An Unexpected Surprise

Posted on Sat Aug 11th, 2018 @ 10:38pm by Captain Cynthia Jackson & Lieutenant JG Neza Glenn

1,353 words; about a 7 minute read

Mission: Mission 0 - Christening of Legacy and Crew Arrival
Timeline: 2261.182 0931

There was not one nook, nor one cranny that Cindy was going to miss. She wanted to feel it all, experience it all. She wanted to know her ship inside and out.

Strutting down the corridors in her sleeveless gold mini skirt duty uniform was a piece of art. With her long duty boots on, she looked even taller than the six feet high that she reached. She wore a genuine smile, her pearly whites showing readily.

Objective observers would might call her giddy. Seeing an ensign lost in the middle of the corridors was a bit of a surprise. She did not expect one to be on until tomorrow. Therefore, she approached the Ensign and asked, "Can I help you?" The tone flowed with positive undertones and genuine curiosity.

She'd gone out wandering, to get a feel for the ship. She'd make her way back and take a nap or something later. But hearing the voice behind her, Neza raised an eyebrow and turned around. Of course that's who it was. "Surprised to see someone else here?"

"A little," Cindy admitted. "But, the more, the merrier. Getting yourself acquainted with the ship, too? And you are...?"

Neza kept her cool, considering who she was speaking to. But she was annoyed that her walk was interrupted. "Ensign Neza Glenn, science. Had nothing else to do so figured I'd come and get settled in."

"Ensign Glenn, a pleasure to meet you. I'm Cindy, Captain of the Legacy, as you probably already guessed." She threw her hair back glamorously and it set in place marvelously. "I find it difficult to believe that a bright eyed and bushy tailed ensign that looks like you could have nothing to do. Lord knows that when I was an ensign and your age I could find all sorts of things to do." The statement implied a question.

With an eyebrow slightly raised, Neza let out a sigh. She wasn't a fan of being called bright eyed and bushy tailed. "I was...getting away from a family situation. But, I don't have anything to do besides tour the ship." She thought for a moment before saying anything else. "I am a bit curious what you think I could be doing."

"Why, partying, of course! This is your last chance to see anyone here on Earth for five years. You should be enjoying the moments. We're not meant to live a life of shelter."

It was then that she noticed that the Ensign was in the science department. "Oh, and you will be seeing me often. Science was my department coming up through the ranks. So many miracles there. So much to discover." Cindy's eyes started turning a light blue as she reminisced for her old department.

"This may come as a bit of a surprise to you, but I'm not the partying type. And honestly, I've spent enough time on Earth. I'm glad to leave right now." Having just finished an argument before coming up, Neza decided to hold her tongue, though her voice had a hint of annoyance as her accent came through a bit more.

"Well, in that case, the ship is a perfect place for you," Cindy replied enthusiastically. "I can hardly wait to be off, myself."

Neza bit her lip. Her commanding officer was extremely upbeat, and that was being polite. “5 years, but I can’t wait either. So much out there no one has seen.”

"Indeed! That is why I cannot wait for us to ship out. You and I are kindred spirits," Cindy concluded. "Seeking out the unknown and discovering the answers. I can tell it is going to be a pleasure serving together with you!"

Did she want to warn her commanding officer about her attitude? It’d likely came up in her file, but with a ship of this many people, it was possible that not every file was read word for word. Neza decided to keep it to herself for the time being and just gave a smile. “Likewise, though I might not be quite as upbeat as you about it.”

"We shall see," Cindy replied, knowing that she would see that the Ensign would change her mind. Perhaps she would work more closely with the Ensign to ensure it. "But, I suppose I should let you get settled in and there's much that I still need to look at...."

"I don't want to stand in the way of the commanding officer and the tour of the ship. That's pretty much what I'm doing, but likely not for the same reasons." Neza wasn't quite sure what to make of the woman in front of her yet.

"You're not in my way. In fact, if you would like, you could come with me," Cindy responded, pleased as punch.

Neza raised an eyebrow. Was she really up for this? Well, best put on a good show, right? She held in the heavy sigh that was building but nodded. "If you feel like keeping company of an ensign, what's the harm?"

"Ensign, rank has little meaning on a tour. In fact, feel free to call me Cindy or Captain Cindy if you are uncomfortable using my first name alone. Do not feel that you have to accompany me if you do not desire. This is not an order."

With a shrug, Neza put on the best face she could. She still wasn't a fan of the perky captain, but this was still her captain, right? "I don't mind. I was just going to walk around and alone and go back to my quarters and wait to see who my roommate is."

"Again, up to you. I don't mind either way. I do not ever want you to feel obligated unless I give a direct order. Besides, I know how exciting it must be to meet a new roommate. I remember my early days with roommates." She giggled sweetly, reminiscing at the memories. "Got in a bit of trouble too. Boys, you know...?"

“Truth be told, I’m more comfortable without a roommate. But I know my rank doesn’t grant that, especially on a ship this size. As for the boys thing, I can’t relate actually.”

"You can't relate?" Cindy asked curiously. "I'm sorry. Is it that you prefer women? I did not mean to be presumptuous." She actually blushed a tad from her embarrassment. Cindy turned and started leading Neza through the ship.

The question took Neza by surprise. "No, nothing like that! Sorry, just haven't found any guys that interest me, nor that have found interest in me." She followed behind, curious where they were headed.

Cindy led Neza to a turbolift. "A pretty woman like you?" Cindy asked shocked. "I find this very difficult to believe. Guys should be busting your doors down. If you like," Cindy said in a conspiratorial tone, "I could help you find a good guy...."

As they walked, her eyes went wide. It wasn't often that Neza stammered, but this was one of those times. "I um..err.." What was her commanding officer doing? Since when did they offer to hook a lowly ensign up with someone? "Guys have never busted down doors unless they were running away from me. Don't like my attitude or some such. That mixed with being British."

"What does being British have to do with anything?" she asked incredulously. "British accents are so sexy and all the best male villains have British accents!"

Neza let out a laugh. "That may be, but mixed with how I act towards most people, it isn't a turn-on for any of them. I don't exactly get along with many people."

Cindy smiled when Neza laughed. "I'd say that we're getting along just fine. We just needed a little warming up. Let's say that I make it a little better with a small drink."

"A..drink?" That was completely unexpected. But then again, were they on duty? Neza knew that she wasn't. "Well, I suppose that'll be alright."

The doors on the turbolift open and Cindy led Neza on.

[merge into bar post with Alastair]

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