Terms & Conditions

Posted on Sun Mar 9th, 2025 by Charlotte Preston & Captain James Cohen & Lieutenant Commander Freya Preston & Lieutenant Commander Samuel Bancroft & Lieutenant Choyi Zaimu

1,056 words; about a 5 minute read

Mission: M01 - The Hooke
Location: Observation Lounge, USS Hooke
Timeline: Present

Charlotte had appeared on the bridge in time to see some of the senior officers coming out of the observation lounge. When she approached the door Charlotte caught sight of the Captain coming through the door and she hesitated for a moment before speaking. "Captain can I talk to Lieutenant Bancroft, my Mom, and you?" She asked.

James paused and smiled warmly, "Your Mom and Lieutenant Bancroft are still inside the observation lounge." He said then turned to lead her inside the room. Lieutenant Choyi was also in the room, but he didn't pay any attention to the Counselor for the moment. "Your daughter would like to speak with us Commander." James told Freya before sitting down in the first available chair.

Charlotte was only slightly nervous as she stood there looking at them. She found a chair and sat down rather than continuing to stand. "Well, I was hoping it would be okay if Paige, Kate, and I went to Logan City for a little while. Just the three of us, we promise to be careful while we're there, we simply want to go to the coffee shop and chill off the ship."

Sam had stopped his conversation with one of his operations officers that had come inside the observation lounge when he heard the question. "Wait, Kate wants to go to Logan City?"

Charlotte presented a warm smile on her face, "Well... Paige and I sort of talked her into it, it wasn't originally her idea."

James crossed his arms, "This actually sounds like a Paige idea."

Charlotte turned bright pink at the suggestion, "Yes Captain." She said. It was true that Paige had originated the idea the day before. "It was also our idea to invite Kate along with us to get to know her better. She doesn't really hang out with us anywhere on the ship. Though, we've been buried in homework."

Freya raised a brow, "I don't know about the three of you going down to the planet by yourselves. I mean, Logan City is relatively safe and all. But, you three are twelve-year-old girls." She looked at Sam and the Captain wondering if they would back her up or let her handle it.

"Mom..." Charlotte started quietly, "We're not little anymore!"

James wished Paige was still a little girl, and not turning thirteen in a little over a year, "I think your Mom is right. I'm sure the three of you are responsible young girls and all. But, I don't exactly feel very comfortable with the three of you going down to the planet by yourselves just yet."

"I could go with them," Zaimu chimed in. "Sorry to interrupt, but it would probably do them some good to go down to the planet. It probably won't be very often that they get to see new places, besides I'm not doing anything pressing. I also know my way around Logan City."

Freya looked at the Counselor. She hadn't really gotten to know the Counselor yet, however, at least this way the girls would have some adult supervision. Freya turned her attention toward the Captain, "Captain?"

Before James could answer Sam spoke up, "I'm all for the Counselor going to the planet with them." He looked at Charlotte for a moment, "It would certainly do Kate some good to get off the ship for a little bit she's been keeping to herself quite a bit in her room."

James smiled warmly, "I'm okay with the Counselor going with them." He looked at Charlotte, "The three of you may go, but Counselor Choyi will be going with you. And you're also going to each take a communicator in case anyone gets separated."

Charlotte opened her mouth to protest the inclusion of the Counselor. But she immediately closed her mouth when she realized that her mother would just say no otherwise. She also knew well enough to not intentionally get separated from the Counselor otherwise there would be no more trips to different planets. "Okay Captain." She said and nodded in agreement to the terms.

Freya smiled and looked toward Zaimu, "Thanks." She then looked at her daughter, "I'm sure I don't have to express to you the utter importance that you listen to what Counselor Choyi says. And I know each of you will be carrying your own communicator, but that's not a written invitation to get separated or intentionally lose the Counselor. Besides, we can locate you on the planet immediately understood?"

Charlotte nodded, "Yes Mom."

Freya kissed her daughter on the cheek, "Lieutenant Bancroft and I are going to go get the away team ready." She went toward the door.

"You're coming to?" Charlotte asked with large eyes.

Freya turned and looked at her daughter for a moment and for a second considered messing with the girl. "Lieutenant Bancroft and I are going to the planet yes, but we're not going to Logan City." She then turned before her daughter could say another word and left.

Sam stood up having said very little to Charlotte. "Thank you for inviting Kate and getting her off the ship for a little while," He told the girl. He turned his attention back toward the operations officer and indicated for them to follow him. There were other things to discuss as he went toward the transporter room.

Charlotte smiled, "You're welcome sir," She said politely. Charlotte looked at the Captain with her hands resting on the top of the table. "If we get separated we will contact the ship immediately." She promised him.

James nodded, "Good." He said to her, "I'm sure I don't have to tell Paige or you the consequences of doing anything that gets you into trouble. Go get ready so Counselor Choyi can go with you to Logan City." He looked at Zaimu, "I'd like them back onto the ship at a relatively decent time so please don't stay down there for hours and hours."

Zaimu stood up, "Absolutely Captain." She said, "I'll meet the three of you in the transporter room."

Charlotte watched as the Counselor left the room. She stood up with a slight grin on her face, at least they were going down to the planet. It wasn't exactly the way she had originally envisioned it, but it was better than being told they weren't allowed to go.

 

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