The Arrival

Posted on 28 Oct 2012 @ 5:33am by Petty Officer 1st Class James Watt & Crewman Athlen

1,179 words; about a 6 minute read

Mission: Episode 02 - Resupply
Location: Vega Colony
Timeline: MD-03: 0920 hours

[ON]

James Watt glanced over his shoulder at the departing shuttle, then back at the Starfleet facility looming over him. With his travel case in one hand and a PADD with instructions in the other, he continued on his way. It took him longer than he would have liked to get settled, and all for only a week or so. He left his case in his quarters and went to find a replimat. The petty officer turned went down the hall and called for the turbolift.

From the other end of the hall, a reasonably tall and teal uniformed Vulcan-looking fellow poked his head out and gestured to the newcomer as he approached the turbolift, coming to a stop just as the lift arrived. "Good morning, sir," he said serenely with a smile. He had several PADDs stacked in his arms, which he appeared to balance with no trouble.

"Good morning, crewman," James said with absent politeness as they stepped onto the lift. But Starfleet personnel, being more talkative in enclosed spaces than most people, James did not stay silent once the lift was off.

"Main level," he told the lift before striking up conversation, "Are there any good cafes or clubs around here?" he asked, "Replimats can become boring."

"I have been told there is a new Klingon restaurant near the Pavilion," Athlen said amicably as the lift started. He didn't offer his own location, presumably heading the same way. "I am going to see it now. Klingon food is quite good... provided it is not moving," he explained with good humor.

"Then I'm not sure it's Klingon food," James replied, "But the stuff never really sits well with me and I can't say I want to try it again."

"There is also a decidedly fascinating Ferengi bar on the other side of the boardwalk," Athlen said, the teasing tone of his voice evident now. "Snail juice, very intriguing." The turbolift opened and the Rigelian pointed to a well lit building outside the glass and tilted his head a little. "All jokes aside," he said as he stepped out, "I am truly not certain. I have only arrived to the colony this morning. I am heading to the Pavilion to see what is there, however. It is said there are a variety of different places. You are welcome to join me. I promise I will not decimate your palate with racht." Athlen smiled.

"I won't ask what that is," James said, smiling slightly as he stepped off the turbolift. "but I will take you up on your offer. By the way, I'm James Watt, but friends call me Striker."

The crewman bowed his head. "I am Athlen. It is nice to meet you... Striker." He smiled hopefully. It was his first term aboard a starship, and the Rigelian could use a friend. He clapped James on the shoulder heartily, pointing him in the direction of the Pavilion and pushing through the doors to outside.

"You're not a vulcan, are you?" Watt asked.

Athlen arched his eyebrows. For some reason, the young sociologist found that question beyond amusing. "No, sir," he said, schooling his face into something a little less like the cat that ate the canary. "I am a Rigelian. We are quite physically similar, except for the fact that most Vulcans find me thoroughly offensive." That only seemed to make his eyes sparkle more. "You are Terran?" he asked the petty officer as they walked. "James Watt. James, of the late Latin variant Iacomus, derived of the Greek form Iakobos, typically associated with...," he recited and he tapped a finger to his chin, "Ah, James the Greater, and James the Just. And Watt, of course, a diminutive of Walter, 'Wald-heri' of the Normans and the Conquest of 1066, meaning ruler and army." Another grin.

"You know more about humans than I do," James replied in surprise, but with an amused smirk. "Are you a linguist?"

Athlen shook his head, tipping his face up to feel the rays of the sun of the colony as they walked outside. "I am a sociologist," he explained serenely. "You are in Starfleet Operations?" he asked, noting the man's yellow uniform.

"Yes, I'm an engineer. What assignment does a sociologist receive on Vega Colony? Seems an obscure place."

The Galileo was in the distance, cutting through the sky. Despite the ship's smaller size, it still looked intimidating to someone on the ground. Athlen pointed at its giant outline. "There. I am assigned to that vessel. The USS Galileo. What of yourself?"

"The same. Perhaps we'll see more of each other." He fell silent as they walked along, but he spoke up again in a light-hearted tone. "But tell me, Mister Athlen, since you are a sociologist, why do I have the name Striker? I'd say a nickname tells you more about a man than any name he's had since birth. I doubt I'm related to any Great Just Jameses."

"Actually, your name tells me a great deal about you. For instance, the origin of your family, your lineage, heritage, travels, dating back to origin on Terra," Athlen said animatedly as he was wont to do when the subject interested him. "But, you are correct. Your personality is much more determined by a name chosen to fit it." The Rigelian thought a moment, perplexed. "I believe this is a case where book learning is insufficient to the experience," he admitted freely, with a rueful smile. "I truly could not tell you why it applies to you, as it is of an entirely separate origin to your given name. Unless, of course, it is literal, and you are a great marksman."

"I am something of a sharpshooter," he admitted. There was something of a pleased secrecy to his voice, suggesting that was not all there was to his name. "But regardless... you are a very interesting person, Mr. Athlen."

Athlen hummed contentedly, and pointed to a building as they rounded the corner. "Through here. I believe," he said a little uncertainly. The doors opened to reveal a large spacious area with a variety of people wandering to and fro, alien and otherwise. Various smells and sounds told of food and shops all around them. "So what does your nickname indicate?" Athlen asked curiously.

"Ah, that," came the smiling reply. "I don't think I will tell you, Mr. Athlen. I'll let you keep guessing."

The Rigelian bit back a laugh, and tilted his head to the side. "Well, sir, if there is one thing Rigelians and Vulcans have in common, it is curiosity." The two walked through a pair of glass sliding doors, while Athlen continued regaling him animatedly with useless pieces of information both about the food and the cultures it originated from.

[OFF]

Crewman Athlen
Sociologist, SCC
USS Galileo

Petty Officer 1st Class James "Striker" Watt
Engineering Officer
USS Galileo

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