Running into the XO
Posted on Fri Oct 31, 2025 @ 3:59am by Commander Cara Letsul & Lieutenant Sarah Mackenzie
1,078 words; about a 5 minute read
Mission:
Time After Time
Location: Arboretum
Timeline: 3 am
on:
Running around the promenade in the early hours of the morning, Sarah was in the middle of her morning work out. She’d been looking for a decent track to run on and found the promenade was practically empty in the early hours as most of the shops were closed and the civilians were all asleep. Today was cardio and she found a run was the best exercise for her.
3 am, For some reason Cara woke up. It wasn't time to wake up, but it was a dream that she had of something. Just dancing upon the edge. she needed to walk though or run. While she pondered. Dresssed in running clothing she set out towards her favorite place, the Arboretum. up to the athletic fields. First though she needed to get there.
The promenade wasn't as active it being the wee hours of the morning. Not all of the shops were operating 24/7. Cara's attention was caught by a brunette running through the promenade, dark hair with red highlights. She called out.
"Early morning as well? Or just can't sleep?" Cara giving a wave towards the woman.
Coming to a stop, Sarah gave the woman a smile, “just out for an early morning run while the promenade is quiet. What about yourself? You a bit of a night owl?”
"I woke up too early and will pay the price later on. I'm going for a run in the Arboretum, in the sports activity level. Care to come with? My name's Cara. What's your name?" Cara giving a smile.
“Oh sure, always happy to have a workout buddy. I’m Sarah, I’ve just transferred in. What’s your department?”
"You are very perceptive, but" Cara hesitated for a moment, then decided to reveal what her department she was in. "I am part of the command staff, I'm the XO of this station. Welcome aboard. What department do you work in?"
A look of surprise came to Sarah’s face as she snapped to attention, “oh, sorry Ma’am, Lieutenant Sarah Mackenzie, CAG”
Cara gave a laugh and did a slight wave as if dismissing the rank. "Look, Sarah, you and I are are not in uniform and I give you permission to not use rank. Lets just go and enjoy the sports area you and I just two people who have just met." She gestured in the direction with her head. "Hope you don't mind going up some stairs." leading the way.
Sarah hesitated for a moment before responding, “uum, no ma’am…I mean Cara. I’m working on cardio today anyway. Please, lead the way.”
"Oh good, Cardio is a must. I've got to make certain I keep myself active."
The stairs were not too far from the turbolift, Cara leading the way. The Arborertum took up the equiivalent of ten decks. Cara paced herself upon the stairs,.
"What do you think about this station so far? Its rather large I will have to say. Larger than the previous stations I've been on."
Matching pace with Cara, Sarah tried to memorise everything they passed, “it’s like a colony crammed into a metal shell. It’s insane”
"That it is, all I can do is just learn a little bit of it as I go along. And depend upon the PADD to make certain I don't get lost." As they went up to the next level Cara looked at Sarah.
"I've not been here too long, Only a couple of months or so. The station thankfully is almost up to par after the attack made by rogue Cardassians." Shaking her head. "Foolish Ambassador, thinking he could go up against those who wish to live in peace and just thrive. The rogues were shut down quickly."
“Yea, what happened exactly? I didn’t get the most in depth briefing from the CO” Sarah asked as they crossed through another deck.
"From what I have gathered, Ambassador Thavas, along with some race called the Xicadians, they wanted to take over the station, along with the planet below, to my assessment of that situation" Cara growled. "It was once again someone being backwards in their thinking to take over another world, to bring about the Glory of Cardassia and their allies. And they attacked the station. "
Cara paused at the foot of the other flight of stairs to look at Rachel. "What had you been told"
“Not even that, I was told the station was attacked by the Cardassians, or rather a splinter faction.” Sara answered, as she stopped next to Cara. “I can’t believe there are still factions out there still trying to change things. After everything.”
"Sadly there are those who still wish to cling onto the old ways instead of progressing forward. I had to do my best not to hang onto my personal bias against the Vorta. It took me a little bit, to get over it, realizing that can't judge others by the actions of others." Cara having a wry twist to her lips.
She turned to continue up the stairs. "Tell me what do you like to do when not-being in command of the flight group?"
Following Cara up the stairs, Sarah thought the question over, "well, I like to do gymnastics in the holodeck. It keeps me fit and in a way helps with the G-tolerance. besides that, I love anything aviation, particularly early to late 20th century. Prop planes to Jets"
"My adopted sister would have loved talking with you about the different aspects of Aviation. She loved to fly, too bad she's not here. I think that you would have gotten along with her."
As they were talking, and going up another flight of stairs, Cara pointed up towards the upper portion. "Looks like we're almost there. " keeping a steady pace. A few more steps and they made it to the top.
"There we go, made it!" Cara pulling out a towel to dab at her face. "Love having a good work out, especially having someone be a part of it. Thank you. I should be going, its almost time for me to get to work, it was lovely meeting you."
“Same with you boss, if you’re every down in the hanger bay, come find me. We’ll share a drink” Sarah replied as she lent against the bulkhead, “see you out there”
End:
Commander Cara Letsul
XO
Deep Space 5
Lieutenant Sarah Mackenzie
CAG
Deep Space 5
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