Pre-Mission 1: Drydock

Starfleet Headquarters, Reassignment Office
San Francisco, Earth
Day 1, 0900 Hours

ON:

Laren hated Earth, well not Earth exactly, but she certainly didn't like any of the fowl plants that lived on it. Every time she came here she always broke out in sneezing fits, that would have made people ask if she was pregnant on Bajor. But if she were on Bajor she wouldn't be sneezing in the first place.

"Why do they have to open up all the halls and let the allergens in,"She muttered to herself in between fits. The Environmental Controls for the complex were supposed to correct for that, but they never had from Laren's perspective, not at Starfleet H.Q, the Academy,not the little Bistro tucked between the two.....

She had to admit though that the view wouldn't have been quite as good if they enclosed the hallways, and if there was one plus to San Francisco that Laren had learned it was definitely the view, especially of the Golden Gate bridge at sunset.

The Office of Captain James Bamford however was (Thankfully) enclosed and as Laren strode through the door into the office, she noticed the urge to sneeze had dropped markedly.
"Lieutenant Commander Raiya reporting for duty sir,"She said crisply to the human man with graying brown hair sitting at the metal-gray desk in the office. She quickly stood at attention as well, not wanting to give a poor impression to the man who (literally) controlled her future in Star Fleet.

"Have a seat Commander,"Bamford replied with a smile, dropping the Lieutenant at the beginning of her rank, like so many people did out of convenience. It still made Laren swell with pride every time she heard it.

Thank you sir,"She replied with a nod of her head that made the earring she wore to symbolize her faith in the Prophets, jingle, as she made her way to the black-blue chair across from the Captain.

"So,"Bamford started slowly as he picked a PADD up off his desk,"I see here you've applied for your first Command...."

"Yes sir,"Laren replied, not entirely sure if he was really asking her, or being rhetorical.

"Well Congratulation's Commander you've been approved by the Power's that be,"Bamford replied with a wide smile," And after you gather your ship and crew you may be able to shave the Lieutenant portion of your rank off that."

Laren was ecstatic. Who wouldn't be? But she kept her enthusiasm from bubbling over, and instead offered the Captain an impish smile, and her cheeks turned a bright red color. She'd never been able to keep them from giving away her emotions, but she didn't let it bother her in this instance.

"Thank you sir, what ship if I may ask?,"Laren asked hesitantly, hoping Bamford hadn't been saving the worst news for last, as humans loved to do for some inexplicable reason.

"The Perseus, she's a new Explorer Class in the Fleetyards over Oakland, you can go take command any time, today even if you feel up to it, just them this,"Bamford replied," After you take command you have a week to gather elements of your new crew before you head out to the Union Gateway in the Raeya Sector, and from there to Starbase 900 where Commodore Jensen will give you your orders, something scientific I think."

Laren took the PADD from him, mulling over what he had just told her. An Explorer Class was a choice assignment, hell it was a damn fine one, especially one fresh off the Shipyards.
But why in the name of the Prophets do they want me to escort a bunch of scientists around?, She thought. Laren had never been good at science, and whenever Officers from that Department and Medical talked to her most of what they said went straight over her head. Well I suppose if we're exploring the Frontier they need people of all stripes, especially ones who know how to handle a hostile situation....

If there was one thing Laren did know it was how to handle a hostile situation. Growing up during the Occupation of Bajor, serving during the Dominion War, playing tag with Romulans after the war, she had that base covered.

"Dismissed Miss Raiya,"Bamford growled at her. Laren had been completely unaware that she was still sitting in the mans Office while she had been lost in her reverie, and turned to see another Officer waiting just outside.

"Yes sir, Thank you sir,"Laren said quickly as she rushed out the door.

Now let's go see what an Explorer looks like....and figure out what a Perseus is and why there's a ship named after it....

OFF:

Not the longest starting post in the world, but I hope it gets everything across well. Feel free to post now! If you want to do a JP for coming on board just ask, and watch the time we're at dock for at least four in character days, with a max of seven and today is day one!

Starfleet Headquarters, Department of Personnel & Awards
San Francisco, Earth
Day 1, 0930 Hours

"Please, Lieutenant, have a seat." Commodore Sampson Foster gestured to one of the two empty chairs positioned at an angle opposite of a rather large, regal appearing desk. As instructed, Arunjezeb gladly slipped onto the nearest proffered chair, its stiff contours providing exceptionally unique support that helped to put one's body at ease. He was nervous, to say the least, and sitting had alleviated the continued shaking of both knee's. It wasn't on a regular occurrence, he surmised, that a lowly Lieutenant was personally invited to Starfleet Headquarters by the Assistant Director of Starfleet's Personnel and Awards. Rather, he guessed and had prior experience in working with the upper echelon's support staff. To have been summoned by the Commodore meant one of two scenarios were about to occur; one, he was having some form of disciplinary action brought against him and the need for a more formal, official setting was necessitated; or, two, that his next assignment warranted the Commodore's personal attention. Regardless, Arunjezeb was beyond any recognizable sign of 'at ease'; in fact, the blatantly panicked expression and general lack of any color in his face had the Commodore inwardly chuckling. He had that affect on people.

"How are you doing, Mr. Ameen?" Foster inquired thoughtfully, hints of genuine interest retained within.

Arunjezeb simply lifted his shoulders, "Oh, I'm fine. Thank you, Sir." The understatement of the moment.

Foster eyed the Lieutenant for a long moment, a gesture that made Arunjezeb feel even more uneasy; he was being scrutinized and assessed, for what purpose and to what end, Arunjezeb still didn't know.

Deciding that perhaps smalltalk wasn't the most appropriate method of approach with the Lieutenant, Foster elected to hold all other questions for a later time and simply proceeded with the business at hand. "Very good to hear, Lieutenant." He replied. "After reviewing your service jacket, it appears you've garnered a great deal of experience in the filed, within a rather short period of time. Wouldn't you agree?" The question was rhetorical, so Arunjezeb responded with a simple nod of the head. "You spent approximately eight years serving within the engineering field on board the Horatio, making quite a name for yourself as you slowly worked you way up the ranks from a damage control specialist to the position of assistant chief engineering officer. Then you spent almost a year on board the Minoru as its chief engineering officer with a quick promotion to second executive officer, shortly after arriving on board. During this, almost ten year time period, you've earned numerous meritorious commendations, letters of recommendations from superior officers as well as promotions in rank." Foster recounted Arunjezeb's service jacket from memory, which intrigued the Lieutenant, causing a rather curious expression to replace the previous one of total and utter fear.

"That's quite a successful Starfleet career, wouldn't you say, Lieutenant?" This question was not rhetorical, however.

In truth, although he had enjoyed his career up and to this point, Arunjezeb had always thought his progress was slightly more stunted than several of his peers, those whom he had graduated with from Starfleet Academy; in fact, one or two of them were already settling into a higher rated position within the command division. Yet, in a way, Arunjezeb accepted that his progress had been slowed simply due to his skill set, experience and value as an engineer. Prior to his reassignment to the Minoru, he'd been actively recruited by several different duty-stations; which, in a way, spoke very highly of him.

"Yes, Sir, I suppose so." It was a modest reply, one that Foster was quite accustomed to hearing, and it pleased him. Too many time's this same conversation would occur and some Officer with an ego-induced coma would make some kind of airhead reply that would piss him off entirely. He appreciated modesty, it made him preen.

"We would agree with your simple and modest reply as well." Foster finally replied after a few moments of silence had elapsed. We've been carefully reviewing your service with Starfleet's Corps. of Engineer's and believe that your natural skills set as a leader could be utilized in another capacity within the fleet. Because of this, your service jacket now comes with our seal of approval for a rapid promotion to the position of duty-station executive officer." Foster paused, contemplating his next words before continuing. "Our records indicate that you are bridge and command level trained and that your experience in the field certainly affirms the prospect of moving into such a position."

"Sir," Arunjezeb replied, a look of horrid confusion adorning the handsome features of his face. "I don't understand, surely there's been some kind of mistake. I've only recently started to garner a small amount of experience as a second executive officer. You, yourself, just said that I've only been in such a position for less than a year. Surely, there are others more qualified than I to move into a command level position." He concluded, flabbergast.

Foster smiled widely, "you'd be correct, Mr. Ameen; however, you're quite the rising star whose reputation precedes you. Many of those you speak of have grown stagnant in their respective assignments, not willing to put forth the extra-bit of effort required to be formally recognized. However, for reasons I've previously stated, you've stood out amongst your peers, many of those more seasoned than yourself. Time of service isn't the singular aspect we look at when considering an officer for promotion; rather, your achievements and in-service recognitions are taken into account. After all, it's not uncommon for an ensign to remain an ensign for an extended period of time simply because they grow comfortable and content. One needs to truly consider all aspects and attributes of an officer's term of service in conjunction with their time of service." Again, Foster paused before continuing. "Whether you believe you're ready or not, we're telling you that you are."

Arunjezeb didn't say a word, he was much too stunned to even form a coherent sentence. Rather, he chose to actively listen to what the Commodore said and allow those words to sink in and be digested.

"Now, I've taken the liberty of arranging an interview with the commanding officer whom recently assumed captaincy of the USS Perseus, her name is Lieutenant Commander Raiya Laren. She's expecting to rendezvous with you at the Oakland Shipyards where the Perseus is currently docked. From what I understand, she's quite a handful, so I wish you the best of luck with your interview. I've just opened a door for you Lieutenant, it's now your duty to ensure you embrace the opportunity and secure the promotion." Foster handed a data PADD to Arunjezeb which contained all of the pertinent information about the possibly assignment and Commander Raiya; tentatively accepting the data PADD, Arunjezeb simply sat there for a long moment, completely and utterly dumbfounded.

"Good luck, Mr. Ameen. Dismissed."

(Tag: None)

[OFF:]

Ameen OOC: So, Mon Capitan, are you up for a joint post or two?!

|USS Perseus
|Chief of Flight Ops' Quarters

"Okay, okay, I'm getting up!"

Evan gurgled and threw his hand up on his bedstand, whacking it randomly in an attempt to find the button on alarm now blaring at him loudly. After six whaps his sore palm finally located the snooze function and activated it, silencing his alarm as he pushed himself up and out of bed.

"Jeez, do you have to yell at a guy so rudely?", he whined at the machine. The Spengler clan had a long history of animosity towards alarm clocks, something that had without question carried over and integrated into Evan's personality. He gave the device one more nasty glare before pulling on a shirt and walking over to the food replicator.

"Really, really black coffee, and a strudel," he ordered. The computer beeped in acknowledgement and replicated his breakfast, but no sooner had he picked up the sustenance than did he notice the time. Five minutes ago he was supposed to have reported to the bridge to begin his shift at the helm, and at the moment was still in his pajamas starting breakfast.

"Why didn't you yell at me louder?", Evan groaned at his alarm as he set the coffee down on a table and stuffed the entire strudel into his mouth at once. No time for pleasantries-he quickly threw on his duty uniform, grabbed his beverage and hurried out the door, immediately proceeding to the nearest turbolift.

"Bridgh," Evan ordered with his mouth full, gulping down the last of his breakfast as the turbolift began speeding towards the bridge. As he washed down the meal with a swig of coffee, the pilot made a mental note to never, ever, under the threat of death by repeated viewings of Redneck Zombies, eat a strudel in that manner again.

No sooner had he finished off the cup then did he arrive on the bridge, now currently occupied by two officers, one at tactical and another at the science station. Evan let out a huge sigh of relief and let the calm flow over him, striding over to the helm with a much more relaxed mood. 

"Crisis averted," he said with a small sigh of contentment as he assumed his station.

[On:]

Oakland Shipyards, Central Terminal
Stationary Orbit, Earth
Day 1, 1045 Hours

Unlike shipyards such as Utopia Planetia or Antares, which were iconic in-of-themselves, Oakland Shipyards, on the other hand, was more along the lines of a sleepy space port. This was most likely due to the fact that Oakland was hardly used any longer due to its relative age, lagging technological abilities and failing health considering its age. Now mostly used for the administrative needs and clinical whims of Starfleet Academy, most other starships were often assembled, refit and upgraded at more contemporary shipyards within the sector, such as Utopia Planetia which orbited Mars.

However, on this particular day, the general level of activity within the central terminal was quite a bit more noticeable than on any average day; so much so, in fact, that it had drawn the attention of several permanently assigned personnel, whose wayward vigilance lingered over the central terminal as personnel, cargo and supplies came and went at a steady pace. This, Arunjezeb, credited to the fact that the station currently had within reach of its docking boons, an Explorer-class starship by the designation of Perseus. Infantile in its own existence, the Perseus had been with Oakland for the better part of three months while it underwent final systems configurations and checks shortly after a one year shakedown tour-of-duty with an SCE skeleton crew. Put through her paces, it was determined that the Perseus was more than ready to be integrated into the fleet and could assume active status.

And 'active status' was the singular reason for Arunjezeb's presence on the main platform of the central terminal. He'd been waiting for well over fifteen minutes for the arrival of Lieutenant Commander Raiya, but had yet to actually see her among the throngs of personnel now offloading through the twelve airlock egresses. He'd checked with the computer and confirmed her arrival by means of the Danube-class runabout Penobscott, which had supposedly docked at port seven five minutes ago. Of the twelve registered passengers, only six had disembarked, all of them males; the Lieutenant Commander, unfortunately, had yet to appear. Waiting patiently, he stood upon tippy-toes, attempting to look above and around a large group of personnel whom had suddenly thought it best to camp out in front of the Lieutenant.

"How bloody-well annoying." He muttered under his breath.

Laren stepped out of the Penobscott and onto the deck of the Oakland Fleet-yards, with a yawn. She'd decided to take a short nap on the Runabout, since she doubted any sleep would find her tonight as she started life as a Commanding Officer. Heck even getting to sleep on the Runabout had been a challenge. After stretching her arms she started walking again, and checked the small PADD that Bamford had given her, to make sure it was still okay. She pushed her way through a gaggle of Officers, and saw one near them looking slight ridiculous trying to look over the group at the Runabout's docking port. She took a seat at a bare metal bench with little holes in it, that was conveniently close to the docking port, but far enough to avoid most of the crowds. She turned to the small PADD in her left hand and started to read it in detail

The PADD said that the Perseus was docked at the Yards, and Oakland being old enough to remember the launch of the first wave of Excelsior's, was only big enough to handle a single ship at a time. Laren stopped reading for a second to look up from the PADD, and through the giant windows (really just parts of the station with a shaped hole, and a force-field) and could see the outer edge of the Perseus's Saucer section dominating the view. Laren flashed a quick smile before returning to her PADD; the Yards may not be that impressive, but they made her ship look far grander than reality.

The docking airlocks leading to the Perseus were just past the central terminal and opened up on the ships seventh deck (Somewhere in the Neck, or Saucer if Laren remembered right), and like Bamford had said she had seven days to pull the ship out of dock. After that another ship needed the space.
"I guess I should arrange for my furniture, and the like to be moved soon,"She observed. After all if she had a new office, she'd need to have stuff to display in it, not to mention the fact she'd need to set up a mini-shrine to the Prophets somewhere. Unless there were enough Bajorans on the ship to warrant a full blown temple that was the best she was going to be able to do, but she'd done with worse in the past.

Laren had been so absorbed in her orders PADD, that she didn't even notice the man who had been standing on his toes before approaching her, and was a bit startled when she looked up and saw him standing near her.

"Hello,"Laren said with a smile."Can I help you...?"

Arunjezeb closely observed three more personnel disembark the Penobscot, yet again, though, he'd yet to sight Lieutenant Commander Raiya. What had become more of an annoyance was that the group of people standing in front of him had started to swell and was now causing a backlog of transients to bottleneck, hindering his line of site further. Glaring at the group, the Lieutenant said just loud enough for the nearest of them to hear, "hell, get out of the bloody way will you!" His voice was never louder than his standard speaking voice, but it carried an authoritative tone that conveyed the very annoyance felt inwardly. Several members of group turned to address him, glaring preemptively before noticing the very reason as to why he had grown unnecessarily nettled.

Moving away towards a less occupied area of the central terminal, Arunjezeb allowed the feeling of annoyance to subside, thinking it rather silly in allowing himself to become marginally more emotionally invested in the situation than it actually warranted. However, with his attention diverted, he'd not noticed the last remaining occupants of the runabout disembark and start to meander throughout the central terminal. "Blasted." He grumbled half-dejected as radiant, hazel-colored eyes started to survey the faces that started to move about and pass him by. He'd been studying the Commander's image since first arriving and had been hoping to meet with her here rather than employing a more embarrassing or perhaps official method of calling for her attention.

Believing he may have very well missed her, Arunjezeb turned on a heal about one-hundred and eighty degree's to proceed towards the nearest exit when his eyes fixated on a woman. Seated on a bench no more than perhaps a half-meter from him was Lieutenant Commander Raiya. Allowing a soft sigh of relief to escape his lips, Arunjezeb approached, the gait of his stride a bit more business-like than he would have preferred, but with nerves starting to fray and anxiety welling, the reaction could hardly of been helped. After all, his interview was now within arms reach.

Raiya wrote:"Hello," Laren said with a smile. "Can I help you...?"

Arunjezeb returned the smile, although meek, it was quite genuine. "Pardon me Commander; however, I'm Lieutenant Arunjezeb Ameen." He introduced himself. "Commodore Foster had arranged an interview for the position of Executive Officer on board the Perseus. I thought perhaps meeting you here was an okay idea ... not that meeting you on board the ship wouldn't have been justified as well. I don't know, I thought maybe a less formal setting would help but me at ease ... but apparently that's not the case at all. I'm sweating." The diatribe of statements all mingled and meshed with one another to formulate one, incoherent rambling of epic nervous and anxious filled proportions. The creases of embarrassment that now lined the Lieutenant's face conveyed just how completely aghast he was at his own behavior.

It took Laren all the self control she could muster to keep from bursting into laughter. It wasn't everyday that a future Executive Officer told the Captain they were sweating. Her cheeks quickly went from a pale white, with a tinge of pink, to a deep rosy red as she tried to contain it.

"It's okay Lieutenant,"She replied with another smile, setting the PADD down. "Why don't you take a seat, and tell me more about this...interview was it?"

She motioned at the spot next to her on the bench for Ameen to sit down.

Arunjezeb swallowed hard, a perpetually growing lump in his throat. "Sorry, Ma'am ... I'm just a bit nervous is all." He replied, taking a seat beside the Commander. "I ramble ... when nervous, I mean." His posture was quite rigid, discomfort quite evident. "I'm not quite sure why they would even consider me to be an acceptable candidate, I've only been serving in a command level capacity for just under a year ... surely they'd be seeking someone of a higher caliber, experience-wise. Right?" He inquired, but not waiting an answer, continued. "Although, Commodore Foster did say that it's not necessarily time in a specific role that garners a promotion, but rather what you do with that time and what accomplishments and achievements you've garnered. Which, I suppose makes sense, overall ... I mean, after all, Harry Kim served seven years as an ensign on Voyager." He paused, a look of complete mortification drawing across his face, "not that I'm saying he didn't deserve a promotion, I mean, you know, seven years lost in the Delta Quadrant and all, surely he must have ... oh blimey, just stun me with a phaser now." His entire body deflated, an abysmal and lost look drawing across his face; surely, at this very moment in time, he was hardly coming across as high-grade, high-quality First Officer material. In other words, epic fail.

Laren stared at Arunjezeb, studying the mans face. If she were a Vedek she might have even reached out and grabbed his ear to try to feel his pagh, but humans found that disconcerting,and she wasn't a Vedek, so she refrained.

"Well I'm sure you must be a qualified individual to move to First Officer so quick," Laren told him with an honest smile. She brushed a lock of rich brown hair out of her face, and wondered vaguely where this Commodore Foster had gotten the bright idea to stick an in-experienced Executive Officer, with someone who was equally inexperienced in so far as the fact they were both doing something they hadn't before.

"Experience isn't everything Lieutenant," She continued, refraining from adding the line, "But it sure as hell helps" that floated in her head. Laren knew it wasn't fair, she'd had a three year stint as an XO before gaining her own command, and this poor fellow had only been in Command for months, before becoming an XO. "As for getting lost in the Delta Quadrant... well I hope we don't, because we're headed for The Round Table in a week."

Raiya wrote:"As for getting lost in the Delta Quadrant... well I hope we don't, because we're headed for The Round Table in a week."

Perhaps it had been an earlier Freudian-slip of his own; regardless, Arunjezeb's entire demeanor suddenly changed at the very mention of 'The Round Table'. They were going to Delta Quadrant. They were going to the Delta Quadrant? Oh goodness, they were going to be going to the Delta Quadrant! As if a light switch had been flipped on, Arunjezeb's eye's flickered to life with an excitement that gleamed through the very hazel of their color, intensifying their radiance, if that were at all possible.

"The Delta Quadrant," each word was slowly articulated very clearly. "The Delta Quadrant." He repeated, beaming a rather silly smile that truthfully pulled up to the very tips of his ears. Forgotten were the feelings of nervousness and anxiety; now replaced with those of excitement, bewilderment and wonderment. As a child, there had always been an overwhelmingly strong desire to explore the Delta Quadrant, especially after reading and studying all about the Voyager, her crew and their valiant journey in a fruitless attempt to return home. Their stories were the very foundation of Arunjezeb's want, desires and needs to become an explorer and join Starfleet. They were also the building tide that caused a significant rift in the relationship between himself and his family, especially his father.

"Ma'am, I realize I may have given the impression of not very well being ready to serve as your Executive Officer ... but I would be foolhardy to pass up such an opportunity, especially with where we'll be going. If you're willing to take a chance on me, please, I'd really like to be your right hand man." He concluded, the thrill and exhilaration felt hardly contained within.

"Your first impression wasn't that good," Laren admitted hoping she hadn't dogged all the mans spirit with that one short phrase," But you've got enthusiasm, and you know how to admit when you make a mistake....and well no one else is volunteering."

Laren did honestly admire the man's obvious willingness to explore, and wish she shared it. Right now she was happier to have her own command, then she was about the mission. Laren's entire career in the fleet thus far had revolved primarily around tactical, and strategic departments, and even she admitted that her time as an officer probably would have ended a lot sooner, had it not been for the Dominion War, and the rebuilding phase afterward. But a Commanding Officer had to be better than a single department head, and not hold any prejudices against others that they may not know so well. Laren sincerely hoped she could succeed in this.

"So if you really want to be the First Officer, what's that phrase from Earth? You're Hired?," She asked with a big grin.

Raiya Laren wrote:"Your first impression wasn't that good," Laren admitted hoping she hadn't dogged all the mans spirit with that one short phrase," But you've got enthusiasm, and you know how to admit when you make a mistake... and well no one else is volunteering."

There was a dark tinge of red that surfaced against Arunjezeb's cheeks; in retrospect, his first impression had been less that stellar and he was absolutely certain that the Commander could very well have believed he'd lost his mind ... heck, even he'd believe so. However, through the shortsighted naivety and juvenile anxiety, it appeared the Commander had saw through each and was willing to take a chance on the Lieutenant.

Raiya wrote:Laren did honestly admire the man's obvious willingness to explore, and wished she shared it. Right now she was happier to have her own command, then she was about the mission. Laren's entire career in the fleet thus far had revolved primarily around tactical, and strategic departments, and even she admitted that her time as an officer probably would have ended a lot sooner, had it not been for the Dominion War, and the rebuilding phase afterward. But a Commanding Officer had to be better than a single department head, and not hold any prejudices against others that they may not know so well. Laren sincerely hoped she could succeed in this.

"So if you really want to be the First Officer, what's that phrase from Earth? You're Hired?," She asked with a big grin.

"Thank you, Ma'am." Arunjezeb replied, "I really do appreciate this opportunity. Hopefully," he ventured, "I'll serve well enough in such a role as to prove better first impressions." He concluded, pearl white teeth gleaming through the insurmountable grin the adorned his face.

The word hopefully drifted through Laren's mind, but she managed to refrain from saying it out loud.
She drifted her gaze from her newly minted (and very red cheeked) Executive Officer, back to the windows that looked out to the Perseus in the drydock. It was time to get going.

"Well then shall we go see what our new Command has in store for us then?," She asked Ameen, turning her gaze back to the XO.

Arunjezeb smiled proudly towards his new Commanding Officer, eyes flickering between the petite Bajoran and the Perseus viewable just exterior of the station, "Yes, Ma'am, I think we shall." He replied simply.

(Tag: Any)

[OFF:]

A joint post featuring ...



&

USS Perseus, Science lab 1
Deck 13
Day 1, 1000 Hours

Looking about the lab with some satisfaction Navir thanked the engineers for their work as they were leaving. On his last assignment he had been aboard a much smaller ship with limited capabilities, being aboard the Perseus opened up a lot more for him. However it also meant that he had a larger department to watch over and manage. One of the nice things that serving aboard a smaller ship was the smaller groups to manage. Even so he was looking forward to the challenges, just not the extra reports to go over. With the updates that the Perseus was receiving Navir was able to opt for some nice updates to his department. Most noticeably being able to replace older model equipment with new and smaller models, the only reason he had been able to have the hologrid installed in one corner of the lab.

One of the perks of being a department head was having your own office which he quickly came to like. Especially when he had been able to get a few holographic systems installed in there as well. Getting the holo systems put in hadn't been to hard a request to get through, however getting the quartermaster to change out his standard issue desk with the one his mother had sent had seemed nearly impossible. Navir of course wasn't going to tell his mother that the gift she had bought him upon his promotion to department head wasn't going to be used. He of course had figured it out with the quartermaster making a few promises and such. Something he was certain he would pay for later.

With his new desk and unique work terminal his office almost felt like home away from home. Navir knew he was taking advantage of his situation which he found didn't really bother him. He thought to himself happily. Bringing the holographic systems online he took a seat at the console that sat in front of the hologrid and brought up a display of the 'Round Table', as it had been dubbed. Looking the area over he wasn't entirely certain what the Perseus would be coming across out there. Still being in the Delta quadrant was excitement all in itself. This would be his first posting that would take such a great distance from home. His excitement had been a little tempered by his mother; he could understand her worries but wasn’t going to pass up on such a chance as this. As he was the only one currently in the lab Navir allowed a small smile to cross his face as he stared at the 3d map floating before him.

OFF:

Deck Seven, USS Perseus
Stationary Orbit, Earth
Day 1, 1126 Hours

ON:

Raiya stepped lightly out of the umbilical that connect the Perseus to the Oakland Shipyard and onto the ship. Her ship, She corrected mentally. The cool gray and black colors that were sometimes sported on ships built in the 2370's and later like the Intrepid's, and Atlantia's were a sharp contrast to the shades of tan that made up most of the shipyards color scheme, including the umbilical. She looked to her saw Ameen smartly keeping up with her. She walked along the light blue carpeted floor until she came to a LCAR's display on the wall that showed a schematic of the ship.

Arunjezeb had been instep with the Commander as they traversed the short distance from the umbilical to the Perseus. The ship was fresh off the production line with only an accumulated year of shakedown service; it felt new, not in the sense that this was a new setting--which was a customary feeling when adapting to unfamiliar territories--but that even the ship, itself, retained the identifiable aspects of new. Even in a high-traffic area such as the corridor, its overall condition was unequivocally immaculate. This was a perspective quite unique for Arunjezeb, as his previous service had been dedicated to two different starships which had been in service for many decades prior. It excited and thrilled him to contemplate the very notion of the Perseus's technological advances within the engineering field, no doubt the new pride and joy of the fleet and Starfleet's Corps. of Engineers.

Laren turned toward her new XO. As the pair slowed and then came to stand in front of a rectangular shaped LCARs console display, Raiya turned towards Arunjezeb and posed a question
"So where to first,"She asked him with a grin," The Bridge, Main Engineering, or the Lounge?"

Arunjezeb chuckled, "as much as a strawberry lassi[1] would be quite tasty at the moment, perhaps maybe the bridge should be our first stop?" He questioned, "starting from the top down would be a good approach and, well, considering we'll be spending the vast majority of our time there ... why not?!" He concluded enthusiastically, hoping the Captain felt the same passion as he.

"Good Point,"Raiya conceded,"Although I could really go for some hasperat right now....but the bridge it is!"
Laren started to walk down the corridor again, Ameen close by. As the walked she noticed the vibrancy the ship seemed to have, with all the yard workers and crew members making their way around the swirling beehive of activity. Several of them recognized her and Ameen and nodded their heads in acknowledgment, and some grinned in cheerfulness.
As they rounded the corridor they quickly came to a tubrolift door and stepped inside. Like all turbolifts going back centuries this one was small, round, and very well lit. On one of Laren's assignments the ships Operations Officer had added "Elevator Music" to them, for some nostalgic reason that he never gave. Laren hadn't liked it, the concept seemed nice enough, but the music he picked was always was horrible.
"Deck One Bridge,"Laren told the computer crisply.
She turned to Ameen, who was obviously caught up in the excitement involved, and in Larens opinion seemed much more ready to take up the mantle of Explorer than she was. She'd served on missions of exploration before sure, but lead one? She wasn't quite sure she was ready for that step...
"So what do you think of our mission,"She asked Ameen as the lift moved toward their destination with its sole occupants.

Arunjezeb stood close to his new commanding officer; hands behind his back with fingers interlocked, he considered her question for a moment before answering. "One is hardly adequately prepared for the unknown and what-is-to come." Arunjezeb responded cryptically and simply after considerable thought. "However, it's the unknown that tends to be most certainly exciting, right?" The question was rhetorical of course, yet he had the inclination that the Commander thought differently than he about the subject. "Ever since I was a wee-child, I can recall the budding passion of explorative wonderment ... if there is such a thing. During the late summer nights, when the heat was just too unbearable within the confines of the home, mind you, my parents believed and hold true to the 'old ways', I would lay just outside my bedroom window, glancing up towards the stars and staring deeply into its vast blanket of twinkling lights, believing in some way that I could see into the very distance in which they existed, creating my own worlds and civilizations that I would one day have the opportunity to discover and explore." He paused briefly, a wistful remembrance glistening within hazel-colored eyes. "Sparing you from the details, let me just say that I had quite the adventures within the endless imagination of my mind." He grinned broadly, feeling slightly out play, both due to his personal perspective, but also because he still adorned the uniform of the services division (he'd not yet had a chance to change prior to leaving Commodore Foster's office and, well, he hadn't been completely certain he'd have been selected for the position; the latter thought, of course, a very real opportunity after the catastrophe that was his first impression).

"Spare me from the Details? You just gave me half your life's story,"Raiya replied with a wide toothy grin.
"It wasn't the unknown that drew me to Starfleet though,"She started; answering Ameen's own rhetorical question as the Turbolift continued to glide upward,"It was mainly a desire to get off Bajor and do something to help myself and the people who'd agreed to keep us safe after the Occupation. I had to take a lot of remedial courses when I got into the Academy though, as you might imagine living under Cardassian's isn't something that creates a conducive learning environment,"She continued spitting out the word Cardassian with as much loathing and vile as she could still muster,"But I made it through and they stuck me in Tactical, and almost immediately threw me into the Dominion War,"She too paused, like Ameen, but not with the joyful remembrance he had displayed, instead she shivered as the memories of the War, and her bitter experiences in it," Since then I've been bouncing between Tactical, and Strategic Ops so I'm not exactly the explorer type, but I like to think I can get the job done,"She finished with a small smile. She wasn't exactly sure whether or not Ameen approved of her outlook, but she liked him well enough. The "Defense" versus "Exploration" debate had been raging since the first days of Starfleet, and wasn't likely to end soon, but it had never seemed to stop the fine Officers of the Fleet from working together, and Raiya hoped that held true for her and Ameen as well.

After a few more seconds, the lift finally came to halt and opened up with the usual hissing sound to reveal the bridge, and all who were on it. The bridge itself seemed to have been modeled after the iconic Ambassador Class Starship's bridge with the Captain's plush blue chair sitting alone, dead center in the bridge. The Conn, and Tactical department consoles were seated side by side further forward both with separate housings and on a lower platform that that of the rear half of the bridge. Behind the Captains chair there was a shared console with two seats for the Operations and Science Department, with a Master Display Panel directly behind them. The other departments were seated in a ring around the bridge, and all the chairs were done in light almost periwinkle blue color, but a few shades to dark to be so. From where she was standing Raiya could see the dark blue sliding doors that led to her Ready Room, and the ships Briefing Room.

"Looks like they forgot your chair,"She said to Ameen with a laugh before stepping out onto the Bridge for the first time.

A toothy grin couldn't be helped as a response to the Commander's statement. In truth, he felt an immediate comfort from the moment he first stepped onto the bridge of the Perseus; this was undoubtedly due to the fact that the compartment was aesthetically indistinguishable from that of the Horatio (with but one exception, the Master Systems Display). In fact, it struck Arunjezeb with a fair-bit of irony that Starfleet's Corps. of Engineer's had selected the Ambassador-class starships bridge module as the primary hub for the Explorer-class; it was a timeless design, but certainly more functionally appropriate for missions of exploration and discover ... a theme that remained consistent in many of the design features exploited by the Perseus.

"Not at all, Commander." He replied in a tempered tone. "You see, just over here is where the Executive Officer is stationed." He gestured towards one of the console stations positioned along the curve of the circular shaped bulkheads port side on the bridge. It was a station in concert with the others, yet the duty-station designation illuminated on the large, rectangular shaped display screen integrated into a recessed cavity of the inner bulkhead read Command Operations. From this console station alone, Arunjezeb would be able to track and coordinate the efficiency and productivity of each individual department, monitor and assess the inventory of their cargo and supplies, as well as any other task or duty warranted during a countless number of different situations.

Approaching the station, he immediately sat before it and started to manipulate the biometric interface of the instrument panel.

Raiya grinned back at him, glad that her XO had a sense of humor. Turning her attention away from Ameen she made her way to her new favorite chair. Grabbing the arm rests on the side, she slowly lowered herself into the comfortable looking chair, savoring every second.
"So this is what it feels like to be the boss,"Laren said herself with a smile as she finally sat all the way down. Raiya leaned back and crossed her legs in the chair, and for the first time since they'd told her that she'd been accepted for Command of a ship did she actually feel like she was in Command of a ship.

Lt(jg) Acel'ex approached the umbilical and then walked toward the ship's entrance. He stood up straight, accentuating his 7' 6" frame and presented his PaDD, containing his orders. After obtaining clearance to board, Acel'ex walked in and made his way to the nearest turbolift and took it to the Bridge. This was his first assignment, as Chief Security/Tactical Officer and he was eager to get started. He entered the bridge and stood at attention, which made him twoer above just about everyone there. He cleared his throat.

"Lieutenant, Junior Grade Acel'ex, reporting as your new Chief Security/Tactical Officer," announced the lanky, pantographed officer, in Security Gold. He quietly awaited a response from either of the officers in Command uniforms.

Barely a minute in and already my new department heads are lining up, Laren observed to herself as she spun her chair to get a look at her new Chief of Security/Tactical. The Man was very tall, and had some sort of device on his head that Raiya had no idea about, Maybe it's an Earth thing, she thought, reflecting on how alien she appeared with her ridged nose and large earring to most humans.
"Welcome on board Mr. Acel'ex,"Laren replied to him with a small smile,"The XO and I just got here ourselves, feel free to make yourself at home I guess."

The arrival of the new Chief Security and Tactical Officer had drawn Arunjezeb's attention away from the station he'd slipped behind just moments prior. Stunned into a visibly awkward expression of pure and unequivocal amazement, he couldn't help but make circular motions around his head with a hand in an attempt to invisibly outline the unusual device integrated into the actual physiology of the Lieutenant.

"Thank you, Ma'am," said Acel'ex, scooping up his bag. "I can get to my quarters after shift, if you prefer, Ma'am."

Acel'ex smiled, sporting a cheesy grin, belying his nervousness.

"Is there anything you'd like to ask me?" asked Acel'ex, walking toward the Security console.

"My boy, you're a giant." He sputtered in utter amazement. "What on Earth did you eat to make you grow so big and tall?" Arunjezeb inquired, unabashed as his hazel-colored eyes remained pointedly transfixed upon the Officer. Standing from behind the console, he slowly approached the behemoth of very normal appearing Human aside from the man's massive size and the unusual piece of accompanying headgear.

"Well, actually I--" was all Acel'ex got out, before another voice chimed in.

Evan finally spun his head up from the helm to notice the new Chief of Security, and was just as surprised by the other officers to see his appearance. The device coming out of his head was oddly familair, like something he had seen in an old two-dimensional picture. What was the name of it...

"Uh, no offense," he asked, "But not only why are you so large, but why do you have a pantograph coming out of your head?"

"To answer your questions, both are the result of being infused with Thalaxian DNA, as fully explained within this isolinear datachip," replied Acel'ex, now holding up a small container. "This pantograph is the result of the catalyst-beam passing through a pantograph and some of its molecules mutating and 'grafting' to my head. It is actually a living appendage."

"Remarkable!" Arunjezeb explained, the previous expression of awe, intrigue and surprise now dissipating as excitement and wonderment quickly became the more dominant feelings. "I apologize for my earlier reaction ... I'm sure you experience that pretty much everywhere you go, huh?" He inquired thoughtfully, ensuring that the remainder of the Senior Staff present remained included in the conversation. In truth, he wasn't completely certain as to why the man's physical proportions had caught him so off guard, after all, he'd worked alongside a Brikar once while serving on board the Horatio ... and that's like having your very own set of mountain ranges slowly moving throughout main engineering. Perhaps it was that Acel'ex appeared oh-so-very Human with the exception of his body proportions and the ... pantograph ... affixed to his head.

A living appendage. Arunjezeb thought skeptically, closely studying and scrutinizing the Lieutenant, wondering how much of a bribe would be necessary to allow Arunjezeb the opportunity to study, firsthand, the technological/biological integration. Could that piece of metal really be underlined with a biological distinctiveness? He thought further, with added visions of the Borg and Lagashi.

"Yes, I do get similar reactions, just about everywhere I go, so I simply shrug it off," quipped Acel'ex, chuckling, lightly. "I would rather get this, than what I used to get when I first 'acquired' this pantograph."

Acel'ex was alluding to the frequent physical abuse of the device by fearful, ignorant people, including beating it and throwing things at it. This was short-lived, due to special 'super minority' protective laws passed following Acel'a's and Am'tra's pantograph abuse, early in the 21st Century.

"Outstanding!" Arunjezeb exclaimed. "When the time permits, I'd really enjoy sitting down and speaking with you;" he replied. "Lieutenant Ameen, ship's First Officer ... although you most likely couldn't tell because I'm still wearing my old uniform. Welcome on board the Perseus." He remarked, extending a hand towards the Human/Thalaxian.

"Thank you, sir and pleased to meet you, Lieutenant," said Acel'ex, shaking the man's hand, firmly, puzzled by the relatively low rank of the First Officer. "Yes, I would love to sit and talk with you, or anyone else who wishes to."

Acel'ex said that, as an open invitation for anyone who wished to know him better.

Having been satisfied with the labs below decks Navir and decided it was time to introduce himself to his new Commanding officer. In making his way towards the bridge Navir recalled what he had read on her. He knew this was to be her very first command. It would be interesting to see how things worked out. Arriving in short order to the bridge Navir stepped out of the lift immediately spotted the Commander in her chair. Out of his peripheral he spotted a mountain of a man in a yellow uniform with a strange apparatus attached to his head. With an arch of the eyebrow all he could come out with was, "Fascinating".

Ignoring the man for the moment Navir approached the Commander. "Navir head of the science division reporting in ma'am."

Turning her attention from her new Security Officer to her new Science Officer, Raiya was feeling a little overwhelmed for a day as the chiefs of staff lined up for reports.
"Ahh Lieutenant Navir I'm glad your already on board and ready to confuse me with your science talk,"Raiya said to the Vulcan with a smile, not expecting him to get the humor she'd instilled in the response. Turning away from him, she noticed that her bridge had gotten much more crowded in the past minutes, with her XO and Flight Control Officer chatting up Acel'ex about something called a pantograph, which she'd never heard of before.

"Excellent, I look forward to it!" Arunjezeb replied before turning towards the Commander, who appeared engaged in conversation with a rather attractive looking Vulcan. Stepping forward towards the pair, he spoke only when their conversation appeared to break. "Captain, if you'll permit me leave, I'd like to stop by my office and then quarters to start unpacking and settling in ... all of my personal belongings are still on Earth and there's still much to do on my end."

"Permission granted,"She replied to Ameen with a nod of the head.

In fact I think I should be leaving now to go get my things as well,"Raiya told her bridge crew," If you need to find me I'll be either in my ready room, quarters, or possibly the lounge don't feel afraid to ask me anything,"She continued with a smile," I want to hold a meeting with you all and any other department head on board at 1400 hours tomorrow in the observation lounge, so you have until then to your initial department reports in order, and try to settle in as best you can, any questions?"

Arunjezeb remained silent, slowly shaking his head knowing that there would most likely be many questions to come.

Acel'ex nodded and smiled.

"I need to get settled in and start working on the duty rosters, so I can have the report you will need at tomorrow's meeting," Acel'ex remarked, both to herself and the CO. She signaled for the relief officer, to man the console, while she was away from the Bridge.

Evan shrugged unceremoniously. "I'm fine, just sitting here, at the helm of a ship that's still in dock.... nothing to do...." Good lord sitting in drydock was boring. One could only go through so many diagnostics before they wanted to scream and rip their hair out.

"If you don't mind me asking, ma'am, we're not just sitting here so the tourists have pretty ships in drydock to look at, are we? Because if we are, I really want a transfer."

"Well you wouldn't be the only one off of her in that case,"Raiya replied with a roguish smile."We're going to be taking in the ship out in under a week, if you're bored though, you could make sure our shuttle compliment is up to stuff, we'll talk about it more tomorrow at the conference."

Arunjezeb cast a nod to each individual standing on the bridge before turning on a heal and quickly following Acel'ex into the turbolift. This was the beginning of something ... something extraordinary.

Navir watched and noted everyone in turn. He otherwise stayed quite and out of the way. Watching everyone depart Navir turned and made his way into the opposite lift to return back to his labs. As the doors closed Navir smiled briefly in remembering how the XO had been looking him over. "This could be interesting." He said quietly to himself.

As most of her senior staff filed for the door, Raiya rose from her chair with some reluctance to go to check out her Read Room.
"I really need to get all my stuff on board,"She muttered to herself as she walked towards the slender cobalt blue door that led to the Ready Room."Whatever happens it'll be interesting....."

OFF:


This Super Awesome J.P Brought to you









And

|USS Perseus
|Sickbay, CMO's Office

A sigh exited Eun's mouth as she flipped through the medical logs of the senior staff. She had taken care to examine their histories before launch, in case there were any issues she needed to be aware of ahead of time. As it was, there appeared to be very little of note, besides maybe some psychiatric issues with the executive officer. That was the realm of counseling anyway, outside of her expertise.

Silently she set down the padd and looked out her office window, examining sickbay intently. It was her first time truly being in charge of a starship's medical department, and a nagging doubt was biting at the rear of her mind. Run wasn't exactly the greatest of leaders-not that she couldn't learn to be a leader, of course, the question was whether or not she could learn before she had a chance to royally screw up and ruin her career.

At least the captain's not around to grill me on my experience... yet...

Laren strode down the hall to Med-Bay, after she'd visited her Ready Room, and Quarters she'd decided definitively that both needed her own, Bajoran, furnishings. After she'd had a quick chat with the ships Quartermaster to make sure that arrangements for her stuff to be brought on board by tomorrow. Now she was checking in on the ships other Department Heads to make sure they were here, and let them know about the meeting tomorrow as well. And her first stop was Medical....

Raiya strode confidently into the Sickbay and headed for the CMO's office. Looking through the large window that the office sported she could see the CMO sitting at her desk. She looked human from Laren's point of view, but her eye's looked a little off....
She entered the Office with a whoosh of the double doors.
"Hello,"She said to the woman," I'm Commander Raiya the ships new CO."

Eun snapped her head up in surprise as she heard the Commander address her. Oh, how craptastic is my timing... She immediately straightened in her seat, looking up with a pair of cybernetic blue eyes. "Oh, uh, hello, I'm Lieutenant Kye, the new Chief Medical Officer. Uh, ma'am."

She quickly switched her view with a thought to analyze Commander Laren's basic vital signs. Body heat was within expected range for a Bajoran, heart rate was steady, blood pressure seemed nominal. It was upon switching back to regular vision that she noticed Laren's face again-more specifically, her attractive face. Excessively attractive. Suddenly Eun realized her own heart rate had just jumped.

What Species has Cybernetic Eyes, Laren thought as she stared into Kye's electric blue eyes. The CMO looked human for all purposes, but from what Laren had seen they tended to shy away from cybernetics, or any kind of enhancement, and Raiya had never heard of a group of humans that did. She slid into the seat that was opposite of the Doctor's on the other side of her desk, pulling her rich brown hair behind her neck, revealing her ears, and the Bajoran Earring she wore on her right one.

"Good to meet you Lieutenant,"She said to Eun with a calming smile; creepy eyes aside the woman looked on the verge of an anxiety attack."How are you settling in so far?"

"Oh, uh, just fine, ma'am," Eun replied nervously. Underneath her desk she gripped her leg tightly and tried to calm herself. The last thing she needed to do was act like a lovesick schoolgirl in front of the CO. "Just, uh, the only Lagashi on board, but otherwise fine." It occured to her that the Bajoran had likely never heard of her race-explaining it to her might be a nice way to get her sudden anxiety under control.

"I'm sorry I've never heard of the Lagashi before,"Laren replied, apologizing for her ignorance,"I thought you were human, except for the eye's, but I guess you've already pieced that together,"She continued, her blushing to a red as she tried to explain her thought process to Eun.

Oh jeez, you start blushing and I'll start blushing, oh damnit. "Well, we're baseline humans, but split off from the ones you're used to centuries ago. Genetically there are some minor differences, and cybernetics are pretty common for us." Try as she might to stop it, a very slight tinge of red made it's way up to Eun's face.

"Ahh okay that explains a lot,"Raiya replied with a small smile, as she brushed a loose lock of hair from her face."Bajorans never really had the chance to separate from each other, we were just entering our space age when the Cardassian's started the occupation, and cybernetics are considered a commodity for the sick who need them so..,"She wasn't quite sure where she was going with that and ended her train of thought with an awkward silence.

She noticed that Eun was blushing a little, not as much as Laren, but Laren blushed a lot at almost nothing most of the time, so she decided that Eun's must be from the nerves of meeting her commanding officer the first time.

"Uh, don't worry about it, I get those reactions a lot." Eun fell silent as she realized she had no idea what to say next, and Laren had become equally quiet. An awkward silence persisted for several moments before Eun finally dredged up the courage to say something.

"So.... your medical history didn't show anything I need to worry about, but, uh, is there anything else about yor health I should know that wouldn't be in your history?" Eun's cheeks were bright red by this point, every effort to control her bodily response failing miserably.

Raiya shook her head.
" None that I can think of, thank the Prophets, unless the tendons in my shoulders are ready to snap after playing all my life Springball,"She answered with a smile.

She noticed that Eun seemed to be getting redder still, Larens cheeks were also still flushed red but were already starting to return to their normal tinge after her moment of embarrassment had passed, making her wonder if Eun was just really really nervous about her being her, or just naturally a little on the non-social side.

"Shouldn't be an issue, no." Eun had heard of springball before, and the only way it would have worried her was if Raiya had a weak frame, something one certainly could by say about her rather athletic build. Which made her all the more attractive. Dammit.

Half of Eun was screaming at her to say something to Raiya, to admit that she was experiencing a sudden crush, but she just barely kept her tongue bit back. It was hard not to make some kind of advance, the way she smiled and attempted to calm the obviously nervous Eun. Damnit.

"Okay then, I'll try not to dislocate it to much then,"Raiya replied with a little laugh."Also our first staff meeting will be in the Observation Lounge on Deck One tomorrow at 1400 hours, I want all Senior Staff there so we can prep for launch soon, okay?"

"Okay", Eun said quietly, "I'll be there." She felt so embarrased right then it was almost unbearable. "Anything else you want to tell me?"Alright, calm down, and then just say something about it... but be polite... God, please be polite...

"Errr nothing I can think of, other than watch out for the XO he's a great guy, but a little to.....I guess the best word for it would be idealistic, and our CSTO has something sticking out of his head, but I have no idea what it is,"Raiya replied with a grin; she was exaggerating a little about both, but not by much. "How about you, is there anything I can do for you, anything you need?"

Oh jeez, what do I say? Do I just ask her out, do I hit on her, what? Oh jeez. "Well, uh, I...." Eun gulped audibly. "Are, you, uh.... I don't mean to be inappropriate in nay way, ma'am, but are you.... busy.... tonight?" She instantly cringed, wishing she had just kept her mouth shut and let the commander go on her merry way.

"I don't think so why?,"Laren said completely unaware that Eun was trying to ask her out, although she did find it odd the woman had gone out of her way to make sure Raiya didn't think of it as inappropriate, and assumed that either Eun either wanted to get together with her, for friendship, or work related.

"Oh, I was just wondering if maybe you'd like to, uh...." Like to what? Have dinner? Visit the holodeck? What? "Uh.... well, uh.... get dinner?" It just got blurted out, and Eun immediately snapped her mouth shut as soon as she was finished saying it. God, could that have been any more awkward?

"Sure we can grab a bite in the Officer's Mess on Deck 3 at say... 1900 hours?," Raiya asked, still oblivious to Eun's romantic intentions. She'd never known a fellow officer of the same gender (or different species) to ask her out before, and on Bajor it was considered taboo, not due to any social stigma, but due to the fact that Bajor wasn't exactly on the top of the galaxy when it came to population levels, so such things tended to be rare all around.

"Yeah, sure, that's fine." Eun was still overflowing with anxiety, but Laren hadn't even batted an eye at another woman and her subordinate asking her out, so that had to be a good thing. Bajorans must have been more open-minded to bisexuality-and Lagashi, appearantly-than Eun realized. "1900, right."

Laren nodded her head as she stood to leave.
"Alright then I have to go check in on the Department Heads I guess,"She said to Eun," We can talk more tonight I suppose."
And I hope she's not as nervous it's not like a first date with some guy you met or anything...

Joint Post by



and

I HAVE NO SIGNATURE.

Jack threw his bag down on his rather spacious looking bed and let out an audible sigh. It was the first time he had been on a starship for a very long time. In fact it had been even longer since he had been in a starfleet uniform. He ran his hand down the front of his black and green uniform with a frown. It still felt weird being so clean.

His past assignment had been on a desert planet and he had become accustomed to being dirty all the time. Even after two years on earth recovering it still felt strange, but a good strange. He was over war, most of the people he had served with didn't survive. Out of the group of soldiers he went down to the planet with he was one of two that had survived, the other had no legs.

Most people would consider him lucky. People still on the dust bowl of a planet would send him letters telling him how grateful they were for what he had done and how he was lucky to be alive.

He didn't think so however. It hurt everyday he was alive, thinking of the people he used to laugh and play around with. But he kept his head up.

He pulled out a photo from his bag and looked at is with a small smile.

"I'll never forget," he said placing down the photo on a side board. It contained his original team. It was taken the first day they had reached the desert planet. Seventeen people in total, fifteen now gone from existence.

After a few moments he got into a pair of black track suit pants and short sleeve plain grey t shirt and went to see the mess hall. He had a while before he had to report. He stopped by the door and looked at it his shoes but decided against it. The floor felt rather nice under his feet.

USS Perseus
Deck 3, Officer's Mess
1900 hours, Day 1

Raiya stretched her shoulders as she walked in the Officers Mess, it had been a long day, and she was glad to finally have chance to sit down and talk to someone about something other than departmental reports reports. She wasn't really sure how appropriate it was for her as the Captain to be eating and hanging out with an inferior officer, but Raiya didn't want to be like one of those Captains that the crew felt distant too, and Eun was a member of the senior staff so it couldn't be that bad. Not seeing the young dark haired Lagashi in the room, Raiya decided to take a minute to visit the replicator before she found a spot.
"Hasperat hot,"She told the Replicator embedded into the side of the left wall of the mess. The Computer chirped in acknowledgment and the spicy Bajoran dish materialized before her. Grabbing the matte black tray it was on Raiya made her way to a table on the far side of the room, by one of the "Windows" that looked out onto Earth, and parts of the Shipyard where the Perseus was docked.
Raiya sat quickly, glad to get off of her feet for awhile, and tore a chunk out her Hasperat chewing it slowly as she scanned the room looking for the ships Chief Medical Officer.

After spending nearly half an hour trying to figure out what was appropriate to wear on a first date, Eun finally strode into the officer's mess wearing a black tank top, olive green jacket and black pants, nervously rubbing her left elbow. She quickly spotted Raiya near a window-that hair was too beautiful to be forgettable.

"Hi," Eun said nervously as she approached her, "Uh... nice view." She quickly grabbed a seat at Raiya'a table, not even remembering to get some food.

"Hi," Raiya replied, cocking an eyebrow at Eun's outfit, Raiya was still in uniform, but if the Doctor was off duty it was her prerogative to wear what she wanted. "Yeah I thought a view might be more interesting than one of the bare walls,"She continued smiling at Eun," So are you not hungry or did want to try some Hasperat?"

Oh God, should have remained in uniform, I thought she'd be off duty too.... crap. Well, there were other worries nagging at her right then. "Uh.... I forgot..... uh, yeah, some hasperat would be nice, I guess. I mean, if you want to share, if you don't I'll just go get something. And uh, if you don't sorry for being rude." Could you possibly be any more awkward right now?

"Here have a piece," Raiya replied with a big smile. She took half of the Bajoran wrap and handed to Eun.

Damn she's got some frayed nerves...must be from all the work getting her department running so fast...

"Be careful I here most non-Bajorans think it's really spicy,"Raiya warned her with a roguish grin and a wink, before she dug into her own piece of Hasperat, savoring the spices.

Eun shivered as Raiya winked while saying "spicy". Well, this is moving... fast. Oh crap, what did I get into? "Thanks," she said nervously, taking a bite out of the hasperat with a certain trepidation. "So...... how was your day?"

"Excellent after all I go my Command and Crew,"Raiya said casually leaning back in her chair, and unzipping her duty jacket to make it seem more like she was off duty. "Long though, by the Prophet's it's been long I'm glad I didn't have to take command during the Time of Cleansing I'd pass out, how about you?"

"Oh, got to meet the XO and CTSO, gave them both physicals." The hasperat was much milder than she had expected-Eun didn't even need to get some water. "You were right about both of their personalities, by the way, so thanks."

"No problem, I wouldn't want to scare my only CMO on the first day,"Raiya replied with a chuckle, brushing her hair back with her fingers to reveal the elaborate earring she wore on her right ear." So anything I should know in that regard?"

"No, not.... Really...." Eun stuttered as she realized Raiya's shirt was partially unzipped. She couldn't see anything, of course, but that didn't stop the Lagashi's heart rate from skyrocketing.

"So, uh.... I....." she had absolutely no idea what to say. By this point, Eun's interpretation of Raiya's actions was that the Bajoran wanted to jump into her pants. It left her feeling confused, rushed and massively aroused all at the same time. "You have any.... hobbies, or anything, besides springball?"

Raiya bit her lip and stared at the ceiling as she thought about Eun's question.
"Well I guess I'm your typical Bajoran girl,"She said after a few seconds thought," Other than Springball I guess my major hobbies are shooting, praying, and finding new ways to piss the galaxy off."

She turned her attention back to Eun, who looked more stress, rather than the opposite from Raiya's perspective. She found it quite puzzling that the woman seemed to have a constant anxiety attack whenever Raiya was around- not that Raiya knew if she was like this when she wasn't around.

"How about you any hobbies or interests?"

"Not really," Eun replied with shaking hands, "I, uh, just work and sleep mostly. Pretty boring really." Yeah, really selling yourself there. What if she knows I'm boring already and just wants a one night stand, or something? Oh God.....

"Are you okay,"Raiya asked Eun with genuine concern, as she saw the woman's hands shaking. It didn't take a doctor to figure out something was going on...

"Well, uh, I....." Eun gulped, looking down at the table in embarrassment. "I've, uh.... this is kinda embarrassing to admit, but..... this is the first date I've ever been on in my whole forty-year life, and I'm really, really nervous, and, uh, you seem really.... forward. I mean, no offense, but it kinda felt like that to me." she slumped back in her chair, worried sick about Raiya would react.

Raiya blinked, and then stared at Eun in silence. She really, really hoped that she had heard the other woman wrong when she said date. But that's the only thing that would make sense, why else would she be this nervous?, The rational part of Raiya's brain told the rest of her still numbed mind.
"Wait a second,"She started to say slowly after a few seconds," Did you say.....date?"

"Uh....." Eun certainly hadn't been prepared for that kind of reaction. "Yeah... date. Wasn't it obvious I've massively crushed on you?" Oh. Dear. God. She's straight?! OhGodOhGodOhGodOhGodOhGodOhGodOhGodOhGodOhGodOhGod...........

"No I thought you were just nervous about meeting the new Commanding Officer," Raiya replied slowly," And I thought this was just a get together as in....friends."

My Chief of Medical has a crush on me, and is a woman from another species.....that's a new one

"Oh....." Eun felt like a idiot little schoolgirl who couldn't just keep her mouth shut long enough not to get in trouble. "I.... I, uh, I've been sitting here for the past ten minutes thinking you knew it was a date and really wanted to sleep with me at the end of it." It just came blurting out of her mouth, perhaps too quickly and suddenly, but it was the truth.

"Oh....," Raiya echoed," Well given your perspective I guess I can see how you might think that I was a little forward.....thanks for being honest and not trying to lie to me about it though," She said, with sincerity. She couldn't even imagine how Eun was feeling right now- not that she was having a walk in the park herself- but didn't want to make the woman feel worse about the misunderstanding.

Eun shrugged a little, too embarrassed to look up. "No point lying to the CO. So.... should I just leave, and not bother you anymore outside of work, ma'am?" She felt absolutely terrible about this whole mess-it was a mistake to ever ask her out. Hell, maybe it was stupid to even consider trying to date anyone, if it just went as bad as this.

"Of course not!," Raiya exclaimed ,"Everyone makes mistakes Doctor you can't let it define everything."

I'm not sure about dating," She continued shifting in her seat a little. Raiya really wasn't sure about dating it had never occurred to date another woman. She'd known quite a few people in the Federation who were comfortable dating the same gender, but none had ever asked, or expressed an interest in Raiya, and likewise Raiya had never asked or expressed an interest in one of them. It wasn't as if Eun was bad looking (different though, very exotic by Bajoran standards who had few people that matched what humans called an oriental phenotype) but Raiya still wasn't sure if she wanted to, or hell if it was even appropriate for her to see the Doctor in a romantic fashion. Raiya had a feeling that the way she'd started looking at Eun since the revelation that it was date gave her away, but there wasn't much that could be done about that.
"Besides you need a few hobbies apparently," She finished with a smile.

"I guess I do," Eun said in quiet agreement. "I'm kinda used to my boring life, though. Never really cared about being interesting, or having fun, or anything like that. I probably wouldn't have even said anything to you if I wasn't an unmarried virgin who's never been kissed or even had a date before, at an age when most people of my race have at least four spouses."

"Well it's not about being fun or interesting, it's about having fun and doing things that are interesting......Wait your a polygamist?,"Raiya asked with an arched eyebrow; questioning Eun's intentions.

"Well, normally Lagashi are, but my parents were... different. They were monogamous, something that's pretty weird for my species." She sighed before continuing, "I pretty much am too, and that didn't sit well with the other guys and girls growing up. I can't even remember having a single friend when I was a kid."

"Ah okay," Raiya replied; happy to find out that Eun was monogamous, but felt sad that she didn't have a lot of friends. "Well if it's any consolation I didn't have a lot friends growing up either. The Cardassians liked Bajorans about as much as a Klingon does a Tribble. And if more than two of them are talking, well that's just asking for punishment."

"Sounds pretty harsh," Eun commented quietly, mindlessly pushing her hasperat back and forth around her plate. She didn't really know what to say, other than that-no experience of hers could compare. Her gut was churning and twisting too much with guilt over leading her CO into such an embarrassing situation to eat.

"So.....you want to do this again,"Raiya asked Eun, after the conversation stalled."Minus all the awkward moments that is hehe."

Eun's honest answer would have been a huge yes, but at this point she was so racked by guilt that all she could force out was a meek "Uh-huh." She again shifted in her seat, awkwardness practically flowing off of her.

"Okay I look forward to it,"Raiya replied with a smile. However awkward this had been, she was still glad to have someone she could talk to.

"Right," Eun replied quietly as she stood up and walked out straight out, shoulders slumped in disappointment with herself for causing what she saw as a horrible night for Raiya.


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Backpost

Lieutenant(jg) Acel'ex had finally gotten himself straightened out, in his quarters and remembered that he needed the physical done, before he can go on duty, officially. He headed for the turbolift and took it to Sickbay, ambling in and looking around.

"Hello? I am here for my initial physical! Anytime you're ready...!" he called out with a wry grin playing across his face.

Eun snapped her head up once more upon hearing a man bellowing in sickbay. She was surprised to see a man with an extremely odd device coming out of his head, and assumed he was another Lagashi, as that was all she could think of to explain it. Didn't expect to see another serving here...

She stood up and strode up to the man, managing a tiny smile. "I can help you with that." She extended her hand to him, continuing, "Eun Ae Kye, Chief Medical Officer. Didnt expect to see another Lagashi serving here."

"Lagashi? No, I am Human/Thalaxian, one of only a handful of us hybrids in existence," said Acel'ex, blushing slightly. "Erm..Help me with what?"

"Oh..." Eun instantly pulled back in embarrasment, ashamed of making that assumption. "Well, uh, anyway, you said you need a physical?"

"Yes, I need my initial physical, as a new crewmember. This way I can go ahead and be ready for my first official shift tomorrow," replied Acel'ex, grinning.

"Uh, right. Just come over here and we can get started." She motioned towards an exercise machine and grabbed a tricorder, quickly checking his vitals with her ocular implants. "So, I've never treated a Thalaxian before. Any biological oddities I should know about?"

Acel'ex chuckled.

"Actually this isolinear datachip has it all," Acel'ex started, as he pulled a small container from his tunic. "The two main areas of concern, is my pantograph, which needs to be raised to use any one of my four 'abilities', telepathy, empathy, high-speed and extraordinary strength. One way to prevent access to special abilities, is to physically restrict the raising of my pantograph. Plus, I can be hurt, just like anyone else, but I am able to "heal" the pantograph, by auto-regenerating it, if damaged or destroyed, or through modified regenerators "tuned" to my pantograph's "DNA", and the fact I experience 'Fa'eer H'ak' every eleven years."

Acel'ex paused, then spoke.

"Basically, it is a dormant 'condition', found in every Thalaxian. I got it when the Thalaxian DNA was infused. It rears its ugly head every eleven years, much like the Vulcan Pon Farr and must be treated with a passionate kiss, either by another Thalaxian female, another Thalaxian DNA-infused female or another female who can induce relief, by triggering full 'arousal'.

Unlike Pon Farr, it is not fatal, but just incapacitates with worsening flu-like symptoms, until I am 'aroused' with a passionate NON-french kiss. I called it a virus, at first, because at my first encounter with Fa'eer H'ak. You could check my medical files, downloaded from this isolinear chip I keep with me, at all times, given to me after infusion.

The complete Thalaxian medical/cultural data is in the chip and downloaded at every post, I am assigned to."

"I'll look over it soon," Eun replied, taking the chip and setting it on her desk. "Now, normally I'd ask you to move to an exercise machine, but I don't think it could get you to your THR, what with your muscle mass and such, so would you mind just lying down for a full body scan at least?"

"Sure. I will need that chip back, before I leave, so you might want to download the data. The Thalaxian 'envoy' made it clear I must have it on my person at all times, whenever possible," said Acel'ex. "Why don't you think I can reach THR, whatever that is?"

"Target Heart Rate, it's what your ideal heart rate during a workout should be. All things considered, your body probably won't be strained enough by our exercise machine to reach it, so we can skip that." Eun finished her explanation as she guided him over to a biobed integrated into the wall, able to retract with a patient inside into the wall for a through bodily scan. "Just lie down here and stay still, and we'll be done in a few minutes."

"Sure thing," said Acel'ex, as he laid on the biobed. He remained stock still, hoping he wasn't too big to fit in the space.

Acel'ex was just the right size to snugly fit through the tube and into the wall, remaining completely still as Eun did a through scan of his body. There was nothing alarming or of note, at least considering his unusual biology.

After becoming comfortable that there was nothing wrong, Eun retracted the bed Acel'ex lay on and handed him back his isolinear chip, an ensign having already downloaded it to her computer for her. "Here you go."

"Thank you, Doctor. Is there anything else you need?" asked Acel'ex, quietly now, slipping the chip back into its container and into his tunic..

"No, feel free to leave. I'll take a look at your medical history sometime soon." She made a mental note to keep up some regular exams of Acel'ex's Pantograph, if only for the sake of keeping her worries quelled.

"Very well. I appreciate this," said Acel'ex. He then headed out of Sickbay, happy to have taken care of that little task.

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Deck 15, USS Perseus
Stationary Orbit, Earth
Day 1, 1522

It hadn't taken a considerable amount of time nor effort for Arun to arrange to have his personal effects transported directly on board the Perseus from Earth; in fact, the Quartermaster had made it clear with unwavering assurances, that the two large cargo containers would be stowed away in Arun's personal quarters, awaiting his arrival no later than 1600 hours today. Because the Explorer-class design didn't employ a separate office and/or ready room for the Executive Officer, there wasn't much unpacking and settling in that Arun could accomplish until his personal belongings would arrive. Since his afternoon agenda had changed slightly, the Lieutenant elected there was no time like the present to have the standard medical physical completed. As such, he had descended to deck fifteen and had easily navigated the large the corridors until reaching a set of blue doors designated as the sickbay.

The biometric sensor's detected his approach, which signaled the two door panels to disappear into the recessed cavities of the bulkhead, left and right accordingly. Stepping over the threshold and into the medical bay, hazel-colored eyes surveyed the large, elongated compartment in an attempt to locate a Doctor or Nurse.

After Lt. Acel'Ex's physical, Eun had returned to her office only for another officer to step in, this one she recognized as the Executive Officer. Was every member of the senior staff going to visit her today? She sighed and stepped out, greeting him with a slight tinge of weariness. "Can I help you, sir?"

Turning to his left, Arun was pleased to see a young woman standing in the doorway of the Chief Medical Officer's office, perhaps this place isn't a ghost town as I'd have previously thought. As the promotion to First Officer had happened rather hastily, Arun hadn't yet had the opportunity to familiarize himself with the service jackets of the assigned Senior Staff (that would come soon enough, though), so he didn't visibly recognize the Officer, but went so far as to assume she was the ship's Doctor. "Yes, Lieutenant, I'm here for my required physical." He replied simply, a smile adorning the ruggedly handsome features of his face.

Another one, terrific. Just bloody terrific. "Step over to the exercise machine and we can get started." She grabbed up a tricorder from a nearby desk, having grown sick of scanning people with her implants today. Four more hours of this, just four more hours and then I have a date...

Arun did as instructed, taking a passive interest in the slight inflection of annoyance he thought to have heard in the Doctor's response. Locating the compact machine, he approached it and awaited further instruction; if this experience were to be like any other physical he'd taken before, he was certain the Doctor was going to be putting him through a rather rigorous series of physical exercises. Unzipping his uniform tunic, he stripped away the top layer, hanging it on a retractable, wall-mounted peg. Left in the gold undershirt of the services division, he waited for the Doctor to join him.

Eun found it rather curious that Ameen still wore a gold uniform, but didn't put too much thought into it. Shrugging, she stepped over and tapped a few commands into the exercise machine, starting up it's treadmill component. At the same time, she did a few quick scans of the lieutenant with her tricorder. "Start running, I want to start by seeing how long it takes you to reach your target heart rate."

"Aye Doctor," he replied, mounting the machine and then adjusting his gait to compensate for the slowly increasing speed of the treadmill. As a young child, Arun had enjoyed the sport of cross country running; often times, he'd wake just as the sunrise was cresting upon the horizon, and would partake an early morning run with his father. This time was special, as it was really the only chance he had to share alone with a person he had once greatly admired. The rest of the day was often spent vying for his attention and affections, competing against two older brothers and even his mother, if one could understand such a complex mentality for a child. The problem, however, was that Arun was never really very good with competition, so when his father would sneak into his room during the early morning hours and shake him awake for a two or three mile run, Arun hardly ever disappointed his father by saying no.

"You know Doctor, while I attended the Academy, one of my extracurricular activities club was the cross country team ... I think maybe a bit more speed would help me to reach my more conditioned response rate." He suggested politely.

Eun nodded and tapped in a few commands, tripling the speed of the treadmill. "Any other activities, injuries, illnesses or conditions I need to know about?" She'd already read his medical history thoroughly, but experience had taught her that records didn't tell one everything important about a patient's health. Sometimes, it was just necessary to ask-or possibly grill-him directly.

Arun's gait quickened, as did his breathing and heart rate. This was more like it. "Ummm ... let me think," he mustered. "When I served on board the Horatio, my arm and leg were broken when the ship sustained extensive damages after intercepting a unique stellar phenomenon. Aside from that ..." He breathed, "I don't think so." He thought for another moment, aside from the standard childhood ailments, he'd not experienced overt medical maladies that warranted noting outside of what was already retained in his comprehensive medical history supplied by Starfleet Medical.

"Well, as long as you don't have any lingering pain, it should be fine." Eun finished her scan as Arun reached his THR, taking note of the time it had taken at the current speed while she deactivated the treadmill. As Arun slowed down with the spinning belt beneath him, she pulled down a pull-up bar to within his reach.

"When you're ready, I'd like you to start on some pull-ups so I can monitor how your formerly broken arm reacts to the stress."

Before moving on to the next exercise, Arun unzipped the gold shirt he still adorned. Peeling it from his upper torso, he was left bare-chested, a sparse smattering of black hair sprinkled across a rather well defined and toned chest, the sweat apparent through its glistening under the recessed lighting of sickbay. "Yes, Ma'am," he replied, reaching up towards the chin bar, gripping it tightly, he started to lift himself from the carpeted deck plating below, bending his legs at the knee so they would no longer touch the floor, the tightening and definition of his arm muscles flared. "Doctor, those are quite a unique pair of eyes you have there. Tell me, when did you require implants?" He inquired unabashed, more intrigued with the integration of cybernetic technology on the woman. Already, he'd been surprised twice by two of his fellow crewmen ... first by Lieutenant Acel'ex, now by the good Doctor, both, apparently, with cybernetic or technological adaptations that were quite interesting to the engineer at heart.

"Well, the ocular implants weren't really needed," Eun replied quietly as she monitored the strain on his muscles, "It's just incredibly common for Lagashi to have cybernetic eyes. Though I did need structural reinforcement to my skeleton when I was a teenager."

Eun wrote:"Well, the ocular implants weren't really needed," Eun replied quietly as she monitored the strain on his muscles, "It's just incredibly common for Lagashi to have cybernetic eyes. Though I did need structural reinforcement to my skeleton when I was a teenager."

Arun halted mid-pull-up as his eyes fixated on the mechanized orbs belonging to the Doctor. "'Structural reinforcement'?" He inquired thoughtfully and with deep-rooted interest. "I'm not familiar with your species, although I know of them ... is this a common practice, the integration of artificial machinery and technology into the biological?" He asked as well. In Earths history, it was common practice to integrate artificial apparatuses into the Human body when certain systems failed; metal hips, artificial hearts, prosthesis, they were all utilized in such a way as to alleviate and further enhance the lifestyles of those afflicted by devastating medical conditions. However, in the way that the Doctor explained her own adaptations, it sounded as her ... biological ... changes hadn't been medically necessitated.

"You could call it common... we're given technological upgrades at birth." She snapped her tricorder closed, sufficiently pleased with the results of the scan. "You can stop now, all I want to do now is get a blood sample and ask you a question. Then you can get out of here."

Eun Ae Kye wrote:"You could call it common... we're given technological upgrades at birth." She snapped her tricorder closed, sufficiently pleased with the results of the scan. "You can stop now, all I want to do now is get a blood sample and ask you a question. Then you can get out of here."

Arun gently let himself down from the pull-up bar and retrieved a baby-blue towel with the Starfleet Medical emblem stamped in the middle of the actual towel. Wiping the sweat from his brow and chest, he turned towards the Doctor. "Certainly, feel free to ask." He replied politely.

"Well, this is going to sound odd," Eun explained as she took out a syringe and swabbed his arm. "What's the CO like? I mean, how does she behave? Is there anything quirky or unusual about her? Like, uh, anything I should know if I were to.... date her?"

Arun paused for a mere second, a subtle look of surprise crossing his face, I've only just arrived on board ... why would she believe I would know anything about the Captain? I just met her for the first time this morning. He inwardly griped. Saddling that particular thought for the time being, he slowly shook his head in response, a confused expression now adorning his face. "There's not much about her that I actually know, really ... she and I only met for the first time earlier this morning and prior to that I had no anticipation of being reassigned and/or promoted to this posting, so I can't really say that I've researched her service jacket either." Pausing once more, he contemplated whether his next question would be appropriate, but ultimately curiosity won out. "If I may, why do you ask?" A raised eyebrow complimented the inquiry quite nicely.

"Oh, uh, no reason at all, don't worry about it," Eun lied, "There's nothing more, so feel free to leave." She nervously shifted her weight, desperately wishing she hadn't said anything about Raiya.

Eun Ae Kye wrote:"Oh, uh, no reason at all, don't worry about it," Eun lied, "There's nothing more, so feel free to leave." She nervously shifted her weight, desperately wishing she hadn't said anything about Raiya.

Arun cast a most inquisitive look towards the Doctor as he came to rest against the nearest biobed. His head cocked to the right and an eyebrow raised, he held up a hand to still the Doctor almost as if by instinct. "Now, you really wouldn't have asked unless there was a reason ... now, out with it." He said so plainly that it instilled a sense of non-retreat and expectation.

"I, uh, I...." Eun gulped and looked down, nervousness pouring out of her. "I kinda have a date with her tonight... sorry if that's inappropriate, but she didn't say no...."

Arun stared at the Doctor; just ... stared with a sort of dumbfounded expression that conveyed a sense of utter chock. "So, let me get this straig-ahem, correct." He replied after the silence between the two had swelled to uncomfortable proportions, "you asked your new Commanding Officer, a woman whom you only met for the first time earlier today and hardly know anything about, out on a ... date?" Arun was unable to hide or shield or mask the sheer ridiculousness of how his statement sounded and that had been the intent.

"Yeah... instant crush." She gulped audibly and reached for Arun's duty jacket, handing it to him with trembling hands. "Can you please not go spreading it around? I don't want to be the subject of any nasty rumors or anything... sir."

Eun Ae Kye wrote:"Yeah... instant crush." She gulped audibly and reached for Arun's duty jacket, handing it to him with trembling hands. "Can you please not go spreading it around? I don't want to be the subject of any nasty rumors or anything... sir."

Arun took the jacket from the Doctor, not unobservant to the woman's outward physical reaction to the direction this particular conversation was taking. Assuming a more serious posture, Arun wiped a bead of sweat that was trickling down his temple before responding. "What you speak of is business between yourself and the Captain, I've no business in saying anything unless it interferes with the cohesive operations of this ship and its crew." He paused before continuing, "a word of advice, however, consider what you're doing very carefully and how it might impact yourself, the Captain and this ship; outside looking in, it's all been much too rushed." He concluded simply. One didn't necessarily need to overtly comprehend the meaning behind the statement, that was apparent in-of-itself. "Cheer's, Doctor." He commented lightly before departing from the medical bay.

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Crazy Eights Lounge, Deck 8
1439 hours, Day 2

Entering the lounge with his data padd in hand Navir gave the room a quick scan seeing that the room was mostly vacant with only a few officers and crewman here and their. Finding a spot near the back that gave him a clear view of the entire room as well as the windows Navir crossed the room to the empty table and took a seat. For a moment he was tempted to work more on the information on his padd but decided against it thus he set it aside. Catching the eye of the server Navir quickly thought about what he would eat.

As the young man approached the table he brought out a padd and stylus. "Good afternoon sir. What can I get for you?"

"May I have a Caesar salad extra dressing with aside of Maaza Stalks, also an I'danian spice pudding and a Tarkalean Tea extra sweet please."

The man quickly took down the order and while doing so had a some what quizzical look on his face. It wasn't the first time he had seen such a reaction as most believed that Vulcans only partook of bland food. Navir knew with time he would shake a few of the stereotypes that people had come to think of Vulcans. How deeply he would shake those beliefs he wasn't sure yet. He knew tormenting people was a little malicious but part of him just rather enjoyed it to much. Of course it was easy as few new about the group or colony of Vulcans he came from. As the young man nodded and left to fetch his order Navir sat back and relaxed a little as he waited for his food to arrive.

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