkness because of it or you’ll find that thing getting tighter around your neck.”
He turned back to walk through the doors. “Don’t lose those who care about you over that thing.” He stepped through the threshold. “See you on the bridge, Commander.”
As the door slid shut behind Zander, TC sighed. He folded his arms across his chest and continued to stare out the windows at the past. He wondered if it would ever allow him to see his future.
Commander TC Blane
Second Officer/Chief of Operations
USS Serendipity NCC-2012
and
Lt. Zander Blakeslee
Chief Tactical Officer
USS Serendipity NCC-2012
Second Officer/Chief of Operations
USS Serendipity NCC-2012
and
Lt. Zander Blakeslee
Chief Tactical Officer
USS Serendipity NCC-2012