Lt. Cmdr Robin Hopper – In It To Bryn It
Robin Hopper
((BBQ Area, Blue Gums Biome, Peace Park – Amity Outpost))
Robin stood, back to Wil, looking out at the lake – her eyes focused on a point in the distance. She adjusted her grip on the leather-wrapped carbon steel rod in her hands and corrected her footing, white sneakers squeaking on the bright green grass as she widened her stance. She took a deep focusing breath, ignoring the aroma of cooking sausages and focusing on the task at hand, feeling the warm artificial breeze on her arms and leg, raised her arms and prepared to swing.
Ukinix: ::chef’s kiss:: Gorgeous. Smell that, Robin. ::takes sip from beer can::
The sudden interruption threw off her concentration, the downswing of her club missing the holo-projected golf ball by an embarrassing margin. It briefly turned red and beeped, disappointedly, at her. BLURP. She scowled at it and let out an exasperated sigh.
Hopper: ::Looking over her shoulder:: Smells good, Wil – now if you don’t mind, I’m… trying to… ::Adjusting her stance again, concentrating:: Show this stupid ball who’s boss.
Swiiiish–WHACK! That time, perhaps spurred by her momentary desire to wallop something, her swing connected with a satisfying crack. The ball sailed off and away, disappearing as it left the range of the training tee’s built-in holoprojector. After a quick affirmative BING, a new ball appeared in the last one’s place.
She turned around – her flash of frustration now evaporated along with that holographic ball, far off over the lake – and walked over towards the public park chef. As she passed a picnic table, she leaned the golf club against it and reached for the nearby cooler, pulling a can of hard lemonade out of the ice and cracking the tab.
Hopper: There. ::Taking a long drink of the beverage:: All it takes is the right mindset.
Whether Wil sensed her (obvious) tension, or not, Robin couldn’t know for certain. But his next question did seem to suggest he sensed something was up.
Ukinix: How you goin’, alright? It’s been a busy few days.
Hopper: ::Tiling her head slightly to each side:: Yeah. I’m fine. Just… decompressing. That Vathrik guy really struck a nerve with me. Can’t wait til I get the word that he’s long gone.
She took another sip from the drink. It wasn’t really all that good, unfortunately. But it was cold, and it was sweet, and so she kept drinking it all the same.
Ukinix: I’m amazed the Grand Expert has asked to hang around, I thought she’d want to get back home quick smart.
Hopper: Hmm. Well, maybe that’s a good thing. I guess it at least means she’s getting a taste of what we’re all about. It’s the most interest the Trenvonn have ever really shown in getting to know us, up close and personal. Kudos to the FDC, I suppose.
She reached out with her can, clinking it against Wil’s beer, before taking another sip. oO Ugh, yeah, too strong on the citrus… Oo she thought, licking her lips as if that would somehow get rid of the flavour.
Hopper: Honestly, I think I’m just a bit tense lately in general. It’s been almost six months since Nate transferred to the Shelby and… ::shrugging:: I don’t know. It’s hard. Still.
Ukinix: Response
Hopper: Nobody can say we aren’t trying to make it work though. Next week I’m taking a few days off to go visit him. Apparently one of the Talaxians on Idrustix has opened up what he’s describing as a “Galaxy Class” Golf Course… whatever that means. Hence the…
She indicated the golf club, and then her outfit; a sleeveless white performance polo and black athletic skort, tipped off by the white sneakers. (To be honest, Nathan had shown little interest in the proposed golfing trip, citing more active games, like basketball, as his go-to sports – until Robin had sent him a photo of what she intended to wear during said game on the predominantly-Betazoid colony world. Suffice to say, her current get-up was a little more Earth traditional.)
Ukinix: Response
Hopper: Well, I haven’t played since I was twelve or so, so if you want to hit up a proper course on the holodeck sometime this week and watch me hack away at the grass with this club for a while– ::raising her hard lemonade can in cheers:: you’d be doing me a favour.
She noticed Wil’s eyes snap to something behind her and turned over her shoulder to see a woman with the most adorable shade of green hair walking towards them down the pathway… oO Where have I seen her before? Oo Oh! Of course. It was Ensign Bryn, the newest transfer to the station. Robin recalled the Antosian woman’s striking seafoam locks from the portrait attached to her Starfleet Record.
She then recalled that Ensign Bryn had been one of the unfortunate recipients of the Vaadwaur’s torpedo and had spent a few days in Sickbay before being released on modified duties. It was all coming back to her. oO Hell of a first day… Oo
Her musings were cut off as a pair of tongs was shoved into her hands.
Ukinix: ::Cheekily:: That’s an order.
And then the tong-pusher walked off to greet the approaching ensign. Robin rolled her eyes, smiling despite herself, and turned towards the grill, setting down her drink and trying to make sense of Wil’s layout… oO Okay, meat tubes over here. Veggie tubes over here. How appetizing. Oo
She poked, tentatively, at one of the meat sausages, and a bit of hot liquid spat out the side, sizzling on the electric grill surface. oO Yuck. Oo
Ukinix: ::cheerily, offering hand:: Finally we get to meet! Ensign Bryn, welcome to Amity Outpost. I’m Commander Ukinix. Wil. Hungry?
Robin, having ensured nothing was burning, turned back towards the newcomer who was standing at attention in front of Wil, her posture straight as a board, despite her apparently rather-bubbly personality. She offered the ensign an inviting, if professional, smile.
Bryn: Commander. I’ve heard a lot about you. ::mostly that he’d really gotten on Ysal’s bad side.:: Nice t’ meet you. ::to hopper:: And, I’m sorry, We might’ve met by now, but everything’s a little fuzzy… What did you say your name was?
Hopper: Lieutenant Commander Hopper– ::Resting her free hand on her hip:: –but I prefer Robin, especially when we’re off duty. And unless I also suffered a concussion, I do believe this is the first time we’ve met. ::A somewhat cheeky grimace:: Welcome to the station.
Bryn: Oh! Well it’s nice to meet you too. And Commander, I’m so hungry.
Wil left the path, returning to the BBQ area and bringing Ensign Bryn with him. Robin glanced at the sausages again, then passed him back the tongs. She was happy to step away from the grill, bringing her hard lemonade with her and taking another unsatisfying sip from it. She leaned back, casually resting on the edge of one of the picnic tables.
Ukinix: You joined us at a crazy time. Are you all recovered?
Bryn: Almost. Bones are all back, and my nose is only a little crooked now. I kind of like it. Builds character. But they said I’m not allowed to do anything too strenuous for a week. Which feels excessive. I feel better now.
Hopper: Does ‘nothing strenuous’ include playing ‘jungle gym’ in main engineering? ::Smirking, then chuckling:: I heard you were sent packing for working a little too hard – which is nothing to be ashamed of, but you know, Doctor’s orders are still orders, and we do want you to heal up properly.
Robin took another sip of her lemonade, finishing it off. oO Thank goodness. Oo
Ukinix: You did an amazing job in the Everest. 6 weeks on a QSD ship, then straight into the action.
Bryn: That’s what we train for. It sure was exciting.
Ukinix: Response
Robin nodded. She could only imagine that, after Frontier Day, the new cadets graduating from the Academy were even better prepared for “Day One Disaster” type scenarios, even if they weren’t entirely aware that was what they were being trained for.
Hopper: Never a dull day in the Delta Quadrant, Ensign. One day you’re having dinner with a dozen Hirogen Alphas and the next you’re blowing up a warp core to fend off a Vaadwaur invasion fleet. It’s a bit of a rough neighborhood, but the block parties are good fun.
Bryn: Were you hurt in the blast? I don’t remember much of it, but I’ve seen the damage. It seemed extensive.
Shaking her head, Robin pushed off from the table and crossed around behind the grill, back to the cooler. As she answered, she opened it and began digging through it looking for something she might prefer over the hard lemonade.
Hopper: Thanks to your department head’s fast flying, we cleared the danger zone alright. ::To Wil:: You saw more of the damage up close, Skipper.
Pulling out a tall can, Robin inspected it. oO Paloma? Now we’re talking… Oo She pulled it out and set it on the table bench next to her.
Ukinix: Response
Bryn: Well, I’m glad you’re alright. Is there any specific reason you wanted to meet with me? I’ve had a tour, if that’s what you were worried about.
Ukinix: Response
Robin looked up at Bryn and smiled, genuinely, as she spoke.
Hopper: It’s a big station, but nobody here is a faceless grunt as far as we’re concerned. ::Smirking:: Don’t be offended if the CO forgets your proper rank once or twice though. It’s practically a tradition… Hey, do you want a drink? Depending on what you like – and what Medical has cleared you for – there are some ‘zero-proof’ options as well.
She gestured into the cooler, filled with a mix of alcoholic, syntheholic, and spirit-free beverages.
Bryn: Response
Plucking the requested item from the ice, she tossed it towards the Ensign’s hands – and briefly worried about the incredibly-unlikely possibility that it might hit her in the head and worsen her concussion symptoms.
Hopper: ::Standing up:: So, Ensign Bryn, tell us about what brings you to us. Amity’s a long way from home – was it your preferred posting, or…? ::She gave an unconcerned hand gesture:: Oh, and one veggie-dog, please, Skipper.
Bryn/Ukinix: Response
Taking a seat on one of the benches, Robin cracked open the canned paloma and took a sip – much better.
Hopper: You said you’ve had a tour already – have you had a chance to check out the various neighborhoods in the Habitat Ring? If you have a preference I can coordinate with Commander Rosek-Skyfire to get you some quarters assigned…
Bryn/Ukinix: Response
TBC
