#56 Strengthening a Bond

Posted on Sat Dec 10th, 2022 @ 12:18pm by Lieutenant JG Jamie T. Kirk/AKA: "Jim" & Lieutenant JG Marcus Resch {Meji}

Mission: BUGS OH NO!!
Location: USS Amandora
Timeline: current

ON:

Resch was deep into the paperwork for the Commodore, all the minor things he could sign off on for her so she did not have to deal with them. There was a lot more to commanding a ship or facility than most crew ever realized. The amount of admin alone was staggering. So, as in the old navies on Earth, the yeoman position had remained as a means to alleviate a good portion of those things that really did not need to be signed off on by the CO, instead able to use a proxy. He had secluded himself in a small conference room just outside of the main shuttle bay, finishing his duties to the CO and closing down the CO's system and locking out unwanted interlopers.

Stepping out of the conference room and into the corridor Marcus was surprised by the sight of Kirk coming his way from the turbolift, thermomug in hand. "Good morning, Jim."

Kirk's eyes lit up with joy at seeing him, liking the man and his eccentric ways. "Mornin', Marcus. Busy with files again?"

"Every day," he tossed back with a chuckle, getting in step with a colleague and friend. Seeing Kirk casually sipping her coffee as they went Resch decided to be his normal self. "So, a photon walks into a hotel. The bellhop asks if he needs help with his bags. The photon replies; 'No thanks, I'm travelling light'."

Despite herself, Jim, mid-sip, began to laugh. This of course caused her to somewhat spew a bit of coffee which spattered onto the hand holding the mug and a little dribbled down her chin. Switching hands with the mug she shook off the excess droplets and swiped her chin with the back of her already damp hand. "That is so bad," she said, still chuckling as she recovered. Caught me off-guard."

"Ya think?" Asked Resch, smiling from ear to ear over having caught her unawares. "It's like they say, there are 10 kinds of people in this world. Those who understand binary, and those who don't." He let that hit her brain as he clammed up again.

More giggles came from Kirk just as she had adequately recovered from the last joke. "By the stars, can you stop," she asked, laughing as she finally got her hand and chin clear of offending fluids by taking a napkin from a replicator. "You are such a shit."

Marcus chuckled at that as he stopped to allow her time to clean up the excess fluid that had escaped her mug. They were in the main shuttle bay now, off in a replimat area for personnel to use on breaks. That was when he finally noticed the pips on her collar. "Well, I would say congratulations are in order."

"Congrats?" Kirk looked confused, not putting two and two together, but expecting another joke. "Congrats for what?"

"Your promotion, Lieutenant." He chinned towards her neck, his eyes glancing at the pips momentarily.

"Oh, right," said Kirk. "Came in a PM from the XO. Once we secure from delivering the Akira class, then there will be an appropriate ceremony for it all, as well as, time to mourn our lost. So, thank you, Marcus. I appreciate it."

"I never fail to acknowledge excellence, Jim." Resch took a chance and stepped in, first with a handshake and then gave her a hug. She responded, smoothly and casually, so that told him that it was okay to do so...this time. Stepping back he looked around at the main shuttle bay. "Looks like this section never even suffered damage."

"Not much, no," Kirk replied, now standing next to him with her face and hands clean. "We got lucky, despite our losses. Had the Romulan Republic not been here then we may not be, either. But, I don't believe in no-win scenarios. There is always a way, a chance, to turn the tables. This crew showed me they have what it takes and I am proud to serve with all of them."

Resch could not argue with how she perceived the world around her. He, too, had those same convictions. The Resch family had been in Starfleet since it was created, back when the Vulcans were still around and aiding Earth with their warp technology. "They definitely know how to respond to a crisis with pinpoint accuracy." Said Marcus, proud to be aboard. Par for the course he tapped his palm PADD a few times. "There, your duty assignments for the day, Chief Small Craft officer. I suggest you hop to it...Sir." He gave her a sideways look full of mirth as he teased her but also recognized her rank.

"Bugger off, Ensign," responded kirk, in kind. "You're in my way and I have work to do." Jim began to walk forward and away from him, spinning to walk backwards as she addressed him. "Lunch?"

"Just let me know when, I'll be there."

Kirk gave a nod and spun back around, continuing on her way.

Resch nodded several times to himself, liking this burgeoning friendship. Turning towards the exit he continued his day.

OFF: