Amongst the Green

Posted on Sun Mar 28th, 2021 @ 9:27pm by Lieutenant JG Miaxi Etaalu & Lieutenant JG Matthew Plumeri

5,961 words; about a 30 minute read

Mission: Episode 109 - The Dust Settles
Location: Arboretum
Timeline: MD3 - Early Afternoon

Miaxi's Quarters

It had been an interesting first day, Miaxi thought as she retrieved her plants from her gear, carefully protected from any thumps the bag might have received, and unwrapped them. She set them on the stands she had already set out in her new quarters, then eyed them. They were just cuttings of the old ones she had; the full size plants had stayed on her former ship with an acquaintance who had expressed an interest in trying to grow Betazoid flowers. It would take these awhile to flower, but it would be worth the wait.

She looked around the room, furnished, but sparsely decorated. She had gotten her flowers out first, the most delicate of the decorations she kept in her quarters. These plants reminded her of home, and suddenly she missed being able to be surrounded by green.

"Stop that." she scolded herself. "Now is not the time to feel homesick." Besides, didn't many of the stations have arboretums? "Computer," she queried, "does this station have an arboretum?"

<^> Affirmative <^> The computer chirped.

"What level is it on, please." Miaxi continued.

<^> Access to the Arboretum is on level 876. <^>

Miaxi wasn't sure she would ever get used to the monotone of a Starfleet computer's voice, but it did provide such crucial advice that she didn't care. She left the rest of her things unpacked and headed out the door.

Arboretum

It had taken a little bit of searching, but Miaxi had found what she was looking for. The arboretum was like others that she had seen: a mix of plants from worlds all over Federation space. It was beautiful, and just what she needed right now. While keeping plants in her quarters satisfied her desire to play in the dirt, it didn't always satisfy her need for being surrounded by the beauty she had grown up in. This wasn't the same, but it was enough. She took a deep breath, smiling broadly.

“Good boy! Good boy! Bring it here. Yeah bud. You’re a good boy huh! OK? You want it? GO!”, Matthew Plumeri stood up from a kneeling position while he continued to pet the Alaskan Malamute breed of dog. It was a handsome mix of white, brown, and black/gold fur. The eyes were brilliant grey. The dog’s tail was a poufy addition to the caboose and it’s bubble-gum tongue hung out of its mouth with sheer delight. Matthew threw the small football with a nice, smooth arc and the dog, ever vigilant in watch the ball, took off after it.

Here, in this part of the biosphere, there were wide expanses of trees and plants. In this section, a more park like area, there were wide open fields that were ringed by trees. High above their heads, artificial lighting produced something akin to sunlight. For Matthew, it was still too blue. The suns at Fontalis, now there was a proper yellow. Warm, bright and twin stars. The football flew smoothly through the air. He had put a good spin on it and as it flew it tended to gyroscopically stabilize as it fell to the ground. The dog leaped up and caught the small sized football in its mouth. Just big enough that it could get a good, comfortable grip on the ball. Tail high and head held high, it trotted back to Matt so very proudly and dared him to come and get it. Staying just out of his reach to play. “Good boy! Drop it. Drop! Nanook! “C’mon boy…good boy. Good boy. OK? Get it!” Matt threw the football again and ran after him this time. That was when he noticed a new Lieutenant walking along the pathway that ran alongside the treelined park.

Nanook caught the football and then promptly sat down to chew on it. Matthew came up to the reclining pooch and knelt beside him to scratch his ears and head. He looked up again to see the Betazoid Lieutenant. “Hello there? How do you like our arboretum?”

"Hello!" Miaxi picked up her walking speed, the features in her too-young looking face lighting up as she saw the man and his dog. "It's really quite beautiful. I'm astonished at the variety I've seen so far." she smiled. "I'm Miaxi Etaalu, the new assistant security chief. I'd love to know you and your huge dog."

Matt got to his feet, "Ah, new assistant security chief. You'll be working with Xalanth then. Right on. Good man, good officer. This? This is Nanook. My neighbor's dog. I'm just dog sitting. I'd love to have a dog of my own. But I think I'd feel badly if it had to stay in my quarters all the time? I think there is a an opportunity for a dog walking service here." He offered his handshake to her, "I'm pleased to meet you Lieutenant Etaalu. I'm Matthew Plumeri, I work in the Science department under Commander Coleman. Welcome aboard" he said as he greeted her. Her dark eyes were like pools one could get lost in. And her dark hair and soft skin were very attractive. "Etaalu? Isn't that Bajoran? Any relation to The Etaalu sect of the Northern Vedeks?" he asked.

She took his hand, shaking it. She laughed gently and shook her head at his last questions. "No, I'm Betazoid. Full blood, going back generations, so I'm sure the name isn't related to any sect of Northern Vedeks. It must just be a coincidence, unless you're - what's the human phrase? Tugging my tail?" She tilted her head and looked at him sideways, pursing her lips to stifle laughter. She liked this man.

Not missing a beat he replied, "Historians never tug tails. But we do, on occasion, spin tales" he said with a play on the words. Matthew has a delightful way about him that freshens everything into a smile. His easy way of talking and his attention were so different from the hurly-burly of the rush-rush-rush of Starfleet. It was warm and personable. The way Miaxi tilted her head was cute too. "Of course, how could I miss seeing that you are Betazoid. I must be confusing Etaalu with Edaluu."

Nanook got up and dropped the football now that he was no longer the center of attention. The dog sniffed at Lieutenant Etaalu and his tail wagged. Nanook tilted his head while he sniffed to get his ears rubbed. "It seems like you pass the dog test? If Nanook says you're cool then you pass." He felt himself looking at her longer than he ought and returned his attention to Nanook. "Ain't that right boy?" He then said, "You know that there are different levels to the Biosphere yeah? Two levels down you might find more plants and trees that are more common to the tropical regions on Betazed. I mean, if that's what you'd like to see of course?" He said as the sunlight, artificial that it was, highlighted his blond, spiky hair.

And he was flirting. But then, she was used to that. It seemed men, especially the human variety, could flirt in their sleep. She smiled, meeting his eyes. "I was looking for some Betazoid plants. Perhaps you might know where they are?" She asked. "I'd really like to spend more time with you, if you've got the time."

"Sure I do. All day long I respond to beeps and pulses, buttons and jeejaws. Anytime I can get back to the natural world...even if it is orbiting in a starbase, I'll take it. You okay with the furball here?" he indicated to Nanook.

"Yeah, he's ok." she glanced down at the large dog curiously before looking back up at Matthew.

Fontalans were very social creatures. To the annoyance of many a Vulcan roommate. He couldn't help it though. He liked people and he liked their stories. It didn't hurt that she was cute either. Being so far from home made it bearable to be out here when one had friends. "Come on. I'll show you."

"Thank you. I feel like it would be very easy to get lost in here." she said, not looking around so much as looking at him. "How long have you been on the station?"

"Not long. About two months I think? When I was transferred from Galileo the SB400 crew were homeless. This place had to be abandoned. But we're here now. And the place feels more like home everyday." He put the body leash on Nanook and the leash and together the three of them walked towards the turbolift doors. "Where are you coming from Miaxi? I mean where was your previous posting? Why'd you get assigned here to Starbase 400?" he said as he noticed her eyes met his. He felt a butterfly and grinned. He liked the attention.

"I was on the Independence before this. We saw a lot of action during the war." Miaxi replied, only glancing forward as they stepped on the turbolift. "I honestly don't know why I was transferred. I had mentioned in passing to my chief that I felt unchallenged on board. Maybe he suggested station life might be more to my liking. If today is anything to go by, I certainly won't get bored!"

As the turbolift opened, she looked out onto a jungle like scene. She stepped and out paused, waiting for him. "These aren't familiar, but the humidity is similar to some places on Betazed. I lived near the ocean, though, and it wasn't as bad. The air was fresher. Where did you grow up?"

Stepping out after her and Nanook, he sensed a bit of longing in her voice. "I'm sure recycled air pales in comparison to Betazed. Oh? I lived a few kilometers from the coast as well. Back home I mean. I was born and grew up on Fontalis. My dad is human and my mom is Fontalan. So....I guess I got the best of both cultures?" he playfully smiled. He noticed her hair was braided in the French braid style. A particular style that he liked very much. He said, "You braid your hair like my sister did. The French braid? Meredith, that's my sister, used to make my mom help her. And, on very rare occasions, when I needed a favor from her? I'd have to help. It looks good on you. You look good." That came out rather awkwardly and rather sudden. "Sorry, I didn't mean....my mouth gets ahead of my brain frequently."

She turned around to face him, smiling, her eyes crinkled in happiness. "No, I like that. You mean what you say. That's very important in my culture. I have to watch myself very closely when I'm off planet. It's...hard." she stretched her hand out, as if to take his, but didn't. "Thank you. I often wear it back when I'm on duty, and just didn't take it down. I learned to braid it myself in my late teens." she chuckled. "Mom was tired of helping me every day, and my brothers refused flat out. You must care deeply for your sister, to even consider helping her with her braid."

He walked along beside her, Nanook on his right and Miaxi on his left, "I was the baby of the family. Meredith is my older sister and the middle child. So she has the whole middle child syndrome thing to deal with too. Nicholas, my older brother, everybody liked him y'know? He could do anything and he had a lot of friends and he was driven. Meredith was the smartest of us all. Sometimes my brother could be aggressive. Only as older brothers are prone to be though. She protected me when we were growing up. Nick joined the Marines and shortly after that Mare got married to a Starfleet officer. I haven't seen her in four years but we keep in touch. There was this girl I liked in school. A lot. And she was bad news. I couldn't see it because I was head over heels in love with her. Infatuation you know? Mare saw what she was really like and clued me in. That was the hardest break-up of my life. It was my first break-up. I guess you never forget your first love and your first break-up. Man, I didn't know that the heart could hurt so much." He realized that he was rambling and then said, "Anyway...she used to wear the French braid. Meredith has long hair so she taught me how to do it right. That's all." He felt like he was doing too much talking and so a moment of silence passed between them. Only Nanook's smelling of the plants and a stop to pee on a flower broke the air.

Miaxi listened to him talk as she looked at the flowers and plants on either side of the path, letting his words wash over her. She realized she enjoyed his rambling. No one had opened up to her like that in a long time on first meeting; it had taken months of cultivating a relationship to get anywhere near that level of understanding and trust. "It sounds like she really looked out for you. My brothers did that too. They were both older than me. Sometimes they got over zealous. I never dated until I was at the Academy. Everyone was afraid my brothers would beat them up if they broke my heart."

"Yeah, it's what families do right? I mean the good ones. Not everyone is as lucky as you and me I think? I haven't spoken to Nicco, that's my older bro, in...." he calculated, "...eight years now? He and I we just don't see the same anymore I guess?" Nanook was pulling to move faster and since there were'nt a whole lot of people in this verdant place he let Nanook off the leash. "Stay close OK?" and he ruffled the dog's rump before it skipped ahead exploring off the path. "When was the last time you went to Betazed Lieutenant?"

She thought back to the last time she had been on her home planet. "Four years ago. Keslen - that's the brother closest in age to me - was getting married. My ship was being decommissioned, and I had some time, so it was easy to go and spend some time on Betazed. I almost went back before I came here, but the Independence was able to bring me by on their way to pick up an ambassador, so I stayed to have a little longer with some friends there. I may never see them again. There will be more chances to see my family." she looked over at him. "Where are your family? Do you get to see them often?"

As he listened to the sound of her voice he appreciated the warmth of it. The genuineness of it. He studied her a moment, wondering what was really the story of why this thin and agile woman would seek out life on a starship for life on a station. It could be that she really was at a dead end in her career. And if ashe wanted to promote up she had to find another way. There could be a thousand reasons. She obviously was a kind person who would naturally have a lot of friends. So, he speculated, maybe it really was for upward mobility. But it could also be because of this place. Starbase 400 and the recent events of the war that brought her here. She was, after all, a security officer. So she must be pretty good at that in order to be thus far at such a young age. He answered her question, "Fontalis is so far away. In the Agrippa star cluster. On the way to nowhere else. There is an embassy of the UFP there. And Starfleet runs patrol and protects the border. But Fontalis isn't a member of the Federation. Not a member yet at least. My home has 'Protectorate' status. It seems that the Federation Charter doesn't like our system of Government. Basically an Imperial Republic. "

As they walked the trees were growing taller and narrower. It was humid in here and there were the calls of many avarian species. Nanook barked a few times, he wouldn't like the heat. He looked at her and caught her dark eyes. He continued after looking away shyly, "I haven't been home in five years. I did one year at the Academy and then, when I could, I booked passage back to Fontalis. I was homesick I guess?" He looked at her again and noticed her lips. He looked down and then asked, "Hey? Do you like repulsorlift bikes? Have you ever ridden a repulse hovercycle?"

"I have not." she replied. "If I wasn't practicing my jujitsu or piano, I was in the garden or hanging out with friends. Repusorlift bikes never even touched on my radar." she met his eyes and smiled. "But I am always willing to try something new."

A small voice inside him said, ~Dude. I think she may be flirting with you.~ Her answer about ,"...try something new..." he thought may be a double-entendre. Maybe she'd 'try' him? It made him smile and laugh. He caught her eye and held it a moment longer and the inner voice said, ~Yeah. She's cute and flirting with you.~ so he thought. He said, "Well, Lieutenant Etaalu, if you like to try new things you could come by mechanics bay 60. I've got a repulse hoverbike there that I'm working on to refurbish. Maybe we could take it for a spin on the holodeck sometime? I've been looking forward to do the King of Hammers race on Mars' Valles Marineris. If you've never seen that race...oh man; it's a lot of fun." Without really thinking about it. He unzipped the top tunic and removed his outer uniform top. It was hot in here. His undershirt was short sleeved and revealed his muscled arms as they glistened under the artificial sunlight. He was now in violation of the uniform code but he slung the top over his right shoulder. "I'm not used to the heat you know?" He looked at Nanook, "Too hot for you too huh boy?"

"It is very hot in here." Miaxi agreed. "Why don't we get out of here? I've seen some flowers from Betazed, and plenty of others beside. We could grab a drink? I'd love to see your hoverbike, too, sometime."

"Sure, sounds good to me. I guess my thermostat just isn't used to the heat." They walked the distance back to the entrance of the Arboretum and entered the corridor back into the air conditioned, artificial lighting and metallic deck plating that made up the starbase. He put his uniform top back on and wiped his face, "Look at me. Whew! And this heat and humidity is normal on Betazed huh?"

"Not everywhere. The climate varies, like on many worlds." Miaxi told him. "Where I lived, it wasn't this humid at all. Something to do with the ocean sucking up all the moisture, so humidity wasn't usually high, I think. I found San Francisco's climate to be very much like that of Delaria. It did get hot in the summer, and cold in the winter, but not like this." she, too, was sweating, although not to the extent that he was. She wiped her forehead. "Where can we go for a drink? I don't know the station yet."

"Oh man. Fontalis is cooler. I can handle the cold - 'cause you can usually get warm at least - but the deserts and the humid tropics. Nuh-uh. Well? I know of an outdoorsy kind of place on the Promenande? But there is also the 'Good Fellas' bar. That's a popular place too. There's a new Vendi place. They make those Summarian Sunset's. And Nanook can sit with us out on the patio?" he rattled off a few places he knew that would be open with an outdoor area for the pooch. Little children and adults liked seeing Nanook. They would ask to stop and pet him and based on the happy smile on the dog's face, Matt let them. "Any of those sound good to you?"

She paused, considering. "Since we have the dog, and I really like the sound of a Summarian Sunset, let's try the new Vendi place. It sounds like there's a lot of options, though."

He nodded and it wasn't too long before they took a seat under an umbrella, which was mostly just for show, and placed their drink order. "Water for the pooch? And a Summarian Sunset for the Lieutenant here and I'll have....Aldeberean whiskey please. Straight up." When their drinks arrived Matt switched from small talk to a question, "So why Security? Is it just because you have two tough brothers and you know Jiujitsu?"

"Kind of." Miaxi replied. "I've always been a bit of a rebel. I didn't really know what to specialize in. I'd get a lot of advice - you know. Go for counselling, Betazoids are good at that. Or for helm, it's a good all around skill. But there need to be women in security too, and no one would expect me to be very good at it, just looking at me." she grinned. "Appearances can be deceiving. I like that, to be able to surprise people. They let down their guard, and then I have them. When needed, of course." she took a sip of her drink. "What do you specialize in?"

His eyebrows lifted as he thought about what "surprises" she might have in store. He scratched Nanook on the head before answering, "It sounds like you can be full of surprises Lieutenant?" he smiled playfully, "Always been a bit of a rebel? Me? When I graduated University my degree was the equivalent of a Bachelor's in Science. At the Academy, because I'm an 'alien' I got my advanced degree in 'Ancient and Alien Civilizations' or an AAC from Daystrom. I did a thesis on Archaeo-astronomy. But my love is History. The stories of these ancient & alien peoples. Which is funny because when I was a kid? All I wanted to do was play Parresis Squares professionally." He took a drink of his Aldeberan whiskey and asked, "Your brothers? All I know is that if someone treats you poorly they're likely to get an ass kicking. Anything more?"

"I am full of surprises, but it sounds like you have a head full of interesting knowledge." Miaxi said with a smile. "I'm sure every child has a fantasy similar to wanting to play Parresis Squares professionally. Mine was probably to live in my garden treehouse forever." she shook her head. "I'm happier doing this."

He nodded and let a beat pass, "I love what I do. But, I still like the Squares. I should get Nanook back to his owner. You want to tag along Lieutenant? Unless you have other duties to attend to?" he asked.

"I do not. I worked hard today, and the only thing I need to do is make my quarters look lived in. There's no urgency in that. I'd be happy to tag along." she replied, making sure her glass was empty. "If nothing else, it's a good way to see more of the station."

Matt showed her the route back to the habitation levels of the station and pointed out interesting facts along the way and some useless ones too. He smiled often and laughed much. He enjoyed her company. It wasn't long before Nanook was returned to his owner. Matt rubbed the back of Nanook's ears and kneeled and gave him a hug, "I'll see you day after tomorrow pooch." And he got a kiss on the cheek. Tail wagging, Matt let him go into the quarters and then locked the neighbor's door back up. He said, "Well, that's that for today. Doggie walked. I'm free for the rest of the evening. Got an experiment running but it'll be hours before the computer finishes collating the data. Want to see where I live?"

She looked him in the eye. "Sure, I'd love to."

LEVEL 827 – ROOM 1750 – PLUMERI’S QUARTERS

“Come on in?” he said as the doors parted to allow them entry. His quarters were the standard junior officer’s quarters. He had a nice bay window that looked out into the stars. To the left was the kitchen and the dining room table. To the right was the living room. There was his trumpet setup in the corner with a open music stand and music on it. There were three Parresis Squares balls on the floor and one on the couch. On the coffee table were a few PaDD’s. The wall monitor was on and it was a repulsorlift motorbike race. He turned the volume to mute it but left it on. On the dining room table were two mugs and a bowl of fruit. He put the mugs back into the replicator and ran a recycle phase. The mugs dematerialized. On one wall was a medium sized painting of some grey mountains, a green glade and some white deer-like creatures near a waterfall. There was a round, archaic temple-like structure off to one side of the painting. On an opposite wall were a few more pictures of alien worlds and alien stars.

“Can I get you something to drink Lieutenant?” he asked politely while at the replicator. On one of the kitchen walls was his old secondary school sports jersey. Red and white with black lettering. Framed in a case and hung on the wall, “PLUMERI #17” and the school mascot, a lion in regent. Inside the glass case were a few pennants from Starfleet Academy “Parresis Squares Champions 2385” read one.

"Some hot chocolate, please." Miaxi said. "You can call me Miaxi." she added as she looked around, taking in the race, the pictures, and the school paraphernalia. "That's a pretty painting." she said, pausing in front of it.

He placed the drink request with the replicator and in a moment her hot cocoa was ready and his spicy drink as well. He handed her the drink, "Here you go. Thank you. It's a replica, a famous painting from my home. When I was a kid I saw this painting when the cultural exchange folks from Terra, I mean Earth, came to Fontalis."

"Thank you." she took her drink and held it for a moment, enjoying the aroma. "I've heard people call it both Earth and Terra and I've always wondered which is more appropriate. Why the two names, do you know, and which would you use if you were me?"

He offered her a seat on the couch and sat down next to her. Taking a drink he said, "When we first started learning about Earth, that's what they called it. They being the teachers at my school. I'm half-human, my Dad is human and my Mom is Fontalan - so I got the best of two species I guess?" He took a sip and then indicated to the painting, "It's called 'Pastorale Northern Coast with Deer' by an artist we know today was Silesius Amthor. From the Third Era – circa 3015-3056, Fontalan calendar of course. Roughly that's stardate -252010...something like that. So...old. When this was painted, the original, Earth itself was being inventoried. Earth is what the Federation calls it. Terra is what some humans call it. I have always liked the word, Gaia. Has more of a motherly quality to it I think? The original take up nealy the entire wall at the gallery. And you have to get up close to it and appreciate the detail. They say that they have found over a thousand different plant species in that painting. That's the level of detail Silesius put into that work." He looked back at her, "I like it anyway. I like the deer and the mountains. Great open spaces, immense solitudes....and all of nature new to Art." He took a sip, "Do you have any pictures of home in your quarters?" he asked her.

"Besides the picture of my family, I have one of a local public garden near our home in Dalaria. It has species of plants from all over the planet, some in greenhouses and biomes and is quite spectacular. The picture I have is of some of the more exotic species, the ones I couldn't grow in the garden at home." she smiled thoughtfully and took a drink. "I keep some plants from the garden at home in my quarters too, although right now they're just small cuttings. They're about the only thing I've unpacked so far. I got them out and felt the need to see more green than they provided. That's how I ended up in the arboretum."

Her voice was pleasant on his ears. And she was easy on the eyes. He felt attracted towards her and liked her company. The lectures about inter-personal relationships and the costs and consequences of them came to his mind. But he longed for company. Matt was a "regular john" in the starbase "red light" district. And he didn't think it was at all a bad thing to explore his sexuality and sensuality. Fontalans, at least in this regard, were further along the path than Human it had often seen to him. How can you know what you like? What turns you on and what excites you until you explore one's own inner world? he wondered. For all their talk about exploring 'strange new worlds' Matthew thought that much of the Federation had left self-exploration behind.

He let his eyes drift over her, imagining taking a shower with her after a romp in the sack. He probably had that 'want-to-fool-around-with-me?' look on his face. He so wanted to touch her hair and undo it and then help her redo it another way after....after whatever. And then suddenly realized that she had stopped speaking and he didn't know for how long. In fact, he didn't even know what she had just said. He felt awkward and annoyed that his mind had drifted to sex so easily and lazily. He fell back to a tried and true recovery point, "How's your hot chocolate?"

She smiled at him. "Delicious. Have you finished your drink?" She was trying to block his emotions, but could feel that he was on some kind of roller coaster.

"Good? Good. I'm glad" he said and was glad that he had recovered. He looked away and then asked, "I play trumpet on occasion too. Played it in school and then all the way until I left for the Academy. Do you play any musical instruments?"

"Piano, if I can find one. I sing, too." She looked up into his eyes. I've always enjoyed music, and the instruments used to make it. Do you have a trumpet here?"

He nodded to the corner of the room where the music stand was open, "Right there. No piano in here I'm afraid. What kind of music do you like? Betazed I assume?" he asked and took another drink finishing off his glass.


"And I call myself a security officer." she said, chagrined. "I love Betazoid music, of course, but I've learned a lot of different music. My parents wanted me to have a broad musical education. Bajoran, Human, a little Trill and Vulcan... I even had to learn a piece from a Klingon opera, although I just played it, never sang it." she shuddered a bit. "I am not a fan of Klingon opera. What about you, do you have anything you prefer or dislike?"

"Well, I like Fontalan music, of course. My favorite is from around the same time as this painting was done. Very stylized, instantly recognizable. My absolute favorite composers are from that era. So imaginative and so in touch with the spirit and feeling. I'm exploring human music. My brother likes the hard rock kinds of bands. I think so - last time we talked he did. That music on the stand is from one of the overtures to some music I like. I like music of the Krell, the Bolians and the Mustaphites. When I'm working I like classical music from Earth. You know? Old Timey rock and roll. Other than that, I try and be as open as I can. I guess we all have our specific tastes like you mentioned."

"Yes. Sometimes I think there are enough types of music in this galaxy that each person could have their own favorite, and there would be no overlap. Silly, of course, but the amount of music out there is mind boggling. I did a short course on Earth's Romantic era music, and while it was lovely, I don't think I even scratched the surface. I listened to a lot and played about three pieces. They were long, too, all melodic and flowing. Very pretty. Nothing like that old rock and roll which I think refers to a date several centuries later." She leaned over and put her cup down. "I'm so glad I ran into you."

"Yeah, thank you. I'm glad I ran into you too. Welcome aboard Starbase 400 Miaxi. Maybe I'll see you around again sometime ay? Now that you know where I live. Next time, show me your place huh?" he calmly asked. She was pretty though. He nodded, looked at the floor and said, "Yeah. Good" as if he were answering some internal dialogue that she couldn't hear. He took the glasses, smiled and stood up. "Next time I'll show you the repulse bike huh? My pride and joy right now it is." He said as he entered the kitchen and put the glasses into the replicator and recycled them.


"I'd love to see the repulse bike, and I can't wait to show you my place." she replied, following him. She liked this man. He was interesting and funny... and good looking. "Thank you for the warm welcome. I should probably get back." It had been a long day, and she had a busy day tomorrow. Still, there was a note of sorrow in her voice. She would have liked to spend more time with him.

"Yeah, I'm working on a project as well that I need to get back to. I just needed a break from thinking about it. I remember how hard it is to meet people and make new friends when one is new. In a station as large as SB400 it's easy to feel...lost? Sometimes its hard to make new friends when you're new. I've got a fun holodeck program on the forest moon of Lytos VII. The big trees? I use that to relax sometimes. If you want to come along and play in the trees or go for a ride when I get my repulse bike up and running you'd be welcome to join. Plus, there's dinner parties and movie nights around here too" he added.

"Thank you, that would be great." she said. "I look forward to all of it. It sounds like this station is a fun place to be stationed. So, I'll see you around." she made it sound definitive. She did not want this to be an awkward good bye.

He nodded and smiled, "Sounds great!" He walked over to her and the doors opened. "See you around I'm sure. Catch you later."



[OFF:]

LTJG. Matthew Plumeri
ACSO/Historian
SB400

&

LtJG. Miaxi Etaalu
Assistant Chief Security/Tactical
SB400

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