Saying Hello And Asking A Favor

Posted on Fri Sep 12th, 2014 @ 11:03am by Lieutenant Commander Charon Edomar & Lieutenant Commander Jennifer Stanson

Mission: Something Amiss
Location: USS Hera - LtCdr. Stanson's Office
Timeline: MD3 - 0900

The door chime on Stanson's office went of. In front of the door stood the first officer, waiting for a response from inside. Charon was looking tired. While it weren't the same signs as they were with humans - he lacked the dark circles around the eyes that humans showed as a sign of an extended period without sufficient rest - the one distinctly visible part of him that did set him apart from humans, the sides of his head where a humans temples would be, were a sickly grey-white. He hadn't slept much since the mission had started and still there were so many things to do and take care of. For now he was looking to talk to one Jennifer Stanson.

Jennifer looked up from her computer's moniter as the chime to her officer rang. She had begun plotting simulations of all the scenarios that could happen during the mission. She wanted to be ready for whatever would be thrown at them. She was usually the one being extracted not the other way around, but she was fairly certain that she could handle it. Her team, however, was another story. "Enter" she said to the person standing on the other side of the door.

When he entered the office the strain he was under was visible. He was focussing very hard on something. Of course Stanson would be hard pressed to tell it apart from his exhausted state it had nothing to do with his recent lack of sleep. He needed to talk to Stanson about a serious matter. And for that he needed to focus.
“Commander.” He greeted her. His head bobbed up and down in a small nod. Before he told her anything he put a pad down in front of her. On the PaDD was an old nursery rhyme from earth called 'Cock Robin'. “Did you settle in yet?” Charon asked. Of course there was the question of what he wanted her to do with the rhyme but he felt that she would question him soon enough.

Jennifer looked up at the ship's XO who she had just briefly met the other day. "Ah, Commander, nice of you to stop by." she said warm and welcoming manner. "I have settled in quite nicely, thank you for asking." she said as she glanced down at the PADD that the tall man had placed on her desk. "What is this?" she asked as she subtlety gestured towards the PADD.

When she did ask Charon's eyes locked with hers. “I could have gone to Fairchild, but really I did not want to bother her with this. You are far more qualified for this kind of thing. And believe me when I tell you that from me that is not a compliment.” Only after that did he take a seat opposite of Stanson. “Please, read it.” He encouraged her, his voice now far more pleasant than before. Than he leaned back in his chair and seemed to relax quite a bit. This would take a great burden of his back. He asked himself if she understood what kind of responsibility he was thrusting upon her, and how much trust he was paying her forward on this.

Jennifer picked up the PADD and began to read the document. "It seems like a nursery rhyme, as strange as it is. I'm not sure what you need my help with." as she finished reading the poem. This was confusing Jennifer a bit, why would he want her to read it?

Once she had read the rhyme it took a great load of his mind. He instantly relaxed and even looked hopeful. “For now you are to learn this and memorize it by heart. Don't even bother asking why. The answer will be that for now it is none of your concern. Being with SI you know the drill. Recite the rhyme a couple of times during the day. Not out loud, just in your head. You can do it in random intervals. That really doesn't matter. Once you have it properly memorized make sure you always remember it.”
He had to stress the 'always' to convey the urgency of this strange order. He sighed. His hand went to his forehead and he started to slowly massage the bridge of his nose. For a while he sat in his chair just massaging away. Finally he spoke up. “I am putting a lot of trust in you on this, do not make me regret that.”

Jennifer raised an eyebrow at the Commander. "Is that an order, sir?" she asked not understanding why this was necessary. It seemed like a joke to her, but his tone was serious. "I dont see why this I need to memorize this poem. Will it be useful to us on our mission?" she asked growing curious of the Commander's intentions.

Charon looked at her with the same gravity which he had carried in his eyes since he had entered Stanson's office. “Telling you what its about would make it a moot point Commander. If you want you can look at it as a personal favour I am asking of you. If I have to make it an order though then I will make it one.” He knew that it would be hard to understand what he was trying to accomplish with this. For now she would have to just do as he said. She would understand in time. “See it as a, while undeniably strange, fancy new addition to your skill set. It might not be one that lands on your resume but it will serve its purpose some day and you will be glad that you listened to the ramblings of a seemingly confused superior.”

Jennifer sat quietly, still a bit confused, however she would follow the Commander's request. She nodded then looked at the XO, "I'll have it memorized in no time, sir." she said. She took another look at the PADD with the rhyme on it then looked back up at the Commander, "Anything else you needed, sir?" she asked.

Charon visibly relaxed. It seemed to mean a lot to him to know this particular task taken care of. He knew it was in capable hands. “Good.” He breathed out for a second and his stare seemed to go off into the distance. It lasted but a moment, then it was gone. ”What did you do?” asked a tiny voice in Charons head. “I will leave you to your work then. I am sure you have a lot to do for the upcoming mission.” Charon said after he had returned into the here and now. For him the meeting was over now. Having been raised to be a polite man though he waited a moment for any questions Stanson might still have.

As she did clearly not have any more questions Charon left her to her work. Now a lot more at ease. The knowledge that he would have her to fall back on if need be.