Unexpected Visitor

Posted on Sat Apr 2nd, 2011 @ 4:59pm by Ensign Matthew Lessly

Mission: Episode 2.1 - "Unanswered Questions"
Location: Promenade, Stabase 386
Timeline: Shoreleave 01, 1500

ON: [[Promenade, Stabase 386, Shoreleave 02, 1500]]

Matt walked down the gangplank to the main recreational corridor of the starbase. He had been surprised by Captain Iluvar a few hours earlier with an offer of the Chief Science Officer's position on the Pandora and he thought he would go out and celebrate a little. It wouldn't be as nice as it could have been, because he hadn't been able to get a message through to Earth. When he tried to contact John at the shipyards, he had been told that John had the day off and when he tried the apartment no one answered. He had managed to get through to his sisters college, but it turned out that she was taking a final exam and her inbox was full.

Looking around the promenade, Matt sighed and made his way towards a coffeehouse that seemed like it was off the beaten path. He ordered a caramel macchiato with extra caramel. He normally tried to stay away from the "fancy" drinks, but it was nice to celebrate with one.

A few moments later the young lady behind the counter brought his drink up to him and he found a seat at one of the tall, round, two to three person tables near the edge of the establishment, but chose to sit with his back to the promenade.

Sipping his drink, Matt thought about how he was going to set up his office and, for that matter, his new quarters. *Being a department head does come with some advantages, after all.* he thought to himself.

A few minutes and about a third of the macchiato later, Matt was suddenly startled when a pair of arms came sweeping over his head, hugging him softly. He could tell that the head that went along with the arms was just behind his left ear, but before he could say anything, a familiar voice said, "So... what's a guy like you doing drinking a coffee like that, alone, in a place like this?"

Matt's face instantly brightened and he responded, sarcastically, "Well, first thing is, this is a macchiato, not a coffee, and secondly... you didn't answer my call earlier."

Letting go of Matt, John (NPC) walked the short distance to the chair across from Matt and sat down. "How am I supposed to surprise you if I have my sub-space forwarding to my shuttle?"

"You have your own shuttle now?" Matt replied.

"Being dockmaster has its privileges, you know." John said.

"Well lucky you!" Matt said, setting his drink down. "Anyway, I'm so glad you're here! I was going to tell you on subspace, but now you're here and I really wanted to tell you..."

John stared at Matt and grabbed one of his hands. "Calm down, take a breath, and tell me what you're so excited about."

Matt blushed slightly at being so hyper, even around John. Taking a deep breath, just like John wanted him to, he calmed down and said, "Captain Iluvar asked me to be his Chief Science Officer!" he said, bouncing up and down slightly in excitement.

John smiled broadly. "That's great! How long ago did you hear?"

"About three hours ago. I finished a simulation I was running and then came down here to celebrate." Matt responded. "The old CSO just moved out, so I can start moving into her old quarters and office when I get back."

"That's great, then I won't have to track down the quartermaster for temp-quarters, I can bunk with you!" John said, happy that he would get to spend more time with Matt than he would have if he had to stay in visitors quarters on the station.

Grabbing Matt's drink, John swished it about a little, seeing how much was left, and took a drink from the mug. "That's pretty good. Not quite the same as Maria's back in San Francisco, but still good." he said, as he set the empty mug back down on the table.

Matt gave John a slightly irritated look, John knew he hated it when he finished his drinks, but he did it anyway just to mess with him. "Since you're so willing to help me finish my things, let's go back to the Pandora and you can help me pack my stuff to move it." he said sarcastically.

John putt on a sad, puppy-dog face and stuck out his lower lip slightly. Not getting any response from Matt, he said, "I suppose I can help you..."

A split second later, both of them were smiling and laughing at each other. Matt picked up the empty mug, returned it to the counter, and the two of them walked out and towards where the Pandora was docked, happily holding hands and talking about what had happened since they had spoken over sub-space a few days prior.

OFF:

A Post by:

Ensign Matthew Lessly
Chief Science Officer
USS Pandora

&

Lieutenant John Forest (PNPC)
Dock Master
San Francisco Shipyards
Played by Ens. Lessly