Fleet Captain Addison MacKenzie - Cut the Food Talk

[Addison MacKenzie]

(( Molly Malone’s Irish Pub – Deck 225, Deep Space 224 ))

Though the commanding officer of the Artemis had been looking forward to revisiting the wings at Molly Malone’s (and in peace), she found herself in the company of one of the ship’s newest members. In doing so, she took the opportunity to inquire about the Bajoran woman’s prior service, including the reason for her transfer off of Denali Station. The reason had been mundane enough, though she hoped the junior officer considered herself lucky that the transfer request had been granted – Starfleet Command was hardly considerate of officers’ preferences, especially those who were just starting out in their service.

Fortunately for them all, it seemed that the junior officer enjoyed her new posting, in both its location and shipmates.

 

Lyara: Your ship is at least very friendly. Everyone I’ve met so far has been really nice. ::Beat:: Hell, Salkath practically saved my life on Ura Nateos III.

 

MacKenzie: Well, that mission was a mess for a lot of reasons. I can tell you one thing, though – I likely wouldn’t have been able to carry you all that way. 

 

She offered a conciliatory smirk.

 

Lyara: It’s definitely helped with adjusting to being on a ship. I’ve never been this far from Bajor before.

 

MacKenzie: One of the benefits of being in Starfleet is that you literally have the galaxy at your fingertips. I do believe that one of the benefits of serving on a starship as opposed to a station or colony is that you get to see a lot.

 

Lyara: I did join to see strange new worlds and new civilizations. But of course the ship crew is a great plus too.

Addison nodded her head slightly.

 

MacKenzie: I’m glad that the crew has been welcoming so far. (beat) ::gesturing to the slice:: And that the pizza meets your approval.

 

Lyara smiled, her gaze moving from the slice of pizza back to MacKenzie.

Lyara: And I’m glad to be a part of your crew and have this great pizza. ::She motioned to the wings:: Are the wings still the best in the galaxy?

Lyara took another bite of pizza while Addison waved another tiny drumette in the junior officer’s direction. She licked the small trickle of grease that ran from her palm to her wrist that resulted from her wing-waving. 

MacKenzie: I can’t say they’re the best in the galaxy, but I look forward to having them every chance we have an opportunity to get back here. Highly recommended.

Lyara: Maybe next time I come I’ll have to order them. I can see why this place is a favorite of your crew.

Lyara seemed to take a moment to reflect on the ambiance of the bar. It was a very unsuspecting place – one that had likely been replicated thousands of times throughout the galaxy – but there was something about this bar that resonated with many of the Artemis crew members over the years.

MacKenzie: For some of us more than others, I suppose. Several members of the senior staff have served together in this region for quite some time – from the Resolution to the Exacalibur, and now to the Artemis. Those who have been around for those transitions have spent quite a few shore leaves here.

Lyara: I actually learned while reading about the station that the woman this very pub is named after was known as “The Tart With a Cart”. I don’t know why they named her after a pastry. Maybe she was a baker?

 

Lyara shrugged. Addison considered the idea and mimicked the shrug herself.

 

MacKenzie: I suppose so. I can’t say I’ve ever been, if I’m honest. I’ve never had much of a sweet tooth, but chicken wings ::she wagged a clean drumette again:: I’ve never been able to turn down.

 

Lyara: Response

 

MacKenzie pointed back toward the bar’s exit.

 

MacKenzie: A former first officer of mine used to be a fan of the Burger Nagus, but I never really cared much for it… I haven’t had any burgers that beat this little greasy spoon out in the Shoals I had when I was a medical officer on the Veritas.

 

Lyara: Response

 

Addison bit into another wing, then waved its remnants dismissively in front of her face.

 

MacKenzie: Enough food talk. I assume you’re planning on taking advantage of your time off during this shore leave?

 

Lyara: 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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