Making Friends

Posted on Fri May 7th, 2021 @ 3:19am by Gavin Lovejoy

Mission: Season 5: Episode 2: Operation Save Humanity
Location: Mess Hall
Timeline: MD2 16h00
1931 words - 3.9 OF Standard Post Measure

Gavin was wandering the corridors of the Elysium. His father was busy taking care of ship business and his mother was getting their quarters in order, so that left him to his own devices. His wanderings had led him here, to the mess hall. Entering, he found it mostly deserted except for a few officers and seated at one table, an attractive girl about his age. He decided to go and introduce himself. Walking up he spoke, "Um this might sound forward but I'm new to the ship and you look about my age." He paused realizing how dopey that sounded and started again, "Hi, I'm Gavin Lovejoy and you are?"

Raye had been sulking. She had just made a friend and now they were gone. And no one was telling her anything about the situation. So when a guy walked up she was not really paying attention. But she looked up out of politeness. Lovejoy. She knew the name, her mother had told her about the new XO. She studied the boy, "I am Raye" she said. "Raye Crosby-Triannth."

"A pleasure to meet you Raye. Do you mind if I join you?" Gavin asked politely. "Your the first person I've met that's my age."

"Not surprising, a few people got transferred before we left dock by the ... new captain,... and they had teenagers our age. You are what? 16?17?" The red head asked.

"!7" Gavin confirmed "And if there aren't very many teenagers our age, we should stick together." Gavin put forth, "That way, we'll always have someone to talk with and be with...you know friends."

"Well there are the cadets if you want male friends, but i am the only girl our age around." She said casually. "I will be 17 in a few months."

"Yeah, I'll get around to meeting them later, right now, I want to talk to you, if you don't mind. Say, have you eaten ?" Gavin inquired.

Raye shook her head. "No, no appetite. Things are pretty tense at the moment. My mother is a security officer and she is worried about her job so... its kinda put me off food. "

"Oh wow. That's tough. I'm sorry. But you know you need to eat too. Yolu getting sick is going to put more stress on your mom. I don't mean you have to eat right now but do eat." Gavin said sincerely. "Do you want to talk about it? I'm a good listener."

She had to narrow her gaze at him. "Your father is the New Executive Officer of the Elysium. Are you telling me you don't understand how these things work? New CO, new XO, they clean house. Officers who have sterling records are suddenly transferred or in extreme circumstances imprisoned and that leaves others feeling very worried about their jobs, about their lives."

"My father wouldn't do that." He said defiantly. "He can be a hard ass and a stickler for doing things the right way and if people can't cut. He'll find some one who can. But imprison them? No way."

"oh? You have not heard then? I am surprised, the new captain is basically gloating about the fact that she got her post because they arrested our captain for treason and now, my best friend is being sent back to her home world where she will be whipped, raped and probably murdered!" Raye replied. "And the charge? Treason. Treason, from Captain Penelope Phoenix Lalor. I have never heard something so stupid in my life and believe me, I have heard a lot of stupid. So if it can happen to an officer of her reputation, it can happen to a security lieutenant."

"I hadn't heard and I still find it hard to believe but I will find out. I promise you that. I don't think your mom has anything to worry about. Just concentrate on the job. I'm sorry I got you worked up." He stood up. "I'll leave you alone so you can be alone and sulk."

Raye sighed. "Sorry I know its not your fault." She said. "Please.. don't leave. It is probably better you got it from me and not from others around. Guess it gives you a heads up as to how the crew is feeling."

Gavin sat back down. "I'm glad you told me Raye. As for how the crew is feeling, I'd say stressed to the max. Maybe it will blow over, you know? The new captain putting her mark on everything. Give it some time." He suggested. "it will get better."

She doubted it. "Just don't tell people that. They don't believe it."

"You have to give things a chance Raye. Captain Lalor had one way of doing things, Captain Carington has her way. It's just a matter of getting used to the new style." Gavin urged.

She wanted to roll her eyes. "Yeah well we shall see. So you are still in school or are you going to attend the onboard academy?"

"You shouldn't be so negative. State of mind is half the battle." Gavin countered. In school for a couple of more months. Then I'll probably enroll in the academy here."

"You will enjoy it." Raye said with a small half smile. "Just don't use your last name."

"What? There is nothing wrong with my last name. If people have a problem with it, then that's their small minds talking. Do you feel like that Raye?"

"Hey don't say I didn't warn you." She said "Your father is not well liked here either. And that he has replaced a well loved and well respected executive officer..." She paused. "Can you use your mother's maiden name?"

"You don't know my father. How can you and the others judge him? He has to follow orders to you know!" He shook his head. "I could use my mother's maiden name but that's hiding and I have nothing to hide." Gavin answered stubbornly. Anger in his eyes at Raye's suggestion. That was low.

"So you are going to follow in his footsteps? Go into Starfleet, become a captain one day?" she changed the subject quickly.

Gavin nodded, "I hope so. I'd certainly like to." He admitted. "What about you? You going to attend the Academy?"

"No." The reply was honest. "I have auditions of Juliard in the next month or so. I am not one to be in starfleet."

"Oh." Gavin was disappointed but tried not to let it show. "Julliard! That is great. I hope you get in. I'll say good luck but I doubt you will need it."

"i'll take what luck I can get. Its a chance i never would have gotten where I was born so I am taking the chance I can."

Raye's comment confused him. "Where were you born that you wouldn't get the chance to attend Julliard?" He asked.

"no. I would be a slave in the mines of Terrok Nor or worse." She said it so matter of factly that most were a-taken a back by her calmness about it.

"Terrok Nor? You mean Deep Space Nine? How would you be a slave on a Federation station?"

Here her lips quirked. " I mean Terrok Nor, under the control of the Bajoran Intendant, I was born in the Mirror Universe, The Federation did not exist there."

Gavin paled at Raye's statement. 'The Mirror Universe? I didn't know. How did you manage to get here?"

"My mother gave me up to her duplicate before her death. She was a slave. I was 4 when she died. She and My mother here, smuggled me out of Terrok Nor and the Federation Admiral gave me political asylum."

"I, I don't know what to say. I'm sorry about your mother but I'm glad you are here." Gavin replied honestly,

"Its a way better life here than there that is for sure." She said "And having see the Mirror Universe since then, it has not changed much."

Gavin visibly shuddered, "My mom was a captive in the Mirror Universe for years. Captain Lalor and the Elysium crew got her out. She doesn't talk about it much either other than to say it was bad."

Raye nodded. "I believe that is an understatement." She paused. "Your mother... is she Samantha Prescott?"

"She sure is!" Gavin said proudly. "Do you know her?" He asked .

"We met when she was brought on board. I was helping in Medical." Raye said "She is very strong. She had to be, to survive 4 years in hell."

"She is strong." Gavin readily agreed. "I'm very proud of her and to have her back here with my dad and me. My dad really missed her and so did I."

"Did she come on board with you?"

Gavin nodded. "She did. Would you like to meet her?"

"maybe one day when things settle done." Raye said. "She may not wish to be reminded of those days."

"Okay, suit yourself. You don't need to tell her your from the Mirror Universe, just a friend of mine." Gavin suggested.

"I am sure she knows. There are not that many of us, its like you get a list every time someone new comes back or comes from there."

"A list? Are you kidding?" Gavin questioned. That sounded extreme to him like the officials were keeping track of the mirror universe people.

"yeah. Think about it. You run from that life to here. Someone back there has a grudge... if they come through a rift... you are forewarned."

"Yeah that makes sense." Gavin agreed. "I just hadn't thought about it. Guess I better get my thinking jacked up."

"Oh its understandable. But I bet your mother has the list. Last thing she would want is to be going back there."

"Your probably right. From the little bit I know of the Mirror Universe, I don't want anyone going back there." Gavin answered firmly.

Raye nodded. "Well maybe one day they will seal the rifts and no one will suffer that."

That would ne nice." Gavin agreed, "No one should suffer because of who they are or where they came from."

"Maybe but the world does not work that way Gavin."

"I suppose not but it's nice to dream." Gavin admitted.

"And you want to captain a starship one day." she smiled at that.

"I do. Guess I have a lot of growing up to do." Gavin said quietly.

"well you came to the right place. A starship opens one's eyes." Raye said. "You will learn lots."

"Thanks, for having confidence. You know you'd make a great counselor. You listen and you care. That's a winning combination in my book."

"As interesting as that would be, I am going to be Prima ballerina assoluta, and dance in L'Opera in Paris." She smiled almost wistfully. "Miran and I were going to live in Paris, she would paint and I will dance. Now, I guess its just going to be me."

"That sounds wonderful. Never say never. Things always look darkest before the dawn. Keep the faith Raye."

She shrugged "We shall see" She glanced towards the wall Chrono. And she sighed. "I have to go collect my siblings."

"Indeed we will." Gavin replied. "Okay, I won't keep you any longer. Can we talk again? I really enjoyed our conversation."

"Sure, and you will see me in school." Raye stood. "take care Gavin."

Gavin smiled broadly, "Great! You too Raye."

Raye nodded and left the messhall, heading towards the turbolift.

Gavin watched her leave. "Wow! What a girl I can't wait to tell mom about her." He said quietly to himself.