The Journal

Posted on 16 Nov 2014 @ 2:21pm by Lieutenant Prudence Devin Ph.D.

704 words; about a 4 minute read

The woman frowned as she stood in her temporary quarters on Starbase 84, holding a glass of scotch close. She wore a black skirt and a peach top, her hair pinned up. However, the high heels had been discarded as she stood alone there. "Computer, open personal log from yesterday."

Accessing. Opening. View on screen

Prudence Devin frowned as she walked over to the screen, looking at her own face as she started talking. She grimaced, shaking her head. "Computer, mute sound."

Muted

She let out a breath as she watched, frowning as she sipped her drink. She had never liked recording things on a computer. Now and then she would do it, to see how it would look. A woman in front of a camera, recording something...trivial things. It was always trivialities she added to her logs. Because it wasn't that nice to talk about other things. She shook her head, finishing her glass before walking to the decanter, pouring herself another one. "Computer, delete personal log," she said, waiting for a moment.

Deleted

"Thank you," she gave a nod and sat down, sighing softly before shaking her head. She reached out, for the journal and the pen, biting her lip before she started writing, whispering the words to herself.

"I have finally been given my assignment. When I was dropped off on this base I half thought it a punishment for overstepping the boundaries of being a counselling by wanting to physically protect those in my care. I did see how it did not go down well with the others on the Montgomery. Don't ask me why. Starfleet gives basic phaser training to all personnel, why should it be strange when we use it?

Or maybe it is an age thing. On the Titan, my CO was at least my age, if not older. It felt better that way, the natural respect for your elders emerged. Also, he did not underestimate me. I feel that it happens after you pass 40. You get considered old and therefore incapable of defending yourself, let alone others. Now that is the biggest load of bull I have ever heard, but there you have it.

People are people. We are all different, with different aspects to us. And I have never been a person for lying down and just taking it. Now, I have heard rumours that my new ship is never one for taking it lying down. The USS Gallileo is Captained by a man called Holliday. I do not know much about him, except he is younger than me and he served on the same ship as XO before. It is a science vessel and I will be boarding it once it has been...well. The nice man I spoke with said 'cleaned up', so I can only assume it saw some action. Regardless. Until then I am on shoreleave. Which will drive me quite mad, so I have requested an office and I am seeing patients. Duty clearances, check ups and the emergency meetings...it will keep me busy until I can report for duty.

I am expecting Leon for our anniversary. This is the longest distance from Earth that I have been on that date, but he promised he would come. Apart from our wedding vows, he has never broken a promise. It will be nice to see him, and see pictures of his child. And his other ex-wife. We should start a club if he ever gets married again. The Leon Arden Appreciation Society for Silly Girls. Her name was...Sierra? Siri? Something silly like that. And I am sure she was lovely and her child is beautiful. But Leon doesn't...settle well with the calm housewife. Sometimes...

I think he doesn't even know what he needs anymore. But which one of us does anymore? Life gets more and more confusing as we get older.

With my kindest regard,
Prudence Devin."

She smiled weakly, watching the ink on paper before closing the journal, reaching for her drink to sip it. For her, it was the best way of getting things off her chest. If anything, she was a woman with some quirks.

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