Catching Up

Posted on Mon Jan 13th, 2025 @ 6:25am by Captain Andre Hunt & Warrant Officer Emily Douglasdale

1,172 words; about a 6 minute read

Mission: Drydock
Location: Captains Mess

Andre and Emily sat across from each other at the table in the Captain's Mess. Over the course of the last few weeks at drydock the two had made it a point to have dinner at least once a week. Those dinners involved talks of work, family and basically life in general.

"The Chef definitely did an excellent job with this meatloaf," Emily spoke. "It's a damn shame he won't be sticking around. Are you he can't be convinced to stay?"

Taking a bite out of his own food, Hunt simply shrugged. "The man wanted to retire and spend time with that new grandbaby. Talking him out of that wasn't going you happen."

"You decide on whether to promoted Stanley into the position?"

"Honestly I don't think he ready," the Captain answered. "I have someone in mind who can some specialties to my liking. Plus with the possibility of first contacts. It would be good to have a more experienced Chef around who can do an amazing job preparing foreign foods."

"Thinking about first contacts already," she responded.

"This is a mission of exploration. Possible first contacts and nothing like a good meal to help break the ice."

"Beside, I managed to acquire Antwon Burton."

"Hold up. Antwon Burton one of the top Chef's not only in Starfleet. But possibly the planet. Word is that he was working on his eighth restaurant and was taking away from Starfleet for a while."

"And that was his plan," the Captain responded. "I met him yesterday at his restaurant in Rio. Initially he turned down my offer, even with a promotion to Chief Petty Officer. So, I sweetened the deal."

Emily leaned forward. "To just leave me here sitting in anticipation."

"Made a call to the Trill scientist and requested if one of them could put a few recipes together a list of some of their foods. When I met with Chef Burton, I simply presented that list of recipes and kindly explained the opportunity to possibly be the first to gather recipes from other worlds. Five hours later, he called me back accepting the offer."

"You gave the man what he wanted more than anything else," she said while applauding. "The man is definitely about his craft in the kitchen. Perhaps there you'll be a diplomat after all."

"Don't you go starting with that now," he chuckled.

The Warrant Officer took a sip of her drink. "You decided to bring MACOs along. Not really an indicator solely exploring."

Looking up from his own plate, Andre was silent for a moment. "Took me a few weeks when Starfleet asked if I wanted MACOs on the Meridian. As much as I am excited about exploration. I realize that Starfleet has consistently been in some conflict. Best to have them on the ship and not need them, then to not have them and need them."

"Excellent point."

"Major McEntyre has agreed to accept the position and will be arriving in a few days with a handpicked team of his choosing," he announced. "Our Chief Engineer, Lieutenant Commander Mattys Plaatjes will be arriving tomorrow."

"Have you gotten around to picking your XO yet?" Douglasdale asked. "You were staring at that long list of names the Commodore gave you well over a week now."

"That's because finding a great Executive Officer takes a certain skill that you wouldn't know about," Andre replied as he laughed. "But I went along with Commander Thomas Carey."

"The Chief Armory Officer if I recall."

Hunt nodded. "You recall correctly. Knocks out both vacancies, plus I have a good feeling about him and his CO spoke very highly of him. He should be arriving in a few days."

"I received a call that Talariana would be returning to the Meridian," Emily mentioned with a curious look on her face.

"She gave me a call voicing her concerns." Andre took a bite out of his food and took a sip of his drink. "I offered her the Assistant Chief Armory position."

"Wow, I wasn't sure if she wanted the position."

"The Lieutenant wasn't sure about taking the position on this ship," the Captain responded. "Apparently her trip to Andoria gave her sometime to rethink the direction of her career. But in all honesty, I am happy that she will remain with the Meridian."

Taking a bite out of he own," the Warrant Officer smiled. "I'm happy to have my friend remain on board. "Its not easy making new friends at our age."

Andre raised an eyebrow. "I am not old. And since you are younger than me. Your definitely not old."

"That is true. We'll at least you look good and carry it very well."

"You don't so bad yourself," he replied.

For a brief moment the two simply stared, smiling at each other. There was a slight bit of tension in the room. "I believe that I find myself at a loss of words Em."

"Well Andre if it's not obvious I am quite fond of you," Douglasdale admitted. "Honestly I have been for some time now. I know you tend to be focused on the work to really notice. Which is a respectable trait and a little frustrating for me."

"I tend to work a lot."

"That's not a bad thing. It got you your own command faster than most. You have inspired those under you to reevaluate the direction in our own careers."

Andre couldn't but think that not only was Emily beautiful, but intelligent as well as kind. Even when he was over the helm department there was always a bit of something there, but neither one allowed themselves to go there. But they knew each other so well and always have each other's backs. "Getting this command isn't something that I solely did by myself. Being over the helm department working with you and others gave me the experience needed. You all were a great group to work and made my job easy to honest. You have been doing an excellent job running the department yourself. And to be honest you have been an amazing confidant. Not sure what I would have done without you."

Douglasdale couldn't help but to blush. "Well, you know how I feel about you. So, the preverbal ball is in your court. No rush or any pressure from me."

"Taking that all into consideration," Andre chuckled.

"But I do like movie dates, walks in the park a few personally cooked dinners here and there," Emily joked. "Definitely into surprises. Guess deep down I'm a romantic, but with simple things."

"I am a very simple man indeed."

"Oh, I am definitely well aware of that dear Captain."

They both burst out in laughter.

Andre reached across the table and took her hand. "But seriously I am taking this all into consideration. Let me just get this ship underway and we'll figure this out."

"In the meantime we should eat," Emily replied.

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Captain Andre Hunt
Commanding Officer
USS Meridian

Warrant Officer Emily Douglasdale
Helm Officer
USS Meridian

 

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