Posted by Lieutenant Faye Calloway (Mission Specialist) in Officer’s Mess - Congratualtions Faye!

Posted by Captain Alexander Cochrane (Commanding Officer) in Officer’s Mess - Congratualtions Faye!

Posted by Lieutenant Faye Calloway (Mission Specialist) in Officer’s Mess - Congratualtions Faye!

(snip)

The tines of her fork pushed some of the moist crumbs about her plate as she mulled over his very valid question. Lungs filling with air, she shrugged slightly and looked up at him, gazing into those eyes she had come to enjoy so much. “I don’t know. I mean, the build was the main part of this, and now it’s mostly maintenance and monitoring. I have to be ready for anything, at anytime. I’ve got alerts like you wouldn’t,-” she paused and studied him intently-“actually, I think you would believe.”

Setting her fork down, Faye tapped her fingers on the table. “When I gave that briefing, I understood what we were up against. Watching your faces as you three realized it too? It’s heartbreaking in a way. But I promised you I would keep this ship safe and I fully intend to keep that promise. If it requires sacrifice or, hell, burn injuries from an explosion, it’ll be worth it.” She picked up her fork again and began to cut off another piece as she gazed down at her cake. “I won’t let my home be destroyed again.”

~Faye Calloway, Data Specialist

Cochrane watched her for a long moment, absent-mindedly turning the champagne flute on the table. Finally he said “You aren’t alone anymore. You have others around you to help shoulder the load. I want you to take advantage of that, Faye. You’ve been out in the cold… but not now, okay? Like you said… this is uour home. And we won’t let anything happen to her together. All of us.”

Cochrane, CO

She nodded slowly and picked up her own flute, taking a larger sip of the bubbly drink. “I understand that. I do. And I am trying, Alex. But keep in mind that I wasn’t alone before. The Maquis? We were in it together too. Ride or die. Because the circumstances for us were life and death. I understand how it seemed for the rest of the Federation. Hell, I can even understand, to a point, the Cardassian point-of-view. But the second you point weapons at children, at families, all bets are off. And the day they sided with the Dominion spelled our end. We did not see that coming. It’s one thing to have a conflict with a group of people. It’s quite another to actively see to their extermination.” Faye took another sip, well, gulp rather. She wasn’t sure how much of that would make sense, or if it ever could. “So if I have a hard time with all of this right now, it’s because the closer the Manhattan comes to feeling like home, the more those old instincts kick in. I shift back into survival mode and I’m not sure what the answer is, other than me just muddling through as best I can.” And with that she set down the glass and delved back into much deserved cake.

~Faye Calloway, Data Specialist

He listened and smiled when she was done. “Well, keep in mind there is one major difference between this home and your last. Here, the goal isn’t ‘survive’… it’s thrive. Remember that, Faye.”

Cochrane, CO