An unusual request
Posted on Wed Dec 3rd, 2025 @ 4:18pm by Lieutenant Xavier & Lieutenant Commander Yivliph Ra-Gruvloveii & Staff Warrant Officer Madelyn Steele
1,338 words; about a 7 minute read
Mission:
Preservation Instinct
Location: Various Ship
ON:
One of Madelyn Steele's engineers slowly walked up to the chief. "Um...ma'am. Lieutenant Xavier is here. He um...asks if he can speak with you."
"Hello, sure I'll come out to see him." Madelyn wiping her hands on a towel, following the engineer out.
"What can I do for you Xavier?" Giving a pleasant smile. "Come to my office and we can chat."
Xavier sighed. "I have a series of unusual requests and I could use...your discretion and assistance." He followed the woman into her office and took the seat she indicated. "How familiar are you with the old NX line of ships?"
"Fairly decently, why do you ask? You do have my interest and curiosity." Madelyn walking over to the replicator, to get herself some coffee. "Would you like something to drink?"
He shook his head. "No, I am fine. Thank you." He paused. "Well. The old NX line had a sweet spot, a place of 0 gravity. Since it's been eliminated for a long time I wish to ... recreate it temporarily, with your permission, in the observation lounge for one evening."
"If you wish to recreate it in your quarters, that will be permissible. However for doing something in the observation lounge, I can't give you permission to recreate that, you need to ask the Commander about doing such. As it is a public area." Madelyn responded. "May I ask, why you wish to do something like that?"
"I would request the lounge closed for a night. It is a surprise for someone. They mentioned that they've always dreamed of floating amongst the stars and while the holodeck is an option I would rather the observation lounge. If I can get approval from the commander and book the lounge for a night will you assist me with it?"
"I would like to accompany you to go see the commander, and get her approval, if you don't mind." Madelyn giving a genuine smile. "Shall we?"
He gave a nod. "Indeed. A very good suggestion. Logical. It saves time and will be most helpful." He paused. "I also have another request."
Madelyn's eyebrow slightly raised, a look of curiosity in her hazel eyes. "Another request?" having a teasing smile. "What is your request?"
"I am working on a program for the holodeck that will require input from a source on Vulcan and Betazed...I will also need the help of an Engineer. How is your knowledge of old Earth Cars?"
"From which era are you talking about?" Madelyn's interest being piqued. "What do you have in mind, tell me more."
"From around the 2020s. On Vulcan a relative of mine has left me...a van of sorts. I wish to convert it to a unit that will allow for sleeping, cooking, perhaps a shower and um... facilities. It would need to have an alternate fuel source. If you are up for it I would very much appreciate your help with this project and then I can send what we have done to Betazed for implementation."
"I am on board with that. and most definitely will have to see the measurements as to the size of the van." Madelyn having a huge smile
"Excellent. I shall forward you all the specifications. It's partially done as it was used by an ancestor of mine but all of its old and I believe as Human's say it is a total gut job. I would appreciate all the help I could get."
"Thank you I look forward to seeing that and working on it as well." Madelyn replied, "Now to see the commander."
[Executive Officer's Office]
Poring over an Operations Department supply consumption report, Yiv looked up from his workstation and flexed his neck from side to side, working out the kinks. One of the aspects of Executive Officer duties he had yet to get used to was the sheer tedium some of the reports generated.
He sighed, wondering if he'd actually ever go back to the intelligence work he loved so much. Chiding himself, he turned back to the supply report. Just because it's boring, it doesn't mean it's not important.
Xavier and the Chief found themselves in front of the XO's office. Xavier was actually glad that it worked out this way as he could submit the Flight department reports. They chimed awaiting the XO's call to enter.
Madelyn looked at Xavier, "He's a lovely XO, Crystal and I met him on the Riversong Station, in the Arboretum."
'Enter!' Yiv called, gratefully looking up at the chime at his door. As he saw them enter, he smiled, got up from behind the desk and indicated the comfy chairs his office just had enough room for. 'Please don't stand on ceremony, take a seat. Tell me what I can help you with.'
Xavier bowed slightly. "Commander we require your permission to...do something special with the observation deck."
Yiv raised an eyebrow quizzically, 'straight to the point Lieutenant.' He leaned back in the armchair, lacing his fingers together and crossed his legs. 'I'd have to know what the special thing you want to do with the Observation Lounge first, of course.'
"For...a friend's birthday I wish to create an experience where he is floating amongst the stars, a 0 G experience as a gift." Xavier simply said.
'And for that you require the Observation Lounge,' Yiv replied with a kindly smile. 'Who's luck is it to have the birthday and thoughtful friend?'
Xavier flushed green. "Um...do you remember the friend I told you about...the one on another ship...turns out he's here."
Coughing lightly to hide the smile, Yiv managed a 'you don't say,' once he had recovered, 'under your nose all the time. Would you mind if I asked how you found out?'
Madelyn was rather confused as to what this was all about. She could call herself clueless at this point. Well that could be revealed at this point and time, so she listened and waited for the big reveal. A friend and well, there was that sort of blush that could be seen. Was this the sign of love blooming in the air for Xavier?
"Um...he told me his origin story and trust me there are not many who have that origin story...I knew it was him instantly. I am preparing a scavenger hunt for him leading to his birthday."
Madelyn raised up an eyebrow at this, then a slow smile appeared. "That is interesting. Well, I still won't do this without the proper go ahead, as it will concern the ship." giving a firm and determined nod.
Xavier sighed. "And that is why we have come here."
'You have my blessing,' Yiv replied with a smile, glad that Tox and Xavier seemed to be developing a relationship along the lines the Admiral seemed to have planned for them. 'One condition though.'
Xavier raised an eyebrow. "Yes?"
Madelyn wondered what the condition would be. Looking from Yiv to Xavier.
'We test it first, of course.'
Xavier's lips twitched. "It shall be...fun."
'Oh no, this is very serious,' Yiv replied, struggling to contain his own smile. 'We have to be thorough in the test lest we have to report an injury to our curmudgeon of a Chief Medical Officer.'
" I think I would like to avoid going to see the CMO for injuries. I'd like to prevent that in truth." Madelyn having a solemn expression in her eyes.
Xavier gave a nod. "Indeed. Once this is done I will ensure that we all test it then. Until then I have a scavenger hunt to...implement for said person."
Yiv nodded, 'alright. I'll leave you to your scavenger hunt, but notify me the moment you're ready to test this out.'
Madelyn gave a nod. "Thank you, Commander." giving a smile.
SWO Madelyn Steele
Chief Engineer
Commander Yivliph Ra-Gruvloveii
Executive Officer
Lieutenant Xavier
Chief Flight Control Officer
RSS Feed