Commander Lia Rouiancet: A Future Drink

[Tony Colella]

(( Deck 4 Saucer, USS Octavia E. Butler ))

(( Time Index: 2155 Hours ))

Damn it, damn it, damn it, she was definitely going to be late. Lia accelerated from a fast walk to a trot, with the case at her side banging against her legs. She glared down at it as she trotted.

Rouiancet: Shut up!

The case was, of course, making no noise, but she wasn't going to let that fact get in the way of her temper. She slowed only as she approached the transporter room, and saw that Iljor wasn't there yet. Unless he was inside? No, no, she was in time, as he turned around the corner in front of her. Lia stopped to catch her breath, and then he was there.

Etan: This is quite something, Captain.

She smiled widely, despite being a little flushed.

Rouiancet: Don't say that until you see what it is.

She handed the case over, and marveled for a moment at how heavy it had been. Maybe she could've thought of something a little lighter, but once she'd made up her mind, it had seemed right. She hastened to explain as he opened it.

Rouiancet: What you said earlier, about Avander being an ensign when you met him, got me thinking. It was quite the ship gossip when you were assigned, and you had a private dinner with the commodore, Avander, and Peri. They told me the first drink you had on 'Oumuamua was an Altair water, probably for nerves, and I thought, well, that sounds perfect for a new CO. Et voila! Altair water, not replicated, straight from the source.

Apparently, according to the beverage wholesaler who'd moved in on DS14 already, sourced waters were currently in vogue, and she was very lucky she'd been able to get this case.

Etan: Response

The gift-giving had delayed Etan's departure by a couple of minutes, which was also enough time for other officers to track him down, too. First among them was Aine, and then Arturo -- which was to say, Max -- just behind her.

Sherlock: You know you're going to do great.

Maxwell: (offering his hand to Iljor) That he is.

Any: Response

Rouiancet: Oh yes, no doubt about that.

Etan: Response

Sherlock: I just wanted to come by to say (beat) well, I don't want to say goodbye, because I'm sure we'll see each other again. But...

Etan: Response

Sherlock: I'm just (beat) really proud of you. And (longer beat) I'm gon miss ya.

Rouiancet: That goes for all of us.

Whether or not they had tracked down Iljor in that corridor or not, he had left his mark indelibly on the crew. The inaugural crew of the Octavia E. Butler would forever remember him as their first first officer.

Etan/Any: Responses

Maxwell: Aye, it's a shame we didnae serve longer taegether but its been grand. Milly's going tae miss you as well, no that she'd ever admit tae it in public.

Etan/Sherlock/Any: Responses

Max handed over a gift as well, though for a moment Lia wasn't sure what she was looking at. Then it clicked: a holo -- no, a picture! A still image, framed beautifully. She beamed at the thoughtfulness of the gift.

Maxwell: Bit ae something tae stick in your new quarters.

Rouiancet: Or your ready room. Let the new crew know you have a softer side. (beat; raising an eyebrow at Max) Or that you're friends with rough-and-ready marine officers, who wouldn't hesitate to step in and toss a misbehaving lieutenant out an airlock.

She winked. She was kidding. Probably.

Etan/Sherlock/Maxwell/Any: Responses

Rouiancet: Well, we shouldn't delay you any further. Do you need help with anything?

She gestured vaguely to the gifts and such, not that anyone but her had been wild enough to send him off with several dozen liters of liquid. Max's gift was so much more portable!

Etan/Sherlock/Maxwell/Any: Responses

Tags! and TBC!

--

Commander Lia Rouiancet

Commanding Officer

USS Octavia E. Butler

V238208LV0

she/her/hers (this character)