Personal Log 2154. 174

Monday

So I started the day off bored and decided to search the database for something humorous, I did. It’s posted as “Briana’s Littlest Minion,” and just looking at it makes me smile.

I thought that perhaps Major Reed would enjoy seeing it, “Wonder if we could try this lil guy for the tiny conduits?”

He replied back, “If he can shoot straight with that thing, maybe. I’d just be concerned about…someone eating an entire battalion at once.” I couldn’t see him smirking; however I’m sure he was.

I couldn’t help the giggles I had at the thought and replied, “We keep them separated of course. And contrary to popular belief I don’t like little prey!”

The Major updated the status reports, the Captain informed the bridge crew of a change in plans.

“We’re to head to Risa for resupply before we engage Tellar. Risa’s a hub of legal and illegal trade. The black market there is an excellent source of hard-to-find items, weapons and conscripts. And the crew can blow off some steam in the brothels and bars there. I’ve heard the Xyrillian holosuites are pricey, but worth the look,” he states in his report.

I am thinking, thank you Captain, I need to restock. And then ask Malcolm via the PADD interface, “So what’s Risa? I’ve never heard of it.”

“Meet me in the mess hall this afternoon and I’ll explain,” he replies back to me.

I’ve heard of Xyrillian holosuites, and they're nothing that I’d spend cred’s on. I wonder what else we could do?  I decide to go back to painting in some weapon sketches, with no supplies, I can’t build them.

Later…

I head down to the messhall and upon entering look around for Malcolm, he’s not arrived yet. So I grab some coffee and sit down to wait.

Ramirez sees me and comes over to inform me that the Major is with the Captain. So I decide since I have nada to do, I’ll just sit here and wait, maybe glare at some people or better yet, smile at them. Laughing softly to myself, I sit back and do just that.

A couple of hours later, Dylan came over to ask if I’m alright. It seems I have scared a few people by smiling at them. Chef brought me a cappuccino as he didn’t have a single problem since I’ve been sitting here. And I’ve been doodling some more- and some of them are actually work related. However other’s just for fun. I’ve just been sitting here wondering what Risa is going to be like. There’s already buzzing from the crew and nothing that makes sense to me.

Still much later…

Okay, I can’t sit here anymore. The Major must still be busy with the Captain. Chef did bring me dinner for two, so I think I’ll just take these and go back to my quarters.

I didn’t see Commander T’Pol emerge from that doorway, and we narrowly miss each other.

She greets me, “Lieutenant Commander. I assume the mess hall is calm this evening.”

“I’m sorry, Commander,” as I did almost bump into her. “Yes, ma’am no problems this evening. The veggie pasta looked good.” Which is what I’m carrying on my tray.

She looks at my tray, “It does,” as she straightens up, “you are eating late. Excuse me then, I will not keep you.”

I don’t know what I’m thinking, “I’ve got enough for two and well…if you wanted too,” I sigh. “Oh but probably not. Ma’am.” And I start moving towards my quarters again.

She surprises me, when she replies with a dry expression, “If you are offering, I haven’t eaten either. And the Doctor is unavailable as a dinner companion.”

Still balancing the tray, “oh yes, where would you prefer to eat?” And I have to ask, “You eat with Doctor Phlox?” I can’t imagine eating with him. I know what he does in sickbay most days.

“On occasion I have eaten with the Doctor, yes. The crew does avoid him, so it makes dinner…simple and uneventful.” She reaches over and takes a few items off of it to lighten it for me. And then she informs me, “I have no preference. I will follow you.”

“Yes, I can understand that. They tend to avoid me as well and uneventful sounds good after last week.” I acknowledge her help with a “thank you” and suggest my quarters. “They are quiet and its closer.”

“That will suffice,” she nods and starts to follow me down the corridor. “You seem considerably less tense than when last met. You were working on the engine then.”

We continue on in silence till we arrive at my door, I enter the code and “I’ll go in first,” I tell her. I want to make sure I’ve left nothing out as I left in a rush earlier.

After we both enter and sit down, I than answer her previous statement. “Yes, the noises and smells in engineering bothered me. Everyone was tense and irritable. Sometimes its hard to ‘shut’ that out.

She nods in agreement, “Your psi abilities allow you to hear others. I have heard similar complaints from Aenar prisoners.”

“I don’t do it on purpose. Their thoughts are broadcast, it takes control to shut them out and when I’m tired…”

“I see,” and she raises her eyebrow at me.

Am I being investigated? “Doesn’t all the chaos bother you some days?” I sigh and then notice I forgot to grab some drinks. “Would you like some water?”

“Yes, thank you. I shall review some data in the meantime.” She takes out her PADD as I decide to head back to the messhall to get us some water. The water in my bathroom has been tasting funny; I need to ask Commander Tucker to look at it for me.

On the way back to my quarters I was delayed by one of my security team, Jay wanted to go over some personal drills with me. I informed him the entire team would be now be doing those drills tomorrow. By the time I made it back to my quarters Commander T’Pol was gone.