#34 Logistics

Posted on Sun Sep 20th, 2020 @ 7:04pm by Lieutenant Damien Saunders

Mission: Star Base Mercury
Location: Operations Office
Timeline: Current

[ON:]

= The time is now 0900 Hours. = The computer replied to Damien's request for an alarm to notify him.

He had to be at the Chiefs office. He had requested a meeting through coms prior for 0900. He hadn't had a chance to check the Operations Officer's reply, yet he was sure she was swamped as well. He only hoped that she had agreed.

Arriving off the turbo lift, Damien made his way down the corridor. He checked his padd just to be sure. "Good, she replied." He smiled. Apparently, 0900 was perfect for Lieutenant Kahn. They would need to review the operations schedule to stagger the rotation of the Engineering staff. While this was her call, he had wanted some personal input.

Arriving at the Chiefs office, he tagged the door chime.

Kelliza looked up from her Security roster, having been arranging personnel to where they would be most effective. As Security Chief this was where she started her day, every day. Checking overnight roving patrol reports, first off, in case any need for minor maintenance had been detected. If so, she would let Engineering know. Having perused the personnel files she saw Lieutenant Saunders in her doorway, since she had locked her office door open so she could hear her Security personnel out in the brig area. "Come in, Mister Saunders." She stood up behind her desk in greeting.

"Lieutenant Kahn, a pleasure to meet you, Ma'am." He offered a pleasant greeting. He looked around for a moment, realizing he was indeed in the Security office, as well as matters of logistics were being handled here.

Saunders stepped into the room. He looked out the window into the brig outside of the Chief's office. "I speak to you Chief not of Security, but personnel."

He offered more rationale for his visit. "I will be away on Starbase Mercury, as you know, setting up the stations Core." He clasped his two hands together, as he was now seated. He never fully leaned back in a chair, as he didn't want to look too comfortable.

Liza sat back down, sitting up in her chair as she leaned forward on her forearms, giving a grin. "Personnel always need to be arranged and looked after. So far, all is smooth as Tholian silk." She had a roll of Tholian silk in her quarters, a gift from the Tholian ambassador who dealt with Romulans. "How can I assist you while you are on a house call?"

Saunders grinned. "Well, I just wanted to ensure that there would be good coverage of officers, looking over the Amandora while we finish up on Starbase Mercury." He looked over the padd that was offered on Lieutenant Kahn's desk.

"Looks good to me." He winked. He then sat the padd back at her desk. He relaxed. "Tholian Silk, well that sounds quite nice. How did you acquire... Such a luxury?" He was interested, cheekily. He looked at Kelliza with interest. She was very striking. He couldn't help. He fumbled the padd he was holding.

Kelliza could tell that Damien was somewhat enamored with her and chose to ignore it...for now. "In one of my previous hosts I was an envoy to the Romulan Star Empire, working closely with the Starfleet Diplomatic Corps. Our Ambassador to the Romulans had a good standing with the Tholians, working diligently to keep peace between the two powers. So, during the negotiations which were being accomplished via viewscreens, I volunteered to suit up and go over to the Tholian ship. To meet them face to face and put myself in danger to bring peace. The interior of their ships is kept at quite a high temperature or their crystalline bodies will crack and fracture as they cool. So, instead of the Tholians risking themselves in their own enviro suits I risked myself." She gave a grin. "Both the Romulans and Tholians are extremely stubborn in politics and diplomacy. After a week of diplomacy an accord was reached, so the Tholian Ambassador, R'ktak, presented me with Tholian silk as a gesture of appreciation. Silk he had produced from his own body."

After finishing her little tale Liza adjusted her tush in her chair and leaned back, still baring a friendly grin. She tilted her head slightly, the grin becoming a smile. "Okay, your turn. I shared, now you must."

Saunders enjoyed Kelliza's story. He chuckled. Damien clasped his hands together, thinking of any story he might share with her in return. He smiled and looked at Kelliza's blue eyes.

"Ok, here is a tale of an engineer and a frog." He winced. "It's a tale, my engineering mates, back in Academy days often lived and joked about."

“An engineer was crossing a road one day, when a frog called out to him and said, “If you kiss me, I’ll turn into a beautiful princess.” The engineer bent over, picked up the frog, and put it in his pocket. The frog spoke up again and said, “If you kiss me, I’ll turn back into a beautiful princess and stay with you for one week.”

“The engineer took the frog out of his pocket, smiled at it, and returned it to the pocket. The frog then cried out, “If you kiss me and turn me back into a princess, I’ll stay with you for one week and do anything you want.”

“Again, the engineer took the frog out, smiled at it, and put it back into his pocket. Finally, the frog asked, “What is the matter? I’ve told you I’m a beautiful princess and that I’ll stay with you for one week and do anything you want. Why won’t you kiss me?”

“The engineer said, “Look, I’m an engineer. I don’t have time for a girlfriend, but a talking frog – now that’s cool!” He laughed a bit nervously while catching Kelliza’s response.

Liza laughed out loud, sitting forward once more, and while doing so made a quick pointing gesture at her guest. "Good one. Hadn't heard that one, yet." She then raised her hands in a mock pose of surrender. "Fair enough." The hands dropped to the desk. "Doctor Bjorgo and I are going over to Mercury ourselves, to aid their wobbleheads in setting up their own departments. Personally, I would never let some outsider just step in and piss in my little pond. Starfleet must be way down on their recruiting quotas for the month if department heads are now trained half-ass." She giggled and smiled. "Sorry. I vent on occasion. Of course, I could use the excuse that it's that time of the month but, not being human, that wouldn't fly." Another mischievous smile.

Damien smiled. “I have not met Dr. Bjorgo yet. It sounds like you have your work cut out for you.” He crossed his arms and let his head to the side, turn cocky with a slight grin. “Engineering, on the other hand, we can whip those techies in a sinch.” He posited. “Just one simulation with a core breach, they’re listening to your every word!” In-kind Saunders feigned, holding his hands up like Kelliza.

“And you are exceptional. I’ve always been intrigued by Trill markings…” He bit his tongue. He turned a shade embarrassed.

"Oh, yeah," responded Liza, in a teasing tone. "Which part? The fact they exist, or the fact that they run the entire length of my body, on both sides, down to the heels?" She gave a teasing grin. "All the way down. Even along the sides of my breasts."

Saunder’s face then turned a beet red, as his nostrils had flared. In his seat, he nearly scooted his butt to the edge of it. He felt other things, powerful emotions urging.

“I…” He broke into a big grin. Nodding his head, his eyes glazing over, remaining in control of himself. “I have never seen that kind of anatomy of a Trill before.” He spoke. Gripping his fingers, his nails digging into them, not knowing what to do with them. He breathed inward in almost a gulp, “And you have a great personality!” He nodded.

Liza could tell she had been too forward, and had put the man on the spot. "My apologies, Lieutenant. After 700 years I am neither ashamed, nor afraid, to breach any subject." Her head tilted slightly and a grin formed. "If it helps, think of me as a man. I've been one several times."

He paused. Did she think he was into men? He had to clarify himself and fast. “Uh. No.” He paused. He smiled, “I would want to ask you for a date with me for dinner, as a Woman. As an intriguing, smart, and oh so enticing one at that.” He coughed. He sat up and tugged at his uniform. He wanted to exude confidence.

The 43-year-old El-Aurian held a secret that he never did tell anyone before; he was a forty-year-old Virgin. He had never met anyone as near Kelliza, anyone close that made him feel this way, out of his shell. In the right way.

“Begs the question, may I have your company for a dinner date with me, Kelliza?” He looked forward to confidence and calmness now in his eyes. He was holding much more behind, lust, intrigue, nervousness all in one.

Smiling the entire time he was speaking, Kahn came around to his side of her desk. "I have no choice in showing up as a woman," she giggled. "I meant, the mindset, for naughty talk, as a man. Most men are uneasy with women who are sexually aware." Another giggle. "As for dinner, sounds good. Just know I am not seeking a relationship. If it happens, it happens, no matter how much I may try and fight it."

“Of course." Saunders nodded. He grinned. He was not unaccustomed to women and their sexuality. He was, however, nervous around certain women, because he. Well. He nodded; he looked at her with a sincere smile. “I would like that. How about once we are all finished at Mercury Station, we can have a celebratory dinner?” He winked.

"Slow your roll, Cadillac." Said Liza with a big smile. "One dinner date at a time. Trying to corral all my time too early is a big turn-off, just so you know." She switched gears, going back around her desk, the smiles fading to an expression of fun and liveliness. "As for Mercury, I've been over there a few times with the Doctor, already. Wouldn't mind another go."

He paused for a moment. Maybe she had misunderstood him. He held up one hand, staying. "I think you got me wrong. I had meant one time if you're up for it. After this mission with Mercury. I will be busy with training the newbies in the core." He looked a bit embarrassed. He wasn't requesting two. He did think that would be a definite turn off, if not commanding. But he wasn't.

"Just one!" He crossed his arms and leaned back in his seat.

Liza flashed that smile again. "Ahh. Then I owe you an apology for misunderstanding. But, I'll reserve that for the dinner. Which means I'm not opposed to the date. I have a case of kali-fal in my quarters, and a few more cases in my personal stores so, I'll bring a bottle."

Saunders grunted. “Dang! I bet you got all the good stuff, don’t you, Lieutenant.” He then stood up to match and uptake her height seated in front of him. He crossed his arms, eyeing her slender body in that uniform. “Suffice it to say. I can hold my drinking. Somehow I bet you can too-“

He then got a call from Engineering over his communications badge.

=^= Clinton to Saunders, Engineering requires your… Expertise, Sir. =^= The Lieutenant had sounded like he was following him on the scanners.

He grunted, rolling his eye a bit as he slapped at his left-sided chest com badge. =^= I’ll be down. Hold the hatches, Clint! =^=

“My quarters. Whenever you wish, until then, Lieutenant Kahn.” He winked and cockily grinned. Damn. Fine.

As he headed for her office door Kahn got to her feet, following him as she escorted him from the Brig area to the corridor. "I may bring a bottle by just for a drink, some time. Thank you, Damien, it was good to meet you." Giving a seductive wink and smile Liza turned and went back into the Brig, the door closing between her inside, and Saunders in the corridor, which she had done on purpose as a sort of tease. The grin never left her face as she made her way back to her office, the rest of Security that were present smiling along with her. Kelliza Kahn was nothing if not friendly, but when it was needed she could crack the whip. So far the entire department liked her.

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