Local Tourism

Posted on 26 Jul 2014 @ 9:47pm by Lieutenant Elijah Williams IV, M.Sc. & Lieutenant JG Grayson Jones

1,927 words; about a 10 minute read

Mission: Episode 06 - Legend of Souls
Location: USS Galileo - Multiple Locations - Tour
Timeline: MD 06 - 2100 Hrs

[ON]

It didn't take too much longer to get their shared quarters devoid of Tribbles, but Elijah had a feeling that was going to be temporary. For now that, it left Elijah feeling satisfied, even if that too was temporary. Now the two were walking down the corridor, stepping over Tribbles and gently nudging them aside. The little furry creatures peppered the deck and at least to Elijah it looked like there were double the amount since he had last been down the corridor an hour ago.

They tackled deck four first, Elijah showed the other man the labs the primary science areas. Deck four didn't house much else. He then brought Jones up to deck two and started there. "So, how do you like working in engineering," Elijah asked as the two walked.

"It is pretty interesting, never dull." He grinned, Grayson truly did love his work, even if it did currently mean dealing with an obscene amount of tribbles. While walking, he was also thinking of ways to get rid of the little pests, airlocks came to mind.

Grayson looked in the labs, it was good to know where they were for when someone eventually called on him to fix something that was broken. "How do you like science? How did you get into it?"

"Believe it or not it started quite simply by just collecting rocks," Elijah said. "I started a rock collection then that slowly morphed into reading about rocks and searching them out. Really learning everything I could about them." What he didn't say was the hobby appealed to his lonely, introverted side. "I think one of the best things I like about being in the science field is that you have research and there are just no definitive answers to some of the bigger questions that face us. It's the idea of always striving to get those answers I guess." He looked to the other man and smiled. "Plus, I will never be out of a job at least in my lifetime anyway, there is always going to be a planet that needs it's geological make up to be mapped out."

"See, that is why I love Engineering. There is a definitive. There is a clear end point. I guess my brain likes to work that way." He smiled as they continued walking. "I like seeing a problem, figuring it out and fixing it. When new problems do arise, I usually have a good knowledge built up to give me half a hint." He took a breath. "I admire you for that. I'm no way that smart...or patient. I'm never going to be that way. Always found people like that though quite attractive." Grayson let his gaze linger for a second longer than it should have before he looked away.

Elijah chuckled a bit, he noticed the lingering stare. He was getting used to the lingering stares from male crew mates. "Patience is key to being a scientist, though there are scientists out there who are constantly looking for the next best thing, for glory, to have their big find named after them, but I am happy just doing my thing. I don't seek glory or fame," he said. Though he knew that would be nice, to be famous for some major geological find, but if you broke it down, rocks were just rocks. "Also, don't sell yourself short. I think engineering is tough, I consider myself a smart guy and I had a hard time in some of my engineering courses at the Academy. I couldn't wrap my head around some of it."

"It's more...do, remember and you can do again. More memory than anything." He blushed. "I'm sure you will find something one day and have some big rock formation or type named after you."

This time Elijah barked out a laugh that filled the immediate corridor, the Tribbles had fluttered at the sound. I must have startled them, he mused. "Well, wouldn't that be something. I am only 25 a lot can happen," he said. "Any big goals for you? Chief engineer? Starship captain? Getting a ship design approved?"

"It's a perfect time for things to happen. I'm 25 as well and planning of big things to happen soon." Grayson ran his hands through his hair, feeling it starting to fall out of place. "I'd like to be a Chief one day, a while from now, once I have learned all I can in a post like this. Really though, I would be happy to keep working as I am, giving me time to work on some ship designs. Right now, I'm just doing shuttles and a few fighter concepts though."

"Oh that's neat," Elijah said. "Maybe you could show me your designs sometime." Though he was interested to see the designs, it was also a way to reach out in friendship, the two were sharing quarters after all.

"I'd love to." Grayson said, appreciating the extension of friendship. "at least, when we get all these tribbles out of here."

Again Elijah laughed. "Yeah, one step at a time here," he said.

They continued to walk, Elijah led Grayson down a few corridors and then the lift took them to another deck and another. "Do you have any hobbies or phobias or anything that I should know about?" He said, mostly joking, but the hobbies question was legit.

"Phobias, some use to say serious relationships at one time." Grayson joked along. "As for hobbies, I used to be a bit of a party boy, entertaining, drink making... but you won't need to worry about that. I won't do that while sharing with someone. I like to play the guitar sometimes, the piano as well." He trailed off for a second, "I like to write as well, but that is more of a stress relief thing...books and holonovels that will never see the light of day." Grayson snorted. He liked what he did with his writing, but liked to keep them quite private and personal, not that there was anything he was ashamed about them for, he just never felt them to be good enough for anyone other than himself to read or use. "What about you?" Grayson asked curiously, he was quite liking this walking tour, come, get to know you session.

Elijah was intrigued. "A party boy huh? There has to be stories with that," he said. "I have a creative side myself, I am an artist, or, well... try to be anyway. I had considered it for a career at one point but since I tend to lean more toward the practical, I joined Starfleet."

"Yeah, a few stories, some wild parties, a running joke of which boy... or boys would be on my arm at times." Grayson gave a sort of uncomfortable laugh, while he loved that time of his life, he wasn't always proud of it. "I'd love to see some of your work sometime. I bet you are really talented. You seem the type to be."

"Oh yeah? How can you tell?" Elijah asked. He was actually curious how Grayson came to that conclusion.

"I just get the vibe." Grayson replied. "Can't explain it, just seem to be." He smiled.

Elijah smiled. "You seem to be a pretty perceptive guy, I like that," he said. "It seems we are going to get along just fine." He went quiet for a moment then looked at the other man. "Just remember, if you decide to have a party, remember to invite me." He winked at the other man.

"Oh don't worry about that." Grayson winked back, a slight twinkle and a wonder of Elijah would ever be the fabled 'guy on his arm' like back in his Academy days. He certainly wasn't adverse to the idea of it. "And thanks, I do think we will get along fine as well. Well...maybe more than fine...I'm thinking more famously."

"I have to say I like that," Elijah said. He was glad he had a roommate he would be able to talk to and get along with. "So, do you have any questions for me. Or anything you want to know?"

"Nah, I think I will get to know all I need to over time." He resisted the urge to ask of his dinner plans or to go for a drink, it was too soon to let thoughts like that creep into his head. "You?" Grayson asked back.

Elijah shook his head. "I feel the same as you," he said as they continued to walk. He wasn't sure how often they would really see each other if they happen to be on different shifts or what not. But things would fall into place in due time. The tour continued on for a little while longer, the Galileo wasn't that big after all.

The tour ended on deck 7 in a large observation lounge. Callisto Bar was nice but the observation lounge was better. When not in use, it doubled as a crew rec area. "This is one of my favorite parts of the ship," he said. The lounge was dim, so it made the stars on the other side of the transparent aluminum viewports pop. "You can't beat the view."

Being in slight awe, Grayson lifted his jaw back to his face, "You are right there." He was so close to adding a 'well...almost' with a flirty wink. He was glad he didn't. "I would imagine a lot of people spend time here with views like that. I even think I could find a spot here to call my own."

Elijah smiled at that, somehow he got the feeling that Grayson would like it here. Engineers always seemed to be confined, how could they not like such a breath taking view. They stood there for a few moments, silent, just gazing out into the unknown. Lyshan III spun slowly below them, the planet looked so harmless from orbit. It was hard to believe all that was happening on the surface. But, he had suppose that was the case for any planet. From afar any planet would look serene, on the surface was always a different story. After another few moments of silence, Elijah turned to the other man. "So, that concludes the tour. I felt it was best to save the best for last," he said as he indicated the lounge with a sweep of his hand. "There is deck 8 but there is nothing really on that deck except escape pods, the landing ramp, warp core ejection, the antimatter storage pods, things like that." He then smirked, "Which would probably be right up your alley."

"Thanks," Grayson replied. "Yeah. I will probably spending a lot of time there anyway...damn tribbles and all." He smirked back, "It means a lot showing me about, you can only look at deck plans for so long, but once you are in a ship, it is a whole different matter." Deciding to joke and get flirty, he piped up, "So, back to your place or mine?" He laughed and added his usual addendum, "Kidding!"

Again, Elijah laughed, it was a good hearty, belly laugh. He placed a hand on the other man's broad shoulder. "I think you are right, we are going to get along famously." The two then left the observation lounge and headed back to the quarters they shared.

[OFF]

Lieutenant JG Elijah Williams, IV
Geologist
USS Galileo

&

Ensign Grayson Jones
Asst. Chief Engineering Officer
USS Galileo

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