Meeting a New Friend...

Posted on Sun Mar 6th, 2022 @ 2:06am by Commander Kyle Reece & Lieutenant Commander Aurelia Taylor

Mission: Season 5: Interlude: Darkness Abounds
Location: USS Elysium, Paddy's Loft
Timeline: MD 3 / 1846 hours
1304 words - 2.6 OF Standard Post Measure

Kyle sat at the bar, enjoying a pint of beer and unwinding from the day. While he no longer had to worry about ship security or tactical issues, being the head of a satellite academy had its own shares of issues.

For one, he was in several meetings everyday, both with his own cadre and cadets, to the brass back home. While the work was important, grooming the next generation of cadets to serve and lead Starfleet forward, sometimes, he'd almost give it up to run a tactical board again.

Almost.

Lia was wandering along a deck when a familiar aroma tickled her nose, *Fish and chips?* she thought. Following the delectable smell she came across bar, *What? Five years on this ship, I never knew this place was here*. Entering she approached the bar, a Captain sat drinking a pint. "Hi, can I order some chips? And do you serve Sake?" She spoke to the barman and hoped the Captain wouldn't spot that she was the Security Chief, Lia looked for a place to sit.

Kyle glanced over and seeing the attractive officer, and reading the Please don't recognize me look in her eyes, he turned back to his beer.

The barman nodded. "Yes, Ma'am, to both. Would you care to be served at the bar, or would you prefer a table?"

"I'll sit here on the corner of the bar, and I'll have a cold Sake with my order of chips please." Lia could see the Captain had spotted her, "Hello Captain, I hope you don't mind me sitting here?"

The barman nodded and moved away to ready her order.

Kyle looked over and gave her a friendly grin. "Not at all Commander. Just because I'm in Paddy's Loft a lot, doesn't mean I own it." He chuckled softly.

Lia blushed slightly, "I've been on this ship for five years, and this is my first time. If I hadn't caught the aroma of chips, I wouldn't have found this place."

He grinned in reply. "Yeah, Patrick, the original owner from when Elysium first left spacedock, did that deliberately. He told me once, back when I was the Chief Tactical officer here, that he wanted his pub to be enjoyed by regulars, not tourists." He looked around the pub and smiled. "I've had a few good memories here." He pointed to a collection of pictures that were posted behind the bar. "At one time me, my two brothers, our adopted Reman uncle and our grandfather were all hear at the same time."

"I didn't know you were once Chief Tactical Officer, that's one of my roles now. Do you ever miss it?" She moved a little closer so the pair could talk, "Have a chip, and tell me more. My name is Lia, pleased to meet you."

"Kyle," he replied with a lop-sided grin. "Same here." He took a chip and popped it into his mouth. He then raised his beer to her in a toast. "To all the torpedoes we've ever had to fire in anger, and all those we kept snuggled away in the magazines."

Lia raised her glass, "And for all those friends who gave their all."

"As for missing it?" He chuckled softly. "Yeah, I do sometimes. I started as Sec/Tac Chief on the Talleyrand, an old Ambassador class that was used to allow junior and senior cadets to get their feet wet on a starship before graduation. I've served in that role on four other starships over the years. With this old girl, I even fought against a group of Constitution era Starships in the MU." His grin dropped as he remembered that bloody fight. "Needless to say, they didn't stand a chance against Ely. But, I still see the battle in my nightmares, as I gave the order, again and again, to destroy those five ships, ending all those lives." He got quiet for a moment.

Shaking himself out of the memory, he looked back at Lia and continued. "I guess, most of all, I miss being being on the bridge, in the middle of the action. Now, I just sit around my desk, down in the Academy, and make decisions everyday on how best to ensure my cadets get the best education they can, before they graduate and move out into the fleet."

"Well I'm sure the odd visit to the bridge wouldn't hurt, but I can't imagine this post you hold is your final tour in Star Fleet. You don't seem ready to be put out to grass just yet". Lia pointed at her now empty glass, "One more please, and can I have another plate of chips. I kinda think we might need them." She smiled at Kyle and pushed the plate so it sat between them, "Never did like eating alone."

He gave Lia a friendly grin and nod. "I appreciate that, Lia. As for my current posting, I certainly hope not. While I know that I will never sit in the center seat again, I hope there is still much I can do for Starfleet and the Federation." He nodded again about the food. "Yeah, I never did either."

"That center seat has a short shelf life, we all want it but once we get there we don't stop long." Lia picked up a chip and took a bite, "You could always come back to Security or Tactical, your experience is something we could always use. I'm sure even I can learn a thing or two, why don't you visit us sometime?"

Kyle grinned and nodded. "I'd love to come down sometime. Though, to return to the position, not only would I have to lose a rank, I'd run the risk of pushing you out of the chief spot." He shook his head. "I don't want to do that. I know you worked hard to get there. But, I'd gladly offer any of my experience to you and your staff as an advisor?"

"Thanks, I just might call you out on that Kyle. And if I can do anything to help you out, then please don't hesitate to ask." She picked up another chip and after finishing it sipped her Sake, "Would you like another drink?"

Kyle dipped his head in thanks. Then, he thought about her question. "Yeah, I have time for another drink." He quietly indicated to the bartender to replace their drinks.

"So I hate to eat and run, but after this little lot I got to return to the day job." Lia checked her watch, an old 20th century one she had found before joining Star Fleet. "Anything else I can help you with Kyle?" Lia found she was liking this Captain, *If only Lovejoy was more like this* she thought.

Kyle chuckled softly. "I remember being active like that in my Sec/Tac days, even when I went to Strat Ops. Now? I mostly sit at my desk, doing paperwork." He chuckled again, giving Lia an honest, lop-sided grin. "Enjoy the rest of your day, Lia. This was fun! I hope we can do it again some time." He offered her his right hand.

Walking over to Kyle, Lia held out her hand. "Any time Kyle, just hit the call button and I'll come running for a plate of chips with you." She liked this Captain, perhaps she'd talk to Gary and find out more about him.

Kyle shook Lia's hand, his grip firm, but friendly. After releasing her hand, he sat back and nodded. "Same goes for you." He grinned again. Then watched her leave, happy to have made a new friend. A few minutes later, he settled up both their orders with the bartender, then left the pub, heading back to his office, to finish a couple more hours of paperwork.

~OFF~