Bumping into you here.

Posted on 13 Mar 2024 @ 4:54pm by Lieutenant JG Thex sh'Zoarhi & Lieutenant Commander Remington Dodd

2,186 words; about a 11 minute read

Mission: S3 Episode 5: Diplomatic Incident/Hydaransz Again (Main)
Location: Starbase promenade

[ON]

- Starbase 51 -


A smile was on Thex face as she made her way through the station. She was feeling happy with herself and it showed. She had her position on the sovereign to look forward to and given what she had done she was beaming with herself.

She could feel eyes upon her but that was nothing. After all, her dancing outfit was meant to draw eyes to her even before she had the golden and silver ribbons around her hips.

Though the blue engineer's eyes were fixed on a fellow shipmate from the Tomcat. " Commander Dodd. " she said with a friendly smile as she approached the ship's exo. " How are you doing?"

"Well, hello." Dodd replied. "I have been meaning to get with you. I understand we have not had a chance to officially meet. I apologize for the oversight."

" No problem sir. I know helping to run the ship must be keeping you very busy." Thex replied. " Do you want to get something to eat I'm famished," she asked

"I will take you up on that invitation." Dodd replied. "I was actually going to go review the crew roster for our next mission, but it can wait as I get to know my acting chief engineer." Dodd then motioned for Thex to lead the way to a table.

" As acting chief engineer I hope I won't let you down, sir. Especially as were borrowing someone else girl. " The sapphire girl replied as she lead the way to one of the tables by the viewing screen. The Tomcat was visible still in dry dock as her refit went underway.

"Well, it will be interesting to lead the crew on a Sovereign class ship, but we will make the best of it." Dodd stated. "But let me get to know more about you, if possible." Dodd then looked out at the hull of the Tomcat. "But I must say that I will miss the old Tomcat."

" She'll be the same ship only better." A smile was on the andorians face as she responded her blue eyes looking out at her girl before turning back to Dodd. " So what would you like to know about me?"

"Well, I can tell you are a dancer, not only from your attire but from your physique. So what other extra curricular activities do you enjoy on your personal time?" Dodd asked.

" Indeed i am. Best non-Orion in the regular dancing and best non-Orion blade dancer in the sector. " Thex replied glancing at the ribbons tied to her hips. " Other than that i enjoy swimming, both recreational and free diving. I also enjoy messing with Tech both retro and more modern. What about you commander what do you enjoy?" She added her antenna leaning forward slightly indicating her interest.

"Well, I read comic books from old Earth era the 1970's, 1980's and 1990's. I dabble in video games from that same era. However, I am a naturalist when I am in private or select company. I am not ashamed of my nudity but have to follow the norm when in public. So my number one favorite off duty activity is hiking naked or swimming naked in the great outdoors. I have several holo programs that once I activate will automatically lock the holodeck and allow me to be as natural as I can be on a ship." Dodd stated with a huge smile on his face. "I already have a trip booked for after the next mission to a forested moon where they limit the number of visitors and I can thus hike as naked as I wish without much interaction from others. So looking forward to that."

" Is that due to your betazoid side?" Thex inquired. " I've never hiked naked before, but it sounds interesting. How many earth gaming consoles do you have? i know finding them can be hard given the third world war."

"I have hiked in the real air of 13 planets with permission to be in isolated sectors to avoid people. But I never really felt it was due to my Betazoid heritage." Dodd replied. "I do have five systems that I actually built myself from schematics and the games I replicated from data files that survived the test of time. I have even made the old Sony Playstation console to play as a holographic projection in my quarters to avoid using a monitor."

" You'll have to show me them someday. I have some kirk era gadgets I've been retrofitting to work with the present technology. If you need someone to accompany you on your hike I'm always up for trying new things." Thex replied.

"I may take you up on that. I like to have a hiking partner from time to time." Dodd replied. "I had the engine room of the Tomcat purring like the kitten it was, but I hope the new retrofit will do it justice. As for Kirk era tech, I felt the engineering tricorder was by far great for that era, I would like to see how you updated it to modern specs. I have tinkered with nano tech and created a prototype of a new EV suit and now I am hoping it will come to fruition and we will have a new means to make away missions a little less hassle."

" You'll have to show it to me as well. You are more than welcome to stop by any of the times i'd be dancing. It always helps when i have an audience. " The sapphire girl added before he stomach started grumbling. " Though right now i could do with something to eat." She added bringing up the holo menu. " What would you like?" She asked Dodd?

"I had not thought about food, but now that you mention it, I could go for some Rigelian Macaroni and cheese." Dodd replied as he looked a the menu.

" Make it two with a large Andorian ale." Thex replied with a grin as she typed in the order.

"So what made you get into engineering?" Dodd asked of the blue marvel before him. "I want to know how you think about engineering and how it has made you who you are today."

" A very long story." Thex said as she leaned back in her chair. " I was born in an Andorian doomsday cult. Lived most of my early life in their compound and barely left it. Given i wasn't given much to do i had to find something to occupy myself so i started tinkering with the machines they had in the compound. One day i just decided to run and never looked back. I found myself in the nearest city and in the Starfleet recruitment centre. I took the attitude test and they recommended engineering. From there i joined the academy and the rest is history. I wanted to see the stars and being the tender of the ship sailing that oceane is one of the best ways of seeing it."

"Well, I too sort of just took to tinkering with anything I could take apart and deified my parents by joining Starfleet as an engineer over a diplomat or dignitary. I enjoy engineering but when the captain said she wanted me as her executive officer, I went with it. I do feel like the engineer of the ship as I have to still put things in order and keep things running just not the mechanical parts." Dodd replied. "I am now working to figure out the test I feel is coming as there needs to be a full commander on the crew. I have been spending most my downtime reviewing the data and the crew roster to make the best of the mission that is coming ahead. As a leader you have to be willing to see the bigger picture. I can still have my personal life but I do have to contend with the lives that I have serving along side me and keep them safe."

The food was delivered to the table and Dodd then ordered a Lime flavored seltzer water with an orange wedge.

"I still feel like a job is not a job if you enjoy what you do. So I do like what I do and could not imagine myself anywhere else. I have a family with this crew and I would do what is necessary to save my family even if it means my loss." Dodd added.

" Well, i hope my data is more than sufficient and that i can be a member of the ship's family." The blue girl said rasing her ale for a toast. " To the Tomcat and a bright future."

Dodd then raised his seltzer, "To the Tomcat and a bright future. Then he took a drink. "From what I read and have picked up from our talk, you already are family."

"Thank you sir." Thex said as she clicked their glasses together. She took a bite of the Rigelian Macaroni and cheese. " This is very good. " She added with a smile.

"So how do you like working with Hawksley?" Dodd asked.

Thex thought for a second before she replied " He's an excellent chief engineer. He knows how best to use his team and keep the ship running. I can't think of anyone else best suited to oversee the Tomcats retrofit."

"To be honest, I really wish it was me overseeing the retrofit. But as you said, I am glad Leland is the one overseeing it. I know he is good but I must admit I am so jealous." Dodd replied.

" As am i but being trusted with the temp chief engineering position more than makes up for it. One step closer to command of my own ship." The andorian grinned in reply as she enjoyed her food.

"Well if I ever get my own ship, I will take Hawksley with me and you can have the Tomcat after the retrofit, it will be all new an shiny." Dodd replied with a devilish grin. "I really don't think Captain Somers will allow me to have Hawksley. I will be really seeing how the crew does while I am in temporary command so that if the day comes I make my way to Captain, I can have a good feeling for who I want to be with me on my crew."

" I don't think many captains will allow someone to pinch their chief of engineering. They do get quite fond of them. " Thex grinned in reply.

"In fact so fond they make them the xo." Dodd stated with a grimace. "I would only hope that the deputy chief engineer on this ship would be happy to be the chief on my ship when the day comes. So, any big plans while on the station before we depart for the next mission?"

" I would certainly think about it." Thex replied with a smile on her face, She was happy with her current position but the chief engineering position of her own was something to think about. " As for plans mostly I'll be making sure the extra spares we've been sent have arrived and are prepared for loading. After our last fight with the Romulans i'd want to make sure we have more than enough spares. What about you any plans?"

"I plan to get one more visit in with Rocky in the Arboretum and then maybe one more date in to allow some relaxation and then hitting the gym. Then I have to prep for the next mission as I know I am being tested this go around. The fleet we are now a part of is going to be evolving and I think making full commander would be something the captain may throw at me, so need to be at my best." Dodd replied.

"Well if you need any help with anything just let me know," Thex said reaching for her glass. " To the Tomcat and a prosperous future."

"To the prosperous future and the Tomcat." Dodd replied as he too raised his glass for her toast and took a swig. "You will be the first to get the call if I need anything."

" As will you commander." Thex replied with a smile.

"I am glad we had a chance to get together." Dodd responded. "I am certain the temporary ship assigned to us for our nest mission maybe two will serve us well. Take care of yourself until next we meet."

" You to Dodd take care of yourself." Thex said as she finished her meal before stepping up and heading for her temporary quarters.

"Enjoy the rest of your downtime, I look forward to working closely with you on the next mission." Dodd replied as he flagged the waitress over to get a second drink as he was going to remain in there to enjoy the people watching.

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