Oblivion - Michael Jan Friedman [51]
Pretty soon, the Nizhrak had become a fixture in the mess hall—usually one of several science-section personnel in the corner farthest from the replicator station.
Unfortunately, none of her colleagues from the science section seemed to be around at the moment. The only crewmen in the place were from the security and engineering sections, and Jiterica didn’t know them quite as well.
Which, Wu concluded, was why the ensign was sitting all by herself.
“—and if you think Lieutenant Joseph is better officer material than I am,” said Pierzynski, “and you want to make him the permanent chief of security, I can live with that. But at this point, I don’t know what you, the captain, or Commander Ben Zoma have in mind for him.
“And if you bring in somebody else and make Mister Joseph just a regular officer again, that makes me number three in the section. And under those circumstances, I think I may be better off asking for a transfer.”
Wu wanted to give Pierzynski her undivided attention. But she couldn’t help thinking about Jiterica.
The ensign didn’t appear to have a problem with the solitude—but Wu did. The last thing she wanted was for the Nizhrak to start feeling lonely again, especially after she had been making such excellent progress.
“So,” said Pierzynski, “I’d just like to know where I stand.”
Wu nodded. “I understand your concerns. Unfortunately, I don’t know what the captain has in mind at this point.”
The security officer sighed.
“On the other hand,” the second officer continued, “I can tell you that we’re all very pleased with your work, and would like you to remain on the Stargazer. And if you should decide to ask for a transfer, we will do everything we can to get you the kind of posting you deserve.”
That seemed to make Pierzynski feel a little better. “Thanks,” he said.
They spoke a little longer. Then the security officer picked up his tray and left Wu sitting there—wondering what she should do about Jiterica.
The ensign was still sitting alone, still working on her padd. And her solitude still bothered the second officer.
Wu considered the idea of rectifying the problem herself, by picking up her tray and sitting down next to Jiterica. However, she was due back on the bridge and she couldn’t have stayed very long.
She was still considering the matter when Ensign Paris walked in—and gave Wu reason to feel relieved. She didn’t need to feel bad anymore. Help had arrived.
Of everyone on board the Stargazer, Cole Paris was probably the individual closest to Jiterica. Nor was it a surprise to Wu that that should be the case.
Paris had worked with Jiterica on the rescue of the Belladonna, which was caught in the grip of a deadly space anomaly. When they returned from their mission, there was a bond between them—or at least the beginnings of a bond. The second officer had seen it in their faces, and the realization had pleased her no end.
After all, Jiterica hadn’t made any friends yet at that point, and she had needed one desperately. The rescue mission had presented her with at least the possibility that she would find friendship on board the Stargazer.
And once the ensign got a glimpse of that possibility, she was able to interact with her colleagues in the science section on an entirely different footing. She was able to make friends of them as well.
Ironically, Wu recalled, Paris didn’t end up seeing Jiterica for a while afterward, since they were on unavoidably different schedules. But when he finally did see her, they began spending much of their free time together.
Wu glanced at Jiterica to see her reaction to Paris’s appearance. Indeed, the ensign seemed pleased by the prospect of having her friend join her, a ghostly smile growing behind her faceplate.
Paris glanced in Jiterica’s direction, then headed for the food slot. Naturally, Wu expected him to join the Nizhrak as soon as he filled his tray.
But he didn’t. In fact, he walked over to the opposite side of the room, where no one else was sitting, and sat down at a table all by himself.
Strange, thought Wu.
She didn