Posted by Ensign Rand Farquharson (Yeoman First Class) in Ships in the Night
Rand threw herself into her work, so much so that she was more a ghost than a person. Reports appeared on DH desks and disappeared later after being signed. Personal requests were reviewed and approved, or sent up the chain and then responses sent out. Coffee, tea, water, what have you appeared on time on the bridge, but no one ever seemed to see Rand.

In the lab, evidence of Rand’s presence was everywhere. She continued to take notes of her observations, feed Nibbles and interact with him as best she could on her own. And on her scheduled days she even fed Mushu. And when everyone was at lunch and the lab empty she returned simply because she liked the animals better than the people around her. She even stopped by the enclosure of Mr Wyvern. “At least I know why you look at me like that. You want to eat me,” she told the giant Alderian Crimson Snake. Rand wasn’t avoiding Cmdr Alden, not him personally. She just threw herself into her work because she didn’t want him to have any reason to think she was neglecting her duty again, and in order to avoid others, she’d adjusted her schedule some, and so she was never in the lab when he was.

Rand went out of her way to avoid people in the corridors. The best yeoman was one unseen and not caught up in socializing. She saw and talked to Randy of course, but his schedule was just as insane as hers. Sickbay was epically under staffed. The only person who could actually say they had seen and talked to Rand was Cpt Rogers.

So it was at 2305, a very very weary Rand walked into the Galley, carrying a tray of dirty dishes. She stepped inside the kitchen to rinse and stack the dishes. She tried to help where she could. The gamma shift cook smiled at her. “Rand you look like you are about to fall over. Girl when do you sleep?” Rand shrugged. “Here, go sit, and I’ll get you the last of that ice cream you like.” She had learned not to refuse, the cook would just come out and make a scene to embarrass her. She took the bowl and sat in the darkest, furthest corner, away from anyone who might come in. But it seemed it was early for the ‘dinner’ crowd yet, so maybe she could sit…for just a minute.

Yeoman Rand

At 2305, Roman was supposed to be asleep for the past few hours. But not recently. Recently, he had been up into the wee hours of the morning, writing up and compiling notes, doing other busy work. He was probably the most caught up he had been in months. When Rand dropped off reports, they were signed in minutes, left in a basket for her to scoop up when she came by.

At first he assumed she was busy, as she always was, but as days went by, he began to wonder if Rand were avoidig him. He hadn’t seen her in her usual place, cooing Nibbles and Mushu, though her notes turned up like always. He hadn’t gone over reports with her, or heard her nag him to finish his unsavory work. Then again, perhaps that’s because it was already done. He hadn’t seen her since… that day in the hallway, when he caught her abandoning a tour.

Had he offended her that badly? Did she not like him anymore? Her help was sorely missed in the lab. Or was it? He still had her notes. Reports were still done. And yet, he wished for her to be back in the lab, like the days before.

It seemed something besides Rand’s sudden disappearance was bothering Roman. He’d been snappier than usual with staff, his sleeping and eating habits abysmal. Whatever it was, most assumed he’d work it out on his own. But unbeknownst to others, while it wasn’t the entire problem, Rand’s avoidance did bother him.

And so, in the corner of the mess area, the first officer sat, looking at a plate of protein cubes. They weren’t really appetizing, but then, nothing really sounded good, so he’d rather not waste limited foods. He wasn’t even hungry, but he’d skipped dinner (and lunch), and the last thing he needed was a lecture from Randy. He’d probably already get one for his sleep habits if Randy found out.

Lectures from Randy were to be avoided to save Roman’s sanity at best. The ex-yeoman/head nurse was only an Ensign but he was effective. Roman usually avoided him for the most part. They usually didn’t much get along.

He nibbled the corner of one of the colorful cubes, not much paying attention to what was going on around him. He heard the cook talking to someone, but wasn’t listening and didn’t bother to discern exactly who. Then, footsteps. And then someone sat down, not too far from him. They’d probably go away soon. It was late enough that no one else should be around and early enough that no one from the night shift should be there.

~ Lt Cmdr Alden, XO/CSO