Crewman Recruit

Posted on Tue May 13th, 2025 @ 6:23am by Lieutenant Commander Jason Reeves & Crewman Michał Lipinski

977 words; about a 5 minute read

Mission: Resistance is Necessary
Location: Holodeck

Commander Reeves sat at a desk in going over Michal Lipinski's final test. If anything, he knew how to find potential. Lipinski did extremely well on the physical training test, firearm and now he had successfully passed the final exam putting an end to his basic training. Standing his from his seat, he smiled at the young man sitting in a student's desk awaiting the results. "Congratulations Mister Lipinski or should I say Crewman Recruit Michal Lipinski. Officially welcome to Starfleet." Walking over he extended his hand.

Michał looked at the man, the extended hand. He was reluctant to accept it, resistant even. Perhaps all of this was too much for him. He had never dreamed of Starfleet as a career, and if it had not been for the Borg, he probably wouldn't have been here with these people. "I appreciate the training, the congratulations, and everyone helping me" replied Michał Lipinski.

He did take the First Officer's hand and shook it because not doing so would have been rude. "I'm not sure about this Starfleet stuff still, you know?" It was not a malicious comment, but one of caution.

"How long?" Lipinski asked, the question not precise at all. It was open, to open. "They hit the Federation right where it hurts the most, Commander. Our heart - the core of everything the Federation was built on. They decimated starships right in the Sol system. How long does this last?"

Staring at the young man, Jason contemplated the question. "We gather our forces together and come up with a plan to counter this threat. I'm not going to lie to you. Never seen anything like these Borg before. And yes, it feels like they ripped out the heart of the Federation. Which I'm almost certain was intentional."

The Commander gestured to a chair for Michal to have a seat. Then he sat down himself. "Crewman, I don't like things that scare me. When that happens, I quickly find a way to eliminate that fear. And eliminating doesn't always equate to destroying something."

"I don't think trying to destroy it would accomplish anything anyways, Commander," Michał Lipinski replied after having a seat that was offered to him. "You haven't encountered anything like these Borg before. Obviously neither have I, but even if we managed to destroy some of their ships we are left with fear."

Michał leaned forward a bit. "That is what is pulsating throughout this starship right now, Commander. Fear. Your crew are disciplined, composed, and they mask it well. Some, too well, but the refugees aboard? The civilians, the families... they have experienced loss and the Borg have put fear into them."

"I don't mind being the Captain's Yeoman. You can give me a uniform and put me through training, make me something I never intended to be, Starfleet, but I'm always going to be myself underneath it all. I'm concerned about the people aboard."

"For the record I see the same things as well," Reeves countered. "This is one Borg ship. Are there others? And if there are more, will send more when we defeat this one eventually? Also you being in Starfleet doesn't mean you're stop caring about people. That's one reason why I suggested you for the Yeoman position. Michal you will spending more time with the Captain than most on this ship. Bring your concerns about the people to the Captain, if you feel its warranted."

Michał Lipinski took a deep breath. "I'm not sure the Captain really wants that. It would probably be better if I brought my concerns to you. I don't mind going to the Captain if that's what I should do. I just don't want to bother him with frivolous stuff."

"As time goes on you will figure out how things work with the Captain. But go ahead and bring your concerns to me in the meantime."

Lipinski smiled slightly. "Thank you, Commander. I appreciate that. Hopefully, things will go well between the Captain and I."

"Just remember that the Captain is going through his fair amount of stress right now," Reeves brought up. "He needs you more than he realizes. Even if he doesn't outright just say it. Do you have family?"

"I..." he replied with uncertainty. "My family. Yes, have family. I know the Captain is under a lot of stress. I might be able to help with that."

Jason caught the uncertainty. "So where is your family currently?"

"Risa," Lipinski replied. "They don't really leave home much. Very much of the mindset why leave paradise?"

"I would assume people would occasionally leave paradise to explore or a brief change of pace," the Commander replied. "Leaving might give them even more of appreciation of paradise. My own parents have spent quite a bit of time in recent years visiting Risa. Suppose their doing all the adult stuff they were unable to do with me when I was a kid."

"I think that's why they don't leave much, Sir. The times that they have were quick reminders of how nice the paradise is...even if it's mostly artificial" quipped Lipinski.

"Surprised that most worlds haven't tried to replicate Risa."

Lipinski snorted. "Paradise is overrated. Pleasure can be problematic."

"Yet, that's still your home," Hunt responded.

Lipinski looked around. "I think I moved recently. Home is where I am, and right now thats here."

Jason smiled. "I'm glad you think that way. The Jane Addams is what I consider home. Only thing missing until now was my children."

Michal nodded. "I wouldn't know about children. Not a father, but im sure this ship will be a suitable home for some."

"I like to think so. But I won't keep you any longer. We both have work to attend to."


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Lt. Commander Jason Reeves
Executive Officer
USS Jane Addams

Crewman Recruit Michal Lipinski
Yeoman
USS Jane Addams

 

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