A Strange Department - Part II

Posted on Sun Mar 29th, 2026 @ 9:14pm by Lieutenant Commander Sabastian Walker & Lieutenant Commander Elyse White
Edited on on Sun Mar 29th, 2026 @ 9:17pm

1,023 words; about a 5 minute read

Mission: Forgotten Wounds
Location: Main Engineering | USS Arcadia
Timeline: Pre Arrival at the Designated Location

And Now the Conclusion...

"I respect you a lot and you will one day be back in this position and will be able to be mean to me, Walker, so I will say this cautiously," Elyse firmly stated, "they shouldn't need to be. I know that life has been hard-- I can't even begin to imagine how hard-- buy your team are going above and beyond in an unhealthy way. Extra hours, lack of sleep, lack of food and drink, lack of focus on real duties-- all to look after you. That is a recipe for disaster. We need engineering. We cannot have issues because their chief cannot look after himself in the basic form and is blind to see how dangerous this could be long term."

Sabastian was silent for a moment. He finally said, "Shit." Closing his eyes he pinched the bridge of his nose. "I got it. I'll take care of it." He shook his head. His mind going through duty rosters and faces. He could see it now. He thought at first it was cute but he hadn't known how far they were going or how big a mess he was.

"Just... Just take care of yourself, ok?" She asked, reaching out and touching his arm, "in other news, second reason for me being here, what's th'Kael's deal?"

He looked up, "Thol? What do you mean?"

Elyse hesitated. Perhaps it was too soon for her to consider flirting or dating, and instead keep it as friends. "You know what? Doesn't matter," she waved him off, "oh, also, I know there's a long list of things that take priority, but if someone is free, can they come and fix the light in my kitchenette. Cooking in the dark may look romantic but it is dangerous."

" Hold on a sec. Why are you asking about Thol. Did he do something to offend you?"

"What?" Elyse raised a brow, "I trained with Baciami as my mentor... Do you really think someone like Th'Kael could offend me? And even if he did, do you really think he'd survive?"

"True so what's the question about what's his deal? As a person he's kind, and sweet, a bit of lighthearted soul a disgustingly hopeless romantic even if he hides it but other then that I haven't heard much about him. Working with him I did make him my number 2 for a reason, he's one of the best engineers...so I guess clarify what you're kind of looking for."

"I--" Elyse blushed deeply and looked away. She had to think of something and fast, but this was the kind of thing that brought her stutter back-- thinking fast and having to 'save herself', "j-just wondering. He's your n-n-num-number t-two. If you c-c-continue to g-go how you are without ch-ch-change, he'll be r-r-r-r-r-replacing you for the remainder of the m-mission. I j-just want to know if he's up for the t-task. I d-don't know much about him, but I j-just need to know he's... M-m-m-m-m-m-mature enough for the task. Ade told me engineers are j-just big kids with a few exceptions like you." Elyse took a breath and closed her eyes, "for the l-l-love of..." Elyse took a deep breath and calmed herself before opening her eyes and sighing, "Hurry up and get better because I don't handle this kind of responsibility well. I'm too nice. Just don't tell the lower deckers."

Sabastian caught the blush. He laughed. "Oh my gods you like him." His eyes widened again. "Oh my gods! Are you the Coffee Goddess?"

"Coffee goddess!?" Elyse seemed to turn even more red. She put her face in her hands and sighed, "I've just got out of a really bad one. I'm not rushing into anything so easily. But he seems... Intense. I just wanted to ensure it's not in a bad way."

"It's not. I don't think he's into relationships right now." He snorted. "You two are cute. You go red he goes blue when he talks about the Coffee Goddess. I'm adopting the nickname for you." He laughed at her facial expression. "Yeah he's a nice guy. He was in a bad one too and his ex wanted to add another partner on top of it all. She was, from what he says, a really immature person who didn't consider others." He sighed. "Can I offer some advice?"

"Don't give me the nick name," Elyse was firm and then sighed, "and I'm going to say no to the advice but I'd imagine that I will hear it anyway."

"Well naturally. It's always polite to ask before you bulldoze again." He smiled and reached out taking her hand. "I think both of you need to make a new friend. Let yourselves heal before you make any decisions. Take the time. Slow and steady."

Elyse looked at their hands, stiffening. She didn't like being touched by someone she didn't particularly know and it was written all over her face. "Gabriel, I will say this respectfully, but that is not advice I needed. I have no intention of running into something like that. I just wanted to ensure that if nothing happens I'm not going to wake up to stalker type flower arrangements."

He pulled back. "You won't. If you're not interested just tell him. If there is any problem you come to me but there won't be. He's a sweetheart. I guarantee it. And he might be your new Chief Engineer. There is that."

Elyse rubbed the bridge of her nose in frustration, but nodded, "alright. I'm not opposed to advances, I'm just on a... Hiatus from the opposite sex. He's got bad timing. But," she looked up at Sabastian, "you're right, I'm sure he'll make a great chief. Don't let me find out about your staff going above an beyond specifically for you again. They deserve rest and the rest of the ship deserves a fully functioning engineering department-- like me-- pleeeaaaaase can someone come out and fix the light in my kitchenette before I burn the ship down."

"I will have just the person for that." He grinned.

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