Will you join?

Posted on Wed Mar 31st, 2021 @ 9:49am by Ensign Hunter Mitchell & Ella Bond
Edited on on Wed Mar 31st, 2021 @ 10:03pm

Mission: S1, E0: We need each other.
Location: Classroom
Timeline: MD002 1000 hrs
1183 words - 2.4 OF Standard Post Measure

Ella walked into what would be the classroom for students on the Lexington. She always felt a sense of excitement at starting in a new job. With the exception of Lucas, who didn’t really like having his mother for a teacher, there would be all new faces and students with different dreams for their futures and some who did not know what they wanted out of life but hopefully would find some answers. She was one of the lucky ones who had always wanted to teach.

There was a lot of work to be done, she needed to get the list of her students and make certain she had pads loaded for their individual studies since they wouldn’t all be at the same grade level. Some would that was difficult, teaching many different areas but she excelled in it.

Ella turned as the doors slid open and a member of the crew entered. From his uniform she assumed he was from the engineering department. She smiled and waited for him to speak.

“Hello,” he said with a smile of his own. “I am Hunter...errr I mean Ensign Mitchell. I’m here to get the equipment up and running. From the logs it appears the classroom was on the low priority list.”

“I am Ella, the teacher.” She replied with a sigh. It always seemed to work that way. She understood that the ships main departments came first but she had hoped to be able to get some real work done today. “How long do you think this is going to take?”

Hunter could tell she was frustrated and he didn’t blame her. He decided to move forward and be as honest as he could. “If I don’t get called off this job for some other emergency it shouldn’t take more than half a day.” He took a deep breath. “But there have been some adjustments I have needed to make elsewhere.” His eyes met hers. “I don’t want to sugarcoat it, just yesterday I was called to medical because their equipment was faulty.”

“It would seem with a brand new ship things would be running smoothly already,” Ella replied. “Please don’t think I am criticizing you.”

“No insult taken,” Hunter said as he sat down and started to work. “It’s a problem with the engineers who set things up.” He looked up. “Between you and me I think they do the basics because they are on a tight schedule and leave it to us to come around and fix what needs fixing.”

Ella watched him work for a moment. “Makes a lot of work for you though, doesn’t it?”

“I don’t mind the work,” Hunter replied as he made some adjustments. “I am one of those geeky guys who loves his job. I was born to be an engineer. It’s what I’m good at.” He took a deep breath. “You like teaching?”

“I really do,” Ella said with a smile. “Like you said a few minutes ago, I was born to teach. I can’t remember ever wanting to do anything else.”

“My parents wanted me to be a doctor,” Hunter said with a laugh. “Don’t spread it around but I hate the sight of blood. I deal with it much better than I used to, had to in my job.” He looked over at his tool bag. “Would you hand me that wrench.” He pointed and smiled when Ella gave it to him. “I liked school and I was good at it. Especially literature. It gave me a love for reading.”

Ella’s interest perked up. “What kind of books do you like to read?” She asked him with interest.

“I’ll read just about anything,” Hunter admitted. “Even love engineering studies and manuals.” He laughed. “I am a geek remember?”

“I have a question for you,” Ella said with a smile. “I was thinking of starting a reading group. Do you think that would be something you might be interested in?”

Hunter stopped what he was doing and looked at her, thinking for a moment. “I would do it and I might know of someone else as well. How often would you meet?”

“I was thinking once every other week,” Ella said with a smile. “And see how that goes. We can always adjust it for more often or less.”

“Do you have any idea of what kind of books we will be reading?” Hunter asked her, curious if she had something in mind.

“I thought it would be a good plan to form the group and let everyone put a title in that whey would like to read and we will draw one each time at random,” Ella explained. “That way everyone is involved in the choices made.”

Hunter nodded in agreement. “It will stretch our reading for sure because not everyone is going to like the same genre of books.” He looked at her. “And different species might really introduce us to some new stuff.”

“There are some great cultural reading out there,” Ella said with a smile. “I am hoping that our first officer may want to join the group.”

“Vulcan reading,” Hunter replied, thinking for a moment. “Do you think they write with passion or logic?” He imagined a book full of words like suitable and acceptable. Hunter smiled to himself? Did Vulcans even kiss?

“I believe you would be surprised,” Ella said with a smile. “I don’t think I will answer that but leave it for you to enjoy in the discussion group.”

“That makes me want to try one but I won’t,” Hunter replied. “I want to save it to hear what the others in the group will have to say.” He smiled. “I always like a good reading debate.”

“You have made having to wait for my equipment to be set up less annoying,” Ella said with a smile. “I was concerned no one would be interested in a reading group and I already have one person.”

“I’ll nose around and see if I can get some more,” Hunter offered. “Who knows I might even be able to get the captain to join.” He didn’t think that would happen but one never knew.”

Ella grinned at his words. It was obvious that Ensign Mitchell did not know her relationship to the captain. “You do that, Ensign. I can’t wait to hear what his answer will be.” She paused for a moment. “I think I will head to my quarters and come back tomorrow.”

“Everything will be working,” Hunter promised her. “You have a good day. It was nice meeting you, Ma’am.”

“You too,” Ella said with a smile. “I’ll send you a schedule for our discussion group as soon as I have a few more that are interested.” With that she turned and left.

Hunter went back to work. He was anxious to tell April about the reading group. She liked to read like he did and he hoped she would be interested.