Badge Spotting

Posted on Tue Jan 31st, 2023 @ 6:56am by Lieutenant Michael Slatterly & Cadet Freshman Grade Poppy Koppelman
Edited on on Tue Feb 14th, 2023 @ 10:38am

585 words; about a 3 minute read

Mission: Mission 2: Rendezvous At Starbase 10
Location: Starbase 10
Timeline: M2 MD01 (2268.6.03) 0700

Badge spotting had become Poppy's new hobby during the endless hours on Star Base 10 whilst waiting for the Midway to arrive. There were insignia of different ships to try and match up in the spotter's guide and the various support services, like the Judge Advocate's Office, Fleet Headquarters Staff, and the one that she hoped, in her dreams, to sport on her tunic one day: Memory Alpha Staff.

Of course, the one special badge to spot was the one that she, too, wore at the moment: the 'Carton of French-fries' insignia of the USS Midway. She had already spoken to the dreamy Lieutenant Knowles, the new Environmental Control Officer, who had certainly left her breathless and with a warm glow in her cheeks.

Now she spotted another one, a tall, short haired... science officer? No, as she scuttled toward the unsuspecting officer, she perceived by the detailing on his badge that he was in the medical division. Probably a doctor! Wow!

She more or less launched herself upon the man in the same way she had Knowles.

"Hi!" she yelped, waving her hand frantically "How are you today, Sir? I'm Poppy Koppelman! I'm human. I'm going to be temporary acting assistant records officer on the USS Midway. Pleased to meet you. Did you know that there are over 3,567 separate data discs to be maintained and filed on a Constitution Class Starship? Oooh, I see you have a blue shirt on with medical division insignia. Are you a doctor?" she asked in her trademark sing song voice.

Michael was momentarily caught off guard being ambushed by this person. He labeled her an over-achiever, based on her speech pattern and her eagerness to engage strangers in conversation. "Yes, young lady, I am indeed a doctor, as you can tell by my tunic. I am going to be one of the doctors on the Midway. My name is Lieutenant Michael Slatterly. And, of course, I am human."

"Well, you say that, but lots of aliens look human! Are you from Earth? My parents came from Earth but I was born on Pluto. I'm a P.P. - that stands for Proud Plutonians. Did you know that until the 21st Century, Pluto was classified as a full Planet instead of a Planetoid? Proud Plutonians want to reverse that decision, our motto is Make Pluto Great Again. Maybe you would be kind enough to sign my petition when we're on the ship." she asked earnestly, toying with her lank hair.

"I doubt signing a petition would change Pluto's status. They were classified as a planetoid, and only the people who changed their status can change it back."

"But I think they're all dead now!" frowned Poppy.

She was just about to point out the many, many reasons why P.P.s like herself wanted to M.P.G.A. when a ensign walked up to Slatterly and handed him a note.

"It appears the midway has docked, cadet. I suggest we both collect our things and report aboard. Excuse me." He turned and headed back to his temporary lodgings.

"Oh. Well, er, bye! See you on the ship!" Poppy smiled her biggest smile and waved at the medical man's back.

"Well, he seemed nice!" Poppy said, speaking out loud to herself (a chronic failing in the friendless). However, there was a part of her that hoped that Dr. Slattery didn't give her her medical on the ship - he looked like he might have cold hands.

 

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