Posted by Captain Molly Holloway (Commanding Officer) in Rock Out With Your Spock Out - A Boarding Post

Posted by Ensign Buddy Cullum (Security Officer) in Rock Out With Your Spock Out - A Boarding Post
I grip the wheel
But it won’t turn for me
And I set the pace
But I lost track of the speed
Now I’m calling for help on every frequency

S.O.S
The Captain fled
If you can hear me please help me out
I’m drifting, away

The crowd was fierce, listening to every word, responding to every beat. Their energy fed him and in return, his music energized the audience. It was symbiosis in its purest form. This was as close to heaven as Buddy thought he could ever get.

A distance is growing
And the signals lost it seems
It’s too late to go back
On my own now
Carry me.

I need someone to take me over
Someone to come and take control now
And I’ll be lost in the sea till I find it
Get my ship to the shore autopilot

The final song of the final set of the final show. Buddy and the Breen had become somewhat of a San Francisco underground phenomenon and the four cadets making up the band had become local celebrities, especially on campus. Though all completely unintentional, it did make their four years at Starfleet Academy very interesting. Now it was coming to and end as the four fourth-years would be graduating, heading off to their initial various assignments on various starships, and the band dissolving. Buddy hadn’t quite let that part sink in yet.

As I lose track of the course
I can’t help but think
Was this vessel meant to sink?
Now I’m certain that this is an emergency

The compass failed
The lights are out
I can’t determine
What’s north or south
As I battle the waves

As excited as Buddy was to begin his Starfleet career, he would miss this. He would miss this so much. Though his father wanted him to be a jazz musician, (who plays jazz anymore?) Buddy had always dreamed of exploring the galaxy in Starfleet, as early as he could remember. While he attended the music lessons and the vocal coaching, his mind always drifted to the stars. So it came as a surprise to him when this small galactic punk band, formed by four loser friends who had no social lives, became the hottest thing on the west coast. While it was fun, it was time to move on. It was time to explore the galaxy.

Wave after wave after wave

He just never expected to love it so much.

“Hey Buddy!” a female voice called out as he finished packing up the last of the equipment. The blond waving at him was buxom and beautiful and her friendly ‘smile’ seemed familiar. Maybe they had a class together, maybe not. Buddy shrugged. “That was your best set ever! I can’t believe the band is breaking up.”

“Well, the band was never meant to last. We formed knowing that we would only have four years together,” Buddy said dismissively, “who knew that we would be so well-liked.”

“I knew,” the girl said, as she moved closer than Buddy thought was necessary. “I knew the first time I saw you perform four years ago and I’ve known it every show since. I haven’t missed a single one.”

‘That’s it,’ Buddy thought. If she had never missed a performance then obviously he would have seen her in the audience or afterwards. Was this his first groupie? Buddy chuckled at the thought.

The girl, who had yet to introduce herself, didn’t falter at the laugh. “Seeing as though this is your last night in town, I though you might want to… celebrate. You know… send you off with a… bang.” She had moved so closely now that her hips were grazing his and her eyes were locked on his lips.

Though inexperienced, Buddy was not naive. “Look, I’m flattered,” he said moving away from the girl slightly, “but I’ve got so much to do to get ready to ship out. The rest of the band is back there partying, I think,” he motion to a door at the back of the club, “I’m sure they wouldn’t mind if you joined them.”

He had already made his excuses, like he always had. He wasn’t interested in the scene. It wasn’t about that for him. It was the music. The music and the stars. Though would miss the band, and had been nearly dragged back by his band mates, a night full of strange women drunk on illegal Romulan Ale didn’t appeal to him. He said his goodbyes, hugged his friends, and reminded them not to be late to graduation.

“Your loss,” the girl huffed, offended, as she bounded off to the back. Buddy just shook his head.

He didn’t know why he wasn’t interested, but he wasn’t, not in her, not in other girls, not in boys, not in anyone really. He longed to be close to someone, but the thought of sex seemed so foreign, so weird, so… unsanitary. Buddy was resigned to the fact that it would probably never happen, and it didn’t seem like much of a loss.

At least he wouldn’t be late for graduation.

---

His tour on he Saracen was over and while Buddy had been a decent officer, on the night shift at least, he hadn’t seen much action. So he was excited to learn that his application to join the security department on the USS Dresden had been approved. She was a well regarded ship and Buddy hoped that he could make more out of himself than a night watch patrolmen. He longed to stand at tactical.

A single duffel slung over his shoulder, he boarded the transport that would take him to the Dresden. He found a seat next to a young Bolian. “Hello,” Buddy said as he sat, but the Bolian didn’t hear him. Buddy hadn’t noticed the earbuds the blue man was wearing. The alien’s head bobbed to a beat that Buddy could barely hear. Slightly embarrassed he dropped his duffel near his feat and relaxed into his seat, closing his eyes. That’s when he heard it, catching the last line of song all too familiar. Buddy smiled. This was a sign. It had to be a sign. The Dresden was already feeling like home, and he hadn’t even made it there yet.

Wave after wave after wave.

-Ensign Buddy Cullum, SEC

OOC: Wow! How did it take me so long to properly read this post!? This is amazing! You know, I’m sure we can find space somewhere on board for a band! :p – Joana

Aww, thanks! And no, no bands… lol.

-Harley