Fashion Model

Posted on Tuesday May 7th, 2019 @ 4:01pm by Civilian . & Lieutenant Carmina Barbossa

Mission: Welcome to Union Mining Station Number 42
Location: XO's Office

Next on her list, the young woman whose task it was to keep everything running. That was some weight on such small shoulders, Namira thought as she approached Carmina. "Hey there", she greeted, holding out her hand to the shorter woman. "I'm Namira, just came aboard, thought I'd say hello."

"Namira" repeated Lieutenant Barbossa making sure to get that name and face paired together in her mind and remember the woman's pronunciation of her own name. Carmina knew how important it was to get names correctly and pronunciation was essential in diplomatic settings. At Union Point she had learned about a gung-ho Commanding Officer who had a first contact mission go south very quickly by an accidental mispronunciation of the native's word for trust which was terribly close for their word meaning urination.

Carmina extended her arm outward and took the other woman's hand. "Science...Ah the Archeologist" said the First Officer. "Hey, I am really glad to have you on the station. I've been pressing Union Central to pull through for us and get us some science officers out here."

"When I heard there were ruins down there that nobody has set foot in before, I couldn't resist", Namira said. "Though, I admit I'm not too keen for ending up in the middle of an insurgency. Has anyone figured out why people would suddenly lose their minds, and this collectively?"

Carmina looked at the woman with some admiration. It was clear that this scientist was an adventurer, an explorer of sorts, and the right person to fill the position that she had taken on the station. "I don't know what Union Central or Union Point has on their brochures, but the political situation here on the station...on the asteroids, and the planetary system is complex" she said briskly.

"The Planetary Union acquired mining rights from these people under conditions...conditions that the Union has not always adhered to accordingly. We have used some of these people as miners, and we have the ability to use this station under lease from these very people. It's a back scratching situation and unfortunately tensions escalated during the previous station administration" briefed the Executive Officer.

"I cannot say these people 'suddenly lost their minds' so much as they were fed up and reached their breaking point. Not everyone the Union chooses to associate themselves with or admits into membership meet the same values or ethics as you or I as I'm sure you are aware of. The Moclans certainly take some getting used to."

Namira laughed. "Moclans are great at parties, once you know which buttons to push." She sat down in front of Carmina's desk. "I'm going to need help digging, I can say that much. Not right away, I'll first have to make sure I locate the most promising places to dig out, but if you could put out feelers with any civilians who aren't afraid to use slightly outdated mining equipment? We can't use the same tunnelling techniques they use to find dysonium, after all."

"I'll take your word for it" she said in response to the Moclans at parties. Truth be told, she was not really a party goer herself and she avoided Moclans whenever she could. The whole issue with gender identity and biological sex had turned her a little cold towards the Moclan society. "I will keep an eye out for any incoming civilians that fall within those specifications...a little rustic and not afraid of some hard work" she teased. "There may be some individuals within the science department arriving who would be helpful for your digging" added the Executive Officer.

"Anyone who likes to pick up a shovel and a pickaxe", Namira grinned. "My first job as as a miner, archaeology is just a lot slower but also a lot more interesting than finding ore. Most of the time it's still just rocks, though. But as long as you keep things together up here, I will do my best not to get in your hair."

"You won't get in my hair" replied Carmina with a polite smile. "This is my first 'big' posting and I was supposed to be the Second Officer, but some last minute changes propelled me forward rather prematurely" she admitted. "I'm trying to fill the seat I've been given, but sometimes I feel like it is much larger than I am."

Namira nodded. "It does adjust downward, you know? So does the desk. As I'm sure the doctor will agree, it's a bad idea to use furniture that's the incorrect size."

Carmina pursed her lips and winced a little as she shook her head and sighed. "I should have seen that coming...I set myself up for that one" she said in regards to her small height. "It's temporary" she replied with a smirk. "My doll house furniture should be arriving soon and then I'll be sure to leave a 'drink me' bottle outside for visitors and a piece of 'eat me' cake."

"I was raised on them", Namira chuckled. "They're great." And it might as well have been true, certainly was close enough. "But in all seriousness, I don't envy you the position. But I've got a nice selection of relaxing tea, should you feel the need. Just come by."

"You know I just might" said Carmina in response. "I don't have much of a social life as it is, and everyone I knew is nowhere near this mining station. The only member of the station's crew I've had more than a few words with thus far has been the Captain, and I don't really feel it appropriate for me to try and befriend him" stated Carmina. "He needs me to be as independent as possible" she added.

Namira nodded. "I'm always up for any mischief you want to get into, if you're willing to tolerate my sense of humour, which I admit is sometimes a bit off-key. You don't happen to enjoy adventuring in the simulator? I'm not much of a fighter in reality but I've found that it can be fun if it's just against the computer."

Carmina waved her hand dismissively through the air. "Oh please. If there's anyone who lacks fighting skills it would be me. I spent a lot of my career studying laws, peace talks, and history in order to become a diplomat that I look foolish trying to battle anything in the simulator. I'll join you if you want the entertainment."

"Hah, makes two of us", Namira giggled. "They tried to teach me warfare but I'm utterly unsuitable. But there are many ways to win adventure games. Especially if you're good at casting illusion and alteration magic."

"I'm not particularly that good at any of the weapons the Union trained us on" replied Carmina. "I was only able to get passing marks and clearance for the PM-32 and PM-44, anything higher than those and I'll need retesting. Though in an emergency, I don't think any of us are going to be asked to present our certifications."

"I'm an archaeologist, I don't even know what those designations are", Namira said. "I dare say it's simply too modern to have registered on my sensors. Show me a sword and I can probably tell you how it was forged and some techniques that were used with it."

Lieutenant Barbossa laughed a little at that response. "Well, you wear green and I wear blue. The Union has you to run tests and analyze things...to tell me how that sword was forged and the history of the civilization behind it. Let's let those who wear the red take care of the firing of the weapons."

"About that..." Namira started. "Don't expect me to be wearing this uniform a lot. It's not particularly comfortable, and I haven't fully understood why Union Central has decided to put me in it to begin with. I'm a civilian, have been on union ships for over a hundred years. And now, all of a sudden, they give me a commission."

"Well, the uniform comes with the commission" replied Carmina shifting into Executive Officer mode. "In service to the Union, uniformity is what holds us together. I'm not going to fight with you about it right here and now, but I strongly encourage wearing the uniform when you are on duty. Now, there are plenty of variations to the uniform...perhaps one of those would work better for you."

"I'll mostly be wearing a lab coat or whatever's appropriate for digging, which is not the uniform", Namira said. "Don't worry, I won't be making a fuss about it when there's some official function or another. Though, my legs look better when I'm wearing a dress."

Carmina peeked a bit and nodded. "Well, they certainly aren't chicken legs" she said with a bit of a sigh. At this point the women on the station were definitely far more attractive than she was. Not that she was looking for love on the station, but her mother would undoubtedly be asking every opportunity she got about the potential for grandchildren.

"I don't care what you wear on digs" said Carmina. "You will just want to make sure you wear uniform appropriate attire for official functions. I don't know yet how strict the Captain will be about Union Dress Code, but you can test those waters with him... be the Guinea pig for the rest of the crew."

"Tell you what", Namira grinned, eager to get Carmina in on the planning. "Put together an outfit you want tested, I'll wear it for you."

"Oh my own personal model" teased Carmina. "That will come in handy for sure" she replied. The Executive Officer pondered for a moment and knew she could only keep the woman so long before either of them had something to do or somewhere to be. "Tell me, Lieutenant, what made you choose to pursue archaeology?"

"Wealth and fame", Namira jested. "I worked as an ecologist for a while, and I truly love the natural world. But after a few decades, and several expeditions, I wanted something else. Curiosity, if you will. I have not found a boring culture yet, and discov... I'm sorry, uncovering something for yourself that's been lost to time, piecing together the puzzle, that's a rewarding experience."

Carmina nodded with satisfaction from the response. "There's definitely plenty of worlds in the Union and outside of it in dire need of explorations. We are still learning things about members of the Union. One can only imagine what we could learn about the Moclans if we had enough time and all the red tape was lifted."

"It's difficult to learn about and understand a society that desires to close itself off as much as it can", Namira admitted. She was picking up a certain anti-Moclan vibe from Carmina, and as far as official government policies went she couldn't blame her. "Now imagine all you've got is what survived, purely by chance, of a society that's been dead for thousand of years."

"I see your point" replied the Executive Officer. "I try to treat everyone equal and respect all members and cultures who are under the Union charter or have membership status, but I have yet to encounter a Moclan that would so much as hold the lift for me" she said shaking her head. "I imagine that would be fascinating to study that culture" added Carmina.

"Some people need time", Namira said. "I've been around long enough to have seen attitudes change across generations. What started out as progressive thinking became a conservative's hill to die on two generations later. All the great visions that have moved us forward as a society have had their detractors, and later their defenders when something new came along. The trick is to figure out ahead of time what's actually positive change. It's no good if you make a 'discovery' later."

Carmina smiled at the scientist. "Oh there's an old saying...from Earth. It was something about living long enough as a hero and you'll end up a villain or something like that" she said before transitioning. "I guess you could say if you live long enough as a progressive, your ideologies turn you into a conservative?"

"Unless society collapses, or you're willing to go that next step, yes", Namira said. "If you remain open for the problems of a society, and don't think that there's such a thing as a perfect world, you can escape that fate, however. I'd like to think I've done that, so far."

"I live every day to the blandest" joked Carmina. "I would love to say fullest, but my career has sort of stalled then derailed with the Union. I'm still getting used to this blue Union uniform."

"If you get bored of your desk job, remember you've now got a side gig as a fashion designer", Namira said, then stood. "I should set up my lab, I'll be seeing you around."

"If I get bored of my desk job, I'll consider anything they dangle at me to keep me in Union. Not too long ago it was a position at Union Point" replied Carmina. "I'm about as bland as my desk job would lead you to believe. I've made a career out of learning to recite protocol and thoroughly study by-laws and charters."

"All the more reason to live it up when you're off the clock", Namira concluded. "Feel free to surprise me." She waved as she headed for the door.