Dinner

Posted on 06 Nov 2016 @ 1:09pm by Lieutenant JG Astrid Jurgen & Lieutenant Kina Hena MD

Mission: Prelude; Breakfast at Curmudgeon's
Location: Crew Lounge
Timeline: MD 0: 17:20Hrs

Kina sat alone tonight. Andrew had been invited to a birthday party and she didn't yet have friends here, so she had brought a book just in case nobody seemed friendly. Besides, there was something to be said for eating alone. It was calming and one could really concentrate on one's food instead of the conversation. Not that she would tell someone to get lost if they turned up, mind. She was just flexible like that.

On the other side of the room, Astrid had collected her food from a replicator and looked around for a place to sit. Most of the tables had groups at them, clearly people who knew each other, and she didn't feel like trying to integrate with a group at the moment. On the far side of them, a woman sat alone - reading quietly as she ate her meal. Deciding that was her best option, Astrid walked over - pausing by the table.

"Excuse me," She asked, "Do you mind if I join you?"

Kina looked up and smiled. "That would be lovely," she said, putting down her book. "I could use some company. I've usually got my son with me, but he's off with friends. I'm Doctor Hena, but off duty, mostly I go by Kina. Sometimes mummy," she added with a grin.

"Astrid Jurgen," Astrid replied, smiling and seating herself opposite Kina, "Just came aboard as the new computer specialist." She sorted out her plate and cutlery, before placing the tray on the floor beside her. "So far so good, but still trying to find my way around at the moment."

"So am I," admitted Kina with a nod. "Luckily, most starships are similar, which makes it easier."

Astrid, having just placed some food in her mouth, nodded her agreement.

"Definitely, thank goodness for a baseline of standardisation," she grinned, "How are you finding the medical facilities on the Arizona?"

"Top of the line," replied Kina. "A bit small, but they've made genius uses of space that I never would have thought of. For instance: there's a lot of unused space under the biobeds, so there's drawers in them for all kinds of medicines and equipment. Also, my office is small, but it's big enough for a desk and the traditional cot for when things get ridiculous, so it's plenty big enough. Oh!" she said, suddenly remembering. "And Toddman, the Chief of Ops, brought me a micro pattern buffer or something that has all sorts of stuff stowed in it. So instead of having extra equipment, I can just materialize it when I need it."

"I've ran into Toddman, handy man to know." Astrid agreed. "He helped me get some of my possessions aboard at the last minute before we left Spacedock," she grinned, "Whether they wanted me to take them or not!"

"Sounds like he's just all around helpful," said Kina. "I mean, most ops officers are, but he seems above and beyond, you know?"

"Gives you hope for the rest of the crew then, assuming the CO handpicked most of them?" Astrid finished eating and slid her plate forward slightly. "I assume you'll have met most of them by now with the Physicals?"

"Not yet," admitted Kina, finishing her own dinner and setting down her fork. "About half of them, I think, so far. I'll get to the rest of them in the next few days, I think."

"Pretty sure I'm scheduled in the day after tomorrow." Astrid noted, before glancing at the chronometer, "I'm afraid I need to go - but no doubt see you then if not before." She stood, picking up her plate, "It's been a pleasure Kina."

"It was nice to meet you, too, Astrid," Kina replied with a friendly smile. "Take care!"