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 Jul 26, 2021 23:44:14 GMT
July 2381
[Capt. Judith Eastman(-Williams), PhD & PO2 Roland L. Jenkins - Wilmington, Delaware, Earth] Continuing their bonding tour through Earth's greasiest eateries, Judy and Roland sat at a burger joint in his hometown of Wilmington. Her burger, on account of kosher laws and heart disease, was somewhat modest, with grilled mushrooms and caramelized onions, while he went all in, with a grilled egg, bacon, blue cheese, and hot sauce. "There's a new update in the whole Du Toollame saga," she said in between bites, piquing his curiosity. "What is it?" he asked, genuinely curious. "Well, this was classified, but last week, they ran a paternity test on Du Toollame and Murra. Turns out, it's a match," she explained. "Didn't he screech something about that?""He did say something about his mother and Murra, and apparently this test was at his request.""A Cardie telling the truth? Wow."She waited for a moment to reply, swallowing a bite of burger, appreciating both the juicy patty and the frankness Jenkins was slowly coming to show in her presence. When they'd started this trip - when she'd told him that he'd be replacing Mabel - he was far more measured, far more politically correct. "So now the theory is that Du Toollame is the child of a rape, and he orchestrated the whole thing to get revenge at his father, Murra, which I think fits a lot better as motive than the... idle speculation from before.""I can see it. He's the type.""A life was the only thing he could take away from Murra. I almost sympathize."
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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 Aug 1, 2021 23:53:26 GMT
[Capt. Judith Eastman(-Williams), PhD & Lt. Mabel Henriksen - Chief Operations Officer's Office, Front Ear Station]
Mabel heard the chime at her office door. "Come in!" she called out. In her old job, she was used to looking over her shoulder to call Judy over, and so she instinctively did turn, before her mind caught on. Instead, she sat up straight, to see Judy right in front of her.
"Judy," she acknowledged the older woman with some surprise.
"I can come back later," Judy offered hesitantly. "I just wanted to check in."
"Have a seat, young lady," Mabel replied, in her best Judy voice, before bursting out with shrill laughter. Judy laughed along, and then sat down across from her onetime assistant.
"Love what you've done with the place."
The ceiling of the room was pink, with rainbows and stars drawn on it. The desk was full of plush animals and similar tchotchkes. The floor was carpeted - bright colors there too - and Mabel was currently barefoot at her desk. All in all, unmistakably Mabel's design choices.
"You always say I should make a space my own."
"That I do. I've taught you well."
"Do you think I can get away with using a beanbag chair?" the young woman asked.
"I think that might be a bit much."
"That's true, I guess. Maybe when I have my own command."
"When you're the Captain, you can get away with that, and I believe you'll be a Captain sooner or later."
"For now, there's no one I'd rather serve under... except maybe Thea," Mabel joked.
Judy laughed.
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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 Aug 2, 2021 3:32:53 GMT
July 9th, 2381
[Capt. Judith Eastman(-Williams), PhD & Max Williams - Eastman-Williams Family Home, New Jersey]
It had been a long day, spent with family and friends, and now, at last, it was night. Judy and Max finally had a moment to themselves, which they spent in their bed, lying down side by side.
"So, birthday girl, how's being 65?" Max asked.
"Well, it's no 25, but it's better than 55," she answered, putting it in a rather roundabout way.
"How do you mean?"
"That metal plate in my ass wasn't always there, and I used to have a pulse, but all things considered, life is good."
"Pulse or not, you're pretty darn cute."
"You are too. One of these days, I'll retire with you."
Knowing Judy as he did, Max doubted "one of these days" was now.
"You've got a few more things to do first, honey."
"Just a few," Judy agreed. "But our time will come."
"I can wait. My wife at work is a sight to behold."
"I'm glad you think so."
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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 Sept 8, 2021 3:18:31 GMT
Excerpt from a log recorded July 2381
I suppose the worst of the worst was her insinuation that we are - or were - somehow the same; we are not. I've never, in my life, believed that I am owed something that others aren't, simply by virtue of my birth. I've never believed that the rules shouldn't apply to me because of my wealth. I've devoted the past 40 years, my working life, to serving others, in one way or another, serving people other than me, people not related to me, people unlike me. I've always believed that my wealth and family connections are an accident of birth; I have done nothing to earn my status, and I must do what I can for others to deserve this good fortune.
These are my values - service, humility, integrity. They're the values my parents wisely taught me as a girl, to mold me into a constructive member of society. They're the values I do my best to impart to my kids and to my crew, and that I live my life by. I may fall short, but I'll never give them up.
Mrs. Niles, on the other hand, doesn't seem to have much of a moral framework outside of entitlement. She believes that, by virtue of their blue-bloodedness, she and her kin are entitled to operate outside of, and above, issues of morality. I see this in play, at times, in her son, some entitlement here, pretentiousness there. It is this, combined with an impulsive nature, that has landed Lt. Niles in the doghouse to begin with.
OOC: The first two paragraphs are a "sermon" that was an early draft of a post. They felt too good to throw away.
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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 Sept 29, 2021 23:42:23 GMT
August 2381Following the publication of this Dirt Dude piece[Capt. Judith Eastman(-Williams), PhD & PO2 Roland L. Jenkins - Captain Eastman's Office]"Roland, come in."This was that rare, furious Eastman whisper. Usually, her voice carried with it a certain ebullience, or else a measure of consternation. The apparent absence of any emotion, however, always meant the presence of anger. A worried Jenkins shuffled into the main office, finding the boss seated at her desk, Federation flag hanging behind her. "I told exactly two people about that meeting, and I know my husband doesn't gossip about my work," Judy accused, handing the young man a PADD with the "Dirt Dude"'s latest screed. "I-I didn't write that," Roland protested. He wasn't the Dirt Dude, after all. "I believe you, but I can't help concluding you told someone, whether that person is this 'Dirt Dude' or just conveyed the story onwards to him. You introduced this into the gossip streams," Judy replied. At the predictable silence, she went on. "This station is a small town, and word gets around. If it wasn't this, it would be a traditional word-of-mouth flow of gossip until the whole station knew of a conversation that really shouldn't be publicized."The whispering tone never rose, and as Roland felt Judy's glare directed at him, he felt as though he was freezing. "Young man, by sharing this story, you have humiliated Joshua Niles. You have hurt a member of this crew. And you've done it from the auspices of my office. This will not happen again."Judy saw her assistant's face frozen over and drained of color; she had made her point. "From now on, I expect better, and I know you can be better, so be better. That's all."Roland stayed frozen, grasping for words. He half-expected to be demoted on the spot. "I'm sorry, ma'am. I'll do better," he whispered. "Good."Roland shuffled back to his nook.
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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 Dec 1, 2021 20:30:35 GMT
November 2381
[Judith Eastman(-Williams), PhD & Max Williams - Eastman-Williams Family Quarters, Deck 15]
"Ugh, what should I wear?"
For the first few days, the novelty of picking her own outfits every day was exciting to Judy, but now, she was drowning in choice. She simply had too many cute items to pick from.
Max found it rather endearing to watch Judy's transition aches (he also didn't mind seeing her in the nude more), but as a loving partner, he knew he ought to help her with this dilemma. He came out of bed and joined her in front of the cavernous closet.
"Let's turn this into a flowchart, honey," he suggested. "Sure," she replied. "The first thing you need to figure out is what kind of day this is. Do you need to be all dressed up for a meeting with fancy-pants types, or just presentable?" Max explained. "Normal day. Nothing too special." "Well, in that case, we can rule out all your boring, dark suits. You can have a personality."
To make his point, Max moved a number of such items off to one side.
"What are we feeling today? What kind of vibe? Bright and peppy, or more muted?"
"Let's go with maybe a nice green." Judy cast her eyes for something in that range and quickly picked out an emerald-green sheath dress.
"Let's put that on to make sure it fits."
Judy put on her underwear, followed by the dress. Max helped her zip up, naturally.
"You know, you could just let it all hang out," Max joked.
"You'd like that, wouldn't you?"
She took a step back.
"We're gonna have to organize this by color. Never had that problem with the uniforms."
"Don't tell me you miss them," Max replied. "Well, miss is a strong word. They were bulky and dark and bo-ring."
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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 Dec 3, 2021 3:05:02 GMT
December 2381
[Judith Eastman(-Williams), PhD & Anna E. Williams - Eastman-Williams Family Quarters]
It was, by many definitions, wasteful. Judy and Max had bought out the neighboring lot, and had it rebuilt, so her family could have a private pool in their new home. And yet, as Judy saw Anna walk past her in a bathing suit, with hair that looked like she'd been pulling it out in frustration, she knew it was worth the investment.
"Taking a break from your studying?" the mother asked rhetorically. "I can't study forever," the daughter answered, sounding defensive. She stopped walking, perhaps to argue. "Oh, I think it's a great idea. Physical exercise jogs the brain," Judy clarified. "Why do you always sound like you're judging?" "Go to the pool, young lady. I'll join you."
Judy promptly did just that, showing up in a swimsuit that matched Anna's. "Looking good, Mom," the daughter said, stopping her swim at the pool's edge. "Look at that, you're calmer already!" the mother exclaimed.
Anna responded with a side-eye.
"I could tell you were a bit crabby earlier," Judy explained herself, as she slowly went into the water. "Mother always knows."
"All this literary analysis bullshit is killing me," Anna complained at last, letting loose what bothered her. "Not everything has to have some deep and profound meaning." "Let me tell you a little secret: it often is bullshit, and you're going to need to bullshit a lot in your life, so this is your chance to get it down to an art." "You must've been very good at it." "I only really mastered bullshitting when I joined Starfleet."
This was a new sentiment for Anna to be hearing. "Is that disloyalty to your old bosses I hear?" she asked, in a teasing tone. Judy splashed Anna forcefully. "Who's crabby now, mother?" Anna splashed back. "Well, yes, since you asked so nicely, I was sick and tired of Starfleet in the end."
Anna hoisted herself onto the edge of the pool, to sit. "Tell me more." Judy took a seat at Anna's side, suddenly very aware that her daughter had passed her in height. "After everything that's happened, after Caldonia, after Commodore Perry, I got the sense that Starfleet just isn't doing what we - they - are supposed to do. It was all about interests and not at all about principles." "And why didn't you tell me?" "You're too young. You don't understand the bonds that I did - still do - have with Starfleet. I met your father thanks to Starfleet." "No, Mom, I get it. I know how much it mattered to you. That's why I had a feeling you didn't just take a cooler job." Judy shook her head. "I know, I know, I'm a terrible liar." "Mom, I'm not a little girl anymore. You can tell me things." "What makes you think I told your brothers?" "I know you didn't, but they're also boys." Judy chuckled. "Tell you what. If you want to be an adult, I'll let you write policy papers for me over break. You can be important, and you'll learn how to bullshit." Anna smiled. "So, child labor?" "Yes." "Deal."
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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 Dec 3, 2021 4:30:29 GMT
[Judith Eastman(-Williams), PhD - Kitchen, Economics Ministry Regional Office]
Of all the decisions related to switching careers, the most convenient was definitely the office kitchen. Bringing pastries from home was one thing, but making them in between meetings was another experience entirely.
In the spirit of the holiday season, today Judy took to making sufganiyot, the traditional donuts of Hanukkah, for the office. The vague smell of a citrus syrup made its way into the office, and inside, the jelly-filled round goodness was taking shape.
Judy sampled one herself. It was crunchy on the outside, but soft and succulent on the inside, with plenty of jam, and enough calories to clog up an artery or two.
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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 Dec 4, 2021 6:20:31 GMT
October 2381
[Capt. Judith Eastman(-Williams), PhD & Max Williams - CO's Quarters]
Max came back home from work to find Judy waiting on the couch, in a fancy white dress, with a covered tray.
"What's the occasion?" he asked. "Well, honey, lift that lid and find out."
Judy smiled eagerly as Max lifted the lid and found a small cheesecake with frosted red lettering on it:
I-M
R-E-T-I-R-I-N-G
"What do you think?"
Max answered the question with a passionate kiss. The sentiment was fully expressed by that medium, over quite a long time, before they broke it off.
"Woman, have I ever told you how much I love you?" "I know you do, and I love you back."
Judy stood up to cut the cake. She had, after all, put some effort into baking it, and it would be a shame not to enjoy it while it was fresh.
They each took a slice.
"L'chaim." "L'chaim."
Like any good cheesecake, this one was soft and decadent. Max, an expert, felt that Judy had done a very good job. "Excellent cake," he said. "You're worth the effort."
"What led you to the decision?" "I can't keep asking you to give up so much, for a cause I no longer believe in. I can't bear to think of you sitting here, worrying about me, while I'm somewhere complaining about the admirals. Other people can lead this crew, but for you..." "You're the only one for me."
This time, it was Judy's turn to initiate the kiss.
"I always told myself that I only met you because I joined Starfleet, and that's the greatest gift of all, but that Starfleet just isn't the same organization as this one," Judy explained herself. "I don't owe them anything." "I'm sure we would've found each other without Starfleet." "All that matters now is we have each other, and our family. We don't need anything else." "Not even your bloated pension?" Max asked, undercutting Judy's kitsch. She laughed. "Well, the pension is definitely nice to have." "Speaking of money, Larry had a great idea for a thing we can do. Have you considered donating money, to build a hospital ward for animals with STDs, and name it after Antoinette Ellis, just to piss her off?" Even before Max finished the sentence, Judy began to wheeze with suppressed laughter. It infected him, and soon both were howling, clearly playing off each other.
"Was he serious?" "I think so." "If we do, that's his birthday gift, having this wish fulfilled."
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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 Dec 6, 2021 3:55:22 GMT
[Judith Eastman(-Williams), PhD & Max Williams - Eastman-Williams Family Quarters]
Judy and Max were not going anywhere. Dressed in sweatpants and t-shirts (plus glasses for her), well-supplied with a six-pack of beer and a plate of nachos, lounging together on the couch while watching a rather mediocre football game, Mr. and Mrs. Williams were comfortable.
"How many beers do you think we had at the old place?" Max asked, as Judy popped one open. "Well, let's see. In the time that we were there, there were... 10 months when we drank. Less one month we spent on Earth, and another..." she counted on her fingers "... 7 weeks off the station. So that means about 34 weeks. Now, I think we'd only really have a beer in the middle of the week maybe once a week, so 34 beers, hold onto that number for me." "Okay, 34 weekday beers each." "Now we have to add games. We watch maybe something every three weeks, and usually we finish the six-pack, so that's 3 beers each, times 34 over 3, cancels out, that's 34. So that makes 68 beers each." "How long until we beat that here?" he asked. "Well, that depends, but I think we'll have it by our anniversary." "Let's get started." Max took a beer for himself.
"Cheers." "Cheers."
The couple sipped at their beers.
"You know, you're cute when you get analytical." "I know."
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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 Dec 7, 2021 5:10:07 GMT
December 2381
[Judith Eastman(-Williams), PhD & Max Williams - Beach, LZ-2]
Max was beside himself, writhing on his back with laughter. "Oh, yes. She really did it," Judy confirmed her anecdote. "Your gran... harpooned... her neighbor's sailboat," he repeated, in between giggles. "Definitely not on purpose." "And the boat capsized." "And their goldfish escaped." Max hadn't even processed this last part. "Who takes a goldfish sailing?" "Florida, man." After so much time around Americans, Max understood. "You know, goldfish can get to weigh upwards of 2 kilos if they're just released like that." "Really?" "Yes, really. I'm sure Estelle will be very proud." "You know it."
Estelle Roth was such a larger-than-life figure, worlds apart from Judy and yet with a clear familiar resemblance. Max was forever intrigued by, and slightly scared of, his grandmother-in-law.
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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 Dec 8, 2021 3:49:38 GMT
December 2381
[Judith Eastman(-Williams), PhD & Max Williams - Guesthouse, Xanthras III]
For this business trip, Judy had been put up in a government guesthouse, on a hilltop with a lovely view. As she returned to it from many hours of meetings, she saw Max outside, on the deck, painting.
"Hello, handsome," she greeted him. "How's it coming along?"
"It's coming along quite nicely," he answered. "Here, let me unzip you."
Max turned away from his canvas and the landscape just long enough to unzip Judy's sheath dress.
She returned to his side before too long, after a shower, in a looser-fitting dress and bare feet.
"What's the angle on this one?" she asked Max, pulling up a chair beside him.
"It's about the inexplicable urge to inflict heavy engineering on our most beautiful landscapes with such reckless abandon," he explained, indicating a rather unseemly steel bridge under construction over the river not far from their location.
"You know those types of people who want to build towering monuments to themselves, for others to admire their power for generations?" she asked.
He nodded.
"That's the mayor of this city, and that's the story of that abomination. Boras's belt, they're calling it, because he's a heavyset guy."
That notion amused Max.
"It's criminal. You should fight it."
"Oh, I am."
He leaned in to give her an approving kiss.
"And this, when it's done, is going in my office. The artist, the talented artist, is sending a very important message here."
"This painting is actually a gift to the artist's wife," Max replied playfully.
"What a lucky, lucky woman she must be to have bagged a man with so much heart."
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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 Dec 9, 2021 22:40:19 GMT
November 2381
[Judith Eastman(-Williams), PhD - Eastman-Williams Family Quarters, Front Ear Station] [NPC - Gerald Eastman - Gerald's Apartment, Manhattan, Earth]
"Mom, what makes you abandon your Starfleet career, just as it's at the pinnacle?" Gerald asked, still processing the decision his mother has just followed through on a few days ago. Perhaps on this call, she'd shed some light.
"In a word, love," Judy answered, with an almost dreamy tone.
"And in more words?" To the ambitious young man, the move seemed completely counterintuitive. He looked askance at his mother's projection on his screen.
"That job, in Starfleet, it's a hard one, not just for me, but for the family, and especially your father," she explained.
"That's not new," Gerald interjected.
"No, it's not new, but it is harder now than it was before. The job is more dangerous, we're both a little older, and Starfleet isn't what it used to be. I can no longer ask that sacrifice of him."
"So you left the job because it changed, or for Dad?"
"Both, kiddo. It's both. I could either fight for the soul of Starfleet, or I could pick a new cause and make your father happy. I chose him."
Judy was determined to explain that her decision was right, because Gerald would do well to internalize the idea.
"There are some projects that you can leave for another to take on, and some needs that only you can fulfill. Self-awareness means recognizing which is which."
Gerald nodded.
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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 Dec 10, 2021 21:25:38 GMT
December 2381
[Judith Eastman(-Williams), PhD & Max Williams - Eastman-Williams Family Quarters]
Max and Judy had enjoyed several hundred steak dinners together. Why wouldn't they? Steak is delicious, and Max was quite good at making it (Judy was alright too).
With Anna, as she often was, out with friends, the couple were left to enjoy yet another steak dinner alone together.
"Bon appetit." "Bon appetit."
As Max cut into his steak, the tenderness of it was readily apparent. Some juice came out onto his plate, always a good sign. His lips turned up eagerly, a gesture not missed by Judy across the table.
As Judy raised a bite to her lips, she could tell that they had outdone themselves yet again. The outside was seared properly, with a brown hue and a garlicky aroma, while the interior was soft and juicy, and - like the best cuts of red meat - moderately fatty. As she looked down at her plate, she could see the remaining steak in just the right colors - red on the inside.
"Perfect," she concluded after swallowing.
Max, enjoying a sip of wine, raised his eyebrows.
"We got the seasoning right. Pepper, garlic, and a sprinkle of salt, that's all you need," he concurred.
"And a quick visit to the pan, not an extended stay. We get points on that front as well."
As with the best steaks, this one did not present much resistance to the diner's teeth. The beef submitted itself to the diners, to exact its vengeance later, in their arteries.
As they continued to eat, the couple were hounded by their disappointed dogs, who had hoped for a cut.
"No. Mine. Mine," Judy admonished the two. "Down."
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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 Dec 11, 2021 1:39:00 GMT
December 2381
[Judith Eastman(-Williams), PhD & Max Williams - Beach, LZ-2]
"I should have someone look into it."
The little pattern they'd found, a stream flowing away from the beach, was interesting, but something about Judy's phrasing sounded a bit off to Max. He paused.
"What is it?" she asked.
Then, it came to him.
"Honey, you're not the captain anymore."
She looked askance at him.
"I know that."
"You can't have science look into things."
She paused for a moment, processing what had just happened. Did she have a captaining reflex?
"My God. Did I grow that used to Starfleet?"
He smiled good-naturedly.
"20 years of serving, 5 years of command, of course you did," he explained. "Longer than that, actually."
"It is a part of me," she conceded.
"It is. Always will be."
She smiled sheepishly.
"Gosh, I feel so old now. I'm going to make myself feel younger."
And with that, she took off into the ocean, and he followed.
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