Security Catch up

Posted on Mon Apr 5th, 2021 @ 4:40pm by Lieutenant JG Damien Blackford

Mission: Below Decks Month
840 words - 1.7 OF Standard Post Measure

Serenity's duties had rarely changed. She did patrols, spent time on the bridge when needed and then basically stood in Security waiting for orders. So, when that happened she would find things to do. Like calibrating weapons, which often got the Ensign in charge pissed at her, or in this case, she headed to the firing range to get in some practice.

She entered and found it to be nearly empty. She spotted Ensign Blackford in one of the stalls and stepped up to watch

As per normal, Damien had finished his shift and found himself with nothing to do. He didn't have many friends around the ship yet, and he really didn't want to go back to his quarters and stare at the same four walls all afternoon. So, he'd opted to come to the firing range instead, and get some practice in. When he'd entered, he'd found it be completely empty, so had gone straight to the end stall, grabbed the phaser, and set himself up.

He only set up the basic challenge. For now. He was probably going to be here a while, so might as well leave himself room to grow.

He finished up, firing at the last target, grinning to himself as he struck the dead center of the target when he got the sudden feeling that he wasn't alone anymore. Putting the Phaser down, he stepped back out of the stall and spotted the Lieutenant watching him. "Lieutenant." He said, snapping off a quick salute, "I didn't hear you come in. Good afternoon."

"Good Afternoon Ensign. You look like you are going well in this" She said with a smile stepping forward to check his progress.

He smiled, stepping back slightly, letting her get a look at his targets. "Thank you, Lieutenant." He said.

"How are you settling in here Ensign?" Serenity asked

"Very well, thank you, ma'am." He said, his stance unconsciously falling into him standing at attention. "It's strange being away from home, but I'll adjust."

"At ease" she smiled. "No need to stand at attention in here, besides the captain is not around and even she does not expect that from people unless its a formal occasion."

He chuckled slightly, relaxing slightly, but still keeping his hands clasped behind his back. "Sorry, Lieutenant. Old habits die hard, and all that." He took a small breath, before continuing. "How is everything? I trust you're keeping well?"

"I am. I am just doing my rounds for the commander. She is rather busy and I like to make sure the junior members of our team are feeling included."

"Understood." He said. There was a few seconds of silence, which Damien hated, and before he could stop himself, found himself speaking again. "So, if you don't mind me asking, how long have you been serving on the Elysium, Lieutenant?"

"Nearly 2 years now." Came the reply. She smiled faintly. "My children are hoping this will last longer than the last posting, which blew up because the chief engineer was hopeless. We were there for 2 years."

"You have kids?" He asked. "How many?" He asked, before chuckling, raising an eyebrow slightly. "Is that a metaphorical, or literal 'blow up'?" He asked, grinning slightly at her.

"Literal Blow up and I have three. A nearly 17 year old and two nearly 12 year olds."

He chuckled again before he could stop himself. "Literal? What happened there?" He asked. "What are their names?" He asked, finding himself starting to relax more, his hands dropping from behind his back, to come and rest at his side.

"The Chief engineer wanted to show that the ship, an aging Galaxy class which had not been refitted in ages, could handle the same engine as a Romulan warbird. It couldn't to put it mildly." Serenity shrugged. "And my children's names are Raye, Koray and Celene."

He chuckled, raising an eyebrow. "Oh wow. I'm not a great Engineer, but even I could tell you that that's a bad idea. Those are lovely names." He said, smiling. "Do they enjoy life on a Starship?"

"Yes, i think they do," Serenity smiled. "Though I believe they are not looking for life long careers in starfleet."

He smiled nodding. "That's fair enough. I think a part of my mother had always hoped that I wouldn't have followed my father into Starfleet. Have they got any ideas about what they do want to do?"

"Some, Raye is a dancer so, she has applied to Juliard in New York on Earth, as for the twins they are still figuring it out."

He smiled. "A dancer? That sounds like fun. And Julliard. From what I've heard, that's a fine institution to study. As for the twins, I'm sure they'll find something they enjoy in time." As he spoke, he glanced down at his watch. "Well, thank you for the conversation, ma'am, but it's nearly time for the afternoon shift, and I need to get ready. By your leave, Lieutenant."

"Go Ensign, and have a good day" she smiled and waved him off.