Close Quarters

Posted on 21 Oct 2013 @ 11:45am by Commander Norvi Stace & Ensign Im'er Mor'an

912 words; about a 5 minute read

Mission: Episode 04 - Exodus
Location: USS Galileo, Deck 4 - Corridor
Timeline: MD 05 - 13:00hrs

ON:

Having spoken with the captain and being officially assigned to the Gally now, Junior Grade Lieutenant Norvi Stace, the new Chief Research Scientist, had had enough of camping out in the cargo bay. She felt in the way and useless, taking up valuable space from the survivors of the Venture that were critically ill. If it hadn't been for her Symbiote joining, she would have been released a few days prior but the medics wanted to keep an eye on her recovery. Finally, through a cheeky smile and a flash of her green eyes, she had pushed for her release but was now found without bed or shelter. Seeking her out, Norvi approached Mor'an in a quest to find a new home.

"Ensign," she said, glancing over to the woman with a smile, "I understand that you're busy, but I was wondering if you could assist me in finding somewhere to sleep. I've just been released from the medical cargo bay and have been officially assigned as a member of your crew."

In fairness, Norvi now just wanted stability and the chance to focus on her work to drum out the pain and suffering she'd felt at the loss of her ship. She'd spent most of her lives adapting to change...to slotting into a new life where the hole she was offered was much smaller than she was used to. Starting over again was not that dogged the woman, but the loss of colleagues and friends she served with took its toll hard.

"I'm Norvi Stace. The new Chief Research Officer. How are you holding up?"

Mor'an looked up from her PADD at the Trill woman, previously unaware of her presence. She twisted her hand into the Tarkannan greeting, smiling as she did so. "Welcome aboard, Lieutenant," she said, "I am pleased that you have become part of the crew. We are glad to have as many good hands as we can acquire." She set her PADD aside and gestured for Norvi to sit opposite her.

"I am 'holding up' well enough," Mor'an continued, "But It was not my ship that was destroyed in the Borg attack. It was yours. How are you?"

Norvi smiled with a small, pathetic, uncomfortable wince and with a gesture of her hand, diverted the line of enquiry to dodge discussing the scenario again. "As well as can be expected, Ensign." She paused and then nodded. "But that is, partially, why I am here." She looked about herself and then trained her gaze back onto Mor'an. "I'm quarterless," she added poignantly. "And, I know that you're busy with..." she looked about her at the charred bulkheads... "all this, but I'd really like somewhere other than the medical cargo bay to sleep. And since I've not been installed on you staff, I was hoping to jump the queue, as it were."

She paused and then quickly add, "I hope I'm not out of line asking."

"You are not out of line," Mor'an said, quick to assure Norvi. "It is only fitting that you would want a place to sleep other than the cargo bay. I was unaware that you required quarters, as I was not informed that we were taking on some of the crew from the Venture, otherwise I would have had something ready for you when you left the medical cargo bay." She paused and looked at her PADD, touching a few buttons and reading the output on the screen. "Let me see what I can do," she went on, "I shall speak to some of the female crew members and see if they are willing to take on a bunkmate." She looked at Norvi again. "You will have quarters soon, I can assure you of that."

Norvi smiled at the ensign and sighed with relief. "Thank you, Ensign. That is a weight off my mind." In truth, Stace did not relish, with the atmosphere on the ship the way it was, sharing quarters again with someone else. After almost five lifetimes under her belt, the enthusiasm of youth somewhat waned with experience but she understood perfectly the danger that they were in, the premium of space, and the small, unaccommodating design of the Nova Class. "I'll look forward to hearing from you, Ensign." She cocked her head to the side and noted the data PADD in her hand. "Anything I can help you with?" she said, indicating to her work. "Until the science labs are operational again, I seem to be walking around like a lost puppy."

Mor'an smiled at the analogy that Norvi had applied to herself. "I can find something for you to do," she said, "How are you at repairs?"

She shook her head with a grin and formed her mouth into a mock frown as she looked at the ensign. "I'll try my hand at anything. What do you have in mind?"

"Engineering is trying to make repairs as quickly as possible and they have asked Operations to assist them," Mor'an said, "I am sending them as many able hands as I can. I think I shall send you to the Bridge to help with minor repairs. Is this acceptable?"

Stace smiled. "Absolutely. It'll be nice to feel needed again."

Mor'an nodded. "Good," she said, "I shall make it so."

OFF

Ensign Im'er Mor'an
Operations Officer
USS Galileo

AND

Junior Grade Lieutenant Norvi Stace
Chief Research Officer
USS Galileo

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