The Life We Chose

Posted on Sat Aug 22nd, 2026 @ 10:05pm by Lieutenant Commander Abraham Winters
Edited on on Mon Aug 24th, 2026 @ 4:43am

864 words; about a 4 minute read

Mission: The Silence of Archanis
Location: Deck 4: Senior Officer Quarters
Timeline: Stardate 3060.3

Lt. Commander Abraham Winters had arrived on the Veritas just a few hours prior with his wife Ltjg. Janice Blanton. The last two weeks of leave had been absolutely amazing for the married couple, who had just celebrated their second anniversary. After only the first year of marriage, Janice was offered a promotion to Lieutenant Junior Grade. But that promotion involved having to transfer from Starfleet Medical to Starbase 12. She served as an Emergency and Surgical Nurse. It had been hard being away from each other, but they both very much understood the sacrifices that Starfleet would demand from them both. Abraham had spent the last couple of years at the Academy.

A few weeks ago, Winters had expressed his interest in returning to ship duty. And to his surprise, he was notified during his visit on Starbase 12 with his wife that he would be assigned to the USS Veritas. He found himself a Chief of Security again. Not that he had an issue with the position. Winters had requested that very position on any ship. But he had aspirations to move towards the command track. On the Proteus, the Commander had spent a lot of time as officer of the bridge. In all honesty, now was the time for him to check even more things off his checklist. Janice had been very helpful in organizing his new quarters.

"These are seriously the only things that you wanted them to bring from Earth?" Janice questioned.

Abe simply shrugged. "Our apartment on Earth is bigger than your typical Starfleet vessel. Besides, on this five-year mission, I am fairly certain the Verita will visit many places that will allow me to fill this room. My only regret is that I can't take you with me."

Janice leaned over and kissed her husband. "You always know the right things to say."

"That's years of experience right there." Looking around at the finished product, which was his quarters, he whistled in satisfaction. "Thank you for putting in the work to make this a close home for me."

"Couldn't have my husband in here living like a caveman," she joked. "No telling what you have in here for decoration. Would be the equivalent of a Cadet's dorm room."

"Come on. I'm not that bad. Honestly, I thought you were impressed with my apartment when we first started dating."

Staring at Abe, she sighed. "Perhaps I am exaggerating. But your place needed some work. Our apartment together is very impressive. Of course, it's pretty much unoccupied at this point."

"Starfleet is the life we both signed up for," Abraham reminded her. "But I do miss you sleeping next to me on a more consist basis."

"Let's make a deal."

Abraham raised a curious eyebrow. There was also a very confused look on his face, not having a clue where his wife was going with this unknown deal. "You want to make a deal?"

"Yes, a deal for our next assignment. We make an effort to get posted somewhere together. I think we deserve that, not to mention spending more time together can only make our marriage better."

"That's a deal that I can definitely get behind," he agreed. "Hope the next assignment involves being planet side with a nice spots for vacations. Feel like we deserve something stress free."

Janice sat down on his lap, wrapping her arms around his neck. "And how does a stress free assignment work for your plans of becoming a First Officer? We both know that those types of assignments will not get you where you want to be."

Sighing, the Commander knew that she was right. Part of the reason he wanted to be on a ship assignment was to get closer to being considered for an Executive Officer position. Which would eventually lead to his own command some years afterwards. "You make an excellent point."

"Babe, don't worry about where we will eventually end up," she assured him. "Focus on your career, like I am doing for myself. And we'll land at a posting together."

"You have the logic of a Vulcan. And almost the emotions of one as well. Clearly I find it more difficult to be away from you."

Janice couldn't help but laugh. "Trust me, I don't find it easy to stay away from you. "I just remember the promise we made to each other before we got married. Never to allow the other to be held back by the other."

"I definitely recall the conversation," Abraham spoke softly. "One of the reasons we fell in love with each other was our drive for success. Personally, I never wanted you to be in the way of goals and dreams."

"And neither did I."

Kissing his wife, Winters had no idea when the Veritas would depart Starbase 12. And honestly had no clue when they would be anywhere near this area again. Which meant it could be months or even well over a year before the two of them were in the same room again. "How about we make the best of the time we have together?"

=================
Lt. Commander Abraham Winters
Chief Security Officer
USS Veritas

Ltjg. Janice Blanton (NPC)
Nurse
Starbase 12

 

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