Breakfast Club Membership Drive

Posted on 13 Jan 2013 @ 11:28am by Warrant Officer Evan Kell

3,156 words; about a 16 minute read

Mission: Episode 03 - Frontier
Location: USS Galileo - Deck 2, Mess Hall
Timeline: MD -02, 0710

ON:

Tiffany watched the doors as they opened but didn't reveal Jeremy Stone. She looked at her chrono again.

"He's not coming," she said, for about the millionth time. "I hoped he wouldn't still be feeling bad after yesterday morning. I didn't see him all day, every time I went by the Security office they said he was somewhere else, working. I couldn't interrupt him while he was working. I thought, for sure, he would come and join us for breakfast. We always have breakfast together. But he's not coming. He didn't say anything to me, did he say anything to you? Oh, Kell, maybe we didn't act fast enough and he just decided to stop coming altogether? Why isn't he coming? Should we go and get him? His quarters aren't that far away. It wouldn't take very long. But what if he's still really, really, really upset about what happened yesterday?"

She glanced at the doors again. "Why isn't he here yet? He's not the kind to be late."

Kell frowned into his breakfast. It was unusual for Jeremy to be late. As far as he knew, the man's routine was regimented right down to how many times he chewed each bite of his meal. "I don't know," he said, still frowning toward the door. "It's against regs for him to just up and leave," he rationalized.

Jeremy stopped just outside the doors to the Mess Hall. Sidi nudged up against him, bumping into his lower leg. Jeremy noticed it was a habit Sidi had, as if making sure Jeremy knew he was still with him. Sidi stared at him. Jeremy sighed. Since Sidi came aboard, the most people Sidi had been around was the Bridge for last night's launch. That was a professional environment though. Here it was casual and - he shuddered - relaxed. There would be more people around, a mixture of enlisted and officers.

Sidi nudged up against him again. Jeremy scowled. Did Sidi need something? Jeremy reviewed his wrist PADD. He'd been groomed, fed, had water. They'd already stopped by the Arboretum so Sidi could have a morning run and void - which is why he was getting to the Mess late, Sidi had discovered the ducks living in the pond. Fortunately Sidi didn't seem to realize that chasing after creatures that could fly didn't do him much good. Unless he planned for Jeremy to be late to breakfast. Of course, trying to figure out the new uniform specifications didn't help. But he had to admit, with the different design, it was a much cleaner appearance, even carrying Sidi's reward toy with him. But...it wasn't the same uniform he'd become accustomed too. However, it was stated this was a K-9 handler uniform in the manual and Jeremy followed the manual.

The doors opened, allowing someone to come out. The crewmember stopped for a moment and stared at Sidi. He looked as if he would say something but then - possibly at Jeremy's scowl - he turned and went the other way.

Jeremy sighed. He had to get used to the idea of taking Sidi places and...he had to eat (not considering he could just order something from his own replicator) before going, officially, on duty.

Sidi was impatient. He didn't know what was behind the doors but the smells coming out of there was making him want to go explore. They were good smells. Food smells. He licked his chops as his mouth watered. His stomach was full but that wouldn't stop him from trying some what smelled good. The good food smells. He gave a low whine as he looked back up at the man smell and stood. The man smell changed slightly. His smell made Sidi anxious, like there was danger behind the doors and among the food smells.

He whined again. Man smell turned to look at him. Sidi decided that whatever there was behind the door, whatever danger there could be, he and Man-smell could handle it. He started forward.

Jeremy saw Sidi moving forward and followed, shortening up the lead so Sidi wouldn't be able to lunge or rush forward to attack before Jeremy could stop him. The doors opened and Jeremy stepped through, noticing Sidi walking in with a stiff tail and head held high, ears pricked forward.

There were sounds everywhere, but they quieted as he entered the room. Sidi expected that. Sounds of bipedal-smells always seemed to get quiet when he came around. Their smells changed also. Their smells became that of admiration. Sidi perked up as he followed Man-smell toward the big area where the food smells were strongest.

Tiffany squealed as she saw Jeremy coming through the doors but stopped. "O-M-G!" she said, smacking Kell on the arm. "Look at that! He's beautiful!"

Kell turned his head forward and came face to face with the German Shephard, ducked behind several pairs of legs. They both leaned forward a little until they were looking at one another, Kell with his usual brand of mildness. In typical Capellan fashion, he didn't look all that surprised, but those who knew him knew he'd integrate the information sooner or later. In the meantime, he leaned forward, studying the dog curiously but not touching or cooing at it. "Starfleet has a K9 program," he said with slight appreciation, nodding his head. He had to hand it to Stone, though, handling one of those dogs wasn't exactly... routine, as far as he'd observed. "I'm surprised," he said, even though his facial expression said that he was more Watching Paint Drip Off A Wall. "Galileo's a small ship. Good on him."

"What?" a crewman said, from behind the counter. "You can't bring that in here! You can't bring a dog into the Mess Hall!"

Jeremy stopped as eyes turned to stare at him, the noise of the room growing even dimmer. Jeremy blinked as he glanced down at Sidi, realizing that the crewman was referring to Sidi. "You are mistaken," Jeremy said. "I'm afraid I can. Lieutenant Sidious is a member of security and afforded all privileges and responsibilities therein. Which includes access to all areas of the ship."

"No! You can't bring a dog into a place that serves food!"

Jeremy sighed. "Crewman," he said, aware, once again, of the room's eyes on him. "You are very mistaken. If you have a problem with this, you may have Mister Pawlek come see me in my office later. However, at this time, I've come for breakfast and I'm not leaving, nor sending Sidi out." He glared at the crewman. He was sure this would be a common theme for some time to come until people stopped thinking of Sidi as a 'pet' and as a security officer.

Jeremy heard some grumbling from various people about Jeremy placing himself above regulations but he ignored them. He was in his rights and he even confirmed that Commander Holliday was aware of Sidi's situation. "No," he said to Sidi as he moved through the line, obtaining breakfast, including some sausage, eggs benedict, roth'ka and a small bowl of diced melon. He added juice and tea to his tray, working hard to keep Sidi from diving into the serving line and balancing the tray. Finally, however, he made his way to his customary table, seeing that Kell and Darwisch were already there. Instead of sitting across from Kell, as he normally did, he took a seat placing his back to the wall, and allowed Sidi space to be unobtrusive.

"Mr. Kell, Mr. Darwisch," he said simply as he gave Sidi the hand signal for 'down'. Sidi whined as he looked at Jeremy's tray but did comply. Jeremy was proud of that. "Good boy!" he said, ruffling Sidi's head between his ears. "Who's a good boy then? Who's the best canine on the whole ship?"

Kell rose his coffee in greeting. "Morn. Nothing to worry about after all, Tiffany," Kell reassured his friend wryly. Looking back down at the canine, "What's his name?" he asked, either oblivious to or ignoring the various dirty looks people were throwing at Jeremy and the dog. What was it their business.

"What?" Jeremy asked, blinking as he strained the tea bag and set it aside.

"The doggie!" Tiffany exclaimed as she turned her chair. Sidi stood suddenly when she bent over. Tiffany came back.

"Please don't do that, Mister Darwisch," Jeremy said. "Sidi is a security dog and would not be remiss in biting you. Please be careful in your movements."

"But he's so beautiful. Can't I give him woves?" She said, her smile beaming as she pushed a stray bit of hair behind her ear. "I could just wove him all day!" She again reached to pet him.

Sidi had backed up as far as he could go and this woman-smell was still coming after him. He barked, warning her: I'm not a poodle! I'll bite you!

"Sidi! Out!" Jeremy commanded. "Mister Darwisch, please do not attempt to touch my dog." He turned back to Kell. "I'm sorry, you asked a question?"

"Oh," Kell nodded. "Well Sidi is his name then, I guess," the Capellan figured out.

Tiffany gave her I'm Not Happy Pout. He was a beautiful German shepard and he deserved to be hugged and petted and loved and nobody could do that better than her! But on the other hand, part of her was so happy to see Jeremy being so responsible with the dog. Responsible pet owners made good parents as well. She smiled to herself, thinking of the children they could have together. Tall with dark eyes like him, maybe reddish hair from her. She looked at her plate and formed an idea while the two men talked.

"Get aboard before we left Vega, then?" Kell spoke again, watching with mild amusement as Tiffany gave literal Puppy Dog Eyes to both Stone and his companion. He flipped the page from his PADD, From The Corner of His Eye, to the next section while he listened. (It will all be better in the end and if it is not better then it must not be the end yet.)

"Yesterday afternoon," Jeremy said. He blinked as he looked at his tray. "After I spoke with Lt. Coleman regarding a transfer off the ship. Commander Holliday called me to the transporter room. He said he and Captain Saalm thought having a security dog might help me to ...integrate... with the crew?"

His hand snatched out and caught Tiffany's. "What are you doing?" he asked, looking at the strip of bacon in her hand. He glanced down and saw Sidi staring at it.

"Look at the poor thing, he's hungry and nobody can't not like bacon!" she said, a little concerned by the force of his grip, but also enjoying that his attention was on her. She smiled her Sweet Smile which caused him to loosen his grip.

"Bacon is not good for him," Jeremy said. "It is full of fat and grease and sodium, all of which is not good for his health and fitness. He has already been fed a proper mixture of recommended and balanced nutrition pellets."

"That doesn't sound so appetizing," she said, putting the bacon to the side of her plate. She saw Sidi, he wanted the bacon. And he'd like for her to be getting it to him. "And if bacon is so bad, how come we eat it?"

"Because we're fools about our nutritional needs," Jeremy said, considering the sausage on his plate. It was only marginally better than the bacon. Why had he selected it? Now, the roth'ka that was good. He took a big bite, glancing at Tiffany. "I wanted to ask about introducing Sidi. Technically he's a lieutenant but...that could cause some confusion and undermine my position where the crew and department are concerned. Also, his official name is Sidious M W D Seven Two Two Three, but he responds better to Sidi." he stroked Sidi as the dog whined hearing his name.

Sidi smelled the good food smell that had been offered to him but stopped by the Man-smell. He knew it was just there, at the edge. He could just reach up and take it. The woman-smell had already given it to him so it was his by rights. That was the rule - when something is offered, it automatically and forever became his. But Man-smell acted as alpha and Sidi had to obey him. But he wasn't sure Man-smell was alpha. He often exhibited definitely non-alpha smells. Sidi wondered as he considered his food sitting on the counter place.

"What do you think is the best solution? Should I continue using his full name? Do I add the rank - which is his? Or using the diminutive form that he responds to?" Though Jeremy had settled the 'Friendly' part of the name. It wasn't listed anywhere in Sidi's information as being part of his name.

"Mm," Kell pondered the conundrum, wondering why he was always the one with the healthiest breakfasts out of them all. Which surprised him, really, because Jeremy was just that type. He dug into some more fruit and juice while he worded his next statements. "Things like Lieutenant, Sidious, M W D Seven Two Two Three," Kell recited, "It's distancing," Kell said. "They're formalized. Which other humanoids find demanding, like we've said. So that won't help with integrating. And he doesn't respond well to them, so it would cut down your bonding with him too. Sidi's best," the Capellan settled on with a nod.

"Oh, Kelly," Tiffany said. "You would so never be my boyfriend. 'Formalized' and 'distancing'? Those aren't the reasons to call him Sidi. It's because Sidi is just so much cuter! Sidious just sounds all mean and snarly," she made a face at that, "but Sidi is cute. It's a cute name for such a cute widdle doggy. Who's the cutest twiddle doggy in the quadrant," Tiffany said as she turned to Sidi. His ears perked up while he looked at her. "Yes you are, you are so precious. You're not at all mean and snarly is you?"

Sidi looked past her to the good food-smell still sitting within easy reach. His ears perked as her voice went up. A low whine was in the back of his throat as he asked for the food-smell again. Man-smell was keeping the good food-smell from him. Woman-smell was willing to give it to him. He licked his chops as he looked up at maybe alpha Man-smell.

Kell smiled slightly and shook his head ruefully. Kelly, he thought to himself, smothering his eyeroll in his cup of coffee. "It's unanimous, then," he interpreted, a still wry look on his face. "Are others allowed to touch him?" he asked Stone, though he figured he knew the answer already, he wasn't sure how Jeremy would train him specifically.

Jeremy chewed while he considered. He looked at Sidi for a moment, scowling as he saw the dog still focused on the bacon. "He hasn't shown an aptitude to be very friendly with others yet. It could just be confusion, a new situation and all these new people. I'm hoping he'll settle down and become more amenable to people. But right now, it would be irresponsible to let him get too stressed and injure a crewman. He would bear the brunt of the blame and I can't allow that to happen to one of my officers."

He frowned again. "He seems to like attention though, his posture changed considerably as we came into the Mess and people noticed him." He looked up at Kell, "and had no problem commandeering the Captain's chair on the Bridge either."

"Ambitious," Kell said in mild dryness. "You finding it alright being a handler?" he asked, curious as to how Jeremy was handling the process. Although to him, it seemed like it was doing Jeremy good. He wondered if Jeremy recognized that.

"It's been...frustrating," Jeremy answered as he had time to think about it while he chewed. "I'm not sure this was a good idea. Maybe one off my people would have been a better choice for this assignment. There's so much to remember with just basic command and he's going to throw off my entire schedule so I'll need to readjust to that which will take time. Plus people seem to want to...talk...to me about him. About their own pets. So far people don't understand that he's not a pet but a security officer. I'm worried that I may not notice and someone gets bit. How do I keep that from happening except to leave him in the kennel, but that's taking away his purpose and duty shifts. I'm not comfortable with the extra attention."

Jeremy shook his head. "Mister Darwisch, please do not sneak bacon to Sidi. I may have to consider an attempted bribe."

Tiffany quickly put her hands back on the table, but hid the dropped bacon behind her Sweet Smile. After all the Poor Doggy looked so very hungry, and he wanted the bacon. And a little bit of it won't hurt anyway. Nutritional pellets didn't sound very appetizing, but she knew that dogs loved bacon.

"Yeah, Galileo, most of these guys are science types, they wouldn't know the protocol," Kell agreed with a thoughtful nod. "Explaining it repeatedly'll get annoying. People'll get used to it," he assured around another forkful of berries. "The idea isn't bad, really. People are already talking to you about him," Kell pointed out. "Even if they're wrong about him being a pet. Some progress?" Kell shrugged. "He's new, so it'll be new for a while. Then people'll settle down."

Jeremy glanced at Tiffany, but saw the bacon remained on the edge of her tray, where it had been. However, Sidi seemed to be eating something. Jeremy checked again. Tiffany didn't act as if she did something wrong, smiling at him, but...Jeremy scowled. There was something going on. Unfortunately, though, Sidi was on his left, between him and Tiffany.

"Hopefully he'll have better treatment than I got," Jeremy said as he finished the main part of his breakfast. Absently he rolled up the sausage in a wrapping and set them aside. He flicked his wrist to look at the time, knowing that he would have to spend several hours on Bridge duty today.

OFF:

LTjg Jeremy Stone
Chief Security/Tactical Officer/K9
USS Galileo

Lt. Sidious 'Sidi' MWD 7223
Security K-9
USS Galileo

Warrant Officer Evan Kell
Intelligence Officer, SFI
USS Galileo

PO2 Tiffany Darwisch
Ops crewmember
USS Galileo

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