Hello There
Posted on Mon Jun 2nd, 2025 @ 5:40pm by Ensign Connor Turner & Ensign Millicent Ambrose
Edited on on Sat Jun 7th, 2025 @ 10:31pm
3,916 words; about a 20 minute read
Mission:
Episode 16 - Silent Cries
Location: Main Engineering - Deck 11 - USS Pioneer
Timeline: MD008 0100 hrs
Milie stretched her back a little, she had been hunched over some sensor relays that needed to be cleaned. She got done with that and headed for Main Engineering she was running a bit late in clocking out. Millie spotted someone she'd not seen for a few days: Connor. Giving a little skip, she came up to him.
"Hi there Connor, long time no see. How have you been doing?" Millie's voice came out confident, warm, friendly with no stuttering.
Connor was busy checking data to make certain that everything was running efficiently. Leading Delta shift was not exciting, but it was satisfying. He heard a familiar voice but there was something wrong with it. He could not put his finger on it, so he turned around and saw someone that looked very much like Millie. However, she did not feel quite right. "Millie?" he asked tentatively.
"Yes, it's me. How have you been? Did you have fun on shoreleave?" Millie took off her coveralls and went down to her uniform. She had a streak of dirt upon her cheek and her hair was all awry.
"I did, though it ended too soon. But I spent every minute I could with Marjani. She got assigned elsewhere and left just as our shoreleave got cancelled. So, I suppose that worked out. What did you end up doing?"
"I went clothing shopping with Vura and my roomie Astrid, then I went out dancing at the Never Winter Club. It was amazing! And then I went and sang at a charity event." Millie wasn't going to say anything about who she had been with; not at this time.
"You did what?!" Connor asked, more than a little surprised. "Um, Millie, those are, well, those are things, well, you might have done at the Academy. I thought you were, well, not doing those things anymore. Though, um, Marjani got me to go to Never Winter, as well. When were you, there? Did you see me? Well, maybe you did and did not know. I was a high elf with a wand.... I made a fireball or two go off there." Connor's face started turning red and he started to duck his head downward.
"I didn't see you there, I had gone the second day of shore leave. When were you there? Millie's eyes going wide when she heard about Connor's outfit. "And-You dressed up as a high elf? That is awesome. I would have liked to have seen your outfit. That is something I would have noticed most definitely."
Millie having a huge smile. "As for my putting it behind me; what I did in Academy, I'm getting over my worries and I am getting back to where I am supposed to be. Being me, Millicent Ambrose, the woman who loves to live and enjoy life despite having been kidnapped by my ex." she shuddered.
"Marjani is it? I don't know if you've told me about her. If you have, I think I was a bit caught up in my own woes. Not anymore though. And you said you had a wand and you set off some fireballs. That is great. You've got to show me that outfit sometime." Millie's attention was fully upon Connor.
"I told you all about her at our last dinner. We talked about her at length," Connor answered, his eyes falling towards the floor. What was wrong with Millie? "Then you were all worried about hugging me and were worried that somehow you messed things up. You said something about relearning social skills and having an epiphany based on our discussion of Princess Bride."
He shook his head, something just occurring to him. "Wait! You said you went to Never Winter. You went out? Who did you go with? Millie! What's going on?"
"Connor, I decided not to live in fear anymore. It wasn't healthy, and it isn't. I went out with a man I met. Actually, I think I went out on two dates without realizing it. That isn't the point, I had to get rid of the fear about being around handsome men, like you. I want to enjoy life and not be shackled with the fear I was feeling. I was feeling frightened of you. Though you did make me feel more comfortable and that was because I knew you, from Academy. I kept myself from laughing and enjoying sunshine, I hid myself and that isn't a good thing."
"Well, uh, no, it isn't," he replied hesitantly. "Just, well, you've gone from zero to a thousand in no time flat. This is, uh, well, um, surprising." He scratched his head trying to make sense of it all.
"Does this mean we can't be friends or are you able to be friends with who I am now? I know it is difficult for you to deal with sudden change. It is something that I observed about you, when you were at the Academy. I noticed you, I saw how sweet you were then and also now." Millie gave a warm, gentle smile.
"Of course we can be friends, Millie. Why would you think otherwise?" His eyes widened as he looked at Millie. "I'm just, well, surprised, and, well, maybe a bit worried that you won't have time for me."
"And why wouldn't I have time for you, if you've got some work to do tonight, we can work on a project together." Millie pulled her coveralls back up. "Let's work on a project, together, shall we?"
"Alright," Connor answered warily. "I am working on a project right now to improve sensors in plasma storms, such as in the badlands or nebulas. I have not made a great deal of progress yet, but an extra mind could be helpful."
"Okay let's get that going then. Just let me know where you need me to be and we'll get to working." Millie rolled up her sleeves.
"Well, right now I'm playing with plasma and trying to determine what substances could be used to pierce it or take holos of it."
Millie raised an eyebrow. "Are you referring to piercing something like a plasma storm? And getting readings from a scanner?" She was thinking as to how get a measurement of that. "I do know that plasma energy is formed naturally. And that it is rather explosive."
"All true and sensors commonly malfunction with them. So, how can we see in them? There has to be a way. They also take shields down. That's not an optimal position. So, I've been trying to sort out these problems. I'm sure that greater minds than mine have tried coming up with a solution but, I've got to try. So, I run computer simulations from time to time when I think of something."
"Connor, haven't you noticed the coior of the weapons when they are fired? That is the color the plasma could be but from what I was thinking there could be different colors for it. And it depends on the color of the Dilithium crystal." Millie blinked at Connor.
"Color is usually a function of detecting wavelengths of light. Are you suggesting that a different wavelength would give us a different view?"
"I think that the color of the plasma energy could be changed. Most times though it's been green. Did you know that dilithium crystals have different colors?" Millie offered up. "This is the way that the plasma can be looked at and it is detectable."
"It has to do with the purity of the dilithium, I think. Also, I believe it darkens as it used," Connor mused.
Millie gave a nod. "OK so maybe we can get a sample of the plasma and see what it contains though if I am thinking right, it depends on the composition." Millie musing on her thoughts.
"Can't hurt," Connor admitted. He switched the subject, "Um, so, well, how does it feel to, well, be so extroverted again?"
Millie thought for a moment cupping her chin, contemplating Connor's question. "It's a little bit scary but it also is making me feel a lot better. Constantly hiding in the shadows wasn't doing me any good either. And I am not that extroverted; I try to balance out the energy level."
"I always remember you being out and about at the Academy. I usually ducked away, which is partly why I was surprised you remembered me at all." He sighed. "I think Marjani is trying to get me to be more extroverted. I don't think I'm suited for it."
"Or Marjani is wanting you to just stretch your wings just a little bit and not wanting you to just sit in a dark place being a mushroom. And Connor, you always stood out to me. A nice guy, one who doesn't judge others, yes you were in your own world. People didn't understand that about you. I knew and I had also noticed your type of work. It was great. Yes, not everyone is an extrovert, and not everyone is an introvert there are those who are a combination of both. They find a balance." Millie gave a shrug. "It sounds to me like you and Marjani are exploring your relationship a bit more. Maybe discovering more about each other."
"I'm not a mushroom," Connor replied with a small frown. "Computers just make more sense. As to Marjani, I guess. I mean, I wish we had more time together. I don't even know her birthday yet."
"I know you aren't a mushroom. That was just a badly used term." Millie frowned slightly "Have you asked her when it is? Or if you have access you could look into her records, though that could be a, er, infringement on her privacy. Do you know of any of her relatives? Maybe they could tell you?"
"I would never look in her records." He blushed and turned away lightly. "That's cheating," he finished bashfully. "But, I did meet one of her relatives by accident...an aunt. She was terrifying! I think I upset her by the end...or Marjani? I don't think I did Marjani in the end, but.... wow!
"Sounds like she came from an interesting family. Does she have siblings? It sounds like you are at least getting to know her, despite not knowing when her birthday is. Does she know when your birthday is, has she told you?" Millie did want to find out
"I think she's an only child like me. I can't remember her mentioning a sibling."
Millie gave a nod remembering Connor talking about him not having siblings and maybe the same for Marjani.
"I do have siblings. I'm the third child. I have two brothers who are older, and my sister who is going to college." Millie thought about her family, her mouth turning downwards. She'd not gotten in touch with them as of late. She was pretty certain they were wondering how she was doing. Millie decided to make certain she got in touch with them once they got back to Empok Nor.
"What's it like having siblings?" Connor asked. "I would bet it is nice having some built in friends and people other than your parents to talk to."
"Yes, in some respects it is sort of built in friends, and we tended to talk a lot with each other. At times though they can be such pains." Millie giving out a laugh.
"Really?" Connor asked. "Why do you laugh at that?" He tilted his head wondering if Millie had gone mad.
"Well, being a little bit bossy. We have gotten in arguments before, it is a pain but also we just tease each other and say we're being a pain, such as, you're such a pain in the neck but I love you anyway, is what my siblings have said." Millie giving out a giggle.
"Ah," Connor said thinking he understood. "Teasing, but not in a harsh way. That makes sense."
Millie nodded. "It is great when a person has someone back them when there is trouble. I do have a friend who didn't have siblings, she made her own family by adopting those whom she felt comfortable with and were willing to be supportive. They weren't blood relations, but they were proven to be better family than if they were true family. And there is sometimes a harsh fact of some families are not happy. In fact, they hate each other. That is when the person finds a support group, making their own family to lean on."
Connor understood that. Though his social group still always remained small. "Well, there's no changing what is," Connor replied with a rueful smile. "Right? We all have to play the hand we're dealt. If wishes were fishes, we would all be swimming in the ocean."
"Sometimes there is the need for expansion, right now you could say that your circle of people has expanded by at least one. Meaning me." Millie grinned from ear to ear. "Just because I am not how I was when we first met, doesn't mean I'm not a friend."
"I would say that expansion happened when you got on the ship and looked lost when you first saw me in Engineer," Connor answered with a polite chuckle. "I don't think I ever met anyone more anxious of people than myself when you first got here. You nearly ran from dinner with me and well, I'm about as harmless as they come."
Milie blushed at that statement. "I am still slightly nervous, but I have to step through that anxiety and keep moving forward. I can't allow that person to win, by making me not want to live my life how I choose to do so. Being on this ship has definitely been giving me more confidence in who I am."
"I'm glad that the ship has helped you." He smiled weakly.
Noticing his wan smile, Millie reached out and touched Connor's shoulder, looking into his eyes, "Haven't you changed for the better, spreading your wings a bit more? You seem to have gained a bit more confidence and that is really good."
"I don't know," Connor answered sincerely. "Perhaps I am just more comfortable with you and Marjani."
"Are you still worried about working with women in engineering? You've been around them for a while now. Are you still finding them attractive? Is that why you are still stammering around them? They are just people, and part of a team. There has to be a way for you not to be nervous around them. Think of it this way, maybe if you actually associate with them, maybe they won't cause you to stammer anymore." Millie shrugged.
"I don't know, Millie. I don't think about that sort of thing."
A furrow formed in the canter of her brow. She wanted to ask why. "Well, perhaps maybe a thought or two about that might help you out. You did pretty well when you were the acting Assistant Engineering Chief. I know you were nervous but you were able to do that. So, maybe you can get to know the rest of the team better?" Millie gave him a gentle nudge with her shoulder in a playful manner. "It may end up working out and will make our team not feel isolated. What do you say?"
"Didn't I put you in charge of that sort of thing?" Connor asked, a smile creeping back onto his face, remembering when he was the Acting Chief Engineer and she was the Acting Assistant Chief Engineer.
Millie paused-then realized her mistake. She laughed. "Ack, it got mixed up in my head. You were Acting Chief of Engineering when our Department heads disappeared. I am tired but yes you did put me in that aspect." Millie face palmed and giggled. She stopped and blew some air out of her lips. "Oof, such a mix up."
"So, there you go," Connor replied, grinning from ear to ear. "You're in charge of that sort of thing and I'll just keep doing what I do best...talk to the computers and make things work."
Millie gave out a slight grump, "Sometime I hope you get to where you are more comfortable conversing with others, besides me and Marjani. Maybe someday you will. I have hope for that." Millie looked at the clock she needed to get going. "If you don't need me for anything else I should get going, I need to try to get some sleep sometime. Before I get too tired to even sleep."
"No, I don't need you for anything, but I will take a hug before you go."
Millie's eyes widened, hearing those words come from Connor, she immediately pulled Connor into a heartfelt embrace, softly whispering. "As you wish."
Connor opened his arms and embraced Millie warmly. Suddenly a thought hit him. Wait! Did she mean that like Westley? Does she think that she's my true love? She's dating. I'm dating.... I'm confused!
Millie stepped back and noticed Connor's confused expression. "Connor, are you okay?" feeling a bit concerned.
He hesitated. "I'm...not sure," he told Millie honestly. "I think so."
Millie got a thoughtful look in her eyes. "C'mon let's go talk in the break room. I can see the signs of something on your mind. You can talk to me openly."
She does know me really well. Maybe there is more. She reads me like a book. "I suppose," he answered. "Though, not many people are around at this hour."
"Well then, we can stay here, and you're right not really any people here. Okay so what's going through your mind?" Millie leaned up against the wall, and gazed at Connor.
"Well, um, you said...well, the words...."
Millie thought over the words she had spoken during their conversation. The last words she said to Connor, was-- "Oh... OH!" she drew in a breath, now she needed to confirm what those words meant to Connor. She probably already knew the answer though. "Connor, what do those words mean to you?"
"True love," Connor answered, between hesitating breaths. "Anyone who knows Princess Bride should know that.... And, well, you've been acting a bit funny today, not remembering anything I told you about Marjani.... So, um...." He looked at his feet hard, turning pinker.
Millie thought over the past few talks she and Connor had, there was a bit to dig through, as a lot had happened, since the first time they had dinner toge-. "Connor, so much has happened, and my my memories of us having dinner near the alcove of the shuttlebay, had been buried under all that has happened. That is when you allowed me to give you an embrace. And I dared to let someone get close to me to do so." Millie looked away as if piercing through the fog of memories. "There was that waiter who had made that quote 'As you wish', and we spoke of the Princess Bride, you and I afterwards."
Millie shifted her stance, as she continued. "I told you about my own Prince Humperdinck." She started to feel a bit emotional, Millie swallowed down the lump in her throat, which was forming. "I am determined that he will not control how I live anymore." Her voice hoarse with emotion.
Millie turned away from Connor, her arms wrapped around herself fighting to keep from crying. "I will be who I am supposed to be, so yes I am changing. And-and I am sorry if what I said threw you for a loop. I should have said 'wish granted.'"
Connor shifted from side to side, watching Millie crumble before his eyes. Did he do this to her? He certainly knew her story and did not want her to regress. Slowly, he moved forward, his feet carrying him unawares at first. They moved faster as he got closer and he wrapped his arms around her shoulders to her back in a warm embrace. "It is OK, Millie. I have you."
Millie broke down crying, in the corner of her mind surprised that she had. Her sobs were quiet, and she fought to stop them, her sobs moving to just sniffles. Connor's embrace gave her comfort. Then something ended up clicking in Millie's mind. She hadn't seen Elen since she had given her that jacket. That was before the ship had left Empok Nor.
"T-there is something else, I have an awful feeling that-that Elen is no longer on the ship. I've not seen her nor the assistant chief when I came here for job listings."
"Oh, no. Does that mean I'm in charge again?" Connor asked dreadfully. "Computer," he asked with baited breath, who is the Chief Engineer on Pioneer at this moment. "The Chief Engineer is currently Lieutenant Commander Brianne Redstone."
Connor looked over at Millie and asked, "Um, do you know who that is? I don't. At least, I don't recall meeting her. Is it a her? It has to be a her and with my luck, she's drop dead gorgeous. Oh, God. Why?"
Millie wiping the remnants of her tears away with her handkerchief, put it away and pulled out her padd to check on the manifest for engineering. She looked at the picture then looked at Connor. "Okay, so she is pretty but, and I will stress the point but. This, your reaction, is what I was talking about, worried about the person being beautiful. Are you worried that you will fall in love with said person? Or that Marjani might be jealous that you are serving under a pretty woman? This I don't understand. You have Marjani, she is very pretty, and you have me." she let out a puff of air.
"Yes, but Marjani's is Marjani and you're Millie," Connor answered as if it was the most obvious explanation in the world.
"And the others will in time, fall into place as them just being themselves. Fellow crew members, you becoming more comfortable working with them. So-- you did well when you were the acting chief of engineering talking to them. I was just there for support." Millie drew in a breath, feeling a bit more tired that before. Releasing pent up emotions caused a strong wave of weariness, in her. "Anyway we could stand and debate this over and over. For now, I do need to go and try to sleep."
"Yes, you do," Connor responded softly, not wishing to address the other topic. "We can talk again tomorrow or the next day or every day or whatever."
" I will be more certain to do so." Millie giving Connor one more hug. "See you later Connor, and hope you get some sleep when it is time."
Connor waved at Millie, hoping that she was feeling better, although he was still confused at her behavior during this entire conversation.
Millie took in a deep breath when the door closed behind her once she stepped out of engineering. This path of rediscovering herself sure had quite a few twists and turns to it. She gave a shrug, the only thing Millie could do was keep on moving forward, and don't look back.
A Joint Post By
Ensign Millicent Ambrose
Engineering Officer, USS Pioneer
Ensign Connor Turner
Computer Systems Specialist, USS Pioneer
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