"Kendra?" Alex walked over to a large window in the crew lounge, where Kendra was staring into space and drinking a glass of… orange juice? Or was it some kind of alien fruit?
"Oh… hello, Alex." She smiled, but seemed distant.
"Are… are you okay?"
"I'm trying to shake off this… awful dream I keep having."
"Care to talk about it?"
"All I can say right now is that I've been having it since I was a girl. It's about this… ooh, if I talk about it, I'll think about it, and if I think about it, I'll have it again."
"I'm sure they have some sort of pill or something that prevents nightmares," said Alex thoughtfully.
"They do," said Kendra, "but it's side effects would prevent me from doing my job effectively… as a doctor, I need to be at the top of my game. And before you mention the ship's counselor, I ain't a firm believer in therapy. I'd rather vent to someone who I don't have to pay to care about me."
"Well, I certainly won't ask for money," said Alex. "Even though we just met a week ago, the least I can do is hear you out."
Kendra nodded. "Thanks… that means a lot. Sure, my dad's the First Officer, but that means he's real busy. Sure, he makes time for me, but…"
"Well you have to do your job."
"Yeah… it's not that nobody cares. It's more like I don't wanna unload my baggage on anyone; the last thing people want is to hear my sob stories, believe me."
"Well whenever you're ready, remember: I can take it… I'm tough." He grinned. "I'm a Welshman."
"And you ain't the only Welshman on the ship," said Kendra, smiling.
"I know! We've got quite a few. Most of 'em are on the lower decks, but when Wales plays rugby, I know damn well where to go." He chuckled. "Cymru an byth, you son of a bitch!"
Kendra laughed. "I just might have to tag along!"
"Be happy to explain the game over some food."
"Okay!"
"Ensign Hawke," came the captain's voice over Alex's communicator, "Report to the bridge."
"On my way," Alex replied. He grimaced. "Damn you, Kalvin… it'll have to be later." He headed to the bridge via a turbolift and waited.
"Hate to do this to you, Hawke, but our other conn officer is sick. His replacement can't be here for about an hour. See, it was a bit sudden."
Hawke sat at his station. "No need to apologize for letting me fly," he said gamely.
"Alright, slow to impulse. Just received word of some pirates harassing a luxury liner. Let's go half impulse."
"Half impulse, aye."
The ship left warp, and immediately a chime sounded.
"Captain," said the communications officer, an Andorian lady with midnight-blue skin, "we're being hailed."
"Why am I not surprised? On screen."
"Thank God! These bandits are insane!"
"Not for long," said William, "'cause the USS Leonidas is gonna knock the crazy out of 'em! Hawke, Whaddya think of these pirates?"
"We'll have 'em whipped before you can say Cymru an byth, sir!"
"Your conn officer is Welsh? Ooh, those pirates stand no chance! I'm from Caenarfon."
"Cardiff," said Hawke, "now let's show these pirates what Welshmen can do! Computer! Manual override!"
Kalvin grinned.
"All weapons armed, sir," said Three.
"Time for fun," growled Kalvin. "All hands to battle stations; we're attacking!"