Peace & Quiet?

Posted on Thu Aug 29th, 2019 @ 10:11pm by Lieutenant Commander Arianna Sky Kamar

Mission: Onboarding & Departure
Location: Engineering
Timeline: Incidentals

Frank slipped down to engineering for some peace and quiet. The ship and crew had performed admirably throughout their testing earlier that day. Lost in thought he wandered throughout the ship and ended up in front of the containment field. Stroking his beard he thought about the next steps awaiting him and his crew. If the ship continued working as well as it had today they may not need to to return to SB 11 and could head straight to the catapult. The calm sounds, sights, and smells had a calming affect on Frank; after spending so much of his life in engineering spaces, the short captain continued to find comfort in their presence.

Arianna was double checking the matter/anti-matter intermix ratio when she felt Franks presence in engineering. "So...you couldn't stay away you old scoundrel", she said chuckling. "It has a soothing sound to her doesn't it. The lights running up and down, giving you peace of mind as it lulls you into a trance like state", she finished as she came up behind him. Moving to stand next to him she resisted giving him a kiss as they were not alone in engineering. "The test went well today did it not?", adding to the conversation that was one sided at the moment.

"She handled well, I was surprised she got to Warp 9 so easily," Frank said giving Arianna a gentle pat on the back. "Everything went a lot better than expected. Now that we're headed back to Starbase 11 we can breathe before we head to the catapult. Have you had a chance to verify the structural supports have been hardened enough to go through the catapult?"

"We are getting ready to do that now", Arianna said. I'm still not sure about thos catapult idea. Too many things can go wrong in a hurry", she stated.

Frank looked into Arianna’s eyes,” You did good today too, I enjoyed having you right there, the adrenaline rush of an emergency almost made me Horizon. I guess the real reason I’m here is to see if You wanted to have dinner with me when we get to the Starbase. It will be our last real meal for a while and I’d like to enjoy it with you.”

Frank hadn’t asked a woman to dinner like this in many years, he hoped that Arianna would accept. He loved being around her, in fact if he was honest with himself he was developing feelings for her too. Feelings were being awakened that he had thought died with his wife.

"Why Frank! You old sea dog", she said laughing, "I thought you would never ask. I'd love it. Some good food, good drink, and wonderful company. What more could you ask for?", Arianna grinned as she looked into his eyes.

Frank grinned, "I could ask for more," he said with a wink, "but then I'd just live up to the old sea dog reputation. Dinner does sound good though. Have we gotten everything squared away from the engine shake down earlier?"

"Yes we finally got the bugs out. Now I am still not sure about this catapult thing but there is a first time for everything", Arianna added.

"I can't believe the alignment was hosed on the sensor pod, what kind of hair brained engineer signs off saying it was tested when it obviously wasn't. I will be speaking to the Admiral about this later. If you guys hadn't been able to identify the problem so quickly it really could have affected other ship's systems and delay our departure for the DQ."

"When I find out who the p'tagh was, I will have his ass on a silver platter! Dinner sounds great. Where your place or mine?", Arianna said chuckling. The last few days have been hectic yes, but here in engineering life is less stressful and now having Frank here is having a profound effect on her emotionally. Her feelings were intensifying when they were close yet she knew time and patience would be needed if what they felt for each other was the true thing.

"I can have a meal sent over from the Starbase, and we can eat in the CO's lounge, we won't be disturbed there and can eat and talk in privacy. We might not get much time together once we are on station in the DQ, and scouting and mapping." Frank was excited about the chance to have a nice quiet dinner with a beautiful woman.

"Well.....you know what they say.....absence makes the heart grow fonder", Arianna said smiling. Sliding her arm around his waist, she kissed him on the cheek, "Dinner sounds wonderful and in the captain's lounge sounds even better. I know that our up coming mission may not afford us much time together but it will allow the feelings between us grow stronger", she finished saying. Arianna knew that when on the job, personal feelings had to be put aside in order to perform their respective jobs to their fullest capacity. As long as she kept that formost in her mind, things would go smoothly on this mission.

Frank hugged Arianna, and glanced around the room, "As much as I am enjoying this, I need to get back to the bridge, but I will see you at dinner in the Co's Lounge, umm my lounge and we will enjoy a nice meal together." Frank kissed her forehead gently as he stepped back to return to his post.

"Agreed", she said as she stepped away from him and returned to her work. Arianna was happy that things were progressing the way they were and she had a good feeling about this mission as well.