EXETERRPG: (2 - 1930) CSO Lieutenant Erin Cortez & OPS Ensign JG Matthew Fuller

[Jaclyn Smith]

Mission: A new day dawns

Day: 2

Stardate: 2446.01.29



(Earth- Home of Trip and Ashlyn Williams - CSO Lieutenant Erin Cortez & OPS
Ensign JG Matthew Fuller - 1930)


As the assembled began to disperse, Erin glanced around and watched
everyone for a moment. Spotting someone who appeared to look a little lost,
Erin walked around the table and said, "Ensign?"


Matthew looked up and saw someone staring down at him, he stood and
wondered if he should salute or not and also tried to remember her name.


"Lieutenant Cortez. " Erin said,  Holding out her hand.


Ah that was it. “Greetings to you, I’m Ensign Matthew Fuller. I’m not used
to mingling with the senior crew of a starship”


"These things are always a bit …. What's the word…"


“Strange, Unbelievable, Not sure who to talk to?” Matthew suggested. He too
struggled to find the right words.


Smiling widely, Erin laughed, "That's it. So, I suppose we should get to
know each other then. That appears to have been the exercise. "


“Yes Lieutenant” Matthew said. “We should do what we are told for any
exercise given to us”. He stood there quietly wondering how to respond next”


"Come on, Ensign. I don't bite." Erin winked. "Tell you what, I'll start.
If you could pick any moment in time to visit, what would it be?"


“I would have to say the late 1980s and early 1990s America, when the great
players of the National Basketball Association were in their prime and the
basketball was awesome to watch” He paused and a smile came over his face.
“If I could be half as good as them it would be awesome”.


"Good choice. Me? My mother always told me stories about the great Frost
fairs they held in London in Victorian times. They say the river Thames
used to freeze to a point that you could walk on it.


The idea of holding an entire fair on the frozen river… just seemed so
magical. I suppose being from a warm country, it always held a fascination
for me."


Matthew shivered, “It definitely sounds cold. Being from the Australian
outback, i’m used to very hot weather”.

“So Lieutenant, tell me a bit more about where you're from and how you got
to the Exeter, if I can ask that is?”


Erin smiled, "Of course it is. I'm from Santiago. My mom is from Ireland.
She used to be a doctor in the Fleet but gave it up when she found out she
was expecting me. She met my dad and we ended up living in Santiago where
my dad is from. He owns a horse ranch out there.


As for the Exeter,  that's a long story. I trained to be a counsellor, got
assigned to the ship. Then, things happened and I had to take a leave of
absence. The Dean of Starfleet Science took me under his wing and the rest,
as they say  is history."


“Sounds like a interesting upbringing” replied Matthew.


"What about you? You have the same accent as the new first officer. " She
replied with a smile. "Both from Australia?"


Matthew nodded, “Sounds like it, I’m not sure exactly what part of
Australia he is from though. I’m from the country area, big cattle farm.
Lots of room to move around”.


He paused and took a sip of his drink then continued.


“So any hobbies or interests?”


Smiling, Erin nodded. "You could say that. Academy Archery champion. Bow
and arrow are my thing. Other than that, I like to read. What about
yourself?"


Matthew smiled, “I too enjoy reading, especially old fantasy novels. I also
enjoy watching sports, especially the old school stuff as I mentioned
before”


He paused. He still wasn’t used to interacting on a casual basis with
senior staff, he wasn’t sure how to proceed.


"Okay, Ensign,  I can tell you are being polite and there really is no
need. All cards on the table, rank is no issue tonight so ask away.
Anything. "


Matthew started to stiffen at the address but then realised the slight
rebuke or so it seemed wasn’t a negative one. The lieutenant was trying to
get him to open up.


“Yes you’re right, I guess I am holding back due to rank and the like. Ok
then, are you married? Kids?”


"No, neither. My history in that department has been less than stellar.
You? Special lady or special someone?"


“Nope, nothing going on in that department. As single as can be”.


Matthew paused and looked away for a moment, trying to find some topic of
conversation that might be slightly interesting.


“Sorry Lieutenant, but my mind seems to be a total blank at the moment in
regards to interesting topics of conversation that don’t involve work so
bear with me please”.


Erin smiled softly,  "Don’t worry. These things are always difficult. I can
just talk for the universe so I have no problems. How are you finding the
Exeter?"


“Yes the Exeter, being new to it, I haven’t had much chance to learn much
about it’s crew and senior staff. Could you give me any history about the
ship? Again it’s probably not the most interesting meal conversation I’m
afraid”.


"Oh wow, well let's see. We've been fighting bajoran separatists, got
thrown into an alternate dimension and been taken over by a prototype borg
queen. Just your standard stuff. " She replied with a wink.


Matthew laughed as she spoke. “I don’t remember everything about either of
those events but from what I’ve heard they were both quite interesting”. He
paused again unsure how to continue.


"Ensign, I don’t want you to feel on edge here. We're all friendly so why
don't we say this. Let's meet up for a coffee on board some time? Just a
chat, nothing formal. That way we are both in a setting where we feel
comfortable. "


Matthew nodded. That sounded like a great idea. “Thank you Lieutenant, that
sounds good, I do apologise if I’ve made the conversation less fun for you.
I really have enjoyed our chat”.


Erin smiled softly, "You haven't but I look forward to coffee."


(Reply none)

(Posted by Jackie and Matt)
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