OOC: This is a series of posts Pre-Sim where Vega is joining the Olinski from Starbase 214 as a Lieutenant JG unaware of what plans have been laid out for her on the ship and the original CE is still active.

IC:

Vega stared out of the main viewing lobby of Starbase 214 where she and her best friend Joscelyn sat enjoying their last few moments together before she had to depart with the USS Brian A. Olinksi her latest assignment. Although she had requested the transfer in hopes to one day becoming a chief engineer she had only been granted assistant chief something which Joscelyn had told her was unlikely given that she was still an Ensign and the Olinksi a reputable ship but somehow she had managed to gain that and the promotion to Lieutenant (JG) in just two years. Vega was proud of the achievement but felt a terrible pang of guilt leaving her friend behind, Vega didn’t make friends easily or rather keep those friendships due to her lack of interest in social events and her workaholic attitude.

“Hey, Vega! Quit mopping. We’re going to celebrate! Come on party pooper!” Joscelyn was super excited for Vega. She’d miss her friend a lot, but she was really proud of her. She expected to see her published for the out of the box work that Vega did.

Being brought back to reality the Trill looked down at her food and then back to Joscelyn “Sorry, I guess my mind is elsewhere, and” She placed her cutlery and napkin on top of the uneaten food, “I guess I’m not hungry.” She lied, her stomach betraying her as it grumbled but the thought of eating made her anxiety overwhelming, and then she felt nauseous again.

“Nope! You stop that. You are going to eat. Do I need to talk to Dal and we can gang up on you and make you eat? There are two HUGE pieces of red velvet cake on their way to us. If you don’t eat I am NOT sharing,” Josclyn knew how Vega could get and this was too much of a big deal to let her friend mope. Joscelyn took another bite of her food and waved her fork at Vega’s plate. “Eat!”

She chuckled, Joscyln knew how to annoy yet make her laugh which was a reason why they were friends. “Fine, but this is my decision not because Dal is Starving” She cursed her symbiote back to the ritual pools. Removing the napkin again she picked up her cutlery and cut a piece of steak, swam it through the red currant juice, and ate it. “What if the chief doesn’t like me, what if he decides I’m too young, too new and throws me off the ship?” She said chewing another bite of her steak, another bad habit of hers. Speaking with her mouth full especially when she was nervous.

Josclyn laughed. “Oh come on! He can’t throw you off for being too young. You’ve graduated from the Academy. AND they choose YOU from all the applicants, so I doubt that your age, experience, or skills are in question. Stop mopping, be excited, you’ve EARNED it.” Josclyn stabbed a piece of her chicken and popped it into her mouth. “MMMMMM. This is so good,” she mumbled around the food.

The Trill rolled her eyes, “I suppose I do have almost three-hundred years worth of experience in my head” as she ate another bit of streak she tapped her head, “What if he finds that threatening?” She knew she was being silly, but still. She looked back out to the window where both the Manhattan and the Lincoln were docked side by side.

“They KNOW you’re a joined Trill. So obviously that doesn’t matter either. They are probably grateful. They’ll give you all the hard work and they’ll be lazy.” Jocelyn shook her head. “Really Vega, what’s the problem? You only get nervous like this if something REALLY bad is bothering you. What is it?” Vega was her best friend and there was no way she was sending her off without finding out what was going on. Vega was brilliant so the job couldn’t be what was bothering her, and she LOVED Star Fleet.

She shrugged again, “I’m just going to miss you and I’m going to miss the ship. She isn’t much to look at compared to the Manhattan but she is… was home.” She then perked up, “Why don’t you come with me? I’m sure we could sneak you onboard somehow they won’t even notice I’m sure of it” Vega was joking, of course, her atypical humor coming through. “I’m going to miss you Jocy, like a whale warp core breach load.”

Jocy shook her head, “Vega, I would if I could. I have to finish out this study first. If I can get my certification for alternative warp theory I can get on ANY ship. And right now there are no more openings. But that doesn’t mean we won’t serve together again. There are always opportunities. Hey just be sure to give me preferential treatment when I’m applying to be one of your JOs okay?”

This caused Vega to chuckle and roll her eyes “Well I guess I do want the very best when I eventually get given chief so maaaaaybe I’ll give you a recommendation” She teased now looking to her plate the remainder of her food finished, she guessed Dal was right she was hungry. “Thank you for celebrating with me, I’d probably be curled up in a ball somewhere crying, actually scratch that I’d be inside a Jeffrey tube fixing every minor problem I could find.” Vega always found peace through work.

“Oh don’t worry we’re going to do that too before the night is over. There is no way you are getting out of here without a midnight Jeffries tube party.” Joy smiled as the cake was delivered. Two HUGE pieces of red fluffy cake deliciousness with cream cheese icing. And then Jocy handed Vega her present. “The engineering tool bags are too big and clunky so….” she nodded at the present.

Vega look at the present which she had been eyeing up all night, picking up the bag it was in she pulled out the contents. “You didn’t have too” She inspected the belt carefully, Jocylene was brilliant engineering but either better designer which is why she was getting into alternate warp theory, her designs could revolutionize warp travel. The belt was made from the same durable material their uniforms had been, with small micro strobes around the knees so that they would act as a counterforce for the weight of tool she carried, it also appeared that the belt could be adjusted so if she was crawling through Jeffries tubes it would give her the range of movement whilst the belt itself was placed on her back, sides or if she was pushing herself along on her back by her legs it would settle around her midriff. “Its perfect thankyou” She leaned over and hugged her friend.

Jocyln received the hug reaching across with one arm. “What are friends for if we cant pick you up when you’re done or give you awesome gifts!” The two girls sat back and Joc began eating the red velvet cake looking up to prompt Vega to do the same, “Honestly if you don’t eat that Im going to have seconds” She teased taking a large corner piece and placing it in her mouth.

“Well, I can’t have that” Vega announced also taking a large piece of cake and squeezing it into her mouth, both she and Joc continued to try and outdo each other until finally, both women had red velvet cake and icing spread across their mouths and giggling. They would often do this, challenge each other to eat something gross, but as many as much as they could into their mouth or even at one point mentos and coke, which they had seen when looking through 20th-century archives. Vega swore she had foam pouring from her nose and ears.

Sadly however the moment began to fade and the girls had cleared their mouths, their plates empty and removed by the table service, and the conversation irrelevant. They both knew what was coming next and Vega looks to Joc sadly, “I’m going to have to go, the ship leaves soon and I still have my check-ins todo.”

“I understand, besides I have some things I need to finish up before the Lincoln departs tomorrow. We’re still trying to refit the new dilithium chamber” She held up her hand to stop Vega from offering her help “It’s not your problem anymore assistant chief engineering officer Dal” She teased with a grin and standing as Vega did.

Vega didn’t object, this was the one time she allowed herself not to think about work and more about the moment she was spending with her friend, the final moments she would be spending with her friend. She blinked away a tear and sniffed, “Goodbye Joc, make sure you tell me everything that happens and don’t be a stranger.” In reality, it was her who would likely lose touch of Joc, and that’s what really made the whole moment sad.

The girls said their goodbyes and soon Vega found herself walking, alone with her duffle towards the docking port of the USS Brian A. Olinski.