Post by janedoe on Apr 13, 2014 6:18:58 GMT -5
SB129
Operations-Lt. J.G.
Mara Cox
Mara's shuttle arrives at the starbase and it is of no consequence to her when she gets there. She did not want to go and fought it tooth and nail. Comes of
having a father who's an admiral and a mother on staff at SFA. You have no choices then, no more dreams about what you'll do for the rest of your life. You
give and give whatever it is that makes daddy happy or you pay. It's not worth it to rebel. But she gets in her little rebellions now and then, just enough
to embarrass the parents. Never enough to end up in the brig. Well there was this one time.
It worked for Kirk, her idol. He did what the hell he wanted. He was also very good at what he did. Everything he did. So she was out to prove nothing to
anyone. She did her job and on her own time she did whatever she wanted.
She arrives on the promenade and starts checking things out. She'd heard some sh*t about this place, how it's a dilapidated garbage scow barely able to
sustain life. The rumors were not inspiring confidence within her. But she could see them shuffling, trying to cover the mistakes with the Cardassions and
put solid personnel here that would make it shine again. But that was their thing. She wasn't taking that on. Not her responsibility.
She sees something that looks like a replimat and heads over. They 'll have anything she needs.
.................
Ensign Saša Rozman
Junior Security Officer
The station wasn't anyone's dream assignment. Sasha hadn't asked to be posted there, and none of the people in his duty shift had asked for it either. At
least, that was the story that was going around. It wasn't that it was all that bad, but stations were second rate to ships. Ships were where the adventure
was, where you got to go out and see strange new worlds and new civilizations and got to marvel at all the strange creatures that were out in the galaxy. The
jokes that went around among the junior officers were not so much about the marvelling, but rather getting closely acquainted with those beings. Sasha was in
it for the adventure. He wanted to see new places. This station did bring some new things on a regular basis, but it was no starship.
The promenade was the place to go during off-duty hours. The place wasn't exactly exciting, but there was food, drink, and a chance to hang out with some of
the other people that you didn't have to spend all day with. He was sitting there now, sipping on a mug of raktaijino, watching the life of the station flow
past him.
............
She was supposed to be a captain in five years. She scowls at the memory, at the promises made. Truth is, people make a lot of promises to Admirals.
Sometimes things change. But she has a chip on her shoulder and , in her opinion, for good reason. She is talented and she knows it. She had a good run on a
ship just after graduation, a field assignment for three months, research and excavation in preparation for a first contact. She did well and when she came
back, she was promoted and given a position as junior instructor at the academy. She really enjoyed teaching. But it was temporary. It was always going to
be temporary. And now. She wonders who she has to blow to get off this floating mess and onto a ship. The only thing going for it is that she will have
contact with many. And daddy won't be there.
Yet. She has a few months then he is supposed to show up also.
"Cappuccino, hot and sweet."
She takes her coffee to a table. Her mouth seems turned downward in a permanent pout lately. But she isn't trying very hard.
...............
The young officer that arrived in the lounge looked very unhappy with being there. She would fit right in with his crowd. He studied her as she looked the
other way. She looked like she could make someone very happy about being here, if she put her mind to it. He took a sip of the Klingon coffee. Not that he
was going to be making that kind of move on a superior officer, who looked like she'd have more fun chewing him out than having a conversation. He looked
away before she caught him watching her. There was no need to invite trouble. Even if you think you're in the worst possible position, there is no need to
invite someone to show you that you were wrong, and there is a worse place to be. At least the coffee was decent. His watch officer, a surly lieutenant,
always said that it would make your heart beat and put hair on your chest. Easy enough for him to say, since he was a Caitian. He had hair in places Sasha
didn't want to know hair could exist, based on what the science file on the species said.
............
Her eyes are blue. Royal blue to be exact. She turns her head twice, thinking she sees something in her peripheral vision. But when she turns her head once
more, she is wrong. She sees merely the profile of a young man who seems to turn his head every time she looks away. Is this a game? She is too grumpy to be
in public. She doesn't work until tomorrow. She should find her quarters and sleep it off.
Once more she turns her head and stares this time. Her eyes glitter in the light and she keeps her gaze leveled at him. It's a game they used to play at the
academy when they were bored. For her it always made her feel powerful when leveled at at man and it worked. They called it her double barrel weapon. She
just called it being a woman.
She looks at him and does not glance away, resisting the urge to smile. Maybe she'll scare him a little. Looks like a young pup. She remembers those days, so
anxious to please anyone higher ranked than you are. Wanting to do nothing to possibly keep from getting promoted. Or maybe he'll surprise her.
................
He put the mug down, feeling her eyes on him. Knowing when you were being watched was something you learned if you wanted to keep a low profile. Most people
would look for a little while, and then look away. She didn't. That was interesting. It could mean she was curious, or she liked to play games. Maybe the
expression was a defense mechanism developed to scare those away, who weren't willing to brave the storm. He raised his hand and brushed it over his face,
then turned to face her, meeting her gaze, unblinking. She did have very striking blue eyes. From this distance, they evoked the cliché image of forest lakes
you wanted to dive into. They bordered on mesmerizing, so much it made it hard to look away, if he had felt a desire to. Social protocol was long out the
window and he wondered just how long he could look into those eyes. A growing sense of self-consciousness started to tug at the back of his mind, reminding
him that you shouldn't stare and that he was starting to make a fool of himself. Finally, he did blink, but he didn't look away.
..........
She is impressed, but doesn't show it on her face. She'd ignore him if he acted silly or looked away, but he doesn't. It's just enough to carry the game on
further. She is suddenly less bored, if not less sullen. The sullen look on her face was just there for too long. It would take more than a staring contest
to wipe that away. Almost on cue, when he blinks she picks up her coffee, still not tasted. She stands with it and walks over to his table, not asking. She
sits across from him. She says nothing, just sitting there. Nearby she hears some snickering from a couple of other young men and it just spurs her on. It
excites her to mess with people, especially when they have the balls to go with it. With the other men there, she's probably just going to end up making him
look good to his friends.
...............
He heard the snickering from the other table, but it didn't matter. There were two blue orbs that held him captivated. The nagging at the back of his mind
told him that he should say something, but all he could think of was to compliment her eyes and that would just seem lame, an attempt at gaining some kind of
special attention, no matter how honest it was. Maybe he should introduce himself, but at the moment, it felt like any attempt at all at speaking might spoil
the moment, and might make her look away. He traced a fingertip around the edge of his mug. Had it been a glass, there might have been a clear tone from it,
but the mug was quiet. He wondered what her motivation was for the staring contest, but it didn't matter. The game was on, and he was feeling like he was
getting the better end of the bargain, regardless of how it ended.
...........
Her eyes water slightly but this was too rich to stop now. Besides, she got up and sat at his table. It's put up or shut up. She picks up her cup and says
very cooly, "Come here often?"
She takes a sip from her cup looking at him over the rim.
............
He nodded slightly, keeping his eyes on her. He needed to blink soon, that much was certain. "Yes, usually once a day." The cold voice, it fit with the
mental image of cool lakes in her eyes. So much an ice queen, this one.
........
Mara had just taken a drink of her coffee when he matched her yet again, and she delivers a classic spittake, spewing a spray of creamy coffee all over him.
Her eyes get huger, opening wide as she stands up, shocked at the turn of events. The game never ended up this way before.
"I....
think I should introduce myself. Lt. Cox."
The mention of her name has never sent her into laughter, though others have been stupid about it, juvenile really at the academy when her name is said
aloud. But in the midst of the chaos she can't stop laughing, bringing a hand to her mouth so that she does not spit on him again, another hand on his
shoulder.
"Please...you win. Or at home as children we would say 'Uncle'." Her voice has a high English to it from her time at oxford and her early childhood. She is
no ice queen now, barely able to speak in full sentences without erupting in laughter.
..............
He hadn't expected to get sprayed with coffee, but wiped it away, shaking his head as he chuckled at her reaction. He stood up as well. "Leftenant Cox. It is
a pleasure. I am Ensign Rozman." He had a slight slavic accent, possibly Russian. He had stood a little straighter while he introduced himself, then relaxed
visibly again. "Are you going to be alright? I would offer you a glass of water, but I already showered today."
.......
"A pleasure to meet you Ensign," she says with her last shred of dignity. She'd be angry how that went down only it seems not too much harm is done other
than a loss of dignity, and it did break the ice. Doesn't occur to her that it's probably the first good laugh she's had in weeks.
"I just arrived. I don't supposed you'd be under me in ops?"
................
He shook his head slightly at the question. "No, I am with security. Also, I think they frown of that kind of activity in Ops. I mean, they barely accept my
coming here on a daily basis. I don't think it's something I would be comfortable with doing in Ops." That should be drawing the joke on just about far
enough. She did have a nice laugh, but it was still the eyes that drew him.
....................
She finishes dabbing her face with a napkin and starts to walk away, needing a shower and to bring her gear to her quarters. Then she turns her head, eyes
darting back to his and she waggles her index finger at him when she gets the joke.
"Oooh I am going to have to keep my eye on you. For certain. For now, I should go find my quarters. I have duty in 10 hours."
............
"If you need an escort, or someone to help you find your quarters, let me know. I've been here long enough to know most of the ins and outs of the station."
He realised that it was something that sounded so wrong, when he had meant it in the most innocent way. She was going to end up with the wrong idea about
him, but he wasn't sure if it was a bad one or not.
.........
She stares at him. She doesn't speak at first. Maybe she is sizing him up. Or maybe just to see if he is truly sharing the joke with her or laughing at her.
There is a pretty important difference there.
"I suppose that would not be objectionable. You can walk me there. But only for the sake of conversation. If an operations officer shows up without knowing
the specs of her starbase,she better head home."
She goes back to her table and fetches her bag and a small case.
"Let's go."
..............
"There is a world of difference between knowing the specifications and having memorized all the locations. Besides, company and conversation is a good
reason." He thought about adding the fact that the quarters were her home for now, and where she was heading, but it was probably not the right time. "I
would offer you my arm, but I see that you have two of your own, and it could send the wrong signal that I had somehow laid claim to you." Not that he
wouldn't mind claiming someone like her, but she did seem to be so far out of his league that, while he could make her laugh, he shouldn't hold too firmly to
any hopes of doing more.
...........
She smiles as they start their little walk. He's funny. Charming type of funny. Funny men know that they are and the effect it has on woman. He could be a
friend. Later, when she gets her legs here. The only harm done today is her lost of respect possibly. She is used to working by the book and never is seen
like that in public. Chalk it up to an extreme lack of fun, distance of parental units, despite her age, they are still part of the equation, and a punch
lack of sleep over the past 48 hours. But he doesn't seem too thrown off by her lack of decorum.
"That is a very good reason. Conversation and good company is part of a good life. I'd like to get a good start here, even if it is. Well, look around you."
She looks at him sideways to see if he is offended. It is well known this is not on anyone's dream sheet.
"I'll make the most of it, and use it, hopefully, to my advantage. I want to be on a ship."
She gives him a sidelong glance.
"I pity the person that tries to lay 'claim' on my person. They better be d**ned sure it is invited." She answers as she would answer anyone, not directing
it at him personally. A bit of vinegar in her temperment draws some sharp retorts at times.
...............
I wouldn't worry about that incident all over my face. While it was seen by some, it's so low key compared to what happens there on a regular basis." He made
a dismissive gesture. "This place... It's no fleet flagship, but what it lacks in high class, it makes up for with an abundance of dilapidation." He wasn't
offended at all. "If you get a transfer out of here, and there's an option to rescue someone with you, please remember who you sprayed coffee on, on your
first day."
He led her to the lift that would take them to the habitat ring. "I will remember that, and try not to lay anything on you without being invited first." He
smiled a crooked smile. "And certainly not at Ops."
...........
"Absolutely not. They are very serious in Ops. And I could not forget that face if I tried. Covered in coffee it was a look of pure shock and awe." She
chuckles then her face did take on a more serious look, now that they were in the corridor and away from a crowd.
"I heard about the loss of the captain here. It's a shame really that they were able to get to him. I never did trust changlings. The killer they say could
still be aboard. Or long gone without a trace. I'm not sure which is worse."
She arrives at her quarters and turns to face him.
"I get my orders tomorrow. . I just hope they install a new captain soon. That vacuum can be a very dangerous thing- we don't want to appear weak to our
enemies." She puts a palm up.
"I know you are not allowed to talk about it since security is locked up tight. But that's my two cents on my day off."
She holds out her hand to shake his. "A pleasure Ensign."
............
He shared in the chuckle but sobered as well as she changed the subject. "We are on the lookout for the changling. That's the official line, and it's close
enough to the truth that you will not be able to tell them apart." That was all he was going to say on that issue.
"The pleasure has been, to a large degree, mine, Leftenant Cox." He took her hand and gave it a firm shake. "Hopefully I will see you again, outside Ops."
Operations-Lt. J.G.
Mara Cox
Mara's shuttle arrives at the starbase and it is of no consequence to her when she gets there. She did not want to go and fought it tooth and nail. Comes of
having a father who's an admiral and a mother on staff at SFA. You have no choices then, no more dreams about what you'll do for the rest of your life. You
give and give whatever it is that makes daddy happy or you pay. It's not worth it to rebel. But she gets in her little rebellions now and then, just enough
to embarrass the parents. Never enough to end up in the brig. Well there was this one time.
It worked for Kirk, her idol. He did what the hell he wanted. He was also very good at what he did. Everything he did. So she was out to prove nothing to
anyone. She did her job and on her own time she did whatever she wanted.
She arrives on the promenade and starts checking things out. She'd heard some sh*t about this place, how it's a dilapidated garbage scow barely able to
sustain life. The rumors were not inspiring confidence within her. But she could see them shuffling, trying to cover the mistakes with the Cardassions and
put solid personnel here that would make it shine again. But that was their thing. She wasn't taking that on. Not her responsibility.
She sees something that looks like a replimat and heads over. They 'll have anything she needs.
.................
Ensign Saša Rozman
Junior Security Officer
The station wasn't anyone's dream assignment. Sasha hadn't asked to be posted there, and none of the people in his duty shift had asked for it either. At
least, that was the story that was going around. It wasn't that it was all that bad, but stations were second rate to ships. Ships were where the adventure
was, where you got to go out and see strange new worlds and new civilizations and got to marvel at all the strange creatures that were out in the galaxy. The
jokes that went around among the junior officers were not so much about the marvelling, but rather getting closely acquainted with those beings. Sasha was in
it for the adventure. He wanted to see new places. This station did bring some new things on a regular basis, but it was no starship.
The promenade was the place to go during off-duty hours. The place wasn't exactly exciting, but there was food, drink, and a chance to hang out with some of
the other people that you didn't have to spend all day with. He was sitting there now, sipping on a mug of raktaijino, watching the life of the station flow
past him.
............
She was supposed to be a captain in five years. She scowls at the memory, at the promises made. Truth is, people make a lot of promises to Admirals.
Sometimes things change. But she has a chip on her shoulder and , in her opinion, for good reason. She is talented and she knows it. She had a good run on a
ship just after graduation, a field assignment for three months, research and excavation in preparation for a first contact. She did well and when she came
back, she was promoted and given a position as junior instructor at the academy. She really enjoyed teaching. But it was temporary. It was always going to
be temporary. And now. She wonders who she has to blow to get off this floating mess and onto a ship. The only thing going for it is that she will have
contact with many. And daddy won't be there.
Yet. She has a few months then he is supposed to show up also.
"Cappuccino, hot and sweet."
She takes her coffee to a table. Her mouth seems turned downward in a permanent pout lately. But she isn't trying very hard.
...............
The young officer that arrived in the lounge looked very unhappy with being there. She would fit right in with his crowd. He studied her as she looked the
other way. She looked like she could make someone very happy about being here, if she put her mind to it. He took a sip of the Klingon coffee. Not that he
was going to be making that kind of move on a superior officer, who looked like she'd have more fun chewing him out than having a conversation. He looked
away before she caught him watching her. There was no need to invite trouble. Even if you think you're in the worst possible position, there is no need to
invite someone to show you that you were wrong, and there is a worse place to be. At least the coffee was decent. His watch officer, a surly lieutenant,
always said that it would make your heart beat and put hair on your chest. Easy enough for him to say, since he was a Caitian. He had hair in places Sasha
didn't want to know hair could exist, based on what the science file on the species said.
............
Her eyes are blue. Royal blue to be exact. She turns her head twice, thinking she sees something in her peripheral vision. But when she turns her head once
more, she is wrong. She sees merely the profile of a young man who seems to turn his head every time she looks away. Is this a game? She is too grumpy to be
in public. She doesn't work until tomorrow. She should find her quarters and sleep it off.
Once more she turns her head and stares this time. Her eyes glitter in the light and she keeps her gaze leveled at him. It's a game they used to play at the
academy when they were bored. For her it always made her feel powerful when leveled at at man and it worked. They called it her double barrel weapon. She
just called it being a woman.
She looks at him and does not glance away, resisting the urge to smile. Maybe she'll scare him a little. Looks like a young pup. She remembers those days, so
anxious to please anyone higher ranked than you are. Wanting to do nothing to possibly keep from getting promoted. Or maybe he'll surprise her.
................
He put the mug down, feeling her eyes on him. Knowing when you were being watched was something you learned if you wanted to keep a low profile. Most people
would look for a little while, and then look away. She didn't. That was interesting. It could mean she was curious, or she liked to play games. Maybe the
expression was a defense mechanism developed to scare those away, who weren't willing to brave the storm. He raised his hand and brushed it over his face,
then turned to face her, meeting her gaze, unblinking. She did have very striking blue eyes. From this distance, they evoked the cliché image of forest lakes
you wanted to dive into. They bordered on mesmerizing, so much it made it hard to look away, if he had felt a desire to. Social protocol was long out the
window and he wondered just how long he could look into those eyes. A growing sense of self-consciousness started to tug at the back of his mind, reminding
him that you shouldn't stare and that he was starting to make a fool of himself. Finally, he did blink, but he didn't look away.
..........
She is impressed, but doesn't show it on her face. She'd ignore him if he acted silly or looked away, but he doesn't. It's just enough to carry the game on
further. She is suddenly less bored, if not less sullen. The sullen look on her face was just there for too long. It would take more than a staring contest
to wipe that away. Almost on cue, when he blinks she picks up her coffee, still not tasted. She stands with it and walks over to his table, not asking. She
sits across from him. She says nothing, just sitting there. Nearby she hears some snickering from a couple of other young men and it just spurs her on. It
excites her to mess with people, especially when they have the balls to go with it. With the other men there, she's probably just going to end up making him
look good to his friends.
...............
He heard the snickering from the other table, but it didn't matter. There were two blue orbs that held him captivated. The nagging at the back of his mind
told him that he should say something, but all he could think of was to compliment her eyes and that would just seem lame, an attempt at gaining some kind of
special attention, no matter how honest it was. Maybe he should introduce himself, but at the moment, it felt like any attempt at all at speaking might spoil
the moment, and might make her look away. He traced a fingertip around the edge of his mug. Had it been a glass, there might have been a clear tone from it,
but the mug was quiet. He wondered what her motivation was for the staring contest, but it didn't matter. The game was on, and he was feeling like he was
getting the better end of the bargain, regardless of how it ended.
...........
Her eyes water slightly but this was too rich to stop now. Besides, she got up and sat at his table. It's put up or shut up. She picks up her cup and says
very cooly, "Come here often?"
She takes a sip from her cup looking at him over the rim.
............
He nodded slightly, keeping his eyes on her. He needed to blink soon, that much was certain. "Yes, usually once a day." The cold voice, it fit with the
mental image of cool lakes in her eyes. So much an ice queen, this one.
........
Mara had just taken a drink of her coffee when he matched her yet again, and she delivers a classic spittake, spewing a spray of creamy coffee all over him.
Her eyes get huger, opening wide as she stands up, shocked at the turn of events. The game never ended up this way before.
"I....
think I should introduce myself. Lt. Cox."
The mention of her name has never sent her into laughter, though others have been stupid about it, juvenile really at the academy when her name is said
aloud. But in the midst of the chaos she can't stop laughing, bringing a hand to her mouth so that she does not spit on him again, another hand on his
shoulder.
"Please...you win. Or at home as children we would say 'Uncle'." Her voice has a high English to it from her time at oxford and her early childhood. She is
no ice queen now, barely able to speak in full sentences without erupting in laughter.
..............
He hadn't expected to get sprayed with coffee, but wiped it away, shaking his head as he chuckled at her reaction. He stood up as well. "Leftenant Cox. It is
a pleasure. I am Ensign Rozman." He had a slight slavic accent, possibly Russian. He had stood a little straighter while he introduced himself, then relaxed
visibly again. "Are you going to be alright? I would offer you a glass of water, but I already showered today."
.......
"A pleasure to meet you Ensign," she says with her last shred of dignity. She'd be angry how that went down only it seems not too much harm is done other
than a loss of dignity, and it did break the ice. Doesn't occur to her that it's probably the first good laugh she's had in weeks.
"I just arrived. I don't supposed you'd be under me in ops?"
................
He shook his head slightly at the question. "No, I am with security. Also, I think they frown of that kind of activity in Ops. I mean, they barely accept my
coming here on a daily basis. I don't think it's something I would be comfortable with doing in Ops." That should be drawing the joke on just about far
enough. She did have a nice laugh, but it was still the eyes that drew him.
....................
She finishes dabbing her face with a napkin and starts to walk away, needing a shower and to bring her gear to her quarters. Then she turns her head, eyes
darting back to his and she waggles her index finger at him when she gets the joke.
"Oooh I am going to have to keep my eye on you. For certain. For now, I should go find my quarters. I have duty in 10 hours."
............
"If you need an escort, or someone to help you find your quarters, let me know. I've been here long enough to know most of the ins and outs of the station."
He realised that it was something that sounded so wrong, when he had meant it in the most innocent way. She was going to end up with the wrong idea about
him, but he wasn't sure if it was a bad one or not.
.........
She stares at him. She doesn't speak at first. Maybe she is sizing him up. Or maybe just to see if he is truly sharing the joke with her or laughing at her.
There is a pretty important difference there.
"I suppose that would not be objectionable. You can walk me there. But only for the sake of conversation. If an operations officer shows up without knowing
the specs of her starbase,she better head home."
She goes back to her table and fetches her bag and a small case.
"Let's go."
..............
"There is a world of difference between knowing the specifications and having memorized all the locations. Besides, company and conversation is a good
reason." He thought about adding the fact that the quarters were her home for now, and where she was heading, but it was probably not the right time. "I
would offer you my arm, but I see that you have two of your own, and it could send the wrong signal that I had somehow laid claim to you." Not that he
wouldn't mind claiming someone like her, but she did seem to be so far out of his league that, while he could make her laugh, he shouldn't hold too firmly to
any hopes of doing more.
...........
She smiles as they start their little walk. He's funny. Charming type of funny. Funny men know that they are and the effect it has on woman. He could be a
friend. Later, when she gets her legs here. The only harm done today is her lost of respect possibly. She is used to working by the book and never is seen
like that in public. Chalk it up to an extreme lack of fun, distance of parental units, despite her age, they are still part of the equation, and a punch
lack of sleep over the past 48 hours. But he doesn't seem too thrown off by her lack of decorum.
"That is a very good reason. Conversation and good company is part of a good life. I'd like to get a good start here, even if it is. Well, look around you."
She looks at him sideways to see if he is offended. It is well known this is not on anyone's dream sheet.
"I'll make the most of it, and use it, hopefully, to my advantage. I want to be on a ship."
She gives him a sidelong glance.
"I pity the person that tries to lay 'claim' on my person. They better be d**ned sure it is invited." She answers as she would answer anyone, not directing
it at him personally. A bit of vinegar in her temperment draws some sharp retorts at times.
...............
I wouldn't worry about that incident all over my face. While it was seen by some, it's so low key compared to what happens there on a regular basis." He made
a dismissive gesture. "This place... It's no fleet flagship, but what it lacks in high class, it makes up for with an abundance of dilapidation." He wasn't
offended at all. "If you get a transfer out of here, and there's an option to rescue someone with you, please remember who you sprayed coffee on, on your
first day."
He led her to the lift that would take them to the habitat ring. "I will remember that, and try not to lay anything on you without being invited first." He
smiled a crooked smile. "And certainly not at Ops."
...........
"Absolutely not. They are very serious in Ops. And I could not forget that face if I tried. Covered in coffee it was a look of pure shock and awe." She
chuckles then her face did take on a more serious look, now that they were in the corridor and away from a crowd.
"I heard about the loss of the captain here. It's a shame really that they were able to get to him. I never did trust changlings. The killer they say could
still be aboard. Or long gone without a trace. I'm not sure which is worse."
She arrives at her quarters and turns to face him.
"I get my orders tomorrow. . I just hope they install a new captain soon. That vacuum can be a very dangerous thing- we don't want to appear weak to our
enemies." She puts a palm up.
"I know you are not allowed to talk about it since security is locked up tight. But that's my two cents on my day off."
She holds out her hand to shake his. "A pleasure Ensign."
............
He shared in the chuckle but sobered as well as she changed the subject. "We are on the lookout for the changling. That's the official line, and it's close
enough to the truth that you will not be able to tell them apart." That was all he was going to say on that issue.
"The pleasure has been, to a large degree, mine, Leftenant Cox." He took her hand and gave it a firm shake. "Hopefully I will see you again, outside Ops."