After leaving Sid’s office, Shirazi did as she’d said she would. She sought out the XO. He was sitting on the bridge in the big chair. She recognized Kolar from her last time on the Olinski. He’d been promoted since then. Walking up to where he sat, Thone paused and cleared her throat for his attention. “Excuse me, Sir, the Captain suggested I report to you. Shirazi Thorne, new CMO to the ship.”

Would he remember her?

—Thorne, CMO

“Comman…” Balfor paused, the instinct to call her by her former rank was strong. Failing that it seemed inappropriate to call her by the diminished current rank as it did not reflect the respect he held for her. Choosing an odd middle ground. “Shirazi,” He held his arms out. “I’d welcome a hug, if you don’t find it inappropriate.”

Kolar

His welcome brought a smile to her face as she slipped into the embrace. “It’s really good to see you!” She said, squeezing him happily. When they parted, she took a moment to take him in, her eyes traveling over every inch of him. “Well, command suits you! How long have you been sitting in the big chair?” He looked a little older, but not much. As he’d always had an air of confidence about him, Shirazi didn’t notice a big difference there except that the confidence seemed more relaxed now.

Kolar smiled from the corners of his mouth to the corners of his eyes. “I don’t think where I sit is classically called the Big Chair, I would say the more accurate term is the chair next to the Big Chair.” He chuckled a little.

She looked from his uniform to hers and back again. The last time they’d seen each other, he’d been science and she’d been command. Now they wore each others colors as they’d traded professions—now SHE was medical and HE was command. Life was a funny old thing.

—Thorne, CMO

“It was a matter of necessity, you created a void that needed to be filled.” He paused, “Actually your replacement was quite competent and friendly. But back to back losses of an executive officer was bad. I don’t feel the ship could have sustained three in such a short period of time. So,” He looked at himself. “I decided the best person for the position was me. The Captain agreed.”

“Lets talk about you… I see you’ve returned… I’m sure there is a lot there to unpack.”

Kolar

Not wanting to ‘unpack’ her personal business on the bridge, Shirazi continued to smile but had a better ideal. “I’d love to sit and catch up with you, but not here. Are you free for dinner? I’m still checking in and setting things up, so I can meet you at any time.” She hoped he would take her up on the offer. Coming back to the Olinski was difficult and to immediately have a friend that was willing to spend some time with her would make the transition easier.

—Thorne, CMO

“Well you know how busy my social calendar is.” Which if she remembered was devoid of activities, “but I’ll cancel a few things and move another around.” He smiled softly. “1700 hours?” Kolar was the only person who though 5pm was a good time for a social dinner. It might explain why he was socially inept despite is calm, tolerant and friendly nature.

Kolar

Shirazi raised a white eyebrow. “1700? That might still feel like business hours. Why don’t we say 1900 and no uniforms allowed?” She knew Kolar needed a little nudge here and there in social situations, but that didn’t bother her a bit. She actually found his lack of knowledge about it quite endearing. “I’ll meet you in the lounge then and ply you with liquor and good food to loosen your tongue about what’s been happening on the Olinski while I’ve been gone.” Aware they were starting to get curious looks from the bridge crew, she nodded once and headed for the exit. “See you tonight.”

—Thorne, CMO

Kolar wasn’t a fashion icon. His non-uniform choices were pretty limited to prayer robes of various of thickness and colors. The robes themselves were pretty fancy and probably were appropriate for many settings but after a while it would get repetitive. But as he had mentioned he was not a social butterfly so the number of people who saw him out on multiple occasions was limited so in a way his clothing choice paralleled his social choices.

Kolar didn’t quite wait at the lounge instead arriving at her door a few minutes before 7pm. In a deep red pray robe he held a small plant in his hands.

When the door chime sounded, Shirazi was putting on her earring. She walked to the door just as it slipped into place. As it slid wide, she spotted her dinner companion and true to their agreement, he was not wearing a uniform. “Cmdr, you’re right on time. What have you got there?”

He glanced at her hairline as her hair rustled back into place over her ear and thus the ear-ring. He mussed to himself about the difficulty and confusion attached to dress codes and what level of dress is attached to what type of evening out. He did a quick calculation earrings, modest, not romantic…

“It’s a Mudavian Cactus.” He reached out so she could take it from him. “House warming gifts are typical of many cultures when a person changes residence. It can go weeks without water, requires little light, but if you water it regularly and let it access great amounts of light it changes colors.” He smiled.

Kolar

She wasn’t good with plants, but it was a nice thought that was very appreciated. “Thank you. Just let me set it inside and we can head out.” She found the nearest surface for it and walked back to the door. “Okay, all set. Let’s go.” As the two walked away from her door, it closed automatically. She hadn’t known what to wear—it wasn’t a date, just dinner with an old friend, so to be on the safe side, she’d chosen gray slacks with a sheer white blouse and one of her prettiest bras beneath it. For her, it was casual but nice. Simple earrings and low heeled shoes completed the outfit along with the left hand glove and blue wraparound glasses.

(he can’t see the bra through the blouse can he??) YES, HE CAN, BUT THERE IS STILL A LITTLE MYSTERY Kolar had the same comfortable smile on his face. “That is an attractive outfit.” He gestured at himself with a hand. “I don’t have a wide selection of clothes to wear. There are times I envy the broad number of clothes that the female gender get to access. Of course there are other times the convenience of a narrow selection group out weighs the enjoyment from the diverse choice.”

“This is nice. I’ve been looking forward to it all day. I haven’t had a good meal with good company in several weeks.” They continued to walk to the turbolift. Once inside, Shirazi asked the question that had been on her mind since they’d met earlier in the day. “So, how do you feel about me being back on the Olinski knowing I was once her first officer?”

—Thorne, CMO

“The statement that its going to be a ‘good meal’ suggest your memory of the replicator systems on the Olinski isn’t quite what it should be.” He slid both hands into the sleeves of his prayer robe, effectively making his hands disappear.

She chuckled. “Actually, I do remember the food being quite tasty here. This is a big ship and the menu was always highly varied.” The he continued.

“I have no issues with your return. I wasn’t notified, but were I consulted I would have welcomed it wholeheartedly. Quality officers are advantageous in any role. I surmise that you current position is only transitory anyway.” The lift opened. He nodded slightly forward so she could lead the way.

“If you are trying to determine if you have a rival on the ship, I can assure you that it won’t be me.”

Kolar

While the lift carried them to deck 5’s Observation Lounge, Shirazi tried to ease whatever tensions her questions might have brought up. “It seems my arrival wasn’t expected by Si…Capt Parker, either. And I didn’t think you would have a problem with me being a former first officer here as we’ve always been friendly, but I wondered if there might be some…” She stopped and tried to phrase her thoughts accurately. “You know what? Never mind. It was a silly question so forget I asked.” Just then the turbolift doors opened and they stepped out onto deck 5.

—Thorne, CMO