Meeting the Rockhound

Posted on Sat Oct 14th, 2023 @ 7:18pm by Teevs Dosivi & Captain Gary Taylor

Mission: MISSION 0 - History Speaks
Location: Executive Officer's Ready Room
Timeline: MD4 Lre morning 1000 hours
1971 words - 3.9 OF Standard Post Measure

*XO's Ready Room*

The Elysium was back flying. Or perhaps it was better to say she was moving and more or less in one piece. Much of the damage incurred by the quantum filament had been repaired but so much more was still needing to be done. Quarters needed to be repaired. Replicators were offline, systems were being rebuilt. Life support had finally been repaired. The engines still needed work as did the QSD. For without it they would never see home again.

Yet despite all that needed to be done some things never changed no matter what the circumstances were. One of which was looking over maintenance requests and giving priority to. His head hurt at having to decide.

Thanks to the guidance of the ship's computer and several uniformed individuals, Teevs found himself at the first officer's door. Now that things had settled down, he wanted to help instead of sitting still. He didn't need to understand their language to know when the wall displays were showing system statuses and repairs needed to be made. The panel next to the door had several buttons, their uses known only to those in uniform, and he knew better than tempt fate by pressing the wrong thing, so after a long moment of staring at the panel, he decided to instead knock on the door.

Deep in thought in assigning priority to repairs, work orders or just simple maintenance requests Gary was developing a headache. He was startled by the knock on his office door. *Knocking on my door? Who knocks on doors? * He thought as he called out "Enter!" Only then would his curiosity be settled. he rose from behind his desk to greet whoever came through the door next.

Teevs stepped back when the door slid open, revealing the office. A giant desk was the first thing he noticed, followed by an equally large sitting area. The room's sole occupant was behind the desk, seemingly waiting for his guest. "Greetings," he said with a smile, briefly glancing at the doorway before stepping into the room. He provided his cultural greeting before asking, "I hope I'm not disturbing you."

Gary shook his head. "You are a welcomed diversion. I was going through work orders and maintenance requests." Gary explained. "Trying to prioritize them. Please, come in and have a seat. Would you like a glass of water?" Gary gestured to the chairs in front of his desk. "I would offer you something more than water to drink but the replicators are still offline. I'm Captain Taylor, the Elysium's executive officer, how can I help you?"

"I'm not thirsty at the moment, thank you." Accepting the offer to take a seat, Teevs picked one of the chairs and sat down. "I was going to ask you that, Captain Taylor." As if he were being interviewed, he set a datapad down on the desk between them. The translation to their language was better now that he could more easily collect samples of their language to improve his computer's translation efforts, but he still silently hoped it was legible. "I am very grateful for your ship's generosity, and I would like to provide some generosity of my own in return. I have provided a copy of my vessel's cargo inventory, as well as a summary of my own skills."

Gary smiled at Teevs. "You are most welcome sir. Always willing and able to help another in trouble. We should be able to repair your ship as well. An inventory if your cargo is most welcomed and may prove useful. As for your own skills would you please be kind enough to summarize them for me?" As he finished Gary had seen the datapad place on the desk. So, he asked. "Is our language proving difficult for you? We have a universal translator you may use to help you."

Teevs waved his hand to dismiss any idea that he may be struggling with language. "Your language isn't the most difficult one I've encountered. Not a common... organization of words, but not nearly as difficult as Cavaaran." He was still relying fairly heavily on the universal translator, but he could pick out some words. "And please, I do not wish for you to waste your resources on my vessel. Yours needs it more than mine."

Leaning back a little, the Lonian briefly thought on how best to talk about himself. "A summary of my skills... I am primarily a geologist, though I am an engineer through education and do mechanical and physical work. I am knowledgeable about several sectors in this area thanks to years of travelling and trading. Species, cultures, where to find things... I have a reasonably sized database on my vessel that I've added to over the years."

Gary nodded. "I'm pleased that you are not finding our language too difficult. If you ever have trouble understanding either the words or a phrase, the universal translator can help you by giving you an explanation that may be better suited. Repairing your ship is not wasting our resources sir. We are glad to provide aid to you."

Gary grew silent as Teevs gave a summary about himself and his talents. "A rockhound eh?" Gary saw the confusion on Teevs face at the word. "Sorry, it means loves rocks. A mechanic is a plus." He noted. "Information on this area of space and its varioous species and cultures a long with trading customs is invaluable as is your database which can add to our understanding of what we are dealing with. We're going to be in this sector for some time to come so we need all the help we can get. "

Teevs was glad for the explanation, because the translation made it sound like Gary was calling him a rock-dwelling creature. "Of course. There aren't many resources in the Kimor sector --uh, what we call this part of space-- but depending on the direction you travel, you will likely find items of use to you."

"That is good to know and especially good to know we can find resources along our journey. I would say Mr. Dosivi that you have just become the Elysium's unofficial guide through this area of space if you are agreeable to such.Your knowledge about this part of space and the species we may encounter would prove most valuable.""

Teevs gave the Captain a smile. "I would value the opportunity to serve as a resource to your ship. I consider myself indebted to your crew after you rescued us." He paused for a brief moment before adding, "unless your federation has laws prohibiting it, I'm sure Kerilia would love to help as well. The computer seems to have trouble with translating time references, such as age, but she's not far from Sen Vakai."

Gary smiled "You are not indebted to us sir. It is one friend helping another, and we would be most grateful for your assistance." Gary looked at Teevs when the man mentioned her. "Kerilia is your daughter correct? I'm sure we can find something for to help with. Does have any particular interests or hobbies?" He continued on, "I'm sorry I am not familiar with the term Sen Vakai. What does it mean?"

"Kerilia is my daughter, yes. She's helped me with mechanical work and loves to use the Spheia's scanners to identify things in space..." Teevs trailed off when Taylor asked what Sen Vakai was, and momentarily looked confused before the expression was replaced by realization. Right, these people weren't familiar with Lonia customs, so of course they wouldn't know. "Sen Vakai is... hm..." he paused to think of how to explain it, because he didn't know the exact words in their language yet. "It's when a child is... no longer a child. It's a two day celebration that starts when the child develops this," he gestured to his forehead ridge, "and during this time the child may choose their future."

Gary listened patiently as Teevs tried to explain about Kerilia. A bemused smile slowly appearing on his face. "She is making the journey from a girl to a woman." Gary replied simply. "You don't need to explain further Mr. Teevs. She sounds like a very talented young lady. I am sure we can find something for her to do as well as her to decide her future. We have many different departments and even more positions within those departments for her to choose from, but she shouldn't rush into any decision as this is all new to her."

Glad he understood the explanation, Teevs gave a content nod. "She is currently resting in the quarters your vessel has generously provided us. The scare of nearly falling to the surface of Gadus, combined with receiving lots of information here and it being esrly morning for us, took a lot out of her. But our people are naturally curious, Captain Taylor, so I'm sure she will be very interested in seeing what your vessel can do."

Gary nodded, "I think both she and you will both be pleased at what the Elysium can do. I do hope it is nothing serious with your daughter and that she will soon recover and be anxious to continue with her curiosity. I would remiss if I did not warn you and you may tell your daughter, there are certain areas of the Elysium that are off limits. To only select personnel."

"She's fine, just tired." Teevs continued to listen to his warning before nodding in understanding. The idea of something being limited only to those who work there was not an unfamiliar concept to him. "I understand. Do these areas have notices to indicate they are off limits?"

"Yes, they do. They are clearly marked and will have security personnel there to keep you and anyone else from getting into trouble." Gary advised Teevs.

Another nod. Teevs would have to make sure he, and Kerilia, knew what these markings looked like. "I will watch for these markings and be sure to not approach them, Captain Taylor. Are there other areas on your vessel we shouldn't approach?"

Gary shook his head from side to side. "No sir. the areas I described are crucial areas of the ship. There are areas of the ship that common sense would tell you to avoid, such as air locks or the Jeffries tubes while not crucial to ship operations, you could fall, and either be injured quite severely or die."

That would be embarrassing, to die on the ship of their rescuers. "Of course, Captain Taylor. We will make sure to avoid such areas."

"That would be greatly appreciated Mr. Dosivi. For everyone's sake. We wouldn't want you or your daughter to be injured or worse." Gary replied in agreement.

Teevs paused for a moment, thinking of anything else he'd want to know or offer to the man before him. "I have a question about your vessel."

Gary tilted his head to one side. "Certainly Mr. Dosivi. What is your question about the Elysium?"

The response was a somewhat embarrassed smile from Teevs. "How do your doors work?"

Gary suppressed a chuckle at Teevs question and came around his desk. "They are automatic doors. It didn't open for you because you do not have a combadge. We'll get you and your daughter one. So, you can move about the ship with the exception of the areas we talked about."

Teevs nodded as he stood, only confused by the term "combadge" until the explation was accompanied by a gesture to said device. At least he wouldn't have to memorize the symbols on the panel by the door. "I see. Well, thank you for your time, Captain Taylor. You may keep the datapad. If I have any new questions, I will ask."