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 Ensign David Malmhed (Tactical) in arriving at my quarters (Ensign Malmhed
Posted by… suppressed (12) 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

Vanessa led David to the Mess Hall which was in between duty shifts so relatively quiet. Not needing to be served, as if they had gone to the lounge, Vanessa moved to the replicator and ordered a large bowl of clam chowder along with a huge plate of fries. After getting her food, she led him to a table next to one of the large viewports. Letting out a laugh she commented, “funny how mess halls instill the need to make you sit at the same place like you are a damn homing pidgeon. Back in high school, I had a spot under the portrait of St. Angela Merici. If you are not up on your Catholic Saints she is the saint for educating girls. In the Academy, I used to sit by the window closest to the large oak tree. When I got to the Genny I sat here and now it kinda stuck. People tend to be creatures of habits but I hope this is okay.”

Vanessa Slade CNS
s

David sat down across for Vanessa, “The fries look delicious” He took quick suck in of air through his teeth “unfortunately the chowder is not Kosher” He gave her a little pitiful look as if to say sorry “But its fine” He said grabbing a fry and taking a bite “I don’t know much about Catholicism, I studied the Torah until my Bar-mitzvah. My father was a Rabi and my mother was an Archeologist”

David Malmhed Tactical

“The chowder is a bunch of molecules that have been all smashed together into something that we are told is chowder. I mean I could be eating one of the Captain’s old gym socks.” The smile she wore indicated Vanessa was just being silly and showed she was not one of those people that swore replicated food was the exact same thing. “You know one day that could be a huge esoteric debate. I mean we re-replicate our dirty dishes, clothes, the monstrosity of a meal I created last night and then poof I get chowder. Its a lot to think about.” Glancing down at her soup, Vanessa pushed it aside. Her comment about it being created from atoms used to re-replicate sweat socks no longer sounded appealing. It was also a more graceful way to get rid of the very non-kosher dinner she chose. She did not think David cared but there was a million yummy things to eat.

Picking up a fry, she countered, “According to my mother I am not a very good Catholic,” she let out a chuckle. “Tell me about your family?”

Vanessa Slade CNS

David laughed lightly. “I always thought the ‘Tell me about your mother’ line was just for holo-dramas,” he said with a shrug and a heavy sigh.

“Nah I am just nosey,” she popped in a fry and chased it with a sip of her drink

“Honestly, there’s not much to say. They’re decent folks. My faith comes from my father, and my passion for history from my mother. She’s quite scientific and logical—not to Vulcan standards, but close. My father, meanwhile, has a keen sense of humor and was quite the charmer with the ladies,” he explained, giving a knowing nod and a quizzical lift of his eyebrow. “It’s a bit atypical for a Rabbi, I suppose. But as far as I’m aware, his romantic escapades were all before he met my mother. They’re still very much in love.”

David Malmhed Tactical

“So are mine. Kinda makes you not want to be single,” she now let out a deep sigh. “My parents were high school sweethearts. I swear they graduated on a Friday and got married on Saturday. Being the devout Catholics they are they soon had the first of their ten kids.” She paused letting that sink it. Few people that were not blended families had as many siblings as she did.

“I have nine brothers. Dalton, David, Daniel, Duncan, Dane, Dallas, Dylan, Dexter, and Dennis. Notice a pattern,” she let out a small laugh.

“Oh and do you really want to ponder something later which of course you are free to ask away any questions you have now or later when it really hits you what I am saying…We all still live in one house. We call it the Jamaica Plains Battleship.”

Vanessa Slade CNS

Vanessa Slade CNS

David laughed and shook his head “bringing boyfriends over must have been interesting? I’m an only child…and Jewish....sooo yeah i was spoiled” he said with a chuckle
“its interesting to meet someone who still holds to the old faiths? Not too many around”

David Malmhed Tactical

“Hahwell, Fader O’Malley mightna tink I’ve been holdin da Faith,” Vanessa played out an Irish accent before returning to her normal speech. “I do try though. You are right. Most people want to spend their time lecturing about how religion ended once science proved we were not alone in the universe. They also seem so fascinated about how we can believe in something so strongly that has no basis in science or actual proof it exists. That is when I usually respond back with ‘well that is faith’. It is harder though not being home or part of a community to be a practicing Catholic. I don’t go to mass weekly which of course no one knows but Father O’Malley when I go to confessional. At times I swear my mom thinks I am going to be struck by lightening when I enter St. Anthony’s,” she joked.

Vanessa Slade CNS