Steaking Out A Table

Posted on Sat Apr 1st, 2023 @ 5:18pm by Commodore Ledeya ‘Ed’ Ehestri (*) & Chief Engineer Michael Burnstein & Chief Helmsman Kalahaeia t'Leiya

Mission: Cosmos
Location: Esquimalt Station
Timeline: 2397
3477 words - 7 OF Standard Post Measure

Ehestri was no stranger to the base at all but she had yet to see one familiar face since she had stepped off the Cosmos to stretch her legs and enjoy the shore leave she had been granted. It was strange but that was the way it needed to be with Task Force 72 having been swept clean of its previous issues. She missed her old haunting grounds but it was for the best and one of the many reasons why she had been independent fleet operations. She shook her head and tugged her uniform out of habit back into position.

The Commodore decided that she would head to one of the many pubs on the base and get something decent for food that was not from a replicator. She had heard that the food on the base was the freshest in the universe. “Excuse me? Do you have any recommendations?” She asked the person who was looking at the base map the same as her unlike her she looked like she had been onboard a while.

"Sadly, some of the stuff on the map is...aspirational." Izzy managed to look both regretful and smile at the same time. "Commercial ops only got the OK to start opening up again and operating in the last week or two, so only some are open yet and the rest are 'coming soon' - those are all the ones with the black dots after the name. Open stuff has the blue dots - the Caitain Fish Fry isn't bad if you like fish and seafood; and the Galaxy Lounge has a good assortment of various stuff, at least some of which they claim isn't replicated."

Izzy herself had the usual workday clothes on: Suit, blouse, and Federation lapel pin that housed her comm unit hidden away inside it. After the fifth time she'd been stopped by security telling her civilians weren't allowed in certain areas yet, though (or originally a few weeks back, much anywhere at all) she'd started also wearing her diplomatic corps ID badge hanging on a lanyard off one hip, too, in an attempt to signal to the security guards 'go harass someone else; I actually do have clearance to be here'.

Ledeya looked over at the woman properly and smiled. “The Admiral was telling me but unfortunately he did not tell me just how much was not operating. I was hoping for something more… me.” She was not necessarily thinking of Betazed cuisine but something a little more interesting than bland replicated food. “What would be your choice…?” She saw the Federation lapel pin but had no idea who she was. She had never met her in any dealings before.

"Ehh...avoid the officer's club; that's basically only good for the fact that nobody but Starfleet officers and certain Federation personnel can get into it." It was an elegant way of saying, basically, that you could be certain there wasn't a reporter or an oversight committee member in the place, but it was nothing but your standard replicated fare, from very standard replicators no less. "Rainforest Cafe sounds great, but it doesn't open till Tuesday. Galaxy Lounge is probably the best out there for variety at the moment." Izzy noted the uniform, the rank, and the subtle Betazoid-tell of the eyes, and stuck a hand out to shake with a friendly professional smile. "I'm Isabella Cerin, the chief of mission for the diplomatic offices here and on the Vesta."

Ledeya turned at the hand being held out to her and shook it. “Ledeya Ehestri.” She introduced herself back. She definitely did not know the woman by name but that did not mean anything when she was only just returning to Task Force 72. So much had changed in the year she had been independent operations that she was not even comparing as it was like chalk and cheese. “That is a shame but maybe I can enjoy the cafe then. I am onboard for a week or so.” She admitted. “Well Isabella Cerin would you like to join this old commodore for lunch?” She wondered knowing she was very much not old but she certainly felt it at the moment.

"Sure." Izzy's ridged half-Bajoran nose wrinkled slightly more with her smile. Definite extrovert tendencies aside; the 'yes' was basically a foregone conclusion to the diplomat: Starting to know and build relationships with the Starfleet captain and senior officers in the area, as well as any other Federation and foreign diplomats or officials and significant private businessmen or the like was literally a part of the job.

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The Galaxy Lounge was, perhaps unsurprisingly, fairly packed when they got there, and Izzy pursed her lips at the scene, and at being told the wait for a table was going to be close to an hour. Just before turning back to Ehestri to suggest maybe they try the Caitain Fish Fry after all, she spotted a familiar face at one of the smaller booths to the left, table stacked with meat platters. "Actually I think we'll just join my colleague at that table over there." Izzy gave the hostess a courteous nod, and pointed Ehestri towards the booth she'd spotted.

"Rufus!" Izzy smiled at the Kainan as she made her way over. "Mind if we join you?"

Rufus' ears perked and despite a brief pang at feast interrupted, he smiled over at Izzy - the friendliness of the expression perhaps slightly marred by blood from extra rare targ heart he was devouring visible on one of his fangs. "You're more than welcome," he said companionably, sliding over. "It does get crowded in here. That's why I always stake out a spot just ahead of shift change."

Ledeya had followed and offered a smile to the new Officer. “I appreciate the agreement. Not seen a lounge this packed in a while. It is nice.” Ledeya said taking a seat and held out her hand to the Kainan. “Ledeya Ehestri.” She greeted not having met him the last time she had encountered the Vesta crew.

"Rufus Marocain, Commodore," he said, taking her hand in the human style after wiping grease off of his hand. "I'm Vesta's helmsman."

Izzy silently had a moment of embarrassment as the pair greeted one another at having gotten a bit ahead of herself in not fully thinking through the implications of crashing Rufus' table; the breathing-air-above-your-paygrade gap between a Commodore and a Lieutenant was fairly substantial; she wouldn't want someone crashing a table she was busy irreverently stuffing her face with pizza at with an Assistant Secretary or a well-known Ambassador, either. Luckily he didn't seem to be taking it badly; hopefully that was actually the case.

The commodore was not at all fazed by the grease or the fact he was eating targ heart. It looked like the place that everyone could do what they liked. “Nice to meet you. You have been doing some brilliant piloting recently from all accounts. Please carry on eating Lieutenant my presence should not effect your meal though I would enjoy a suggestion on what is good.” She said taking another look around seeing a few more senior officers in the corner who looked like they were bored stiff.

"Pleased to meet you as well, sir," Rufus replied, choosing to take 'carry on eating' as an order, so he carved a chunk of targ as he offered suggestions. "Meat is replicated, but good. Whoever programmed the brisket did a great job and the bacon wrapped BBQ shrimp appetizer..." he glanced around at his spread, but yes, he had devoured those, "...were really good. I'd offer you a taste, but I'm afraid I finished them off already."

"Sounds good to me."Ledeya was already rising from her chair to get some. Maybe something more meat-filled would fill her up and help her manage her medication better through the stress of trying to track down her lost executive officer. " Would you like some more Lieutenant? Ms Cerin?"

"Yes. Thank you, sir," Rufus responded immediately. "Doc had station medical to up my meat allowance, but it's always nice to get extra."

"Sure, thanks. Honestly, if you're into Earth food, the steak here is really pretty decent. The burgers aren't bad, either." Izzy wriggled out of her suitcoat and folded it up stuffed to one side of the booth, then rolled the sleeves of her blouse up past her elbows: It wasn't exactly the sort of move she'd generally pull with most fleet brass, but Ehestri seemed unphased by Rufus' predator-feast-spread or offering more of it, so she was inclined to behave slightly more like she might have back during her time in the Klingon Empire, and set some Earth or Luna style niceties aside a bit.

It gave the woman a lot of options which was good as she was really hungry. Ehestri nodded at the pair and disappeared off into the crowd around the replicators leaving the pair alone.

"She seems nice for top brass," Rufus commented once the Commodore was halfway to the replicators. "Are you working on some diplomatic thing? I can eat fast if you need the table for discussion."

"No; just met her at the information kiosk, actually." Izzy smiled at Rufus. "Technically I suppose it's morphing into a bit of networking, yeah; but no need to rush on that account. Have you tried the bacon-topped steakburgers with cheese yet?"

Rufus nodded as he finished chewing another bite of targ and swallowed. "Yes. I had that for breakfast, and it's even better with a fried egg on top."

"The fried chicken isn't bad either. I had that for dinner on Thursday." Izzy was fairly certain that if Rufus had the fried chicken, he'd have needed to order the entire 'party platter'. "I can't wait for the pizza place to open though - my sister and I used to go to a local Luna chain when we were kids, Pie In The Sky Pizza. They named their different size pizzas after the different Sol system planets - the 'Jupiter' size could practically serve a whole birthday party."

Eventually Ehestri came from to the table carrying two trays and with a cadet carrying a third. The cadet looked at the pair that were on the table confused but quick scurried off as Ledeya thanked him. “I could not quite decide so I got a little bit of everything and got some assistance to bring it back.” Ledeya sat back down and picked up some ribs.

"I like your style, sir," Rufus said approvingly, moving some of his platters to make room. "That is the way to do it."

Ehestri nodded and make a happy face as she savoured the bite and nodded. “This is good. You were right about how good the food here is.” She could almost believe it was real and fresh from Earth.

"Occupational hazard - I try to find the best spots wherever I'm stationed. Though until more stuff opens up; it's a little too packed most of the time to really do any 'business' meals in." Izzy reached out and took a handful of french fries, one of the few non-meat items in the spread but a particular favorite of hers.

“How long until more things open? You mentioned a few opening up next week.” It was easy to see that the base was thriving under a new command team which was very much a welcomed relief for the woman coming back to Task Force 72. It was also nice to be back among friends after the last few months and losing her Executive Officer to the cube event as it was now called among her crew.

"Depends. A few other things are slated to open on Tuesday alongside the Rainforest Cafe; and a few more later that week or early the next. Besides that, it's mostly just a grab bag here and there of various dates that work for either the proprieter's schedules, the galactic supply chain, or whatever permits something was waiting on." Not to mention, as Izzy understood it, some sort of ongoing disagreement between the FCA and the Federation delaying the opening of the Ferengi place. "The 'Hair, Fur, and Scales' place won't open till next month; when there was a delay earlier they just pushed back the date enough to be sure all the stylists and barbers and such could actually travel to the base in time but wouldn't arrive before there was clearance for civilian occupation. And they were kinda at the mercy of commercial shipping and travel schedules, after that."

Ledeya nodded. Civilian and commercial shipping was not always doable without a lot of forward planning and organisation from both ends which was not always doable. "Very much. One thing that does not seem to change." She admitted with a nod of her head. It was just a shame that she could not enjoy more but there would be other times she came to the base.

"Yeah. The other day I heard someone opened a bunch of shipping crates to find a nest of Carassian voles, too. The ship that brought that cargo in had to have anything else they tried to unload inspected first." Izzy chased the fries with a sip of root beer.

"Much to the disappointment of several Caitians," Rufus chuckled. Honestly, he liked live prey hunts too, but ship voles tended to be tough and stringy. "Though I doubt the ones that made it onto the station will last long."

“No they are less chance here with pets and other hunt prey.” The commodore said trying to not grin at the imaginary she had of the people opening the crates to fine them. “Lots of work after that event I bet.” She decided to add thoughtfully over her glass of water.

"Vesta comms officer would make short work of them." Izzy laughed. "And would consider it a bonus, not an ordeal. Her kit would, too." Izzy could almost perfectly envision M'rrina and R'ssa, ears flicked and tails twitching, swiping out clawed fingers to grab an errant vole while licking their lips. "There's a couple other Caitain crew on the base, too so yeah...voles won't be making it far if any got away."

“Should see if I can get them to come over to the Cosmos.” The woman mused thoughtfully before grinning. “Not that we have a problem but I like to be prepared.”

"You'll have a hard time getting most to leave Vesta," Rufus said loyally, then flashed a canid grin. "But we predator species do have a lot to offer as crew."

“I just meant for a visit.” Ledeya laughed nearly snorting into her drink. “I have no crew vacancies right now.” She assured not wanting to risk her new connections over a misunderstanding of her head hunting crew from the base or Minawara’s ship.

"Just arrange for your ship to swing by Cait or Kaina and then invite the local schoolkids for a tour. You'll clear out any lingering pests fast." Izzy grinned.

Ehestri found herself laughing and nodded. That very much sounded like a good idea. "Maybe." She said indicating that it was a good idea and that she might be able to organise it if she ever got her Executive Officer back properly.

"I had to get a case of mice a couple months back for one of the kits after I had to arrange for her help on something in an emergency on the ship. That was an interesting expense to justify later..." Izzy shook her head. "Though not nearly as ridiculous as some of the ones when I was on Ferenginar. I swear every business there adds a 'rain fee' to their bills; and it rains...basically most of the time."

“Reliable source of income for them. Been a long time since I’ve been to Ferenginar. It was not a pleasant experience by last venture there.” It had been part of a plot to cause issues with the USS Viking and kidnapping crew. It was still something that made her angry that Starfleet had known all about on some level.

"Spent a few years posted to our embassy there. A few more on Qo'nous and on Romulus, too. And a few more at headquarters on Earth, at the start of my career; trying to clean up after the tail end of the war with the Dominion." And if I ever see another Vorta again it will be too soon, Izzy thought, but didn't say since her acquaintance with Ehestri was still brand new. If it was not the official stated position of the Federation, and therefore one that one had to be more careful expressing; it was a statement a good number of both Starfleet and diplomatic corps personnel of Izzy's generation - the people who had fought the war or who had negotiated its end details for years following - would have echoed emphatically.

Having nothing to add to the conversation, Rufus focused on the important thing - eating. But he was listening, and resolved to avoid Ferenginar insofar as he was able.

Ledeya wiped her fingers on the napkin and sat back in the chair. It was easy to see that the woman had the experience, to say the least. “Sounds like quite a career, to say the least.” The commodore commented on with a smile. “What about yourself Lieutenant? How has your career been so far?”

Caught off guard, Rufus hurriedly swallowed a mouthful of brisket and washed it down with a quick drink. "Not nearly so interesting as either of yours, but I only graduated the Academy in '88. I've some excitement though. I started as a fighter pilot assigned to the Bonny D- ...er, Bonhomme Richard, which was patrolling near the former Neutral Zone, so had my share of," his lips twitched in momentary amusement at the almost-pun, "dogfights with pirates and breakaway Romulan would-be warlords. Moved up from that to flight control and helm rotation, then got a transfer to Vesta right before we were sent to the Delta quadrant. Been there ever since." He left off adding anything else since the missing three years from their 'disappearance' time-skip wasn't necessarily public knowledge and while a Commodore might have been read in, erring on the side of caution seemed the best way to avoid another interview with Temporal Investigations.

"Only...that is ten...or is it seven years ago. That is a long time in this career." Ehestri commented with a wink. She was fully aware of the situation as she had been around Minaware long enough and had been involved in Task Force 72 longer still. "Always thought Bonhomme Richard had such a human nickname." She commented to defuse any tension or anything with a smile. "Sounds like a very unique career Lieutenant."

Okay, so no need to worry about her knowing. Whew. "I don't know about unique, but it has been exciting." He smiled and popped bacon wrapped tidbit into his mouth. "Despite all that's happened with the ship, I feel lucky to be on Vesta - not many get to helm a flagship, especially one like her."

"Not in the slightest." Ledeya agreed smiling. It was easy to see that the crew was proud. Minawara was a good captain and had good people under him, it was a relief to see that it had not changed. Maybe coming back to Task Force 72 would be like coming home again. She really hoped so she needed the support to find Christopher. "I hope my crew feel the same way about the Cosmos."

Izzy rather hoped her own staff would feel that way about her, too; larger than just her small Vesta one, integrating in the Esquimalt offices as well would be the largest staff she'd ever led. It wasn't the sort of thing she was comfortable saying or voicing any nerves about in a public setting to a virtual stranger, though, so she kept her silence and raised her root beer glass for a toast instead, one somewhat in step to the recent commentary at least and that she hoped given the company, everyone at the table could agree on heartily. "To the Federation; and all those who serve her."

"To all who serve her," Rufus echoed, lifting his glass and adding the traditional Kainan toast. "Ar-Roo!"

Ehestri smiled and held up her own drink. She did not need to echo anything as it had all been said by the lower ranks with her. She just hoped that it gave her a bit of luck.