The Sound of Silence

Posted on Mon Oct 19th, 2020 @ 2:21am by Captain Torilla Yamaguchi & Lieutenant Rachael "Ripcord" Yamaguchi & Lieutenant JG Matthew Plumeri

1,144 words; about a 6 minute read

Mission: Episode 107 – Recovery
Location: The Skyline Lounge - Starbase 400
Timeline: ??

Lieutenant Rachael Yamaguchi was sitting at one of the tables in the Skyline Lounge, she looked disgruntled as a medium pizza was sitting on a plate before her, unwanted and unloved. Yamaguchi looked out of the viewport, out of the stars.

"Humanity has always looked to the stars... for answers... Sometimes, one doesn't like what they find there..." she sighed softly. "While the universe offers few answers... It's more than willing to confront us with new questions..." she commented aloud.

Nothing much worked around here anymore. The Typhon Pact were real shit heads about wrecking just about everything. So, one of the few working replimats had long lines and few seats. Matthew didn't have much time to eat. He was on a mission anyway to get three working optical data processors for the science labs. It was best if he did this 'mission' alone since he would need to 'borrow' them from another area on the station. In between those places was the replimat. He ordered something easy and quick. An Orion hot-wrap. Spicy meat and sauce and some Altair water to wash it down.

There was a very pretty lady that looked oh-so-fine sitting with an open empty seat across from her. Matt walked over to the table. She had a far off look in her eyes and almost didn't want to bother her, "Lieutenant? Excuse me, is this seat taken?"

Rachael's thoughts and contemplations were ruined as her attention was brought back to here and now. "I apologize, I was thinking... Yes, please have a seat..." she added after a moment.

Taking a seat, Matt said, "Thanks. A little bit like the Academy days huh? The close quarters, the finding a seat in the dining hall - all of it reminds me of the Academy. I'm Matt by the way. Historian and Planetary Sciences." He took a bite of the spicy wrap.

"Yes, memories of the second school." Ripcord answered. "I'm Rachael," she added. "I fly things, I drive things and I fix the things that others break," she added. "I'm in high demand these days... Still... It could be worse... We could be stuck using the officer's mess..."

His mouth was full of food, he was hungry. He chewed a moment, nodded his head, "Mmmm, yeah, all work and no play" he said with more food in his mouth than he ought to when speaking. He swallowed, "Sorry. Starved over here. I bet you are in high demand then. Fixing all kinds of stuff? I heard that the Typhon Pact basically stripped the computer core? And damaged something like....half of the shuttle bays? Now, that's just rude" he said with a cheeky grin and taking a big bite.

Someone behind him jostled into him trying to find a seat, "Sorry!" they said and almost spilled their tea onto him. He scooted in and said, "Crowded, daaang! I haven't seen you around here before? I don't think so? What ship are you stationed on?"

"I'm not." Ripcord regarded the man before her as she scowled at the man behind him, she turned her attention back to the man before her. "I'm the Chief of Flight Control for the Starbase... A long winded fancy title... I'm still not sure of what my job actually entails... So I've been making myself useful in repairs..." she explained. "What of you?"

He shook his head, "Oh, you know...just trying to get my department in order as best as I can." He finished the wrap and took a drink. "Sounds important Lieutenant. I mean Rachael" Matt said as he took another long look at her all the while trying not to look like he was checking her out. He said, "Flight Control I mean. I never really considered that the starbase has a steering wheel on it. But it can be maneuvered." He smiled and said, "I'm sorry - You have a very soft accent; if you don't mind a casual observation? Where are you from?" he asked.

Ripcord regarded him in silence, as she sipped her drink while he spoke. "When ships dock, they are required to slave their systems to us... So we can bring them into the internal docking bay... or tie up outside, assuming the base has that capability." she explained. "My accent... I didn't know I had one..." she paused. "I went to the academy on Alpha Centauri... Other then two weeks on Earth for paperwork... I've never spent long on Earth... It was the same with my siblings... My father is the last Yamaguchi from Earth."

"Ah, well, it's pretty is all I meant. Most people can't hear their own. And maybe you have none? I'm still getting used to all the different species here. With the loss of our ship, Endeavor and all my things...I've got some shopping to do over the next couple weeks. Do my part to rebuild the Starbase economy right?" He jested.

"No... I can't hear my accent." Ripcord commented quietly as she regarded the man before her. "But... since you brought it up, you do have one..." she commented. "Where are you from... If you don't mind me asking?"

Matt shrugged playfully, "Not anymore. I don't think so? Maybe when I get super-pissed. Sometimes, my temper gets the best of me. Then, you don't want to be around me. But, no matter, I've worked on having no accent and speaking Standard." He finished up his meal and pushed the tray away. "Thanks for the seat Lieutenant. Someday, when all this is back to 'normal'...maybe I'll see you around the station? You never know? It could happen." He smiled and picked up his tray to leave. "Excuse me please? I've got to get going and back to work. Nice to meet you, Lieutenant. May I call you Rachael?"

Rachael chuckled softly. "You ay call me whatever you desire, so long as I know you are addressing me and you can say it around a rather... unusual teenager..." she looked up at him. "It was nice sharing a table with you. Maybe we could do it again sometime.?"

"Awww hell's yes! Sounds good to me LT. Well. I'm off. Back to doing whatever it is I do all day." He nodded with a grin and left the table. Rachael sure was easy on the eyes and he did want to get to know the crew better. He bussed his tray back into the replimat replicator and stole one more look at her over his shoulder before leaving.

Ripcord admired the man she had just shared a meal with, he was easy on the eyes and while she wasn't sure about him because she had just met him, but she also wished to get to know him better. She smiled as she caught him stealing a glance at her as he departed.

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