Fleet Captain Addison MacKenzie - Did Someone Say Hasparat?

[Addison MacKenzie]

((Taste of the Quadrants – Deck 229, Deep Space 224))

 

MacKenzie sat across from two of the newer arrivals to the Artemis at one of the more eclectic eating establishments on Deep Space 224. After satisfactorily testing the benches of the booth for comfort, Addison and the others slid in and started to peruse the menus that had been laid out for them. There didn’t seem to be much for waitstaff at the establishment, not that they could see, anyway – but that wasn’t anything out of the ordinary. Many of the establishments on the base had opted to use holographic waitstaff over employing the locals. It was a shame, in her opinion, but a sign of changing times, she supposed.

 

She picked up a menu off the table and started to glance through it.

 

MacKenzie: Anything catch your eye?

 

Richards: Honestly, it all sounds good. I do keep eyeing the Oskoid Salad. ::Letting out a breathy laugh:: I had no idea being pregnant with Betazoids would make me crave Betazoid food.

 

Cole: I’m admittedly starving, and there are loads of options, but I’m sure I can narrow it down. The Talaxian spice stew sounds interesting.

Richards reached over to grab the kiosk and punched in her order before sliding the kiosk around.

Richards: Captain- uh, MacKenzie, Captain MacKenzie. ::Raising her eyebrow:: What do we call you in a less ::gesturing around:: formal setting? 

 

Cole: I was wondering that myself- uh, Sir.

 

MacKenzie, didn’t take her eyes off the menu and answered, deadpan, without missing a beat.

 

MacKenzie: ::amusedly:: I’m sure Doctor MacKenzie would be fine.

The irony didn’t escape the commanding officer of the Artemis. It never did.

 

Richards: You got it. Anyway, I heard through the grapevine that this place serves an excellent Hasperat. I also heard– through a different grapevine– that you are a big fan of Hasperat.

MacKenzie’s eyes raised from the menu. Sam was smiling, no doubt pleased to have uncovered this bit of information about her CO. Her eyes returned to the menu as she answered, scanning for the Bajoran dish.

 

MacKenzie: Well, the latter is certainly true. The former remains to be seen.

 

Cole: Oh that sounds amazing, I think I might try that and that Talaxian dish.

 

MacKenzie punched in an order of hasperat, handcut fries, and an Irish coffee. As a brief silence lulled over the group, Richards decided to jump in and keep the conversation going.

 

Richards: So, you two have any fun plans for this shoreleave?

MacKenzie: Fun? That remains to be seen. It depends how many fires need to be put out while we’re here.

 

Cole: I honestly don’t know. I was thinking of exploring the station, but outside of that I was probably doing some tinkering. As long as my roommate doesn’t … overshare themself.

MacKenzie felt the corners of her lips pulling to one side as her brow wrinkled simultaneously.

MacKenzie: Overshare?

 

Richards: Response

 

Cole: As you may know my roommate is Ensign Tho’Bi. And well I have quickly discovered that Andorians are more ::beat:: free spirited in how they dress ::clears throat:: or don’t, when in their quarters.

Her eyes narrowed as she repeated part of what Cole said.

MacKenzie: Free-spirited…

 

Richards: Response

 

Cole: It’s not the first time I’ve seen a nude male body. Comes with… ::smirk:: previous experience.

 

Richards: Response

 

A holographic waiter arrived with Addison’s drink. Her eyes widened with anticipation, and she sat up eagerly to receive the beverage, grateful for its timing. She took the mug and held it underneath her nostrils, taking the opportunity to savor the aroma before taking a sip. After a moment, she nodded satisfactorily.

 

MacKenzie: We can always find you a new bunkmate if it proves to be… problematic. ::shifting her gaze to Sam:: How are the babies doing?

 

Richards/Cole: Response

MacKenzie nodded.

MacKenzie: What about you, Sam? Anything fun this shore leave? I hear Lieutenant Bergmen has something up his sleeve, but probably more suited for Ensign Cole…

 

Richards/Cole: Response

 

 

 

 

Tag, and TBC!

 

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Fleet Captain Addison MacKenzie, M.D., Ph.D., FASFS
Commanding Officer
USS Artemis-A

Captains Council Member at Large

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