Officers' Mess

Posted on Fri Apr 12th, 2024 @ 8:24am by Lieutenant Commander Gwendolyn Griffith

Mission: Double Dealing
Location: Officer's Lounge

Colin had made it to the officers lounge and looked around. He saw Gwen walking in behind him. He swallowed hard and walked over to her. "Hey Doc," said Colin, "what ya looking to eat?"

"Hello," she said, amiably. "In the mood for something spicy. Thought I'd see how these replicators handle hasperat. Yourself?" she gestured towards the replicators.

"I was thinking the same thing," said Colin as they walked over to the replicators.

"So Doc," he said, "what made you want to get into medicine?"

"Dylan, Flynn, and Morgan," Gwen said with a sigh, entering her order into the replicator. "My three brothers. Their favorite hobby was going to the pub and starting a brawl. And when they came home to celebrate, Mum and I were there to bandage them up. Of course, she'd also add to the bruises with a wooden spoon and a few harsh words." She gave a wry smile, taking her tray and turning towards a table.

"Sounds like how my cousins used to act when we were all in the Academy." said Colin, "Might have been our Irish and Welsh ancestors that inspired us to fight the good fight."

"Don't discount the Scots either," she said. "And I'd hardly call it a good fight. Anyway, one day when I was home visiting from the Academy, we were all out on a day off, and they decided to pick a fight with a couple of tourists. Unfortunately, their tourists of choice were a pair of Klingons." She sat down and crossed her legs, draping her napkin in her lap. "And those lovely teenage idiots, while admittedly getting a few good shots in, ultimately had their arses handed to them."

She took a bite and chewed thoughtfully. "So, when I was able to get to them, I had to take charge and make sure they didn't die. I used my extensive knowledge obtained from medical drama holoplays I'd seen, and got them laid out on the floor. I grabbed a torch and checked their pupils for responsiveness. Dylan had a mild concussion, so I had someone keep him awake and focused while I made splints for the broken bones I could see, and kept them all from going into shock. By the time a medical team arrived, I had them fairly well patched. I found I got a lot of satisfaction from doing so. I put in for the medical track at the Academy the next week."

She took a sip of ale and gestured to him with her mug. "How about you? What set you on your path?"

"Well I started out wanting to be the next Montgomery Scott," said Colin. "That was until I was at the Academy and in a lecture given by Lieutenant Reginald Barclay. Operations seemed like a great department to get into. While at the Academy I met our esteemed Captain Sterling. She was a third year cadet when I entered the Academy. Mind you, I was no Wesley Crusher or Jean Luc Picard when it came to the ladies. I just stuck to my studies and once I was assigned to my first duty station, the USS Maverick as the helmsman, I knew I wanted to be in Operations. I served on the Maverick under Captain Declan Chambers and wound up getting the assignment on the Calypso."

"A very succinct biography," Gwen said in a perfunctory tone. "Leaves a bit of sizzle off your steak, though. What about operations attracted you?"

"Yes, you can say that," said Colin as he took a sip of his drink. "I like Operations 'cause it is a mix of Engineering and Tactical for me. I studied the greats who were in this field as well, like Admiral Sulu and others who had paved the way for us. Now Gwen, I don't see a wedding ring or even an engagement ring on your finger, Tell me what kind of guy are you looking for?"

"I'm not, really," she said with a shrug. "I'm not even thirty; I don't know if I'm ready to settle down yet. I'm enjoying my life as it is and taking what comes. That's not to say if I found someone with whom I felt a connection I'd ignore it, but where I am now, I'm happy." She made a point of looking at his hand. "And you?"

"I was, at one point, dating our captain," said Colin. "Then, career got in the way, but she is with someone now. So I might just get into my department and try to achieve greatness. That is unless a cute CMO wants a guy like me as her boyfriend for now." Colin looked into Gwen's eyes for an answer.

Gwen stared stone-faced, an eyebrow arched in a mixture of curiosity and surprise. "Let's break that down," she said slowly, putting down her drink and sitting back in her chair. "You used to be involved with the Captain. Of this ship. How long ago was that?"

"It was years ago," said Colin, "back when I had just gotten out of the academy. It only lasted like six weeks." Colin took a sip of his drink and looked at Gwen.

Gwen felt her shoulders relax a bit and nodded. "Okay. I just wondered if it was a more recent change."

"Look, Gwen," he said, "I have three or four years of my career missing in my head somehow. Once I was captured by the Orions, I don't know what happened." Colin started to get a bit annoyed with the small talk.

"I'm sorry if I offended you," she said sincerely. "That was never my intention. But, to address what you said before, I think you're very kind, but you're trying too hard. I'm not looking for something serious right now, and I don't want you to feel led on. You deserve better than that. But, if you're willing to get to know me a bit more, I'm willing to do the same."

"That's all I was hoping for," said Colin, "I just would like a chance with you. Get to know you and let you get to know me. I also love holodeck and holosuite programs that can be seen as classic recreations of cinema. What do you like on the holodeck?" Colin finished his drink and looked at Gwen.

"Most anything, I'll try once," Gwen said. "I love a good rock climbing program, swimming, anything to get my heart rate up. On my last posting, a friend of mine and I shared a program of the Battle of Hastings which was rather exciting." She finished her ale. "That isn't to say I don't appreciate something quiet like playing pool or touring another planet's beach or some such. I try to be versatile, and I enjoy new experiences."

"So would you like to hit the holodeck soon?" he asked, Colin finished his drink and his food. He stood up and looked at Gwen. "So would we count that as date number two?"

Gwen collected their dishes and mugs and brought them over to the recycler, atomizing them and turned back to Colin, regarding him thoughtfully. She folded her arms and walked up to him. "I'm not sure what program we should do," she said, finally. "But when I find one, I'll let you know." She gave him a smile. "Until then, thank you for lunch."

"You are quite welcome," said Colin. He started to leave the mess when his com badge chirped. He looked at Gwen and smiled.

"I got to go for now Doc," he said, "or may I call you Gwen now?"

"Doctor in Sickbay, Gwen anywhere else," she said, inclining her head. "I'll see you later, Colin."


Lieutenant Colin Barth
Chief of Operations
USS Leto

Lt. Commander Gwen Griffith
Chief Medical Officer
USS Leto