No Tea For You

Posted on Sun Nov 1st, 2020 @ 6:03pm by Captain Abigail Laurens & Commander Ichiko Gail
Edited on on Sat Dec 5th, 2020 @ 3:31pm

Mission: Enforced Intermission
Location: Captain's Ready Room

Abigail was at the replicator when the doors to her ready room opened.

"Lets try this again," she sighed exasperatedly as the two mugs disappeared from view. "One tea, white, one sugar. One vanilla chai latte."

The replicator beeped in acknowledgement and a moment later two more mugs appeared.

Picking one up, Abigail peered over the rim, grimacing as she turned toward Ichiko and offered an apologetic smile. "I would offer you a tea, but it seems my replicator isn't functioning. I'll have to report it to operations."

"We can file jointly. The fabricator in my quarters is essentially non-functional. I ask for tea, it gave me tea." a pause, "No cup, mind you." she said, amused at the notion but a tinge of irritation at the matter. Though, through it all she wore a soft smile.

"Have I ever told you about the Insipp units on Ts'usugi ships? Replicators by any other name, but the foodstuff it produced always tasted... off. I'm certain humans would describe it as 'Just to the left of food'. We're working to refit all our craft with Dalacari fabricators. Fantastic devices, maybe a bit too fantastic, but that's for nations and emperors to decide. As long as it works."

Ichiko's hollow glance slid to the mugs. "Which, it does not." amused, yes. Still, no tea.

"You know, I thought it was just my quarters. I tried to order some yoghurt with fruit compote and granola this morning for breakfast and the sludge that came out in the bowl, Oh it was horrific. Even after I'd recycled it I couldn't get rid of the smell in my quarters." Abigail sighed and shook her head. "I'll get a report in to Operations to take a look at it and see what's going on. Hopefully it's nothing major. They'll need to establish how widespread it is, the crew will revolt if the coffee stays out too long."

"I'm willing to bet koku it's a side effect from the explosion at the mine. Radiation burst or something." Ichiko said with a smirk. "I'd appreciate being added to the report. If operations sees BOTH our names on the matter, it may lend some more weight to it."

"Otherwise, I think we're alright. We may need to start isolating replicators that still function properly and start using them for day to day rations and sundries."

Picking up a PaDD, Abigail nodded and made a note for Operations. "It probably wouldn't hurt to get Operations to check the replicators in the lounge and mess halls, we should identify if they're functioning properly before we end up with a full scale riot on our hands." She carried the PaDD across to the comfortable seats. "If I'd thought ahead I could have ordered our tea from the lounge and had it delivered to us up here."

"Don't worry yourself over things you couldn't have foreseen." Ichiko assured her friend as she joined the rabbitess by the aforementioned comfy seats. "Besides, our friendship doesn't hinge on tea." she paused, and took a breath, "You saved my life. You saved the lives of Koh and Callisi. I'll never stop being grateful for that." the seriousness of the matter hung in the air for a moment, before Ichiko smirked, "Though, tea would make the moment better."

She gave a soft laugh, an honest laugh. Around here, around Abigail, Ichiko could relax and be herself. "Though in all seriousness, I treasure your company. Tea or no tea."

"So, what's next on our mission point?" she asked after a moment, distracting from the personal turn the conversation took.

Abigail leaned back in the seat, contemplating on Ichiko's words for a moment. "I don't know what fate or happenstance led to you being assigned as my first officer, but I am eternally grateful that it brought me a friend." She smiled and inclined her head slightly. "Earth. We have until we reach Earth to make a decision about Ms Lin." She leaned back in the chair, crossing her legs and resting the PaDD against her knee. "That woman, there's something about her... I don't know... I just don't know that handing her over to the authorities is the right thing to do."

Ichiko smirked, "But, you're the authority until we reach Earth. If you were to, say, come to a conclusion that seemed just and fair, I see no reason why it shouldn't be implemented. From everything that I've heard she was involved in this practically against her will. Straying from Starfleet led her down a dark path, perhaps Starfleet could be her path to redemption?" Ichiko offered.

"I know, it sounds like something from a novel. The life they left behind is now their only chance at any life at all. Trust me, I've read my fair share." she gave a half-chuckle. "Some of them even ended well. I'm going to dwell on those for a moment. Apologies, just... a tiny bit lost there for a moment."

Uncrossing her legs, Abigail leaned forward, grasping Ichiko's hands firmly. "Thank you," she said quietly. "That is actually exactly what I needed to hear. You're right, as usual." She leaned back again, a contented sigh escaping her lips. "Let's see how she goes, we have time before we get to Earth."

Ichiko gave a soft smile, "Keep telling me that and eventually I'll believe it." she offered with that smile, "Do you want me to have a chat with our guest? Giving her quarters and the illusion of freedom is one thing, but isolating her from any contact is going to make anywhere feel like prison."

Abigail nodded slowly. "That might be beneficial actually, you have a way that makes people feel calm and heard, and maybe you might get a bit more insight to who she is." Abigail paused momentarily again. "I don't know, I just... I can't shake the feeling that we need to do more for her."

"Then, I'd be remiss in my function as a hostess for a guest if I didn't at least say hello." Ichiko said with a smirk. "We'll know a little more about the mystery of our guest after some conversation and some tea. Making her feel more at ease, and letter her know we're not throwing her to the proverbial dogs."

"You have a way of seeing through a façade, your take on the situation would be most appreciated," Abigail repeated. "Other than that, I think we're in a holding pattern until Earth. I think, especially with the computer malfunctions we're seeing, there should be no issue in letting the crew take things a little easier, I'm sure everyone could do with some rest after everything."

"I agree. We can probably move to a more relaxed shift schedule until we arrive at Earth." Ichiko paused, "Where we'll shift to an even more relaxed shift schedule." she giggled lightly.

"And I for one am looking forward to it," Abigail said with a smile. "No plans, just some peaceful relaxation. I think I might get a room on a beach somewhere. What about you?"

"I'd like to visit Earth's moon." Ichiko suggested. "I hear it's a dead moon but, moons hold a special place in our hearts as a people. Aside from that, I have absolutely no plans. Once we're finished doing nothing, want to meet up for lunch and a laugh?"

"Now that, my friend, sounds like a plan." Abigail replied with an easy smile. "That sounds like a plan."