Checking Up On Sofia

Posted on Wed Feb 26th, 2025 @ 7:08am by Captain Edmund Merrick & Petty Officer 2nd Class Sofia Cipriani
Edited on on Fri Feb 28th, 2025 @ 5:16am

1,320 words; about a 7 minute read

Mission: Episode 16 - Silent Cries
Location: Tuscan Cafe - Lower Promenade - Empok Nor
Timeline: MD002 1000 hrs

Second day of shore leave Merrick had left his temporary quarters on Empok Nor to wander about the promenade and see about getting something to eat. The scent of coffee caught his attention which drew him in that direction. It is strange when a scent can cause something to pop up in a person's mind. And this did bring to Edmund's mind the distinct scent of coffee in the air when he had gone to see Tyler and the tang of something not right with the Commodore, and Sofia's state of emotions.

Edmund decided he'd message Sofia.

Sofia its Merrick, if you've got a moment to spare I'd like to have a moment of your time. Meet me at this coffee/tea shop. Edmund sending the name to her.

Calls from different members of the crew came in all the time. It was common for Sofia to receive requests for her time in all manner of places. In her busy schedule she did in fact have a small amount of free time to spare and with Edmund's call she acknowledged him and began her move over the the station.

As Sofia approached her meeting place with Captain Merrick she smiled as she caught his attention. Moving closer she stood at attention at the side of the table he sat at.

Noticing her presence, Edmund gave a friendly smile. "Hello, thanks for coming. Is it okay if I call you Sofia?" he gestured to the chair across from him. "Please have a seat, would you like some tea?"

The informal start to the conversation caught Sofia off guard a touch and she looked around the room a bit before answering and moving to sit. "Of course sir, you can call me Sofia. Most people do." she replied as her bottom touched the seat in front of the marine captain. "Tea would also be nice, thank you..." she trailed off as she thought something. "Do you need me to do something for your sir? As nice as this is, I don't need to be treated to a cup of tea to do what you want."

A soft chuckle from Edmund, as he shook his head. "Actually Sofia, I am not wanting to have you do something for me. This is more for you, and my wanting to see how you are doing. " he looked over as a waiter came to get their order. "Peppermint tea if you would please and a scone with honey."

The waiter turned to take Sofia's order.

"Tea with some honey please." Sofia ordered as she thought about what Edmund had said. "If you don't mind me asking sir. Why does the marine XO care about how I'm doing?" she asked honestly, giving a light smile.

The waiter getting the orders walked away.

Edmund leaned back in his chair, left arm across his chest as he regarded Sofia for a moment or two. "The last time we met, there was something that happened between you and Tyler, I had just come in on the tail end of it. And just because I am the Marine XO doesn't mean I can't care about others outside of The Cure. I wasn't always a Marine, I was Starfleet previously. And I believe that those who are on the Pioneer are all one crew. Breathing the same air and under the same roof so to speak."

Sofia thought for a moment, it was a nice sentiment and not one that many people had. As much as the Human race had evolved usually people still only cared about their own self interests. At their basest biology they hadn't changed much, just had better technology now. "I appreciate that sir, I do." Sofia said softly and sincerely. "I'm sure we'll talk about that at some point, not that I want to." she shrugged, a shiver running up her spine.

"Its something I won't insist upon you talking about." Edmund said quietly. "That was a situation that was awkward and uncomfortable for both of us." He shook his head as if to clear that out of his mind. "Now for a different subject, are you familiar with Empok Nor? Any suggestions of places to go?"

"I'm grateful for the captain. It's not something I would choose to talk about with someone I know well, let alone someone I don't." Sofia sighed. "I know you are friends with the Captain Malbrooke, so am I, but it's a finer line I need to walk because of how closely we work together so I'm trying to be professional just now..." she trailed off as the waiter brought their drinks over.

Thanking them she turned her attention to Merrick after a quick blow and sip of her tea. "I know what it is, Empor Nor that is. Cardassian's made it look like it has claws... are all their ships and stations made to look scary and intimidating?" she asked.

This gave Edmund some pause as he thought of what Sofia said. "You know, you are right. It looks sort of reptilian and it can cause a person to give pause as they come into the station. Definitely a distinctive architecture feature. And what do you think about the Bird of Prey of the Romulans?"

"An upside down spider." Sofia said randomly out loud. She was talking about the Cardassian station but it was a thought that just came in to her mind. "I've never seen a Romulan Bird of Prey... I thought Klingon's had those?" she asked her brow creasing with some confusion. Her knowledge of other species was not the best.

Edmund paused for a moment "The Romulans have a T'Liss-class Bird-of-Prey which is what I had been studying on. 22nd Century. You are right though, Klingons have the Bird of Prey while the Romulans have the Warbird. I will admit I made a mistake."

"The Romulan's could have kittens of prey and I wouldn't know the difference." Sofia chuckled. "I have seen pictures of a warbird though, big monsters." she commented.

"Yes they are." Edmund chuckled as an image came to his mind. "Kittens of Prey, I just had an image of a Caitian ship with something that looked like cat ears. I know that it maybe something wrong with that image but it popped up in my mind." A drink of his tea bringing the level down to half of the mug, then lifted it towards Sofia in a toast. "A toast to you, Sofia, may you always be as sweet and diligent as you are now."

Sofia did think it a rather strange toast from a man she barely knew but she smiled as he made the toast and a flush of red filled her cheeks. Slight embarrassment was not uncommon for her when being complimented but she did her best to accept gracefully when she received such praise. "Thank you sir. I'll see your requests moved further up the captains to do pile." she laughed softly.

Edmund gave a quiet chuckle. "You don't have to do that, I appreciate the offer though." He finished his tea, placing the cup back down on the table. "Thank you once again for taking the time out of your busy schedule, Sofia and coming to chat with me. I should get going, and not take up anymore of your time."

Sofia rose before Merrick did, out of respect for his position and it's how she was taught. "Thank you sir. Enjoy the rest of your day." she said plainly as the Marine Captain acknowledged her and walked off to continue his day.

A Joint Post By

Captain Edmund Merrick
Company Commanding Officer Officer, The Cure
USS Pioneer

Petty Officer Second Class Sofia Cipriani
Yeoman, USS Pioneer

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