Lunchtime Encounter

Posted on 23 Apr 2013 @ 7:20pm by Lieutenant Kiri Cho & Lieutenant Theron Rhodes

2,581 words; about a 13 minute read

Mission: Episode 03 - Frontier
Location: USS Galileo: Deck 2, Messhall
Timeline: MD4 1400

[ON]

The morning had been strange but quite busy, Kiri had been reviewing data and reviewing her life. Really she just wanted to eat something while she worked but that wouldn't help her socially. A break might also help her get more done, time to clear her head. A prawn salad in a bowl in front of her she sat near the window and watched the planet for a few moments. There weren't that many people around and most seemed to have their own preoccupations. After a few bites she took out a pad and started to review sensor readings again.

Lt. Rhodes entered the Mess hall for a quick bite to eat. He would be going on duty at 1600. After getting a plate of noodles and meat with fruit he went to find a seat. He noticed Lt. Cho sitting by herself. It had been a few days since they had spoken. He walked up and asked, "May I join you?"

Kiri hadn't seen him since he had come to comfort her. That had left her rather confused, he had been there for her yet he wasn't after. Did he not want to be around her, did he have other things to do? She'd been doing her best to forget about the whole thing and working as much as possible. Was that why? Did he try and she wasn't there? Forcing a smile she looked up at him, "Of course."

Sitting down Rhodes arranged this plate and glass, but didn't say much.

"How have you been?" She'd been trying to deal with her problems and was now moving on to rethinking her entire life.

Rhodes hesitated and finally said, "Busy," and then added, "But that is just an overused word for really not knowing what to say." He looked at Kiri and smiled. "I am sorry I have not been around much."

"Has there been a lot going on in security?" She didn't really know what was going on in other departments other than being rather busy with the changes to the ship. It was a topic uncomfortably close to what she was trying to avoid but she wanted to know.

Theron shrugged, "The Lieutenant has implemented an emergency response team with other members of the crew. You may know about that. Otherwise it has just been preparation for the mission."

"No, I didn't know anything about that? What is the team for?" She didn't remember anything other than a passing mention of anyone doing anything to do with security. Cyrus had said something about an SRT team, was that it?

After chewing on a piece of fruit enough, Theron explained, "Basically, it is non-security members of the crew going through tactical training to be a backup if we are ever . . . boarded."

"Oh," Kiri shrank away slightly, that was rather an uncomfortable fact. She had been so completely useless before and despite what everyone said, she still blamed herself, "When we have done our mission here, it might be useful to have another department wide session."

"I think they have that in the planning stages." Theron replied and then asked to change the subject, "What role are you playing in the survey today?"

"I was reviewing the information that was coming back and cataloguing it as well was re-checking conclusions," Kiri speared a leaf with her fork, "I'll be doing more this afternoon." As for the training session, last time she had set it up. If it was already being planned for did that mean Maenad was doing it now? She hadn't been told anything.

"I see." Theron responded. After a moment added, "I'm sure I will be on some of the away mission, but do not have any details yet."

"What did you do with the sword?" There were some on his wall from what she could remember, had he put it up there? It was the first present she had given to anyone of the ship and to her was rather a substantial one. Even if it required no effort on her part to replicate, she had thought of it.

Theron's eyes opened up at the reminder of the Romulan replica that she had presented to him. "Ah, yes. The Romulan blade is now mounted on the wall near the viewport." He hesitated to get the words out right, "I wanted it to remind me when I look out at the stars of all the possible danger that awaits us and to be prepared."

That was poetic, rather nice really. Maybe she should get her own, if it was acceptable for Theron and Mor'an then wasn't it okay for her? Smiling when she thought about the walk they had gone on Kiri asked, "Do you look out at the stars a lot?"

"Theron thought for a second looking down slightly, then responded, "I guess I do." Looking at Kiri he explained, "As I recall, I do a lot of my thinking about personal things when looking out a viewport upon the galaxy of stars and possibilities."

"I forget to look outside sometimes," Her last quarters didn't have windows and her desk faced towards the door. Maybe she should move it, that wouldn't look very processional though. Looking wistful for a moment she paused before going on, "On these moons, we might be the first creatures to look up at their stars."

Theron shook his head and leaned back in his chair, "No, I think other intelligent life has been here. Unfortunately, I think the Borg has already wiped everything away. We might find some animals in trees, or hiding in caves, but I do not expect to find any intelligent life when we arrive."

"Borg don't normally attack things that don't benefit them in some way," Kiri looked at him uncertainly, "We haven't found any evidence of advanced life and if they wanted the resources then they would still be here until they were gone."

"All true." Theron replied. "I guess my assessment is based of too many possibilities and uncertainties, along with a dose of tragic fear."

"Tragic fear?" Kiri didn't quite understand that, did he have experience with the Borg?

"Oh, not my fear." Theron explained. "When I joined Starfleet I learned of the many different sentient races. I seem to be drawn to the more warring ones, and read up on them." He leaned back in his chair. "I am no expert. I just feel I have a good familiarity and fear of them."

"I'm scared of them," The Borg were one of the things that she didn't feel shame in admitting her fear. She had never seen them and she never wanted to. She'd had lessons and knew a fair amount about them, especially regarding their computing methods and how to defend systems against them. Some of the ideas were rather extreme, should she work on contingencies in case they were boarded? "How, what was the defence procedures for Borg?"

Theron hesitated, leaning back, and shaking his head slightly. "Best not to engage if possible. But if you do, there are some knew weapons that have been prepared that I have been told," he felt a little unsure about the new weapons, "they will be effective. Yet, we will through everything at them and run. I hope. In my opinion, a standing fight with the Borg is a losing challenge."

"Yes," Kiri nodded, "I was thinking about things like isolating the ships systems, so they can't be remotely accessed." It meant communication and control was much harder, but the Borg would have to access every ships system and subsystem manually.

Theron tilted his head to the side thinking and said, "That sounds like a good idea, like for a fall-back position or a Borg Alert." Looking at Kiri more excitedly, "You could work up the initial ideas and submit it to the Security Chief. He might let it go on up to the XO for a review."

"Maybe," Kiri had hoped that something like this wouldn't have needed to be her idea. If it wasn't already in place then, she could sort it out, talking to Stone was something she was rather afraid of though. When would she have time to do something like this, it would have to be something she did along with everything else. The Borg weren't going to wait for them to be ready if they were going to be here, "I can draw up a plan if you think it will help."

Theron saw her hesitation. "I suggest you write the idea out. Come to me and we can work on it together. . . and then I can present it to the Chief for you . . with you there of course." He smiled encouragingly. It was a good idea. He really didn't want to leave her all on her own, especially to face Lt. Stone alone.

"Okay," Kiri nodded and lifted another leaf, "Thank you." It wasn't too complicated but she might need some help from operations with completing the plan. They knew the contingencies between systems better than she did and their help would be needed to put it into action anyway.

"I am glad to help." Theron said then added, "So, what is good for lunch?"

"I normally like something light," Kiri wasn't really sure of the question he was asking, "I'm having dinner with Lieutenant Panne tonight."

"That sounds interesting." The words left Theron's mouth before he thought through the situation. "I am sorry. I did not mean to imply anything."

"Oh?" What would he be implying? It had to be something if he was saying he didn't mean it. It left her rather confused and starting to worry about what other people might think of her personal relationships.

"Sorry." He began, "I did not mean to imply anything about your time with Lieutenant Panne." He was not sure what to do now, but change the subject. "Have you been scheduled for any of the away missions?"

"Lots, I have three tomorrow," Kiri smiled, she was still trying to organize all her time around what she would be doing for the rest of the week.

Theron looked concerned, "Will that be too much for you? I know from experience that some away missions can sometimes go other than planned."

"I can't really change it, the captain seemed to want things to be done as quickly as possible," Kiri smiled though she agreed it might be a bit much, "I don't have very many the day after, just a small one."

"I see." Rhodes replied. "Well, try not to get overwhelmed."

"Thank you," Kiri dug into her salad a little more before freezing up for a moment, "Do you think we will be able to go on another walk together?"

Theron smiled real big, remembering Rojar I, "Well, definitely not on the surface of the planet I was recently on; toxic fumes and rivers of molten rock." He crossed his arms and said, "Sure, I would like to go somewhere again. You are my friend." Somehow he knew he had to talk about not being emotionally interested in her, but still remain her friend. He still was not sure how to do that.

"Right, but there are some moons that are likely to be habitable," She didn't really know if any time would be allowed to use these moons for recreation but, "There is also the holodeck," She'd heard more and more about it but she still hadn't even tried to use it.

"Ah." Theron reflected. "Yes, the holodeck can be quite fulfilling in its own limited way. I'm sure we can squeeze in some holodeck time. Do you have any particular venue you would like to see?"

"I'm not really sure. Would you like to go somewhere green again?" He had told her how his world had little in the way of wild areas, Kiri thought he enjoyed them.

Green. Theron thought stroking his chin slightly. "How about something tropica, with lush foliage? I have heard of a Biological Training Program based on the Amazonian jungle of Earth." He crossed his arms thinking, then said, "Then there is the Tandaran Baston Forest with trees that go up hundreds of meters into the sky. Or maybe there is the . . " He stopped, realizing he was going on and on. "Sorry, I was getting carried away I guess."

"No, it's interesting," Kiri smiled, she had never been to any of these places really. The jungle holoprogram at the Academy wasn't really like the idea thing, it was more about where you might find food and dangers. It was nice having someone talking at her without too much prompting.

Rhodes watched her, trying to figure out what was going on behind those green eyes. He finally asked, "What is your schedule like tomorrow?"

"I have one away mission at, six thirty, then another at noon and then one at sixteen fifteen. I won't be back on the ship until four in the morning according to the plans." Kiri had away missions for almost the next twenty four hours without a break of more than a few minutes. These were the populated moons though, the ones that had the highest chance of finding life in all its forms.

"That is such a busy schedule." Theron exclaimed. "We may have to wait until day after tomorrow. If I remember right we are both scheduled on a survey mission the next morning. We could schedule the holodeck for later that afternoon after we get back." Rhodes sat up confidently nodding his head that he had a good idea. "The Forests of Baston would be nice and relaxing. No large animals and no battle fields."

"I'm, holding a small party in the evening," Kiri hadn't had a chance to give anyone a time yet. There was also the matter of how much sleep she would have time to have. Getting back at four only left her five hours of time before her next mission and she needed to find time to eat and plan as well, "But before that maybe?" Then realizing that she was being a little rude, "Would you want to come?"

A party? Theron thought. It is not that Theron had not tried to be sociable; it just never seemed to go that direction for him and his time. But here was Kiri and she was asking him to come. "Alright. If you think I would fit in?"

"I don't really know," Kiri didn't think she exactly fitted in with any sort of party, "It's to celebrate the light from Theros Darga B reaching the ship. It wasn't going to be very big." Light had crossed the galaxy to reach them here for the first time, there would be a new tiny light in the sky.

Theron squinted one eye and scratched the back of his head, "You are going to have a party to celebrate light from a star finally reaching this star system?"

"Yes," The way he said it made her feel far less confident about the enterprise, "It's not something that happens all that often."

He leaned back and looked at the ceiling, as if the answer was there, but really thinking through the significance. Theron then shrugged, smiled, and looked at Kiri, "Okay. Sounds like a good enough reason for a party to me. I'm in."

[OFF]

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Lieutenant (JG) Kiri Cho
Assistant Chief Science Officer
USS Galileo

Lieutenant (JG) Theron Rhodes
Asst. Chief Security/Tactical Officer
USS Galileo

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