A Ducky Sign

Posted on Tue Jan 1st, 2019 @ 5:29pm by Captain Gary Taylor

Mission: Season 2: Episode 3: Determination is not always a good thing
Location: XO's Office
1533 words - 3.1 OF Standard Post Measure

Carrying her medical bag as she was doing her rounds, Estelle stopped by the XO's office and rang the doorbell. She'd only ever seen the place on the holofeed from the ducking, and she did feel like having a quick chat with the first officer.

Gary was at his desk. He was thinking on the Christmas Ball and the wonderful time he had. It seemed that the entire crew had enjoyed themselves. The promotions were a nice touch as well as a surprise for those receiving them. He heard the chime and replied "Enter" wondering who it was who wanted to see him.

Estelle walked in, waving a cheerful hello. "Hey, making my rounds. Things are well with the crew, though you should know. I'm clearing Dani Kovitz for duty, she's no longer held together just by a bit of string and glue." Autosutures and molecular adhesives, but who phrased it that way?

Gary smiled broadly back at her. "Well bless my soul. Hello Doctor. Glad to hear it about the crew. As for Lieutenant Kovitz, It seems Lieutenant Savar agrees with you though he has recommended further counseling sessions with her."

"Oh, I can't say anything as to her mental state", Estelle said. "Though, in the spa last night, she seemed fine. But it did help her to find some distraction, I suppose. A hot tub and a tropical seafood dinner was just what the doctor ordered. Even if I didn't cook it myself."

"Nor am I. So I will defer to his judgment. Oh! please have a seat. A hot tub, tropical beach and seafood dinner? Sounds delightful. No duck? I am disappointed."

"Well, the eggs that were sliced on top of the smoked salmon..." Estelle smirked. "I can be subtle sometimes, you know?"

Gary answered her smirk with one of his own, "Another so far unknown talent comes to light. Will wonders never cease?"

Estelle giggled. "Anje had a visit from the ghost of christmas past, in holographic form. I can't figure out how she knew immediately that for the source, she had to come to my quarters", she feigned incredulity. Estelle popped one of the mints from the bowl on his desk into her mouth. She didn't like the taste, though, and decided to swallow it whole. "Uh, those are nasty. Are your tastebuds in need of rearranging?"

Gary looked at Estelle dispassionately as she popped a mint into her only after she had swallowed it did he speak. "Those are marbles." He answered after a moment.

"So I'm literally going to have a ball?" Estelle shook her head. "But then, you've lost a marble. Better not tell the counsellor." She walked over to the replicator to get a glass of water, draining it immediately.

"Yes to both questions. However it will all come to pass in the end." He smiled, "No worries on telling the counselor, they would never believe it anyways.

"Hmm, on a different note, I've got small trees that yield mandarin oranges", Estelle said, starting an entirely different line of conversation. "I think one of them would look great here in your office, between the replicator and the window." She pointed in the direction. "Picture it, don't you think?"

Gary looked at the space Estelle was referring to. "Yes, I think it would go quite nicely." He said still looking at the empty space before returning his attention to her, "What's the catch?"

"Catch? Why would there be a catch?" Estelle asked. "Who doesn't like fresh fruit?" During the short time his attention was diverted from his desk, Estelle had placed a small wooden figurine on it, between the stack of PADDs and the marbles, so it wasn't immediately obvious.

The figure, about ten centimetres long, was a sitting duck. More specifically, a mallard drake in full plumage, painted on by hand in water-resistant colour. It was a lot smaller than an actual mallard, and had no structure to its feathers, but the colours looked almost lifelike.

Gary shook his head, "You're too agreeable. What are you up to?" He questioned as he eyed her warily. His eyes locked on hers until he started looking around his desk. Then he saw it and instantly started laughing as he reached for the small figure and brought it so she could see. "Will you look at that? A duck. Must be migrating from medical."

"And those mallards aren't even a migratory species in most climates", Estelle quipped. "I painted it this morning, I hope you like it."

Gary didn't answer immediately, he was still looking at the duck and the outstanding paint job as well as Estelle's thoughtfulness. Finally his eyes lifted and he looked at her, "I do very much. It will occupy a place of honor." As he set it right in the middle of his desk along the front edge. "Thank you for your thoughtfulness. It is most appreciated."

"Just remember me the next time a bigger cabin becomes available", Estelle winked. "I'm hoping to ask my girlfriend to move in with me, provided we can find a place to put both our things."

"It's a promise." He assured her. "You will be the first one I call. So ask your girlfriend to move but don't actually do it until I give you a new cabin assignment."

"I will ask her tonight", Estelle smiled. "If she says yes, I'll let you know." She pointed at the figurine. "More space means more room for ducking around, too."

"Good enough." He answered, "I hope she says yes." He looked at the small duck now proudly displayed on his desk. "Heaven help us all." He said with a grin.

"Hah, fortunately for me, there's no help possible from that direction", Estelle grinned. "If there was, I'd be really ducked now."

Gary shook his head, chuckling at Estelle and her sense of humor. It was definitely unique. "For sure. roasted with orange sauce."

"Crispy, no orange", Estelle countered. "Not even the god of the bible is cruel enough to do that to a poor duck."

"An exception can be made." He pointed out.

"I'll remember to invite you and your girlfriend along the next time I cook a large dinner", Estelle decided. "You'll get the ducking of your life."

"Promises, promises." He bantered back. "Though I appreciate the thought. If you are serious, I'll bring the wine.''

"There's one that they make on Gamma Anasae VII", Estelle said. "Small colony world of largely German settlers. They make an excellent one near their capital, Entenhausen. It's perfect for the occasion." Anas being the Latin for duck, and Entenhausen translating as 'Duckville', Estelle figured he'd soon realise she had just made all this up, should he go through the trouble of looking for it.

"Thank you Doctor. I will be sure to keep that in mind. However I'm also sure that whatever wine I bring will be just ducky."

"Just make sure the bill's not too high", Estelle smirked. "Wouldn't want you to lose all your feathers for just this one occasion." That last one was a translation into English of an Andorian proverb, and based on Estelle's cultural background, it seemed entirely appropriate to her. Someone who lost their last feather is someone who spent all they had, and desperately needed to keep them warm in the Andorian winter, for some acquisition or another. It didn't even occur to her that proverbs did not translate well out of context.

"I do appreciate your concern Estelle and I can calm your worries by saying that I have no intention of losing all my feathers over a bottle of wine. So you can sleep easy."

Estelle giggled. "Give my regards to your significant other?" she asked. "Or, as a matter of fact, should I give her yours? I'm headed to her office next."

Gary smiled, "By all means give her my regards. Don't want her to think I've forgotten about her, that would never do. Having a mad girlfriend would be bad for the entire ship.... trust me."

"Oh, I know", Estelle grinned. "Mine's an engineer. And so are my parents, and several of my friends. I know what they can do if they're angry. Wouldn't even want to contemplate mad."

Gary nodded, "Good. You understand." He observed "And let's not contemplate the unhappiness they could cause across the ship."

Estelle nodded and turned to leave. Almost at the door, however, she turned around and asked, "I wonder, what's a good way to make her laugh. What's her sense of humour? Wouldn't want to start off on the wrong webbed foot."

Gary thought for a moment, "Well don't call her by the wrong name for starters. That's definite no-no." He thought some more. "Make some funny comment about my western holodeck programs. She's always calling me Roy Rogers."

"You didn't, did you?!" Estelle asked, unsure whether she should believe it. "Not while... you know?" That would be bad. "And she's still seeing you?"

Gary smiled enigmatically at her. "Go and find out. Of course she is."

"I shall", Estelle said. Now she had a question to break the ice. "Have a nice day, Commander."

"You as well Doctor."