Dusty Legends; Beginnings

Posted on 23 Oct 2012 @ 11:54am by Lieutenant Kiri Cho & Lieutenant Theron Rhodes

1,715 words; about a 9 minute read

Mission: Episode 02 - Resupply
Location: USS Galileo Deck 3, Ens. Rhodes quarters
Timeline: MD3 1900

[ON]

Having sent out her message and getting a few replies Kiri felt better about maybe leaving the ship when they were given shore leave. There was still little in the way of ideas other than what Pola had said, going to a nice bar. To Kiri that would be one that was quiet, clean, well lit and empty. Would the others be interested in that? She didn't know, so here went nothing. Having walked the short distance from her own quarters to Ensign Rhode's Kiri pressed the door chime very softly.

Theron sat at the table deep in thought, with a disassembled Type 3 Phaser Rifle with its parts covering the table, when the door chime activated. He almost ignored it, then focused on the moment and replied, "Come."

Finding his reply rather short Kiri considered for a second just leaving, not wanting to interrupt. She already had though, too late for that. The door swooshed open and she took a single step inside, "Sorry for the intrusion." Her black hair was tied back into its usual low pony tail, looking tired still but managing a slight smile.

Looking at Kiri framed in the doorway, Theron realized that he may have sounded a bit gruff. " I . . ah . . well, I am sorry for sounding so odd." looking down at the weapon parts before him. "I was a little distracted." Looking at her again he stood and said with a smile, "Please forgive me and come in."

"It's fine, don't worry," Still it was nice to hear him say it, that he didn't seemed to mind her being there. Being polite she entered, letting the door close behind her and took position in the middle of the room. While trying not to seem too intrusive she eyed the room taking it in, hers always seemed small compared to the other officers. Finally setting on the table, looking at the parts, "How, how are you doing?" Standing stock still, Kiri wasn't doing all that great, but she did her best to hide it.

Threron looked down at the table and tried to think of a distracting statement. He seemed to feel that she was not at her best, but did not want to intrude either. "I . . well . . am cleaning this weapon." he looked at Kiri, "Sometimes it is helpful for me, mentally, to be fully involved in a task, such as cleaning this weapon." He paused a moment, "I guess it is a way of therapy or maybe self examination." Without letting her respond he asked, "How are you?"

"I am fine," Kiri lied outright, she'd been having nightmares, having trouble sleeping in general and was still tired. For her working on sensors played the same role as the cleaning, for her it was more of a distraction than help. Remaining still she paused before adding, "When we have shore leave, is, there something you want to do?" The question felt invasive to her but the idea of being forced to do things alone scared her, she was also meant to be setting up events.

Theron had a sense that Kiri was not happy with some situation and was changing the subject. He smiled at her question, but did not answer right off. He stepped around the table and walked to the replicator. "Cold water with ice." he looked back at Kiri and asked, "Would you like anything?"

"No, thank you," She had just had two pints of water, any more would might make her feel rather sick. Her voice quiet, her frame shrinking slightly, he hadn't answered her question, did that mean he didn't want to do anything with her?

Theron walked over away from his table toward a two person sofa and sat down on one end and with the wave of his hand offered her a seat.

Perching herself on the edge of the seat Kiri took a deep breath, she was worried about how to act, what to do, what to say, what he would do and say. Trying to look contented, not worried, look most of her attention.

"Shore leave." Theron stated it more as a topic of interest rather than starting a sentance.

Snapping back at his words she looked startled, "Sorry, up, would you be interested in doing something?" Repeating herself she seemed somehow more nervous, it was like he was testing her.

After a moment he said, "I was considering doing some flying around the continent that the Vega colony is on. I heard that the scenery is very nice and calming." He took another sip of water and set the glass down and turned back to Kiri. "I would very much like some company on my little adventure. Would this interest you?"

Given how well it had gone with the ship, flying wasn't something she was all that keen on right now, it was hardly the best of times. Still, if it was pretty, it might be nice, to do something with someone. Taking a deep breath she nodded, "Yes, but," She didn't want to try to be changing his plans, "Does it need to be flying?" There was also the fact she needed to invite him to something.

Theron smiled real big without showing his teeth, as if holding back a laugh, then said, "I am sure we could get transported to the site, if you would rather." He then leaned forward, but not too far and softly said, "I heard that there had been some kind of military conflict with the Romulans, back about 2156. You never know. We might find something . . . with the right tools."

While heartened that there might be an option to transport rather than fly, the safer option, it was now turning to work in her mind. Lowering her own tone in a similar extend to Rhodes she spoke very softly, "If it is an expedition like that then I could ask Petty Officer Donati to set up a proper investigation, but it would fall under the Vega Civil Council rather than Starfleet." If it was important wouldn't someone have already set up projects like this, if not then it wasn't quite their place to be setting them up. Sinking back slightly she tried to work it out, "Or did you mean something else?"

Shaking his head slightly to the negative, Theron replied, "No, no. Definately something else. I was thinking of something more of an adventure, just fun. Work is definately not something I had in mind." He could not help but smile at her. It felt good to spend time with her. He then realized and hoped that she did not think that he was laughing at her or her decissions.

"Oh," Kiri shifted her knees before looking up to meet his eyes again. To her to do something like that but not do the best possible job of it, was a little strange. The fact he was smiling made her more comfortable though, that she wasn't making things difficult for him. Almost biting her cheek she went on, "I don't really know anything about adventures," Her childhood hadn't had any, neither had her teenage years.

"How about we plan this for day after tomorrow." He said confidently. "I should have things all done and set into motion. What do you say?" and he extended his hand 'to shake on the deal'.

Already there seemed to be a lot building up, even on the first day of their leave, balancing things to a time. At least that sort of management she was confident with, "If it is in the afternoon," she held out a small cold hand in a very loose shake, "I was wondering, if you would have a drink with some other crew, and me. Before we go?"

"Sure." Theron replied, "Sounds good to me."

Letting go Kiri settled back into her perch, "Okay," What now? Going with him after drinking with the others seemed fine, it was all sorted and didn't need to be talked about, it didn't seem like he knew anywhere to drink on the planet. So should she ask about his weapons, she hadn't had a lesson with Mor'an yet so maybe it was better not to ask.

Theron then glanced back to the table with the disassemble weapon, then back to Kiri, "I should probably reassemble my weapon. You can stay if you like."

Kiri wasn't used to being in other peoples rooms without other things to work on at the same time. So really the concept of hanging out anywhere other than a cafe was rather alien. There was some time she had to spare, it wouldn't hurt if he wanted her there. Trying and failing to relax slightly, "For a little while?"

As he walked around he table he added, "What ever makes you comfortable." and sat down. He laid his hands palms down on the table, looked at the weapon parts, and closed his eyes.

Kiri remained silent, barely breathing, watching him, then turning her attention to the weapon. Whatever he was doing, she didn't want to interrupt.

Theron had practiced this skill with many weapons over the years at the academy, even though he knew it has no practical use, except a good familiarization with weapons and self confidence. Without looking he began picking up pieces of the weapon and re-assembling it. His desire was not to be fast, but accurate. However, getting his time down to 34 seconds always put a smile on his face. Today was no exception.

Kiri watched with feigned interest as he put the weapon back together, it was an achievement, it just wasn't a very interesting one for her. Given an hour and a manual to check she could put together a rifle from the parts, it wasn't exactly the same as the tiny innards of a sensor unit though. Even at the best of times, that was about as technically minded she was in a physical sense. With a rather blank look she remained quiet, keeping her eyes on what he was doing, thinking it over. Would there ever be a situation that would require her to try that for real?

[OFF]

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Ensign Kiri Cho
Assistant Chief Science Officer
USS Galileo

&

Ensign Theron Rhodes
Asst. Chief of Security
USS Galileo

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