Getting Out Among Our Home

Posted on Sat May 1st, 2021 @ 9:11am by Captain Rueben Gregnol & Executive Officer Jake Ford

Mission: Mission 13: Stowaway
Location: Freecloud, old stardust city
Timeline: MD -07 18:00
1476 words - 3 OF Standard Post Measure

Gregnol was not a fan of the planet that they were taking the newest shore leave at all. He hated how cold it was; it just reminded him of Russia on Earth. Reminded him of cold summers and winters spend with his grandparents before they had moved properly to London. He didn’t like the cold and it was deep midwinter on the Freecloud. Even with the cafe heated and him no longer wearing the thick jacket he had been on the way here he still didn’t like it much but that anyone will be able to tell from the expression on his face.

He kept looking up from his old fashioned book looking towards the wooden door keeping an eye out for his executive officer and an old friend who had now become his second officer after reaching out to him to comeon board. He hated using Starfleet terms but it was who he was deep down at heart, he could not deny he a Starfleet officer just pretty down on his luck and trying to help other people who are down on their luck. It was an interesting turn of events for him and even now four years since it all started he could not believe it.

Lil stood outside the door for a moment working up her courage. Then she approached the door. It felt so strange not to press a chime but to be honest she knew she was in for a lot of changes since having left Starfleet and this was the first of many since she had decided to do something other with her life than be told what to do and who to take orders from.

The Captain saw her stood outside in the snow and raised his arm to indicate for her to come join her.

Lil entered and gave him a small smile. "It's been a very long time." She didn't sit down yet however. She wasn't sure that he'd forgiven her for the bucket of oatmeal over his head when in fact he'd not been responsible for putting that dye in her shampoo bottle at all. "How have you been? Successful it appears, I guess I was the silly one for sticking with Starfleet for so long."

The man stood as he saw her finally decide to come in and greet him. He moved over and wrapped her up in a hug, she very much looked like she needed something. “You look better with green hair.” He murmured with a squeeze before he backed down and sat back in his chair indicating the one across from him. “I would still be in Starfleet if I had not said the wrong thing at the wrong time.” The man commented with a smile. “Not successful but stable enough with Jeassaho and my crew. I am in need of someone else trustworthy on my team.”

That made her raise an eyebrow. Not that she didn't know why she was there, but had he experienced some issues with crew?

“Oh do not give me that look. You know why you came here.” Gregnol laughed. “Ah look there is Jake,” Gregnol said seeing the man peering in the window most likely to check it was the right place.

"Hey Cap." Jake gave a little nod as he approached. "I just dropped Eden off outside a pet store. Hope we don't end up converting half the crew quarters into a zoo, if you know what I mean."

"Eden?" Lil asked? "A real animal lover?" She asked the new person who had approached.

"More than an animal lover. She rescued a spider and the spider is about the size of a dog. It is unreal." Gregnol grumbled as he kicked back the other chair and asked everyone to sit down.

"Ah, a colorful member of your crew. A spider? Seriously?" Lil seemed to have trouble contemplating that.

"You really have no idea," Jake chuckled. "Uh - Jake Ford, by the way. Rosie's first mate." He held out a hand.

She took it. "Lil Corbeau. And I guess I'm not really anything at the moment." She'd resisted the urge to put in Commander but she wasn't that, not any longer.

Now that everyone was acquainted the Russian smiled easily at the pair. “Jake, Lil is in need of a job and we are in need of an operations chief and second officer.” He admitted with a look hoping that Jake could forgive him for pretty much for announcing it with no warning. He wanted to see what the oairs first impressions were of each other.

"And as long as no one dyes my hair green, I'm really very easy to get along with," she spoke over what seemed like an awkward pause between the two men.

Reuben let our soft chuckle that was very much unlike him. The human shook head and picked up his mug of coffee, downing it before looking at it disappointed as he realised he was out.

“She is still upset that I let my roommate back in the academy play a joke on her after she beat him. She ended up with a lovely shade of green in her hair.” He said good natured showing the man he used to be for a moment before he grimaced and sunk back into the distant persona he now had.

Jake chuckled lightly. "Oh you'll fit right in," he snorted. "So long as we keep the practical jokes reined-in. I imagine with our group some of them might not go down well - or maybe too well in some cases."

"You don't have to worry, I only defend myself in that manner. Do we have a next . . . Job?" Lil asked as if she were already apart of the crew.

Gregnol just smiled. It seemed he had as not going to have to beg to get her on board the ship after all. It almost made him wonder what has happened to make her want to join a civilian venture when her career had sent her to a Task Force Group Command ship. “Ferengi delivery to Betazed.” He said simply. It was a quick and easy mission to him. He did not want to be stressing over anything just wanted a bit of quick easy money.

"Ugh. Ferengi." Jake rolled his eyes. "The payment better be worth it..."

"ooo, interesting. What's the cargo? Or is this one of those don't ask don't tell runs?" She really had no idea how Gregnol operated although she was sure that things were legal. He was an honorable person after all.

"Medical supplies," Gregnol assured quickly. He had seen the cargo manifest and he would be assuring it was scanned and checked before he moved it from Freecloud. He did not need the Watchdog nor anyone else on his case. "We try not to do the don't ask, don't tell runs. I do have some morals still." He quietly assured as a waitress came over.

"I never said you didn't" Replied Lil with a small smile. She glanced at Jake, "So how did you end up working for him?"

"Bumped into his wife in a marketplace," Jake replied. "She thought I was him. Not sure if that's a compliment or not..."

Lil grinned. "Interesting. Given that he's sitting right here, I'd take it as one. Brownie points and all that."

"Well, you know Jeassaho..." Gregnol commented looking up at the waitress ordering a beer and whatever the other two wanted. There was much to discuss to be a good command team for the crew they had.

Lil declined to order anything. For some reason she disliked ordering food or drink from such places. At least replicated she knew where it had been.

Jake motioned simply to have the same as Reuben.

“So it seems I do not need to twist your arm to come along?” Gregnol finally asked Lil with a small smirk.

"Apparently not. I guess I don't have anything else to do and I probably wouldn't make it into space otherwise. I have always considered the stars my home. So . . . . yeah. I'm in." And he hadn't even made her an offer yet. "As long as I get food and have a blanket to snuggle under I'm good."

"I think we can just about scrape that," Jake smiled. "The stars are our home too. And so long as everyone pulls their weight and helps out where needed, that makes me happy."

Gregnol nodded. It made him happy too, nothing made him happier than his ship community helping each other and getting them out among the stars. It was why he did not give it up and go back to Starfleet despite all the drama and tainted name that was thrown around about him in certain areas of the universe. The stars were where he belonged.