Musings of a Science Officer - Personal Log 2

Posted on 31 Aug 2017 @ 5:38pm by Lieutenant JG Gideon Nicols PhD

954 words; about a 5 minute read

“I think there is a part of me that is going stir crazy…”

Gideon Nicols pushed the toothbrush into his mouth and began to brush his teeth. He looked at himself in the bathroom mirror, his eyes looked tired and he swore bags were forming under them. Or is it my imagination? he questioned himself. He felt like maybe he was showing his age, but he also knew that was nonsense. He was only 38 years old; he wasn’t even into the middle years of his life yet. Maybe this was what a life of Starfleet did to a person? He couldn’t say, nor could he speculate.

He continued after he pulled the toothbrush from his mouth and spit. “I suppose that isn’t really the case, earth is a beautiful planet with plenty to do. I just need to get off my butt and do it…” he said as he grabbed the hand towel and wiped his mouth. He left the small bathroom and entered the living room. The room was bathed in a soft glow from the one lamp that was on. Out the window, he could see the bay and the cityscape. Even after all these years, seeing the city at night still caused him to take pause. It was a breathtaking view, one he would always enjoy.

“Though, I will admit I miss being on duty. Or at least I miss being in a lab doing what I do best. It’s kind of amazing how so many of us want shore leave but once it happens we are ready to return to duty in a few days…” He shrugged at his own comment as if he didn’t even know the answer to that—but did he? “It’s like when I was a kid and went on a family vacation, we would be all excited to go but even more excited to get home and back into our routines. I think for my mom, she was used to commanding a starship, so being confined to a small vehicle was probably stifling.

“In other personal news, since this is a personal log and all, I have a blind date…” Gideon groaned at the thought, he had said no to Jemima several times but she wore him down. “I do wonder why people feel the need to meddle in my love life? I know she means well, and I certainly am not angry about it, but I sort of wish she would leave it alone. I know she wants me happy, but I think she also has this idea that I need someone to complete me… or at least not feel so lonely. I know she doesn’t like how I sometimes have hookups, but a hookup means just that. There is no attachment, no worrying, but I also get it. Would I like to find someone? Sure. But, it’s not overly pressing either. I figure it will happen when it happens.”

He moved to the kitchenette and opened up the refrigeration unit. It had been odd to be surrounded by kitchen objects again. On a starship or a starbase, there wasn’t such luxury in the quarters that were assigned. However, for the most part, the stove went untouched, as did the pots and pans that were provided. Thank goodness for replicators, he mused to himself. He reached in and pulled out a container of flavored water and closed the door.

“I have a meeting with my publisher in a couple of days, which should be interesting. I haven’t seen Marie in person since my first book was published. She still finds it odd I don’t publish under my actual name, but I want people to like the books on their own merit and not because I’m a highly regarded Starfleet geophysicist…” He paused to chuckle, which would be clearly heard on the recorded. “At least I think of myself as a highly regarded Starfleet geophysicist. Anyway, I’m excited for another novel to come out, and since I have so much time to kill, I may actually do some book signings. Marie said it would be a good excuse to visit New York City, Los Angeles, Chicago, Nashville, and all those other larger cities. Actually, that sounds exhausting! According to her, I have a huge fan base… who knew right? I had no idea that people still went for science fiction mystery type novels, but apparently, they do. I’m happy to share that bit of creativity with others, it’s a nice departure from being a ‘highly regarded Starfleet geophysicist…”

He rolled his eyes at his own comment. “That’s all I have planned for now. I have heard some whispers about an expedition group going to the Akkadian system. I may try to find out more about that and see what it’s about. If there is truly something going on with that, I definitely want in on that. All, I can do is wait and see, but I will admit I do hope the whispers are true. It would be an amazing experience to be able to go to the Akkadian system. But, I won’t get my hopes up, otherwise, it will be a bit of a letdown. I don’t know if I can take any more letdowns.

“Computer end log.”

Gideon popped off the cap of his juice and grabbed a PADD and stylist from the desk and settled onto the couch. “Computer begin Nicols music playlist three,” he called out. The music began and Gideon settled in to work on the outline of novel number five.

RSS Feed