Star Trek: Erin

Part 56: Be Nice on Vacation

     I checked my communicator messages on the way. There was an information package about Blyve II from the cultural department, but I left that for the time being.

     When I arrived, the mess was a whirlwind. Shift change, probably. I spotted Nowak at a secluded table, sitting with Gabriel. Which was weird for a reason that took me a second to place. I think I've seen them in the same room... twice?

     I joined on Gabriel's side of the table and leaned in. "Howdy, Michael said you wanted me."

     "Our shuttle departure has been moved up." Nowak traced a gouge in the table. "It should arrive within the next twenty-four hours. Retronce II cancelled their request for assistance."

     "Cool. Did you have something you were supposed to do before we leave?"

     Nope, they didn't.

     I glanced between them. Neither looked fully comfortable. Hold on, I'm the mutual friend? Weird. That was a first for me. So am I supposed to help them bond? "Right, so have you guys ever spoken? Like, properly?"

     Nowak nodded. "In passing, a couple times."

     "This'll be a chance for us to, uh, get to know each other." Gabriel fidgeted with the hem of her miniskirt. "So! Uh, did you two get a culture briefing about our leave location too?" Gabriel said.

     I grinned. "Great, I was hoping the cultural side of Operations didn't think I was dumb enough to warrant a special 'be nice' briefing. Haven't had a chance to read it yet."

     Nowak was looking at his communicator. "It seems the three of us are scheduled to meet with Lieutenant Abele about our leave. In ten minutes."

     "Oh, shit."

     We shut up and got walking. Abele was a bespectacled, middle-aged lady who looked up from reading a physical book as we arrived just in time. She blinked, said to Gabriel, "You're a blueshirt."

     "Is that a problem?"

     "No, no." Abele stood, setting her book on the workstation, which had been dragged into the centre of the room. Made me feel like we were at in a principal's office. Which I may have visited a few times as a student. "Usually it is groups of only redshirts taking leave on sensitive planets."

     "Blueshirts usually have more sense," I supplied. Gabriel sent me a 'not the time' look.

     "Sorry. Shouldn't have said anything. Anyway, you received reports on the planet you chose which you need to read before you can go on leave, but I'm required to highlight a few facts and issue equipment." Abele drummed a beat on her book. "You're going to Blyve II, which developed an early capitalist society without intervention."

     I raised an eyebrow at Nowak. He mirrored it. Bet the Prime Directive was violated somewhere.

     "Which means stage five non-intervention is still in place, and you need non-Starfleet IDs. Starfleet will cover any bills incurred during your leave." She eyed us. "Within reason."

     I tried for an innocent face. "Of course."

     She passed each of us an ID card. "Your names and personal information are all the same except you are all from the fake town of Fighn. These function as currency as well. Please try to blend with the planetary tourists, keep your spending reasonable, and maintain the stage five non-intervention at all costs."

     Nowak cleared his throat. "Are my ears an issue?"

     "Not particularly. Blyve II inhabitants don't ask a lot of questions, which is why we only have a stage five in place. We will supply you with a culturally appropriate hat if it would make you more comfortable."

     "I will take one. Just in case."

     "Sure." Abele made a note of it. "Your shuttle will arrive ahead of schedule, tomorrow morning." Gabriel and I exchanged a confused look, before I realized the room's walls were styled to mimic daylight hours. Some officers had them installed to help with the space-doesn't-have-time thing. Abele noticed our confusion. "Sorry. In about fifteen hours. Your communicators will tell you. Please do the mandatory readings and any research you think you may need."

     "Thank you, ma'am." We saluted her. Outside the room, we bunched up together. "Hell yeah," I said. "'Sensitive planet?' That's cool. Did you know it was all 'sensitive,' Joseph?"

     "More or less."

     "Perfect." I clapped my hands. "Have I ever told you you're a genius?"

     Nowak's lips twitched. "It could stand to happen more often."

     I laughed and nabbed Gabriel by the shoulders, who was in the process of excusing herself. "Not so fast. Your initiation's just starting. We're going to have fun."

     "I'm regretting this."

     "Spending time with Erin does that," Nowak supplied.

     I threw up my hands. "Fuck, are you two going to gang up on me now?"

     There was a gleam in Nowak's eyethat paired with Gabriel's smile. "Precisely."