USS Malinche NCC-38997-A

< Cape May, New Jersey, 2387 1500 hrs>

Time had left its mark on the little coastal town of Cape May, yet the town was still small and friendly in comparison to the others along the shore. The tide was out and calm as was the wind in the sunset.

A vulcan female walked up the boardwalk along the store fronts to find what would perhaps be an appropriate restaurant for her tastes. As the sun drew low in the fall air she came to a moderately sized cafe which had not filled for it's dinner crowd yet.

She sat down in a corner seat to wait for a waitress to come. Patience was something easy for the calm vulcan, especially since she was on leave from duty.

" Hi ma'am". the waitress said as she approached the table. "What can I get for you?"

Mindira thought for a moment. "What would you recommend? I am not from this area." That was an understatement in fact, though the human seemed to not notice.

"We have some soup or sandwiches." While the customer looked over the menu that she handed her, Maggie got her some water.

"Thank you." Mindira replied. "I think I will try the vegetable and crab soup." With the exception of a few earth spices, the vegetables were enjoyable enough. As the officer ate, she observed the human and her coworkers. A significant while passed before she slid the bowl away to indicate completion.

Maggie approached with a smile.
"I am glad you enjoyed your meal." "Can I get you any dessert?"

Mindira closed her eyes calmly. "I am satisfied, my dear."

When the waitress stood there, the vulcan set her hands in her lap and faced Maggie directly. What the human was unaware of was that she had been under observation by a Starfleet officer.

"What would you say if you could have more of a career in Starfleet? Please, have a seat."

Maggie sat down across from the vulcan. She wondered what Starfleet was.

"I am sure that question was not expected." Mindira started. "I am also sure you have heard of space travel to other worlds and other species." She pulled the head band off her pointed ears, allowing the thick straight black hair to fall freely. Her appearance was that of a mid thirties fair skinned slender build.

"I am a vulcan. The nearest planet and culture from this one. I have become a fair judge of character in my ninety years in the fleet as a civilian services officer. I am offering you a position if you are interested."

"I wasn't expecting this to happen." Maggie thought about leaving behind her parents and brother. It would be a great opportunity to do something different. she thought. "So what would I be doing on this ship?" she asked.

The vulcan smiled. "Very much the same role you have now, if you choose." She sipped her drink and placed it back on the table. "Most of the larger fleet ships have a civilian operated lounge or mess hall not to dissimilar to what you have here with the benefits of the fleet. I will be in the area for another couple days if you would consider the offer."

As she listened to the vulcan speak, she saw her boss watching her through the window. "I need to get back to work." she said.

Mindira nodded in acknowledgment. "A solid work ethic will serve you well, Maggie." The vulcan stood up when the human turned to walk.

Maggie stood up to get back to work. "Thank you, I will think about it." she said.

"Yes, I know your name. Your father referred me to contact you." She knew that was a surprise to the young human but thought it might help.

"How do you know my father? Can we meet somewhere later and discuss this further?"

"Certainly." Mindira gave a small card with an address. "Meet me at this address tomorrow for lunch." With that the vulcan bowed slightly and walked out the door, leaving Maggie to her thoughts.

Maggie walked away wondering why her father would recommend her for this?

Maggie finished her shift at the restaurant and walked home. She went to bed anxiously awaiting their meeting.


She got up the next morning and ate breakfast. Maggie figured she would go for a walk to pass the time. She headed to the restaurant to meet the vulcan.

The waitress found Mindira sitting at an outdoor cafe terrace facing the shoreline. A few boats were milling about the bay in the sunrise air, adding to the ambiance. She looked up with a subtle smile when Maggie walked up.

"Please, have a seat Ms. Nolan. I was hoping you would come."

Maggie sat down across from the vulcan. "I thought a lot about this and would like to know more." Maggie looked at Mindira in deep thought.

"I anticipated that you would. An inquisitive mind is a valuable trait." Mindira said softly, then sipped her drink. "Where shall we start, then? I will allow you to ask the questions for a while." The vulcan settled back in her seat with crossed hands and an invitingly relaxed demeanor.

Maggie pondered what to talk about. "What will I be doing on this ship? If I join this ship, will I be able to see my family again?"

The vulcan nodded. "Yes, my dear you will be able to see your family between tours. In most cases you will be able to share messages and letters depending on your ship's mission." She motioned to the waiter who had been milling around. He filled her cup of water and disappeared.
"You will be doing much the same thing as you do now, unless you feel you would like to do more. Your ability and ambition are only limited by your choice."




JP by
Mindira
Civilian Services Division
Starfleet
played by

Ensign L'Randil N'rass
Shuttle Maintenance Specialist
USS Malinche NCC-38997-A


and

<Starfleet Offices, Annapolis Maryland, 2385>

A few days had passed since Maggie had met with Mindira to discuss her future with Starfleet. In that time, the human had decided to go through with the offer and go to the Fleet office for the application process.

Walking into the office of the understated stone building, she stopped in front of the receptionist's desk.

"Can I help you, Miss?" The receptionist asked in her flat tone.

"I think so." Maggie said. "I would like to apply to get into Starfleet." Maggie looked around and wondered what she was going to do on this ship. The receptionist handed her a pile of forms and a pen. "Thank you." Maggie said. She sat in a chair and started filling out the papers.

The subtle echo of the room was a little disconcerting to the waitress, making her look around a couple times to see the sound's origin. When she had completed the entries, she took them back to the desk.

"Are these completed, Miss?" The receptionist said with a smile, taking the stack back to her area to review.

"Yes Ma'am." Maggie replied.

"An adviser will be will be out to talk with you shortly. Please have a seat in the waiting area."

Maggie walked back to the waiting area and sat down. She was nervously waited to see what would happen. The receptionist and called her name Maggie walked back to the desk to meet the tall man.

"Miss...Nolan?" He said, looking at a data Padd with her information. "I am Petty Officer Hanley. Please follow me." He motioned for them to move to his office. When they took their seats, he leaned back and placed his hands together with his fingertips out against each other.
"I see you talked to Mindira. What I need to find out is what you plan to get out of this arrangement. Starfleet has much to offer you, but we need to make sure we get the right department for your abilities." He looked into her eyes and waited for her response.

"I want to explore different options for myself. When I talked to Mindira about the ship, it seemed like something I am interested in. When would I be able to start on the ship?" she asked.

He laughed. "In due time, Miss Nolan. An eager mindset is good to have." He leaned back. "First we will have to send you out to Starfleet Academy in San Francisco for your introduction to fleet operations." The petty officer scrolled on his Padd before continuing. "As a Civilian Services crewman you will have an abbreviated course load compared to the average sailor. To answer your question, I expect you would be completed and on your way to an assignment in about four weeks. Of course that depends on you departing at the end of this week to make the up-coming semester."

"Wow, I would have to leave that soon." she said with a look of shock on her face. She thought for a moment as to what she should do."I would like to talk to my family before deciding, if there is time for that." She waited for a response of the officer.

He nodded. "That is quite alright. In fact it goes much better in the long run that you do." Then he slid a Padd over to her side of the desk. "Here is a list of your courses and the frequently asked questions with answers for when you talk to your family. The transport date is scheduled in the list, as is contact information. Just let me know beforehand what your decision is."

"Thank you, sir." Maggie said.

They both stood as he reached for a handshake. "Have a good day, Ms. Nolan."

OFF: A JP by

Maggie Nolan
Waitress
USS Malinche

And

<Cape may New Jersey, 2385>

"So you want to join Starfleet and go off flying around in a ship off to places unknown after all?" Her father said as he prepared a lunch sandwich in the medium sized coastal house. "I know how much you like it here but I also want you to have more for your life than just this little town."

"Yes, Dad, I want to join Starfleet." Maggie said. She made herself a sandwich and sat down at the table. While she ate her sandwich, she thought about all the good times she had in the little town. "Dad, I have enjoyed living here, but I am ready for something new." Maggie replied.

He smiled. "Good. Your mother was a little worried at first, but we both agreed that it would be good for you." After he reached across the table to pour her a drink, he asked another question. "So when do you start?"


"I would be leaving at the end of the week." she told her father. Maggie was relieved that her parents were okay with her decision to join Starfleet. "Dad, where is Mom." she asked. "I would like to talk to her about somethings." Maggie said.

"I think she went out to the garden." He replied with a sip of his coffee, picking up his newspaper to read it.

She found her mother kneeling in the backyard garden pulling weeds. The portion of the yard faced the beach a short distance away. A warm morning breeze was blowing off the low-tide water of the bay. When Maggie walked up, the black haired matriarch did not notice the approach.

"Mom, Can we talk?" Maggie asked. "How about we go for a walk down the beach and talk?" As the two of them walked down the beach Maggie shivered from the cold water touching her feet. She thought about how to tell her mother that she was leaving at the end of the week.

Her mother looked to her slightly taller daughter with a quiet smile. They walked for quite a while along the water before Maggie broke the silence.

"Mom,you remember that I joined the ship?" Maggie asked.

"I will miss you, dear." The older woman replied softly. "But it will be good for you to make a name for yourself."

"I will be leaving at the end of this week." Maggie said. She hugged her mom and remembered how she smelled like vanilla and lavender. As Maggie and her mom made their way back to the house, Maggie suggested that they go out for dinner.

"Sure we can, tonight. For now, though we should work on getting you ready to get on your way." Her mother said with a pat on the back.

The room was small but quaintly decorated. Being the only child, Maggie had the same room her whole life and the colors and decor reflected it. Every item had a memory and a story which flashed to mind as the pair worked at their task. Even though two were working at it, the sentimentality slowed them down considerably. In fact it took most of the afternoon to get done.

There were a couple hours to dinner time so Maggie and her mother continued working on packing her things for the trip. "Mom, where should we go for dinner tonight?" Maggie asked as they milled about her room.

"How bout that restaurant down on the inlet. I hear they make you eat replicated food on those starships. We'll just have to make sure you get some good stuff in ya before you go."

When they finished packing her things, she and her parents went to get for dinner.

Later that evening, Maggie sat in her room thinking of all the things she would miss about living at home. In the middle of her thoughts she heard a knock on her door. "Come in." Maggie said.

Her father walked into the room and sat on the bed beside her. "It's beginning to sink in, isn't it?" He asked with a soft tone.

"Yes it is."she said. "It is going to be scary not being with family every night." Maggie said.

"You might be surprised, Mags. I had the same feelings when I joined the coast guard. Now, it's not completely the same since you are leaving the planet, but it is still leaving what you know for something totally new." He patted her on the back and kissed her head before walking away.

Maggie thought about what her father said. She laid down on her bed and closed her eyes. She must have dozed off, because she woke up to her mother calling her name.


OFF: A JP by

Ensign L'Randil N'rass
Shuttle Maintenance Specialist
USS Malinche NCC-38997-A

and