Career Day

Posted on 30 Jan 2019 @ 7:20am by Rear Admiral Lirha Saalm & Nesh Saalm

912 words; about a 5 minute read

Mission: Episode 17 - Crystal of Life
Location: USS Galileo-A - Deck 1, Captain's Quarters
Timeline: MD -162, 0722 hrs

[ON]

The captain sat across the dinner table from her younger sister just as they'd done many times in recent nights. It'd been two weeks since Nesh smuggled herself onboard, and while Lirha'd debated what to do with her, the youthful Orion had pretty much had free reign throughout the ship aside from the restricted areas. But that situation needed to be changed soon, for there were no free rides or vacations aboard Galileo. While Lirha chewed on a tender piece of calamari, she began to think out loud.

"I think it's time to put you to work," she casually said to her younger sister. "Have you thought about a way to make yourself useful yet?" she half-teased.

Nesh looked at her sister, frowning for a moment before she looked down at her food. She hadn't really had much of an appetite since she had come onboard. "Not really," she admitted before she met her sister's eyes, taking a deeper breath. "I need to do something. I know that, I need to make amends and not be a burden. I...just don't know how."

"Your previous training was in science. I can speak to Lieutenant Sandoval if you like? I'm sure she would like an extra hand," Lirha suggested. "And it would put you back on your original career path...if you ever decide to change your mind about Starfleet."

"No," Nesh's voice was suddenly firm, older and she met Lirha's eyes. And then smiled to soften it, taking a deeper breath. "I mean...it makes sense but...no. I...look, I can be some use here, maybe doing other things? With such a long journey, the crew is going to need distracting. I can help with that. I...I can do an art class with them? Or work in the mess or...something else."

"What sort of art class? Would you enjoy meal preparation?" Lirha asked in a probing manner.

Nesh sat back slowly, holding Lirha's eyes before she smiled. "It's not about me enjoying anything. But I don't want to go back to science. I...I wasn't that great at it and it would be a step back. You got enough passionate science people here to keep you going. And...art class with...paints and charcoal. Where people can come in for an hour or two and just...draw what they feel. And not be judged or analysed for it."

Lirha reached for another piece of calamari while she listened. "I think I can allow that. Perhaps a few sessions per week on our activity group rota? Chaplain Thorne is in charge of crew morale and off-duty recreation. I can introduce the two of you if you like?" she offered, then began to chew the flavorful breaded squid. "But you will need a real job as well, and it's either cooking or maintenance."

"I...remember Verity," Nesh said before she shook her head, considering it for a moment. "What about the bar? Who covers that?" she suddenly asked, meeting her sister's eyes.

A small grin graced the corners of Lirha's lips. "The volunteer mess staff, for now. No dedicated staff yet. Why? Do you think you'd make a good bartender?"

"Yes," Nesh said and smiled weakly to her. "Look, I know my drinks, I can tell when people have had enough and sometimes I am a decent listener. And maybe...that is enough. I can try and be a friendly face."

Lirha looked at her sister for a long moment. She was tall, thin, and possessed the same curves all Saalm women did. The older she became, the more her Orionhood blossomed. "You're more than a pretty face," she smirked in reply. "And don't think I've forgotten about the time I walked in on you and Lake...and the other Human. When they were posing nude for you."

"I doubt they have forgotten it either, seeing as you shot them both," Nesh countered with a small smile, raising an eyebrow almost challenging. "Look...I have made so many mistakes. I...I don't know who I am anymore."

The older Saalm scoffed at that. "Nesh, please. You're eighteen now so you can choose your own path. I will be your legal guardian until the Federation deems you self-sufficient, but that means getting a job. How about 0400 tomorrow in the main mess to start the bread? And late shift you can work the bar to earn some extra credits," she proposed. "And...while you're off-duty, we can spend more time together..and you can paint me as a glorious captain."

"I don't do abstract..." Nesh said and stuck her tongue out, light returning to her eyes before she gave a small nod. "Yes. I can do that. I can get into it..." she nodded, the idea of making bread appealing somehow. Something physical.

"Good." Lirha smiled with satisfaction, happy that the conversation had gone as quickly and smoothly as it had. There'd been no yelling, no throwing of food or robust Orion insults. The older sister-captain pushed the large entree of calamari forward to Nesh. "Now eat. You look thin."

Nesh rolled her eyes but reached with her fingers for one and popped it in her mouth, biting down. "Now you sound your age..." she teased and then pretended to duck at any retaliation from her older sister.

[OFF]

--

CAPT Lirha Saalm
Commanding Officer
USS Galileo-A

Nesh Saalm
Civilian
USS Galileo-A
[PNPC Vansen]

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