Compliments to the Chef

Posted on 09 Aug 2017 @ 3:50pm by Edward Bauer
Edited on on 21 Aug 2017 @ 12:36pm

1,333 words; about a 7 minute read

Mission: Episode 15 - Emanation
Location: Earth - Starfleet Academy
Timeline: MD 29, 1330 Hrs

ON:

The skys were clear as the beam of sunlight shone down upon the city of San Francisco. A gentle breeze whisked through the air ever so subtly nudging the leaves on the trees. The temperature combined with the humidity and light breeze would make for a warm day for the cadets of Starfleet. Hundreds of would be officers moved about the grounds of the Academy navigating their ways from lecture to lecture. From the accolades of William T. Kirk to Zephram Cochrane's warp theory, this institution provided the future and continuing hope for Starfleet and the Federation as a whole. Young minds melding in hopes to make their mark on history like their heroes before them.

There was one man however, leaning on a railing dressed in plain clothing. A dark green denim jacket over a tan t-shirt. Below that, black cargo pants and recently shone black combat style boots. His brown hair displayed signs of age as grey streaks glistened in the sun. His face, bags under his deep brown eyes. A five o'clock shadow at two PM and a small scar across his right cheek. His appearance gave every indication this man still served or had at some point.

He looked down upon the rows of young cadets pushing through crowds. He too remembered when he was once one of them, except of course the Marine Academy recruits were much more orderly. He always enjoyed that.

As the man continued to observe, a young petite strawberry blonde Cadet approached from behind him. In comparison, this young lady was timid and much less intimidating then the man before her. Her eyes still gleamed of wonder, hope for the future, innocence uncorrupted. A stark contrast to the observing marine.

"Excuse me sir." The Cadet said timidly folding her hands nervously in front of her waist.

Before she continue the man lifted himself from the rail looking at the Cadet through his peripherals. "I'm no sir, I work for a living." He grunted gruffly.

The Cadet lowered her head, shamefully of her offense. "I'm sorry Mister, that's how the Academy told me to address civilians when I'm in uniform."

The man smirked as he turn towards the young lady looking his eyes onto hers. As he stood before her, his posture, his state both spoke of a confident man who was not easy intimidated nor did his audience cause him to shelter who he was. The Cadet on the other hand dwarfed at the sight of the presumably seasoned marine. His voice piercing her like a well-sharpened blade. "The Academy will tell you a lot of things, with a little time you'll figure out when and when not to bend the rules." He replied.

"Right." She responded swallowing what little saliva remained in her drying mouth. She cleared her throat as she tried to regain her composure. "So I, I um, just wanted to say you made a really great meal today. A lot of the cadets really appreciated it." She said stumbling the words as she spoke them.

The man smiled nodding his head approvingly. "Well that's a very nice thing to say. I appreciate you coming over here to tell me that. Thank you Cadet."

The Cadet forced a coyish smile. "You're Welcome." She responded in a soft tone as she began to fidget with her fingers.

The man had noticed how shy the Cadet was and how uneasy she seemed to be when interacting with him. He knew he wasn't always the easiest to talk to, his appearance may also be a catalyst. Nevertheless. "Cadet, are you always this nervous or is it just me?" He inquired.

The Cadet was startled by his straightforwardness. She expected a quick dialogue and then the man to dismiss her. Why did he care that she acted like a train wreck? "No, I mean yes. You kinda look scary, I mean I didn't mean that. You don't look like some creepy old guy....I need to shut up."

"You need to calm down." The man said in a relaxing tone. "Take a moment, a deep breath and collect your thoughts then speak."

The Cadet took a moment taking several deep breaths as she worked to slow her heart rate. Her thoughts began to collect seeming more like a parking lot and less like a raceway. Once she felt more composed she spoke once again. "I don't know what to say next."

"How about we start with your name. It generally a good way to start a conversation with someone you have just met." The man replied.

"Cadet Jennifer Armstrong." She reported as if reciting it to a superior officer. Her voice raised and her body became more rigid, even though her stance was not depicted in any military drill manual.

"I'm not your instructor, Jennifer." He stated glibly.

Jennifer bowed her head slightly, her eyes remained in contact with his. "You kinda remind me of one, or like my friend who graduated from the marine academy a few years ago. She had this Sergeant Major, he was kind of a dick."

"Really?" The man replied in a questioning tone. "And just who was this guy?" The man was genuinely curious in whom she derived similarities from.

"Well....I think she said his name was Bonner, Brower..." A slight pause as her mind worked to recall the name. "BAUER!" She exclaimed. "That was his name, Sergeant Major Bauer. Guy kinda walked around like someone stuck something somewhere it shouldn't have been."

The man snickered at the mention of his own name. He would be the first to admit he had become a bitter old marine, but he still believed the Corps needed structure. "And I remind you of this guy you've never met?"

Jennifer bit her bottom lip nervously as she pondered her answer. "A little I guess? I mean you aren't a terrible guy, and you cook really good food! I bet that guy couldn't do that." She said matter-of-factly.

"You would be surprised what people are capable of. Some may even surprise you." He replied now taking note of the color of her collar. He was intrigued by it. "Red collar, command?" He asked.

Jennifer nodded affirmatively. "Yup, except I'm not very good at it." She replied in a descending tone denoting shame. She looked down at her hands once again and began to fidget.

"One thing you're gonna need is confidence. No one's gonna follow you if they think you don't have your shit together. If you look like a basket case on the bridge, your ship is gonna look about as organized as fruit in a blender." He replied.

Jennifer's shoulders dropped. Once again she felt disappointment. She often wondered what even drove her to pursue command when she was probably more suited to clean plasma conduits or change bedsheets. Raising her arm she looked at her chronometer noting the time. She let the arm drop letting out a deep sigh. "I better go, I'll be late for class." She said in a now grim tone.

Edward could tell the girl was disheartened most likely from his honesty. Truth be told she was a wreck, but he was not always the perfect soldier either. "A good commander also has heart, the ability to push forth no matter the odds. When it's your turn to face those odds, make sure you spit at them first." He offered her an encouraging smile.

Her face instantly lit up as she nodded before turning to rush off. "Thank you....uh." She turned back to him with a quizzical look on her face. "I didn't even get your name."

"Edward Bauer, retired Sergeant Major and apparantly a dick." He said smirking at the Cadet whom was now cherry red with embarrassment at the revelation.

"Please don't..." she whimpered before being interrupted by Edward.

"Your secret is safe with me." He assured her.

OFF:

Edward Bauer
Master Chef

&

Cadet 2nd Class Jennifer Armstrong
Command Cadet
Starfleet Academy

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