Peel - Relaxing In Style

Posted on Thu Jun 18th, 2026 @ 2:07pm by Captain Jamie O'Connell & Commander Shauna Vehn

Mission: SHAKE DOWN IN A NEBULA
Location: S/M: A New Hope
Timeline: Stardate: 79927.8

::ON::

~ New Hope Colony ~

Jamie and Shauna were walking along the path of the Garden Relaxation area when Jamie gently took her hand as they walked along. Looking at Shauna with a smile "This is certainly a far cry from being on the Peel" he commented rather enjoying a little alone time with Shauna.

Shauna smiled as she held onto Jamie’s hand. “It certainly is, and I get to spend with you without worrying about protocol for once.” She looked around. “It’s so lovely here, I’m going to miss it when we have to leave.”

They continued walking at a leisurely pace when Jamie grinned "So will I and as a bonus I get to spend some quality time with my favorite woman" as he paused "I could see you and I retiring to a place like this someday when we decide our years in Starfleet are over" he stated before giving her hand a gentle squeeze.

Shauna smiled at that thought. “I like that idea, and the fact that you’re looking to a future with me in it.”

"The prospect of you and I being together after our time in Starfleet is finished.......let's just say is very appealing to me. Like I've mentioned previously.....I'm not going anywhere unless you say otherwise" he responded in a very sincere manner. They walked along a little further when they found a somewhat secluded area with a couch "This looks like a good place to sit for awhile" as Jamie noticed a small creek running along the wall to their right side.

“I’m not going anywhere either” Shauna answered sincerely as she moved over to the bench. “I’ve found where I want to be, and who with. No matter what I’m going to be right at your side.”

"That's sounds good to me" Jamie replied then paused a moment looking at Shauna "You know it's nice to know I have someone special by my side.....even Captains need that in their lives" he confessed with a grin.

“Some Captains may disagree with you on that, there are those who are willing to forgo everything to be in command of a ship. You can still have loved ones and be none the worse off for it. I’ll admit there are times I’d like to be able to show my feelings on duty, but I understand why a certain distance is required.”

"I agree with you; some in Command will do most anything to maintain that and even go as far as insulating themselves from their Crew. Fortunately I'm not like that nor would I want to be. I want any of the Crew to feel they can come and talk to me" then Jamie paused "I would be interested in knowing how those who have led such a career will feel when their time in Starfleet is over and they find themselves all alone in the universe."

Shauna nodded. “I’d imagine they’d be very lonely. That’s not what I want. I want to have a husband and a family to grow old with?”

Jamie was a little stunned by her statement but then again she only wants what many women want.....a family and stability. Smiling he chose his words carefully "I would like the same things as well" as he paused briefly "But down the road some years away. The one thing that I'm afraid of is Starfleet catching wind of our relationship and sending one of us to another ship.....I don't think I could bear the thought of us being separated; that's why I want to keep our relationship private for the time being to avoid such an occurrence. While it may not be ideal at least we are together" as Jamie paused once more looking Shauna in the eyes "Truth be told I am falling hopelessly in love with you Shauna Venn."

Shauna couldn’t help but smile at that one, her cheeks turning red as she blushed. “As I am with you Jamie, and there’s nowhere else I want to be.”

The couple sat and talked for awhile until they were interrupted "Excuse me Captain O'Connell, Commander Venn; if you'd please come with me dinner will be served shortly in the Governor's private dining room" a Steward stated with a smile.

"Certainly, I'm looking forward to sampling some of your cuisine" O'Connell replied as the two officers followed their escort.

[Upper Column-Governor's Dining Room]

They entered this rather lavish dinning room with a long table, fancy chairs, and tapestry hanging on the walls. Moments later the Governor entered "Captain, Commander hope you have an appetite; I have a lovely meal planned for us. Please sit and I'll have my Steward pour us some wine."

After the wine was poured Jamie took a sip "This is from Picard Vineyards if I'm not mistaken" O'Connell commented with a grin.

"Very good Captain, you know your wines; impressive" the Governor replied with his own grin "I had some brought in a few months ago for special occasions. So tell me how do you find our little oasis in the middle of nowhere."

"It certainly is a lot more than I had expected and from what I've observed everyone here seems to be quite happy" O'Connell answered before taking another sip on wine.

Turning his attention "And you Commander what are your thought on New Hope Colony?"

“I think it’s beautiful” Shauna smiled warmly. “I wish we had this kind of luxury aboard our ships. Your crew are very lucky to serve here.”

The Governor smiled "It wasn't a matter of serving as it was one of survival" he replied then paused a brief moment "Unfortunately Takara became a dying planet and sadly about seventy five percent of the population succumbed to the disaster; those of us left are fortunate to have survived to a place we now call home."

"That must have been very hard watching what was happening feeling helpless to do anything about the situation" O'Connell stated "And like you said at least the remainder of your people had a place to go and hopefully live out the rest of their lives in peace and prosperity."

"Yes we consider ourselves very fortunate indeed. Enough of this morbid conversation, let's discuss happier times" the Governor suggested with a smile "Captain how many do you have on your Crew; must be fascinating work traveling among the stars."

"We have sixty five men and woman aboard including a squad of eight Marines" O'Connell replied "And yes be out among the stars does have it's moments" as he gave a light chuckle.

"That's not a very big Crew.....how in the world do you manage a ship with that few people."

"It's not that bad really. Even though the ship is small she is very fast and well armed. Most everyone has two areas they are responsible for which has worked out quite well. Having such a small crew we really are more like family than a Starship which I feel is a big plus; wouldn't you agree Commander.

“Very much so” Shauna nodded and smiled. “I like being out amongst the stars and the Peel is a wonderful ship.”

The three ate a delightful dinner talking about all sorts of different topics for the next few hours. Sensing it was getting rather late the Captain figured it was time to end the evening "Governor we should really be getting back to the Ship. Thank you for your hospitality and tomorrow we'll have our people arriving to help in those areas you decide earlier" as O'Connell stood.

"It was my pleasure to have you both here today and I want to thank you in advance for your willingness to help out here; I'm sure we'll be all the better for it" the Governor replied as he stood as well shaking hands with the two Officers.

The Captain and Commander stepped into the middle of the room with Jamie tapping his comm badge "Peel this is the Captain two ready to return" as he grabbed Shauna's hand. Moments later the two vanished in a beam of white light.


Captain Jamie O'Connell
Commanding Officer

Commander Shauna Venn
Executive Officer
USS Peel
NCC-71015

Governor Sedon (O'Connell)
Colonial Governor
New Hope Colony