Meeting Etrara

Posted on Wed Sep 7th, 2022 @ 6:18am by Crewman Adelaide Kirkby & Lieutenant Etrara Khalten

Mission: MISSION 0 - History Speaks
Location: USS Elysium - Turbolift
1030 words - 2.1 OF Standard Post Measure

[ON:]

USS ELYSIUM - TURBOLIFT

As crewman apprentice Adelle Kirkby waited for the turbolift, she shifted a few PaDD's in her hands. She was trying to balance a tumbler of coffee and her mid-morning work. The tumbler filled with hot raktajino and a mocha whip had the Starfleet Marine Corps logo on it. And the PaDD's were also personnel and administrative work that she was helping Colonel Azhul with. The turbo lift doors opened and a few people got out. One of them, her friend Anna, gave her a quick hug saying, "Adelle! Good morning, I hope you're having a good day? How do you like working with a bunch of marines?" Anna asked.

Adelle returned the hug and said, "Good morning! Thank you. Oh I love it. It's both interesting and I feel like I'm helping make a difference. It's really good. Everyone is so nice too." Anna smiled back and Adelle stepped into the lift, "Let's do lunch? I'll call you and we'll catch up?" Anna nodded, "Sounds great! See you Adelle!"

The doors closed and Adelle was alone in the lift. She took another drink of her raktajino and looked at one of the PaDD's.

Lieutenant Etrara Khalten almost missed her turbo lift. She was still finding it hard to fit in socially, plus the ship was so large she felt it necessary to visit each department including the large marine contingent, to explore ways in which she could help make communication more seamless in between departments, especially where gaps in tactical security might become a problem. Hence the paDD she was deep in a relationship with. The lift stopped and the door opened, Etrara took a step in and stopped still looking down deep in her latest list.

Adelaide moved out of the way so that the folks entering the lift would have an easy time of it. There was only one. The Klingon tactical officer. Adelle didn't know her personally yet. She had heard about her. Lieutenant Khalten was her name. She was engrossed in a PaDD and so Adelle thought it best, for the moment, to simply wait until she was finished reading before saying anything. Adelle didn't know what a tactical officer actually did; but she was sure it must be important.

Etrara looked across at her. “Busy day?” She said.”I ask because you seem to be balancing quite a bit. Can I help?” She smiled hoping her Klingon persona did not put her turbo lift companion off.

"Oh? Yes, quite busy actually" Adelle said as she greeted the Lieutenant with a smile. "I'm used to juggling multiple PaDD's. I find that just getting all the signatures I need in one fell swoop is the way to go. I've been doing this now for a few years" she said. "But thank you, Lieutenant."

Etrara smiled, “do I bother you? If so I am sorry, this is why I have trouble making friends.”

Adelle shook her head, "No, not at all. I'd rather meet someone new and have a nice chat with a friend than ride the turbolift in silence." She asked, "Aren't you the ship's Tactical Officer?"

Etrara laughed, “yes I am, pretty new here. It’s difficult to be on top of things when you don’t know anyone. Pleased to meet you. May I ask what you do for fun around here?”.

Adelle thought a moment and said, "Mmmm...there's really so much to do here on the ship. It's more like, what am I not doing?" she laughed and said, "I joined up with the ship's theatre group. They are called the "Muses" as in the Greek Muses? Kind of a theme around here don't you know. I like performing and I suppose, right now, that's what I do for fun. How about you? Oh, by the way, I'm Adelaide Kirkby. Friends just call me Adelle. What's your name?"

“I’m Etrara, listen maybe I could hang around with you sometime. I am not sure I am the ‘theatre’ type. Mostly I try to hide away. Many people still hate Klingons but, to tell you the truth I feel Lonely.” Etrara had no idea why she was opening up to this random woman in a turbo lift but there was something about her.

"Well sure, I'd love to do that. I usually meet friends for lunch. How about tomorrow? And remember, Barbek of Andorria was a fighter pilot who then became an actor. And so was Mizzara. She had a salon for pets and became an actress. So...the theatre bug may still get'cha!"

Etrara laughed, “well Klingon theatre is something never to be talked about but opera, well now you’re talking. I’d enjoy meeting you for lunch tomorrow what time and where? I have meetings but they are early morning and late afternoon.” The lift began to slow as it neared it’s first destination.

Adelle laughed with Etrara as the lift came a slow and then the doors opened onto deck thirty-two 'Marine Country'. "Tomorrow we decided to meet up at the 'Nature's Kitchen' on the promenade deck? We meet right at noon. If you're free and can get us a table? I'll let the others know. There's five of us and you'll be number six. I hope you can make it Lieutenant? I have wonderful, nice friends and we would love to have more. This is my stop, OK? Have a good rest of your day?"

“I’ll be there and…thank you.” Etrara said smiling as the lift door closed “Main bridge” she announced as the turbolift continued on its way.

Adele waved a free hand back to Etrara, "Good! Then I will see you tomorrow. See you!" she said as the loft doors closed and the conversation was over. Adele could hardly wait for tomorrow's lunch date with some of her closest and some of her newest friends. She felt so much better about being a part of the crew and not just from the "clerical pool" back on Galaxy Station. She felt like she was starting to fit in.

[OFF:]

Lieutenant Etrara Khalten
&
Crewman Apprentice Adelaide Kirkby