Getting back into the Swing of things

Posted on Thursday 12 February 2026 @ 22:28 by Captain Melody Jones & Civilian Sansa Draxx-Jones & Lieutenant Commander Ras th'Zaanaq & Lieutenant Ricardo Draxx

Mission: Intermission
Location: The Jone's quarters
Timeline: MD1 0800
1203 words - 2.4 OF Standard Post Measure

The view from the windows of their quarters was a sprawling tapestry of geometry and light. Docked at Starbase 208, the massive Excalibur-class ship felt uncharacteristically still—the hum of the warp core replaced by the distant, rhythmic vibrations of the station’s docking umbilicals.

Melody sat at her personal desk, a lukewarm cup of Raktajino forgotten beside her. Spread across her PADD were the harrowing damage reports from their encounter with a quantum filament. The impact had been devastating, instantly crippling the ship’s primary systems, knocking out communications, and leaving the Merlin drifting and powerless in the dark. Several good crew members had been lost. She had also gone into labour during the incident. Starfleet now decided they wanted a full and frank report on the incident, even now.... A full year after the fact.

The door chime sounded and Melody called out without looking up. “Come”

It was Martia. “Good Morning Melody, How are the little darlings today?” She asked as she made a beeline for where the twins lay sleeping.

“So far so good.” Melody replied, still not taking her eyes off he work.

Martia then started preparing the twins breakfast.

The door chime chirped again, this time breaking her concentration.

"Come in," she said, expecting her Executive Officer, Ras Th’Zaan, with more updates on the long list of supplies that were being loaded and a swathe of crew rotation requests.

Instead, the doors slid open to reveal a much shorter figure. Her daughter stepped into the light of the morning "sun" being reflected off the Starbase’s hull, carrying a tray with three steaming plates.

"Mom? You were going to join me for Breakfast at the Round Table this morning. Did you forget?" the young woman asked with a good natured chiding, setting the tray down. "I figured you were still buried in these, so I asked them to whip up something special and share it with you. It's much better than eating alone. I brought one for dad too."

Melody smiled, the tension in her shoulders finally beginning to ebb. She leaned back, clearing a space on the desk for her daughter to set the plates. "This report Starfleet is demanding is not easy. The aftermath of a quantum filament strike wasn't easy to clean up, sweetheart. I was just reviewing the reports from when the power went out. It was a close call for everyone on the crew. It's bringing up some..... unpleasant memories." Melody shuddered as she could see in her mind's eye when that forcefield had snapped on, sentencing those behind it to....

She took a deep breath, pushing the image from her mind, focusing on the present.

"Is that why you look like you’ve been through a plasma storm?" her daughter teased, handing her a fork. "The crew is talking about our next mission. There's a lot of speculation. Are we going back to Megaptera to see the whales? My friend at the Cetacean Institute asked me to keep myself available"

"It’s a possibility," Melody admitted, finally taking a bite of the warm food her daughter had brought. Something like that sounds like a breath of fresh air. And it would be nice to see Fay again"

Draxx walked in excitedly, "Where are my boys? Has daddy got a game for you both of you? Fishing! Look," in his hands was an old-style Earth toddler game of catch the spiney fish. He had proudly been working with one the engineers to programme the replicator, and their efforts had paid off. "Oh and both my girls are here too. And Martia. I am blessed this morning."

He placed the game down by the twins, who were in their playpen dressed in fish covered baby grows. "We will crack that open after breakfast," he told them, placing a quick kiss on both heads as the nanny handed over bottles of milk. "Sweetheart," he addressed Sansa giving her a quick peck too. "That looks good," he said. "But it needs coffee," he headed over to the replicator.

"That sounds good. Would you mind getting me a cup?" Melody called out, the fork paused halfway to her mouth. She then turned to Sansa "Would you mind feeding Nibbels? I think she's hungry too."

Sansa rose from the table. "Ofcourse Mom. How long are we going to be docked here?" She asked as she repliacted some hedgehog food.

"At the moment, I don't know. All the supplies and officers should have been brought aboard by this evening, so it could be any time after that. I've got this report to finish and then a dozen other reports to approve. Ah, the glamorous life of a Captain.

Commander Ras was the last to arrive but not by design. The captain's quarters doors slid open before he could press the chime and he entered, padd in hand. "Oh, my apologies. I didn't realise this was a group meeting?" He said in a weary tone. The last few months had taken their toll on the crew with all the hard work that they'd put in. Ras himself had pulled numerous double shifts just to try and get the ship ready. The list was still lengthy, but the end was nigh.

"Ahh, Number one. Good Morning. By all means, grab yourself a cup of coffee and then follow me. I think we'd better relocate this meeting to my ready room, where it's a bit quieter." Melody stood and took the cup off Draxx "Thank you, my Sweet. I'll cook you a lovely meal this evening, and I'll wear...." She leaned close and whispered in his ear.

A lopsided smile appeared over Draxx's face, "I am indeed blessed today."

The Andorian simply nodded. He was revealed to hear they were going elsewhere for the meeting. There was too much noise and distraction. He did pour himself a cup of coffee though.

Melody turned to Sansa, "Thank you for breakfast Sweetie, I'll make up our missed breakfast, I promise. Martia, look after the boys. Number one, grab a coffee, and you're with me."

As Melody had left, Sansa turned to Draxx with a sly smile. "Hey dad, last time I spoke to Fay, I mentioned you like fishing. She had not really encountered fishing before but was intrigued. She might be able to arrange a fishing trip next time we're on Megaptera. Just think of it, you'd be the first to fish in these pristine waters... No pollution.... An abundance of fish..... Might even be able to talk Mom into coming...."

"That sounds divine," Draxx said happily. "I would be more than happy to show Fay fishing, and well, if we get your mum in a boat .. what a lovely idea. Now sweetheart lets you and me catch up while we eat breakfast, and then show the boys how to fish too ehh?"


OFF:

●●●● Captain Melody Jones
Commanding Officer
USS Merlin


Sansa Draxx-Jones
Marine Specialist
NPC Jones

○●● Lieutenant Commander Ras th'Zaanaq
Executive Officer
USS Merlin


●● Lieutenant Ricardo Draxx
Assistant Operations Officer
USS Merlin