"Sir, this mission was the first one I've experienced. It was... a bit rough on me. We lost Lori and, well, we all nearly died. I guess you can say it was a serious trial by fire." Tom trailed off at the end of the last sentence, reflecting on what he saw.
Kestral looked at Tom, he knew what he was going through. He wanted to reach out and give him a hug, but he wasn't sure it had come to that yet. "I know what you're going through. I want you to keep your chin up though, as we all need you. We have a new engineer on the ship, he is a Sergeant. However I want you to be in charge still of that side of thing. That ok?" Kestral smiled. " Talk to me about what you saw, it will help if you speak about it." Kestral smiled once more. However this time an image came into his head. He quickly pushed it aside.
Tom nodded. "Thanks for your trust in my abilities. I think I just need some time to myself, not that I don't appreciate your offer. It's all the basic soldier stuff, you know. Explosions, screaming, some death. Stuff I gotta absorb if I'm going to make a man of myself. Did we lose anyone else? Did Ghi make it back?"
Kestral nodded, "Yeah Ghi is fine, she was with me. No one else was lost." He thought of what to say next. "Tom that is a brave thing to do, and in some ways the right thing to do. I just want you to know though, if you need anything, or want to talk about it, please come to me." Kestral put out his hand to shake Tom's. "You know what your doing for the two day's break?" Kestral inquired. He admired Tom's will power.
He took the captains hand and shook it vigorously. The good news brought some solace to the young Geshrin. "No problem. Well, I was thinking about asking one of the ladies out on a date. I'd like to test the waters a bit." A mischievous grin spread on his lips.
"Now that's the Tom I know." he smiled back at Tom. He withdrew his hand slowly. "Which one is the question though? I think Saeki should be back soon, I hear she has been dancing around the place at the meddy bay. You could wait for her." Kestral though about relationships on ship, they weren't great but the whole crew needed a break; especially those two and it could pass this one time.
"Oh, now why would the captain want to probe into my relationship choices? Perhaps he wants a bit for himself?"
Kestral laughed. "I'm to old for those girls. Give me a break Tom, I can just about handle battle. A woman in a bedroom is now to much for me to handle." Kestral laughed again. "I have had enough women Tom, once I retire I will settle down and marry. You however have a lot left and can have fun all you want." Kestral smiled. Realistically he wasn't to old for them and he defiantly wasn't to old to get some action, but the captain sleeping with one of it's crew member's is defiantly a no go, and that one can't be over looked.
"Awesome. I'm gonna go now. Thanks for the pick-me-up there, cap'n." Tom waved at Kestral and turned to leave, the endless romantic possibilities springing in his mind.
Kestral smiled, he was really happy with himself, not only had he helped Tom but Tom had helped him. "See ya, have a good time. Don't do anything I wouldn't." He laughed to himself and relaxed in his chair. "Now all I have to do is speak to the new recruits. Suzi can you send a message to all the new staff, I would like to speak to them as soon as possible.â€