Post Number 2 Join Us for Dinner

Posted on Wed Sep 22nd, 2021 @ 11:17pm by Rear Admiral Paul Sanderson & Commodore Cyndi Song & Lieutenant T’Mia Rahl

Mission: Repairs, Upgrades And Shore Leave
Location: Ten Forward
Timeline: Back Post Before Mission End

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Cyndi and Paul walked into ten forward and soon found seats. The room was crowded which was nothing new. Ten forward was the area where ranks usually didn't matter

T’Mia had chosen her food but looking around it seemed most places to sit were already taken. Seeing a spare seat at the Commodore’s table she walked over offering an apologetic smile. “Excuse me, would you mind if I sat with both of you?”

"Your more than welcome to join us," Cyndi said

Paul got to his feet and pulled out the chair for T'Mia "This place is always busy."

“Thank you” T’Mia smiled warmly as she looked at Paul and took the seat he’d pulled out for her. “It’s surprising just how busy it is, I usually eat in my quarters I don’t eat out very often.”

"Your welcome," Paul said resuming his seat. "Cyndi normally cooks but I wanted to mingle more with her crew."

Cyndi winked at T'Mia "Truth is he's tired of my cooking,"

T’Mia grinned. “I’m sure that’s not true Commodore. I’m sure your husband appreciates all the trouble you go to preparing and cooking for the two of you.”

"Don't ask our son, he thinks he can have ice cream three times a day," Paul commented "Cyndi's parents have a way with him, they get him to eat anything."

"And we try the same thing my parents do and he tells me I'm a horrible cook and wants ice cream," Cyndi said "He keeps telling Paul he needs to hire a cook as mommy can't cook"

T’Mia grinned. “The number of times I’ve heard that from parents! Children are so blunt in what they say! I’m sure your cooking can’t be that bad.”

"She's a wonderful cook," Paul said "Our son is just a very picky eater. I've put on ten pounds since I joined her a few weeks ago."

“So you chose not to have your son with you aboard ship?” T’Mia looked at them both curiously.

Cyndi and Paul exchanged a look "He's our only child," Paul said "He's safer where he is."

"We'd like another child but with my command it's not wise right now. Brent is three and a handful" Cyndi remarked

T’Mia nodded. “I can understand that, but if I had children I’m not sure if I could bear to be separated all the time. It must be very difficult.”

"It's very difficult but considering things he's where he's the safest," Cyndi replied.

"Cyndi holds a very high place on her home planet, something I knew when I married her," Paul commented "Brent's future is already laid out for him."

T’Mia nodded understandingly. “So what made the two of you want to have a life in Starfleet? For me it was logical, both my parents are Starfleet Officers, I was raised aboard starships and Starbases.”

"My joining Starfleet was my mother's idea, and how does one say no to ones mother?" Cyndi asked "Couple that with Klavor was new to the Federation and at the time I was the first from my people to join."

"I joined on a dare, planned on quitting right out of the academy," Paul said

T’Mia grinned as she looked at Paul. “Yet here you are all those years later.” She looked to Cyndi. “I know what you mean, though in my case it was my father not my mother.”

"I saw a first year cadet and that was it," Paul replied winking at Cyndi "She of course didn't notice or even see me."

"And like me you can't tell your parent no can you?" Cyndi asked Her suggestion had been more of an order.

“My father is a Vulcan you rarely say no to” T’Mia smiled. “Though in my case I did say no when it came to purging my emotions, much to my father’s disappointment.”

"I've known a lot of Vulcans, when I had my command I had a wonderful Vulcan first officer. He was one of the finest officers I've ever served with. I am curious why you chose not to purge your emotions?" Paul asked

“As I told my father I’m not just Vulcan, I’m also half Betazoid. I have empathic senses that would be practically useless if I purged my emotions. I wouldn’t feel what nature intends me to feel.” T’Mia smiled. “Hence why I became a Counselor. It’s what we Betazoids do best.”

"I can't dispute that," Paul said "Your species do make wonderful counselors."

T’Mia smiled. “Thank you, I aim to be the best Counselor you’ve had, I will do you and your prior ship’s Counselor proud.”

"Lieutenant Raymond was a fine counselor and your not far behind her. Have you thought about coming onto the bridge once in a while and observing things? You do have the rites to be there." Cyndi commented

"I think she has a great idea, no one understands the stresses of command and what burden as it is that Cyndi deal with on a daily basis to keep the ship and her crew safe," Paul said

“I will most definitely be there, I’m one Counselor who enjoys the privilege of being able to be on the bridge. Plus it helps to stay in the loop during missions.” T’Mia smiled.

"Neither you or Lieutenant Raymond has take the offer to come onto the bridge," Cyndi commented "You, the CMO and the ACMO are always free to come onto the bridge. It's the nerve center of the ship."

“I appreciate that Captain” T’Mia smiled. “Up until now I haven’t warranted a place on the bridge, even as Assistant Chief I rarely got to the bridge, so now I aim to enjoy it.”

"Do that lieutenant," Paul said "I always enjoyed having my counselor on the bridge."

T’Mia smiled warmly. “As a Counselor it’s nice to be appreciated, it definitely helps after a long day.”

"I appreciate each and everyone of my officers and crew. I'd not have this command if I didn't have good people. I'd still be teaching at Starfleet Academy," Cyndi commented

“I’m sure every one of this crew feel the same Commodore.” T’Mia smiled warmly.

"They may not agree with my decisions or orders and if they like I'll give them the center chair and they can see how difficult command can be," Cyndi commented "I have to make split second decisions and at times it's not easy but I love it."

“That’s what matters” T’Mia smiled as she paused to enjoy her food.

"Especially when you may have to send someone to his or her deaths," Paul said as she finished his meal "Or tell a family a loved one isn't coming home.

"Or a special joy when you have the privileged to marry someone under your command," Cyndi said

“That’s what we’re here for” T’Mia offered a warm smile. “Most Captains have a Counselor assigned that doesn’t possess empathic abilities, we Betazoids have that edge when it comes to helping others.”

"That is very true and those that have counselors who are empathic are lucky," Cyndi commented


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