Part I - Did That Vulcan Just Growl At Me?

Posted on Mon Apr 7th, 2025 @ 4:31pm by Lieutenant JG Lucian (Lu-Shen) & Ensign Minato Takahashi
Edited on on Mon Apr 7th, 2025 @ 4:31pm

1,293 words; about a 6 minute read

Mission: A Choir by the Bay
Location: Earth Docking Port - Various
Timeline: Current

ON:

Ensign Minato Takahashi

Minato Takahashi walked down the Star Port corridor. Having spent the better part of the hour staring at Earth from the viewing platform of the above planet docking port Minato felt at peace. As someone who was always loud and happy and talking it was nice to have these moments of quiet, especially since Minato would be taking on a new post.

Final year was always spent on a ship but being one of the best students in the class Minato was assigned to be an instructor and CMO of the USS Warbler a pre cadet ship. It would be where they would show potential academy applicants what it was like to be in Starfleet. Minato was, to say the least, excited and perhaps a bit scared. For the first time in a long time insecurity was rearing its head and Minato was trying whatever worked to stamp it down, especially since a good friend of his, T'Yari, had told him that a student of hers was on the ship.

"Onwards and upwards I guess," Minato said having not spoken for a while. Nobody was around to hear it but Minato was never one for for long silences. Small moments were enough because in silence the past had ways of making itself known.



Lieutenant JG Lucian

"Thank you," Lucian said to the Warrant Officer as he accepted the orders. The USS Warbler, it was a step towards his goal of teaching at the Academy and he was more then ready to take on this challenge.

Lucian strolled the observation platform and started down at the planet below. Earth was a lot different from Vulcan. Vulcan was fire and heat, Earth was blue and green, calming watery coolness. He'd always preferred Vulcan but Earth was growing on him. Even though it had been the start of the most beautiful yet most heartbreaking chapter in his life he still held it in high regard. It made sense that after the worst period of his life he was back here to close the chapter.

He'd spent the last month taking apart a life that he'd built here; he'd sold a home he'd intended to share with his mate, sold all his belongings but the ones he'd be taking with him on the new posting, and he'd visited a few old haunts; a way of saying goodbye to the life that could have been.

He sighed as he walked down the platform, his hands clasped behind his back. He wondered if this really was a new start for him. Lucian was tired; frankly he didn't know if he had a new start within him but here he was. Months ago just waking up had been a chore and now he'd settled into a routine. He still had to talk himself through it but it was something.

Lucian looked down at the planet again and then headed out for something that he enjoyed on a daily basis. There was one more stop he had to make before he'd board his ship and see his new Commander.


Coffee and Cake

Lucian walked into the café at the Space Port, one of the only ones where your daily coffee purchase came with a free cupcake, muffin, or cake.

"Morning Lieutenant," Said a friendly voice. "Back again? Same as yesterday?"

Lucian gave a nod. "Yes, thank you."

Emma, the barista smiled. "You got it! A Caramel Latte and a Cinnamon Coffee Cake." She grinned and gave him a wink.

Lucian merely raised an eyebrow.

The doors behind him hissed open. "Good Morning Coffee lovers!" A voice called out from behind him. It was strong and loud with a melodic lilt to it that seemed to have everyone around the café smiling, but one that grated on Lucian's nerves.

Emma laughed. "Well good morning to you too Ensign Takahashi. Let me guess the usual?"

"Yes ma'am and can we not...I mean Ensign sure in like two days when I'm on duty but now can I still be Cadet Takahashi...you know cause I desperately want to hold onto my youth."

Emma laughed at the dramatic way Minato Takahashi touched the back of his hand to his forehead. "Okay Cadet Takahashi."

"Ohhhh you're a peach. Just for that I'll buy an extra slice of Cinnamon Coffee Cake."

Lucian resisted the urge to roll his eyes. The newcomer was loud and already grating on him and had already said more words then necessary; more words then should be legal before sufficient coffee had been consumed.

Minato walked up to the counter and stood beside Lucian swiping his credit chit over the payment device. "Excuse me fellow coffee drinker!"

Lucian's eyes narrowed but he said nothing stepping back. His glanced over at the unwelcome Ensign and his eyes widened ever so slightly at the shock of silver hair and the intense blue grey eyes that greeted him. The Ensign, the loud Ensign, was...not human. He had slightly pointy ears, a wisp of forehead ridges and a greenish tint to his skin. His full lips were a natural shade of dusty rose and was he wearing mascara and eyeliner? Lucian studied the slightly pointy eyebrows. Vulcan? he wondered but dismissed it right away. No Vulcan would behave so shamelessly.

"Ohhh you're the strong silent type right?"

Lucian stepped farther back and looked at Emma who was smiling. "Here you go on the cake Lieutenant and Mister Cadet for two more days. The coffee will take a moment. Minato did you want the second cake slice in a separate bag?"

Minato smiled. "Yes, and no problem on the coffee! Take your time. I'm facing Gods knows how long without a good cup of coffee only replicated fuel for me for the next...Gods knows how long until the ship docks again."

Emma laughed. "So you got your orders?"

"Oh yes! Exciting all around!" Minato said looking over at the rather quiet and tall Lieutenant with the fascinating green eyes standing a bit to the right. "So are you waiting for your posting too?"

Minato couldn't help but admire the Vulcan's broad shoulders and emerald eyes. They were unusual for a Vulcan but very very very intense.

The Vulcan gave Minato a look as if saying, You're not worthy of a response.

Lucian turned to Emma. "How long?"

Emma smiled. "Just another Minute Lieutenant."

"Rude! Come on Mister Tall Green and Vulcan. You just talked so I know you can. Are you waiting on assignment?"

Lucian's lip twitched upwards as if in a sneer. "One should only break the silence when one has something of value to add."

Minato's eyes widened and he placed a hand over his heart. "Wounded! You have wounded me sir!"

Emma laughed at the dramatics. She handed Minato an extra slice of cake. She turned to Lucian. "Coffee coming up. Do you want the Caramel Stirred in or just on top of the foam?"

"Either."

"Ohhh a man who likes surprises. Love it!"

Emma handed Lucian the coffee.

Lucian made a rather surprising sound after muttering the word 'ridiculous' and took the cup turning away and walking out at a clipped pace.

Minato's eyes widened. "Did that Vulcan just growl at me?"

Emma laughed. "I think he did! Well done Takahashi...Cadet Takahashi. I think you broke him."

"Ohhhh I totally love you for the unprompted cadet title and as a reward I shall remain loyal to your coffee shop no matter where my ship sails."

Emma laughed.

"Have a great day!" Minato said taking his coffee cup and humming with pleasure at the first sip.


To Be Continued...

 

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