Another Visitor (Part 1)

Posted on 23 Dec 2012 @ 10:00am by Lieutenant Kiri Cho & Chief Warrant Officer 4 Cyrus Kiwosk

4,890 words; about a 24 minute read

Mission: Episode 02 - Resupply
Location: USS Galileo: Deck 2, Science Office/Messhall
Timeline: MD7 1232

[ON]

All Kiri really had to do now was set up the power distribution program she was writing. The basics were there but there were hundreds of simulations she had to run to test every possible setting with every possible failure. There could be nothing left out, it took a lot of time. At least it didn't take a huge amount of energy, that was something she was seriously lacking in lately. Thanks to her lack of sleep that had been ongoing for almost ten days now she looked exhausted. Prim and proper still with her hair in a loose single braid her face is what gave her away, her eyes. They gave her away more than anything, so tired, red and raw and always looking like she had been crying now.

Hot and cold flushes set though her as well as a general stale feeling, she felt sick. Watching the simulations run through felt like hard work, time was ticking slowly. When she close her eyes for more than a moment though, the memories of what happened shot though her. Jolting her back to the work, maybe she needed more coffee? It had been a crutch lately, keeping her awake and working, she hated it.

Cyrus had decided that he was going to stay around the deck 4 patrol today, just for a bit and let some of the alpha boys go early. He didn't really need to come into work or even take another shift, but figured he could deal with a little but of work in between his break. He was walking passed as he spotted was seemed to be a tired looking Lieutenant Cho working away on some kind of simulation and rolled his shoulder unconsciously. He felt guilty from the other day, he had been harsh on her, harsher than he had wanted in the first place. It wasn't often that he came across an officer that had confidence issues, nor someone that tried to hide them so well. If it wasn't for Cyrus's Miltary, martial and forensic trainings, he wouldn't have had any idea that there was something wrong. maybe she needs a little pick me up this afternoon Cyrus thought to himself as he walked in.

"Howdy Miss Cho. I trust all is well?" He drawled as he walking in. His muscled form seemed to fill the room, though it was more than large enough for the two of them. "How's the work?"

Kiri had started taking up a literal open door policy but wasn't expecting the security officer to take advantage of it. Looking up she squinted at first, the voice could only be one person though. Her tempter was short and he didn't help but calling her Miss instead of sir. Managing to hide it she forced a smile that almost worked, "Adequate, how are you Mr Kiwosk?"

He chuckled. "You're eyes Ma'am." He pointed out. "I'm sorry I disturbed you. I just wanted to apologize for the other day. Do you mind if I step in, as much as I enjoy talking to people in doorways..." He gestured.

Looking confused now Kiri nodded her head, "Please do, you aren't disturbing me." What was he going to be apologizing for? It would help if her head wasn't so fuzzy.

"The training exercise. I could see how nervous you were when you were holding the type three and I shouldn't have acted the way I did." He stepped inside, nodding his thanks and gratitude. "I was rash and didn't think about how you felt during that entire episode. For that I'm sorry."

"Oh," Kiri wasn't really expecting that. It was true that she had expected to take a more prominent role but she hadn't exactly done anything like that before. It had taken a path other than the one she had planed but it was still a success in what it aimed to do. The pressing problem now was how to act in repose. Staring glossy eyed for a few seconds she finally replied, "I, thank you. I am still sorry for being prejudiced towards you." She still was but less so now, the more she knew him the less scary he really was.

He shrugged. "Don't mention it, you're not the first to get an idea about the Marines and what we stand for. You certainly won't be the last." He watched her a couple moments as an awkward silence filled the room. "You look exhausted Miss Cho..." He said, concern on his face. "When's the last time you ate...or even slept

The concern worried her, she had to hide her current state better or she wouldn't be allowed to work any more. Swallowing she answered, "I slept at roughly zero three hundred hours and had breakfast at zero six ten," It wasn't a lie at all. She'd managed to get slightly more sleep last night than she did the one before. "There is still a lot of work to be done," As if that explained her state to any extent.

"You're not doing any favors running yourself ragged." He glanced at what she was working on and smiled. "Hey, lets go grab a bite to eat and a cup of coffee. It could do you some good." He smiled, the invite seemed innocent enough he hoped.

The coffee was an evil she would partake in, eating was something she had to force herself. Doing it with other people was something she should be trying to do. There was always the chance she would get what she was too afraid and ashamed to ask for. Closing down her work station she stood up, "Okay." Taking a few steps towards the door rather gingerly.

"Excellent!" He laughed and stepped aside to let her pass. As they walked down the hall Kiwosk ran a hand through his hair, scratching at the back of his head. "So what are you working on in there anyways?"

Failing to look very engaged Kiri answered, "The power supply programs for the updates to the sensor systems. I am testing it to see if it can comply to required standards." Her steps were small, not as fast as her normal march.

Cyrus whistled low. Impressed. "That sounds like it's important. Wish I had paid more attention back in the academy." He chuckled. He had slowed his pace to walk beside the Lieutenant. " You know, " Kiwosk began. " I meant what I said on the range the other day, I don't think that you really believed it, but it's true." He looked forward.

He had said a lot to her, her assumption was that he meant the part about her taking the third option. Still maybe not, stiffling a yawn with her hand she let out a slight squeak, "About Admiral Kirk?"

He nodded. "Yep, and the thing about being a good officer if you come out of you shell some more. " The turned the corner for the turbo lift and Kiwosk proceeded to lean on the lift's wall. "You have a talent for seeing what others can't. You would make a Starship Captain in my opinion." He paused.

"It was actually kind of why I spoke so out of turn, to try to get you make the hard decision of picking up the rifle and shooting or to leave it there." He added quietly "I just saw you working in the sensor room...thing, and I remembered how hard I was on you." He looked down at his feet. "Not to mention I spoke to a superior officer like she was a green horn." He added.

Stepping out of the lift Kiri gave a small smile, those same words again. She didn't know about seeing things other people didn't but she tried to put thought into what she did, didn't most people? Considering it in silence she started to walk towards the mess. The rest of what he said was much more accurate, "It might be a good idea to be more careful about that in the future, it might get you in trouble." Kiri didn't mean it as a threat but some general advice. "I think I understand how to use the rifle more now, I like the hand phaser better though."

Cyrus chuckled. "You're totally right Ma'am, I got caught up in the moment. Hence the apology." He paused momentarily, still walking beside Cho. "It won't happen again."

As she mentioned the rifle he chuckled. "Honestly, it should never have to get that point. So don't worry too much about needing it. Hand phasers should be enough. The do the job just as good." He shurgged and clasped his hands behind his head as he walked. "You've got a mean shot though for someone who wants to stun someone. Glad I don't have to fight you."

"I didn't make much of an account of myself when we were boarded," She had stunned two Klingons while hiding in cover on the bridge. That hadn't stopped people dying, lots of people. The mess hall wasn't far, she needed to start to think about what she was going to eat.

"I don't really know what happened, but I'm sure that you can't sell yourself short. Boardings, ground fighting...there will always be casualties, but even if you took down only one person. That's one less person that will hurt everyone else." He looked towards Kiri and heaved a shurg with the massive shoulders. "You do want you can with what you are given and you mold it into what you need it to be." Cyrus paused, only for his stomach to heave a massive rumble.

He looked at Cho and smiled. "I'm starved."

Ever since she had stuffed down that huge burger when she had dinner with Kohl, Kiri didn't really like eating all that much. It was chore again rather than something fun in her current state. Entering the messhall she noted that there weren't that many people around, that the table she liked near the back was empty. Rice, something sweet and coffee, her mind was made up. Turning to the much larger man she asked, "Shall we sit over there?"

"Sounds good to me, I really don't mind. Whereever you like."

Walking towards the replicator slowly she turned to him again, "I disagree. If you don't have what you need, you need find a way to get it or change your plan. At least in general." She wasn't really sure if she could be debating things but making the most sounded to her like giving up.

"You've got the right idea...sometimes you need to change your plan in order to attain whatever your trying to get..." He began replicating several sandwiches. "And you're right that you need to find away." He adjusted his plate. "There is always a third option, no matter where you look for it. When you are low on options; however, you need to be able to use what you have and make it work. Whether that's on the battlefield or in the engineering room. "

He waited patiently for Kiri to get her food. "For example, if you're understaffed and there's multiple electrical failures, you need to make sure you fix the problem with what you have." He explained.

"I know that is true sometimes, but I haven't really seen that need yet." Even when the ship was half destroyed by the Klingons Kiri didn't make do with what she had. She had gone a fixed the sensor systems, organised the department that wasn't really trained to do so and help with their escape. With the scenario given, didn't you just repair the faults in order of importance or danger?

"Small Mochi selection, large black coffee." Her plate that appeared had several small, brightly coloured ricecakes of a few different flavours, the coffee steamed and made her feel sick. Holding one in each hand she looked slightly surprised at his plate, even if he was bigger.

Kiwosk shrugged. "I can only go on what I've had to do. I'm sure that you and everyone else had to do what was necessary in order to keep this ship alive." He saw her surprise while looking at his plate and chuckled. "I..uh...like to eat you see..." He attempted to justify the amount of food on his plate to the Assistant Science Officer.

"So how long have you been in Starfleet Miss Cho? I always like to get to know new friends." He asked, taking a bite into one bacon, tomato sandwich.

Taking her favourite seat that kept her back to the room and her front to the stars Kiri answered, "Three years and three weeks, two weeks here on the ship." What surprised her was that he considered her a friend, she didn't really consider him more than an acquaintance.

"Wow, not very long then...is that including Academy time?" He really couldn't say much himself, having only two years of combat experience and three years of academy training, but it was good to know that he wasn't the only one that was relatively new to Starfleet.

"Yes," She nodded, trying to gauge his reaction to that.

He shrugged. "I've been in too long, a total of five years if you include my academy training. Three of that was to get my dual certification in security and the Marines." He finished his sandwich on the third bite and took a large gulp of coffee before starting his second sandwich, a turkey club with extra bacon.

Kiri didn't really think there could be a too long. She'd set her goals at the top, she didn't have anything else to plan for. With luck in five to seven years time, she would be Captain. Then one day an Admiral and then one of the leading officers at Starfleet Scientific Command. That would take most of her life, but if he had different goals then, "Why do you consider it too long?"

He chuckled grimly. "It's not and it is at the same time. My first two years were active duty on the SFMC on board a Galaxy. They were tasked to eliminate wannabe Dominion diehards. I..." He stopped as memories crept into his mind. "I saw some things, that are better left unsaid." He blinked and rolled his shoulder slightly, though it was awkward to do at best due to the sitting position.

"I have to say you got quite the mind to be able to analyze everything you do so fast, it took me a year and a half to gauge my shots the way you did, it was almost instinct." Cyrus knew that it took a lot of brain power to line up shots the way she did, or to out think an opponent. Kiwosk couldn't put his finger on it, but he knew that Cho was more than a simple timid officer fresh out of the academy.

"It is mathematics," Kiri answered rather sheepishly, "I know the hight of the target, so I can work out how far away it is. The gravity and curvature of the planet don't really matter at those ranges, there is almost no drop off." Picking up the brown ball of rice gluten she bit it in half, despite it being bite size for normal people. As she expected it was peanut butter on the inside and now she struggled slightly to crew it.

Cyrus nodded. "You seemed to the thinking type." He stopped to chuckle at Kiri's peanut butter ball. "I do that all the time. The peanut ones are my favourite." He took another bit of his sandwich before continuing. "And you're right, it's all mathematics, to be able to do the math in a short period of time is something impressive all on it's own. "

Kiri raised her hand to her mouth as she chewed and it was almost a minute before she could reply. Finishing with a gulp of coffee that made her shudder she answered, "Lots of people can do the mathematics, at least in my classes, most won't see combat situations though, I hope." Taking a deep breath she finished the second part without chewing, attempting to bypass getting it stuck in her mouth.

Cyrus nodded. "Very true, and if I have anything to say about it, they won't even need to look at a phaser." He stated. He finished his second sandwich, eying his third eagerly. "What got you into Starfleet if you don't mind my asking?"

That was something she had only told Kohl so far, it was silly but there wasn't a better reason she could think of, "I wanted to discover new stars and different consolations, to do that I needed a ship. I worked really hard to be on a Nova class with the best sensors," Turning rather red and feeling that the coffee was starting to get to her she looked down at her plate. A green one next, green tea, apple, or maybe, lime would be nice. No she had to focus, "Why did you join?"

Cyrus replicated a second coffee. For a minute he was quiet, not looking at Kiri for what seemed to be an abnormally long time. Finally, he began. "My brother...Osric, he was the eldest of my family." He sighed and looked up smiling sadly. "He joined the SFMC, got to sergeant when he was KIA during a mission during the Dominion. They said he held the line by himself against a Dominion section attack. Saved everyone...so they told us." He placed his hands on the warm mug and chuckled sadly.

"When we were told the news, Fernandez had come in person...Fernandez was the MCO at the time...I wa maybe 13...14? I don't really remember.
"What I do remember though, is that from that moment I was going to join Starfleet and make sure that I did whatever I could so no more parents, or siblings or friends would have to hear obituaries until they all died a nice ripe old age." He laughed softly, drumming his fingers against the ceramic mug. "An unrealistic goal, I know. But I like to think that I've been able to save the lives of a lot of people." He took a small sip of the still hot coffee.

"It's what keeps me going, what keeps me fighting the good fight as they like to say in the Marine Corps."

Kiri didn't much like that answer. Surely becoming a diplomat or a doctor would have served that purpose better. She was worry that his brother died, being put off her food for a moment she watched him. They had already talked about protecting people using violence the day before, "I see." The words were quiet, there wasn't really anything more she could add to that.

He looked and and chuckled. "I'd hate to sound like I'm just a one trick pony, though. Enough about me and they my reasons. They are all pretty non original anyways." He took a sip of coffee and sighed. "It's amazing how Starfleet was able to put the Galileo together as she did. It's amazing to be part of the leading science vessel of its time eh?" He learned back and relaxed, sipping his coffee.

"Yes," Kiri smiled. Really she was amazed that she'd made it so far on the first try. Taking a bite of the next morsel she washed it down with another unpleasant gulp of coffee.

Kiwosk took note that it was the first time Kiri had started smiling that he knew of. At least it was a start. "I noticed you cringe everytime you drink your coffee. Not exactly your favorite thing?" he asked.

"I hate it," She answered on reflex, the smell made her sick and the taste was just terrible. Sweet and sour she liked but she didn't have any of that here, just horrible hot water filled with caffeine.

He chuckled. "Yeah it's an acquired taste, one would even say it's a necessary evil." He sighed. "What do you normally take in it? You know you can add sugar to sweeten it up a little...makes the bitterness not as apparent. " He suggested.

Kiri thought about it for a moment, no she had enough sugar in her system right now as it was. Shaking her head she met his eyes for once, "I just need to stay awake a little, the taste helps with that." Having her taste buds assaulted did have that effect, she couldn't well go to sleep with that taste in her mouth.

"I know that feeling. This stuff is pretty awful. I wonder how it ever became popular..." He shrugged and took another sip. "You'll get used to the taste eventually." He chuckled, before going for his last sandwich.

"It seems like I'm always asking the questions...I don't think that's really fair to you Miss Cho. Ask away I'm an open book."

What questions to ask? Family was covered and something she felt uncomfortable asking any more about. His work, she didn't think he would be allowed to talk about his work to her. What did that leave? She didn't really know enough about him to ask questions so after dismissing a few she ended up with, "Do you have any hobbies?"

He took a bite of sandwich and chewed thoughtfully, swalllowing before answering. "Well I like to cook, I practice martial arts pretty regularly...as a hobby, not to hurt people. It keeps me in shape." He explained. "I enjoy jazz music, like old school kind of jazz, like Knat King Kol and the like, have you ever heard of them?" He asked. He toiok another bite of his sandwich and chewed quickly before swallowing. "What about you? Any hobbies other than staying up late and drinking horrible coffee?" He asked.

Kiri noticed how far behind she was with eating compared to him but she physically couldn't let herself eat something instead of talking, "I like astronomy, mathematics and I've started learning about martial arts." Granted it had only been one lesson but it was something she wanted to do more of.

He raised an eyebrow at the last hobby of hers. "Really? Any particular preference? What style are you learning?"

"Oh, um," Well now she felt stupid, "I don't actually know, Cadet Mor'an didn't tell me what it was called."

Cyrus chuckled and waved her off. "Mor'an...Mor'an..." He tried to place a face to the name with little success. Suddenly his eyes lit up. "The Cadet! I saw her once at the gym, mean streak in that one. I'd say she knows her stuff." He chuckled. "She could probably beat me four different ways before I could blink." He shrugged. "Don't worry about knowing or not knowing, that's one of the best parts. When you finally understand a form of martial arts you can work other elements of other martial arts a that suit you, in the end, if you really wanted, you can develop a style that is totally unique and your own." He finished his second coffee and smiled. "It's pretty interesting how it all works out." He set his mug down and sighed.

"I shouldn't keep you too too long, you do have work to do and I do have securing that needs done." He chuckled again. "Don't be a stranger hey? If you ever need a break and I'm duty, swing by the office and will grab a cup of awful coffee." He joked, laughing at his own joke.

Kiri managed another smile, it was good to have someone else she could share a meal with. She still didn't know if she liked him or not yet, at least she didn't dislike him. She still had a lot of her small meal left, "I will do so, thank you." Giving a small tired smile,it was nice he came to find her.

"I hope so. Honestly, getting out of the workplace is good every once and a while, you should try it some time." He smiled. "I'm normally on Beta shifts, if you need anything when I'm off, just buzz. I'm good had lifting things." He chuckled. He finished the sandwich in a single bite and washed it down with coffee before placing the tray in the Disposal.

Kiri watched, still not even halfway through her own much smaller meal. Everyone always finished long before she did, she didn't think that she ate slow. They all talked while they ate though, she felt that was rude to do. Pouting very slightly she answered, "I will, soon." When she didn't know but there were lots of things she had to do right now, the sensors weren't yet finished.

Cyrus sat back down and leaned in his chair. "Don't mind me, just cleaning up." He sighed. "If I don't get rid of the tray I'll feel like I have to keep eating."

"Oh," Kiri was left to wonder why he was staying, the meal was over. Did that mean he was staying just because he wanted to talk to her? It wouldn't have been rude to leave, would it? Thinking about it she forgot to eat for several seconds before flinching when she remembered. Placing a whole strawberry Mochi in her mouth she realised now she couldn't talk. Chewing quite hard she finally asked, "Do you like the people in your department?" Now she was really clutching at straws to talk about.

Cyrus chuckled. "They're good people, I've worked with worse, though in the SFMC that isn't a long stretch. " He smiled. "I didn't want to be rude Kiri, I noticed I had you talking so much that you hardly touched your meal." He yawned, waiting for the effects of the coffee to wake him up. "Besides, I know I don't really like eating alone." He rubbed the back of his neck before continuing. "So there must be a tale behind your rapid promotion!" He said. "How does someone go from Ensign to Lieutenant Junior Grade in less than a year?" He knew he had no room to talk considering his own rapid promotions, but he wanted to hear the story. Kiri was shy, but seemed friendly enough.

Kiri was surprised that he noticed, no one else seemed to. Glad that he liked his department she smiled but he didn't say anything about individuals, it might be impolite to ask. As for the story, was there one? It wouldn't take long, "Three weeks, I graduated the Academy three weeks ago." It sure felt a lot longer than that, "I was second in my science classes and in the top five percent for the others. A few days after I arrived Lieutenant Barel was Chief Science Officer and as I was one of two other commissioned officers in the department she chose me to be her assistant. When she became," What was the right way to say it, "Unable to carry out her duties, I became acting department head until Lieutenant Panne arrived."

Kiwosk was impressed, very few people could make the sudden jump from simple ensign to the acting head of a department. "Not too shabby ma'am." He drawled. "You must be proud to have jumped so fast so soon."

"Yes," But she didn't show it. It hadn't really sunk in that much and it didn't make that much of a difference, her job title came first, other than the fact she had to call less people sir. Overall though it didn't feel like she had earned it, yes she had worked on Sienna and done her best to keep the sensors online, even fought in a battle. Leading a department through that time, did it really make her worth that much more? "I have a lot more work to do to really earn it."

"Don't we all. " Cyrus mumbled off handedly. His own bump to CWO had come at quite the prejudice. People often assumed he had been the son of some important admiral or had been granted special permissions. It was a constant struggle to prove that he had earned his Stripes. " Well, I think that you are doing a fine job so far. Once you come into your own, you will really be a force to be reckoned with. " He smiled genuinely, before looking at the time set on the mess hall. "I have to get going Kiri, my break is almost over. Sorry I have to ditch you with your lunch still unfinished. " He frowned realising he had kept her again from her meal with his talking.

Saying goodbye for a second time Kiri nodded, "Thank you, I don't mind." A meek and slightly forced smile spread thinly across her face for a few seconds before dropping, "I look forward to next time." She really needed to find more things to talk about, he wouldn't be interested in talking about Romluan history would he?

As Cyrus left he chuckled to himself. Kiri was...different, but it was her shyness that made her so awkward. Something to think about . Kiwosk thought to himself as he made the long trek back to the Security Department.

[TBC]
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CWO Kiwosk
Security/Tactical Officer
USS Galileo

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

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