[Deck 4]
Indira had just gotten back to her quarters and taken off her uniform
jacket when she noticed the message waiting for her to report to Cargo
Bay 1. Sighing softly to herself, she tossed the jacket back on,
zipping it up as she stepped out into the hallway, almost bumping into Runo.
"Whoa there doc... you should watch where your going. Take it from
someone who knows." He gave a faint smile while adjusting his uniform yet
again. Ever since he had stopped into sickbay to repair his broken arm,
each uniform seemed a little tight around the mended arm. Since he hadn't
been able to replace a few new uniforms, he had to make due with what he
had. "Where you headed in such a hurry anyway? We've almost get every
body back to where they belong on the upper decks but I wouldn't suggest
going to the mess hall anytime soon. Chef isn't too happy now that he got back
into his kitchen. Apparently, the environmental systems went crazy and ruined
one of Chef's prized creations in the freezer."
The mental image of the surly chef made Indira laugh. "I just got
back here, and there was a message for all Senior Officers and off
duty personal to report to Cargo Bay One. Not even time to relax and
have to go out again!" She said with an exasperated breath. "Care to
walk with me?"
"I actually was just on my way there myself." Runo smiled and gestured down the
hallway towards the turbolifts. "Shall we?" He began off at a slow
pace until Indira
caught up with him. He was quiet for a moment before speaking. "I never got to
say thank you for the help with my arm earlier. So... thank you, I guess."
"Hey. No problem. Its what I do."
They continued their walk in broken silence as voices from the other
crew members
sounded and slithered past them.
[Cargo Bay 1]
Indi could hardly believe the transformation. Obviously the Commodore
had outdone herself this time. The setup looked like something out of
Earth's classical Roman or Greek period with the banners and tall
columns.
Runo and Indi each took their spots in the ranks of crew gathered in
front of the platform, snapping to attention as Rehu came on deck.
Runo was called up first. "Honor to those who work hard.." She pulled
out a velvet box and opened it. Reaching out she ripped the two pips
from Dlya's uniform and let them fall to the floor. "Rewards come to
those who serve well." Shiarrael replaced them with two solid ones
and then a Kragite Order of Heroism "Continue to do well, Lieutenant.
Return to the line."
Wide-eyed, Indira stepped forward as her name was called next. "Honor
to those who work hard." She pulled out a velvet box and opened it.
Reaching out she ripped the single pip from the woman's uniform and
let it fall to the floor. "Rewards come to those who serve well."
Shiarrael replaced them with one solid pip and one semi-solid and then
a Golden Heart ribbon "Continue to do well, Lieutenant Junior Grade.
Return to the line."
Speachless, Indi stepped into the line next to Runo. She gave him a
wide grin. "Shall we celebrate later?" she asked under her breath.
Runo laughed quietly before strapping on the honor blade they recieved
onto his waist. There was a comfortable weight about it but for some reason,
it felt off. Glancing down, he sighed before taking the sword back off. "I have
to drop a few things off by my quarters and fill in Commander Marcus about
the situation up on deck 2 but let me check my schedule..." Pulling out an
imaginary calendar and looking over the days, he placed his finger on 'today'
and smiled. "It just so happens that I have an opening... how about dinner?
On Eris deck of course. I'm not too sure how long it will take for Chef to get
resituated."
Indi grinned. "I have a better idea. How about we head down to the
planet and see what they have for local delicacies? But I agree, I'd
like to take this back to my quarters as well, and maybe change out of this
uniform for the first time in what feels like forever. Luckily
though, thats just
down the hallway, and if I'm not mistaken, you're quarters are just a few more
doors down, so you can stop by and grab me when you're finished with your
errands, and we can head to the transporter room?"
Runo thought about it for a moment before nodding. After all, he hadn't been
down to Lyrilla since the short trip into Nysinrin City what seemed a life time
ago. His Lyrillan guide hadn't been too pleased to be ferrying around an
offworlder. "Alright, just as long as we don't have to eat any hrisnek soup."
He quietly laughed a moment. This cultural experience might be better than the
last one to Lyrilla.
"I'm sure we can find something palatable. Hrisneks cant be the only
animal they eat down there, and I'm sure there are plenty of fruits
and vegetables in the market place to fill us up just fine." She
grinned. "Or I'll see if I have better luck with the Chef to pack a
picnic?"
Runo raised an eyebrow. "You sure you want to try to hold a civil
conversation with Chef, you go right ahead." His eyes hinted at unspoken
laughter. "So it settled then. Meet you at your quarters in 30 minutes?"
"Deal." They stepped up to the doorway to her quarters. "I'll be ready."
Runo grinned and Indi slipped into her rooms and he continued down the corridor.
[To Be Continued]
Lt. Runo Dlya
Asst. Security Officer
Lt. JG Indira Bai
Asst. Medical Officer
