Make your mark

Posted on Tue Aug 11th, 2026 @ 12:16pm by Crewman Paul Randall & Lieutenant Celestiana Aetherwyn

Mission: Retrobandonment
Location: Main Engineering
Timeline: Current

In his hand, Paul clutched a padd requiring the signature of the Chief Engineer regarding new parts and equipment for the ship.

Arriving on deck 15, he headed into main engineering. The whole room had an active, energising vibe. He wasn't entirely sure if the CEO was here, so he cautiously walked through towards the warp core; usually around there, chief engineers were drawn to it like moths to a light.

“Praise the sun, let it shine, let those golden embers climb…” A soft voice sang to itself as a raven-headed woman was watching a series of readouts that clearly ran from the warp core, “Warming homes and lighting trails, purging wickedness from vales…” She sighed as she stopped singing, “Your harmony is a bit off, sweetheart… Can you pull it from a sharp to at least a flat?” She adjusted a series of sliders on her console by feel, her eyes constantly on the display.

He froze where he stood. Unsure whether to interrupt her singing or continue to listen. He decided that as soon as the pad was signed, he could get moving. He politely coughed to attract attention. "Sorry to intrude, sir."

“I’m not a ‘sir’, honey; I’m a ma’am if you want to be all formal with things, or Lieutenant works, or god forbid you call me Celly or Vex.” Celestiana said in a sing-song voice, “And don’t worry, you’re not bothering me. I see how hesitant you are, and you were looking for me ever since you walked in, so it must be something interesting, I hope?” Her voice just sounded musical despite her eyes never leaving the screen. “That's better, more harmonious for the time being at least.”

"My apologies.. Lieutenant. I have a pad that requires your approval for new parts and equipment for the ship. Probably not as interesting as you might have hoped for."

“You might be surprised what I’d find interesting, especially if two of the items that arrived are the spare set of dilithium crystals I ordered, right along with the injector heads I wanted.” She turned to him finally, her deep blue eyes meeting his with a smile on her face as she held a hand out for the PADD, “Pull up a seat, Petty Officer, I just want to verify a couple things on here before I sign off on it.” She started glancing over the list, “What’s your name, hon?”

He took a seat. "Yeoman Paul Randall." He said. "I did glance at the document briefly, and I do believe both the dilithium crystals and the injector heads are on it." He couldn't help but smile as he gazed at her blue eyes. An amazing deep blue.

“Well, Paul, one thing to know about my engineering section is that I like it quiet and informal.” Celestiana gave a micro shrug, “Not deathly quiet of course, but without all of the yelling and shouting that some enjoy. It ruins the background energy of the place, plus it makes it harder to concentrate.” She bit her lower lip as she reached the end of the list of items that had arrived, “Damn.. They didn’t send the emergency power packs that I’d requested; out of stock is my guess.”

"I would be happy to chase those up for you if you wish. It's not a problem. However, you may well be correct as to the reason they haven't been sent. A recent report suggests there are some supply issues." Paul advised.

“If you could be a dear and do that, I would appreciate it very much.” She scribbled her name in the appropriate spot, then applied her thumbprint as verification. “If you can acquire them, I think I’d definitely owe you a favour at that point. Given that I have every confidence that you can use the Captain’s name in your efforts, I think you’ll be successful, so start thinking of what you’ll ask for, why don’t you?”

"I will do my best to chase up and obtain the emergency power packs. I will have to give a great deal of thought to what I might ask for as a favour. I wouldn't wish to inconvenience you. " He replied, struggling slightly not to overly gaze at her beautiful eyes and her beautiful face.

“Inconvenience away.” Celly said in a serious voice, “If you can get those power packs, they’ll probably save our asses at some point. I’m not in the habit of taking chances, and those things are invaluable.” Her smile quirked at him as she tapped the PADD up and down on her free hand, “I’m not going to say I’m a good cook, but I can take you dancing or give you one of my drawings easily. But anything I can do for you, sure.”

"Are you an artist as well as an engineer? " Paul enquired. " As I do enjoy seeing art in all it's wonderous forms. I am a pretty decent photographer; it's my main hobby. " He added.

“Stellar phenomenal.” She said in a brighter voice, “When we’re parked near something that looks interesting, I’ll try to take a couple hours in an observation room to at least sketch it out. If we’re not going to be there for long, I’ll typically get a picture of it to work from.” She gestured to her office door, “If you’d like, I can show you a couple that I’ve done and one I’m in the middle of.”

"Sure, I'd like that. Perhaps we can work together. My photography and your drawings? " Paul replied, moving towards the office door.

“I’ve always tended to be a solo artist, hon, taking what I can see and bringing it to life.” She led the way over to her office, the door sliding open as if recognized her, “This one is a black hole one of my old ships was taking a closer look at for a few days,” The accretion disk was drawn in exquisite detail, the form of a gas giant being torn apart by the massive gravity in one part, the dwindling form of a star stretched out into a ribbon of hot gas that stretched halfway around the disk.

He stood, studying the drawing. "Incredibly beautiful and yet terrifying at the same time. One of the most destructive forces in the universe, and yet it's somehow magical. I'd love to chat more, but if you want those emergency power packs, I best get to work on sorting it out. Maybe we can arrange to meet another time to continue where we left off?"

"Well, when I'm not here, I'm usually in the gym on the Wall, or in the holodeck doing one thing or another. I'm planning on climbing El Capitan on Saturday if you're big into rock climbing, but that'll probably take a good couple of sessions. It's one of the hardest cliffs on Earth and rightly so." She grinned, "At least in the holodeck I can save my progress and pick back up another day."

"I'm afraid I'd have to pass on rock climbing. I have a dislike for heights. If memory serves me correctly, isn't El Capitan the cliff Captain James T Kirk was known for climbing multiple times?"

"I really don't know, but a lot of people climb it for fun, so bravo for him if he did?" Celly mused, "I've been up it in person once; it took me three days of leave to make it all the way, it's thrilling!" She chuckled, "But if it isn't your cup of tea, I'd never force anyone to do it. Dancing and skating are two other things I do a fair amount of, but we'll see what all is what, won't we?"

"Dancing might be better. I tried skating and spent 90% of the time on my butt. "

“Then you need someone to teach you, because ice skating is just dancing on ice.” Celly grinned, “I’ll show you some time. But do you have any preferred dancing style? So long as you don’t say ballet, I can probably do it; I never liked those primadonnas.”

" I do like a nice waltz or a cha cha cha and occasionally an Argentinian Tango."

“Tangos really prefer a guy who is a bit taller than the gal.” Celly said with a ‘tech’ as she clicked her tongue against her teeth, noting their height difference. It wasn’t huge; she was three inches taller than him, but it would be daunting on the dance floor. “Same with a good waltz; the cha-cha is doable, salsa as well. I’m sure we can work it out, but damn, no heels for me.”

"Forgive me for being potentially forward-thinking here, but what we are currently discussing and planning is starting to sound more and more like a date. Not that I have any problems with that." He commented.

“I’d call it getting to know another member of the crew that I may be working closely with from time to time, especially since you’re the Captain’s side and all.” Celly raised one hand between them. “I find that planning those sorts of events around mutually enjoyed activities just helps the process. I’m not saying no, I’m not saying yes to the possibility of going on a date with you, but we also don’t know the dynamics of the ship yet.” She reached out to adjust his collar a smidge. “The Captain may object to a crewman and a Lieutenant actively dating; then there comes our ages… I’m willing to bet I’m a fair bit older than you.”

"My apologies. I was told never to ask a woman her age, as it's considered bad manners, so I will state that I am 23. If you are older than me, which I would guess, purely by your rank, suggesting more experience, then it doesn't show from your appearance."

“Just a kid and already learning how to butter women up.” Celly gave a soft smile, “Thirty-three, I’ve been around a fair bit; after all, they wouldn’t give an Odyssey’s engine room to someone straight out of the Academy. I suspect I’m probably topped out on my own rank potential, though; I don’t have the desire to go any farther than having something like this, because then you’re just into management, not the actual doing of things.”

"Indeed. I best get moving and see what I can do to get those Emergency Power Packs for you. The captain will probably need my assistance as well. If I might be dismissed." He asked.

“Of course, Paul, I wouldn’t want to keep you from doing the really important stuff.” Celestiana finally handed the PADD back over to him with a smile, “Remember, I’ll owe you that favor and going dancing won’t be it, so get that thinking cap on!”

Paul smiled. He headed out of engineering.