The Way Things Are

Posted on Mon Jan 13th, 2025 @ 7:20am by Commander Cornelius 'Kit' Hanlon & Lieutenant Rosaleen O'Donnell
Edited on on Fri Jan 17th, 2025 @ 1:35am

1,925 words; about a 10 minute read

Mission: To Boldly Go
Timeline: Set after Inspection

[ON]

Kit Hanlon led the new Chief Engineer, Lieutenant Rosaleen O'Donnell, towards the turbolift. In his mind there were a lot of things to consider, including squeezing her into Captain Blake's schedule. And making a post-inspection report. And making sure all the test cases for the systems tests were ready. He realised he had been quiet and glanced at the woman. "Personally, I'm relieved we got you on the ship now," he finally said. "A good Chief Engineer is one of the more important aspect of a successful ship. Can't explore strange new worlds and meet interesting people if your warp core won't light up..." he gave her a small and disarming smile.

The eyes that turned to meet his looked...alive? No, not quite. It was more like barely discernible swirls of energy moved within them. The air temperature took a slight warm shift as well when she returned the smile. "It's been quite some time since I traveled out to the depths. Tis always calling to me like an old friend." She paused for a long moment before continuing. "There is always a desire to return to my true home, but that exists no more, so now home is that of my choosing, and for now..." She looked around the corridor, spreading her arms out. "...this is where home shall be. She is a beauty, and I shall endeavor to honor her essence." Rosaleen had always felt that ships were...well, alive to an extent. They had individuality and character. As for what kind of character this one would prove to be, that would reveal itself in due time.

Kit chuckled softly, at just how poetic her words were. "I always found comfort in Engineering. Where I always felt at home, until I...decided I wanted to see more of the stars and less of Jeffries tubes. But don't worry, I won't stand and look over your shoulder. You're the Chief Engineer, not me." The words were honest. He had never been someone to micromanage and he wasn't going to start now.

The air chilled a bit once again, and Rosaleen's features dropped a bit. "I do hope the rest of the department does not resent that an outsider was brought in to fill the department head role. I'm sure that the assistant chief is more than capable of running the show." Rosaleen paused for a moment...physically stopping in the corridor. "Why is that, sir? Why me? Admiral Vidarin was very insistent that I return to Starfleet for this posting. Even if it were not another from this ship, there are an innumerable amount of active duty engineers more than qualified for the position." Rosaleen's gaze bore into Kit. "Why was it so important for me to re-up my commission and fill this position?"

He stopped, looking at her with some surprise. "As far as I know...nothing," he said, but now there was something in his eyes that made them less warm and more analytical as his mind went over possibilities. "This is just another ship in the fleet, nothing special about it..." he frowned, his finger tapping against his leg as he thought about it. "Unless the Admirals have some ideas that I am not yet briefed on." Which was a possibility. A strong one too.

The air chilled considerable as Rosaleen's eyes turned to ice. "I wish I could be more specific. It's just a gut feeling, sir." She paused briefly as her mind ran through the possibilities. "My background is in starship engineering and design, as well as tactical systems and theory. But all of my recent experience is with logistics. What could that even mean?" It wasn't exactly like they were on a transport or cargo ship, and the Fenrir had not been updated with any of the Cerberus systems, so there wasn't that component either. It just didn't make sense to Rosaleen.

"I suppose there's a new generation of ships out, and...more people are needed?" Kit shivered despite himself, looking at her for a moment. "That's you, isn't it," he suddenly said as he stopped. "The chill in the air, in the transporter room. And just now. Like a gust of...wind in winter." He had run through all the results of the ship's system, and even adding in the variables of work still being done, Operations and Engineering had done their jobs. The environmental controls were working. She was the new thing that had changed in the last hours. That, or they were going to suffer a catastrophic system error and he wasn't going to put any of his hopes on that.

Rosaleen looked down, not daring to meet Kit's eyes. "I'm...I'm sorry sir. I'm really anxious, and have not been controlling myself very well." She closed her eyes, fighting against her emotions to stabilize herself. "It won't be a problem, sir. I am..." She finally looked back up at Kit. Her eyes were still like ice, but had softened a bit. The air around them normalized. "I apologize for my actions, sir. I will work to ensure that it does not happen again." 'But it always does.' She reminded herself. It was part of who...and what...she was. Why was it such a bad thing? Why couldn't people just accept her for what she was?

He watched her as she spoke, his eyes widening a little before he shook his head. "No, no, no, I wasn't telling you off," he said, having tried to interrupt but not managing. "I'm just glad that I put two and two together and got a number more than three, less than five. It's...you know, sort of awesome. And I get you're anxious, I am anxious too. It's okay. Really. And now that I know, I don't have to send Operations running around trying to find out why the room temperature changes when you're in it." He gave her a small smile, an encouraging one followed by his eyes softening a little. "So don't worry about it, O'Donnell," he added, meaning it.

Rosaleen quietly studied the man, unsure of what she was feeling. She wanted to trust him at his word, but others had seemingly been sincere to her as well...to her face, that was. But behind her back...

"What exactly do you mean by 'sort of awesome'?" She asked in a guarded tone. Her bodies reactive state was at neutral for the moment. She wasn't quite sure what to make of Kit. Rosaleen also realized that since she had stepped on board, even though her encounters (and admittedly time as well) had been few, she had not given anyone the benefit of the doubt. Rosaleen had instinctively assumed that everyone would either fear her, hate her, or both.

"I'm not sure what you have heard of my kind." Rosaleen continued, not giving Kit the opportunity to answer her first question. "Most of what I have found to be out there is mostly speculation, mixed with pure fiction. There are not many of us in this sector, and we have learned that it is safest to stay to ourselves." She met the commander's eyes with a look that was almost hypnotic. "What do you see before you, commander? A curiosity? Or maybe just a freak of nature?" She reached over and placed her left hand on Kit's right forearm. The effect was similar to encountering a mild static electrical field...not unpleasant. Rather the opposite. "An I truly something that you and the crew can work with?" She remover her hand while taking a slight step backwards, a subconscious action that she routinely performed when she felt that her personal bubble needed a bit more space. "Am I someone that you can ever be comfortable with?"

He watched her with surprise at the question, then confusion. "Why wouldn't I be comfortable with you?" he asked, not sure he understood. "I see a Starfleet Officer, my Chief Engineer. A fellow engineer. I...don't see the issue." He gave her a small, apologetic smile at that. "I'm sorry if that isn't the answer you were looking for."

A long moment passed before Rosaleen answered. "In my time, I have come to experience a certain...well, animosity directed towards me kind, whether it be fear, jealousy, or just outright hatred." She looked into Kit's eyes once again. This time, the gaze that met his was a lot softer than previously experienced. "To be honest, it's what I just automatically expect when I meet new people anymore. Somehow, because we have abilities that others do not, we are considered to be 'bad' people. At one time, in another part of the universe, we were hunted and executed just for being what we are."

"Ah," he nodded, watching her with serious features. "I am sorry to hear that, and for the hardship." He considered it for a long moment, clearly thinking about what to say, or how to say it. He decided just to speak from the heart. "I understand you being on the defensive when meeting new people, but I...like to think that people in Starfleet are here because they want to meet new people and civilizations. That they have empathy and common sense enough to...be kind. I guess it might sound naïve, but from my point of view...you're a member of Starfleet, you wear the same uniform. You're...part of the community. We may be different, but our goals are the same. And if everyone were the same, life would be boring."

Kit's last comment elicited a small laugh from Rosaleen. "Well I am certainly different, and..." The eyes that met Kit's now were full of mischief and laughter. "...I can certainly promise you that life around me is never boring." Rosaleen's posture had visibly relaxed. Maybe life onboard the Fenrir wasn't going to be an absolute nightmare. No, she told herself. She needed to approach things differently. The past may be hard to let go of, but at the end of the day it was the past. The air around them warmed a bit with her smile. "I will work to keep what's past where it belongs, and give the future a chance."

"It's all we can do. Not just you...all of us," Kit said and grinned, leading her to her quarters. "Because we all have things that weigh on us, that voice in our heads telling us we're not good enough. But we're Starfleet. We stand up for each other...here, no one is alone," he let the doors open and stepped to the side, to let her go in first. It was her home now after all.

Rosaleen took a long look through the doors before actually approaching them. Somehow the moment made it finally seem real. She was home...a new home. At least for now. Only time would tell what the future held for her. She turned to face Kit, having to make a consciousness effort not to hug her First Officer. Instead she extended her hand. "Thank you, sir. Your words have meant more than you can ever understand."

Kit took her hand in his, holding her eyes for a long moment. "You are more than welcome," he said with meaning. He might never have been in her shoes, or understand the depth of what she had felt...but he had meant every single word.

[OFF]

Lieutenant Rosaleen O'Donnell
Chief Engineering Officer
USS Fenrir

&

Commander Kit Hanlon
First Officer
USS Fenrir

 

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