Judith Eastman
Civilian
Grandma
Posts: 2,593 Likes: 84 
Rank: Civilian/other
Position: Civil Servant
Species: Human
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Post by Judith Eastman on May 23, 2021 18:06:33 GMT
Several days after S2E5 - 1000 hours[NPC - PO2 Roland L. Jenkins - Antechamber to the CO's Office]"The Captain is ready for you," Jenkins said succinctly. He was perfectly pleasant, but he was not blessed with Mabel's ceaseless exuberance.
[Capt. Judith Eastman(-Williams), PhD - Captain Eastman's Office, Front Ear Station]More than any of the others, Syl O'Connell was a symbol of Judy's failure in the Caldonia Five affair. She felt horrible about them all, but this young, helpless Ensign was the most vulnerable of the bunch, the worst one to leave behind. Judy had a responsibility to the young woman, a duty to make herself available, and to be held accountable. She could not shirk it. This time around, she was more composed than she had been in Sickbay. That steely core, supporting her soft exterior, was back. She was contrite, of course, but no longer on the verge of collapse. This time, her put-together appearance (thanks to her time on Kerelia, her skin was a bit more tan than its usual vampiric white), reflected what was going on under the surface. "Good morning," she said softly, with her usual, kind smile. A plate of chocolate-chip cookies sat invitingly in the middle of the conference table.
Tag Syl O'Connell
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Syl O'Connell
Flight Control
[TI8]
Posts: 662
Likes: 9
Rank: Lieutenant Junior Grade
Position: Flight Control/Caldonia 5
Species: Human
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Post by Syl O'Connell on May 24, 2021 6:05:19 GMT
[Ens. Syl O'Connell - Front Ear - CO's Office]Syl's eyes darted around the room as she entered, taking everything in from the decorations and family photos, to the cookies on the table, to the woman awaiting her. A bit of life had returned to brighten the hazel, and she looked far healthier than she had upon arrival a few weeks ago. However, her clothes still didn't fit as well as they used to - hanging loosely from her shoulders and hips, appearing more like a sheet wrapped around her than a shirt and pants. At least she was improving. The most telling sign of what she had been through was the circle of woven scars about her neck like a choker, a constant reminder. Of course, the nurses treating her had tried to heal them completely, but she'd stopped them - the same way she'd stopped the Academy medics from completely healing the scars on her face and leg. Sometimes, you just needed to be able to look in the mirror and know that it hadn't all been a horrible dream. When the Captain greeted her, she gave a small nod in return and sat down across from her. Normally she would have waited for the invitation to sit, but she wasn't in uniform and hadn't been released for duty yet. And part of her just didn't feel like extending that subservient courtesy just yet. Her gaze dropped down to her hands in her lap, where the tip of one fingernail scraped at the edge of another, as she tried to think of a way to begin. So much had been left unsaid between them... things that needed to be discussed in order for her to know how she was going to be spending the rest of her life. It was her hope that the conversation could go a little smoother without the others and their differing opinions and stronger personalities. They had each made their own choice, now she needed to make hers. With a deep, rattling breath, she lifted her gaze to the Captain once more, and decided there was no point in beating around the bush. "I know the order came from Starfleet Command." That revelation in itself had brought an entirely different wave of emotions with it... Emotions she was still trying to sort through. But following orders was something she understood, and respected. It had been drilled into her her entire life, from the moment she was first capable of doing what she was told. That wasn't the only thing she needed to know, but she decided to give the woman across from her a moment to react.
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Judith Eastman
Civilian
Grandma
Posts: 2,593 Likes: 84
Rank: Civilian/other
Position: Civil Servant
Species: Human
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Post by Judith Eastman on May 24, 2021 15:53:19 GMT
[Capt. Judith Eastman(-Williams), PhD - Captain Eastman's Office]Truth be told, Judy preferred O'Connell sitting down without needing permission. She never did appreciate that particular trapping of power in Starfleet, and though the gesture was not meant that way, it did put Judy instinctively at ease. As for diving right into the meatiest topic, that had its advantages too. "That's right. We were ordered to abandon you, but I chose to follow that order, and I've questioned that choice every day since. I imagine I'm not the only one."This time, her voice was steady, but still weighed down with apparent guilt. "Have a cookie. I baked them myself earlier today," she invited, a seeming non-sequitur that, like the preceding sentences, came from the heart. The words "you're too skinny" bounced around her head, but didn't come out.
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Syl O'Connell
Flight Control
[TI8]
Posts: 662
Likes: 9
Rank: Lieutenant Junior Grade
Position: Flight Control/Caldonia 5
Species: Human
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Post by Syl O'Connell on May 25, 2021 3:19:45 GMT
[Ens. Syl O'Connell - Front Ear - CO's Office]The shift from explanation to hospitality startled her slightly, and she looked down at the mentioned cookies. This must be the grandmotherly side she kept hearing about. Hesitantly, she picked up a cookie and took a bite - not because she wasn't sure it would be good, but because even though she was finally able to keep solid food down, she still had to be careful about food that was particularly rich. Finding the cookie not to be incredibly sweet, she finished it in a few more bites while she thought of how to continue. "My father is Captain Liam O'Connell. I don't know if you're aware of his reputation... But he's even tougher on his family than he was his crew. I understand following orders. I respect that. I even know what would have happened to your career, and that of everyone who followed you, had you defied that order." That was a benefit of understanding she had that Charlie and Kova - as civilians - did not. "What I need to know, is had that order never come... If the decision had been left entirely up to you... Is there any possibility you still would have made the same decision?" Moments like this Syl wished she was better at knowing when someone was lying. It would be too easy for the Captain to say what she thought the Ensign wanted to hear to smooth things over. In reality, all Syl really wanted to hear was the truth.
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Judith Eastman
Civilian
Grandma
Posts: 2,593 Likes: 84
Rank: Civilian/other
Position: Civil Servant
Species: Human
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Post by Judith Eastman on May 25, 2021 3:58:54 GMT
[Capt. Judith Eastman(-Williams), PhD - Captain Eastman's Office]Judy nodded; she'd heard, a bit, about Liam O'Connell. He didn't sound like the kind of captain she sought to be, at all - but then, she didn't feel she had been the captain she sought to be, either. As for the young woman's question... "Oh, God, no. Not in a million years," she answered earnestly. "We'd actually started work on a plan to spring all out when we got the order."But then, that wasn't enough of an explanation. "You see, I have four children of my own, and they're all in the same age range as you - the youngest is in her teens, the eldest are in their thirties - so I see a little bit of them in you. That's why I could never give that order."Antoinette Ellis also had children, and they even served in the fleet. Where that woman found her total heartlessness, Judy did not know.
Tag Syl O'Connell
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Syl O'Connell
Flight Control
[TI8]
Posts: 662
Likes: 9
Rank: Lieutenant Junior Grade
Position: Flight Control/Caldonia 5
Species: Human
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Post by Syl O'Connell on May 25, 2021 6:26:23 GMT
[Ens. Syl O'Connell - Front Ear - CO's Office]The young woman relaxed back in the chair slightly, accepting the response as genuine. If it wasn't, then the Captain was a far better liar than anyone had a right to be. The parental explanation didn't mean much to her, but she recognized the attempt that was being made and decided not to chastise it. "Then with all due respect, ma'am... You need to make up your mind." It wasn't that long ago when Syl never would have considered being so blunt with a commanding officer, but The Pit has a way of changing people. She was still figuring out what had changed about her, and what had merely been reinforced. "The only person who gets to carry the guilt, is the one who holds the blame." It didn't matter if the person who made the call actually felt guilty over it or not. That was between them and their conscience. But it served no one for anyone else to feel guilty over what happened. Guilt was an emotion she knew well, both in herself and others. She had no patience for it anymore.
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Judith Eastman
Civilian
Grandma
Posts: 2,593 Likes: 84
Rank: Civilian/other
Position: Civil Servant
Species: Human
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Post by Judith Eastman on May 25, 2021 14:11:02 GMT
[Capt. Judith Eastman(-Williams), PhD - Captain Eastman's Office]There was a measure of absolution in O'Connell's words, and Judy silently, inwardly, accepted it; no, it wouldn't stop the nightmares, but it was something. "Right," she acknowledged. There would be more to work through in therapy. Taking off her glasses, she began to clean them, as she moved the conversation on. "I'm guessing you have more questions to ask."
Tag Syl O'Connell
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Syl O'Connell
Flight Control
[TI8]
Posts: 662
Likes: 9
Rank: Lieutenant Junior Grade
Position: Flight Control/Caldonia 5
Species: Human
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Post by Syl O'Connell on May 25, 2021 15:24:26 GMT
[Ens. Syl O'Connell - Front Ear - CO's Office]She knew it was easier said than done, but she was grateful the other woman didn't completely dismiss the thought, or argue her point. When asked about other questions, her gaze dropped to her hands once more as she tried to piece her thoughts together. That part had passed a lot quicker than Syl was expecting it to, and she hadn't quite planned any further. After a moment she took another steadying breath and raised her gaze again. "Obviously there's never a good time for something like that to happen... But it happened at the worst possible time for me." She wasn't trying to be cruel, she only wanted to be understood. "I went through hell my last year at the Academy. It took months after my graduation to finally get a post... And when my father found out I was here, he threatened to disown me." Syl knew her involvement in the murder trial was most likely in her file, but not the torment that led up to it. Dr. Baker was the only one who access to that part of her life. "I came here expecting a fresh start somewhere no one knew my name. I had three days to settle in... Then I worked one shift. One shift. Before I was back in hell, abandoned by the very people I had spent my entire life being told would always protect me." It wasn't necessarily the Captain and crew that she was referring to, but Starfleet in general. "It's obvious you and I got off on the wrong foot. And I know that the timing was nobody's fault. I want to be able to let it go. I want to trust you as my Captain. I just don't know how to do that yet." That was a bit more than she had been planning on saying all at once... But once she started speaking her mind, the thoughts just kept flowing. When they finally stopped, she fell silent once more, trying to ignore the way her heartbeat quickened in anticipation of the other woman's response.
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Judith Eastman
Civilian
Grandma
Posts: 2,593 Likes: 84
Rank: Civilian/other
Position: Civil Servant
Species: Human
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Post by Judith Eastman on May 25, 2021 17:51:21 GMT
[Capt. Judith Eastman(-Williams), PhD - Captain Eastman's Office]Judy's heart sank. She had, indeed, lost the confidence of this member of her crew, and it would indeed be a problem. "Well, I suppose, you haven't really had the chance to know me, outside of that one day," she pointed out. "And conversely, well, there's a saying I heard recently, that a leader's job is to get the right people on the shuttle, and help them find the right seats. If you're going to stay, I'd like to know you better, so we can find the right proverbial seat for you."As she put her cleaned glasses back on, Judy thought for a moment. "There's a project I can put you on, something very relaxed, if you're ready for that, as a way for you to try me out, so to speak."The project in question was almost superfluous, a service Sir Doug Zaman had forced Starfleet to provide using some obscure statutory provision, and it needed a pilot.
Tag Syl O'Connell
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Syl O'Connell
Flight Control
[TI8]
Posts: 662
Likes: 9
Rank: Lieutenant Junior Grade
Position: Flight Control/Caldonia 5
Species: Human
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Post by Syl O'Connell on May 25, 2021 20:43:37 GMT
[Ens. Syl O'Connell - Front Ear - CO's Office]Syl was grateful that the Captain was willing to work with her to help rebuild the trust, rather than simply writing it off as not a good fit and putting in for her transfer. That in itself said something, and the young pilot nodded. "I'm staying, unless I get shipped elsewhere." She'd always known her posting wouldn't always be her choice, but there were a lot of reasons she wanted to stay. Reasons she didn't particularly feel like getting into at the moment. "I'm at least willing to hear about it." She couldn't say it was something she'd be ready for without knowing what it was, but the description of 'very relaxed' certainly sounded like a good start.
Tag Judith Eastman
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Judith Eastman
Civilian
Grandma
Posts: 2,593 Likes: 84
Rank: Civilian/other
Position: Civil Servant
Species: Human
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Post by Judith Eastman on May 25, 2021 21:26:04 GMT
[Capt. Judith Eastman(-Williams), PhD - Captain Eastman's Office]Judy smiled, suppressing a chuckle. "This is a hell of a thing," she prefaced her remarks. "There's a gentleman on this station, Sir Doug Zaman, you may have heard of him, an eccentric El-Aurian fellow. He fancies himself an entrepreneur, and he's planning on running day cruises out of the LZ-2 colony, which means we, Starfleet, need to survey that part of the ocean."Judy was clearly quite amused by the whole thing. "The waters are quite calm, for what it's worth. I've gone swimming there with the grandkids a few times, although this would be my first time boating down there."The fleet had boats that worked similarly enough to shuttlecraft, just for jobs like these.
Tag Syl O'Connell
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Syl O'Connell
Flight Control
[TI8]
Posts: 662
Likes: 9
Rank: Lieutenant Junior Grade
Position: Flight Control/Caldonia 5
Species: Human
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Post by Syl O'Connell on May 26, 2021 1:30:23 GMT
[Ens. Syl O'Connell - Front Ear - CO's Office]Syl listened intently, trying to recall if she'd heard the name before. She didn't think so, but that wasn't entirely important. There was no mistaking the way her eyes lit up with excitement and... hope... at the mention of the ocean. "I'd love to!" she blurted out without needing a moment to think. Of course, she knew it wouldn't be like sailing... But she would still be on the ocean. Oh how she missed the open waters... Recovering herself, Syl shifted slightly in her seat. "I know it'll be some time before I'm released to full duty..." She was at the mercy of her new counselor there. "But I'll let you know when I'm cleared for a light duty on a survey trip." Hopefully the relaxed nature, flexible time, proximity to the station and constant supervision would help the doctors feel more comfortable letting her at least try it.
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Judith Eastman
Civilian
Grandma
Posts: 2,593 Likes: 84
Rank: Civilian/other
Position: Civil Servant
Species: Human
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Post by Judith Eastman on May 26, 2021 4:06:21 GMT
[Capt. Judith Eastman(-Williams), PhD - Captain Eastman's Office]Judy could pick up on the enthusiasm, tempered as it was by the constraints of her condition. "Take your time. I'm taking a vacation myself, so there's no real hurry."Something else then came to her mind. "If and when it does happen, bring a hat and sunglasses."2 weeks later [Capt. Judith Eastman(-Williams), PhD - Pier, LZ-2 Colony, Kerelia]Coming straight from her condo on Kerelia after a long vacation, Judy arrived rather refreshed at the colony's single pier, pairing her uniform with contacts and a straw cowboy hat, with her sunglasses currently clipped to her jacket. As Max had insisted to her weeks prior, she needed that vacation, and now she was ready to get back to her job with all the necessary vigor. She leaned on the railing with her right hand, while holding a cooler and handbag with her left, and kept her eye out for O'Connell. This thing happened to be merely a two-person job.
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Syl O'Connell
Flight Control
[TI8]
Posts: 662
Likes: 9
Rank: Lieutenant Junior Grade
Position: Flight Control/Caldonia 5
Species: Human
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Post by Syl O'Connell on May 26, 2021 16:23:59 GMT
[Ens. Syl O'Connell - Kerelia - Colony Pier]Syl was honestly surprised that she had been cleared for duty so soon. Of course... It was light-duty only, under direct supervision, with restrictions on the length of shift and distance from the station. Part of her was certain the counselor only agreed because she mentioned the word 'ocean', and he felt time on the sea would be beneficial for her healing. Physically, she was looking better each day. She was finally able to eat normally without concern of her system rejecting the food, so she'd starting putting weight on a little faster. Her uniform was still a little more loose than she liked, but it didn't hang limply from her shoulders. Her skin was still bronzed from the Caldonian sun, but there was now a healthy blush beneath the tan. If it weren't for the scars she insisted on keeping around her neck, one might never have guessed what she had gone through. That was precisely why she kept them. As advised, she wore sunglasses and a straw hat held in place by a scarf tied beneath her chin as she walked along the shore towards the pier. With every step she took, her nerves steadily grew, but she forced herself to take deep breaths of the salty air to keep herself collected. Approaching the Captain, she squared her shoulders and gave a nod of greeting. "Good morning."
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Judith Eastman
Civilian
Grandma
Posts: 2,593 Likes: 84
Rank: Civilian/other
Position: Civil Servant
Species: Human
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Post by Judith Eastman on May 26, 2021 18:38:24 GMT
[Capt. Judith Eastman(-Williams), PhD - Pier -> Unsinkable II]"Good morning," Judy replied warmly. "Let's get going."The captain led the way to the Unsinkable II, a sleek white boat with two spacious seats, a semi-open cab, and lots of sensors. Judy took one, and began to make herself comfortable, starting by putting on her reading glasses. "Alright, looks like it's fully charged, so that's good," she noted, as she looked at her console. "I'm sending you today's route right now."She went on. "Since there's no replicator, I brought us refreshments: water, orange juice, and the foil-wrapped things are bagels - some with just cream cheese, labeled C, and others with lox, that's salmon, labeled L."Judy's accent gained a few more hints of her native New York City as she spoke of bagels, as was the nature of such things. She set the cooler midway between the chairs, where either of them could help herself.
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