Ladies Talk

Posted on Sun Jul 17th, 2016 @ 10:20am by

1,442 words; about a 7 minute read

Mission: New Faces and Terror Beyond
Location: USS Dreadnought

Elizebeth moved through the ship of the dreadnought as if she was out to spend the day on the town. Dressed in a simple dress with miniature cooling tubes to a small pump that looked like fanny belt pack just above her hips in back. She had on matching sandals.

After taking care of her husbands needs in getting ready for his job as a captain of a starship. It was a big day for him. She was going out to get the feel of the crew. She took her breakfast in the civilian lounge where both Civilians and Fleeters can meet, socialize with breakfast.

***
Ayla finally gotten her children off to school and daycare. Marks off to his work with a thermos of hot coffee the way he liked it. Now it was her turn to head to the XO's office.

She had realized that she missed out on breakfast. The way fleet was hesitant to send out the Dreadnought, she figured she would have time for a quick bite to eat. She entered the Civilian Mess and gotten her food. She carried her tray looking for a solitary table to eat and leave.

Elizebeth looking around as she ate with impeccable manners. She saw Ayla. Smiling waved her over to join her at her table.

Ayla being polite, returned the wave with her tail and moved to join the Captain's Wife, Elizebeth. She settled at the table, "Squeakies." In the way of greeting.

"Hello, Mrs. Bawden." Elizebeth replied with a softened smile as the translator failed to provide a translation. "I hope you and your family are well this morning?"

Ayla smiled, "Theyz fine. Just a bit grumpy about getting up so early in the morning." She replied with the warmth of a mother's pride. "Yooz have children of yooz own?"

"No. But we're working on it." Elizebeth spoke softly to Ayla with a wide smile. "You've been with this ship for awhile. What the crew like." She asked still knowing that Ayla would probably gloss over the facts.

Ayla looked thoughtful as this was the wife of the Captain. "From what I've seen and experienced. The crew is very professional and will pull together when the occasion will arise. We have our dissenters, trouble makers within each of the Departments. But nothing that the Department heads can't handle. If it gets out of paw and Security gets involved. Then that is where I step in and deal with the problem, unless it is a serious offence that Captain has to get involved. Then it aint pretty for the individuals concerned.

Elizebeth just nodded as she listened. "So..." She looked around a bit worried at the nearby tables of occupants. "How's the crew feel about Admiral S'iraa getting relieved of ship command?"

"At first when he took command of the ship, we didn't like it as we are dealing with an unknown. Till we get to know Captain better. Wez will be very professional as required of the job, positions we hold. So far we've had no captains die by the hands of the crew yet. As long as I've been serving aboard the Dreadnough series of ships." Ayla smiled softly.

Elizebeth studies the Mousian XO for a bit digesting what she had heard. "Well... Go easy on him. He's a newly minted Captain and I'd hate to be unnecessarily widowed in the prime of my life."

Ayla smiled, "Don't worry. I seriously doubt that the crew would go that far. But they will sure let their opinions, advice, strategies and tactics be known. And maybe throw in a few 'No's' a long the way and argue."

Elizebeth smiled, "If that is all he has to worry about on the crew. Then I think this will be an enjoyable tour of duty, Mrs.." Ayla interrupted her with 'call me Ayla. "Ayla. You used to be Science?"

"Squeee." Ayla nodded affirmative. "And before that, held command of mez own. But always under the Ship's Captain."

"What sort of command you have experience in?" Elizebeth smiled warmly with interest.

"Starfighters, Commando. Some ship command." Ayla glossed over her past experiences. "Come from Nobility." She was ready to continue, but fell quiet and took some food to give her some time to think. "You been an Officer in Fleet?"

Elizebeth laughed softly. "This is the closest I come to being an Officer in Fleet. I've grew up within a very influential family of Merchants and a Retired Admiral who thinks he still onduty even though he's been retired since the Dominion War. My husband Ra served with my grandpa so he could be with us today. A be it, a bit slower. But his mind is still sharp and keeps his hands in the mix."

"Political Favor for yooz retired Admiral?" Ayla tilted her head in curiosity as she paused in lifting a chunk of food to her mouth.

"I don't know." Elizebeth spoke softly. "Ra was promoted to Captain, then just as he was getting used to being a Captain in rank as he was an XO at the time." Elizebeth looked down at her plate of food, looking a bit worried. She had a sneaking feeling that her great grandpa, the Retired Admiral, pulled a few strings. Even the Dominion War was a hot subject in the Halls of Power. And the choices of Allies from the other Star Empires to help share the cost of war along with the Federation. Just as this ship under the command of Admiral S'iraa. Then it was expected that another Admiral or Senior Flag Rank would get the assignment. Not a newly minted Captain. "I hope not. Just a serious show of faith in him and his abilities. Plus a wife to keep him focused on what is important."

"Iz sure that he'll do fine. And hopefully keep him in line." Ayla smiled softly and resumed eating.

"You being a mother of.. two children? How does that effect you?" Elizebeth was curious as a civilian and only time she stepped foot on a ship was as passenger till she married Ra.

"Itz a blessing and curse at the same time. Itz something that is done with love and a lot of patience. When I was just a Department head in Science. I had plenty of time to be with mez children and to take care of mez husband." Ayla smiled softly.

Woman's intuition of Elizebeth and Andorian empathy, Elizebeth knew Ayla loved her children and her Mate. Elizebeth nodded. "Yeah it would take a special person to do what you do and be a mate and mother. Has it effected your job as A fleet Officer?"

Ayla looked thoughtful and then spoke softly. "Yeah it has. During a rescue attempt of the ship's crew and mez children. I-I had to come up with an alternate plan to subdue the terrorist who had held mez daughter and few of the crew's children hostage. It was scary as I just had Miracle after being barren for so long."

Elizebeth nodded in all the appropriate places as she had heard various other mothers talk about their children and knew when to make the approving nods and noises. "Being assigned to being the ship's Exec. How has that effected your home life?" Then taking a sip of her drink. Semi-paying attention in appearance.

"It.." Ayla looked around with a sigh, "... A lot harder than it looks." She thought back to the MacLeod family. He had made it soo simple. But then she never glimpsed what was happening behind closed doors either. "Kids are leary of mez. Husband misses quality time together that wez used to have."

Elizebeth nodded sagely, knowing that shipboard life between Fleeter and mate, a lot of important dates are overlooked, missed or just plain shoved to the side to answer the call of the harsh mistress of duty.

"Why did you take the job? I understand you could've turned it down?" Elizebeth inquired with curiosity. "A lot off officers turn down promotions and command slots all the time."

"At the time. Iz thought Iz was needed and could do it. Like running a department. Only with a lot more people." Ayla spoke softly.

One of the mess stewards came by with refills for the two ladies talking. "Excuse me. We need to close down for clean up." As he served them both. Getting a polite nod from them both and soft 'thanks' from each.

They both got up and carried their drinks to the dishes return spot, finishing off the refreshed drinks as they chatted about everything and anything. Then went their separate ways.

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