It was rare for anyone to catch Buddy off guard—twice in one session was almost unheard of. His first instinct was to deflect, maybe throw out a joke to sidestep whatever came next. But something about Counselor Najjar disarmed him. She didn’t press, didn’t pry. She simply asked—and somehow, that made him want to answer.

“Not in my file, huh?” he echoed, leaning back in the chair. He took a breath. A memory stirred, and a slow smile crept across his face.

“My band had just finished recording our album, and we were gearing up for the release. The night it dropped, we played a concert at The Launching Pad.”

He paused to gauge her reaction. Anyone who’d spent time at the Academy knew The Launching Pad—the legendary, slightly disreputable venue where cadets ended up at least once, whether or not they remembered it afterward.

“The place was packed,” he continued, “just wall-to-wall bodies. The energy was electric. We’d just wrapped Chicken à la Rage—always a crowd-pleaser—and we slowed it down to roll into Dark Nebula of the Soul. And that’s when I saw her.”

He leaned forward, eyes locking with the counselor’s.

“She was… smokin’. But more than that. She was looking at me—you know? Not at me. Into me. Like she saw through the music, through the crowd, through everything. And I sang that whole song to her. It felt like I was performing a concert for one.”

His expression softened. He leaned back again, voice lower now, tinged with nostalgia.

“After the set, I jumped off the stage, pushed through the crowd trying to find her. Nothing. I asked around—no one knew who I was talking about. I ran outside, thinking maybe I’d catch her… but she was gone.”

“My bandmates were leaving for an after-party, giving me that ‘you okay, man?’ look. But I told them I’d catch up. I stayed at that bar until closing time, hoping she’d reappear. Never did. And I went back—almost every night that semester—hoping she’d show up. Nearly flunked my Temporal Mechanics final because of it.”

His voice quieted as he stared into some middle distance.

“I’ve never been in love,” he said flatly, the change in tone stark against the warmth of his story. “Not once. I’ve dated, sure. Thought I was in love a few times. But I don’t actually know what it feels like. I can sing about it all day long, but it’s a front. I’m just guessing.”

He chuckled again, the familiar grin returning to soften the edges.

“That in my file?”

-Ens. Cullum
Security

She listened as Buddy started to tell the story, and noted the change in his voice and mannerisms when the memory took hold of him again. It was personal and loss, even if it was only for that night. When he finished speaking, Mykl leaned toward him over her crossed legs. “Wait, you’re…” here she checked his file on a nearby PaDD. “You’re 30 and you’ve never been in love?” For a human that was practically unheard of. “No, I’m sure that isn’t in your file, but its good to know.” Every detail he revealed would help her understand him better and that was really all she wanted to do–help everyone be their best selves. “Do you have any family on the ship with you?”

Lieutenant Mykl Najjar
CNS USS Ark Angel

Buddy nearly choked on the question.
“Family? No,” he said, a bit too quickly. “And… I wouldn’t want to, honestly.”

He shifted in his seat, arms folding across his chest—not defensive, exactly, but something close.

“My parents are elderly. I’m an only child. And after what happened on Federation Day…” He trailed off for a second, lips pressed into a thin line. “I can’t imagine wanting to bring someone I love into this. Not after that.”

She made a mental note to investigate Federation Day in conjunction with the name Buddy Cullum.

There was an edge to his voice now—controlled, but sharp.

“Look, I know it’s not the warm and fuzzy take, but I don’t think a starship is any place for civilians. Family or not. People think it’s noble, some grand Federation ideal—bringing everyone along for the ride. But when the shields drop and the decks start venting atmosphere, ideals don’t mean much.”

He let out a breath through his nose, the anger giving way to something softer underneath.

“I don’t ever want to be in a position where I have to choose between doing my job and protecting someone I care about. That’s not duty. That’s a distraction.”

He looked over at her, and for a moment, there was no smile, no posturing—just a raw, unguarded truth.

“So no. No family. Not here.”

-Ens. Cullum
Security Officer

Mykl took another sip of juice and then licked her lips. “I suppose if I tell you that I have a companion on board, you’ll advise me to drop them at the nearest port to find their way home?” After a deep breath, she sighed. “Just so you understand, it isn’t always as easy as you might think to leave people behind. Sometimes we have no choice in the matter.”

Lieutenant Mykl Najjar
CNS USS Ark Angel

Now he’d done it. The famous Cullum Maneuver: Open mouth, insert foot.

Buddy shifted in his seat, jaw tightening as he processed her words. He hadn’t meant to offend her—just to answer the question. And now the conversation, which had felt casual, even comfortable, suddenly teetered into something else.

“I would never presume to tell anyone how to live their life,” he said finally, carefully. “I’m not qualified—and honestly, I’m not interested in pretending I am.”

His voice was calm, but there was a tension beneath it. Measured.

Although Mykl spoke more to herself when she said, “If only father had your insight…”, Buddy still could have heard her.

“I was expressing my opinion. That’s all. What you choose to do, who you bring aboard, that’s your business. I won’t pretend to understand it… but I’ll respect it.”

He glanced away for a beat, jaw working. Her words echoed in his mind. It isn’t as easy as you might think to leave people behind.

That stung, more than he wanted to admit. He straightened a little, expression hardening.

“And I didn’t say it was easy,” he added, quieter now, but no less firm. “I imagine it would be quite the opposite, actually. Leaving someone behind or putting them in harm’s way? That’s a damn near impossible decision.”

She realized Buddy was feeling off put with her comment, but although the two of them weren’t saying the same thing, they might not be far from each other’s opinion.

There was a long silence before he met her eyes again.

“No disrespect meant, Counselor. Truly. I think we just… see things differently.”

-Ens. Cullum
Security Officer

“Allow me a moment to put my situation into perspective.” It had been a while since she’d last explained her living arraignments to someone, but she found she wanted Ensign Cullum to appreciate how different scenarios didn’t always appear the way they were.

Callum was a security Ensign so he didn’t have access to her personnel file. He knew nothing about her while she knew a lot about him. “My companion’s name is Pic. He’s been with me since I was quite young. My parents insisted I have a protector, so he was placed with me. We spent hours together every day getting to know each other and playing.” She smiled remembering those days.

“Pic has no vocal chords. Over his lifetime, he created a finger language for me. He hears and understands, but he can’t speak. My father wouldn’t let me enter Star Fleet Academy unless I took Pic with me. He said it would look scandalous for someone in my position to be unguarded.” Here is when she looked over at Buddy expecting some kind of disapproval. “My parents are very insistent that I stay as safe as possible.”

Lieutenant Mykl Najjar
CNS USS Ark Angel

Their difference of opinion aside, Buddy found himself unexpectedly intrigued by the counselor’s revelation. He hadn’t expected her to offer something so personal, and part of him wondered why she had. Maybe it was her way of leveling the playing field—opening a door he hadn’t even knocked on. He wasn’t sure how to respond… but he knew better than to dismiss it.

Still, curiosity itched.

“I appreciate you sharing that,” he said, careful not to sound dismissive. “Really, I do.”

He shifted in his seat, eyes narrowing just slightly in thought.

“But that’s… a bit different, isn’t it?” he asked, brows knitting together. “Pic isn’t a partner. Or a child. He’s not here because you couldn’t stand to be apart, he’s here because he’s your—what? Protector? Bodyguard?”

He paused.

“Maybe it’s not my place to ask, but… that feels more like duty than love. Not to say there’s no bond there, obviously,” he added quickly. “I just meant… it’s apples and oranges, isn’t it?”

Buddy exhaled through his nose, easing back again. The conversation had taken an unexpected turn, but he didn’t mind. It meant he wasn’t doing all the talking—which, frankly, was a nice change of pace.

-Ens. Cullum
Security Officer

“It started out that way, but as a child I’m sure I didn’t think of it as ‘business’. It was more of a reward to me. I saw Pic as a friend, even though over the years he has taught me more than I will probably ever realize.” Her eyes grew soft as she thought of her companion. “I love Pic. I love him as much as I love my family, perhaps even more, but I’m not ‘in love’ with him. We are more like uncle and niece, I suppose. I value his friendship and his advice.”

If something happened on the ship that endangered everyone, she knew she would have to deal with her feelings about his well being and her duty, but that was life. Wasn’t it? You had to lay yourself bare to people sometimes. Today, for no reason or rhyme, Mykl chose to share with Buddy. She was usually a good judge of character, so hopefully, nothing said to him would return to bite her in the ass.

Lieutenant Mykl Najjar
CNS USS Ark Angel

“I suppose it’s kind of like how I feel about my bandmates,” Buddy said, relaxing into the thought. “We’re not family, exactly. Not by blood. But we’ve shared parts of ourselves that most people never see. We’ve helped each other through the worst days and celebrated the best. We love each other—for who we are, and who we’ve been through the fire with.”

He paused, eyes thoughtful. “And it’s through that kind of bond—like the one you have with Pic—that we’re able to make something wonderful together. Our Music.”

His lips curled into a soft smile.

“We harmonize.”

There it was—that little flicker of poetry he always found in moments like this. He tucked it away for later, maybe for a song. Uncle Pic and the Bodyguard Complex or Hot Chick and Pic. Something like that. The muse would come.

He laughed gently to himself and shook his head. “I wish they were here. But they’ve all been scattered—assigned to other ships, other corners of the stars.”

A beat passed, and he glanced toward her. “Why do you need a protector?”

-Ens. Cullum
Security Officer

When he made the connection that Pic was like his band mates, Mykl felt a moment of clarity with Buddy. For the space of a few seconds, they were in perfect sync with each other. It didn’t happen that often, but it was wonderful and worth whatever it took to get there. Then his question snapped her right back into the disagreement she had with her father. “To be fair, I don’t need a protector, but my station in life does.” She rolled her dark eyes. “God that sounded so self important that even ‘I’ can’t stand it!” Mykl got up and walked over to her desk just to move around. “I get uncomfortable when I start talking about my family. I don’t want to sound like I’m putting on airs but there isn’t any other way to explain.” She leaned her backside against the edge of the desk and folded her arms. “My father is a King. There is very little chance that I may one day be on the throne, but he insists I take every precaution possible, as I am a princess of Egypt.” Looking directly at Cullum, she waited for him to roll his eyes at her words.

Lieutenant Mykl Najjar
CNS USS Ark Angel

“Seriously? Like… for real?” he asked, genuinely. He didn’t roll his eyes. He didn’t laugh. Instead, he gave her a long, quiet stare, let out a low whistle, and leaned back in his chair.

“Well, damn,” he said, voice dropping to something close to reverence. “A real live princess. Honestly, that’s so freaking metal.”

Then he started to laugh, grinning wide.

“And here I thought my dad had high expectations. He just wanted me to slap bass in a jazz band.”

Buddy stood and took a few slow steps toward her.

“Believe it or not, I actually get where you’re coming from—on a smaller scale, maybe, but still.” He flashed a lopsided grin. “I’m the frontman for the number one galactic punk band on Bolarus IX. And let me tell you, I get so tired of my ‘adoring fans’ that if I see anyone with blue skin, I turn around and walk the other way.”

His smile softened, warm and genuine.

“And yeah… I totally agree. It’s all a bit ridiculous.”

-Ens. Cullum
Security Officer

His reaction surprised her in how fast it moved from shock to acceptance. That wasn’t what she usually got. Normally when someone found out about her royal blood, she was proud and embarrassed at the same time–because they didn’t believe her. But Buddy Cullum was standing in front of her with a smile on his face and no signs of distrust about him. Mykl felt muscles at the core of her body relax. These were all good signs that she and Buddy could be good friends if they gave each other a chance.

“Really? You sing in a band? That’s awesome.” She clapped a hand to her mouth, cringing that she sounded like a ‘fan girl’. “Oh my God, that was so cheesy, but I really do think it’s fabulous. It also makes you exceptional in my little world; as you are the only frontman in my friend circle now.” Her ‘friend circle’ included most of the people she’d met repeatedly on the ship, but Buddy didn’t know that.

“So, what’s the dream? Do you want to be a rock star full time? Or has Star Fleet got your number?”

Lieutenant Mykl Najjar
CNS USS Ark Angel