Lunch date

Posted on Fri Feb 14th, 2020 @ 7:22am by Commander Taeler Santu M.D.

Mission: In the Family
Location: Mess Hall
Timeline: backpost
822 words - 1.6 OF Standard Post Measure

The mess hall was quite busy at this time of the day, and Santu had a little trouble finding a free spot near a window. She liked eating near a window, looking out over the stars they were travelling. A perk of being in Starfleet. She shook off an intrusive memory of the conditions in the Cardassian camp. A warm smile formed on her face as she approached a table with one empty seat, "Is this seat taken?"

Slightly surprised, Yadira motioned for the officer to sit down with her, "Of course not. Have a seat Commander. I am Lt. Cmdr. Yadira Reisen, CEO, pleasure to meet you.....Um... Doctor?," she said warmly.

"Taeler Santu, Executive Officer." Santu introduced herself and extended a hand to shake that of the engineer across the table, "Trained as a doctor, made the switch to Command only recently." She smiled and took a bite of her food.

Extending her own hand, she shakes the XO's hand vigorously. "Please sit, relax and enjoy your lunch or brunch. So you are a doctor but our new XO. That is sweet. An interesting career switch indeed," Yadira said eating a bite of her food. "How did you come to choose the Athena?" she asked sipping her tea.

Santu frowned a bit, she had always just gone where HQ had sent her. She didn't question it. It was weird to hear someone speak of a choice in the matter, "I'm fresh out of command school. I went where I got sent," She remarked, "not that I don't appreciate the assignment. She's a great ship, lots of capable officers. I think I'm lucky to be assigned here"

"I mean no disrespect, I just have never met an Executive officer who was a doctor", Yadira said chuckling. "I usually get shipped around when they need my talents elsewhere. I guessed they needed me here so here I am", she added finishing her tea and ordered another.

"I've been getting that a lot lately," Santu chuckled a bit, "I was never a medical prodigy. My talents are better suited for this new role." She hesitated a moment, "I hope, I mean, I've only finished command academy recently."

"Well in my business they say field experience is the best teacher. Almost all of my knowledge comes from not only book learnin' but from hands on experience being the best teacher," Yadira said chuckling. "Well atleast I am proud to say that command experience I have so I guess that maybe one day, I would get a ship of my own", Yadira said chuckling.

"Yeah, well, there's a limit to how many mistakes you can make in the Medical field." Santu smiled, "Not that I was so bad that people were dying on my watch." She suddenly realised how that must've sounded, "Commanding your own starship, any class you'd be keen on?"

"Well, I wouldn't mind an Ascension class. I was CEO of one and they are sweet. Would love to command one someday," said Yadira.

A slow nod from Santu belied the fact that she wasn't nearly as familiar with all the Starfleet classes as an XO might be expected to, "What makes them so sweet?"

"Big powerful ladies that are a class of their own. I call them flying fortresses. Powerful beasts, plenty of firepower, she can hold her own in a fight. Fighter bays full of Valkyire mk3 fighters, and could she fly...wow. Warp 9.99 for 12 hours, if you pushed her. Yes sir....beautiful class," Yadira said smiling.

Another nod from Santu, that did sound very impressive, "So what made you make the switch to the Athena?"

"My last ship was an old Excelsior class and she was decommissioned so I took the reduction in rank to get on the Prometheus class Athena. It's been a dream come true for me. I mean to be the Chief Engineer of a Prometheus, is an honor in itself", Yadira said smiling.

Seeing the glint in the eyes, the loving tone in her voice, it was clear that Yadira had a passion for the ships, the tech, the challenge. Santu could only smile and nod as the Engineer waxed poetically about the ship's features, "I'm glad they assigned you to our ship." She told the engineer truthfully. They had gotten through their lunch in no time. Food in the company of someone passionate was always a treat and time always flew by, "I have some things I should get to. Thank you so much for your company." She got up from the chair and extended a hand.

Shaking the outstretched hand, Yadira shook it vigorously. "I was my pleasure Commander. If there is anything we can do for you.....anything at all, just holler", she said picking up her own dishes and tossed them in the recycler.

[OFF]

Lt. Cmdr. Yadira Reisen
Chief Engineering Officer
USS Athena

&

Lieutenant Commander Taeler Santu
Executive Officer
USS Athena