Night Owls

Posted on Fri May 9th, 2025 @ 5:22am by Petty Officer 3rd Class Raven Mattel & Lieutenant Krysia Kaleri-Smith & Lieutenant JG Aeryn Jameson

Mission: Outside the Box
Location: M.S.S Qaraq - Quarters

ON:

With the M.S.S Qaraq's every shudder and rattle, Raven winced a little. She was supposed to be catching up on sleep during her off-duty time, hoping to 'make up' for the sleep she missed the previous night while she was being too nervous about the mission. Of course, that never really worked. Especially as she was just as nervous now that the Pandora crew were really flying towards the Neutral Zone on this undercover mission. Sleep was a rapidly disappearing notion that only got further and further away the more that she tried.

Deciding to see if she could make herself a hot coca, Raven pulled on a robe and wondering out into the corridor. It was only a short journey from the quarters into the kitchen. She was surprised to find she wasn't the only one not sleeping this night.

Both Krysia and Aeryn were sitting sipping mugs of hot chocolate when Raven entered the room. “Hi Raven” Krysia smiled warmly. “Come to join the legion of non-sleepers?”

“Seems we’re all awake tonight” Aeryn offered as she blew her chocolate before sipping it.

Raven made herself a hot drink. Without the use of Federation replicators, it took longer than usual. She finally moved over to the table and sat down. "Tell me, ladies, does this feeling ever go away? That knot in the pit of your stomach?"

“Now that depends on the circumstances” Krysia offered with a wry smile. “The expectation of what might be to come might make it last a while longer.”

“I know how you feel, and so does our cryptic Counsellor here” Aeryn grinned as she responded.

Raven sunk back into her chair, unsure if that would make her feel any better. “I thought I’d seen my fair share of adventure on the Pandora as a civilian. We got into all sorts of mischief. So," She shrugged, "I thought I would feel confident now that I was serving, but instead… I still feel anxious. Is that first time jitters?”

“Not just first time, every time” Krysia offered as she relaxed back in her seat. “Of all the assignments I’ve had the Pandora was the only one where I felt truly at home, I’m not going to give up on locating her. I do miss my children though, they're with family where it’s safer, for now.”

“That’s a relief.” Raven agreed, “This is a far cry from the Pandora, no way could they be here.” She gave an obvious eyebrow raise across the small room.

“I gave consideration to staying with the twins” Krys paused for a moment. “But Captain Temple has done so much for us I couldn’t not come.”

"I think that's one of the things that most attracted me to joining Starfleet," Raven admitted, "Seeing the comradery and family that happens when serving together. I've often felt like a lone soldier, but coming to the Pandora helped me find people who wanted to work together. First Iggy, then Mindo. That's why I'm here, too."

Aeryn nodded. “Owen wanted me to head back here, to be with those searching for the Captain. The Pandora has become my home, I couldn’t not come.”

Raven sat back in her chair a little. “Wow. So maybe the nerves and anxiety are actually worth it in the end, if that’s the result?”

Krysia smiled. “The nerves and anxiety are part of everyday life in Starfleet, not knowing what you’ll face when you come up against a situation. Some missions are fun, others can be dangerous and terrifying.”

"Here's hoping they're a little more on the fun side." Raven remarked, "So you both met your partners onboard the Pandora?"

Krysia nodded. “That’s right, I knew James was for me the minute I met him.”

“Aww.” Raven cooed a little. She wasn’t much of a romantic herself, but she liked when others were.

Aeryn grinned. “You’ve been luckier than me, I’ve had my fair share of relationships, but unfortunately it seems long term love is eluding me.” She shrugged her shoulders. “Maybe one day I’ll be lucky enough.”

“Oof, girl, tell us the details.” Raven breathed. “No. Wait. Let me guess, your man’s got a new first love and it happens to be his ship?”

Aeryn nodded. “Unfortunately, Owen has his own ship now. I can’t blame him for wanting to stay there. He told me to go, to help find Nyx, so here I am.”

"Caught between two families," Raven shook her head with a knowing tisk-tisk. "I've been there. Had to choose between staying with Ignatius and helping his fashion house or starting my own career in Starfleet, helping to find the Pandora." She gave a half-shrug, "As much as I miss Iggy, and I'm nervous about this mission, following your own path feels... good."

Aeryn nodded. “That it does.”

Krysia offered a nod of her head in agreement. “The sooner we find the ship, the sooner I can be reunited with my children. That can’t come soon enough for me.”

Raven sipped her drink, "What about your paths for your careers?" She asked, contemplative, "When I was going through Non-Comm training, a lot of the fellow cadets talked about how they wanted to serve for a few years then become officers. It was basically assumed that everyone wants to get to the captain's chair one day. Is that a goal for you guys?"

Krysia shook her head. “I’m in no rush to make Captain, I’m a Counsellor it’s what I do.”

“I feel the same.” Aeryn looked between Raven and Krysia. “I started out as a Counsellor, now I’m a medic and I’m happy with that.”

"Ah, I see." Raven nodded slowly, "Do you both want to always serve on a starship like the Pandora?"

“I’m happy to, at least for the foreseeable future” Krysia offered.

“It’s all I have right now” Aeryn smiled. “What about you Raven? What do you see your future being like?”

“Ooh you know, I’m still seeing how it goes.” Raven admitted, “I was so focused on just proving I could pass the requirements to be come a non-commissioned officer, that’s all I thought about. And now, I’m just hoping I don’t stuff up anything so that I get to stay here.” She paused and smiled, “But I do know that whatever happens for my career, I hope it’s on the Pandora.”

“Let’s hope so!” Krysia smiled warmly. “The Pandora has a unique crew, and I’ve no doubt Captain Temple will want to keep everyone together once we get the ship back.”

Raven raised her mug in a faux toast. "Amen to that. How do you even lose a ship anyway?"

Krysia shrugged her shoulders. “Nobody seems to know, that’s what the mystery is.”

Raven realized she was mid-yawn when she was about to answer. "Oh. Well, maybe my brain has decided it's time for bed. Thank you, ladies, for the chat. It's actually been a really big help."

"It's been nice having a gathering like this" Aeryn smiled warmly. "We should do this more often."

Krysia nodded in agreement. "I think that's a great idea, it's very good for morale. It's been nice talking with you Raven."

OFF