Eductaion review

Posted on Monday 3 July 2017 @ 23:47 by Captain Melody Jones

Mission: The Perez Nebula
Location: Ready room
Timeline: 239407.03
1611 words - 3.2 OF Standard Post Measure

ON:

Melody had called Lana up to the ready room for a chat. She had been keeping an eye on the school and was most impressed with how it was developing. She just placed a tray with a coffee pot and two cups on the desk when the door chime sounded. "Come in."

... "You wanted to see me." David's wife said nervously.

"Hello Lana, please have a seat. Would you like some coffee?"

... Thank you, white, no sweetener."

"I though we could have a chat. First of all just to catch up, its been a while and secondly. I've been really impressed with how the school is progressing. I was wondering what plans you had for the future, and if you had any ideas on how we could improve he school, or if you had any requests."

... "We're all fine, thank you, the girls are keeping us both busy, they seem to have an unlimited thirst for learning at times, which can be a little tiring after a full day in school." Lana said, taking the offered cup and saucer, "I'm glad you are happy with the school, it's settled down now Carmen, Talia and I have got the curriculum set out, it was tricky given the spread of ages among the ships' Children. We're running three age groups so far, five to eight years, nine to twelve years, and thirteen to sixteen years, that way there's hopefully nothing too difficult for the younger ones. We also have extra curricular classes twice a week, Tuesdays and Thursdays, with same age pupils. With luck we'll eventually gain another qualified teacher then we can refine the age groups."

She paused to have a sip of the coffee then continued:

... "So I suppose I've outlined what I have in mind moving forward already, I'd like another teacher, I'd also like use of one of the holo-decks on a regular basis, maybe one of those on Deck Fourteen ... Given where we are ..." she said, motioning to the view of stars through the panoramic window of the ready room, "Field trips are a little 'difficult' to arrange. If we had regular access, not sole access obviously, I could at least arrange for the children to get some practical as well as their academic and scholastic learning." ...

Melody nodded thoughtfully "I'm glad to hear you're settling in ok. As far as the holodecks are concerned, that seems reasonable. I'm sure something can be arranged. This part of space don't lend itself to field trips dose it? Also if you like we have several specialists from the Federation on-board, covering a wide range of topics. Some guest speakers could be arranged if you think that would be beneficial to the children."

... "Thank you for the use of one of the holo-decks, as for specialists, that sounds good, It would help to be able to call on people in particular fields, especially for the older students. I'll have a look at who's on board and maybe contact them in due course." she rose and replaced the cup on the replicator pad before returning to her seat, "As I said, I'm pleased with how things are progressing with the school, I have to admit I was a little apprehensive when David first broached the Captain's suggestion. We're using Federation Standard Syllabus with minor 'tweaks' to allow for our environment, and though we haven't yet set any standard tests as yet, my two Teachers and I are more than happy with the level of learning throughout the age groups." ...

Melody finished her coffee and set the cup down on the desk. "Well, that's enough about work. How are things at home? I've been meaning to have a talk with Mackenzie. I'm afraid her flying lessons will have to be put on hold for a while. I'm just buried with paper work a the moment. I do hope she would be interested in starting them up again in the future, she has real potential."

... "Well, like I said, things have settled down now. It's hard to believe we have been aboard the Merlin a year. The school is nine months old now and the children will be facing their first 'official' exams in a few months. David was very surprised with his promotion, it was unexpected ... As for Mackenzie, she's disappointed obviously, but she fully understands that ships business and your role as Executive Officer has to come first. She's learning all she can as well as doing her school work, so I'm not going to restrict her her extra curricular studies. David has also promised to get her into the holodeck and flying some of the older aircraft, she's looking forward to that, though I can't say the same for her Father, who still thinks that one wooden propeller is a little too worrying to keep something in the air, no matter how light ..... She's currently looking through the archives and has found a couple of interesting aircraft ... Something called a Camel, no, a erm, Spowith Camel, a bi-plane, it has two wings one above the other apparently, and of all things, a helicopter, she's fascinated with it's abilities. Makes me wonder if she's going to start setting age records at some point." Lana laughed, remembering the look on David's face while Kenzie was telling him about the Cessna and what she wanted to try next, she could have sworn the colour drained slightly from his face when he promised to go back with her, "Mia is doing great, she's devoted to her older Sister and encourages her all the time, despite her not being able to 'play' too ..... She get's to ride the fairground thrills though, so she's happy in her own little way." ...

"She did enjoy flying the Cessna but I got the impression should would like to have a go on the Boeing 747 we saw, that's a passenger jet. I'll try and make some time available for a trip to the holodecks with her, if that's ok with you. Just in case David needs backup."

... Lana laughed at the comment about her Husband needing backup, it was funny to think about his responsibilities on the Merlin, yet he could go white at the thought of his six year old Daughter flying around in an ancient aircraft.

"I'll tell him." she said with a grin ...

"Lana?" Melody started, somewhat cautiously "Were the children planned or were they a surprise?" Until recently, Melody hadn't thought much about children. Now what was happening with herself, Sav and Scarlet the thought had began to creep into her mind. "I don't mean to pry ...... it's just that, having children ......"

... She looked at Melody, seeing the confusion, worry, uncertainty, on her face:

"They were planned, both of them ... David had pretty much decided that after another year in Starfleet he was going to resign his Commission and take a civilian job in San Francisco, the job is still there if he wants it, but ....." she hesitated for a second, watching the woman opposite, wondering vaguely if she was being 'assessed' in some way, but discarded the thought as quickly as it had materialised, even though they had not known each other that long, she considered Melody a friend, one that would keep confidentiality a given unless of course it affected the ship, she sighed then continued, "We knew we wanted a couple of years between our Children, ideally we wanted a Boy and a Girl, but two Girls works just as well, and they are good little girls, I couldn't ask for more to be honest. Not many people can adapt to moving around. Mia even asked me yesterday if her apple tree would still be in the garden when they went home ...... I had to say it would, and it will, we have someone looking after the house, and the tree has priority. Believe me, I'd much prefer explaining the house burning to the ground than her tree dying I can tell you."

She looked at Melody, finding herself wondering about the unexpected query:

"Are you thinking about having a baby ?" she asked, "I hadn't realised you were in a relationship .. Sorry, none of my business." she said apologetically, suddenly worried she might have hit a nerve ...

Melody sighed "It's ok. It's something I've only recently started thinking about. There is......... Someone........ But at the moment I'm not sure how things are going to progress...... Or if talk of children would send him running for the hills." At this point, she didn't want to bring up Scarlet and Save'ena, "Also, after what the Borg did to me, I'm not even sure I Can have children...... I haven't talked to anyone about this, not even Save'ena. Can we keep this between us for now?"

... "Of course we can." Lana said.

Melody rose, Lana following suit

"We should meet up, just the grown ups sometime for a drink in the Round Table. I can put the fear of God into David with talk of how Mackenzie wants to fly a massive passenger jet." She added with a twinkle in her eye, "If there is anything else you need for the school, please come and see me."

"I will, I promise, and rest assured, whatever we discuss is between us OK." she said, making her way to the door, "Oh and yes, it would be good to meet socially, I'm sure Talia will watch the girls for us. If you can let me know about the holo-deck usage I'd be able to fit time into the curriculum." she hugged Melody and left .....

OFF:

Commander Melody Jones
Executive Officer
USS Merlin

Lana Tan
School Superintendent
USS Merlin