Dinner Surprise

Posted on Mon Dec 30th, 2024 @ 6:07pm by Lieutenant Liam O'Riley & Ensign Stevie Thomas [O'Riley]
Edited on on Mon Dec 30th, 2024 @ 6:17pm

1,588 words; about a 8 minute read

Mission: A New Beginning
Location: Deck 12
Timeline: Current

Lieutenant O’Riley exited the lift thinking he’d like to try out the Valhalla Lounge. He could’ve had dinner in the officer’s mess but that felt like he was hiding away from his crew and he wanted to show he was no better than a lowly crewman.

Walking in Liam noticed the place was filling up quickly; looks like others had the same idea as himself. Looking over the menu choices he settled on a chicken dinner then grabbed a drink from the beverage replicator. Looking around he saw a table for two then went, sat and started enjoying his meal.

Looking around the lounge, Liam noticed a large mural painted on the interior back wall of the lounge. Being from Earth he quickly recognized it from Norse mythology. The painting depicted a scantily clad female, wearing armor about the head, shoulders and legs, sitting on the back of a dark horse who was armored as well. The horse was on his hind legs as she sat holding on with the reigns in her left hand, her knees pressed against the horse’s withers, and a double edged broad sword in her right held straight up in the air. Clearly she was searching for warriors who were worthy of such an honor as finding eternal peace and rest in the halls of Valhalla. The painting looked so lifelike Liam half expected the woman and horse to leap off the wall at any given moment.

A short tome later Ensign Stevie Thomas arrived at the lounge. Grabbing a dinner salad and beverage, she stood looking for a place to sit since the place was starting to get rather crowded. Over to the left Stevie noticed an auburn haired Lieutenant with a close well kept beard as she thought “Sure why not” then making her way over to the empty seat she smiled “Excuse me Lieutenant but would you mind terribly if we shared a table; this place is getting filled up fast.”

Being snapped back from his thoughts, Liam looked up seeing this lovely women with long wavy brown hair standing with a delightful smile while making the uniform look rather good “No, not at all please make yourself comfortable” as he gestured towards the empty seat.

Stevie sat placing her napkin on her lap “Thank you. By the way I’m Ensign Stevie Thomas the new computer systems specialist” she stated just before starting her meal.

“Nice to meet you Ensign Stevie Thomas, I’m Lieutenant Liam O’Riley….I work in engineering as well” he replied not ready to give his title away just yet “But since we’er both obviously off duty please call me Liam.”

“All right Liam then please call me Stevie” she replied with a grin.

“So you’re our new computer specialist; you must be very intelligent to be assigned to a ship of this size being a younger person” he commented.

“I’m fortunate enough to have a photographic memory with total recall which makes my job somewhat easier plus I’ve had a fascination with computers since I was quite young” then she paused “Speaking of young, you referred to me as a younger person…..how old do you think I am.”

Looking at this very attractive women “Hmm…..I’d say probably early thirties” he replied with a grin.

Stevie put down her fork “Ok…..you’re either being very sweet…..or you need to stop by sick bay and have your eyes checked” she answered with a smile rather liking this man’s style.

Giving a light chuckle “Hopefully the first….I can see quite well” he replied then continued “Being Irish I have been accused, on more than one occasion, of kissing the blarney stone.”

Stevie gave a puzzled look “A blarney stone?….what is that exactly; nothing bad I hope.”

Liam couldn’t help but laugh “Obviously you’re not from Earth. Being accused of kissing the blarney stone means the person is…..how should I put this…..playing with or redefining the truth; in your case your age” he explained.

“Actually I’m from Betazed” she replied “So do you kiss this blarney stone often or am I just the lucky one” as she grinned teasingly.

“So I have to ask….do you have issues with the picking up other people’s thoughts and feelings since you will be working in a fairly crowded area” Liam inquired “And to answer your question…..only when the occasion calls for it” then he paused thinking he could save himself a meeting tomorrow “Stevie, tell me a little bit about yourself; if you don’t mind.”

“No I don’t mind. My mother taught me how to block out other’s thoughts and feelings”she replied then continued “My first assignment, after the Academy, was aboard the USS Drake, Defiant Class for nine years which was a nice ship and a great crew, Then I was transferred to the USS Dakota, Sovereign Class for five years. Let’s just say it was the happiest day of my life when I received orders to come here” Stevie replied in earnest.

“Not such a great experience I gather by your expression” Liam noted.

“That’s an understatement!” as she lowered her voice “The Chief was a real a-hole, if you get my meaning. He cared more about his career than he did engineering or his crew. That’s why I was happy to get out of there” Stevie explained.

“Unfortunately there are officers like that in Star Fleet who should not be in that type of position in the first place” Liam commented “Hopefully you’ll find the Valkyrie nothing like that.”

“I sure hope you’re right; have you met the Chief….how does he come across to you” she inquired thinking he’d be honest with her.

“He doesn’t strike me as being that type of officer” Liam replied hoping she wouldn’t be upset when she found out who he really was.

As the two officers were finishing their meals “Stevie are you familiar with this computer system at all” he inquired wanting to know her level of experience.

“Not in a hands-on sort of way but basically all computers work alike, it’s just some are more advanced than others. I do have the technical specs uploaded to my padd already to help with the finer points of this newer system but like I said they all work about the same” Stevie explained confident in her experience.

“Sounds like you know what you’re doing…..me, they have me baffled most of the time” as he chuckled lightly “ Well, it’s been a long day so I think I’m going to retire to my quarters and get some rest.”

Stevie grinned “Ya, I know what you mean…..sounds like a good idea” as they both stood “Mind if I walk back with you so I don’t get lost on this new ship” she inquired knowing full well that wouldn’t happen due to her photographic memory.

“Actually I’d enjoy the company” Liam replied thinking he’d walk to her quarters first.

The two officers left the lounge and entered the nearest lift “Deck 4” Stevie called out. Moments later the doors swooshed open as the two exited. Walking down the corridor a ways Stevie stopped “Here we are” she stated with a smile “So Liam what room are you in.”

Liam just grinned “Actually my quarters are on deck 3” he replied finally letting the cat out of the bag.

“Wait…you’re on deck 3” then she paused looking at Liam “Those are Senior Officer’s quarters on that deck. Ok……so you’re” then she paused again “You’re the Chief of Engineering?”

With a big grin “Guilty as charged” he replied waiting for her reaction.

After a moment she made a fist and slugged him in the shoulder “You rat fink!!” Why didn’t you tell me this earlier during dinner instead of letting me go on about other Engineering Chiefs” Steve asked not sure if she liked the deception or should be pissed being played like that.

“Ouch! You always hit your new boss” he replied with a light chuckle; which really didn’t hurt but decided to play the card he was dealt “You didn’t ask what I did in engineering or I would have told you’ came the explanation.

“Point taken” Stevie replied with a grin “Sorry about hitting you Chief. So I guess I’ll see you tomorrow then.”

“Yes you will; I’m having the alpha shift start at zero eight hundred and that will be the shift that you’ll be working on” Liam commented.

“Ok, I can do that. I’m looking forward to getting my hands on that new computer” Stevie replied with a smile “Thanks for having dinner with me; it was nice to meet someone I’ll be working along side and not have to eat alone.”

“Anytime and yes it was nice to have someone to share dinner with” Liam replied with a smile then turned and left for his own quarters.

Walking into her quarters Stevie grabbed a water and sat on the couch thinking about dinner and her conversation with Liam when a thought went through her mind “There is something very refreshing about this guy.”


Lieutenant Liam O’Riley
Chief Engineering Officer
USS Valkyrie

Ensign Stevie Thomas [O’Riley]
Computer Systems Specialist
USS Valkyrie

 

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