Leland and Mazal Chat, [Backpost]

Posted on 10 Nov 2024 @ 2:55am by Captain Mazal Falk & Lieutenant Leland Hawksley
Edited on on 19 Nov 2024 @ 4:22am

1,562 words; about a 8 minute read

Mission: S04 Episode 01 Captive State Part 2 (Incidentals)
Location: Starbase 54, Mess Hall
Timeline: Before Themistocles Departure to Arth...

[ON]

It was the next day, and Mazal tapped on her combadge, "Leland, do you have time for lunch? I'm starving and as what I said, I do want to talk with you."

Leland nodded as he responded over the comm, "Of course, Mazal. I could use a break as well. How about meeting me in the mess hall in 15 minutes?"

"Fifteen minutes will be great, I will see you then." Mazal answered before closing up the commbadge.

Hawksley ended the call and made his way toward the mess hall. His mind was concerned about the reports of the USS Tomcat salvaging team about to get underway. He had wished he could join them on the mission to Arth, but it was not meant for him.

Leland spotted Mazal settling down at a vacant table as she entered the bustling mess hall. He joined her, thankful for seeing one of his best friends on the Tomcat.

"Mazal, " he beamed, his face warm and excited to see her. You're looking well. Captain is looking good on you!" He playfully taunted his good friend.

"Captain and being Second Officer? You certainly kept a good secret surprising me with that party in my honor." rising to give him a warm embrace. "It seems forever since you and I have spoken and so much has happened in between." slowly releasing him from her embrace.

Leland admired Falk. As she sat there, he sensed that familiar Marine Officer who went above and beyond. Hawksley thought Mazal was a hero at times, no doubt. No compromise for Mazal Falk. She had a fair, genuine, caring, yet freedom and dedication to her units.

“Hawksley took a seat after he had waited for Falk to sit, showing respect. They were in the large Star base mess hall with panoramic windows. The USS Tomcat was in its birth; by this point, numerous worker bees were buzzing around the Tomcat to retrofit it, section to the skeletal frame, and then rebuild.

“I just wanted to speak to you before I don’t see you. You understand how I feel.” Leland sheepishly nodded. “You’re a dear friend. I need that Mazal chakra around me.” Leland chuckled a bit, but then the smile faded to sadness.

"Leland lets grab something to go and take a walk in the holodeck. I think we need to just have our chat there where it is just you and me. What do you say?" It had been way too long since they have had a private chat, the last one was them talking about a serious matter. " A forest scene may well be a good one, what do you think Leland?"

Leland paused for a moment. He wanted to hear what Mazal wanted to say. “Sure.” He looked around, seeing that others were ordering and being served. “Let’s skip the meal. I’m good for a walk.” He left with Mazal as they exited the large Star base mess hall.

- Holodeck 08, Star Base -

Hawksley then waited as Mazal programmed the forest in the holodeck, a lovely British Columbia coniferous rain forest on the coast. It was damp warm, wet, and sunny, breaking through the immense canopies of generations-old tree-toped forests.

Leland stopped as he entered, the large steel doors sounding closed and locked on the inside. Hawksley then took a deep breath, noting the cool air's earthy, warm, musky pine scents. On the horizon lay mountainous outcrops of Rockies and eagles soaring in circles, gently scoping the territory.

In front of them lay a pathway of trampled vegetation, long since created as a hiker’s mountainside trail. It wasn’t treacherous at all. The amount of vegetation and varying animal calls in the distance echoed throughout the valley. There could also be heard the sound of water falling down a tall embankment around 2 km from where Mazal and Leland stood.

He turned to Mazal, friendly, and gestured for her to come along. “This…” Leland breathed in again and lent out the musk of the wilderness, almost calling his inner naturalist.

“...Is a great idea, Mazal.”

"You are welcome" grinning from ear to ear, Mazal looking at Leland. "How are things with you and Lilliana?" a half beat as she drew in a deep breath of the air, then gave him a strong embrace. "So good to see you."

Leland was a hugger. Despite being overbearing, tall, and sometimes imposing on others, he had a huge heart.
Without a word, Leland pulled Falk into a tight bear hug, his large arms enveloping his friend. He closed his eyes, grunting with the effort, almost lifting Falk off the forest floor. He held on, breathing in and out for a moment.

Releasing and then letting go. He breathed outward, a deep iridescent smile, gleaming at having had the chance to hug one of his true best friends in a long time. Mazal was special; her wavelength radiated warmth, caring, and happiness.

“Sorry.” Hawk looked down at the forest pathway, a bit embarrassed he had just done that massive bear hug. “It's been too long.” After a moment, he paused as they began to walk down the pathway. There was a lot to look at as they walked. “I am doing good. Real good. Lilli is starting to get terrible morning sickness, but the Doctor has been helping…”

He thought off his head. “I’ve crafted a real wooden baby cradle… A Hawksley family tradition.” He smiled to himself.

“I was golfing with Tos a few days ago.” Leland shook his head.

“I should have been there for him. For you both. Tos. He endured a lot. I wish I could turn back time. I had no idea what had happened.”

"I think that what happened was the last small mission he was on, he got severely injured, its going to take sometime for him to heal up. Physically the healing is going great. Fight injuries tend to take time to heal both physically and mentally." Mazal replied, looking out towards the scenery. Her gaze went back towards Leland.

"A hand crafted cradel, that is amazing. I hope that Lilliana will like it. I am sure she would what with your skills at wood working." Mazal placing a hand upon his shoulder.

Leland exhaled, and the weight of the outside world began to melt away, replaced by the vibrant richness of the holodeck atmosphere. All around them, the landscape burst alive with color—towering trees swayed in a gentle breeze, sun-kissed valleys stretched endlessly, and sparkling brooks gurgled with joy as they wound through the trail, inviting exploration.

Hawksley strolled alongside Mazal, his voice low and contemplative. “I know. Ze carries a heavy burden, and his sacrifice during the mission was sheer selfless.” Leland’s mind raced back to the camaraderie and laughter of his friends aboard the Tomcat and the unwavering resolve of the crew on Themistocles. The memories swirled with nostalgia and an insatiable hunger for adventure—the essence of their journey, threading through every decision and every flight into the unknown.

"Ze has been going through a rough patch and it is very sad. I truly wonder if he wants to stay or move onto another place. Sometimes I wonder about doing that myself." Mazal having a rather contmeplative expression in her eyes. "When one truly acknowledgese the love in one's heart it makes for a change of perspective where life is concerned." Mazal looking out towards the scenery, drawing in a deep breath.

Leland sat beside Mazal, his fingers tapping nervously against the metal beam of the old bridge they were perched on. The sound echoed faintly in the stillness, merging with the rustling leaves and the distant hum of water flowing beneath them. He wanted to say something profound, something that could pull them both from their spiraling thoughts, but the weight of his uncertainties pressed heavily on his chest.

"Love, huh?" Hawksley finally replied, his voice barely a whisper above the breeze. "It can be a heavy burden or the lightest feather, depending on how you hold it." He glanced sideways at Mazal; her profile framed by the golden hues of the setting sun created an ethereal glow that softened his worries, if only for a moment.

Mazal drew in a breath or two as something in her mind seemed to click having made a decision. "Well, yes Love. Ze needs to do some healing, and perhaps I need to do as well. Those are things that have been circling in my mind." Another glance out towards the scenery, Mazal drawing in another deep breath. " Speaking of Ze, I need to go check on him." leaning over and giving Leland an embrace then rising to her feet. "Sorry to cut this short, I feel that I have a bit more clarity of mind and know what I need to do." Mazal said before she headed out the door. She knew this seemed so abrupt, but she needed to see Tosrol and discuss their future.

Hawksley stood up and nodded. "Please. Anytime." It was her call originally.

[OFF]




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