JP: Ensign Nemes, Ensign T’Fearne, Ensign Syrex & Ensign Evinrude: JOPA - Lower Decks [Part 2]
Tess Evinrude
((1000 Hours - Holosuite 3, Deck 4, USS Ronin))
Sybil stood in the holodeck with her arms folded. She had also just arrived almost at the same time as T'Fearne. There was still no sign of Alyndra - although she had ordered them all to 1000 hours. Sybil had absolutely no idea what Alyndra was up to. She had been too tired in the morning to ask. But then she hadn't been able to get back to sleep in her quarters because she'd been wondering what Alyndra was planning the whole time. Despite being a science officer, she didn't really like such mysterious, unpredictable surprises. After all, Sybil hadn't even known whether to wear her uniform or civilian clothes. In the end, given the fact that they had been ordered to the holodeck, she had opted for a simple pair of jeans and a long-sleeved shirt. Despite that casual look, her hair was pulled back to an orderly, tidy bun as if she was on duty.
Nemes: Do you have any idea why we are here?
The security officer managed to look well-rested despite the evening's interruptions, she stood with a lightness on her toes as though she were ready to face the day's surprises. She was off duty, but it was difficult to not put her uniform on. She switched to the slightly metallic olive-green trousers and a textured black high-necked, sleeveless tunic. She looked with curiosity at Sybil as she asked her question, not at the question but at Sybil herself.
T’Fearne: I’m not sure. She might have had to charge her prosthetic for longer since she used it last night.
Ensign Evinrude had spent the last half of his shift once again elbow-deep in replicator circuitry. Word was circulating that buckets of shrimp, tins of sardines, and even planks of smoked salmon were replicating instead of correct orders.
The Operations division believed this would be a lengthy diagnosis and repair, but Tess took some comfort in the fact that the malfunction had tasty side effects…at least for those without a seafood allergy.
Off-duty in gray chinos and a black henley, he turned the last corner towards the entrance to holosuite three, bomber jacket tucked under one arm. Having no idea what holo-program awaited him, he had opted for versatility. Dressing for the unknown purpose of this meeting had also, finally, prompted him to unpack some of his duffel.
The archway to the holosuite was open. He took a moment, and stepped past the threshold into the space’s dormant environment - yellow gridlines on matte black.
T’Fearne gave a nod of welcome to Tess.
T’Fearne: Hello Evinrude.
Evinrude: Oh! ::A smile lit up Tess’ face.:: Hello again, T’Fearne! This is…holosuite three, right?
The Vulcazoid nodded to indicate yes and gestured to invite him to join her and Sybil.
When she heard the voice from the direction of the arch, Sybil turned round. It wasn't Alyndra - of course she was able to tell from the male voice, which she had recognised from the comms this morning. Now she finally had a picture of this voice.
Sybil gave the young man with the wavy brown hair a friendly smile.
Nemes: Yes, it is. You must be ::pausing a second before smirking:: the guy from operations, right?
She had hesitated for a moment before addressing him again as she had this morning, when she hadn't been aware that Tess was listening via comms.
T’Fearne: How did you go with sorting out the glitches you were dealing with last night? Any success?
Evinrude: ::With some confusion.:: You know about–
Suddenly, it hit him - this newcomer’s voice…and T’Fearne’s!
Evinrude: oO …they were in that room earlier! Oo
He felt a new pang of guilt from the mishap earlier in his shift. No one here seemed too upset, but he went for his usual approach - defusing awkward situations with humor.
Evinrude: ::He nodded and smiled.:: Ah. Deck eight. Yes, that was me…guilty as charged. Is this a tribunal? ::He held up both hands in mock surrender.:: Am I to be court-martialed after less than two weeks of active duty?
T’Fearne gave a very slight wince as though she momentarily experienced some difficult emotion, and then it cleared, and a slight smile of recognition flowed over her face. oO Ah, Terran humour! Oo
Sybil had the feeling that Tess fitted in very well with them. She certainly liked his sense of humour. A friendly smile played around her lips, however, accompanied by a mischievous look.
Nemes: Court-martialed? You think you'll get off so cheaply with us? ::beat, suddenly realizing that she hadn’t introduced herself:: I’m Sybil, erm Sybil Nemes.
T’Fearne::: Continuing introductions:: Sybil is a Science officer, I accidentally joined her science team during the…:: suddenly dry mouth:: the Bajor rescue mission. :: Turning to look at Sybil:: You held all our lives in your hands at the end there.
Evinrude: Sybil Nemes, my executioner ::he joked, nodding towards her,:: and T’Fearne! ::He turned back to Sybil to explain his familiarity with the other officer.:: We met a few days ago, in the ‘47.
Tess felt his discomfort fading quickly, happy that the encounter was slipping into easy conversation, but he was still confused about one thing - why was he here?
T’Fearne: Indeed. The replicator still hasn’t managed to produce a good macchiato. I intend to go down to deck 14 to see if the Brew Continuum is open after whatever Alyndra intends to do to us.
Evinrude: Ohh well maybe, if I survive this, you’d like company?
For a split-second, Tess wondered if he had overstepped by inviting himself along, but he pushed away that minor anxiety and continued with a grin.
Evinrude: I hear there’s a real espresso machine…But, ah, am I gathering from all this small talk that none of us know why we’re here?
Sybil shrugged, raising her hands with her palms up, the universal sign of surrender to confusion.
Nemes: I have no clue.
T’Fearne::: sigh of slight vexation:: Syrex is a mysterious creature, and after sharing quarters with her for several months, I can only quantify that she is an agent of chaos wrapped in a paradox, with a molten centre of kindness.
The Vulcazoid paused before she got too poetic and sprained her logic.
((Short Time Skip, Holosuite 3, Deck 4, USS Ronin))
Meanwhile, Alyndra had spent the morning making sure everyone she’d invited to the holosuite was off-shift using her powers as a doctor. Although there was some initial pushback from the nurse she’d asked to take care of it, she eventually came around. The crew needed some R&R, especially amongst the lower decks. She’d sometimes seen Evinrude sitting alone in the observation lounge early in the morning. She’d meant to talk to him, but a good excuse never seemed to come up-apart from inviting him for his check-up, but that seemed a little bossy.
Walking into the arch that was the opening of the holosuite, Alyndra could see that the three other lower-deckers had beaten her there.
Syrex: Ah lovely to see you all - Oh! And you must be Tess?
Tess turned around to look back towards the holosuite entrance and spotted their missing link.
Evinrude: ::A little sarcastically.:: Doctor. I’ve heard so much about you… ::he said, nodding his head back at the others.::
Syrex: ::Laughs slightly:: Well it’s lovely to meet you ::embraces him with a warm hug::
T’Fearne: Hi Alyndra. What did you want to show us here?
Nemes: ::nodding, experiencing a mix of curiosity and nervousness:: Yes. Why are we here?
Tess had planned to give Ensign Syrex a healthy amount of teasing for putting this gathering together with such an air of mystery, but her hug surprised the sarcasm right out of his voice and brought a little color to his cheeks.
Evinrude: Oh–uhm! ::with one arm pinned, he returned the hug as best he could:: It’s great to meet you too!
Alyndra smiled, with the fresh-faced ensign extended in her arms like a teddy bear.
Syrex: Even if you intruded on my sleep! But you don’t need to worry! T’Fearne does that plenty already and she usually wears a gold uniform like you, so ::shrugs shoulders playfully: I’m used to it.
Evinrude stepped to the side, making room at their little conversation circle for Alyndra.
Sybil hid her broad grin behind her hand and looked at T’Fearne. The Vulcazoid’s slanted brows rose up, and she turned to look at Sybil with a “see what I have to put up with” expression, but she also had a smile pulling at her lips.
The emotional auras coming from the Terran and Trill officers in the holodeck were discordant on the Vulcazoid’s senses, but not overwhelming. Her curiosity about what they were here for grew.
T’Fearne: Enough of that! Show us what you have gathered us here for.
Syrex: ::Laughs at the comment:: Computer! Initiate programme “Syrex-Epsilon-Nine”
[TBC in Part 3...coming soon!]
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*Ensign Sybil Nemes*
Science Officer
USS Ronin
D239009VD0
&
Security Officer
USS Ronin - NCC-34523
R240107T14
&
Ensign Alyndra Syrex
Medical Officer
USS Ronin (NCC-34523)
R240107AS3
&
Ensign Tess Evinrude
Operations Officer
USS Ronin
R240111TE1