[sb118-khitomer] Lieutenant Charles Matthews - "Do You Come With Instructions?"
Shakeel Hussein
((Phaser Control, Deck 8, USS Khitomer – approaching the Lagoon Nebula))
Charles: There are a million and one protocols in place, against doing things like that. ::sighs:: That being said, it isn’t the first time we’ve done something we all shouldn’t have. You probably should shut it off though.
El’Heem: We shouldn’t be spying, ensign. Save the Mr. Robot schtick for emergencies.
Richard: ::Turning off the feed:: Fair though, we know what’s happening for the most part and can get an update when Lieutenant Matthews is finished.
He shook his head.
Charles: Oh. I’ve finished. The neck bone connected to the head bone.
Charles looked from Richard and Ras, then back to Richard again.
Charles: Never mind. ::pause:: If you Science dorks… oO Don’t mention the Physics! Oo …want to double check it all, you can fill me in about the findings from the Bridge.
El’Heem: Node is showing full connectivity. ::slow deep breath through nose and sharp exhale:: It’s too soon to know exactly what it means but…
Richard: Science Geek, thank you very much. And it’s time travel,
possibly, signs point to it.
Lieutenant Matthews lifted himself up off the ground, wiping dust from his legs as he reached full height, and rolled his eyes as he shot Richard a look. Ignoring the quip, he focused on the important information that the self-proclaimed Science Geek had managed to impart; he had confirmed what Charlie had thought he’d heard Commander Hobart say, and all of the signs pointed towards time travel. He crossed his arms across his chest, nibbling his lower lip as he considered the ramifications of time travellers being present. There were almost too many to think of; too many questions, too many dangers, and a sense of --- was it dread? --- started to grow within him.
El’Heem: Yea, pretty much, that. ::scowling at what Richard just said:: except for the adult holodrama part, ignore that.
Richard: There was no drama! It’s not like we saw any future versions of our paired of friends with other people from the future. Now that would have been a drama.
Charles: ::not totally paying attention:: What---?
El’Heem: No, there were…butts on the screen, yes. It’s just not relevant.
Richard: That’s not a drama that’s porn, my friend. Do Kressarians not have that? Am I going to have to give you ‘the talk’ along with Ezra?
A bemused frown made its way to Charlie’s bearded face as he, once again, gave Richard a sceptical look.
Charles: Do you come with instructions? There has to be a way to turn you off…
El’Heem: Guys. ::slightly raising his voice:: Guys!
Richard: Sorry, time and place. :: There was a short beat of silence from him and then :: Wait what colors do you turn when your - nope sorry, stopping now.
Lowering his arms, he turned towards their Kressari companion, very much hoping that Richard was like a toddler with too much attention; if you don’t give it to them, they might just stop showing off.
Charles: ::nods:: You’re right, Lieutenant, of course.
El’Heem: We just got told that we stumbled on time travel, why are we
talking about this right now?
Richard: I mean, it’s time travel, that’s a normal Thursday for most of us. :: He gestured between the two of them :: Remember the time we did it? Was that your first time?
As the questions continued to dart within his mind, Charles finally let out an exasperated groan.
Charles: Oh, good God, man, do you ever---!
El’Heem: STOP! ::exaggerated sigh:: I’ll let the captain know we’ve finished the gel pack precautions and find out where he wants us next.
Richard: When he’s annoyed, he turns that color, interesting.
Charles: Responses
El’Heem: =/\= El’Heem to Captain Shayne =/\=
Shayne: =/\= Go, Lieutenant.=/\=
El’Heem: =/\= We’ve finished all gel pack precautions, sir. =/\=
Charles: Again… what?
Shayne: =/\= Well done, Lieutenant. Shayne out. =/\=
Richard: :: Head tilting to the left :: Okay so, we can go do what we want now or? :: He glanced over to Charles :: For legal purposes, I need to say that was a joke. Have you gotten any new orders? Ras and I can offer support if you need us?
Charles: Does anyone ever know when you’re being serious, Ensign? ::raises his left hand in irritation:: Don’t answer. Just… don’t. ::sighs, turns to Ras:: I need to… think, and being in the presence of Ensign Matthews is not conducive to a clear frame of mind. I’m going to head back to my quarters for a short while. No doubt we’ll be thrown back together at some point.
Before awaiting an answer, Charles nodded at the pair of them. Richard was somewhat entertaining, even if he was a pain in the ass; there was just a lot more that the Tactical Officer needed to be thinking about right now, the main point being if he needed to go and collect a phaser.
NO TAGS/End Scene
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Tactical Officer
USS Khitomer NCC-62400
A240012CM1