The people that you meet
Posted on Sat Oct 18th, 2025 @ 1:03pm by Staff Warrant Officer Madelyn Steele & Crystal Steele & Lieutenant Commander Anahera Chernova
1,316 words; about a 7 minute read
Mission:
Preservation Instinct
Location: Messhall
Timeline: Evening
Mealtime, and Madelyn wished to let Crystal see a bit more of the ship life. One never knows who you could meet, and there were plenty.
Crystal was very curious, "I take it you didn't want to cook tonight?" she asked her mother.
"Not really, but eating in the messhall is a good way to see people and not feel too lonely either." Madelyn responded. "Besides, we live on a ship, which had quite a few people. And soon you will also be going to school, and meet others your age."
"Well true, any idea when?" Crystal asked, her brow having a worried furrow.
"That will happen tomorrow." Madelyn smiled gently at her daughter." And things will be okay."
"Okay, Mama. I hope they will like me." As Crystal followed after her mother, to get their dinner.
Once the food was acquired, Madelyn chose a table somewhat in the center, just a perfect spot to do people watching.
Anahera entered the mess hall, she'd recently finished her workout session. Now she had showered and was in civvies.
She was hungry, but not sure what she wanted, she looked at what others were eating. She finally decided on Fettuccini Alfredo with a small garden salad, and a tall glass Black currant juice.
Gathering her tray, she looked for a place to sit.
Madelyn noticed a woman with red hair, seeming to be looking for a place to sit. "Hello, why don't you come sit with us." giving a wave to attract her attention.
Crystal looked at her mama. "Mama isn't it impolite to call out to someone?"
Madelyne shook her head. "At this time, it isn't, its necessary to gain her attention, therefore not impolite. It can be termed a friendly invitation."
"Thank you." Anahera said joining them. "Hi, I'm Anahera." She said. "Welcome aboard, both of you." She added.
"What do you do on the ship Miss Anahera?" Crystal asked.
Madelyn had a small smile at Crystal's question. Granted the uniforms of both Operations and Security were the same color.
"I'm the Chief Security and Tactical officer, but I'm also a trained pilot and engineer." Anahera said.
Crystal's eyes went large as saucers, "M-mom?" Her voice quavering as she snuggled close to Madelyn.
"Is she going to take me to the brig? I don't wanna go to the brig!"
Madelyn patted Crystal's back. "Honey, she isn't going to do that."
"But the XO said that if I didn't behave I would go there and I have behaved right?" Crystal's purplish grey eyes looking at her mom and then to Anahera.
"I haven't received any orders from the Commander to take you to the Brig, Miss Steele." Anahera said. "I'm just having my lunch."
"You haven't?" the little girl looking rather relieved. "What is it like to be a security chief? Is it, difficult?" she went back to eating her lunch, as Crystal waited for Anahera's answer.
Anahera smiled at her. "My main job is to protect people, which I enjoy doing." She said. "Some times, I have to arrest people and take them to the Brig, to keep others safe." She said. "Sometimes, I have to hurt people, in my attempts to protect people, which I don't like."
"Oh.. That sounds dangerous but I'm sure you are able to take care of those acting badly, you do look like you can do so. Do you have a scary snarly look that stops bad people in their tracks?" Crystal genuinely wanting to know.
Madelyn bit her lip to keep from laughing out loud.
"Yes, I have a scary look, I used it on my son, Coni too." Anahera said. "He wasn't a bad kid, but some of his friends would lead him astray." She smiled. "I remember having to intervene, when one of his friends, Thal, got him in trouble with some bad men."
"I would like to see if your scary look is just as scary as mom's or is it more scarier, than hers" Crystal honestly wanting to know, though she gave a sidelong glance at Madelyn.
Madelyn glanced at Anahera, quirking up an eyebrow, "Are you certain you want to know this Crystal?"
"Of course I do."
Madelyn gave a nod towards Anahera.
"Okay, but I'm not responsible, if you run and hide." Anahera said. She then placed one hand over her face, and when she removed it, her features were rearranged in her scary look.
Madelyn was impressed with the expression Anahera revealed. Her own eyes went wide for a moment. That look was worthy of her mother's no nonsense you're in trouble.
Crystal gave out a squeal and sunk down beneath the table, "O-okay, Mama she is very scary, more scary than you are and you are scary enough when you are angry."
"She has had plenty of practice, Crystal, now come on back up, the scary face is gone now." Madelyn looking beneath the table at her daughter.
"Its alright, Crystal." Anahera said her voice soft and caring. "I am back to normal."
Crystal looked at her mother, who nodded.
Madelyn moved back to let Crystal come up from beneath the table.
At first one could only see the top of Crystal's head, as she slowly moved upwards, then her eyes peered up towards Anahera, then the rest of her face, her rounded eyes going back to normal.
She smiled at Anahera. " You are scary, but still nice as well."
"So, Miss Crystal, what are you learning at school?" Anahera asked.
"Science, math, physical education. To name a few. Plus some language arts." Crystal resuming to eat the rest of her lunch.
"Science and Math were not my best subjects at school, Physical Education was my best." She said. "Do you, know any languages, other than English, Miss Crystal?" She asked.
"I am taking Spanish, and also Klingon. I am interested in learning other languages. " Crystal answered with a smile.
"I know Klingon, it is a fun language to swear in." Anahera said with a wicked smile. "My native language is Ukrainian, but I can also speak Bajoran, Cardassian, Romulan, Ferengi, and Orion Trade Speak, among others, and a little bit of Spanish."
"Oh really? That is awesome, I would like to do some studying if you don't mind, this way I won't bug mom all the time." Crystal responded eagerly.
Madelyn gave a nod towards Crystal, " I don't mind that you in your words bug me. Still though getting another person to add to your education."
"I'd love to." Anahera said with a smile. She missed teaching Anzhelina.
"Oh good, then lets make an appointment I think that is what its called right, Mama?" Crystal looking towards Madelyn.
Madelyn nodded, "That is right." she looked down at her plate, the food was actually gone, she having eaten while the conversation was going on. 'So make a time and we'll put it on the calendar for your lessons and go from there. Okay?"
The Chief Engineer looked towards Anahera to see what she had to say.
Crystal eagerly looked towards the chief of security with hope in her eyes.
"How about, 16:00 hours tomorrow?" Anahera suggested.
"That sounds great. Where do I meet with you?" Crystal grinning from ear to ear.
"You could meet me, at Cargo Bay 4." Anahera said. "I'll set a small class room."
"Oh yes!" Crystal exclaimed doing a fist pump in the air.
Madelyn gave a warm chuckle, and reached out towards Anahera's hand grasping it warmly. "Looks like you a fan. And thank you."
Crystal came around the table and threw her arms around Anahera. "Thank you and I am looking forward to this." Grinning ear to ear, giving Anahera a warm hug.
A smiled appeared on Anahera's lips.
Lieutenant Commander Anahera Chernova
Chief Security/Tactical Officer (Part-time teacher)
USS Ontario
SWO Madelyn Steele
Chief Engineer
USS Ontario
Crystal Steele (NPC)
Daughter of Madelyn
USS Ontario
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