PNPC Lieutenant Sylvie Doucet - Coffees and Stories
Renée Chalfant
(( Sickbay Complex, Deck 10, USS Chin’toka, Earth Spacedock ))
Comparing the ship’s size to a sandwich was an interesting choice, Sylvie figured, and it was at that moment she decided the Universe deserved nothing less than getting this man and Theridion Grallator together in the same conversation.
Doucet: Believe it or not, this is actually smaller than the Sickbay where I first served. The USS Astraeus is a Galaxy-class and on that one, they’ve got basically a whole hospital! Which makes sense, I guess, since that’s meant to be a long-range explorer where this one isn’t. Did you want to take a quick look at the laboratory or shall I show you where you can get some of the best coffee here? Or tea if you’re not a coffee drinker.
Dasal: Oh shi- ::coughs:: shoot, really a whole hospital. I guess that makes sense. So this doesn’t as long trip and stuff?
Dasal: Totally, show me your secret stash. Honestly I drink anything that gets me through the day. Med school taught me two things: how to save lives… and how to function with zero sleep.
Sylvie laughed, merrily acknowledging the point made with a nod at the end.
Doucet: That’s the spirit. We do have a more balanced schedule on the ship, at least, so far as we stay out of any war zones. Come on then, Doctor! To the coffee!
With a wave for him to follow them, the petite doctor walked out of Sickbay and out into the hallway. With a glance here and there to make sure he was following them, momentary pit stops to view his surroundings and all, Sylvie set a brisk pace for the excitable new doctor to follow, trusting that his longer strides and clear surplus of energy would keep him within following distance.
Dasal: So the ship isn’t as big as that Galaxy-class ship you mentioned. Man, that's kind of embarrassing. I already got lost twice trying to get to sickbay. Musta been even harder on a bigger ship.
She laughed and paused for a moment at the door to the Port Observation Lounge, taking the time to point out the sign next to it.
Doucet: That’s why you have to pay attention to the signs. You can also ask the computer for directions to guide you where to go. As long as you’re not afraid to ask for help, I promise you’ll never get lost.
Dasal: You also mentioned a Doctor Edrei. They the full time doc? I saw their name on my transfer stuff. What are they like? Do I need to be scared?
Doucet: We’re all full-time doctors here, remember? Doctor Leenaya Edrei is our chief medical officer. That does mean she’s the one in charge and is lucky enough to take care of pretty much all of the administrative overhead. She’s one of the kindest people I’ve met and a fantastic doctor. You have nothing to be scared of with her. We’ve worked together since we stole the ship out of the dockyard.
Dasal: Response
Doucet: ::laughing:: Come in with me, grab a cup of coffee, and I can tell you the story.
She opened the door and gestured for Dasal to keep following as she slipped through, not giving him a chance to say anything.
(( Brew Continuum, Port Observation Lounge, Deck 10, USS Chin’toka ))
Deck 10’s port observation lounge was pretty standard as far as they went. There were booths, seats, and a small bar. What made it stand out was the coffee bar at a prominent enough placement in the room that it drew eyes and noses to it. Coffee machines crowded one end of the counter, leaving the rest for people to gather and order at. It was this counter that Sylvie led Korin to. The man tending the counter walked up as soon as he saw them.
Doucet: We’re one of the fortunate ships to have our very own Brew Continuum. They’re a franchise that specializes in coffees and tea, making them fresh from beans and leaves whenever possible. You can get just about anything you’d like here. Can I get a latte please?
The man nodded and looked at Dasal expectedly.
Dasal: Response
He nodded and walked away to prepare their drinks. Sylvie took a deep breath and mentally steeled herself. The story of how they stole the Chin’toka was one that could be fun to retell, as long as she avoided the parts of it that brought her the most pain. Few people needed to know she had been one of those that been Borged, so when she told the story, she usually just focused on the part that was more fun - the flight over from the Astraeus, scrambling for supplies in the middle of combat, and the feeling of finding out their ship had been the one to rescue the Federation’s President.
Doucet: So, what do you remember of last year’s Frontier Day?
Dasal: Response