To Quarters

Posted on Sun Nov 5th, 2023 @ 4:06am by Kerilia Dosivi & Teevs Dosivi & Senior Chief Petty Officer Fernando De La Rosa [Taylor]

Mission: MISSION 0 - History Speaks
Timeline: After "Another Common Ancestor Species"
2427 words - 4.9 OF Standard Post Measure

Now that Kerilia's arm had been tended to and both of them finished their checkups, Teevs gave the doctor his thanks before the two exited sickbay. It turned out that the thin air was making Kerilia tired, and once the doctor helped them adapt, she seemed to gain more energy.

Kerilia was in a better mood, now that her arm didn't hurt. As she exited sickbay, she spotted the security officer who accompanied them and gave him a shy, but more interested, smile. "Where next, Mister Rosa?" she asked.

Fernando has been waiting patiently for Teevs and Kerilia to finish their checkups. He had been looking for Heather while he waited but didn't see her. Turning to look back into Sickbay he saw Keilia standing there smiling and waving at him. He walked over to the girl. "Hello Kerilia, you appear to be feeling better. How is your arm and your breathing?"

"Better," came the generally positive reply. Kerilia showed him her arm, the only signs of injury being the stain on her bunched up sleeve. "Your medical tools are faster than ours."

Teevs watched Kerilia interact with the security officer, relieved that she was alright. "She took a liking to Doctor Sthilg," he commented. The doctor had also given him something to help him breathe better, and was thankful for it. Conserving energy in a thin atmosphere was exhausting after some time.

"That is wonderful Miss Kerilia. You could not ask for a better doctor than Dr. Sthilg. He is top notch. As to where we go next, I will take you to your quarters where you can rest and relax even take a shower." Fernando replied as he turned to look at Teevs. "And you sir? Are you feeling better with your breathing?"

"I am, yes." Teevs gestured with an open hand for Mister Rosa to lead the way. As Kerilia fell into step beside him, he gave her hair a gentle stroke. "So, Mister Rosa, besides escorting, what is your role on your ship?"

Fernando turned his head to the side to look at Teevs."I am a Senior Chief Petty Officer, and I am assigned to the Elysium's security detail. Our primary function is to protect the ship and crew from threats that would threaten the safety of both. I also pull duty in the ship's arsenal, checking and making sure all the weapons are accounted for and in proper working order." Fernando finished proudly.

"Ah, a fine job you have," Teevs said with a smile. His limited experience from his planet’s war gave him an appreciation for people like Mister Rosa, in a line of work that wasn't easy even in peaceful times. "Do all of your security detail wear... uh... meva?" He pointed to the yellow part of the man's uniform.

Fernando nodded at the compliment. "Thank you, sir. I take pride in my job and position. As for your question. Yes sir, Security wears gold or meva as does operations and engineering. JAG also wears gold. Command wears read as does Tactical and Flight Control. Medical and Science wear teal. Intelligence wears grey and Diplomatic wears purple." He paused for a moment. "Oh, the marines wear green. They like to hide." He joked.

Rather obviously, Kerilia looked around to confirm that the ship was, in fact, a color that green would not be able to blend into. Perhaps there was a difference in how these aliens perceived color? The response left her with questions. "Why do different jobs have the same color? Doesn't that get confusing? Who's Jag? Will we meet Jag next?"

Fernando saw Kerilia looking around at the color of the ship. "My apology Miss Kerilia. I was joking. As for confusing, when first learning it does but after a short period, you have it all figured out. As for JAG. It stands for Judge Advocate General's Corps. They will defend you if you are accused of a crime and prosecute if you were a victim. Most times you never know their here."

"Ohhh." Wow, the ship even had its own system to handle trials! Kerilia was in her "learn everything" mode as she walked beside Fernando. "My dad's an engineer, does he get to wear the yellow?"

Fernando smiled at Kerilia. "I heard that Miss Kerilia however you father is not a member of Starfleet which is a requirement for wearing the uniform. But you know what? I'm sure we can work out something so your dad can wear a yellow shirt. That is if he wants."

Teevs chuckled at the conversation. "If it's a requirement for your non-Starfleet members to wear the colors of their trade, I will abide by such rules." He looked to Fernando, "I bear many shagnaka, so I'm not sure if you'd have a color that fits."

"No requirement at all sir. If you decide you wish to wear a colored tunic, that will be up to the Commodore and Captain sir. Plus, the color of your tunic is for your main specialty." Fernando replied.

"I see." The color assignment would take a while for him to fully understand, but for now he went with it. "If there comes a time where displaying my specialty in the color of my attire is desired, I'll consult one of your superiors." He gently wove to the side as they passed some officers in blue, and after they passed, a little 'oh' came from Teevs. "You mentioned something earlier. A... tee-ehl-see, that your vessel requires? What is it?"

Fernando stopped his walk down the corridor as Teevs asked his question for a moment he was stumped as the pronunciation was so bad but finally he figured it out. "You mean TLC sir? That stands for tender loving care. "You treat the Elysium like a lady, and she'll always get you home every time." Fernando finishes with a big smile on his face.

"Ahhh. It's like a more... affectionate term for maintenance and repairs." In an attempt to learn the alien language and customs, Teevs slowly added, "my vessel... would also need the TLC, if I'm using the term correctly?"

Fernando gave an affirmative nod. "Yes sir, that is exactly right, and your lady is going to get some TLC as well."

His... lady? The confusion on Teevs' face was brief as he thought it through. Was he referring to the Spheia? Mister Rosa had to have been referring to the ship, because Kerilia already got her tee-ehl-see from the doctor. They came to a stop in front of the turbolift again. "Where to now, Mister Rosa?"

Kerilia noticed they were about to go in the turbolift again and a glimmer of excitement appeared in her eyes. "Ooh, can I tell it where to go, Mister Rosa?" She looked up at him hopefully.

Fernando nodded and smiled at Kerilia. "You certainly can Miss Kerilia." He replied once the trio was inside the lift. He looked at the girl. "Be my guest Miss Kerilia."

The brunette smiled at the response. She watched the doors close, shutting them into the small space, and she opened her mouth to speak to the ship. Instead of words coming out, however, she paused, then frowned before looking up to Rosa. "oh yeah, which level, Mister Rosa?"

Fernando smiled at the teenager. "Now, Miss Kerilia, you said you wanted to tell the computer which deck to go to."

Kerilia frowned as she thought back on their conversation. She recalled something about them going to their quarters after visiting sickbay, but there was so much happening and she was too focused on trying to take steady breaths in the thin atmosphere to retain much. "I don't remember which deck you said," she admitted, with a pout of defeat.

"It is alright Miss Kerilia. You have had a lot to remember." Fernando consoled the girl. "Would you like to try sir? He asked Teevs.

It was Teevs' turn to think back. "I believe you said the temporary quarters were deck... six?"

Fernando smiled and nodded, "That is correct sir. Deck six it is." Fernando replied as he spoke to the computer next. "Computer deck six please." In response, the computer jerked into motion and headed for deck six.

Kerilia didn't hide her disappointment at missing out on the opportunity to talk to the ship's computer. She would remember the deck for next time.

Teevs watched Kerilia for a moment while listening to the quiet mechanical sounds of the lift in motion. "What's your home world like, Mister Rosa?"

"My home is the Planet Earth sir. I am from the country call Spain." Fernando replied proudly. He saw Kerilia's disappointment in not talking to the computer.
"Miss Kerilia, would you like to ask the computer about Earth or Spain? He helpfully (he hoped) suggested. "Just start your question with Computer." He added.

Kerilia looked up at him, the pout of not telling the lift where to go replaced by curiosity. She nodded before asking, "Computer, tell me about Spain, please!"

The computer responded instantly to Kerilia's question. " Spain (Spanish: España, [esˈpaɲa], or the Kingdom of Spain (Reino de España), is a country located in Southwestern Europe, with parts of its territory in the Atlantic Ocean, the Mediterranean Sea and Africa. It is the largest country in Southern Europe and the fourth-most populous European Union member state. Spanning across the majority of the Iberian Peninsula, its territory also includes the Canary Islands in the Atlantic Ocean, the Balearic Islands in the Mediterranean Sea, and the autonomous cities of Ceuta and Melilla in Africa. Spain is bordered to the north by France, Andorra, and the Bay of Biscay; to the east by the Mediterranean Sea; to the south by Morocco in Ceuta and Melilla, and the United Kingdom in Gibraltar; and to the west by Portugal and the Atlantic Ocean. Spain's capital and largest city is Madrid; other major urban areas include Barcelona, Valencia, Zaragoza, Seville, Málaga, Murcia, Palma de Mallorca, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, and Bilbao.
Would you like me to continue?"

Of course, the names of regions weren't any that Kerilia recognized, so she wasn't sure what to make of the response. It took her a moment to comprehend what the computer said, attempting to make a map in her head based off the response. She concluded that Spain must be a peninsula on a giant continent, much like how Tafavera was on Niea IV. "No, thank you, computer. But I would like to read about it later, please!"

"Of course. Just summon me when you are ready for more information on this topic, and I will download all requested information." The computer replied in its typical monotone.

"Thank you!" Kerilia responded with a smile.

Teevs watched her enthusiasm as she interacted with their technology, pleased to see that she was comfortable with these people. Perhaps it was because of how similar they looked to Lonians, since many of the species in this area of space weren't as similar in appearance. "What an interesting place," he said. He too had tried to create a mental picture of the country, and was certain that he missed something in the description. "Our world is called Niea Four, in the Thilia system. The planet only has one continent, but a lot of biodiversity. I come from the east, in the region of Jekasp. Kerilia was born in space, on the Spheia."

Fernando smiled at Kerilia's happiness. He was glad he could brighten her day. "Spain is a beautiful country. I am quite proud of it and its people." He looked to Teevs, "Your world sounds most interesting. I would like to know more about it, I am also sure my wife Heather would like to know more about it. Oue son Cody was born here on the Elysium."

"I would love to share more about our world. I will make sure to collect information from my vessel." The turbolift informed them that they had arrived to the correct deck by opening the doors. "How old is Cody?"

Fernando beamed as Teevs asked about Cody. "Cody is just under a year old. He and Heather are the loves of my life." He stopped as the lift came to a stop. " After you sir, I mean Teevs and you as well Miss Kerilia." Fernando replied as he stood to one side to let Teevs and Kerilia exit the lift first.

Teevs let Kerilia exit first, watching her look curiously around at the corridor, and he followed shortly after, then paused as a thought came to him. How did this species think about time? "Computer, how long is one year on Earth, as hours?"

"One Earth year is 8765.999 hours," came the response.

Wow, their year was short. Teevs briefly did the math to conclude that Fernando's son, Cody, was a third of a Lonian year in age. That was going to be confusing. "Ah, Cody is very young, then."

Fernando nodded in agreement. "Yes, Cody is still a baby. Perhaps I could persuade Miss Kerilia sometime to babysit him, so Heather and I can have a night out together." He looked at Kerilia, "That is if it is agreeable to you Miss Kerilia. I will pay you for doing so."

Kerilia looked back toward Mister Rosa with a smile. "I can do that, Mister Rosa! I would babysit my cousins sometimes whenever we visited home." She was only partially listening to the conversation, but the emphasis on 'young' meant that it might be an easier time than chasing around the cousins who just learned to run.

Teevs watched Kerilia lovingly, thankful that she loved being around other children. It would also give him a break from being a parent, something he hadn't done since the last visit to Niea IV. "If she can handle her cousins, she can handle your young one."

Fernando nodded happily. "That is wonderful! Thank you Kerilia! Thank you as well Teevs. Heather will so happy to hear this."

It didn't take long for them to come to a stop in front of a set of doors. Teevs looked over to Mister Rosa and asked, "our quarters?"

Fernando nodded, "Yes sir. Your quarters."

Teevs smiled and gave a nod of appreciation. "Thank you, Mister Rosa, for your company. You have provided a generous welcome to your vessel." With that, he bid Fernando a good rest of his day before the two Lonians explored the temporary accommodations.