Memory Lane

Posted on Sat Dec 20th, 2025 @ 3:58pm by Elenor Lachlan

1,044 words; about a 5 minute read

Mission: The Hand That Rocks The Babe
Location: Preston Hall-Earth.

The young Professor stood looking at one last time at an empty lecture hall. If she felt the need to end her tenure here at least in physical form by walking from the lecture hall that had started the whole whirlwind that had brought her life to this very point. She was at another crossroads and had chosen a direction in which to head.

The memory of ianother such moment came unbitten to her mind, and she closed her eyes in order to fully enjoy the hold it had on her.

-Many years ago...-

Preston Hall had been frequently a turning point in her life, her first lecture was given in this room, dimmed by terror to only recall the first rows of people. In this case however it was memorable not just because it was the site of a lecture that went as perfectly as a lecture could go...but for the Starfleet Commander whose unexpected presence had made her stammer despite having practiced this lecture for days. She'd been surprised to see his uniform, a scarlet beacon in the back of the halls cream and brown. His dark eyes haunted her every moment and now that she was back to a normal work schedule she could attempt to maybe find him.

Why were you in my lecture mystery man?

Lucien Marshal had by an accidental stroke wandered into the wrong lecture yet he found it tugging at his interest which forced him to take a seat. There were a few others in uniform of differing colours but most in attendance were in civilian attire with attention firmly on the lecturer. He was supposed to listening to a lecture on communication styles and applications, he'd hoped it would help him be a better leader for those that might otherwise take his Betazoid honestly perhaps a little roughly, as was known to happen. Still, He listened and watched, his chin in his hand as he leaned to the side, elbow on the arm rest.

She'd been discussing the hidden messages that were inherent in medieval communications through imagery both in the margins through handwritten notes from author or owner, but also in the art itself. Many a message could be passed along through the application of paint on parchment. Assistant Professor Lachlan couldn't drag her eyes away from the Starfleet newcomer.

"Computer, is there a list of attendees for my latest lecture?"

Lucian had no invite, he'd signed no register, he was in the wrong room by accident and yet found himself staying. He listened to her take on communication through the use of images, how an image could speak a thousand words came to mind as he looked upon her. She was indeed captivating however, hew voice almost angelic, musical in a way that was pleasing and soothing to the ears. Yet her name, displayed off to the side on the dias, he'd remember that.

Her eyes had met and lingered on him, her mind conjuring the most unlikely set of scenarios both intimate and imagining a life she didn't have. She shook her head and attempted to reign in the line of thought that would have her going back to her bedroom for a while.

"Was there a Starfleet lecture being held in the same building?"

"Affermative- Communication styles in command settings."

As time went on Lucian's focus drifted more onto the lecturer than the topic, there was just something about her, he was making mental notes, what she looked like, presented herself, held herself so that it would make it easier for him to pick her out of a crowd. She was indeed something, perhaps one of the most beautiful women he'd come across with a voice soft and gentle enough to match. As much as he didn't want to sterotype, she was nothing like he expected given her profession, but with a voice such as hers, if he was a student he'd gladly listen.

Each time she met his eyes, a smile tugged at her lips. Something about him drew her attention like a beacon. He practically demanded her attention, and his handsome face was something she had difficulty ignoring. He was listening so attentively to her. Now several days later she was at a bit of a loss as to how to find him. "Were there any officers scheduled to attend that lecture that were absent?"

6 names appeared in a list. Two Cadets, an Ensign, a Lt. Junior Grade, a Lt.Commander and a Commander. The immediate give away were two wore gold, 2 wore blue...leaving the Lt. Junior Grade and the Commander standing out, both wore red. There were no images next to the names however, just name and rank. For now, Lucian would remain unknown.

That was frustrating. "Do any of these officers have official pictures?" she muttered to the computer that was installed into her office. Leaving the list up on her screen she paced around the huge desk she worked from. Then she cocked her head to one side "Three gold dots is a commander, correct?"

"Affirmative"

"What is...Commander Marshal's duty station?"

"Executive Officer of the Akira Class, U.S.S. Monarch" The computer chirped. It wouldn't display or inform much more than that, given security clearances and her not being fleet.

-Current time-

Opening her eyes she smiled brightly out on the rows of empty seats and a chamber that echo’d oddly in its emptiness. A box opened and dispenced a tiny holo- emitter onto the podium from which she had lectured for the last 12 years. She was now a full professor, where the memory had been that of an assistant. That his title was different now was fitting she mused as she twirled a curl of hair around her finger. So too was the ship to which he was assigned. This time, this time she had been not only allowed, but encouraged to accompany him.

The box closed with a click and the other holo emitter, the precise mate to the one being left behind would allow her to teach from anywhere in the universe. She touched the switch that would dim the lights in the lecture hall to nadir, and walked out towards whatever destiny awaited her.

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