Chance meeting

Posted on Sun Feb 28, 2021 @ 8:38am by

Mission: Interludes - These Are Our Voyages...
Location: Officers Mess
Timeline: 249402.03

[ON]

Amanda Malloy, first officer of the starship Hornet sat in her office working on crew transfers and performance evaluations. Her never ending mission of completing paperwork and other administrative duties felt her stomach rumble. She had been working on the stack of files on her desk for over four hours now. She had made remarkable progress. She was just going over the two new officers Lieutenant Darf and Doctor Hisrch. The Hornet needed competent officers and it seemed the Hornet was getting the cream of the crop.

Again her stomach rumbled. She finished and decided to head to the officers mess to get something to eat. She did not want to be late or light headed for bridge duty.

She arrived at the officers mess just in time for lunch, so she decided on a chicken sandwich and cup of coffee.

She sat down at a corner table and dug in.

Dr. Hirsch had finished re-cataloging an inventory of geno-synthetic stock vaccines for the crew. Having completed the stock room, almost locking himself in by accident, he had then completed a fury of medical padd work of ongoing patient therapies on board the Hornet.

Liking to get into the thick of things fast, it was now six months since Calvin had been transferred. He had minimal contact with the Command Staff since then. However, he hoped to get a chance to sit down with them, given their busy schedule.

Filling his stainless steel mug of black coffee, double cream, double artificial sugar. Hirsch ordered two protein bars that would serve him well for the rest of his duty shift that day. It was then, when he turned with his replicated tray, in the mess hall, there was the Commander of the Hornet. Cal smiled. He hoped she wouldn’t mind the company.

Taking a seat across from her, near the mess hall window, he sat down his metal tray. “Commander Mallory, Dr. Hirsch. I hope you don’t mind me having a seat?” Calvin has nonchalantly begun his meal.

"Its actually Malloy actually, and no please feel free to join me." Amanda replied.

"My apologies. Commander Malloy." Hirsch, had closed his eyes scolding himself on the inside. He then swallowed, and opened them. He offered a smile. "Tell me, how are you enjoying your new XO position on the Hornet?" He had begun to take a drink of his much needed caffeination boost.

"I am settling into the role seamlessly. I was the chief of operations before and had barely settled into that role. On a prior away mission the first officer was killed by a sort of flying parasite. It was a horrific death. and she died a hero saving the rest of us. After that as next highest ranking officer I took command of the away team and led it to a successful conclusion. I was rewarded with a promotion and the job. " Amanda said.

"That is inspiring. Not so much, the last XO. But the fact that you had taken a situation and then led it to a safe conclusion." Hirsch watched the Commander. The more he had learned of her, the more he had felt that she was dynamic in ways. "I am just getting around to reviewing the past EMH files. I hope we do not come across such a situation again, although, if we are, I am well versed in biological containgen theory and practice." He raised his eyebrows rather playful. "What was it like having to speak to and have to talk to an EMH as a long term recourse for a Medical Department Commander?" Calvin was curious.

"As you know the EMH Mk IV is much more interactive that the previous EMH' who all had ther strengths. AI has improved a lot in the past twenty years. I suppose one had to remember that this was not an organic and with the failsafes in place to avoid sentience, it was actually hard not to make friends with them." Amanda said.

Hirsch couldn’t help but feel amused. He chuckled. “Looks like I may need another career in the next few years.” He mumbled a bit.

Pausing and taking a drink of his coffee, Hirsch looked out the windows of the mess hall. The view was striking. Despite being in space for years, he still found the view awe-inspiring.

“Where is home for you, Commander?” Calvin was interested.

"Earths moon, Luna colony, of course now my home is here on this ship. Ever met a Moonie before"? Amanda asked.

He cocked his head to the side. "Really?" Most of the Moon Colony was largely bureaucratic and Federation based. However, there were large cities of personnel and civilians who had chosen to live at the Colony.

"I find that fascinating. So you grew up on Luna?" He thought about a sky of stars, rather than that of his Earthly beginnings.

Some people think the moon is just a barren rock, when i was little my father and i would leave the dome of tycho city and go on hikes. Usually on the dark side of the moon because the day light on the moon was very hot. It was much safer at night, and the skyline was absolutely breathtaking, almost like space walking. My dad an I loved to stargaze. sometimes the only light besides the stars was the bright blue Earth...I remember those days fondly.

"Your lucky to do that. I would love to do that." Hirsch commented to Malloy. "The last time I was at Luna Colony, I was spending it in a stuffy conference hall with Federation Doctors. I don't think I felt ever felt as claustrophobic as that day." He then asked. "What does your Father do?"

"My father is an engineer but now he teaches engineering." Amanda said.

"Well." Hirsch had finished up. "I should probably be heading back to Sickbay." He had enjoyed their conversation, albeit, a short one. "It was a pleasure talking to you Commander." Hirsch smiled.

"The pleasure was mine Dr. Hirsch, I may be stopping by later to check up on you". Amanda said..

[End]

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A post by:

CDR. Amanda Malloy
Executive Officer

Dr Calvin Hirsch
Chief Medical Officer