Post 208: Chatting
Posted on Mon Feb 17th, 2025 @ 4:34am by Lieutenant Paul Eschenauer & Lieutenant JG Lirian Tarel
Edited on on Mon Feb 17th, 2025 @ 4:47am
689 words; about a 3 minute read
Mission: Secrets
Paul Eschanauer sat in the quiet of the officer’s lounge, nursing a lukewarm cup of coffee as his mind wrestled with the whirlwind of recent events. The station had been tense—more than tense. The Synthulan attacks had rattled Starfleet to its core, Earth had been hit, and now Admiral Chris Bradley was being held deep in enemy territory. To top it off, he hadn’t been able to reach the McMahons, and that gnawed at him more than he cared to admit.
A familiar presence slid into the seat across from him. Lirian Tarel, the ship’s Betazoid counselor, placed a cup of tea on the table before meeting Paul’s gaze.
“You look like hell,” she said bluntly.
Paul huffed a quiet laugh, rubbing his temples. “Yeah, well… can’t say I’ve been sleeping great.”
“Understandable.” Lirian stirred her tea, antennae twitching slightly. “A lot has happened in a short amount of time.”
Paul exhaled slowly, staring down into his coffee. “Yeah. The Synthulans hitting Earth. Starfleet Command. Mike and the others heading straight into a fortress to rescue Admiral Bradley… It’s like everything is spiraling.” He hesitated before adding, “And I can’t get ahold of Peter, Rob, or Joe. I’m trying not to jump to conclusions, but…”
“You’re worried,” Lirian finished for him. “Not unreasonable, given the circumstances.”
Paul nodded. “Exactly.” He leaned back, running a hand through his hair. “I keep telling myself they’re tough, that they can handle themselves. But with everything that’s going on, I just—” He sighed. “I hate not knowing.”
Lirian took a measured sip of her tea before setting the cup down gently. “Uncertainty is always the hardest part, Paul. But panicking won’t do you any good. You have to trust that they’re doing what they need to, just like you are.”
Paul scoffed. “Feels like all I’m doing is sitting around.”
Lirian tilted her head. “And what would you do? Rush off to rescue them all yourself?”
A ghost of a smirk tugged at Paul’s lips. “Tempting.”
“You’d get yourself killed,” Lirian pointed out dryly. “And that would help no one.”
He sighed. “Yeah, I know. I just hate waiting. It’s easier when I’m in the middle of something, when I can do something.”
Lirian nodded in understanding. “It’s the nature of the job. We’re always ready to act, but sometimes, waiting is the only course of action.” Her expression softened slightly. “I know it’s not easy, but you’re not alone in this. We’re all feeling the weight of what’s happening.”
Paul studied her for a moment before nodding. “Thanks, Lirian. I needed to hear that.”
She gave him a small, reassuring smile. “Anytime. And for what it’s worth, I believe they’re all fine. The McMahons are tough. And Mike? If anyone can pull off a crazy, impossible rescue, it’s him.”
Paul chuckled, the tension in his chest easing just a bit. “Yeah. Yeah, you’re right.” He raised his cup in a small toast. “Here’s to hoping the next message I get is from one of them telling me to stop worrying.”
Lirian clinked her tea cup against his coffee mug. “I’ll drink to that.”
She then leaned back slightly, studying him with an assessing gaze. “You know what you need, Paul?”
He raised an eyebrow. “Enlighten me.”
“A distraction,” she said simply. “Something to take your mind off all this, even if just for a little while.”
Paul smirked. “And what do you suggest?”
Lirian grinned. “The holodeck. Something fun. Something completely unrelated to Synthulans, Starfleet crises, or waiting on bad news.”
Paul exhaled, considering it. “You know what? That doesn’t sound like the worst idea.”
“Good,” Lirian said, standing up and stretching. “Come on, Eschanauer. I’m picking the program, and I promise it’ll be something you won’t regret.”
Shaking his head but smiling despite himself, Paul followed her lead. Maybe, just maybe, a little break wouldn’t be the worst thing in the universe right now.
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