Posted by Fleet Captain Drudoc Andone (Commanding Officer) in Side Sim - Checking On The Staff - CSO’s Quarters
[snip]

”..Quite so, Tel’eck is already proposing a ‘Welcome To The GN-z11 Galaxy’ party for the children and adults in 17/18 Forward at some point. She is taking this in ways I hadn’t expected. Namely eager to explore and meet people for better or worse. She unwavering believes we will get ourselves home eventually so why not expand our knowledges while we’re at it?” Drudoc said with a fond smile sipping the tea again. “..I must admit her attitude is contagious it seems among the youth I saw her with. Despite them being scared initially they seem excited to do just as she said and I must admit too I’m feeling a bit the same..” Drudoc mused.

“On my way down to check in with the crew at the hull breach I had to take a detour past the school rooms on Deck 15. Tel’eck and her friend Sarah were doing an amazing job of keeping the younger children calm and focused. Tel’eck has a way of thriving under adversity. Not only making herself better but those around her as well.”

”..How about you? How are you taking this personally?” Drudoc queried.

Drudoc Andone CO

Sharah thought about it. “I haven’t really thought about it much. I am luckier than most. I have my fiance here, I am not alone, in that respect, and I find I am more grateful than anything else. What about you, Captain?” Sharah considered Drudoc a friend and knew that command could be isolating. Drudoc had been there to listen for Sharah and she would gladly be there to listen for her.

Lt jg Fayth CSO

”..The resilience of youth as they say is an amazing thing to behold. It makes me smile everytime I see Tel’eck and other children even now adapt better to our situation or experiences then we trained adults often do..” Drudoc pondered.

Sharah nodded, “Children have very basic needs. If they feel safe, then they tend to accept the changes around them or be willing to learn. Adults get too caught up in the complexities. We tend to lose our sense of wonder and magic in the universe.”

Drudoc sipped her tea again, pondering the question. Her natural instinct was to say ‘fine’ or something similar. But even the professional and dutiful bound part of her knew that would be a lie. “..Much as you said, I have Tel’eck, and the ship and crew while bruised from our experience to come here is whole and hale. One could not ask for a better outing to start on, nor that I like you, have my family here. I pray for those who do not they will endure our trials ahead.” Drudoc said sipping the tea again seeming in thought.

Sharah nodded, “Then it seems we will have to give them a new family. Crews that have been together for a long time are often referred to as family. But in this case I think we need to do it more than lip service. So many of us,” and she’s referring to herself and not the captain at the moment, “are new to the crew and still finding our place, our beat within the rhythm of the ship. “

”..I wonder if perhaps this is not part of the debate the Q are having now? Watching how we react, how our children react and grow? Q that sent us here said the Continuum had been watching us for some time in our understanding. I wonder exactly what is it we have done to draw their interest specifically? Especially within the past year or two? What horizons have we ‘mortals’ broken on this ship and crew to earn such a lofty watch?” Drudoc said mostly to herself but equally to Fayth, she knew that the young CSO being so new to the crew probably couldn’t answer for sure, but despite this the thought nagged at Drudoc.

Drudoc Andone CO

Sharah was quiet for a moment an idea occurring to her. Of course she wouldn’t know if it was purely her own or conclusions she had drawn based on the flotsam of thoughts around the ship. “The experiences of the Federation with the Continuum over the years is standard course of study at the academy now. Originally Q put humanity on trial to see if we could move beyond our physical concrete thinking. Our children are very good at that captain. Their minds have not been forced to think in the ways we perceive as best. Perhaps some internships are in order?”

Lt jg Fayth, CSO

Drudoc seemed to really deeply consider the past words exchanged between them. She felt like they had just unknowingly discovered a clue to their predicament, but how to implement that in a form to get them home? “..Maybe, but first I want to see what this region of space is like before we go and have some of the children shadow the crew in some form. All around we need more information on how to proceed..” She said though it did seem Drudoc was open to the idea in some form in the near future.

“Perhaps then, Tel’eck’s suggestion of a party is in order. Let the children plan it, take ownership of it and see what they come up with. Let the crew bond over the creativity and antics of the ship’s children? Let their creativity inspire the rest of us.” Sharah paused, trying to clarify why she suggested such a thing. “After the occupation of Betazed, our people were devastated. Many of the cities and villages started a tradition of gathering to celebrate, to find joy despite the loss. I was only a baby then, but I remember my brother telling me about it.” Sharah sighed with a little shrug, “I’m sure the counselor could explain the idea better.”

A moment later the comm badge on Drudoc’s uniform chirped =/\= NE Salzar to the Captain, we got a situation in Gym. NCadets Barris and Harris have locked themselves in the sauna room and disabled the heating safeties and erected a lockout. Preventing us from getting in right away, they demand to speak to you…=/\= Salzar began but Drudoc interrupted.

=/\= Alert security if you haven’t already and tell both groups I’m on my way. =/\= She said.

=/\= Aye ma’am..=/\= Salzar said.

Downing the last of her tea Drudoc shook her head, “..Duty calls, I need to go pardon me.” She said moving to leave urgently. She had hoped something like this wouldn’t occur so soon but it was what it was.

Drudoc Andone CO

Sharah stood as she left. There was nothing Sharah could do, except get in the way, so she ordered a grilled cheese and returned to her reports.
Lt. jg Fayth, CSO