<snip>

“Xam… call me Xam. And anyone with a brain talks about the brass that way… but I guess you are onto something there.” He looked down at his tray for a moment, weighing whether or not to be honest, and then he looked up with a grin and said “And you are right. I didn’t start off as a Star Fleet officer. I started off as a smuggler… and a pirate.” and he took a drink.

Ra’Ti, Tactical

“We all come from somewhere. All the best officers, enlisted or commissioned, bring something more, something different than what the regulation book states. That’s what makes the best crews.” Rand’s brows drew together slightly. There was a memory there, elusive and she couldn’t catch it. She rubbed her hand across the back of her neck and sighed. It would come back to her, eventually, maybe. She placed a smile back on her face. “Hopefully your time here will add to your story.” She wondered what Kovan would make of Xam. She speculated that they would either get along just fine or hate each other.

Yeoman Rand

Xam looked at her for moment and then chuckled quietly. “Wow… not the typical reaction I get when that bit of history is brought out. But definitely a nice change.” and the chuckle was slightly louder.

Ra’Ti, Tactical

“Well you wouldn’t be the first person I have met with an…adventurous history. I would think that your experiences would give you unique perspectives.” Rand was finished with her own meal and sat back, but still with excellent posture, as if it was unconscious habit. “I hope you find it a nice change with the majority of the crew.” Most people didn’t worry about such things, but there were a couple that had their eyes covered with shaded lenses.

Yeoman Rand

Xam’s eyes widened and he said “Yeah. Sure. ‘Hope in one hand…’ as the human adage goes, right? I’ll just try to enjoy the peace and quiet before the whispers and glances start.” There was an air of expectation and resignation to his words, but his overall attitude remained the same.

Ra’Ti, Tactical

Rand would have to ask Kovan about it. She didn’t remember there being a whole lot of whispers and gossip about him, but then she didn’t socialize enough to notice. “Cmdr Alden won’t put up with it.” Of course the Lt didn’t strike her as the type to make an official complaint about something like that. “If you decide it needs official attention.” She finished her water as a stout muscular man in a chef’s Ops red coat walked over holding a small bowl. He gave iff a very grandfatherly or favorite yncle type of vibe. “Afternoon Rand. How was the stew? I see you have new crew with you.” He held his hand out to Xam, “I’m Gorshin, the chef obviously. And now I know why we got this huge shipment of levithi nuts. You need them three times a day, right?” He set the bowl down containing the nuts, “Do you eat them like this or cooked? I’m sorry to say I don’t know.”

Yeoman Rand

Xam smiled, shook his hand, and said “Wow, haven’t seen any of these in a while. I just take an oil supplement and call it good.” He picked up a nut and tossed it up in the air and caught it in his mouth. He bit down on the almost rock-hard nut and it cracked and shattered with a loud CRUNCH. He smiled and chewed a few times and swallowed. “Thanks, Gorshin. And raw is the way, absolutely. I’m Xam. The new Tactical Officer. Good ta meet ya.”

Ra’Ti, Tactical