[Starbase 72 Lounge]

The way Lieutenant Commander Tashai and Lieutenant Junior Grade Pr‘Nor relaxed against each other suggested and intimacy that Commander Adriana Cruz could only guess at. She was not used to seeing Vulcans relaxing by leaning against another person, let alone someone who it was pretty evident that they were in a relationship with. Normally they were ramrod straight, talking like advanced computer programs. 

This was unusual.

On the other hand it was also unusual to be talking to an El-Aurian, who Cruz had to remind herself was likely the oldest being she had ever met despite looking younger than Cruz herself. While Tashai seemed to be down to Earth and relatable it was the case that she was alive back before humans had warp drive or transporters. Yet here she was in Starfleet, lounging with a Vulcan.

”I hadn’t thought Vulcans were into PDA,” Cruz joked.

Pr’Nor looked puzzled, “PDA?”

”Public displays of affection,” Tashai said, “A human phrase first popularized in the twentieth century.”

Pr’Nor nodded, “We are not. Yet is it logical for me to hide my familiarity with the commander? We have been public about our relationship, and enjoy each other’s company. I would not engage in such behavior on duty, but we are off. Is it creating discomfort for you?”

Cruz had to admit the way the Vulcan phrased it, and turned it back on her was good. She could really voice no cogent objection other than it was a bit off putting and she was much more comfortable with Vulcans acting like pieces of card board rather than individuals with traits and even girlfriends.

”No it’s just not what I expected,” Cruz said, “I’m just trying to get the lay of the land as it were. Get to know the senior staff of the Anaheim a bit better.”

”I admit this is a unique relationship. It is an issue for me as well at times,” Pr’Nor admitted, “For example, am I an equal or a kind of romantic pet? A Vulcan can live quite some time by human standards but by an El-Aurian I will exist for barely a blink of Tashai’s eye. Am I, and this whole phase of her life, just a diversion from something else or does it mean anything to her on an emotional level?”

Tashai sighed, “We discussed this. You do mean something, it’s not my fault I live a long time. This is my Starfleet life, and you are part of that. Will I outlive both of you, probably, but that doesn’t mean you’re not important anymore than a Vulcan and human relationship means the Vulcan is keeping the human as a pet.”

Pr’Nor nodded, seemingly unconvinced but not arguing. It was odd that a being several centuries old had just entered Starfleet and had been fine with doing all the crappy jobs that were given to ensigns and had risen in the ranks slowly, the way anyone else would. It would also have been hard to know how much you mattered to her if you were a Vulcan or human in a relationship with her. It was kind of like dating Mount Rushmore, you knew it was there centuries before you and would be there centuries after you. So how much of notice did it actually take to you?

Rather than get to dwell further on that question Tashai turned and studied Cruz before nodding, “You will be good for the Anaheim. I think you’ll work well with the Captain and help us achieve great things.”

Cruz nodded, “That’s the plan. Is that like a prediction or a vision?”

Tashai smiled, “Neither, both. I am not good at those, though I suppose you have heard of Guinan from the old Enterprise. We are not quite all the same. I am much younger.”

Guinan, like most of the crew of the USS Enterprise – D, was known to Cruz and likely to Pr’Nor as well. Less was known about her as she was a civilian and not an official member of the crew, but it was said that she could tell the future and had visions of a stort. A talent that apparently Lieutenant Commander Tashai did not share, at least in full.

Tashai inclined her head the other way, “You had a troubled youth. Still are fighting to show your worth. This is an important opportunity for you, and I know you will succeed in it. Now am I psychic or did I just read your file last night?”

Cruz smiled, “I get it, proper preparation can look like mystical powers. And you’re right, I want to make this work with the Anaheim.”

“It is not the fastest or most powerful ship in the fleet but we have a good crew. We are efficient and carry out the tasks assigned to us, regardless of how impressive they look in our files later. I find it logical to serve alongside them,” Pr’Nor said.

Cruz knew that any pilot she’d ever met would have cut their tongue out before calling their ship ‘not the fastest’ so she appreciated the Vulcan’s candor. She was not sure yet if she could share the assessment of the California Class’s crew but thus far they were a bit odd but enjoyable. Granted she still had a lot to meet.

Cruz finished up then rose, seeing Lieutenant Yi Zhang and Lieutenant Junior Grade Thomas Winfield chatting with some Cardassian women she approached, might as well meet them as well. Seemingly looking for an exit point the Cadassians scooted away, leaving the two men on their own as the Commander approached.

”Gentlemen,” she said.

”Commander,” Zhang looked like he might either salute, or ask her out on a date, but thankfully for her levels of embarrassment did neither. The trio moved to a booth where they could talk better and Cruz ordered another round of synthahol drinks for them. She thanked the bartender who brought them out.

”So Commander as a rule what’s your personal view on dating crew, just as a guidepost,” Winfield asked, and Cruz had the feeling that he was very much ‘that’ guy and going to live up to his reputation as a hot shot pilot who acted first and thought about things later on.

”Since this is my first post as XO I think I probably won’t date the crew, or any member of the crew. It’s hard obviously to have a personal life and be an authority figure. Though to be honest I haven’t been in a serious relationship since the Academy,” she said deciding to be honest and address the issue head on, taking Winfield momentarily at face value.

He nodded, “Makes sense.“

”Thank you, now how do you two find serving on the Anaheim,” she asked.

Both men shrugged, and Yi Zhang answered her, “It’s fine. Operations we do the same stuff whatever ship we’re on. Sure it would be nice to be one a much more exciting assignment but moving boxes from Cargo Bay 2 to Cargo Bay 3 is basically the same wherever I am.”

”With Pr’Nor doing most of the fun flying, I don’t get to do a lot. Lots of shuttle runs, but it’s basically a transport service for medical supplies. I’d rather be doing the exciting stuff. Sure we got into it last mission but that’s the exception, not the rule,” Winfield said.

At the end of the day pilots wanted to fly, it was almost a universal law, and only the fact that one of their two highest ranking flyers was a Vulcan kept them both from complaining. Winfield was right to want to do more, but on a ship like the Anaheim a space battle usually meant that something had gone terribly wrong. When things went right, as they mostly had done thus far under Captain Hawthorne, nobody had to do anything exciting which for a pilot who thrived on excitement was quite the problem.

So Winfield got bored and threw himself into hitting on Cardassians, which made sense in its own twisted way. Cruz nodded, understandingly. 

“Hey I’m a Strategic Operations Officer, there’s not a lot for stat ops to do on a ship like the Anaheim so I get it,” she said showing sympathy.

“So what’s it like, being a Commander?” Yi Zhang asked.

She offered a shrug, “Don’t really know yet. So far a lot of meetings, but then again we’re in space dock fixing the ship. I guess it’s a lot of pressure. I know you and everyone of the crew is judging me and I don’t want to screw up. I want to prove I belong, show that this job is one I’m capable of.”

”You’ll be fine,” Winfield said, “you seem smart. The Captain doesn’t seem to hate you and you’re young, you’ll go far. My father always said that in Starfleet being sensible and showing up on time goes a long way. So do that.“

“Show up on time for work, I think I can manage that,” laughed Cruz.

“Well then soon we’ll be calling you admiral,” Yi Zhang joked, then mock saluted. 

Cruz shook her head, and then left leaving the two men to resume trying to meet women. It had been a successful day, or meeting crew and getting to know the staff that made up the USS Anaheim just a little better. The medical department and security remained, but she would get to them soon enough.