Telepathic Buoys

Posted on Thu Mar 25th, 2021 @ 6:40pm by Lieutenant Xavier Leiko & Lieutenant Commander Finnley Keating VII

Mission: By Artemis' Bow
Location: Engineering
Timeline: MD-01
1199 words - 2.4 OF Standard Post Measure

“Coffee with a splash of mint cream,” Finnley ordered her second cup of the day from the replicator as she reviewed some data on a PADD. Since the briefing earlier that morning she had been scouring through systems statuses and making a priority list of system enhancements to prepare for the mission.

“I’m thinking shields, sensors, weapons, and then engines for systems priority for this mission. What do you think?” She asked her counterpart, Xavier, as he walked in her direction. They had agreed to meet up after the briefing to ready their respective departments together. Seeing as how engineering and operations often worked together, Finnley hoped that they might eventually even become friends. If he would ever let her live down that tiny incident on the last mission where she had kicked him in the ribs.

"I agree," Xavier said as he reviewed the PaDD that was currently in his hand. "I know the science department and tactical are going to require equal use of the long range sensors, but I don't see that as being too much of an issue. Though to be safe, it might be worth preparing a sensor buoy at the edge of the system, so we're not taken by any surprises," he added as an afterthought. "What do you think?"

"Sure, wouldn't hurt. Let's get that ready and deploy it and then we can look at adjusting systems and power allocations to set us up as best as we can for the mission." Finnley nodded with satisfaction in having a plan of action and they walked towards one of the many engineering consoles. "So how was your meeting on Risa?" She asked, remembering that Xavier had seemed eager to break from the group and meet up with someone while they were on shore leave.

Xavier grinned, unable to help himself. "It was great thanks. I met some old friends from the Academy and we spent a few days just catching up and being silly together." He suddenly felt a pang of sadness, it was a shame he couldn't spend more time with them and see them more often than a couple of days interspersed by a few years in-between. His thoughts then turned to Ari and their conversation on their last morning on Risa, the sadness was growing. "How was the rest of your date?" Xavier asked, focusing the conversation away from himself.

"I don't know that I'd call it a date. I mostly hang out with Sam because he's so easily thrown off of his guard in my presence and it's both fun and kinda cute. We parted ways after the nail party. I didn't want to ruin his whole vacation," Finn chuckled. Most people her age were trying to find partners or relationships, but she cared more about work and relationships seemed like a lot of drama. She was satisfied with the occasional romantic encounter that never crossed the line into a serious relationship.

Finnley typed in a few more commands for the sensor buoy set up and then looked it over once more. "Does this seem good to you or do you think we should make any additional adjustments?"

Xavier walked over to the console that Finnley was working on and looked at the specs on the screen. "I think we can push the power output to the sensors if we divert it from the maneuvering thrusters. Since we'll be using it as a static platform, there shouldn't be too much call for the thrusters during the mission." He pressed a few buttons and the power readouts on the screen changed. "Like this."

Xavier turned to Finnley. "Did you manage to enjoy the rest of your leave? I mean, the last mission was...intense to say the least. I'd hate to think you didn't manage to get any fun at all," he added sincerely.

"Yea. Lots of lounging by the pool, admiring the Risan pool boys," she chuckled. "Along with some rock climbing and surfing." Finnley responded automatically as she looked over what Xavier had done. She had to admit to being somewhat impressed with Xavier's abilities so far. He certainly knew what he was doing. The only difficult part of working with him was knowing that he had read or sensed her thoughts on the last mission. Finn had never worked closely with a telepath before. Preferring to keep her thoughts and feelings solely her own. Knowing someone else might sense them was, unnerving. She quickly pushed the thought from her mind, all the while wondering if Xavier was actively reading everything she was thinking about him.

"Your updates look good. I set it to automatically deploy." She looked up from the console. "Now it's just ship-wide system and power adjustments and we should be all set," Finnley said with a smirk, knowing that it wouldn't be a quick and easy task.

"I'm glad you approve, Chief," Xavier said with a sly smile. It always amused him working with non-telepathic species how their thoughts were normally geared in the same direction. As a Betazoid, Xavier had a lot of control over his telepathy and tried his best not to read the minds of others without their permission. Ironically though, the more a person didn't want their mind read, the more they seemed to 'scream' that fact. It really was quite exhausting, but something Xavier had learned to live with, especially with being in Starfleet.

"Great, my favourite thing to do," he said sarcastically. "We can split it between the two departments, shouldn't be too gruelling then."

Finnley smiled, appreciating the sarcasm. It was generally her favorite form of communication too. "I'll have my team take the system updates and you guys can work the power distribution then," she paused for a moment considering her next words. Although she leaned slightly more towards being an introvert, it would be worthwhile to get to know Xavier better. Especially since they would be working closely together. There was the added possibility that getting to know him would make her feel less apprehensive of his telepathic abilities.

Having made up her mind, Finnley raised an eyebrow and looked at Xavier. "By the way, do you have plans when our shifts end? Can I interest you in grabbing a drink?"

Xavier smiled, it was always interesting knowing the question before it was vocalised. He wondered if he should inform the young woman that she practically screaming into his head, but he eventually decided against it. In his experience a comment like that, especially with someone he didn't know that well, normally resulted in them feeling more self-conscious. "In all the years I have been in existence, I have never refused the offer of a drink, and I don't intend to start now Lieutenant. Name the time and place and I'll be there."

"Great. Then I'll see you at the bar at 1900 hours." Finnley gave him a direct answer before turning towards her office to assign a team to the new work.

Xavier nodded and made his way to the exit. He was looking forward to getting to know Lieutenant Keating more and was hoping this would be the start of an interesting friendship.