Lt. Robin Hopper: Off Time
Robin Hopper
((Amity Outpost – Counselor Carter’s Office))
After reflecting on their last mission, Robin turned her thoughts to the present – here on Amity – and, to some degree, the future ahead of her, though it felt a little like she was currently traveling through life at Warp Speed.
Hopper: …Honestly, I’m happy to be here – last mission and everything. I feel like I want to push myself. I want to get out there and really do something that makes a difference. I think I can do that here.
Carter: There are no limitations on what you can do out here. You have in many ways a more open opportunity to explore than a science office normally assigned to a starship.::smiling:: Keep going...
Hopper: And everyone I’ve met so far has been so kind and welcoming. I ate dinner with Ambassador Vataix and her husband my first night on the station – oh, and I’ve gotten to reconnect with an old friend, our CMO, Ikaia. We went to the Academy together.
Carter: That's good that you have been able to serve with someone you have attended the Academy with. The shared experience is a good thing indeed...
Hopper: …and then there’s Nath– ::Stopping herself:: Um, Ensign Richards.
Robin’s posture shifted subconsciously. She sat up a little straighter and her hands slid down from resting atop her knee to lightly clutching her legs from the front, closing herself off ever-so-slightly. She had gotten comfortable, disarmed by the Counselor’s calm demeanor, and nearly shared her thoughts on Nathan like she was talking to an old friend over a glass of wine.
She noticed his eyebrow raise and did her best not to blush – though she was certain she didn’t succeed. That was not how she had intended to share that there had been something between them.
Hopper: ::Course-correcting:: He and I have been working together on that personal project of his. The shuttle. I’ve been helping him get the components ‘talking’ to each other.
Carter: Yes indeed. I told him that when I had the time I'd come down there and get my hands dirty. I just have not been able to yet.
Hopper: Oh, you absolutely should! He’s been making excellent progress, and I can see that it’s bringing him a lot of joy and satisfaction. I think he’s asked his roommate, Ensign S’Raga, to take a look over it as well – give him a pilot’s perspective.
Carter: I'm glad Nathan is not only accepting help, but several people are offering their contributions. It's a good project.
Hopper: The Targhee is a lovely girl. ::Smirking:: If you want my advice, Sir, don’t wait for him to ask you to come help. Just pop by. I’m sure he’d be grateful – and if you don’t, you might not see it ‘til she’s all done.
Robin smiled at the thought of Carter making an impromptu visit to the Cellar. She could just picture Nathan popping out from under the shuttle, with his ripped tank top falling off him, only to find the station’s Second Officer standing there.
Hopper: But that’s your call, ultimately. I’m afraid soon my work down there will be done. The systems are all coming together with a bit of ‘tough love.’
There was a brief pause, and she could tell that Carter was considering her suggestion. What his decision was, however, he did not share.
Carter: Tell me some of your hobbies? How do you like to wind down off duty?
A perceptive question – and a solid segue from her mentioning her work on the Targhee, given how Robin’s interest in programming had led her to offering her assistance with the project.
Hopper: Well, I worked my way through a mountain of books I’d been meaning to read during my trip out here from the Alpha Quadrant. I’ve always loved a good book; My favourites are old Victorian and Edwardian-era adventure stories – the pulpier the better! It’s a genre I always find myself going back to. Doyle, Wells, Burroughs…
Carter: Response
Hopper: ::Smiling:: There’s an earnest ridiculousness about them. They weren’t afraid to just blend fact with preposterous fiction to tell an interesting story. Take your namesake, for example. John Carter of Mars – an American Civil War soldier who becomes a hero of the Martian people. Have you read it?
Carter: Response
Hopper: It’s a good one. ::Leaning back in her seat:: Near the end of high school I managed to win myself an ‘internship’ at a publishing house. I worked on transliterating old works to holonovel script – which is how I discovered my love of programming. I still dabble for fun now and then.
Carter: Response
Hopper: I do also try to stay active. Aerobics, dancing, tennis… Oh, I haven’t played in ::gritting her teeth:: oof, almost five years, but I used to play volleyball on my College team.
Carter: Response
Hopper: What about you, Sir? I know that’s not normally how these sessions go – but I am trying to get to know all the senior staff. What sort of things are you interested in? What do you like to do around Amity?
Carter: Response
TBC
