Musings of a Science Officer - Personal Log 1

Posted on 24 Jul 2017 @ 5:44pm by Lieutenant JG Gideon Nicols PhD

1,106 words; about a 6 minute read

Gideon Nichols looked out of the city from confines of the temporary quarters that Starfleet had given him. They weren’t much by any means; it was essentially a one bedroom flat, that wasn’t much bigger than that of a captain’s quarters on a mid-sized starship. They weren’t meant to be glamorous or even five-star, they were comfortable in a Starfleet standard furnishing kind of way, but they were… functional. Yes, functional. However, the one thing it had was a fantastic view.

The science officer stood at the large window, clad only in pajama pants, and a mug of coffee in his hand. It was early, around 0730, and once again the sky was covered in clouds and rain was falling in heavy sheets. Earth’s weather grid allowed for the natural weather systems to occur, it just helped keep severe, and destructive weather at bay. He could imagine people running from their taxis into the high rises that contained hundreds of offices. Or people leaving the BART and popping open umbrellas, grumbling that they would have to endure another wet, gloomy day. He had recalled going on a trip to upstate New York for a family vacation. It was in December, right around the Christmas holiday. Buffalo got nailed with several inches of snow, and all the citizens from the area had complained about it. Gideon had wondered if they complained so much why did they live in a place that would get that much snowfall?

That was the same with people who were born and raised and lived in San Francisco. The weather was screwy here, it would be warm and sunny one day, and not even twelve hours later it would be cold, rainy, and the wind would whip off the Bay making the temperature worse. They would complain, and they would complain constantly. Not everyday could be sunny, cloudless and a nice 21c. Everyone complained though, including himself on occasion, but having been on a starship for so long, breathing recycled air, and having the temp being one temp throughout the ship, well… let’s just say it was a nice change.

“… I have been assured, several times over, that things will workout and I will be back on duty sooner rather than later. But honestly, I have to say I like the extended shore leave. I have missed earth, and I have missed that our beautiful planet has so much to offer. I have several day trips planned, and extended trip next week to go hiking in Northern California. I’ll also make it a point to visit my father, check in on him. Georgia insists he is doing okay, but who knows with him sometimes…”

When he paused, the recording had paused right along with him. He sighed at the thought of his father, he loved his father dearly but sometimes the man was tough to deal with. He knew his father hated that idea that not only his wife being in Starfleet, but his children as well. Sometimes it was a battle just trying to get Joseph Nichols to accept that things were as they were. Gideon sipped the cooling coffee, and though the dark roast wasn’t as hot anymore, he still enjoyed the blend. Maybe it was because it was real coffee and not something that passed for coffee that came out of a replicator.

“… In other news, this guy Ryan, whom I met a couple of days prior… at a bar… wanted to hangout, and like go on a date, or some silly nonsense. I’m not even sure how he found me, though I suppose it’s not hard to narrow down who I am. How many ‘Gideon’s’ actually serve in Starfleet anyway. My gut instinct was to say no, that he was just a one and done type of thing, but I said yes… like an idiot. I agreed to have coffee with him the day after next. I don’t know how I get myself mixed up in these situations, maybe it’s a cry for help on my part.” Gideon chuckled at the last bit, a laugh that would clearly be heard if someone ever played back the personal log. “He was a nice guy, I’ll give him that… and awesome in the sack, I’ll definitely give him that, but I don’t want to lead him on. As soon as well, whatever happens with my next assignment, I’ll be gone. I don’t want to commit too anything, nor am I into anything long distance… and let’s face it, a light years, several hundred light years, is long distance.”

Again, Gideon took another pause to sip his coffee. The rain pelted the window as the rain drops managed to come down even heavier. It had amazed him how a large city like San Francisco had a calmness about it when it rained, there was like this silence despite the busy streets twenty stories below. There was this stillness, as if everything just sort of stopped to take a breath. Maybe that was why rain was so relaxing, and even just standing at the window; Gideon felt the tension leave between his shoulder blades. He took note of his reflection in the transparent aluminum, at his broad chest, and tattoos. He loved his tattoos, and he loved getting them, but he was very careful about placement of them. Anywhere on his body he had a tattoo he ensured could be covered by his uniform when on duty. Off-duty, it didn’t matter, but on-duty, he cared. Sure, he would never give up the art form, but he still wanted to look professional.

“Maybe while I’m here I will add to the collection of tattoos, I might not get another chance for a while. I have a parlor here that I trust, so I may just have to pay them a visit. Other than that, I just look forward to my extended vacation…”

Again, Gideon took pause.

“I don’t think his name is Ryan… Russell maybe? Does it even start with an R, shit, maybe it was a T or an A. Good lord, whoever see this after I’m gone, please forgive my supposed incompetence with names. Computer, end personal log.”

The desk terminal beeped, which signified that it was done recording. Gideon stood at the window for a few more silent moments and then turned on his heel to head toward the bathroom. “I swear his name was Ryan,” he mumbled, shaking his head as he closed the bathroom door.

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