A Refreshing Chat

Posted on Sat Jun 29th, 2019 @ 4:53am by Lieutenant Aleksander Voroshilov & Commander Ichiko Gail
Edited on on Sat Jun 29th, 2019 @ 5:06am

Mission: Getting To Know You
Location: Corridors or the Astraea

Aleksi left the CO's ready room, unsure of what just transpired but was pleased he'd have a home, even if it was temporary. At this point he was more concerned about his next drink than he was with anything else. Not that he was upset by the outcome, it had been a hell of a time trying to get on a ship, really anything outside of a staff job. Whether he was really wanted here, that was something he'd have to change their minds on.

Turning a corner his eyes caught...floppy ears. Very rarely was Aleksi surprised to a stop, but here he was. Quickly his eyes caught the pip arrangement. Deciding to not make this awkward he approached the woman with a grin on his face, "Good morning ma'am. I'm your new Intelligence Officer, Lieutenant Voroshilov."

Ichiko turned her attention up from her PaDD and gave the approaching human a nod, "Good welcome." she replied in kind to his greeting. Morning or night was always hard to tell with her people, so they simply greeted. At his introduction, she gave a ghost of a smile and another nod. "I welcome the chance to meet you for the first time. I'm Ichiko Gail. Always a pleasure to meet another member of the crew."

"Intelligence. It's odd that I hear that some members of the Federation actually look down on such. I'll have you know, I welcome it. Tell me a little about yourself, if you wish." she left the option open. Ts'usugi always left a way out of a social situation, a back door to avoid embarrassing situations or making impossible promises.

"We are the purveyors of uncomfortable truths, it doesn't make us the most popular of people," Aleksi chuckled, making the better judgement of not delving too deep into his own philosophy of intelligence, "I was born the last of five children on a fringe colony world that thrived on corruption and greed, born to decently hard working parents who I haven't seen since I left for the academy 12 years ago."

"Since then I've had a varied career. I've done all-source analysis, signals interception, foreign material exploitation, and a little bit of human intelligence to round it out," His voice was cheery as he tried to get a read on the Executive Officer, at least that's who he gathered he was talking with. The normal window to the soul, the eyes, were a mystery to him. It was something he'd had have to look into more, "What about you ma'am? Only if you're willing to tell."


She listened, almost absorbing every word he spoke. Where he was born, where he was from, how he got to where he found himself. "Excellent. A variety of experiences to draw from. Grandfather always told me that no proper craftsman had one single tool."

"A lifetime of experience is a collection that only continues to grow."

"Don't discount that Human Factor. Many races out there are quick to dismiss but based on everything I've read, humans are something to keep an eye on. As a species your inventive, ambitious, and quick to find a way to prove yourselves. You aren't keen on being told what to do. I admire that freedom." she said with a soft smile.

"As for myself, middle child of three. My youngest sister is an aspiring art major, my oldest should be graduating from tertiary academy soon. Mother works for the local magistrate as a calligrapher, while father helps run a watchmaker's shop." she started. "School is important to every Ts'usugi, but doubly so for me due to my condition." she gently tapped her head.

"Roughly translated, the condition is called The Mind That Never Lets Go. I'm incapable of forgetting." she stated, though it lacked the tone of the burden that such a life would lead. It was something she had time to come to terms with. "Believe me, it's a nightmare. I've read several books and primers that seem to romanticize it. I assure you, none of those authors ever met someone with this condition." though, in spite of it all, she wore a soft smile.

"Initially I was in the operations department, to ensure the smooth daily operation of this ship. I was recently move to ship's second. Whereupon I feel I'll *continue* to ensure the smooth daily operation of this ship." she said with a smirk.

Aleksi filed away the important information, species name, her condition, her background and the unspoken internal situation on the ship. His memory was good, no where near her capabilities, but he could tune in on the most important pieces of information. He also noted that a method of intelligence collection may have been mistaken for a critique of his species, "Specialization is for insects," The warm smile remained on his face, "That is the job of the second in command is it not? The Captain may be in charge but ultimately it's your boat."

"Indeed. Back home in the Empire, the ship's second reported directly to the Shipmaster, and in turn everyone on the ship reported to the ship's second. I look forward to the experience." she stated with that ghost of a smile.

"Though you'll forgive me if I feel that it's more *our* boat. Insects specialize, but this ship is not unlike a living creature, each department her organs and vessels." she shivered a little, "Without delving into the particulars of body horror. I've read the works of an author back home who specialized in such gruesome works. Not a fan, but I couldn't bring myself to put the book down."

"Avid reader, Lieutenant Voroshilov, or just on the job?"

"I have a small library that comes with me. I find that books are a gateway into the heart of a culture," Aleksi relaxed a little, catching the shudder, "Take for instance the Unknown Soldier by Väinö Linna. The simple brutal story filled with the story of hard soldiers fighting an ultimately fruitless campaign against a juggernaut," A light chuckle, "That book did more to define the Finnish spirit than any lecture and, from my limited experience, describes well the drudgery of war and how it affects the common man."

"Most of my reading though is focused on my work, coming up with answers that no one has yet asked," If there was one thing he was proud of, it was his capability as an analyst. That was also his dread coming on board a ship, though he'd be more useful here than as a middle manager.

Instead, she gave a nod, "Our history is full of warriors and warlords, conflict and contest." she remarked. "It defines a culture, but is by no means it's only definition." and then she turned to give Aleksi her full attention. Ears pointed with their hollows towards him, her reflectionless eyes locked on his form. Everything about this moment said that she was focused and intent on the here and now. Were it anyone else, this was the posture one used to make certain a moment was remembered.

For her, though, every moment would last a lifetime.

"I look forward to working with you, Lieutenant. Finding the answers to questions unasked is at the heart of every exploration. Let me know whatever you need to achieve your goals. If it is within my power, you'll have it."

Aleksi at this point was practically beaming, knowing there was nothing anyone could do to help him. The flowery language was starting to bore him, having no desire to see the galaxy beyond what it was, dirty and violent with a thin layer of civility holding it together. His interest wasn't in exploration, it was in the preservation of that veneer all good Federation Citizens felt was unbreakable, "I will keep that in mind ma'am, but at the moment I'm not in need of anything. Thank you for your time," Taking one step as if to walk away he stopped, "Actually, could you tell me where the lounge is?"

Akira Class specifications, Final Draft, Revision 17. Dated within six months. Deck Five, Northern Quadrant, division two, hallway three.

"It's two decks up. From the turbolift make a right. It'll be the third yellow door on your left." she paused, "As long as yellow is the same between your eyes and mine." she wanted to make sure.

"As for my time, you're welcome. Good luck out there."