Posted by Lieutenant Miranda Martel (Chief Engineer) in Kindred Souls - Tag: Martel

(snip)

Bethany took a very deep breath and let it out slowly, ordering her thoughts and settling her emotions. Maybe it was time to drag that focusing candle out that T’Jal had given her. She felt lost and adrift, but that wasn’t Miranda’s fault. “I’m sorry, Miranda. I’m just frustrated. There are people I should contact, information I should be tracking down, and I can’t because of this haunted station and cursed nebula. I spent a lot of years tracking him, and now…” another deep breath. “Well, there’s nothing for it now, but to see how things play out.” Taking a sip of her drink she put the issue with Elias out of her mind, for now, and focused on the fact the woman across from her was struggling with the mission. Bethany was frustrated of the reappearance of Balthazar but she had no issues with taking on the mission. It was just another day at the office. “So tell me, what do you do for fun? Other than tinker with the ship’s systems?”

Gadi, CoS

Bethany seemed to catch herself, steady herself, and then refocus. That was good. good control, even though the air was free to use how she wanted and it was her quarters after all. At the question Miranda fidgeted, picking at a little it of dirt under one nail. Fracking gimbal on shuttle two was acting up again. “I like to hike, do some backpacking. A little bit of rock climbing. I got pretty into martial arts and kickboxing when I was younger. My mom thought the discipline would be a good outlet for me. Settle me down, give me focus. And be useful if I had to defend myself. She was sort of right. Though a few of the scraps I got into … Well, it was good. Quickly found out on the street it’s almost never one on one. So gotta be efficient. Then Starfleet combatives? That was actually fun for me. Well, until I kept getting power-bombed by this massive Klingon. Even with the mats I could still feel myself hit the floor under them.” She lapsed into sheepish silence for a moment, her face and ears turning red. She was thankful there were no psychics nearby. At least the easy assumption was that she was embarrassed at losing.

Bethany grinned, “Martial arts does require a lot of discipline to master, but it is very rewarding. The security department offers a combined martial arts class/practice a couple times a week if you would want to join us.” Then she laughed, “Klingons love to power-bomb people. They are strong and resilient and can manage it over and over again. But the ones that you have to look out for are the ones with the fancy foot work. They will surprise you every time.” She’d learn that with one of her mentors. What she wouldn’t give to discuss this situation with her right now.

“And yeah, I like to tinker and fiddle with things. Take stuff apart and put it back together again. Everything from EPS relays and ODN networks to breaking down phasers, servicing them and putting them back together. I guess it calms me down. And .... I love to fly. Whether it’s a shuttle or a twentieth century aircraft from the Second World War. Or anything in between.” She shrugged one shoulder. “Freedom, speed, just me and the machine, putting it through it’s paces.” For just a moment, there at the last, there was an almost romanticized note or notion to her voice. There was something about being in the clouds or even in space that was liberating when you could go anywhere and however you wanted, provided vehicle and pilot could handle it.

“What about you…?”

Lt Martel, CE

“Martial arts, and computers. I love being able to hack into another computer and shut people down before things get heated. The looks on people’s faces when they go to fire their weapons and nothing works…it’s priceless. Back home I used to climb to the top of this small rock face and lay and watch the stars. There’s nothing else like it. No matter where you are.”

Gadi, CoS

Miranda nodded with a small smile that shone with approval. “I bet. I loved getting into high up places nobody else knew about. And Hacking, electronic warfare was fun. Wasn’t much use for it on my colony, but I did some. The Academy though, we did get into some theoretical war gaming in my applied engineering. I’m no computer science major, but having a decent grounding in software as well as hardware helps. As for training and practice. I’d be down for that, in a heartbeat. Especially since there isn’t much to do on this tiny little gunboat.” Idly she looked toward the pot steaming nearby, frowning and chewing the inside of her bottom lip a little.

Martel, CE

“Well it tends to be a bit of a wild ride. Like you said it’s a tiny gunboat and practice space is limited, but we find the space.” Bethy stood and picked up the steaming pot and brought it over along with small but varied selection of hot drinks. “Help yourself.” She sat back down with a grin. “Up high, secret places, anywhere I shouldn’t be. It was even better if it was somewhere no one else knew about.” Bethany had recently cut her caffeine intake. She missed real strong black coffee, but it was necessary. She chose a mild non-caffeinated tea for the moment and poured hot water over the tea bag and let it steep.

Gadi, CoS