JULY 13, 2023 - Sloane Miller is one of the original members of Redshirts Musical Improv, who I interviewed a few months ago. Give them a topic, like “Beverly’s Candle Ghost Joins Starfleet” or “Do Datas Dream of Electric Sheep?” and they’ll perform a musical theater-style episode of Star Trek for you. Improvisation like that takes quick thinking, and when I asked Sloane to write a Guest Post for DSTN, she proved it by sending me this unique gem a few hours later.

Head over to Facebook to find out about Redshirts’ upcoming shows and follow Redshirts’ Instagram and also Sloane’s.

There is usually some tea (Earl Grey, hot), some light reading, and perhaps a horse ride in the country (holodeck-style) in store for Jean-Luc Picard, who is the Captain of Starfleet's flagship, USS Enterprise (NCC-1701-D).

Every student at Starfleet Academy knows of the captain of Starfleet's flagship, the USS Enterprise (NCC-1701-D). Starfleet to the core, Captain Picard, 55, lives on the Enterprise, in the captain's well-appointed quarters. Being captain keeps him very busy throughout the week, so on his day off he likes to relax and unwind, away from the hubbub of the bridge and his bridge crew.

Breakfast With Beverly

I’m not really a big breakfast person; tea and croissant is what I truly want. Many Sundays, the ship’s Chief Medical Officer, Dr Beverly Crusher will join me. The last few Sundays, she had us trying pastries from the different planets of the Alpha Quadrant. (Vulcans really do like pastry. Who knew?). Finally, I had to stop her and say, “Beverly, I really just want my English tea (Earl Grey, hot) and my French croissant.” In truth, I didn’t say it; she read my mind as we were still connected, residually, by alien mind-reading devices. A story for another time.

Reading Up on the Latest Digs

Archaeology is one of my deepest passions. For quite some time, I thought I would be an archaeologist. I like to keep up on the latest research and especially that of my old professor, Professor Galen. His latest work on the Kurlan civilization is fascinating. Did you know the Kurlans believed that an individual person was in fact a community of individuals? If you have a moment, I suggest you look up his work in the recent Starfleet Intergalactic Journal of Archaeology, you won’t be disappointed!

Holodeck Time

I’ll either go for a ride in the country on my horse, (I do keep my saddle on the ship and I haven't had much of a chance to ride lately) or I’ll enter a chapter of Dixon Hill and solve a mystery. Today, I'm feeling the need for some exercise, so horse and ride it is! 

Lunch in My Cabin

After a rigorous ride in the French countryside, it is time for a sonic shower and then a light lunch of a Nicoise salad with a dry white wine. I will dine solo in my cabin. As the captain, if I go to Ten-Forward I find that my crew can’t properly unwind. As it’s the day off for many of them as well, I try to stay out of the way. 

A Fling With a Flute

After a profound experience on the dead planet of Kataan, I find some Ressikan flute playing very soothing. I composed the Picard Mozart trio to accompany the Ressikan flute and Sundays are my days to practice it. However, very often, as I sit down to practice, I’m interrupted by Mr Worf looking for a way to not take his day of rest. Oh, Mr Worf. Computer: Make sure the door is locked to the Head of Security. Computer: Belay that order, not safe.

Time to Feed the Fish

In my Captain’s Ready Room I have the most spectacular globe filled with an Australian lionfish. Keiko, our resident exo-botanist, has offered to care for it. I do believe she and the crew think I can't care for a living thing. I insist on feeding it myself and I have a container of Australian lionfish fish food just for that purpose. Now where did I put that food again?

 A Wind-Down, Journaling, a Nighttime Stroll

Back in my cabin, I have the replicator prepare a light supper, something from the Burgundy region where my family has their vineyard, like coq au vin. I’ll make a personal log about the past week’s accomplishments and a to-do list for the coming week. 

I don’t require much sleep, only five or six hours, so after dinner and my log, I’ll take a walk through the halls of the Enterprise-D. These last few Sundays, I could swear I hear crewmembers laughing in Commander Riker’s quarters. I have heard rumors that my bridge crew has a weekly poker game and it must be that. I often imagine what it might be like if they asked me to join. I was quite the player in my youth. Alas, they haven't asked and I don't want to infringe upon their privacy or free time. Perhaps one day. Until then, I walk the halls of USS Enterprise, preparing her for another day of exploration.