Posted by Lieutenant Junior Grade Vanessa Slade (CNS) in arriving at my quarters (Ensign Malmhed

Posted by Ensign David Malmhed (Tactical) in arriving at my quarters (Ensign Malmhed

Posted by Lieutenant Junior Grade Vanessa Slade (CNS) in arriving at my quarters (Ensign Malmhed
Posted by… suppressed (5) by the Post Ghost! 👻
The door swooshed open, and David paused for a moment to survey the modest room. It was, he noted, somewhat more spacious than his quarters at the Academy. He flung his duffle bag onto the bed and extracted a small menorah, which he carefully placed on a shelf. Next, he retrieved a small cylindrical object and, with a tool in hand, stepped back into the hallway to attach the item to the doorpost. As he affixed it and smiled, reciting a brief prayer, he remained oblivious to the approach of another person.

Ensign David Malmhed Tactical

(open to anyone)

Vanessa was walking down the hall after a session. Her hair was in a high pony tail and swaying back and forth through the small hole in the back of the baseball cap she was wearing. She was dressed in a pair of jean shorts shorts and black and white stripped t-shirt. In her hand was a baseball glove with ball. Seeing the new face on the Genesis, Vanessa came up behind him watching him work on the doorpost. “Whatcha doing,” she asked moving beside him.

Vanessa Slade CNS

Startled by the woman’s sudden appearance, David caught his breath and composed himself. “You really scared me,” he said with a nervous laugh, turning to face the lieutenant. “I was just affixing my Mezuzah and offering a brief prayer.” The Ensign, a slim figure with short black hair and a dark olive complexion, stood in uniform, a small round cap perched atop his head. His smile was youthful and vibrant, lighting up his face with exuberance

Ensign David Malmhed Tactical

“It’s beautiful,” she commented looking at the small case. The craftsmanship was delicate and intricate. Vanessa had a basic knowledge that it was part of the Jewish cultural heritage. She wasn’t sure about the history behind it. “Tell me about it.”

Vanessa Slade CNS
David’s smile broadened, pleased to share his culture and faith. “Of course, it encompasses what’s known as the Shema prayer: ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your might. These commandments that I give you today shall be on your hearts. Instill them in your children. Speak of them when you sit in your house and when you walk by the way, when you lie down and when you rise. Bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. Write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates,’” he said with a chuckle. “Typically, I’d recite the prayer in Hebrew.”

Ensign David Malmhed Tactical

“The prayer is just as beautiful as the…decoration,” Vanessa stopped not sure what he called it again. The last thing she wanted to do was mess up the name so she went with a more generic label. “I have never seen one but I have heard of them in the vague sense that some Jewish homes have them on their door. I am Vanessa. Vanessa Slade,” she offered her hand after tucking the baseball glove under one arm. “I am the ship’s counselor.” Her last crew update stated that the Genesis was taking on a few new people. She had not spent a lot of time figuring out who the new people were. The Genesis was not a mythology class ship so Vanessa was bound to run into the Genesis newbies.

Vanessa Slade CNS
“Thank you, it’s called a Mezuzah; it reminds me of home and grounds me in my faith, linking me to my heritage,” he says with a smile, offering his hand. “I’m David, I work in tactical.” His gaze then shifts, noticing the glove. “Are you a baseball fan?” he asks.

David Malmhed Tactical

“More so hockey but I am a fan of the game. I am from Boston so there are a lot more days for a hockey season.” Vanessa did not go into that she had just come from a client session. Her style of therapy was well-known on the ship involving getting off the couch and back into life. “I was just on the way to the mess hall to grab something to eat. Interested in joining me?”

Being the new guy on a ship or at a starbase was awkward especially when you were an officer. 90% of the ship’s complement was enlisted. Being an officer meant you automatically were someone’s boss somewhere. David seemed friendly enough so Vanessa doubted he would not have any trouble settling into life on the Genesis. Still, that did not mean one might not want some help breaking the ice.

Vanessa Slade CNS

David nodded with a smile, “Lead the way, Counselor,” he said, gesturing with his hands to indicate he would follow.

David Malmhed Tactical