The Promise and Order of Sun
Posted on Tue Nov 9th, 2010 @ 11:14am by Captain Elsie Halliwell & Commander Curtiss Drake
711 words; about a 4 minute read
Mission:
Structured Shoreleave - Marchwiel
Location: Drake's Office
Timeline: Backpost
Cadet Cuthbell Arixen made his way unhurriedly to Commander Drake’s office through the snaking corridors of the now grounded Ranger. The Quartermaster had, for one reason or other, given the cadet his own set of ‘officer’ quarters on Deck Three and the spacious accommodation was more than the cadet could dream of.
His pep-talk with the captain earlier that morning had left the unjoined Trill in expressively high spirits, and, as he almost skipped to the XO’s place of work, he could barely contain his pride at serving his placement on this vessel... despite their current predicament.
He stood before the door, took in a deep breath and depressed the chime.
Commander Curtiss Drake looked up from the book in his hands, past the feet propped up on his desk and at the door. He wasn't into being disturbed, particularly when they were on a 'shoreleave' of sorts. Pulling down on the cuff of his Hawaiian shirt, he called out to the door.
"Come."
Cuthbell strode in as the doors breathed open, a modest beam on his face at officially meeting the First Officer of the ship he was now excitedly assigned to. His heart, although the confident cadet would never admit, quickened as he stepped into Drake’s office, he strode confidently to before his desk, halted and, by an antiquated response, stiffened and threw up his hand to salute.
“Cadet Cuthbell Arixen reporting for duty, Sir!� he almost shouted a little too enthusiastically.
Curtiss looked up over the rim of his book, the sandals on his feet and was suddenly aware of how bright his Hawaiian shirt really was. "Not sure if you know, Cadet, but we're on a bit of shoreleave and you've been aboard long enough for me to know who you are, despite the fact that you haven't reported." he said, smirking. "But I appreciate the gesture." he added, thumbing towards a chair, "How's about you have a seat?"
Cuthbell shot a worried and concerned look to the commander. “I took this opportunity of shoreleave to introduce myself, Sir. I didn’t want to disturb you when you were busy. I can come back another time.� He stuttered as he spoke, clearly nervous about standing before the second most senior officer of the ship, dispute his somewhat questionable dress sense.
Watching the cadet sit down anxiously, he snapped his book closed and set it on the desk, sitting up as he did. "Have you had a chance to take any leave, or have you been working the whole time?" he asked seriously. "Cadet or not, everyone needs a little down time." he added.
He sighed a little and then looked up at the commander. “With my light duties on board here, Sir,� she started, treading carefully as to not sound too overwhelmed, “and with my additional studies and work for the Academy, I simply can’t take the time out to relax. I need every hour that I’m awake to excel.�
"Nothing says you can't study out on the back of the shuttlebay with the rest of the sunbathers." Curtiss smirked, "And I heard that Chief Miller has a group going back and forth from the riverbank about a hundred yards from where we landed. Couldn't take a PaDD and some sunscreen with you?" he asked.
Cuthbell's eyes widened. "I could..." he stammered, drifting off into his own train of thought, thinking about the sun beating down on his skin. "So, is that permission to disembark?" he asked, a little more eagerly than he had anticipated. "Because I would love to get out into the open air for an hour or so."
Drake chuckled and nodded his head, "Yes, that's permission to disembark." he grinned, "In fact, why don't you make that an order."
Cuthbell smiled, snapped to attention and then nodded, spinning on his heels. "Aye, sir," he replied, as he quickly exited the commander's office, making out for what little time he had left in the sun.
OFF:
Curtiss Drake
Executive Officer
USS Ranger
AND
Cuthbell Arixen
Resident Trainee Cadet
USS Ranger
(Played by Shaunanigans)
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