Coping

Posted on Tuesday 9 April 2024 @ 18:25 by Lieutenant Nir’anyar & Captain Melody Jones

Mission: The Search
Location: Captain's Ready Room
716 words - 1.4 OF Standard Post Measure

ON

It had been a few days since Anya had her meeting with Captain Jones, the very same where Caroline had reappeared before them. Since then Anya had been soul searching, digging deep within herself and found that perhaps, given what she had lost here, just perhaps Merlin was not the right place for her now. Not only had she lost her soul mate, someone who claimed he would have moved heaven and Earth to be with her had chosen to remain in the Nexus leaving her. On top of that she had lost an entire batch of eggs, something Benzite women only go through twice in their life.

With all of this behind her as well as her near destruction of a civilised planet, Anya had made the decision to request reassignment. She had already spoken to Starfleet Medical and apparently, Admiral Crusher had taken interest in the situation and had personally selected a replacement but offered Anya an assignment closer to home. Medical Research Director on Benzar, it was an offer she felt at her very core she could not refuse.

Gently she thumbed the chime on the Captain's ready room and waited to be admitted.

Melody was going over the reports from all department heads. So far, nothing out of the ordinary was cropping up but the saboteur was still at large. "Come!"

Anya waited for the doors to open and took a half step into the room. Her eyes went direct to the PADD in Melody's hands and found that her nerve for the coming conversation had ebbed.
"I'm sorry Captain. I can see you are busy. I can come back another time!" she said as she started to turn and back out of the room she hadn't fully entered.

Melody smiled. "Not at all, comer in. What can I do for you?"

Anya stepped into the room just enough so the doors would close behind her but she made no move to close the gap between her and the Captain. Instead, she remained still, hands clasped before her, her eyes searching the room for anything she could focus on rather than make eye contact with the Captain.
"I... erm... I need a moment of your time if I can, Captain".

Melody picked up on the awkward vibe Anya was giving off and stood, trying to put the young officer at ease. "Always a pleasure. Please have a seat." She motioned to the sofa as she came around and took a seat next to her. "What's on your mind?"

Anya smiles weakly, catching only a moment's eye contact with her Captain and friend. She had known the conversation would be a difficult one but now the moment was here she wasn't sure she could go through with it... She needed to though as the orders would be landing on Melody's desk in the next few hours.
"Captain, I've accepted a position closer to home, medical research and heading up cold station three in the Benzite system... With everything that's happened recently I need to return home, and be close to my family".

Melody regarded her friend with a bittersweet smile. "Very well Lieutenant. I respect your decision. You will be greatly missed here but you should do what you think is best for your family."

Melody stood and offered Anya her hand. "It's been an honour serving with you."

"Likewise Captain" Anya offered but gently pushed the hand away so she could come in for a hug instead, protocol be damned.
"I will miss you, all of you but I'm not the same woman I was".

"You're right there.... You've grown." Melody said as she hugged her friend. "You'll always be welcome back here."

"Thank you" she moved back, freeing Melody from the hug. "I won't keep you. I have packing to do. Admiral Crusher has advised that she will be sending a replacement who should be with you in the next day or so."

"I look forward to meeting them. They have some bug shoes to fill." Melody said with a fond smile.

OFF:

●●●● Captain Melody Jones
Commanding Officer
USS Merlin


●● Lieutenant Nir’anyar
Chief Medical Officer
USS Merlin