Posted by Fleet Captain Drudoc Andone (Commanding Officer) in Letters between Friends

[snip]

Trenton Letter 5
The letter came later than the previous ones, when the image came up Ashlyn was in a holodeck with no active program. She looked like she hadn’t slept the last couple of days with heavy dark circles under her eyes. “So I had an episode, I just lost it on everyone, too irritable, too angry. Had to visit the counselor, broke into her office, slept on her couch. Turns out I may have been too attached to you and you leaving brought up all the demons involved with my family. I have to deal with them now, the counselor is helping between chastising me for breaking into her office…and her room…and a few other places I wasn’t supposed to be in.”

Ashlyn sighs and curls into the corner she is sitting in. “I messed up, I let too much get to me and didn’t talk to people about it because I didn’t know how. I had gotten used to you already being there when I should have been seeking out more help. Abrams is giving me some time off to sort out my head, the counselor is trying to show me something more meditative and less destructive. I’ve been banned from running Trenton Park for the time being. Too confrontational, too competitive. I miss you Sharah, probably more than I should, I may have to break comms for a while, depends on what the counselor decides.”

Ashlyn wipes her face and sighs, “Turns out Ensign Kein is the daughter of some Admiral and had that expunged from her record so others wouldn’t treat her differently. Doesn’t help when she goes crying to daddy when I break her nose for trying to take my phaser. That was a ton of dramatic posturing and political bull that Abrams was kind enough to help me through. Captain isn’t fond of me though, didn’t like the unannounced visit from the higher up because a Security Officer got violent with another Officer. I have to go, I hope you’re doing well. All my love, well most of it, you get it.”

Fayth letter 6
Sharah watched the video and sat for a long time. But then coming around she sent off a very quick message to Ashlyn, before the counselor decided to cut off Ashlyn’s communication. There was a part of Sharah that was upset, because Ashlyn’s behavior just proved the counselor’s position that cadets that served together shouldn’t be kept together on their first ensign tour, and it chaffed that the counselor might have been right. But that wasn’t the point. She took a deep breath looking for some calm. It wouldn’t help Ashlyn for her to be upset. “Hey Ashlyn. You know I love you. You’re family now, no matter what. I know I’m gone, but I’ll always be here. I know it probably feels like I abandoned you, and I’m so sorry for that. I would argue that it wasn’t just our friendship. I know the counselor probably thinks that, but your new room mate is…well the stress of that probably didn’t help. And what idiot takes a phaser from a security officer? I mean really, that was stupidity. And I hate over inflated important people. I understand if the counselor feels like you shouldn’t talk to me. But when you are allowed, let me know you’re okay, please. I love you, Ashlyn, you’re my best friend. You always will be.” Sharah wanted to ask Ashlyn to be the maid of honor at her wedding, but she figured this wasn’t the time to ask. “Be safe.”

Sharah didn’t receive any letters for a long time. The guilt was heavy and she wasn’t sure who to talk about it to. She knew Joseph would listen, but he wasn’t there and venting to the computer screen wasn’t going to help her. She needed to address the issues. The fact that Sharah’s friendship was considered the reason Ashlyn was in trouble, only confirmed fears that Sharah had always had, about herself and her gift. She needed to address this in a responsible manner. She would talk to Joseph about it, but first she was going to find the CNS. Only to find out he’d transferred off the ship.

En Fayth, Science - Botanist, USS Ark Angel
En Trenton, Security, USS Europa

Just as Sharah was finding out the counselor had transferred off the ship by the junior counseling staff. She got ran into by the Captain’s daughter Tel’eck who while not running had her head deep into something on a PADD she was reading. Thankfully she didn’t fall over from the impact. “..Oh I’m um…I’m sorry ma’am!” Tel’eck said.

Sharah reached out and steadied the girl and then quickly removed her hands. “Tel’eck, how are you?” She saw the PaDD that she had been engrossed in. “That must be fascinating if you have to read and walk at the same time.” Sharah grinned slightly. She’d done the same thing on occasion when doing research and reading reports. She doubted young Tel’eck was reading research reports though.

Drudoc who wasn’t far behind seeing the impact came up. “..Indeed Ensign, apologies.” She said then looked to Tel’eck. “..how many times do I need to remind you Tel’eck not to keep aware of where you’re going? Especially in the busier corridors like on this deck?” She said gently but firmly to her daughter.

Sharah was quick to make nothing of it. “It’s no problem Captain. It happens.”

”..Sorry Mom..” Tel’eck replied.

Sighing Drudoc shooed her daughter to go on ahead. “..Again sorry about that Ensign. I swear that girl has her head in the clouds more and more lately. The price of growing up I suppose.” she mused.

Drudoc Andone CO

Oh she really wasn’t in a good place right now, and she really wasn’t sure she should be talking to the captain. Her mind was swirling and being on Ark Angel was hard enough without the self doubt and recriminations boiling over in her head. She wasn’t just physically tired, she was weary and sad, and feeling rather isolated. She knew it was of her own doing. The ship was so big she’d needed the quiet and never quite alone time. She sighed and shook her head at the captain. “It’s alright, ma’am. I understand. Some times it’s hard to get our heads to stay on the ground.” She glanced over at Tel’eck. “Tel’eck and her friend were a huge help in the arboretum the other day. Ripped up an entire bed for me that needs replanting.”
En Fayth, Science - Botanist