Random Coffee Break Meeting

Posted on Mon Feb 1st, 2021 @ 10:48am by

Mission: Mission 4 - Eden
Location: Crew Mess
Timeline: Between shifts or on break?
564 words - 1.1 OF Standard Post Measure

IC

Elspeth needed Coffee. She was starting to flag and she had a few things to do before she crashed. The Coffee in the mess was not brilliant. Not at all like the stuff she had been able to get while on Earth but she pushed herself to the drinks dispenser and said "Coffee, one shot Chocolate, milk, two sugars." And then she felt her shoulders sag as the mug was slowly filled.

Luca slipped into line behind the young woman. "Good evening." He said in way of starting a conversation as he waited for the protein resequencer.

Elspeth turned and gave a sunny smile, as sunny as she could make it. "Oh hi!" She said brightly. "I wont be long." She turned as the machine beeped and she picked up her mug.

Luca smiled back as he stepped up and ordered a straight coffee. "You're a pilot aren't you?"

"Yup" Elspeth held out a hand. "Elspeth McArthur."

Luca took the hand gently and raised it to his lips. "Luca, Luca Rossi." He replied as he grabbed his coffee. "Care to join me?"

"Sure" She agreed. "I am on my ten minute break, so It will be quick."

He smiled. "Understood." He said as he moved to a table set his mug down and pulled a seat out for her.

Elf was a bit surprised at that but accepted the chair. "Thank you." she said. And she sat. "So, red piping on uniform... Armory? Or Engineering?"

He took a seat slowly. "Armory. I'm the Security investigation officer."

"Night shift pilot and shuttlepod pilot when needed." Elspeth said about herself. "Fist ship side posting for me. You?"

Luca nodded and sipped his coffee. "This is my second ship side posting. So what do you think so far?"

"Way better than shuttling ambassador this and ambassador that too and from EArth to the ship yards." Elspeth sipped her drink. "And more exciting."

He chuckled. "I am sure it is, also more dangerous, but that is part of the fun."

"Indeed. I joined starfleet to explore, not shuttle diplomats." Elspeth added. "At least this mission will be great to tell others about."

"Yes, we all did. and now you get to shuttle us around." He joked.

"Only during the night shift." Elspeth replied wryly. "the Chief is a very good pilot. And trying to get her to relinquish the stick will be hard to do."

"I can understand that, but it does mean you have some free time." Luca said rubbing the back of his neck.

"Sometimes. I have to maintain the shuttle pods as well. Make sure they are responding and let engineering know if they aren't." She glanced at the Clock. "And just like that I am back to work." she gave a rueful smile at that and then studied the coffee in her own mug. "Never enough time to fully enjoy the coffee. That said, its not the best coffee out there."

Luca nodded. "Perhaps we should do this again sometime that you're not rushed."

"Sure, sounds like an idea" Elf agreed.

He smiled. "Its a date." he said as he ran a hand through his hair.

"Ok..." She hesitated. "I'll let you know!" And with that she was gone, out the door, mug still in hand.

Luca watched her go and then sighed. "What have I gotten myself into..." he muttered to himself.