[NPC - Colonel Helena Vasser - First Officer's Office, Front Ear Station]


It took some serious thought before Colonel Vasser accepted Commander Eastman's invitation. She had no idea if it was the commande'rs idea or that of Starfleet. Vasser knew all too well, that Starfleet always had plans of its own. Plans, or orders that could alter the status quo of this station. In that way, Vasser could empathized with the woman. For many years, she had blindly accepted those orders... until she decided that she could do so no longer. The brass got too comfortable sitting behind their desks. They had forgotten what it was like to be out there on the front lines. People became pieces in a complicated and meaningless game of chess. A game where everyone was nothing more than a pun.

Helena didn't allow some of the stares that were cast her way in passing phase her. By this point, she'd gotten used to it. Once you attained a certain rank, regardless of the uniform, eyes would fall upon you, and whispers would be uttered in your wake. It was just something one had to get used to. What she was focused on, however, was her meeting with Commander Eastman. The woman had treated her as a contemporary, and had also been burdened with a disgruntled intelligence officer after they had both decided that their Intelligence officers would collaborate (if that's what you wished to call it) on Kurjarian incursion mystery.

Helena wasn't entirely certain for the purpose of the meeting. It could be the commander's polite way of terminating their tenure aboard the station. Visions for this station could change, and it was possible an Alliance presence didn't fit into that. Or, it could be something different altogether. While there were a number of ways to find out, Vasser preferred the direct approach.

As she stepped into the foyer of the first officer's office her eyes fell upon the woman whom Vasser knew to be Eastman's assistant. Though, at the moment she seemed more like a sentry. "Hello. Colonel Vasser to see Commander Eastman," she said introducing herself, hoping to gain an audience with the woman behind the proverbial gate.

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Tag: Judith Eastman

[NPC - Colonel Helena Vasser - First Officer's Office, Front Ear Station]


As the young woman announced that Commander Eastman had been waiting, Colonel Vasser nodded. Her eyes shifted forward as the glass doors parted. She moved on after the silent show of hospitality, but still expressed her gratitude. "Thank you, Ensign," she said before moving forward.

Before she stepped inside, her nostrils were invaded by the most unexpected yet alluring of smells. Her eyes took in the surroundings immediately. Perhaps it was in part training, but there was a bit of awe as well. Commander Eastman had managed to truly personalize her office. It was a testament in so many ways to the woman she was and what she held dear. Pictures of her family. Books of both pleasure and a professional nature. And then there was the food. She doubted very much that any of it had been produced by a replicator.

"Hello, Commander," Vasser said acknowledging the greeting. She then nodded as Eastman invited her to sit down. "Thank you. I must admit this is all rather impressive. I hope that you didn't go through too much trouble."

She then asked how she was doing. That wasn't a question she had been expecting, but as she was quickly finding out, Commander Eastman was filled with surprises. "I'm well, thank you for asking. And yourself?" Her eyes casually fell upon one of the pictures as she found herself reminded of one of the many details about Commander Eastman. "You're here with your family as well, aren't you? How have they adjusted to life here on the station?" It was a bit of a test question, to see where the boundaries of their conversation lay. Helena hadn't invested any real time towards her personal life. It always seemed like something she could accomplish later... when the job wasn't so demanding. What a puddle of proverbial quicksand that had turned out to be.

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Tag: Judith Eastman

[NPC - Colonel Helena Vasser - First Officer's Office, Front Ear Station]


Commander Eastman's answer to Vasser's question about familiy was quite detailed and very thorough. She knew that the woman had come to the station with her husband and her youngest daughter. However, the explanation splintered to include grandchildren as well. It was all very... affectionate. And possibly gave Vasser even further insight as to what she was presently missing out on. Of course, Vasser now found herself wondering how the woman ever found the time to fulfill her duties as an executive officer of a Federation station, in conjunction with her domestic duties, which it seemed she certainly did not skimp on.

The question was then turned upon her. Helena quickly realized that her summation would be a great deal more brief than the commander's. She briefly followed the commander's eyes towards the chairs and realized while she thanked the woman for offering her a seat, she hadn't taken it. She began to move towards it, slowly lowering herself into one of them as she spoke. "Well, I certainly don't have family with me. The Alliance's policy doesn't allow family members aboard ships. There's an allowance for pets, and some officers are clever about starting families when posted to recruitment sites, such as here on the station." Vasser took a deep breath as she leaned back in the chair, crossing her legs. "My father currently resides on Betazed. My sister lives there with her husband."

Vasser took a deep breath, her mind reflecting on what she'd shared. She didn't typically talk about her family. In fact, she hadn't spoken with members in her family for some time. Some by choice... others, well, it simply wasn't possible.

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Tag: Judith Eastman

[NPC - Colonel Helena Vasser - First Officer's Office, Front Ear Station]


Helena was thankful for the change in topic. It had been a long time since she had been as open as such. She had definitely been in a different uniform. Suffice it to say, the Nyberrite Alliance required a different (mental) skillset than Starfleet. Diplomacy wasn't always the first policy, safety, however was. She dismissed the notion as she turned her attention to Judy, listening as she explained the menu. It was all very delicious and rather tempting. Vasser would probably have to push a few things back in her schedule and hit the gym if she didn't succumb to an afternoon nap instead.

"I am rather impressed," Vasser said. "Did you prepare all of this yourself?" Listening to how Judy had described everything, it all sounded quite personal. With the woman being a New Yorker, she had prepared the pizza in such a fashion. Yet, just the way she spoke about it was so personal. She knew that her husband was also a culinary artist, but Vasser was trying to figure out the how it was prepared rather than the actual who. "If your intention is to spoil me, Commander, you're doing quite a good job of it." She supposed the woman had probably honed such a craft with her children and grandchildren.

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Tag: Judith Eastman

[NPC - Colonel Helena Vasser - First Officer's Office, Front Ear Station]


Judy seemed to insist that the preparation of the meal hadn't been that large of an undertaking, however, Helena wasn't certain that she agreed. She would have to defer to the woman's expertise on the matter however. She even invited in her yeoman to collect a few slices. Mabel's parting words left the colonel wondering if she was referring to Judy's culinary skill or the woman herself. Thus far, neither appeared to be disputable. The question was then posed to her if she had an assistant or some sort of junior officer assigned to assist her.

"Typically generals are the ones that take advantage of the position," Helena confessed. "The Alliance, however, has assigned someone to me in the interim, while I round out the rest of my senior staff. Thus far, I've been dragging my feet on selecting an official executive officer. Major Chromar has served in an acting capacity thus far, but I suspect I'll receive a little pressure to make a permanent selection soon."

She hadn't revealed anything of consequence. Certainly nothing they couldn't have discerned by now on their own. A slight smile spread across Helena's lips. "I don't suppose you'd be willing to part with Mabel?" she asked, though it was purely in jest.

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Tag: Judith Eastman

[NPC - Colonel Helena Vasser - First Officer's Office, Front Ear Station]


Vasser smiled slightly at Eastman's declaration that she wouldn't part with Mabel. It simply meant the Nyberrite colonel would have to continue her search, most likely, within her own ranks. Judy also seemed to have an opinion that she desired to share in regards to Vasser's search for a #2. "Please. Your counsel is more than appreciated," she stated. It certainly couldn't hurt, and considering Eastman's position and frequent duty to act in the CO position either aboard the station or the Mac was more than welcomed. She had to admit, she was a bit surprised in Judy's determination that she had been deemed 'approachable.'

"Approachable?" she repeated. "Well, I have been called a number of things recently. Rarely have any of them as flattering or appropriate to be spoken aloud." Vasser exhaled. "Nevertheless, I will keep that in mind. I think it's important that they also share a vision of the Alliance and Starfleet maintaining an open dialogue and hopefully elevating our relationship beyond mere toleration for one another."

Vasser had the unique perspective of having been on both sides of the equation. Perhaps it was that experience which also blinded her to the toxicity between members of Starfleet and members of the Alliance. Yet, that also qualified her to be one that could work effectively to bring about change. However, it was hardly something she could accomplish on her own.

Helena took note of how Judy had chosen her words in regards to the Alliance. "Do you foresee our invitation to remain aboard the station being rescinded at some point in the future?" Helena asked. "I'm certainly not trying to put you on the spot, but... let's just say that our presence has at times been lukewarm at best by the collective residents aboard the station. It wouldn't be a surprise if pressure had been exerted to ask us to leave... or... to keep a watchful eye on us."

Helena leaned back in her seat and exhaled. "Us," she muttered. When did we become so comfortable with drawing lines? It was a question spoken rhetorically, but Helena was still searching for an answer.

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Tag: Judith Eastman

[NPC - Colonel Helena Vasser - First Officer's Office, Front Ear Station]


Vasser began to help herself to a slice of the Margherita pizza, folding it as New Yorkers typically did. As she bit into it, her eyes widened slightly, surprised by the taste of the pizza. If there was ever any doubt before, it had been erased. She would have to give her compliments to the chef. Hopefully, in exchange for actual intel of how she managed to create this pizza. It wasn't something that Vasser hoped to repeat such a feat herself, but simply cure her growing curiosity.

She listened as Judy explained her stance. It seemed she was attempting to be as fair as possible where the Alliance was concerned. However, the fact that some of her statistics that she reported to back to Starfleet involved the Alliance certainly hadn't gone unnoticed. "I see," Vasser said after swallowing the bit of pizza in her mouth. She took a deep breath before continuing. "I don't seem to recall sharing any actual reports, so I have to assume that those numbers pertaining to the alliance revolve around what? Incident reports? Formal complaints? Her mind seemed to search for an actual number that Starfleet would actually be in.

"Perhaps a running tally of our assets in the area?" Vasser stated, assuming the numbers that were likely of greatest interest had some tie to their tactical competence in the region. She didn't take it personally. In fact, she as quite certain that it was a task that the administrative team of Front Ear Station was likely tasked to do just that on a continuous basis.

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Tag: Judith Eastman