Mess Meeting

Posted on 16 Mar 2015 @ 9:34pm by Lieutenant Benice Gyce Ph.D.
Edited on on 17 Mar 2015 @ 4:44pm

907 words; about a 5 minute read

Mission: Episode 08 - NIMBUS
Location: USS Galileo - Mess Hall
Timeline: MD -03: 1200 Hours

[ON]

The mess was a decent enough place to go, in order to allow some of the other security officers time to use the small office area. That was where Gyce set up her computer to watch some of the feeds. Mostly the key areas and corridors. And as ever, she had a search algorithm going on Seleya's movements.

It had been a while since the Romulan tripped any alarms, and maybe that was a good thing. It at least settled Gyce's worries enough to allow her a moment of relaxation. Sitting in front of her computer with a bowl of hasparat and an iced jumja tea. Quite heavenly, really.

Carrying his tray containing his lunch, Wintrow stood in the middle of the mess, scanning the area for a vacant table. He was hungry and yet in a way, had no stomach for food lately. The plate held a small pie-like structure which upon closer look could be identified as Haggis. On the side, he had a mug of hot milk and some pudding. He sighed as there seemed to be no room, though a table nearby held only one person and there were several seats vacant.

Drawing a deep breath, he approached the lone officer in yellow and worked up the courage to talk to her. "Ma'am?" he asked, his voice shaking, "is this seat taken?"

"Not at all, Cadet." Gyce gestured to the empty seats. Then took a bite of her lunch as she watched the monitor. "I normally eat lunch a bit later, as this is a very busy time to eat."

"So it is," Wintrow murmured more to himself than to her as he plunked his tray on the table and sank down in one of the seats. "Thank you, I don't usually seem to sit with people....too lowly in rank I suppose."

"This is a science ship, Cadet." Gyce looked at him with a smile. "Not much in the way of military culture, I don't think."

"It is a small vessel," Wintrow had to agree as he cut his food in half, and then sliced off a smaller portion to put into his mouth. "And gossip does travel quick, too quick sometimes I feel." He chewed thoughtfully, savouring the taste of his favourite food. "Are you in security, engineering or OPS ma'am?" he asked carefully, not wanting to offend her. But she was in yellow and that meant one of three things. And he knew some of the crew, but by far not all of them. That and he'd spent some time in sickbay after shoreleave, and generally lately kept mostly to himself.

"Security," Gyce offered with a smile. "Lieutenant Benice. Ship's detective, really. And what are you training to be, Cadet?"

"I'm Wintrow, or Win if you like." He smiled but didn't offer his hand. "I'm a pilot ma'am though I'm also trying to cross train in other departments." He watched her reaction as he continued. "A detective, like Sherlock Holmes? Really? That is so...awesome."

"Cross-training can be helpful. Any idea what you're interested in trying?" Gyce asked, then took another bite of her hasparat.

"Well...so far I've been learning bits and pieces all over the place, though I've been concentrating on engineering because I want to be able to maintain whatever craft I fly. And I'm trying out science too, because I want to be able to interpret the readings my sensors are showing me. But I also need to learn about weapons....and self defense."

"I'm a registered sniper," Gyce admitted. "But I prefer building bombs. Can't really offer a whole lot of self-defense advice."

"I'm not sure being a sniper is useful as a pilot, though...what if I crash land? I have to be able to fire from a concealed position right?" The boy looked thoughtful. "Would you be able to teach me the basics? I do have good hand-eye coordination."

"When you crash land, especially in hostile areas, your primary goal is to evade. And with a sniper rifle, you'll find yourself in a far better position against foes on foot, trying to find you." Gyce gave a pause before she added, "They have to close the distance. And if you're shooting from range, you can take many of them out with ease."

"Would you be able to teach me?" the boy asked hopefully. It was a useful skill to have even though he hoped to never have to crash land for real.

"I can, sure. Just let me know when you're free," Gyce offered.

"I'm on alpha shift so anywhere after 1400 ma'am," Wintrow replied without hesitation, "but I've never fired a rifle before and I've barely had any hand weapons training so far."

"I'd say an hour a day after your shift then," Gyce agreed. "We'll start with basic firearms before we move to the long range rifles."

"Today?" Wintrow asked hopefully, "can we start today? Please?"

"We can. Call me once you are off duty and I'll set up a spot to shoot," Gyce promised.

"I'll do that ma'am. Thank you so much!" The tone of his voice implied that he was truly grateful, as if he wasn't used to any kind of kindness.

"You're welcome," Gyce smiled back at him, and continued her meal.

[OFF]

Cadet SO Wintrow Paragon
Support Craft Pilot
USS Galileo
[PNPC T'Vanna]

Lieutenant JG Benice Gyce
Security Investigations Officer
USS Galileo

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