Posted by Ensign Clinton Reed (Engineer) in Mess Hall

Posted by Ensign Issac Forgrave (Security Officer) in Mess Hall

Posted by Ensign Clinton Reed (Engineer) in Mess Hall
Posted by… suppressed (25) by the Post Ghost! 👻
<Snip>
Posted by… suppressed (1) by the Post Ghost! 👻

not a bad billet Stores thaught as he tried yet another iteration of coffee ala Forgraves. “ The problem with replicator recipes is most simply dont have enugh culinary drift” Stores had found him self indulging in his replicator hobby hoping to make a brew that would fool Issac. So far he had replicated and experimented with different beans, grinds, water mineral content and brew methods. “One must do more than enter a generic algorithm to approximate drift one must insure each ingredient exhibits variance”. Sniffing the replicated watch cup, with his eyes close. Then siping the coffee and holding it in his mouth like a wine taster. “ ah, that should do it” * just have to run it for a few weeks to make sure nothing sckunky comes up*
As Stores enjoys his work, his computer terminal chimes. “ ah, my Kentucky style moonshine samples…”

Clinton “Stores” Reed.

OOC: Thought that was an interesting hook; hope you don’t mind if I pick it up again. I’ve got it in my head that this might continue a few weeks later, in the mess hall one morning. It being a public area, others would be welcome to join in, of course.

IC:
Wandering into the mess hall that morning, Issac filled his plate and eyed up the open seats. Seeing a familiar face, he smiled and ambled over to join Stores.

“Morning, Stores. Ya doin’ alright lately?” Taking a seat, he set his plate and thermos down on the table, before pouring himself a mug of coffee.

“Now, rumor says you been working on getting something a bit better than the standard coffee out of the replicators lately. You had any luck, or should I brew some more for ya? Issac had a twinkle in his eye, contrasting slightly with the earnest, helpful expression he wore.

Ensign Issac Forgrave, Security

OOC,
not at all. I posted it as a bit of character background, if it becomes a hook it’s great.
IC,
Stores looking up, and a grin spreading across is face wile he lounges back in is chair. “I have in deed, my young freind! It’s under “Issac’s brew”. Might not be perfect but it should been the stock recipe and I would love your opinion.” Leaning forward to retrieve his seemingly ever present watch cup and taking it in both hands and positioning it under his nose wile Forgrave went to fetch himself a cup.
OCC,
I plan a few more exposays to help flesh him out and provide more hooks.

Clinton “Reed” Reed, Supercargo

OOC: Hope you don’t mind me barging in… ;) – Joana

IC:
The words reached her ears as Manning was walking back toward the doors. With a quick glance around she spotted the two officers in conversation, and slowly moved closer to their table. They were an unusual pair, to say the least. Of course, she had heard the whispers about the new Ensigns, but she had not yet had the chance to meet them. Command’s decisions were Command’s decisions, and she wasn’t used to question them.

“Why replicate coffee when you can have tea?” The voice carried a strong British accent that would make it obvious to most members of the crew who its owner was. “It’s much healthier, much tastier, and it really only needs water. I have a few spare cases of English Breakfast if you care to try…” The last sentence had a clear sarcastic undertone, but it was not immediately obvious whether the XO was joking or being serious.

Cmdr. Manning, XO

OOC,
Dear lady you are welcome, as is anyone else who cares to join in!

IC,
Stores looks up to see who the new arrival is, and recognizing the XO from her picture in the Dresden’s “bio” he cracked a big grin and pushes away fron the table to stand up. “Well hello Boss, good to make your acquaintance” sticking out his hand” Mr, Forgrave is from a place called Kentucky, and those folks are still holding a grudge over tea taxes” Stores face shifts from his shit eating grin to a wry smile and a wink. “ My self I am not predudice when it comes to my alkaloid stimulents”

Clinton “Stores” Reed, Supercargo

Amelia couldn’t help but smile as she shook the Ensign’s hand. It was nice to see him walking out and about given the circumstances in which he had gotten on board the Dresden. Manning knew the crew could be quite suspicious, but she was glad that the man didn’t seem to care.

Laughing, she turned to look at the other man, who had just been pointed out as ‘Mr. Forgrave’, before turning back. “Well, Mr…” Amelia’s words trailed off, clearly in search for a name or other form of address. “Earth was a much different place 600 years ago. What happened in the past, must stay in the past. But I’m always glad to know that there are other tea drinkers out there.”

“Reed. Clinton Reed but the fleet types on my last ship took to calling me Stores”
“Issac’s Brew.” As Forgrave spoke the request into the replicator, he wondered what to expect. ‘Stores’ had certainly seemed to know his way around a ship, and no reason to expect that wouldn’t lead into replicators too. Well, it Smells damn good… Issac wasn’t a connoisseur by any means, but he had spent the last 15 or so years brewing coffee the old-fashioned way. Replicated coffee wasn’t bad per say, but it was distinct - every cup of it tasted the same; and he thought it had a slightly… shallow flavor. Issac would say similar things about most replicated foods, but he’d admit having trouble differentiating some items.

Figuring it would be appropriate to taste-test it in front of it’s creator, he carried the steaming mug back to the table, arriving in time to see the XO was present, and to catch ‘Stores’ mentioning Kentucky.

“Mornin’ Ma’am.” Issac nodded politely in greeting; setting down his mug before extending his hand to the XO. “Uh, please feel free to join us if you’d care to. Though Stores is right - I might have to pass on that offer of tea; I fear my ancestors may haunt me if I accept any from ya. Way I heard it, there was a big to-do over the whole thing, threw a bunch in the ocean some… oh I reckon about six centuries ago.” Issac tried to maintain a straight face at this statement, but quickly gave in to let a large toothy smile cross his face, complete with a short laugh.

With a smile still in her lips, Manning nodded back in acknowledgment, eyeing the contents of the man’s mug. She assumed that was the famous new brew the pair had been discussing prior to her arrival. “I understand, Mr. Forgrave.” Amelia said with a hint of playful sarcasm. “No grudges held from my part, but my ancestors wouldn’t be happy if I didn’t at least try. Remind me to take some tea the next time I visit Kentucky.”

“And Kentucky, Stores? I am hurt by your baseless accusations, sir. I am from the good state of North Carolina, but I suppose it’s hard to expect a Boomer to be all that familiar with Terra’s geography. Lucky for you, this coffee you engineered smells too good to let that ruin my day.” Issac closed his eyes, taking an exaggerated sniff of the fresh mug. “Yep, I think you’ve earned some forgiveness.”

Issac took a sip of the dark, fragrant liquid. Immediately obvious was the fact that this was NOT standard replicator coffee. He took another sip. Damn, but this is good coffee… Matter of fact, if I hadn’t gotten it myself, I’d have put money down on this being fresh brewed. Damn!

Issac set the mug down, willing his face to stay neutral. He paused, and looked at the older man. “Well, Issac’s Brew may be a success. That’s damn fine coffee right there, make no mistake! I’d-a been hard pressed to… No, that ain’t quite right. I don’t think I could have guessed that came out of a replicator. Least, not with the one cup of it.” Issac leaned back in the seat, still with an impressed look on his face.

He nodded to himself, before looking around conspiratorially and leaning forwards again. “And maybe you already know this trick, but I’ll let you in on my secret, if you can call it that. Thing is, at least to me, all replicated coffee tastes the same; iffin’ ya order the same thing of course. Medium roast, black coffee’s my order. Every cup I’ve ever had out of a replicator tastes the same, and so I can tell immediately. If ya can throw some random variation in that program of yours, I bet you’d be real popular with the coffee-drinkers on the crew.”

Ensign Issac Forgrave, Security

“That my boy is called culinary drift” Stores Sid with a grin “ Most replicator recipes use a simple algorithm, if at all to acount for this. To do it right you have to acount for difrences in the ingredients, proportionately and individual cooking methods. It isnt perfect and one still has to keep the program to a reasonable size, but with some work it”s possible. “ stores leans forward conspiratorially “ and now that I have the basics, I can modify it to suit difrent tasts, say for Turkish coffee or expresso.” After a pause for dramatic effect, “ I have a slew of recipes I can upload, being that there isnt much else to do on cargo runs than tweet the replicators”

Clinton “Stores” Reed, Supercargo

“Interesting; I’ve only ever done basic work with replicators in the past. Mainly used it for raw materials; metals mostly. Easy enough to dial in specific alloys and what not - used it back on earth when I was working, doing antique repair; making odds and ends. With that sorta thing, don’t really want any variation!”

Issac turned to the XO “What are your thoughts, ma’am? You mentioned you had a large supply of tea; do you find the real stuff that much better than replicated?”

Ensign Issac Forgrave, Security

For the most part, Amelia had sat down and quietly listened to the conversation. That was probably what she missed the most when it came to her current job placement, and the one thing that kept making her coming back to Main Engineering whenever she had the chance.

“The real stuff is much better than the replicated one. That’s not even a question. I just restock my supply whenever I happen to hop back home. When I don’t have the chance, I’ll just have it shipped here.” Manning smiled.

“I assume you’re trying to improve the coffee recipes on the replicator? If you want my opinion, tailoring replicator recipes is a lot of work and it doesn’t really pay off… Personally, I’d rather not mess with it. Not to mention, it will taste the same every time, regardless of how good they may be. Sure it’s great when you just don’t have the time, but…” Amelia shook her head. “For one, randomness is not really random. A pattern is a pattern is a pattern. You can in theory add some randomness to your order by creating a list of slightly different patterns that the computer could cycle through whenever you ordered your coffee, effectively surprising you every time. But depending on how big of a list you have of those, your surprise is going to stop being one quite fast…” Manning paused for a moment to catch her breath. “But let’s say that, for the sake of argument, this would solve your randomness problem. Whatever pattern you’re storing is highly compressed, effectively storing one molecule of a particular element and repeating it several times to fill whatever foodstuff you ordered, which will always lead to single-bit inaccuracies on the final product.”

Manning shrugged, looking at Stores. “I would say your best shot is to actually brew the coffee you want and upload it through the transporter buffer, since it is finer grained than the replicators, if you will, but… same storage compression issues. And the replicator will still assemble it at a molecular level rather than at an atomic one. Not to mention, you’d have to convince the Transporter Chief to work with you.” She shot the man a smile. “That may be the most difficult part. But… if you do find a good alternative, let me know. Maybe I’ll ask you tweak the ship’s tea recipe next!”

Cmdr. Manning, XO

“For the most part you’re right m’am but as we are acual dealing with several chemical molecules and they can very in individual concentration one can write in some algorithms for variation. As to the transporter buffer, its easy enugh to go in to the logs and see the coffee crew members have brought on board and replicat it and then go on to brew it on the Holodeck. I could even do so with your tea if you want. You will miss out on the ritual of letting the tea leaves steep but when things are going pear shaped and you need a quick cuppa it would help.’’ Leaning back, Stores srugged “ as for more complicated dishes I have them on good old data rods so as not to gumm up the replicators with huge files” looking around and leaning in conperitoraly” I know it is a compleat wast of time, but a man has to have hobbies”

Amelia smiled. “Oh, I never said it was a complete waste of time.” There was a soft glimmer in her eyes. Almost as if this was a kind of conversation she didn’t have for a long time. “I just prefer to have other kind of hobbies, but… who am I to stop you from trying to perfect the food served by the replicators?” Her joy was genuine. Not to mention, if something went wrong, she was not the Dresden’s Chief Engineer. All she had to do was sign at the bottom of the occurrence report. She didn’t actually have to write it.

Taking a sip of coffee, Stores shrugs yea I have met your transporter Cheif. He is competent but not at all impresive “As to our transporter Cheif, I’ll mind my manners and keep my opinions to myself”

Clinton “Stores” Reed, Supercargo

“Now, now, Mr. Stores. What did Lieutenant Rendon do to you?” Manning said with a chuckle. The question was more rhetorical than anything else. From everything she had heard and seen, the young man was professional and good at his job. The only things of note she had picked up here and there were due to inexperience on his part, but nothing time wouldn’t fix.

“He isn’t a bad guy, M’am’ stores shook his head knowing that he said out loud what he was thinking, again” It’s just he is inexperienced and there for buy the book when a problem arises. Thre is just so much of what we do on a ship that gets passed down from the old hands and never makes it into unclassified manuals. Even fleet engineers and dry dock engineers go about things differently , m’am. So we clash a bit over what his book tells him and what my experiance tells me.
“Well, for what it’s worth, in my head even just a little variation on the replicator may go a long ways. Say even just three variations on a basic coffee or tea uh, whatever output. Just enough to keep ya guessin’ as far as what exactly yer gonna get. At least for myself, my complaint generally ain’t that the replicated coffee’s bad or nothing, it’s just that every cup’s identical. I suppose that’s a tough line to walk for some; you wanna know what you’re gettin’ into with your order, but with just enough variation to uh, avoid monotony.” Issac paused, thinking about the hypothetical problem.

“Not that I’m proposing that as a firm solution or nothing; I expect there’s teams of scientists and whatnot somewhere researching food, replicators, and morale; and all their various and sundry relations. As for myself, truth be told I usually ask the replicator for coffee grounds in the mornin’. I’ll brew it myself of course, but frankly I don’t typically have the time for roasting and grinding. The little differences in the brewing, and I think the bit of extra complexity that come out of it, somehow taste better than coffee straight outta the replicator.” Issac shrugged at this last statement.

“One way or another though, you’ve earned my vote if ya want to take on the role of Chef, Stores!” Issac laughed. “I’ll certainly admit to being curious in regard to those other recipes you mentioned.”

Ensign Issac Forgrave, Security

‘‘Any time, I will hook you up with a list’’ Stores leans back with a smile’’I have files for all sorts of bits and baubles as well’’

Clinton ‘Stores’ Reed, Supercargo

“I think I may take ya up on that offer, Stores. Just uh, maybe make sure you don’t send me anything that I’d have to look at in a… official capacity. Issac glanced over at Commander Manning. “I can’t speak for the XO of course, but I think we’d all like to avoid that.”

Amelia smiled and nodded in acknowledgement. To be fair, she didn’t mind at all to look at something more in depth. She missed it actually. But she also had a lot of things in her plate that would require most of her time to juggle without needing to add anything more.

He grinned at Stores. “I only know enough about replicators to do some basic stuff with them; I’ll admit to bein’ curious about what can be done by someone skilled at programming them.”

Ensign Issac Forgrave, Security

“Well now I think you’r setting at the right table” Stores chuckles. “ The skuttlebutt would have it that the X was an engineare before putting on the Red and as for me, I misspent my youth learning to hack replicators and half the other systems on a ship” leaning in as to conspire with his companions. “ truth is the latest models, such as we have on Dresden are capabable of replicating nearly anything. They are only limited buy energy, computing power and security protocols. Looking meaningfully at the XO.” I know that’s oversimplified, their are some materials that are very difficult to replicate but to save on energy and buffer space we bring on replicator goop. But to support my case let me point out that the replicator in your room and the replicator in the sickbay share almost all the same parts, and the one in sickbay can make transplantable organs and tissues. For the most part you young guys wont have artificil parts like I do. Secondly I can list a hand full of things that they have been used for that they are not supposed to be used for, weapons, poisons , manufacturing and transporting survalence devices and even transporting peaple.” Looking around furtively “ We don’t even have plumbing in most staterooms or washing machines anymore, as replicators recycle materials back to goop.”

Clinton “Stores” Reed, Supercargo.

“That’s pretty much it, yes.” Amelia said with a nod. “Now… not all limitations have to do with security protocols. I don’t think I would be able to replicate a poison even if I wanted, mostly because of the biofilters in the replicator itself. Others have to do with how perfect you want something to be… the industrial replicators in our cargo bays are not as high resolution as the ones used here, as generally speaking, general hardware doesn’t need to be as ‘perfect’ as food, if you will, and that way they can be more energy efficient.”

Amelia paused before continuing. It had been a long time since she had an actual Engineering conversation. “I will have to argue, though, that the difference between the replicators in sickbay and the replicators in our personal quarters, or even here, is a little more than just some programing or security codes. Genetronic replicators are DNA-based, which is what allows them to replicate fully functional organs. You could never get that on a general replicator. And well… while yes… transport has been done using replicators… it is very dangerous and definitely non-advisable. Transporters work at the atomic level rather than the molecular level, hence my suggestion as a possible way to improve food replication. More importantly than that though, replicators don’t have Heisenberg compensators, and you absolutely need those when transporting people, or no one can predict where your particles will be placed. And we certainly don’t want that.” Manning smiled softly. Turning to Forgrave she added in an apologetic tone. “I’m sorry if I am being a bore. I used to be an Engineer in a past life. So I can get carried away.”

“Oh no; this is facinatin’ ta me!” Issac reassured the XO. “Positrons and quantum mechanics ain’t my forte, but I spent many hours ‘fore I joined up tweaking on a replicator, trying to get more complicated metallurgy out of it fer the shop. I never really got anywheres with it; ended up paying a gal to come out and get a custom library set up for it. So it’s neat hearing all the little intricacies that go inta that little thing.”

“well yes and no X,’ Stores said with a twinkle in his eyes, obviously enjoying the company and conversation‘‘Since the Khitomer Acords thats not exactly true, as passable gagh, at least blood worms can be replicated with standard replicators, its just not easy’’ pausing for dramatic effect,’’ standard replicators can be set for quantum state resolutions, but we generaly modify them to make them more effecently at it when we have Kilingons aboard.” Rolling his eyes, “security protocols, bio filters, nutritional sub routines etcetera all add up to complicate the problems not to mention the limitations of the processors installed, but their are a few workarounds and backdoors we can exploit.“

“I personally have never dealt with Klingon’s replicated food preferences.” Amelia chuckled. “But I’ll have to argue that it is all in the complexity of whatever you’re trying to replicate, Mr. Stores. A fully functional organ is much more complex than a blood worm, and it does have to be accepted by the recipient’s body. Gagh only has to be accepted by the tastebuds of our fellow Klingons. Although I do understand that if it doesn’t that may become a security issue for the ship.” She smiled.

“Now, Mr. Stores… you mentioned growing up hacking replicators and other starship systems…” Her expression was a little more serious. “Is there something I should be aware of? I wouldn’t want to see you stripped of your access codes before you can improve the quality of my tea.” The smirk on her lips was playful, but even though the sarcasm in her voice was apparent, it would tell the two officers at the table that she was only half joking.

Cmdr. Manning, XO

“I assure you, M’am that thats mostly in my past” Stores winks at Issac,” Now a days I reserve such shenanigans for emergencies!” ** surly I didn’t trip any alarms re equipping myself after my stay with station security?!** “ I must say, tho my mis spent youth has saved my ass more than once”

Clinton “Stores”Reed, Supercargo

OOC, I am having an isue with thoughts, () is geting me italics and “*” is geting me bold type. The trip up about the transporter cheif is perfectly in character wile the bold type wile talking to the XO would be a problem for Stores if he said it out loud. So what is correct?

OOC: I think you’ve got it exactly right, Charles. When used to bracket text, Double asterisk for bold like so and single asterisk for italics like so. I think the general rule is italics for thought, bold for emphasis. Admittedly, I use italics for emphasis as well (when I probably should use bold as a distinction), but I’ve been trying to get better about clarifying that my character is thinking the statement as well, to try and avoid confusion. As far as how your OOC note appears; while it’s confusing to read in it’s final form, I can see your text as you entered it when replying to a post. I hope that makes sense!

OCC, its a bit confusing as I thought the players handbook said to use (**)

OOC: I don’t think it is customary to use bold… at least I don’t think I’ve ever seen it used. Usually if I need to emphasize something I either use italics or all caps. For example I may write “NE Smith was really hungry.” or I may write “NE Smith was REALLY hungry.” The player’s handbook has not been updated to account for the new site (we changed websites mid-2018) and at the time all these formatting options did not exist. The way I see it, if you stick to single asterisks for italics (whether you mean to emphasize a single word or sentence, or are describing a thought), you should be fine. :) – Joana

IC:
“Well, so long as we all have at least similar definitions of the word Emergency…” Issac trailed off, wearing a grin. Hmmm, I do like Stores here; and I don’t have the feeling that he’s got a malicious streak in him. Least, not towards a ship he’s on. But this talk of what you can do with replicators has me thinking.... I think someone smart and talented could get up to a lot of trouble without much notice if they wanted to.

“I’d hate to think of the trouble you could get yourself into if you were feeling nostalgic! But I wasn’t passed on any dire warnings with your postin’ here, so I don’t think we need to place ya under observation yet.” Issac grinned broadly “And besides, good coffee will certainly buy yourself some goodwill!”

Ensign Issac Forgrave, Security

“ No fear there, Mr. Forgrave” Stores shaking his head.” The Dresden is my home now and her crew is family. If it it saves the ship or her crew there ain’t a rule I wont break, but I wont endanger any of you otherwise.” Shaking the grim look off his face and turning to the XO, “ So I guess that makes you the Matriarch, there X.” Letting the twinkle in his eyes spread to a shit eating grin.

Clinton “Stores” Reed, Supercargo.

“I like the way you think, Mr. Stores, but I do have to agree with Mr. Forgrave here. Let’s hope that you and I have the same definition of emergency.” The smirk was back. It was somewhat of a trademark with the Dresden’s XO. “And I believe that if you were to get in trouble, me and Mr. Forgave, or even Lt. Ashur for that matter, would not be the worse things you would have to worry about.” The smirk turned into a grin. “You do not have to fear the… matriarch… at the table, as you put it. But you should fear the Marine officer in Command.” She paused for a moment. “Although… I am fairly certain the right kind of booze might ease him back to your side.”

Cmdr. Manning, XO

“I’m under no illusion that everything will be roses, M’am. I’m older than most who rank me and I am pretty set in my ways, but I will do my damndest to keep on the Boss’s and your good side.” Chuckling” Now I am serious about y’all being family,if you need anything that I can get done let me know, and I’ll try to keep it regulation” said with a wink and gin.

The smirk was back on Amelia’s lips. “Well, Mr. Stores. Where’s the fun in keeping everything regulation?” She added a playful wink. “Although, it goes without saying, that you never heard me say that.”

“Didn’t say I would nesisaraly try hard, M’am” accompanied with a grin and a wink “ and Its just “Stores” m’am, it’s more of a job title than a name. Seems the old Terran navy called cargo bays on warships ships Stores. My old XO put me in charge of cargo handling and the cheif engineer started calling me Stores. Just kind of stuck. Honestly after loosing my ship and clan, Clinton Reed just wanted to hide.”

“I honestly need a favor. myself. It’s been a minuet since I was on a warship so I need to get back in shape.” Looking from one to the other. Either of you play velocity? Or perhaps think the security cheif would let me join in with security’s pre shift PT, If I ask real nice that is…”

Clinton “Stores”. Reed, Supercargo

“Well, I ain’t bad at Velocity, though I’m no champion. Be glad to play ya sometime!” Issac leaned back in his chair, narrowing his eyes at Stores in contemplation. “Got another idea, though. Been meanin’ to go for a good run lately, and I don’t yet know this ship as well as I’d like; particularly the lower decks. How’d ya feel about taking me on a running tour of the ship? Figure a… enterprisin’ man like yourself has like found all sorts a back passages and alternate routes around that area.”

Ensign Issac Forgrave, Security

“ That would be more of an obstacle coarse than a run, but I am game. Just don’t call medical if I flame out on you.” Chuckling” Now, velocity will help get my skills with a hand phaser back to somthing less than embarrassing.” Looking to the XO with a raised eyebrow “ How about you, M’am, it isn’t fraternizing if we call it training “ and again his Stores face lights up with his big ass grin.

Clinton “Stores” Reed, Supercargo

Manning laughed. “Well… Velocity is not really my thing, although I won’t mind joining in if invited. I’d have to warn you though, I may not be the best opponent if you’re looking to improve your phaser skills… I’m sure Lieutenant Ashur won’t mind you joining if you ask. He doesn’t usually bite, as Ensign Forgrave here might be able to corroborate.” She smiled.

Issac chuckled at the XO’s comment; “Well, ain’t been bit yet. Aim to keep it that way too!”

“I could offer to take you on a guided tour of the hidden nooks and crannies of the lower decks, Mr. Forgrave, if you asked nicely.” Amelia’s trademark smirk made it back to her lips once more. “But I assume you’d like to find them out by yourself?” She paused for a moment. “Now, if you’re looking for a running buddy, I know Captain Holloway likes to run. I also happen to know that she is not very pleased with her current training setup… Her private life doesn’t concern me, but I’ve heard her complain on multiple occasions… something to do with the holodeck.” Manning shrugged. “I wouldn’t be surprised if she was looking for a running buddy. She’s been in charge of security drills in the past, so she may actually give you a course worth running.”

Cmdr. Manning, XO

“I suppose I like the idea of knowing alternate routes ‘round the ship; case of emergency or somethin’. Figure I may as well make a bit of a game out of it. I might have to look for …Holloway, you said? Don’t believe I’ve met her as of yet.” Granted, though Issac had been trying to make of point of introducing himself to much of the Dresden’s crew, there were many he had yet to meet.

Amelia nodded. “Well… if you haven’t met her yet, you’re in for a treat.” Whether or not there was sarcasm in Manning’s voice, it was not completely apparent. “She’s not the easiest person to find, although you can’t miss her if you happen to stumble into her. Flaming ginger, and the only member of the crew in spook’s black… Kind of a fragile porcelain look to her, but don’t let yourself be fooled. They call them spooks for a reason.” For someone with such an obvious British upbringing, the usage of the North American term for a spy would feel out of place. “She certainly spooks me, that’s for sure…” Amelia muttered. “Just keep away from the War Room. I’ve already got in trouble for that one, I wouldn’t want that to happen again.”

“ Well, I am used to keeping myself below decks with the enlisted, but as some fool made me an officer I might just have to hit up the Captain and Lieutenant myself then” shaking his head and looking at the table “ All to often I find myself in the middle of it, and at my age one can’t slack off.” Pausing as if he had forgotten somthing” Thats not to say the invitation isn’t still open X “ his demeanor visibly brighter as he regained his train of thought. “I’m far from any kind of champion as Issac says, but I can’t live the life of a lazy ass longshoreman anymore either”

“I don’t blame you, Mr. Stores. Life is much more fun, the further away from the Bridge you are.” Amelia smiled.

“Now as to the Boss, hooch I can come up with, just let me know the species of rotgut he is into.”shaking his finger at the air.

“Ah, well…” Manning had lost count of how many evenings she and Harris had spent drinking while talking about current events on the ship. “Colonel Harris is mostly fond of the North American knock-off version of Whiskey, or Bourbon, as you guys call it. I have been trying to educate him in the matters of good quality liquor but I have been quite unsuccessful, I must say. If he drinks that, I am assuming he pretty much will drink anything.”

Turning again to the XO with a serious expression “X, speaking of self medication and as we seem short a Cheif Counselor, who do I talk to about mental health? Not that I have a driving need at the moment, but any of the junior counselors any good?”

Clinton “Stores” Reed, Supercargo

At the mention of the absent position, Issac’s curiosity was peaked. He had noted the unusual vacancy; especially peculiar due to the Dresden being a warship - one might think Star-fleet would prioritize the placement of a Counselor here.

Ensign Issac Forgrave, Security

The smile disappeared from Amelia’s expression as she sighed softly. “We have been having some trouble keeping counselors around.” She paused for a brief moment. “Maybe we just have an extra layer of lunacy that they are not willing to deal with.” Manning chuckled. “Me and Colonel Harris have been looking into it closely, and we hope to have someone to serve in that capacity sooner rather than later. In the meantime, I would suggest you talk to Dr. Janvier, our Chief Medical Officer. I suppose you have already met her. Especially if you need some sort of medication support, I am sure that she will be able to inform you on what options are currently available.”

Cmdr. Manning, XO

With a qurkie smile, Stores “I have a few aftermarket parts I am sure I will spend more time with that Jewl than either of us cares for. Sweet lady but she strikes me as a velvet glove over a mailed Fist , that one. She is a keeper, X . Young but a hell of a doctor from what I see.”
As to the counselor, I imagine most of what we need is just peaple we can pull up a chair and have a drink with, scotch or tea as the moment dictates. I dont know about you two but I have missed enugh opportunities not to stop and sit with a friend these days.”

Clinton “Stores” Reed

“I’ve certainly met less… sociable doctors, that’s for sure. And the dog’s a bonus! I’d sure like to keep my visits to sickbay on a voluntary basis; but I suppose I’ll have to wait and see on that one.”

Issac nodded at Store’s comment. “I guess we’re all social critters, whether or not we want to admit to it. And maybe related, I think I might’a heard some rumors of a… occasional card game run by a certain XO on this ship…” Issac raised his eyebrows speculatively at Manning. “Not that I’m much of a player, but might be a good opportunity ta sit with friends like you was saying, Stores.”

Ensign Issac Forgrave, Security
“ If loosing a few stripes of Latium keeps me on said XO’s good side” Stores care all grin was back as he leaned back in his chair, “ I’m your huckleberry.”

Clinton “Stores” Reed, Supercargo.

Finally done checking in with everyone James decided that now was a good a time as any to eat. He made his way to the mess hall before pausing when he stepped inside. Sitting at a nearby table chatting with a security ensign and an engineer was a woman with the three gold pips of a Commander. Don’t worry about it.

He knew from past experience that acting shifty was the best way to make command suspicious, so with that thought in mind he stepped over to the replicator and queued up the ship’s standard ration of the day in bar form. No need asking for something fancy or having a meal that would keep him in the mess for too long. Eat, show my face, be relaxed, and then I can leave. Easy as one two three.

He heard a faint ding announcing that his order was done, and the engineer retrieved it before pulling up a seat two tables over from the group. Close enough not to be anti-social, far away enough to make casual conversation just a bit hard. Need the feel of how command looks on my folder before I do anything.

James Mason, Engineering