A new face

Posted on 19 Sep 2016 @ 11:34pm by Lieutenant JG Eelim Galan & Ambassador M'rayr Eisovo

1,489 words; about a 7 minute read

Mission: Episode 12 - Recluse
Location: USS Galileo - Mess Hall
Timeline: MD-01

[ON]

M'rayr's quarters aboard the USS Galileo were more than satisfactory, particularly considering it possessed a working sonic shower, environmental systems, and a replicator. As he emerged from the rest room in freshly replicated civilian attire, a grey formal, M'rayr considered whether he'd prefer to eat in his quarters or to explore the ship further. It had been more than a year and a half since he'd been on a Starfleet vessel of any size or classification, and while M'rayr had no intention of remaining aboard for long, he decided that a little exploration wouldn't hurt. If anything just to reminisce...

Nova classes didn't take long to explore though, particularly when access to certain parts of the ship were restricted. Former Starfleet captain or not, he lost his security rating the moment he chose to hang up the uniform. So M'rayr soon enough found him in the mess hall, ordering a small fruit salad and grain, complemented with a glass of spring tea.

Taking a seat in the corner, M'rayr bowed quietly and gave offerings to Mraownr before beginning to eat.

Eelim entered the mess hall after his shift. He was adjusting as he'd recently changed from Gamma to Alpha and not to mention the fact that he was still recovering from getting stabbed. He needed some down time but frankly...things were unfolding in his private life, some good, some bad, that required he stay alert.

His stomach couldn't take in the regular foods he liked, at least not yet, so he ordered a Bajoran Spice soup and a nice calming peppermint tea. He looked around for a seat and noted a new person. As security he hadn't met this new person so he made a B-line for him. "Hello. May I sit here." He indicated the empty chair.

M'rayr glanced up and was mildly surprised to find a Cardassian standing before him. The Caitian's gaze then wandered to the man's mustard-tunic, which meant he was a lieutenant junior grade either in security or engineering. M'rayr wryly supposed that he belonged to the former since he hadn't known any Cardassians worthy of the latter title.

It's been less than two years and now Cardassians serve in Starfleet, M'rayr thought quietly to himself as he quietly gestured towards the empty chair with his free arm. He was after all a visitor on this ship, and had no right to decline any request.

Eelim gave a smile and a nod. "Thank you." He sat down and started with his name since his rank was obvious. "Eelim Galan, Security. It's nice to meet you Mr...?" He let his voice trail off.

M'rayr could see that the Cardassian talent for inquisitiveness was alive and well, although at least this was a Starfleet mess hall and not a Cardassian interrogation room. And despite M'rayr's impression of the Cardassian species in general, Eelim was a Starfleet officer and that meant something.

"M'rayr Eisovo..." M'rayr finally answered, almost forgetting to remove the 'Captain' prefix. He was a civilian. But now that he was aboard, remembering that was becoming more and more difficult. Gesticulating with his hand, he made a non-committal gesture. "I am a passenger on my way to Starbase 234."

Eelim smiled then. "Well welcome! Our ship I small but its got a great crew and we're always glad to make new friends." He sipped his Bajoran soup from the cup it was in, he had to get it without any veggies, or meat, or noodles so it was just a blue liquid now. "How are you finding the ship so far?" He felt his stomach protest when the soup went in. He was still technically on desk duty, he was supposed to be off duty but convinced everyone that he could do it.

"My tour of the Galileo was quite short, indeed," M'rayr admitted. His last ship, the Katana, was Intrepid-class; while certainly not a large ship itself, it was more than double the size of the Galileo. The real benefit was in the amenities; the SS Rhapsody's Flaw which had brought him to the Galileo lacked modern systems like those found on board the Galileo.

M'rayr took a sip of his spring tea, letting the steaming fluid cool in his mouth before he swallowed. It tasted more like the real thing than anything he'd found elsewhere. "That being said, I am finding my time aboard the Galileo to be satisfactory."

Eelim smiled. "That's wonderful." His Cardassian inquisitive nature was coming out. "So Starbase 234 I've heard good things about it. Heard it's a big base. Are you assigned there?"

"Do you usually ask so many questions?" M'rayr asked almost before Eelim had finished, the Caitian sounding slightly impatient. Even in the mess hall, M'rayr was starting to feel like this was an interrogation. Eelim's uniquely pleasant demeanor only made him feel like he'd somehow winded up in another alternate timeline.

M'rayr didn't catch his temper in time. "Do you usually ask so many questions?" M'rayr asked almost before Eelim had finished, the Caitian sounding more than impatient. Even in the mess hall, this was starting to feel like an interrogation... even if Eelim's demeanor was so pleasant. When M'rayr realized how his response had come across, he wished he could have walked it back. "I apologize, Lieutenant. That was undeserved."

Eelim wasn't phased by the response. He'd had worse and perhaps he was being nosy but better safe then sorry. "Nothing to apologize for. It is my way, I sometimes sound like I'm interrogating...I'm not used to small talk. Although my crewmates are attempting to help me learn." he smiled. He'd come a long way from when he'd first come on the ship.

M'rayr picked up his fork and started searching for his first pick from the fruit salad without taking his eye off of Eelim. "I am retired these days, and on my way to Starbase 234 because it is proximate to the Galileo's course. From there, I will book passage elsewhere... eventually."

He gave a nod. "Ohhh your a Starfleet officer." That made him feel better. "Well I know there are many ships that go many places from the Starbase." He cringed at his bad choice of words.

The Caitian held a finger up to the security officer. "Was." he emphasized the word as much was reasonable. M'rayr didn't want there to be any confusion on the matter. With that, it was high time for him to turn the conversation around on the Cardassian if this conversation was going to persist. "And you have been on board for how long, exactly?" He asked.

He smiled. "Under three months. Not long but it feels...well it feels like home." He said honestly.

"And in Starfleet?" M'rayr asked, one brow raised. Was he dealing with a new chick in the nest? If so, that would explain the... enthusiasm.

"Well ten years ago I started the academy been working on ships for four since I graduated." He said. "So I guess a total of ten years." He said smiling.

So he isn't quite as green as I thought, M'rayr thought quietly, sipping on the last of his tea. "And how does the Galileo compare to your previous duty assignments?" He inquired next.

"Well the Heart was the same class but the Allan was a galaxy class so I've had both sizes of ship. I kind of like the smaller built ship. Easier security wise," he smiled sipping hi soup. "How about you sir? Have you ever been on a ship this small?"

M'rayr shook his head. "No. The Katana -- my last ship, was Intrepid-class. Not quite so large as a Galaxy, but not nearly as small as the Galileo."

Eelim smiled. "That sounded like the old earth story. This bed is too big, this one too small, this one just right." He laughed. "Sorry I have an odd sense of humour. And I don't usually talk this much." He said honestly. He quite liked the man.

The fact was that M'rayr wasn't accustomed to the story, nor did he want to have it explained to him. "No apology is necessary." M'rayr pointed out. He looked at the chronometer and saw the time. It was time to return to his quarters, as the next shift was about to get off, making the mess hall much busier. M'rayr didn't want to be the odd one out -- the only person out of uniform.

"I beg your pardon, but you'll have to excuse me. It is time for me to leave."

Eelim stood as M'rayr did. He wasn't finished but it was customary to stand when a senior officer did even though this one was retired. "It was great to meet you, Sir." He said.

[OFF]

*******

Ambassador M'rayer Eisovo
Chief Diplomatic Officer
USS Galileo

&

Lt. JG Eelim Galan (PNPC)
Security Officer
USS Galileo

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