Mei'konda & Skyfire - Recruitment Drive Pt. 1
Mei'konda
(( The Raktajino Coffee Shop, Earth & Captain’s Ready Room, USS Astraeus ))
:: Chythar had been up since dawn working with this one particular blend that required near constant attention first thing in the morning. He hadn’t even noticed when the computer mentioned there was a call. It wasn’t until Chris came into the basement that he even noticed. ::
C. Harrington: CD. Phone call for you.
Skyfire: Busy, uncle Chris.
C. Harrington: It’s a Caitian with captain’s pips. I’ll get the coffee started and deal with Finicky McBean over here. You answer the phone.
:: Chythar raised a brow. A captain, calling him here? And a Caitian with pips...there was only one he knew of. Technically two, if you included Mei’konda’s father...but he was under the impression H'lill had retired, so that left Mei himself. He turned and nodded to his uncle, making his way up toward the office. It took him a few extra moments to get situated before he acknowledged the computer. ::
Skyfire: Computer, who is on hold?
Computer: Captain Mei’konda Delano, commanding officer of the USS Astraeus.
:: Captain. That was...a nice change to hear, since it was, in CD’s opinion, long overdue. Still, the man’s eyes lit up and he nodded toward the Starfleet logo on the screen. ::
Skyfire: Onscreen. :: The screen flickered to reveal the tawny face of the red collared Caitian. :: Captain Delano. Congratulations are in order, ah believe. To what do I owe the unexpected pleasure?
:: It was novel, to say the least, to have subspace communications go through to Earth cleanly and quickly. Mei’konda had spent so much time in the Shoals that the lack of interference almost felt to him like something was wrong. Steepling his fingers together atop the wooden desk in his ready room, the Caitian smiled at his old Chief Medical Officer. ::
Mei’konda: Hello, Chythar. I appreciate the congratulaations, but I think Mei’konda will do just fiine. I know you’re still on leave, after all.
Skyfire: True. :: He paused for a moment and considered. oO We’ve been friends long enough. Oo :: So, what would a newly minted captain like yourself possibly want with an ol’ coffee-jockey like me?
Mei’konda: That’s what I waanted to talk to you about, actually. I hope thiings are going well on Earth, and I want you to feel absolutely free not to taake me up on it, but I have an offer for you.
:: Those were ominous words. The last time someone said that to him, it was asking him to become the CMO of a ship. This time...what did he have to lose? After all, he wasn’t a CMO anymore and his commission was suspended for the present. ::
Skyfire: I’m listening...
:: With a few taps on his console, Mei’konda sent along the schematics of the huge lounge on the ventral section of the Astraeus’ saucer. They appeared section by section at the edge of Chythar’s screen. ::
Mei’konda: We’re going to be embaarking on a shakedown cruise soon, which will laast approximaately a month before our real mission begins. The Astraeus will eventually be exploring toward the core of the galaxy. We’ll be faar away from known space, and the officers and crew here are going to need all of the creature comforts we can give them. That would be where you come in.
Skyfire: Comfort...yeah, I guess I am a bit of a comfort specialist these days. :: He paused again and studied the schematics before switching windows to give the Caitian his undivided attention, since after all -- it wasn’t every day he had a captain on the line. :: What did you have in mind, specifically?
Mei’konda: I was thiinking of a combiined coffee lounge and tea house. You were the first person who caame to mind. I could certaiinly do worse than to have a lounge maanager who can double as a doctor when I need him to, after all. A little selfiish, I know - but I thought you miight find the offer intriguing.
:: There it was again. The catch 22. He knew he’d habitually keep a first aid kit handy just out of habit in case he did something stupid while mixing coffee but knew somehow that this would be different. He hoped, at least, not to have a repeat of the alt-verse Gorkon with people getting stabbed in his lounge. ::
Skyfire: You’re right. Consider me intrigued. Pardon the curiosity, but what happened to the Montreal?
:: Mei’konda exhaled a short sigh. It had slipped his mind that Chythar probably wasn’t keeping track. No doubt, he had plenty of other things to be focused on. ::
Mei’konda: Lost, defendiing Karakka in the Shoals. Casualties were liight, fortunately, and confined to the ships. No one was hurt on the colony.
Skyfire: That’s...that’s good. Light casualties are good.
Mei’konda: Yes, though the court-martial went as well as could be expected. Starfleet decided that I acted properly. Hence, the Astraeus. And this.
:: He reached up to tap at the fourth gold pip on his collar.
Skyfire: Much deserved, Mei. Truly.
:: Mei’konda leaned forward a touch. ::
Mei’konda: You don’t have to decide yet. How about you come out to see us, and the ship? Take a tour. Meet the senior crew. Maake an informed decision.
Skyfire: I’ll need to clear a few things with Chris to make sure he’s okay with the initial tour and prepared for me to make the decision. Who knows, he might decide I should accept just so I can bring back more weird coffee.
:: Mei’konda smiled slightly. ::
Mei’konda: We’ll be going to a new paart of space. There could be brand new blends that no one’s ever saampled before.
Skyfire: That’s a very good point. Tell you what, I’ll clear it with Chris, and then accept your offer with that as my argument.
:: Settling back into his leather chair, the Caitian nodded, satisfied. ::
Mei’konda: Then I’ll maake sure there are quaarters prepared for your visit out here, Chythar. And possibly, for your stay.
Skyfire: I look forward to seeing you all again, Mei.
:: Mei’konda glanced toward the time display on his monitor, the one that showed the local time where Chythar currently was. ::
Mei’konda: Very well. Good niight, Chythar.
Skyfire: G’night.
========================
Captain Mei’konda Delano
Commanding Officer
USS Astraeus, NCC-70652
M239002M10
&
Chythar Skyfire
Coffee Master
O239002CS0