EXETERRPG: (2 - 1945) aFO Cmdr Alex Jones and 2O/CEO LtCmdr Kiera Merek

[Mark Howard]

Mission: A new day dawns

Day: 2

Stardate: 2446.01.29



(Earth- Home of Trip and Ashlyn Williams- aFO Cmdr Alex Jones and 2O/CEO
LtCmdr Kiera Merek - 1945)


Alex left the table, having noticed that Lieutenant Commander Merek had not
long slipped out the door and was out on an outside seated area. Making his
mind up about something that had actually been bothering him for a while.
Stepping out of the room, smiling to others as he passed, he picked up the
bottle that she had filled her glass from and a clean glass, and made his
way to the same seating area, noting that it was subtly, but nicely heated
against the winter’s evening air.


“Commander Merek.” He greeted, motioning to a chair at her table, though
the opposite side. “Would you object if I joined you?”


Keira held her free hand out, gesturing it was fine without saying a word.
She began running scenarios in her head, trying to figure out the reason he
was approaching her.


Sitting down, he placed his glass on the table, and seeing that Merek’s was
low, he showed Merek the label, “refill Commander? Mind if I address you as
Kiera?”


"Please, do." she said tipping her glass, but answering both questions.
"And what would you like me to call you?"


“Alex.” He said "Alex is fine" as he topped up her glass, then filled his
own, taking a sip, a look of appreciation of the honey and gooseberry tones
in the wine. Looking out to the two black Labradors, who were playing a
game that involved much running, and barking, and puppy-like rolling. Alex
smiled warmly. “Pups seem to be having fun.”


"Venus hasn't seen her sister in a while, she's been cooped up in my
quarters, on the ship or in her emergency shelter since this whole thing
started." Keira admitted. "Hell, yesterday in Alaska and Iceland was the
first time she's seen snow, or even been outside since Mars."


"My parents had a lab when I was a kid, clever breed." He sipped the wine
again.


"Too smart for her own good." Keira agreed. "You didn't approach me to talk
about canines."


Laughing Alex shrugged, and put the glass down. "No I didn't." Pausing, he
continued, awkwardly. "So...I er…" he began, "was checking that there was
no awkwardness with me having the aFO position?"


"I assume you've seen my file?" Keira asked, sipping from her own glass.


He shrugged and nodded. I scanned over all the senior staffs files. Not
prying you understand. Just getting a flavour for people."


"You have time in-grade and time in-service longer than me?" Keira asked.


"As a full Commander...not really, just yesterday but I've got near 10
years as Lieutenant Commander."


"Then there is no problem. When I wore red we were in the Andromeda Galaxy,
I was next in line because we only had the ship to pick from, now that
we're back we have all of Starfleet." Keira said.


"That's fair. Figured I'd make sure there was no drama was all. I once knew
a guy who was so certain that a promotion was his, turned out it went to
someone utterly different, he made life so difficult for everyone. It was a
mess. I'm not saying that was in your mind, but like I said, seen it before
and didn't want awkwardness."


"None here, I'm certainly not your Shelby." Keira took a swig of the wine.
Her pallet was not as refined as others likely were. Carraya was considered
a backwater world for most of Keira's childhood, the only luxuries they had
were the ones they made.  "I am curious, what is your experience. You've
seen my file, it's only fair."


"Honestly not much to say, I was mostly deskbound for a while, Second
Officer posting finished a while back, and I was facing the rest of my
career back behind a desk at HQ. Now though I'm here." He motioned toward
Bracken, who he could see talking to Trip a ways away, but not see or hear
what was being said. "Course I've got a rather big pair of shoes to try and
fill."


"At least you won't have those shoes there to judge you. When I was filling
them, I reported to her."  Another swallow and one third of Keira's glass
was empty. "You should have an easier time feeling your own way."


Alex smiled. "Here's to hoping" he said sipping his wine, and leaving back
in his chair watching the two Pups play.


Keira thought for a moment, and took another draw from her drink. “If you
want, I can arrange for a tour of the Exeter and all her systems. After
all, a First Officer should know his ship.”


"That sounds good Kiera. Thank you"


“If you want, you can take the tour with Vice Admiral Frolless jav
Pros….tomorrow,” Keira said and quickly took another drink of her vino, as
if she was hiding behind the glass.


Alex sighed and scowled playfully. "Is there anyone on this ship who isn't
acquainted with or related to half the bloody Admiralty?" He drained his
wine. "Captain know about this?"


“Trip is aware, I made sure of that yesterday, right after I found out. The
Admiral didn’t exactly give me much in the way of choices.” Keira defended
herself.


"No I don't suppose he did. At least the ship will be quiet."


“Well, that’s the beauty of it, the timing couldn’t have been better, with
over three fourths of the crew on leave, only a small number of crew will
actually be present. Those that want to be there, and those who couldn’t
find any excuse not to be there.” Keira said.


"And those who are nosy enough to put themselves in places to hear what the
high-ups have to say about the ship." Alex said smiling to himself.


"Well there's that too." She said, seeing his empty glass she picked up the
bottle as a silent way of asking if he wanted to be topped off.


Alex smiled and lifted his glass, allowing Kiera to pour. "I have to admit,
there are worse ways to spend an evening. Good food on the way, new friends
and colleagues." He paused for a moment and then carried on "to the Exeter,
wherever we end up, may it be plain sailing."


Keira gently tapped her glass against his creating a sharp ring, “To the
Exeter.”


He tilted his glass and sipped his wine, "and to hoping for an Admiral
waking up tomorrow in a good mood."


She took a sip to the toast and stood up. “Welcome to the Exeter, Alex.
You’ll be a fine addition to this motley crew.”


"I hope so." He smiled. "Always felt like a fish out of water when I'm
stuck at a desk." He sipped his drink again, relaxing in the chill of the
evening air. The enticing smells coming from the smoker saying that dinner
was hopefully near


(Posted by Todd and Mark)

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