Coffee and Toast

Posted on Sun Nov 3rd, 2024 @ 6:25pm by Lieutenant Commander Eve Hall

615 words; about a 3 minute read

Mission: Audacious
Location: Senior Guest Quarters, USS Khitomer
Timeline: 09:30hrs, Ship Time

The warming waves of the sonic shower cascaded over Eve’s body as she closed her eyes, willing herself to be enveloped in the cleansing pulses emitted by the sonic shower’s assembly. The journey had been long, leaving her both weary from the unexpected responsibilities thrust upon her by Starfleet Command and exhilarated by the possibilities of the discoveries that lay ahead.

The bathroom, just off the main cabin of her guest quarters, was small and spartan, yet equipped with all the amenities one would expect. The cool deck plating beneath her feet was a stark contrast to the enveloping warmth of the shower. If she’d been at home, she would have indulged in a traditional shower, lathering body wash and shampoo, letting the fragrant concoction melt away her tension and anxiety, and leaving her skin pleasantly scented.

The rhythmic hum of the acoustic inverter reverberated through the shower enclosure, she found it surprisingly soothing. She savoured the moment, allowing herself to be present, to revel in the simple pleasure of warmth and cleanliness before stepping into her new role.

As the shower cycle game to an end, the blue haze of the shower dissipated, the pulses from the inverter slowed and eventually stopped, plunging her back into silence. She let out a soft sigh, a reminder of the reality awaiting her. Eve shook her head lightly to loosen her ginger hair before gathering it into a ponytail. She stepped out of the enclosure and moved toward the full-length mirror in her sleeping area.

Reaching for a hair tie, she glanced at her reflection, turning to catch a glimpse of the tiny green shamrock tattoo on her right shoulder. She had chosen the design after a messy breakup with a long-term partner; as an Irish woman, it felt fitting. The inked ink was still healing, due to the traditional application method she had opted for, reflecting her interest in the culture of the early 21st century.

With her hair tied back, she began to dress, starting with simple, comfortable underwear and her standard-issue black undershirt, which she tucked into a black trousers. Eve lifted her uniform tunic from the back of a chair, inspecting the three officer rank pips on the collar. She had never expected to rise to the rank of Lieutenant Commander, let alone so quickly. At just 26, many still considered her a rookie, and now she had been promoted from an office-based project lead within the Theoretical Propulsion Group at Starfleet Engineering to a senior field position. Flicking the new half-gold, half-black pip with her thumb and fore finger, she pondered for a second about her new role but shrugged off any doubts she might be harbouring. She knew she could do this.

“Computer, two slices of toast with Irish butter and a black coffee,” she ordered aloud, fastening her tunic as the replicator hummed in the living space completing her request. “Alright, here we go,” she muttered, while giving herself a nod, glancing at her reflection one last time.

—

30 Minutes Later

Main Briefing Room, USS Khitomer

Lieutenant Commander Hall took her time traversing the few decks between her quarters and the briefing room. She had consumed one slice of toast before leaving, leaving her free to carry the second in her left hand while holding her coffee in the right. Her route took her around the curve of the ship’s outermost starboard corridor, offering an impressive view of stars streaking by as the Khitomer hurtled toward its destination.

Arriving at the main briefing room, she pressed the door chime with her free hand. The door slid open without delay, and she stepped inside, ready to meet the Commodore.

 

RSS Feed