Shayla's Day
Posted on Wed Apr 22nd, 2026 @ 6:57am by Staff Sergeant Shayla Kunadt & Major Edmund Merrick
Edited on on Wed Apr 22nd, 2026 @ 7:02am
2,047 words; about a 10 minute read
Mission:
Episode 17 - Going Home
Location: Main Mess Hall - Deck 2 - USS Pioneer
Timeline: MD010 1300 hrs
Even though it was to be downtime, the crew recovered from their mission to Wren IX, Edmund was taking the time to go over the reports of what happened.
His eyes stopped on a particular name, one who saved their hides. Staff Sergeant Shayla Kunadt. A memory bubbled up to that of a medic meeting that he had called for, over coffee.
Back then, Shayla had been itching to get into action, and they certainly did get into a lot of it.
Shayla could be found in several places.
He tapped on his combadge, "Kunadt, what's your location?"
Shayla had been in the Shuttle Bay putting the finishing touches on some upgrades to the shuttles. Her duties took her to the shuttle bay more often lately as they added duties to her normal Marine work. She tapped her commbadge. "I am in the Shuttle Bay sir. Is there something I can do for you?"
"I will be there shortly." Edmund responded cryptically and closed the communication.
A short time later, Edmund entered the shuttlebay, making his way to where Shayla was working.
"Kunadt" he greeted her. "How goes things?"
"So far so good sir. Just getting the Serenity up to snuff. Lieutenant Trellis has me getting these maintenance crews up and off their collective arses." She smiled as she wiped some dirt and sweat off her hands. "What brings you this far below decks?" She smiled as she was only making jest at Merrick. However, it was true that people of rank as high as Merrick rarely came below decks unless they had a specific purpose.
A crooked smile appeared, as Edmund regarded Shayla with a twinkle in his eyes. He liked the jest.
"It is you that brings me down here." he let that hover in the air before he added. "And its nothing bad, not at all." though could that be classified as being ominous? He'll just roll with it.
"You come all this way for little ole me. In that case what can I do for you?" Shayla said and then indicated that one of the Crewmen she worked with finish up the task. "I don't think I have bridge duty for another few hours."
Edmund gave a nod as to Shayla's answer. "Have you had anything to eat yet? If not, we can grab a bite in the Mess Hall or After 11. The choice is yours."
There was a small warning of sorts in the back of Shayla's head that wondered if he asked for a date. The rumor mill said that he was interested in someone else. Also, he was the senior officer and fraternization just did not happen in the Corps. She decided that she would see what this was all about. "The Mess sounds good. I can do with a meal." She zipped up her uniform tunic and generally made herself look more presentable to the crew at large.
"Messhall it is." Edmund stated, it didn't bother him either way.
Walking mostly in silence until they reached the messhall, Edmund gave a nod in greeting for those who greeted both him and Shayla.
Edmund commented to Shayla, when they reached the door leading into the mess hall, "In case you're wondering what all of this is about, we'll talk about it once we've gotten our grub."
One side of his mouth fought to turn upwards, Edmund was working to fend off a smile. Edmund had something he wanted to present to Shayla. In the short time he had on Empok Nor, he had something crafted, utilizing a sketch he had drawn.
A sandwich and coffee, was his choice of meal, Edmund making his way to where a table was now empty, the occupants having left near the viewport.
Shayla opted for the food of her German ancestors. She ordered a plate of sauerbraten with spaetzle and creamed spinach. She ordered a pint of Weissbier to go with it, synthol of course. Once she had her food she took a seat opposite Edmund. "You know sir, I gotta say this is a tad unorthodox. An officer looking to dine with an enlisted. I mean I am not opposed to it. But what would people think?" She smiled sarcastically and tucked into her food.
"I never said I was the usual run of the mill guy." Ed joked. Taking a bite of his sandwich. He chewed it while looking at Shayla's food.
Once his mouth was cleared, "That does look rather good. You've got good taste and to answer your curiosity. I wanted to get to know you, and I intend on doing this with the other marines."
A sip of coffee. "Look, Shayla the fact of this is. I wanted to thank you for what you did to help us out. And I wanted to give you something." reaching in his pocket he pulled out a box and opened it, sliding the box towards Shayla.
Inside was a coin, on it was the emblem of the Hawkeye, and the Marine symbol.
"This is a challenge coin, in recognition of what you did, going above and beyond. You saved us. And I am grateful for what you have done."
Shayla's eyes widened as she looked at the coin. "Thanks Major this means a lot. But it is all in a days work as it were. You all did the heavy lifting down on the planet surface. Although, I will admit that the computer's version of B'Lanna Torres was not too helpful." She laughed at her joke and then smiled. "But, we got the job done."
"B'Lanna Torres? You've got to tell me about what you had to do to make things happen. To me it was nothing short of a miracle." Edmund was quite interested in just what Shayla had to do. She might be just making it seem nothing but, he did want to hear.
"I am by no means an engineer, and I had to reconfigure the deflector array. So, I had the computer create a tutorial of sorts. Using an engineer who would be a relative expert on working by the seat of your pants. So, it created B'Lanna Torres. We got through it well enough. But for the love of everything. I hope that the real Torres is nothing like that simulation." Shayla said with a broad smile. The thought of the interaction with Torres brought a smile to her face.
Listening to Shayla's story, as to what she had done,had gone through; made Edmund more appreciative and impressed by the marines he had been placed over.
Edmund gave a huge answering smile, as he agreed with Shayla assessment, "I don't think Torres would be like the simulation. Simulations are just a copy, but can't truly catch the essence of the person they are based upon."
Leaning back in his chair, Edmund took another bite of his sandwich, chewing it slowly as he thought over the Silence mission.
Swallowing the bite then taking a drink, Edmund then remarked. "You are planning on taking some time off from the ship when we get to Earth."
His voice not making it a question but more of a statement
"I am making certain that everyone does so, just to give themselves a balance."
His piercing blue gaze, had a firmness in them.
"That last mission was rough, and made everyone's nerves raw and wound up too tight. Hopefully you will take the time to unwind, I know that there are those that have a difficult time to just relax. I'm not saying that it needs to be the whole time but, being wound up too tight, can cause a person to make mistakes."
He wasn't saying that Shayla had made any mistakes, it though was important that all of the Marines were in tip top condition.
Shayla smiled as she took a bite of her lunch. "Actually sir, I did have plans on visiting Germany. My ancestors are from there and I have never seen it. But, I don't think I can stay away for too long. You know us jar heads and all. All work and all that. You have any plans? The rumor is that the Commodore is inviting all the Senior Staff to his ranch."
"I do plan on going there, before that though, I plan on seeing my family, I'm from New Zealand. Hawkes Bay." Edmund replied with a huge smile. "It will be really great seeing the family again. It has been awhile, been way too long."
"Wow, New Zealand. That place is gorgeous. It is said that it has never changed over the centuries. I am hoping to get there. Perhaps on the next trip though, this one is all about Germany." Shayla took a few more bites of her food. She was a little out of sorts, as this was the first time that an officer took the time to get to know those under their command. At least the first time that she was aware of.
Giving a smile, Edmund ate a bit more then spoke.
"Going to the place where your family comes from, is always good to discover your roots. Gives yourself another layer to your whole person. And also getting back to your roots can also balance you out." a moment or two then Edmund asked.
"Is there anything that you would like to bring up with me? Something you would like to talk about?" Edmund deciding to make that opening. he was working on establishing interaction and getting to know his marines.
"Just that I appreciate the implementation of Marines being integrated into starship operations. Working with the Flight Team when there is no duty for the Marines is great. A good learning opportunity as well." Shayla said with a beaming smile. Fact was this new integration opened up a whole new world for her. One that she would not have normally been privy to.
A nod from Edmund as to what Shayla said, "I agree and I to like it very much." taking the last bite of his food, a look around the mess hall, he turned his attention back to her. "Thanks for agreeing to have lunch with me, I wanted to let you know of my appreciation as to your work."
"Thank you Major. That does mean a lot. Anytime you want to slum it as it were. We will be here for you. If you want to get your hands dirty there is always work to be had in the Shuttle Bay." Shayla took the last bites of her food with a smile. She meant what she said. It was rare that an officer took time like this to check on their subordinates.
A warm smile, Edmund rose from his seat picking up his dishes. "I'll take you up on that. Nothing wrong in getting the hands dirty, and working in the shuttle bay. Though you might have to direct me to the Torres learning holoprogram." Edmund having a teasing look in his eyes.
"Though come to think of it, I may need to go through a refresher course." Edmund wasn't a slouch with doing handiwork. After all the Marines needed to know how to keep their equipment in good order and repair. Still though, never good to think one was above learning or doing a refresher course.
"No time like the present then sir." Shayla said with a broad smile as she picked up her dishes and put them back in the replicator. The gang in the Bay are going to be so surprised when they see Edmund neck deep in warp plasma.
Edmund didn't miss a beat, "You are right." giving an answering grin, "Time to get dirty." he quipped, going with Shayla.
Edmund wondered to himself, just what the reaction was going to be when he would be following instructions from Shayla. He shrugged, it didn't matter. He said he would and so he will.
A Joint Post By
Staff Sergeant Shayla Kunadt
EVAC Specialist HQ, The Cure
USS Pioneer
Major Edmund Merrick
Company Commanding Officer Officer, The Cure
USS Pioneer
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