Welcome Aboard, Helle

Posted on Wed Jan 1st, 2025 @ 1:57am by Captain Malcom Llwyedd & Lieutenant Commander Jörgen Leed & Ensign Helle Leed

1,277 words; about a 6 minute read

Mission: Mission 1: A Long Hard Road Ahead
Location: Lieutenant Commander Leed's Quarters

[ON]
Their visit was pleasant, the kind of bland chat that made Helle’s gut crinkled into a ball. Her dad was almost never like this with her. He only did this when he was bored or negotiating. The first person to negotiate often loses. She knew this game because he had taught it to her. Helle returned his pleasantries with her own banalities as pacing around him the small suite that had served as his home on the USS Firebird for two years.
The apartment was lightly decorated but effortlessly comfortable. Soft pillows embroidered with Danish or Bajoran styles, thick carpets you could sleep on, plenty of candles, and gentle art that spoke deeply, done by Bajorans, Vulcans, Andorians, and even Klingons.

Jörgen raised a tulip-shaped glass filled with a bluish-green wine and nudged Helle’s attention to its twin on the other end table. She flopped onto the couch and matched his salute. Jörgen sighed happily after sipping the wine.

“What do you think of our quarters? You will want to add your own touches, of course,” he said.

“Yeah, fine, it looks great.” She heard the flat tone in her voice and glanced over to see how he reacted. He didn’t seem to notice. “I could snuggle up just about anywhere in your quarters. It’s very hygge.”

“Good, I am glad you will be comfortable here with me.”

“Thanks for trying to keep it nice for me,” said Helle. She smiled back at her dad, finding it hard to keep her answers neutral. Jörgen took a sip of wine and strode to the galley kitchen.

“How about a little lunch? I have replicated and prepared many of our favorite foods and desserts–small portions so we can try them all,” said Jörgen. “You can tell me all about your friends’ plans.”

Helle crossed to the buffet. Her dad had prepared rye bread with chicken salad and small cucumber sandwiches, but the rest was desserts. This was just like each first night of one of Mom’s research trips when Dad would indulge the kids. Spoil them. Helle shook her head lovingly as she piled food onto a plate. “It’s been a harder change than I expected but also we all knew graduation would split us up. I’m jealous, too. Our first six missions are resupplying other ships. Ugh, it’s so dull.”
“This was the only way forward for the crew after the trials. Did you hope supplies would be more exciting?”
“Yes! Well, not really. But,…” Helle’s face colored and she dipped her head to hide it. Jörgen quickly moved on.
“We can tour the ship if you like, next. The Firebird is compact but the design packs quite a bit into the space. ‘Economy of space, freedom of movement’ is how an engineer once explained it. Find a place for everything without making it feel cramped.”

“They gave me a tour already. One of the petty officers whose name I don’t remember.” Helle waved the glass in a circle to indicate the ship around her. “I’d still love to go so you can tell me your own stories along the way.”

“You know I will. Easily put, the Firebird’s current reality is very simple. Utilitarian. Dull, even. Plenty of time for deciding your next assignment,” said Jörgen. Helle waved at her dad, sprinkling bits of lagkage on the floor.

“That’s not why I accepted a post here, Dad.”

“Why did you ask for a post here?” said Jörgen.

His tone changed such a small amount but, accustomed to it over the years, Helle knew what she had done. For all her care, she had started the negotiation. She sighed and put her fork down on the plate.
“A big ship can bury an ensign. If it’s not the number of assignments then the competition to be the best can exhaust the new crew,” said Helle.

“This is the opposite of that. You are not the type to over-correct this far.”

“It isn’t an over-correction to learn from a small crew, Dad. Some very talented people have been in this crew.”

“Most of them are gone, and some that remain brought heavy baggage.” Jörgen sat down on the opposite end of the sofa. His words were soft and yet insistent, demanding answers.

“You haven’t gone.” Helle tossed a slice of cucumber playfully at him.

“Starfleet makes those assignments, not me. I could be reassigned any day.”

“But you haven’t been.” Helle leaned forward, her gaze holding her father’s eyes. “You’re a Lieutenant Commander. You’ve done things you can’t even tell Mom. You are about the only person not censured by Starfleet after the last missions and they put you back on board!”

“Helle, did you come here to protect me, or because you thought I might be lonely?” Jörgen topped off each of their wine glasses. “You know I am happy to be with you but that’s not a good career decision.”

“No, Dad, although don’t dump on people for caring about you.” She picked up the wine glass again but held it as she picked her words. “Starfleet left a highly respected diplomat on a ship with a reprimanded crew, that patrols not far from Bajor. Working with Lieutenant Baxter was not what I expected but she’s a good scientist. Instead of wasting energy on meaningless things trying to stick out an inch further than other ensigns, I’ll use that energy to work harder. There’s no way this ship won’t be involved in future high-profile missions.
“And yes, so what if you also had a role in my decision to come here? A kid who likes their parent and is smart enough to know they can learn from them. I call that a good thing.” Helle spun the goblet with her fingers.

Jörgen said nothing. He was thrilled to have Helle on board, and he had worried it was all about disappointing him. He felt the tension melt from his shoulders. “I worried you had pressured yourself to join the Firebird for my feelings.”

“You’re not that special, Dad,” Helle said. A huge grin spread across her face.

“A valid point you kids have made clear to me many, many times.” He leaned forward and they pressed foreheads together, a loving ritual they had started when she was a toddler. Helle sank back into the chair.

“Besides, the crew here is really clever. I don’t know how but this ship feels special. Is that too corny to say?”

“Not at all. Make sure to keep me up to date about any special crew that has caught your attention on board,” said Jörgen, winking at Helle.

“Ugh, like I would tell you that,” Helle said around a mouthful of romkugler. “You’ll find ways to make them uncomfortable until no one will spend five minutes with me.”

“Yes, exactly. Think of all the energy that will give you for your studies.” Helle laughed, tossing a splash of wine in his direction.

“I’ll have plenty of energy, thank you, to spend where I want.”

“I have no doubt you will. Welcome aboard, Ensign.”
[OFF]

Lieutenant Commander Jörgen Leed
Chief Diplomatic Officer
USS Firebird NCC-88298

Ensign Helle Leed (NPC by Leed)
Biologist
USS Firebird NCC-88298

 

RSS Feed

Comments (2)