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SideSIM: Manoeuvre First, Talk Later (Attn. Lovejoy, Gruver)

Posted April 12, 2021, 5:40 p.m. by Lieutenant Junior Grade Sara Lovejoy (Comms Officer/Helmswomen) (Christopher Logan)

Posted by Lieutenant Commander T’Aria (XO / Navigation Officer) in SideSIM: Manoeuvre First, Talk Later (Attn. Lovejoy, Gruver)

Posted by Ensign Evelyn Gruver (Security/Helmsmen) in SideSIM: Manoeuvre First, Talk Later (Attn. Lovejoy, Gruver)

Posted by Lieutenant Commander T’Aria (XO / Navigation Officer) in SideSIM: Manoeuvre First, Talk Later (Attn. Lovejoy, Gruver)
Saturday, 0559. Everyone knew what that meant. 0600 was a minute away, and it was rolling up its sleeves, puckering its lips and preparing for a grand entrance. Today, it had its eyes on a pair of Helmswomen. Not a second delayed, it barged into their quarters and shattered any semblance of silence with a string of harsh beeps! They had mail.

If they dared to snag their PaDDs from wherever the night had left them, Evelyn and Sara would see the words Presence Requested snaking across their screens. Should they open it, they would find a quaint message from the ship’s XO:

Good morning. Please meet me in the mess hall at 0700 hours. Duty uniforms are not mandatory, but I suggest you wear something comfortable. - Lt. Cmdr. T’Aria

There was no rest for the Helmswomen.

– T’Aria, XO

Evelyn was in her quarters snuggled underneath her covers lying on her left side fast asleep. It was finally her first weekend off on the Chernov and she had stayed awake until 02:00 socializing with a small group of lower deck crew members around her age. They had played a game of poker and had a few drinks resulting in her being quite tipsy most of the evening. There was not that much to do on a starship in comparison to the night life in San Francisco back on Earth, but she made the best out of her new situation. Her PADD was lying sideways and upside down literally right next to her on the bed. She had been browsing on it until she passed out just like every other night ever since she was a teenager. The chirping sound went off at 06:00 and she groaned heavily as she reached for her PADD. Evelyn reviewed the screen, sighed heavily, and had a groggy tone in her voice, “Seriously? She would give me an hour notice on my weekend off. Ugh.” Her body shifted as she laid on her back for a moment and closed her eyes as she debated the situation in her mind. What would the consequences be if she told Lieutenant Commander T’Aria, the Chernov’s XO that she accidentally slept through the notification? She pondered for a moment, “Hmmm, yeah not worth the risk.”. Evelyn slowly got out of bed, turned her bedroom light on, used the restroom, brushed her teeth, and changed her outfit.

She stared at her reflection in the mirror quickly evaluating her appearance. Evelyn kept it simple wearing a white tank top with black leggings along with matching runners. She tied her jet black hair quickly in a basic bun, “I look awful this morning, but what can I do? I am a Starfleet officer now. Who needs any sleep?”. She shrugged her shoulders casually in the mirror and threw up her soft hands which revealed her red coated manicured fingernails. Evelyn was lying to herself, she was actually an attractive woman and her assessment of her appearance was questionable at best. She glanced at the time on her clock and saw that it was 06:52, “Oh crap!”. After that, she took off and made it to the mess hall at 07:00 on the dot. It was simple to spot T’Aria since she stood out like a sore thumb being extremely tall in comparison to her, blonde, and Vulcan. Evelyn immediately headed to T’Aria’s location and stood directly in front of her.

T’Aria sensed the imminent doom of approaching footsteps. She lifted her chin, piercing hazel eyes flush with the crowd, and married the tamed clitter clank of eager steps to one Evelyn Gruver. A fleeting sigh escorted the Vulcan to her feet. Adorned in a bronze tunic cinched at the waist and comfortable drainpipe pants, T’Aria stood a shadow against the rainbow array of duty officers. “Ensign Gruver,” T’Aria greeted and snaked her hands behind her back.

Evelyn’s emerald green eyes shifted upwards to meet T’Aria’s gaze. They had a six inch height difference which made Evelyn feel like a younger adolescent sister in her presence. She offered the XO a friendly smile, “Good morning ‘LTC’. Are we having breakfast together? Why are we here?”. She tilted her head slightly asking out of curiosity. “Also, I recognize you from Starfleet Command School. You probably do not remember me, but it is nice to see you again. It looks like we will get to know each other better this time serving together.” She was always happy to make a new friend and being a natural extrovert she became energized when around other people. Her fatigue was fading quickly and she was definitely looking forward to spending time with T’Aria. She felt that she could learn quite a bit from her in general since she was still considered a brand new officer. Evelyn also naturally enjoyed meeting and getting to know about the various different species in the known universe along with their cultures which helped make a career in Starfleet a solid fit for her.

  • Ensign Evelyn Gruver, Security & Helmsman

The Ensign’s zest was for people of a livelier cast than her, but if T’Aria was at all fazed, it wasn’t evident in her schooled features. She afforded Evelyn a quaint nod and a rhythmic gesture to sit. “Ensign,” she spoke with an eerie calm, “I understand you’re a newly commissioned officer.” T’Aria phrased the statement like a question, then continued without a moment’s delay. “I’d advise you to consider your audience before you entertain small talk.”

She dismissed the thought with a raised eyebrow. “To answer your question,” her hardened expression softened somewhat, “yes. Lieutenant Lovejoy should be joining us shortly.” She rolled her wrist and took note of the time but made no mention of the officer’s delay. “Until then, may I interest you in coffee or water?” She emphasised the latter in open deterrence from the caffeine that may provoke another energy spike.

T’Aria returned a minute later, Evelyn’s drink and her Vulcan mocha snug between her fingers, and set them deliberately on the table. “Tell me, Ms Gruver..” she took a seat across from the Ensign, “…what are your ambitions?” She spoke plainly and made no effort to hide the flicker of curiosity passing through her gaze. It was a strange question, but she found there was so much more in an officer’s aspirations than their motivation to join Starfleet.

– T’Aria, XO

Chimes in and waits. She then talks to herself “I feel bad for not knowing. I’m probably in trouble with something but I dont know. I’m afraid and doesnt want to get yelled at.” She said to herself.

Lt. Lovejoy


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