Lt JG Tess Evinrude - Shuttles are White...

[Tess Evinrude]

((Corridor near the 47 Lounge entrance - Deck 4, USS Ronin))

Tess was surprised at how easy it was to fall into the routine cycle of on-duty weeks followed by shoreleave; it was actually similar to his last career. As a holo-novel devleoper, he spent weeks writing, coding, testing, and more testing - with very few breaks. Eventually he would take a break to recharge, spend time with familiar faces, meet new ones.

Lately, there seemed to be a new face around every corner of the Ronin.

Literally.

He let out an unintelligible vocalization as he collided with someone a few centimeters shorter, barely catching a flash of auburn hair and pointed ears before a clatter of PADDs and scientific sampling gear drew his attention.

Immediately, he crouched down to assist, barely avoiding headbutting the Vulcanoid officer as they also crouched to retrieve their fallen belongings.

Taj’el: Apologies. I was not observing my surroundings.

Evinrude: No no, my fault, I took that corner short. When you rush...that's when accidents happen.

From the change in inflection on that last line, it seemed as if he was quoting something. But he didn't elaborate, and dutifully stacked up the PADDs. When he looked up to hand them to the officer, they seemed to be studying him.

By his estimation, the fellow junior-grade lieutenant was a newly-transferred Vulcan science officer, or maybe medical. The uniform was blue, and their emotions were placid after such a jarring collision - though he was happy to note that the sampling equipment was empty, and that some experiment hadn't been ruined. They had an androgynous character about them, with defined, graceful eyebrows above intelligent eyes. After a brief, frozen moment of mutual sizing-up, Tess smiled, and gave them a nod.

He stood as they retrieved their bag, stuffed full of equipment to the point of looking cumbersome.

Taj’el: I was under the impression this was the shuttle bay level.

Tess handed them the stack of PADDs.

Evinrude: ::With an understanding tone.:: Mmm, the old Akira class has a unique shuttlebay...two hangar doors for passthrough ops, and more smallcraft support than most. Good news is you're only two decks off! I can direct you, I'm actually heading there myself.

The officer re-entered the lift and made room for Evinrude, who idly glanced at their PADD once he called out their destination.

Evinrude: Deck nine, shuttlebay one. ::After a beat, he turned back to the officer.:: Are you our new phytologist?

Taj’el: Pardon?

Their eyebrow raised. Tess internally mused at the use of a human idiom to request more information, doubting very much that the officer hadn't heard him.

Evinrude: On your PADD there. ::He gestured with a gentle jerk of his head.:: Looks like a botanical study. I just assumed you were one of the new science transfers.

Taj'el: Response

Evinrude: Oh, I see! The Thor, Vesta class...shuttlebay's on deck four, I think? That explains the confusion. ::He smiled, and continued to make polite turbolift conversation.:: Some of the plants here on Logali IV resemble Trill species, curious.

Taj'el: Response

The lift chimed softly as they arrived at their destination. Tess stepped through the open doors and hesitated in the corridor as if he had more to say.

Evinrude: Well, welcome aboard. Though I imagine you've felt welcome already, the Ronin's a friendly ship. Tess Evinrude, by the way, operations.

He extended his hand for a human handshake, but when he eyed the officer's sharp gloves, emblazoned with the Ronin's crest, he was prepared to have the gesture declined. He'd experienced plenty of species, and individuals, who preferred to avoid touch.

Taj'el: Response

Evinrude: Nice meeting you. I'm heading that way... ::He pointed through the doors that led to the maintenance end of the shuttlebay.:: ...to take a shuttle I'm working on out for a test flight. See you around!

Taj'el: Response

((Short timeskip - Shuttlebay 1 Maintenance Bay, Deck 9, USS Ronin))

Preflight complete, Tess stood by the rear loading ramp of the old Type 4 shuttle he'd secured from an abandoned freighter. The little ship had remarkably few flight hours, though some components were in need of age-induced maintenance and had required service or replacing. He still hadn't thought of a name for it, and was staring absent-mindedly at the starboard side, pondering that exact topic.

Taj'el: Response

Evinrude: Hm? ::A look of recognition as his mind switched gears.:: Oh, hello again Taj'el! You...need a ride?

Taj'el: Response

[Tags/TBC]

--

Lieutenant J.G. Tess Evinrude

[he/him]

Operations Officer

USS Ronin

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