The ten cent tour and something more

Posted on Thu Sep 9th, 2021 @ 3:02pm by Ensign Luke Conway & Lieutenant Commander Ariana Monroe-Wayne

818 words; about a 4 minute read

Mission: Episode 110 - An Endeavor in Discovery
Location: USS Pegasus-C
Timeline: MD2 - 1130hrs

{ON}

With the ship underway on its shakedown Ariana had joined Ensign Conway for a tour of the new ship. She had a feeling the newcomer had something he needed to talk about, but only if he was willing to do so.

"Commander, I've been...asked to give a tour of the ship." Conway said to Monroe as he walked up to her on the Bridge. His tone was less than respectful. "Where do you want to start?"

Ariana offered a smile. “I’m happy to start wherever you are Ensign” she slowly got to her feet and motioned for Conway to lead on. “Let’s just head off the bridge and see where we go from there shall we?”

Conway turned toward the turbolift and rolled his eyes. He glanced back at Fleet Admiral Bremer as the doors opened. He allowed Monroe to enter first, then he stepped in and turned to face the door. "Engineering."

As the lift descended Conway didn't say a word. He just looked forward at the doors. In his mind he 'knew' he was being forced to play tour guide because of his tiff with the Admiral's son. He made up his mind this would be the fastest tour of a ship in the history of Starfleet.

Ariana could sense that Conway was ‘stewing’ something was obviously going on with him. “Computer halt turbolift” She turned to look at Conway as the lift came to a stop. “Okay Ensign, just what is it that’s bothering you?”

Conway was taken back, he wasn't expecting to be asked anything except about the ship. "I, um, ma'am?"

He paused for a moment after stuttering. "It's been...I mean." He paused again. "My mother was killed during the war, I guess it still hurts."

It was at least partly true, her death did hit him hard.

Ariana sensed the truth there but there was also something more. “That’s true but there’s something more isn’t there?” She looked at Conway as she rested her hand on her bump. “You might feel better if you talk to me about it.”

Conway took a deep breath, then changed his mind. "I don't want to talk about it."

Conway tapped a button on the turbolifts panel and it resumed it's trip down to Engineering. Once the lift stopped and the doors opened they stepped out. "This is Engineering. It's similar to a Sovereign class design, just bigger."

He stepped out and looked around. Several Engineering Officers and Crewmembers were walking around, checking displays and monitoring the ship's power.

Ariana looked around. “Very impressive.”

Conway looked around for a moment himself, then walked back into the lift and wait. "What do you want to see next?" His tone was back to what it was before, cold.

“I have no idea, to be honest I’m more worried about you.” Ariana offered a brief smile. “I wish you’d talk to me but I won’t force you.”

Conway rolled his eyes. He waited until the turbolift doors closed before he said anything, "Ship's lounge."

Once the lift started moving, Conway spoke again, but did not look back. "Most people on tour want to stop for a drink. The lounge is akin to the 10-Forward Lounge on a Galaxy class ship. I'm sure the Admiral will name it something snazzy soon." The sarcasm in his tone was clear.

“So that’s it” Ariana looked at Conway. “Admiral Bremer... something’s happened between you and the Admiral, am I correct?”

"I never met him before the Pegasus was assigned to him." Conway replied.

After a few minutes the doors opened when the lift stopped on Deck Twelve. Conway took two steps out, then looked back at Ariana. "All Admirals are the same. Hide behind their ranks, sit in the rear while other people fight their battles or risk their lives on dangerous missions. They only pop their heads out of their holes for photo ops that make them look good. It was an Admiral like that sent my Mom on a mission and she never returned."

Ariana nodded. “I’m sorry to hear that. Admiral Bremer has always taken care of those who serve under him. He’s had to make hard decisions, he also recently lost his wife. Give him a chance, not all Admiral’s are the same.”

Conway was lost in through for a moment, but didn't give an answer. He had no use for Admirals, and in this case, he didn't care what this one had suffered through. He had no idea of his personal pain, and knew he didn't care.

He decided to go on with the quick tour of the ship, but after he planned to put in a formal request for transfer. He knew the Chief Operations Officer aboard the USS Zheng He, maybe they could use a Security/Tactical Officer.


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