Looking for Peace and Quiet

Posted on 01 Aug 2014 @ 9:12am by Petty Officer 2nd Class Jeroen Adlar & Ensign Jaana Voutilainen

757 words; about a 4 minute read

Mission: Episode 06 - Legend of Souls
Location: USS Galileo's Arboretum
Timeline: MD 07 - 2000 hrs

ON:

Jeroen Adlar's breath escaped with a soft sigh of annoyance as he reached out to pick yet another tribble from the tree. The creatures had managed to get everywhere, including the one place that Jeroen had sought out for quiet contemplation. He had come here after returning to the Galileo...he had been on compassionate leave to take care of a dying friend. Now he was back, he knew he should seek Blake out...and yet he hadn't.

He had come here to contemplate in silence. Only to find himself picking tribbles. At least it was quiet here. Everyone was focusing on the mission at hand. Jeroen...had no such worries. Not yet anyway.

Jaana was sitting on a bench near the lake reading a padd. With the absence of a library and solo quarters she had found her refuse in the arboretum. Around this time there was no one around, except tonight unfortunately. She looked up to see who was there.

Jeroen sighed as he got down, looking over at the woman. Pretty, young, blond. She looked a bit sad though. But he found a lot of young people nowadays had an air of sadness about them. It was almost a romantic idea as far as he could see. He smiled to her as their eyes met and motioned to the tribble by her feet. "Cold feet? If not I can take him away...got a box collection going of these little critters."

Jaana looked down. "I hadn't even noticed." She picked it up and handed it to him. "I don't think I can see any more tribbles. Have been cleaning them all afternoon." she said as she pulled her legs up the bench.

He moved to her, taking it before putting it in the box. "Everyone seems to be doing it. I have never realised tribbles were this...bad. I thought people overreacted," he said as he smiled before offering his hand. "Jeroen Adlar, geoengineer..."

Jaana returned the smile and accepted the handshake. "Jaana Voutilainen, stellar cartographer." She pointed to the box he was carrying. "Don't forget to close the lid."

He closed the lid quickly, chuckling. "Thanks...knowing me, I might have forgotten. So you're in my department then. Good. We need good scientists."

"On a ship like the Galileo that might be handy yes." She wanted to continue this conversation but didn't really know how. "Have you been on the Galileo for long?"

He watched her with a small smile, his eyes gentle. She seemed shy. He sat down on the ground, watching her...by settling, he hoped she'd realise they'd talk for a bit at least. "I came to the ship months ago. I have been away for a bit...taking care of a friend. And how are you settling in, Jaana?"

Jaana smiled at him. "I've been here for almost 36 hours and so far I've roamed the ship from appointment to appointment, I've cleared room full of tribbles and I'm trying to adapt to living with my sister again."

"I can imagine it being difficult...tribbles and being so close to family," he said gently, but there was warmth in it. "Are you two close?"

"We're twins, so yes. But we haven't lived together since we were 18 and moved out of our parents house. And you? Do you have any siblings?"

"A brother," he said and smiled weakly, shaking his head. "We do not talk anymore. So you are slowly settling in together once more?"

"Yes, apparently 18 years and 9 months hasn't been enough" she chuckled. Looking behind her she saw the amount of tribbles was expending. Again. "How is that even possible" she said pointing to them. "No replicator on site and still they reproduce. I didn't know they were herbivores."

He chuckled as he picked up one, putting it in the box. "I have never figured out how they do it. All I know is...I came back and they were all over the place."

Jaana's padd started beeping, alerting her her of a other engagement. She sighed, not really wanting to go. She liked talking to Jeroen. "I have to go, unfortunately."

"Don't worry," he stood and offered his hand to her. "I will see you again. We're in the same department and I come here a lot. It's been a pleasure meeting you, Jaana."

"It has indeed" She looked at him as she stood up. "been a pleasure, I mean"

OFF:

Ensign Jaana Voutilainen
Stellar Cartographer
USS Galileo

&

Petty Officer 2nd Class Jeroen Adlar
Geoengineer
USS Galileo

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