Humpbacks and Hungry Puppies

Posted on Sunday 15 February 2026 @ 13:46 by Civilian Sansa Draxx-Jones

Mission: Intermission
Location: Sansa's quarters
Timeline: MD 1 1900
525 words - 1.1 OF Standard Post Measure

ON:

Sansa sat at a desk in her quarters, scrolling through data on her PADD. She was reviewing information about the first off-world colony of Humpback whales on the planet Megaptera – a project she’d been involved with years earlier when she travelled on the USS Santa Maria to help settle the colonists alongside Lieutenant Teague and Fay. From all reports the colony was thriving. The whales had even established their own migratory patterns and several calves had been successfully born with reports of several more on the way.

The screen detailed how the colony had been established as a groundbreaking initiative for non-human species within the Federation, and she was looking over updates ahead of the Merlin’s potential return visit to check on their progress. Doctor Blessed, director of the Cetacean institute had contacted her with plans for phase 2 of the operation, the introduction of a colony of seals and more diverse marine life as a food supply. Fay had reported that her people were keen to continue, and they should proceed as soon as possible.
As she read about the whales’ adaptation to their new home and the logistics of arranging the seal transportation, a soft scurrying of paws across the floor made her look up.

Belle, her tiny dachshund puppy, came trotting over with her tail wagging so hard her whole body wiggled. The pup circled Sansa’s feet twice before sitting down, letting out a small whimper and fixing her with big, pleading eyes. Her food bowl in the corner was empty – she’d polished off her last meal hours ago and was clearly reminding Sansa that it was time for more.

Chuckling, Sansa set her PADD aside. “Alright, alright, I hear you,” she said, reaching down to scratch Belle behind her floppy ears. “Even important whale research can’t compete with a hungry sausage dog. Let’s go see what the replicator can whip up for you – maybe I’ll even program in one of those country pub recipes they’re talking about for the Round Table while we’re at it.”

The replcator worked and Sansa picked up the new bowl of food and set it down in front of the hungry pup which started to eat instantly.

She sighed, “If only I had the same ability to reach you as I do these whales.” She said wistfully. She could still feel the information that had come with blending with Esme at the back of her mind. There was also the information she had retained when she had played host to Fay.

Having finished her meal, the little pup let out a contented woof and trotted back over to Sansa, flopping on the ground in front of her, demanding belly rubs.

“I see, it’s like that, is it… Feed me and now rub my belly” Sansa said with a smile as she bent over. She suddenly realised she was hungry too.

“Come on, we’re going out.” Picking up the small pup and one of its toys and the PADD she had been studying, she headed for the Round Table.

OFF:

Sansa Draxx-Jones
Marine Specialist
NPC Jones