Location: USS Oakland Mess Hall

Lila grabbed a tray and got joined the line in the mess hall. She was starving and if the rumor she had heard was true they were having biscuits and gravy for breakfast. She had intended on skipping breakfast but this was her favorite morning food. There was no way she was missing out on it.

She looked behind her and smiled when she saw Thracia was right behind her. Lila liked the counselor she was easy to talk to and had actually helped her to see that she needed to calm down when it came to engineering.

“How are you today, Thracia.” Lila said with a warm smile. She thought the counselor looked a bit tired but she didn’t comment on that.

“I am good.” The Andorian woman replied. “I am a little tired, I was working on a project last night and I lost track of time.” She smiled then. “Normally that doesn’t bother me but I missed dinner so my metabolism is kind of low.”

“We need to get some biscuits and gravy in you.” Lila grinned. “They will get you going.” She grabbed a tray and took a plates of the steaming breakfast, asking for eggs on hers as well. She grabbed a cup of coffee and waited for Thracia.

“I am not sure about these biscuits and gravy.” Thracia said as they headed over and sat down together. “They look different.”

“I love them!” Lila said to her. “I mean that doesn’t mean you will but they are really good, I promise you!”

“I like to try new things.” Thracia said as they sat down. “And I do like sausage.” She took her knife and fork And cut a piece, trying it. Her eyes lit up. “That is good!” She said with a wide smile. “And the eggs make it even better.”

“I am glad to hear it.” Lila sighed. “I wouldn’t want you to think I steered you wrong.” She was glad that her and Thracia had become friends.

They sat and ate for a few minutes and then Thracia spoke. “Are you busy preparing for this mission we are on?” She asked Lila a a she sat back and took a drink from her mug.

“Yes.” Lila replied with a nod. “There is a lot of double checking the engines and making certain we have spare parts in case of an emergency.” She had a serious look on her face. “Even though it appears to be a mission where we are not expecting any real engagement, I am one who always wants to be prepared”

“I understand what you are saying.” Thracia said with a nod. “I have been preparing as well.” Her eyes met Lila’s. If there is any kind of altercation, it could affect the crew and we need to be prepared in case any of the crew feels that they need someone to speak to.”

“I don’t really see any issues.” Lila murmured. “The Tal Shair doesn’t really want a fight at this point, they seem to be wanting to spy on us to assess their options than to cause an incident.”

“But we prepare for the worst case scenario.” Thracia murmured. History shows is that there have been times where we were wrong.” Her eyes traveled across the room to where she saw Tolis sitting.

“You like him.” Lila said with a smile as her eyes went to the Andorian helmsman who was sitting with Draven Blackwell the chief operations Officer.

“He is attractive.” Thracia said with a smile. She looked their way once more. “And you?” She asked. “His friend is not bad looking.”

Lila shook her head. “We are friends.” She smiled then. “I am not the girl guys look at and want to date.”

“You are attractive and intellect.” Thracia replied. “And you have a good sense of humor. I do not understand this?”

“I am focused on engineering.” Lila replied. “And my intelligence gets in the way.” She shrugged. “I am also waiting for the right person, I want friendship and love and commitment if I am going to spend my life with them.”

Thracia giggled. “Here I am just thinking he is cute and you want to get married and have babies.”

“I kind of carried on a little didn’t I?” Lila laughed softly. “I just am not looking for
Anyone right now, I am happy where I am. If he comes along then I will see where it takes us.”

“You are very well adjusted.” Thracia observed. Most people I know are looking for the whole picture and you are content with what you have.”

Lila smiled back at her. “I really am. I have the best job in the ship, taking care of the engines. It is what I’ve always wanted to do.” She looked up and saw that Draven and Tolis were leaving. “Hey!” She said with a grin. “You want to follow them? Maybe we can bump into Tolis by accident and you can talk to him.”

“I will approach him next time I see him when we are off duty.” Thracia informed her with a smile.”

Lila grinned. “I am so proud of you. A woman who knows what she wants and isn’t afraid to go after it”

They continued to talk for a few more minute and then parted company as they each headed off to their departments to start their day.

Location: USS Oakland Various Locations

Joshua was breathing heavy at the end of the sets of handball he had been playing with Andrew. The second officer had said he was “okay” when it came to playing but he was actually very good. Reeve had a style and he kept Joshua hopping the whole time.”

“That was fun!” Reeve said with a grin. “I can’t wait to play again.” It had been invigorating. He had needed something like this.

“I agree!” Joshua said with a smile of his own. “We don’t really have a lot of opportunity for exercise like that. It is good for the cardio too.”

“You are a lot better than okay.” Joshua continued. “I really had to hustle to even break even a couple of times.” He liked it to, the game was no fun with out some good competition.

“I have played with others who mopped the floor with me.” Reeve confessed. “I am also not the kind of person who brags myself up. I consider myself to be an average player.”

Joshua could see Reeve was a little uncomfortable with the praise so he decided to change the subject. “I want to hit the showers, you want to get something to eat afterwards.”

“Yes.” Reeve nodded. All that work and now he was starving. “Give me a half hour and I will meet up with you at the mess hall. We can see what the Chef has cooked for us today.”

About forty five minutes later, Joshua entered the mess hall and saw Andrew standing to the side, waiting for him. He heard over and grinned. “I didn’t keep you waiting did I? He asked.

“I did not mind.” Reeve grinned at him. “I spoke with the Chef for a few minutes and then saw you coming in.”

“I see.” Joshua nodded “Let’s get in line and then we can find somewhere to sit.”

As they went through the line, Joshua noticed that Reeve kept staring at Chef Andrea and she was giving him some looks as well. He picked up his tray and followed Reeve over to a table where they sat down.

“You and Chef Andrea huh?” Joshua said with a grin. He looked at Reeve who seemed not to know what to say.

“I like her.” Reeve said carefully. “She is funny and smart and she knows what she wants in life.” His eyes met Joshua’s. “She is doing what makes her happy.”

“I think she likes you too.” Joshua continued as he took a bite of his Chicken Kiev. “This is really good!

“We will figure it out.” Reeve said quietly. “I just want to see where this takes us.” He didn’t want a big deal made of it by others and then she gets scared off.

“I won’t say a word.” Joshua assured him. “Not to her or anyone else but I am going to bug you. We are friends, I like to see you happy.”

“If it works out that will be great.” Reeve shrugged. “But if it ends up we are better friends than anything else then it is what it is.”

Joshua could tell that Reeve had high hopes but he decided not to push the issue. They were friends and he did not want to upset him. “Hey.” He said as he took a bite of his food. “We did an inventory of medical and there are a few things we are going to need for the next time we fill supplies.”

“Just get the list to me.” Reeve said with a nod. “It is not going to mess with this mission should we need medical is it?”

“Not at all.” Joshua assured him. “I tend to like to have extra supplies of certain things. I have been doing a lot of physicals which is part of the reason.”

“I get it.” Reeve nodded. He smiled then. “This is really good.” Not that he was surprised. “Everything that Andrea made ended up being great. “I may see if I can get seconds.””

Joshua thought he was pretty certain Andrea would give Reeve another plate but he didn’t say anything. “I think I am going to have a piece of the cake she made.” He smiled. “I have to feed my sweet tooth once in a while and with all that exercise one piece is not going to hurt me.”

“Yeah.” Reeve said with a smile. “I’ll go get us each a piece and be right back.” He got up and quickly headed over to where the desserts were set out.

Joshua watched him head over, stop to talk to Andrea for a minute and then headed baxk, handing him his plate.

“So how often do you want to play?” Joshua said, deciding to steer clear of his interest in Andrea.

“Maybe once a week to start out.” Reeve said as he took a piece of cake with his fork. “It will build up some muscle.”

“That’s a good plan.” Joshua nodded. “Look at your schedule and let me know what days will work and we can go from there.”

They continued to talk as they ate their cake. After a bit, Joshua headed off to his quarters, while Reeve sat and watched as the crew began to dwindle until there were only a few left. He headed over to see if Andrea would be free for a bit after she was done here.

Location: USS Oakland’s Senior Staff Lounge

Riata walked into the lounge and got herself a drink. She had been busy, speaking with the Captain about possible scenarios for the mission they were embarking on. Being the Chief of the Boat, she was kind of a mentor to some of the crew, she trained with others and was sought at times by the command staff to give their advice on upcoming missions.

She took a seat, there were very few people in the lounge. Just her and several others. Riata, normally would have headed over and sat with them, seeing what potential business she might have with them but she was still bummed over the failure with Thracia, the chief counselor. Once the Andorian woman had given her word there would never be business between them, Riata had known that any idea of a lucrative business between them was not possible. Andorians were known for being people of their word. It was nothing short of a crime to break it. She would bet that other Andorians would ostracize any of their people who broke their word.

Still, there would be other ways to make some credits. Humans liked to bet and play cards, games of chance. The ship served out of OverWatch station she was certain there would be some opportunity there for her to find some type of business.

Riata knew there was another Ferengi there. She intended to hunt him down when they had some time there to look around the station and see what kind of promenade it had. Riata knew it could not be very big the station, as they went was not particularly big. That did not mean much to a Ferengi, they were experts at striking a deal, even if it meant using the smallest space available.

Any deals she made would have to be perfectly above board. Lieutenant O’Connell had already warned her he had better not get any complaints or hear any dissension that related to her making bets with the crew. As much as Riata was tempted to do just that she would have to consider it carefully. The respect of the command staff was important to her position here, she knew Captain Coleman would not tolerate anything that diminished that on this ship.

Taking a drink from her glass, she decided that she needed to just get a feel for the ship and the crew and see how things proceeded. Then she could go from there. There were always opportunities, one had to be patient. It was not easy but she had been taught her whole life that a good amount of credits came to those who waited and she was willing to wait as long as it took. After a long while, she got up and discarded the glass, heading to her quarters to get some sleep. Tomorrow would be another day.

Location: USS Oakland Captain’s Dining Room

Byron sat at the table after finishing his dinner, having a night cap before he headed to his room for the night. He was feeling a little lonely this evening. He loved being a caption and he was proud of Elsie and her being in charge of the Station but right now he missed them. It seemed like a long time since he had seen or talked to his girls.

Amber Hope and Mila were growing up so fast, sometimes he felt like he was missing too much. But the girls always told him how proud they were of him and sometimes they would go out on his ship and experience spending time with him while he was in command. As of late, that just had not seemed feasible with all the had been going on in the area.

Byron smiled as he thought of Amber and how mature she was getting. The oldest of the three she tended to try and mother them and be their protector. There were times when it caused a bit of tension between the three of them.

Hope was the middle child. She did not like to cause problems or make waves. A lot of the time when the other two wanted to do something and Hope wants the opposite she gives in and lets them have their way. Byron finds it concerning but he and Elsie feel like Hope has to step up and stand her ground at some point. Byron knows she has a big heart and just wants her sisters happy.

Mila is the baby and it shows. Byron will freely admit that he tends to spoil her. She is their last child and a part of him does not want her to grow up too fast. He wants to hold onto her for as long as he can. She is thirteen now and there are times she seems so much older and other times that she seems like his little girl.

Byron’s comm went off and he was being bailed to his office for an incoming transmission. He headed to the ready room and sat down in his chair, turning to the computer. To his surprise and delight, his three daughters were looking back at him.

“Daddy!” Mila called out with a huge smile. “I miss you so much!”

“I miss you the most!” Amber said quickly. “When are we going to see you! I made a cake today and I want to make you one.”

“I love you Daddy!” Hope said with a smile of her own. “When can I come in your ship for a few days!”

“Who are these beautiful girls who are all so grown up!” Byron said with a smile of his own. His eyes lit up as he took in each of his girls. They were all talking and telling them what was going on with them. He listens and drank in every moment with them, sharing how he loved his ship and wanted them to see it.

“How is school going?” Byron asked them.

“Mom got us a new teacher.” Amber declared. “We did not like the first one so we asked her and she found one who is better.”

“I liked her.” Hope said quietly. She saw Byron’s frown. “But it is okay, Daddy. I like the new one too. And Amber and Mila are doing much better.”

“The other one was boring.” Mila said. “It was really awful.” She smiled then. “Mom is letting there be a small pronemode on the station.”

“It is promenade.” Amber corrected her.

Byron saw Mila start to object and he quickly spoke up. “So there will be a restaurant there?”

“Yes!” Hope said with a smile. “We can’t wait to eat there.”

“Maybe if it’s finished when I get back I can take my four girls to eat there.”

“We would love that, Daddy!” The three of them said in unison.

Byron talked to them for a bit longer and then it was time for them to go to bed. They told him that this mom was coming to speak with him when they were done.

“Goodnight my girls.” Byron said with a smile. “I love you more than all the stars in the universe.”

“We love you more than all the planets and the stars.” The girls returned.

A few moments later, the girls were replaced by his wife, Elsie. Byron smiled at her and they started talking, just spending some time together.