Finding A Fox

Posted on 01 Jun 2021 @ 6:16pm by Lieutenant JG Harper Matthews & Commander Amelia Fox

Mission: Patching up the Copernicus
Location: XO's Office, USS Andromeda
1244 words - 2.5 OF Standard Post Measure

An important person to know, even more so to get on with, is the XO of any starship.

Harper found that out the hard way on her first posting. The XO and her never got on. He made a comment about her and she called him on it. Maybe not the best thing to do fresh out of the Academy but she was always told to stand up for herself and she always did. Thankfully he moved on to pastures new 8 months later on. Not as quick as she'd have liked but still their new one was a breath of fresh air.

Pressing the chime of the office she waiting patiently. She had a good feeling standing there that Fox would be a nice XO to have.

Moments before her chime had sounded, Amelia was stood at the replicator having been struck with another craving. Her friend Melody, who was also pregnant and recommended she tried this the last time they had spoken and now she couldn't get enough. "Computer one helping of fish fingers, a bowl of custard, and a large glass of milk."
She had just put the food on her desk when the chime sounded, she looked down and sighed before calling out "Come in."

As Harper entered the room she could see the meal in front of the pregnant looking XO, "Ma'am I am sorry, if I am disturbing you. I am Harper Matthews, the new security chief and I was just coming by to say hello. Is that custard?" she asked spotting it all of a sudden.

"It's quite alright ensign, please have a seat. Yes, to answer your other question, it is custard. The Captain of the Merlin who is my friend and also pregnant suggested I should try this and I can't seem to get enough. She replied as she picked up one of the fish fingers, dipped it in the custard and then took a bite." She blushed slightly. "Sorry, cravings. Would you care for a drink?" she asked, remembering her manners.

Harper nodded. "Pregnancy cravings can be pretty weird. One of my friends only used to eat pickles, like from a jar that's all she would eat." she shrugged at the thought, Harper had never considered a family as of yet. It would be nice if she met someone but so far her job has taken over her life in her short career so far. "Just a water would be nice, thank you." she smiled.

Amelia went back to the replicator. “Water, cold.” she took the glass and handed it to the young woman with a smile. She studied her face for a moment, framed by her shimmering blond hair. Her radiant smile and her eyes that had... Had a wisdom and intelligence beyond her years.

“So. You’re our new chief of security? Tell me about yourself.” Amelia said as she sat back down and dipped another fish finger in the custard.

Harper smiled as she accepted the drink. She watched as the Commander navigated the room, it almost seemed like the baby bump was guiding her back to her seat but maybe the draw of custard covered fish fingers was enough.

"God, I hate this question." Harper admitted. "I never think I do it justice. I say too little or too much but I'll try." She mused as she took a sip of her water.

"As you have probably guessed I am Harper Matthews, your new security chief. I am 30 years old, have a bachelors degree in fine arts as I love music. I can play the piano, guitar and dabble in a few others. I can sing too." She shrugged at that bit. "If you wanted to know that is. I have two younger twin brothers, Andrew and Aaron. Grew up on the Gold Coast of Australia if you can't tell by my accent and I am very proud to have made this position on just 3 and a half years."

Amelia nodded. "I know what you mean. I find it difficult to compress everything in your life down into a few minutes. What to include? What to leave out? I found that quite concise. I've had a look at your record. The CO's of both the Offspring and the Aerosmith speak very highly of you. In fact, the CO of the Offspring was reluctant to let you go. What made you choose to come to the Andromeda?"

"I gained a higher level of experience on the Aerosmith covering Lt. Commander Welsh when she was on maternity leave. She was the Security Chief there and retook her position not too long ago, apparently she was quite eager to get back to work." Harper shrugged a little. The disappointment was quite real to see as she did not want to leave the role she had grown into rather quickly. "The Andromeda is a challenge. It is a bigger ship and it is not very often a Security Chief position comes up that Starfleet feels an Ensign can fill. I must be the exception to the rule for some reason. I don't think I am anything special, I just do my job as best I can."

Impressed with her answers so far, Amelia smiled. "Well Ensign, I look forward to serving with you. One final question." she raised an eyebrow. "Do you play poker?"

It was a random question to say the least but it made Harper return the raised eyebrow. "I do." She said a bit hesitantly. "The boys back home never stood a chance against me." She smiled a little. "Australian poker has less rules and more beer but I know the art of it."

After a beat, Amelia's smile returned. "Good. I play a little Texas hold'em myself..." Amelia stated, which was a massive understatement. "We'll have to see how good your poker face is, Ensign. Now, are there any questions you have for me?"

"Nothing work related ma'am thank you." Harper said as her eyes glanced to the Commanders stomach. "Do you know what you are having? When are you due?" She asked. Harper had a soft spot for babies.

Amelia smiled. "That's very nice of you to ask. I'm almost six months along. Although I don't know for definite, I've got strong feelings that's she's a girl. Her father is Vulcan and I keep getting impressions from her. Like, I know she likes it when I read or sing to her."

"Oh not long to go now." Harper said with maybe a little too much excitement. "My mother said my two younger twin brothers were easier than me." She shrugged and shook her head of the thought. "Mum was always a bit loopy." She laughed.

"But singing to a child in the womb is powerful. The vibration against the stomach is something the baby feels, and she will definitely hear you. I would sing to mine too, if I ever have any." Harper smiled.

Amelia smiled at her. "I'm sure you'll have that opportunity Ensign. I wasn't planning to fall in love and start a family but... it's funny how things work out. Especially when you're in Starfleet." She cleaned her hands and stood, offering Harper a hand. "Welcome aboard the Andromeda, Ensign Matthews."

"Thank you, Commander Fox." Harper said smiling and then standing before shaking her hand. "I look forward to working here."

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Ensign Harper Matthews
Chief Security/Tactical Officer
USS Andromeda

Commander Amelia Fox
XO
USS Andromeda