Reaching out, touching base
Posted on Tue Nov 19th, 2024 @ 10:49pm by Commodore Tyler Malbrooke & Captain Edmund Merrick
Edited on on Tue Nov 19th, 2024 @ 11:06pm
0 words; about a 1 minute read
Mission:
Episode 16 - Silent Cries
Location: The Quarters of Tyler and Katherine Malbrooke - Deck 3 - USS Pioneer
Timeline: MD003 1300 hrs
Edmund stared at his reflection in the mirror, arguing with himself of when to go see Tyler. He was torn, would he be interrupting Tyler in some personal matter? It had been way too long since he had spoken to Tyler. That entity did play havoc where everyone was concerned. Time to do some reconnecting. The worse that Tyler could do would tell Edmund to go away.
Edmund left his quarters, and made his way to Tyler's Quarters, his hand reaching out to press the chime and paused. Instead he decided to tap on his combadge contacting Tyler.
"Uh hey, Tyler, its Edmund. Are you busy?"
"Not at all. What do you need Captain?" Tyler replied. His door was always open to his crew, and he did not mind being addressed by his first name. However, over the comm channel was a different story. Tyler decided he would let this one slide for the time being.
The usage of his rank from Tyler, made Edmund realize he had made faux pas. "I'd like to have a visit with you, Commodore, thought it best to find out if that was alright instead of just showing up at your door, and ringing the chime." Edmund was silently cursing at himself. Things like this shouldn't be so awkward, but it was feeling as such.
"Sure come on over." Malbrooke out. Tyler knew that a lot of his crew worried in the aftermath of what happened. So, he tried to keep his door as wide open as possible. However, he did have limits and he and Kat had plans. So, he hoped Ed would make this rather quick.
Edmund had walked away from the door, while he spoke to Tyler, not wanting to make things seem even more awkward. He returned to the door and pressed the chime. He didn't plan on keeping Tyler too long, just needed to make that bridge once more. The door opened and Edmund did a quick glance over Tyler. He was looking better than what he had previously.
"Hi Tyler, thanks for letting me drop by." Edmund having a relieved expression in his eyes.
"No worries Ed. My door is always open. What can I do ya for?" Tyler smiled broadly and motioned toward the couch . "Have a seat and take a load off. If you have come just to see how your Top was doing. I'm fine recouperating and moving on as the old saying goes." Tyler snapped his fingers. "Oh, I almost forgot. Congratulations on the new position. I signed the orders myself."
"Thank you, Tyler, it wasn't what I was expecting to happen. I remember when I first arrived on the Pioneer just us catching up, talking about the introductory program of interweaving StarFleet and the Marines, finding a balance. A lot has happened since then, I've gone through growing pains, well a lot of us have." taking a seat. Ed leaned back in the chair, stretching his legs out, taking a look at Tyler, remembering the entity coming out of Tyler and Rowena.
"Tyler, I'll keep it brief. Guess you might say I needed to check on you with my own eyes and also, we still have that DnD game whenever you are ready to run again." Edmund deciding to keep it light instead of heavy, giving an impish grin. "I could quiz you about what went on but I won't, anyway when you get time, lets go out for a drink, catch up on other things at a later time."
Edmund reached up and scratched at his own ear, giving a sheepish smile, "I wanted to say thank you again for taking me under your wing, you are a friend and I also, considered you like a brother, in academy, I just didn't tell you that back then." Ed went silent, pulling his legs back in from being stretched out.
This wasn't his normal deal but ever since what happened, Edmund felt he needed to be a little bit more open.
"Well you are very welcome. You earned it, so just keep up the great work. As to gaming... Man I would love to get back to it but we just don't have the time right now. Besides I am working on a new concept for a game which may be the next game session. It would be literally living the game on the holodeck." Tyler could tell that Ed didn't come just to talk gaming. "So, is there something else on your mind. You seem a little down. I can get Vura if you need."
Edmund gave out a chuckle at what Tyler had mentioned living the game on the holodeck. "Ty, I've been working on something like that myself. Hmmn great minds, you know the saying. I am looking forward as to seeing what you come up with." evading for the moment the subject of Vura.
He circled back though "As for Vura erm, no not at this time. I actually would like to talk to Kat, not tonight but, maybe Tomorrow? I do need some womanly advice, i got the impression from you, when we spoke on the bridge a while ago, Kat has good instincts."
"Yeah, she usually does. But she married me so who knows." Tyler gave a laugh. "You can talk to me about it if you wish. But Kat is usually available. I know we havve some plans for this shore leave. But perhaps after that."
Edmund gave a nod, "Well, I don't think she made a bad choice in marrying you. Though at times I had asked Vivian why she agreed to marry me and she would just shrug her shoulders and would say, that I was the right fit for her." giving a bit of a chuckle. "As for something that has been on my mind, I'm attracted to a woman, had one date with her, don't know where that will end up. And the lady is Rowena. So there is a little bit of trying to figure out what to do."
"Dunno what there is to figure out..." Tyler began with a slight chuckle. "If you want to persue her then go for it. Although this may not be the best of times after everything that she has been through. But then again it may be the perfect time as now is when she needs someone the most. All I can say is people who work in intelligence are an interesting lot, with a lot of secrets."
"This is true, we had gone out for dinner, and Rowena did tell me what was happening with her. She didn't hide that from me. I just didn't know just how serious it was until.. well, what happened, happened. " Edmund giving a chagrined and apologetic, wry grimace.
"Yeah almost losing someone can reveal a lot about how you feel for them. Kat is one of the reasons that I was able to fight off that thing. So, I think the best thing you can do is give it a shot. The worst that is going to happen is she is going to say no and you both move on with your lives. But the best that can happen... Well... That could be anything." Tyler smiled and sipped his ever present coffee.
A visible expression of relief became evident, as Edmund gave a bit of a smile. "Thank you Tyler, that really helped a lot. And I am really glad you fought that thing and won. it was... difficult seeing what you were going through. I won't belabor the point though. It also did make me realize how important you are as well. Something like this truly shed a different light upon things and in some aspect it was a wake up call."
"Well then it seems that you have some work to do. Just remember that I need at least six months notice to perform a wedding. " Tyler smiled broadly at the tease he gave. Fact was he had command of the Pioneer for some time and had only performed one wedding. That was something that needed to be rectified.
Tyler's statement made Edmund's eyes went rather round, his cheeks growing red "S-six months you say? Uh... okay... uh.. I've got work to do if there is the possibility for that to happen." he stammered out. "W-well I will make certain to let you know, if or when this journey does arrive at that point."
"You do that. And best of luck." Tyler could tell that Ed was thrown for a loop. But, with a little bit of luck there may be some romance left in him yet.
"Okay and thanks Tyler for letting me come visit. It truly helped. Also have a great time on the station while we are here. You richly deserve the time off." Edmund rising to his feet he left Tyler's quarters. He did feel a lot better and who knows, maybe things will work out with Rowena. He hoped it will but only time will tell.
A Joint Post By
Commodore Tyler Malbrooke
Commanding Officer, USS Pioneer
Captain Edmund Merrick
Company Commanding Officer Officer, The Cure
USS Pioneer
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