Plasma surges flare; warning lights blink through the smoke. Deck twelve's gone all dark.

Posted on Wed Sep 17th, 2025 @ 2:28pm by Ensign Vesper Wells & Lieutenant JG Elen Rell

1,810 words; about a 9 minute read

Mission: Prologue
Location: USS Guinevere
Timeline: 2388

The corridor heading to the Captain’s office smelled faintly of recirculated coffee and that nice tang of ozone that, despite what people said, Elen believed was just part of the air recycling system. Her boots scuffed a little more than usual as she walked, her steps dragging just enough to suggest the end of a shift. She had a PADD in one hand, a smudge of something suspiciously coolant-coloured on her bright turquoise crochet cuff, her favourite one that showed the warp signature of the ship at warp 4, and the kind of focus that only came when she was running on half a breakfast and two-thirds of a plan. She’d meant to drop off the Engineering reports an hour ago. But then Ensign Tel’s graviton stabiliser panel had started humming like a haunted flute, and then someone had tripped the thermal dampener in corridor C-12, and then she’d had to climb into a crawlspace that was definitely not regulation height for anyone with shoulders. It explained why her uniform jacket didn’t sit quite right and why a scarf had been used as a hair tie to tie her curls and braids from her face into something a bit more...protective and sensible. That too was turquoise.

Now, slightly out of breath and very much thinking about food, she stepped up to the Yeoman’s office with the PADD tucked under one arm like a slightly angry sandwich. She’d expected the usual. Same desk, same person, same mildly passive-aggressive smile and limited patience for Elen Rell and her not-so-standard reports. The door slid open. And…well, not the same person. Not even close.

There was someone new behind the desk. Blonde. Younger than the last Yeoman. Crisp uniform. Calm and composed in a way that made Elen’s brain trip over itself for half a second, just long enough for her to stare and think oh no, she’s pretty. Elen blinked. Reset her metaphor buffer. Then spoke. “You’re not...huh. You’re new,” she said and gave her a smile. “Elen Rell, Engineering.”

The young blonde looked up from her screen, her blue eyes widening with surprise at the observation, and a warm smile appearing in response. Elen Rell. Yes, she remembered that personnel file. Brilliant. Mercurial. Underestimated. "Vesper Wells, Yeoman," she offered in return, her gaze flicking over her with curiosity...or more precisely, to the added adornments she wore.

Elen smiled as she looked at her, nodding. "It's really nice to meet you, Yeoman," she said and held up the PADD. "I come bearing very boring report from Engineering, with added lines of poetry to check that the Commodore is awake to read it...I can sense when he huffs at one of my flowery terms, or similes..." she winked and moved closer to the desk, the PADD going to tap against her leg got a moment. "Welcome onboard, Wells. You'll like it here, I hope!"

"Me too," Vesper admitted, chuckling gently as she reached out to take the PADD from her. She scrolled down, skimming it before a laugh escaped, unable to help herself. "Is...is that a haiku you've used to describe your EPS conduit malfunction...?"

"I mean it sums it up, right?" Elen asked, leaning a little on the desk as if settling in for a chat, but staying out of Vesper's personal space because...well, that was just normal manners. Her smile was bright, the kind that warmed rather than dazzled, eyes flicking between Vesper’s face and the PADD as if sharing the joke. "Says the same thing, but with... style." She tipped her head towards the PADD, curls slipping forward despite the scarf's best attempts at keeping them at bay. "Gives the eyes a nice break in-between the replicator malfunction on deck 6 and the Jeffries tubes cleaning the enlisted had to do. Breaks up the ‘and then this broke’ rhythm."

"Well, it does certainly draw the eye.." Vesper admitted with a soft laugh, her eyes sparkling with humour as she looked it over. She couldn't imagine ever submitting a report so...colourful. What made it so endearing was the fact that it was clearly just Elen's natural expression. "I....am not entirely sure if the First Officer would be as won over by it though."

"Oh..." Elen met her eyes, a small, warm smile settling easily. "Perhaps the haiku was a bit much... I thought Captain Standing Bear would enjoy it. Warp Core Poetry." She tilted her head slightly, curls shifting with the motion. "Best read with a cup of something hot and spicy." Her expression softened, almost thoughtful. "You look like you’d appreciate good poetry. Or somewhat mediocre haikus, depending on my focus." A spark of humour lit her eyes. "Either way, I could always write you one. Custom-made. Engineering themes optional."

Vesper tapped her nail against the desktop, as if considering it. "Well, I, for one, am already a big fan of your poetry. I would just...suggest that it might not earn you any extra points with command staff. Trust me, I sift through a lot of these. They like them extra dry, like bitter wine."

"That’s... boring though!" Elen said with a small frown, shoulders dipping as if the very idea had physically weighed her down. She sighed, giving her head a little shake before conceding, "Alright, I’ll...rewrite it." Her eyes lit again, the grin returning. "But I’m writing you a top secret haiku. Just for you. No command staff, no dry-as-dust reports, just pure poetic brilliance...or slightly mediocre verse, depending on my focus." She gave Vesper a playful wink. "You look like you’d appreciate the good kind."

Vesper laughed warmly at the offer...or was it a threat? If it was, she didn't object. "I accept that challenge...I bet I can find it everytime," she launched her own gambit, smiling playfully with it.

"Oh, I bet you could." Elen’s eyes lingered on her with a spark of mischief as she nodded, holding her hand out to take the PADD back with an easy smile. "Maybe in the Green Kiss? I heard in the ancient times you’d write things on a napkin." She leaned in slightly, her voice lowering just enough to feel like a shared secret. "Not sure you’d understand my handwriting...but maybe that’s part of the challenge." Her grin softened into something warmer. "Means you’d have to let me read it to you."

"I'm sure I'd cope," Vesper teased her back in return. She knew what she was doing. But she was also happy to play along. It was harmless after all. Besides, it added a splash of colour to her day. "But if you ever think of presenting me a report on a napkin, I'll be forced to have you sent to the brig..."

"Ha, they'd have to catch me first...I can hide all over," Elen said with an easy smile, her eyes shining. And then she let out a soft breath. "Seriously though, being new on a ship, even one like this, can sort of feel like you've dropped down and edge into coolant leak. So...if you want to go out, for a drink, or even a cup of tea or a meal in the mess? I'd like that. And it would force you to take a break. I bet organising the professional life of a Commodore is hectic."

"I am unable to either confirm or deny that observation..." Vesper chuckled softly at the way that Elen had put it. "However, I would love to join you for a drink. What time do you finish?"

"Finished now," Elen said with a grimace before she tilted her head. "But I find things to keep me busy until you're done with your shift. There's always recalibrations, diagnostics and unfinished socks to do."

Vesper glanced to the time before shaking her head with a gentle smile, snapping her computer lid down decisively. "I'm already over. Come on, you can fill me in on all the highlights," she laughed softly as she pushed herself up, taking a moment to centre her balance and straighten her jacket and belt. Reaching out, she caught hold of the simple black cane that had been tucked behind her desk, using it to stabilise her limp as she moved round to join her.

Elen grinned at that, watching her. Her eyes clocked how she moved, the cane...which was smooth and sleek and actually, really cool. Was that okay to think? To say? "Do you have different canes for different outfits?" she blurted out, meeting her eyes. "Because if you don't...just saying...glitter and sparkles makes a functional statement piece. Should see what I did with my ODN Decoupler. Sequin sheath. I'm considering knitting one for a friend of mine but I am pretty sure he'd...accidentally leave it in the airlock. And then open said airlock. On accident."

Vesper laughed softly as she fell into step with her, but found the blunt question refreshing. It was better than just an awkward glance anywhere else than the cane. "Just black. It goes with the uniform then. Although, you do realise the ODN Decoupler is Starfleet property, right...?"

"Is it?" Elen's eyes widened with mock shock before she smiled. "It works better now. It's stylish enhancement of Starfleet property. They should thank me. Possibly promote me," she said as she walked with her. Her eyes went to the cane again, briefly, before she nodded. "You're right, it goes with the uniform. Is there a sword inside of it? Because if not...I mean, sure it would break loads of regs, but only those teeny tiny ones that every officer seem to ignore anyway...that could be cool."

Vesper laughed out loud at the suggestion, her head shaking warmly at she looked to the practical version in question. "Oh I wish. I'm not going to lie, I really wanted one of those when I first got one. I was told it was highly illegal, unfortunately."

"Yeah, but seriously, we got the Ground Forces walking around fully armed at all times!" Elen said and there was playful disbelief at the double standard of the regs. "And you know that all of them have like...twenty different weapons, some not legal, strapped onto various parts of their body..." she winked to show she was teasing. "What is one itty bitty cane-sword going to do? And hey, all you need is a small fire and marshmallows and you got a party."

Vesper looked across to her with narrowed eyes but a fond smile, shaking her head lightly. "You are going to be a terrible influence..."

OFF:

Lt. jg Elen Rell
Acting Assistant Chief Engineer
USS Guinevere

&

Ensign Vesper Wells
Yeoman
USS Guinevere

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