The Grand Tour

Posted on Sat Jun 26th, 2021 @ 4:46am by Lieutenant Vira Vemre [Whavi] & Lieutenant Samaire MacBride-Reece [Lalor]

Mission: Season 5: Episode 2: Operation Save Humanity
Location: Operations Department
Timeline: MD 3 1300
1500 words - 3 OF Standard Post Measure

Arriving half an hour early for her shift Vira strolled though the operations department. She had no doubt there would be work to be done, everyone was focused on the consoles in front of them or PaDD's in their hands and to her great dismay no one looked up. 'Well then,' she thought with an inner sigh.

Picking her target Vira approached the brunette from behind and simply said, "Hello. I was told you could show me around." The little white lie came as natural to her as breathing.

Samaire turned and smiled. "Hi" she said brightly. "Sure, I am new here too, but I can give you a tour of what I have found."

Vira chuckled, "And here I assumed you were the cicerone who guided all new comers aboard the Elysium." The risian returned the females smile with one of her most golden.

"So, you are newly graduated?" Asked Samaire as she stood.

Raising a brow the risian asked, "Define newly?" Vira debated allowing the female to believe she was new, maybe it made her more interesting, so she averted the question.

"As in the past 6 months or so?" Samaire asked

"And if I wasn't, would that change your mind on giving me the grand tour?"

"No I was just asking." Samaire replied with a smile. "Come on we will start with the Ops."

Vira stepped back and gestured for Samaire to lead the way, "It's been a handful of years since my academy days. Thank the goddess. I'm Vira by the way."

"Samaire" The brunette replied "And the same with me, Many years"

"Samaire." Vira repeated, enjoying the way it rolled off her tongue. "That's a beautiful name. Many years? You don't look a day over 21, not that im an expert or a medical student." She playfully shrugged.

"161 years old but really only 25. I graduated in 2258." Samaire said "No secret."

Vira stopped dead in her tracks and baulked at Samaire. For a moment she was silent, jaw slightly dropped, but then she leaned closer as if inspecting the other girls hair. "I thought I saw a gray in there." She laughed lightly as her small jest.

"ha ha" Samaire smiled. "Stasis for over a century was not fun but it happens. "Come on, down here is the Ships Power Coordination and Distribution Centre"

Following, Vira couldn't help but be in awe at what she saw before her. She knew the Elysium was far more advanced then the run down Nova class starship she had come from but nothing did it justice. After the small break in conversation, due to Vira being completely dazzled by the ships circuitry, she said, "Why stasis? Were you sick?"

"Whole crew. No one knows what happened. Computer logs were were blank" Samaire smiled "This ship is way more advanced that the one I was on. It is great to see how technology has advanced."

"Did you find it difficult to reintegrate when you... woke up?" She turned from to face Samaire. The reality of what the woman had lost didn't hit her until after the question was asked.

"yes, it was very hard. Some of us handled it worse than others. I had my niece to care of, so I have focused on that."

"A niece? How old? Is she here with you now?"

"She was 4 when we went into statis. She is 5 now. Give or take a hundred years or so. " Samaire replied "She is pretty independant"

Vira let the information settle for a minute. Still walking through the operations department, the new more advanced equipment catching her eye. She had a hard time relating to anyone with children. Vira could barely keep herself in line let alone a small child. Karma would come full circle if she ever reproduced, the spawn of a hellion would surely be a handful, if not two.

"Can I ask what became of her parents?" Vira turned to face Samaire and quickly added, "If I'm being nosy you can tell me to shove it. You've known me for a total of five minutes and are in no way obligated to answer me, I'm just curious." Vira ended with a shy smile and a shrug.

"My sister died suddenly. Murdered. And I never knew who Skylah's father was." Samaire said. "It happened a year before we were lost."

"I'm sorry... Given the stasis her loss should still feel very recent." Vira gave a look of condolence to the other.

"Skylah is very resilient, according to counselors" Samaire said with a smile. "And we have regular sessions. I am sure being in this time period will eventually be best for her."

"For what it's worth, I'm sure it will be as well." Vira flashed Samaire a warm smile before taking in their surroundings. "So where is it you are normally stationed? I'm hoping I'm not stuck in a transporter room all the time like my last assignment."

"Lieutenant Whavi is apparently very good with moving her team around. You wont be stuck there." Samaire smiled.

"Fingers crossed nonetheless." Vira made show of crossing her pointer and middle finger on both hands, holding them in front of her.

Samaire smiled. "You should talk to either Lieutenant Gregory or Lieutenant Morgan as well. They have been here a while and know the terrain.

"I shall keep that in mind." Seeing that their tour was nearing its conclusion Vira also added, "Thank you Samaire. You conducted a wonderful tour and I can only hope to express my gratitude one day. Perhaps one night when your free, if Skylah allows. "Vira chuckled. "We can meet for a couple drinks. If you've never had a Risian Mai Tai your missing out!"

"I have never made it to Risa" Samaire admitted. "Its a flaw but life is like that."

“Oh don’t you fret, I make them even better then they do back home!” Vira gave the other female a wink.

"sounds great, I will keep it in mind." Samaire grinned.

"You mentioned a Lieutenant Gregory and Morgan, are they as helpful and welcoming as you?" Vira asked. The more information she had on the other members of operations the easier her life would be.

"Yes" Samaire said with a smile. "When they are not kissing each other senseless but they are great officers and really professional."

That cause Vira to laugh, "I bet Whavi just loves having a couple of lovebirds in her department! Maybe she'll be so busy with them I wont warrant much attention." she joked.

"Maybe but then I am not sure the Lt even knows." Samaire grinned.

"Your telling me I know something about the chief's department she doesn't?" She gave a disbelieving chuckle. "Well that's a first!"

"Well she hasn't made any comments in my hearing and they are pretty discrete. I only know cause I saw them in a corridor off duty."

Vira gave her a mischievous grin, "Samaire, I underestimated you. I'm going to bet you're one of those crew members who are very observant. This could come in handy one day."

"I am quiet and no one notices me" Samaire shrugged. "It works" She grinned.

The inner workings of Vira's mind started plotting, she knew she should lay low given whatever stick was shoved up Whavi's rear, but she couldn't help her rebellious heart. Mischief was her nature. The risian linked her elbow with Samarie, "So, what else can you tell me about our department? What else should I know? Who to look out for? Something tells me you've picked up a lot in your short time here."

"Uhmm some are upset that the captain got changed out. I never knew The former captain so I cannot speak to it. There was talk of dealing with the new Captain in an un-starfleet way. But it has stopped."

Vira furrowed her brow, she still didn't understand why there was such a high level of hostility towards this new captain... she certainly hadn't seen a reason for it during their first meeting. There was something she didn't know. And not knowing something drove the Risian nuts. "And how do you feel about the current Captain?"

"I don't know her" Samaire said honestly. "I have had no interactions with her. But she must be good at her job or why else would the fleet put her here?"

"Eh. You'd be surprised, not that I know much about her. We've had one interaction and it went just fine. How do you feel about 'people watching?' " Vira gave Samaire a plotting something look as she waited for the other girls answer.

Samaire grinned at her. "I feel okay with that"

Vira returned the grin with her widest yet. "Let's see what we can learn about our dear Captain shall we?"

"Perfect" Samaire agreed holding out her hand to shake on it.

Taking Samaire's hand Vira gave it a tight shake. This was just the start of a very promising friendship she was sure.