Talking Codes over Coffee

Posted on Thu Feb 6th, 2020 @ 12:43am by Jasper Offermans
Edited on on Thu Feb 6th, 2020 @ 12:43am

Mission: Mission 10 - Temperance
Location: Mess Hall
Timeline: TBD
686 words - 1.4 OF Standard Post Measure

ON:

Jasper walked into the mess hall and let out a yawn. It was a good hour before his shift and he needed a pic me up to get him going. He shook his head and walked over and took a tray to select his breakfast and then poured a large cup of coffee. It was black, no sugar, no cream. Taking a whiff if the intoxicating aroma he smiled, "good morning he chuckled."

Tasha was starving. She was also exhausted. She had spent the night working in the cargo bay. Not out of obligation but simply having lost track of time. Hearing the voice to the right of her she looked up her eyes full of slightly panic. "Oh, yes. Good morning." She said softly.

For a moment Jasper looked puzzled and chuckled, "didn't notice you were here, so caught up in trying to get myself awake." He tilted his head, "you mind having breakfast with me Tasha?"

"Oh, uh..." Tasha started uneasy. "Uh sure." She started trying to remind herself that it was ok and she didn't need his permission. "I would like that." She finally.

Offerman did his best not to chuckle at the woman's response but grabbed a trey and went to look at the morning's offerings, "hmm pancakes look good." He used the utensils to take two of them and placed them on a plate then added a couple of sausages. Putting his creation on a plate he looked back up at Tasha, "where do you want to sit?"

Tasha's life was simple when it came to food. Just enough to stay alive and she did her best to stay well rounded but it didn't hold the same joy it had before. She took two eggs, three rounds of pineapple and two pieces of toast. "I am not picky," she replied softly. "There is an empty table in the corner." She started hoping he wouldn't mind her taking the seat with her back to the wall.

"That's fine," Jasper replied. He motioned for her to lead and followed behind, "so you've been up all night?"

Tasha led him over to the table and took the seat that she wanted. She took a sip of her coffee once she was settled before she spoke. "Yes, I might have dozed off for a little while in the cargo bay." She smiled slightly.

"Wow," Jasper said shaking his head, "I hope that's not a precursor to what I have to look forward to." He chuckled and picked up his cup of coffee, "didn't sleep that well myself I guess, rather tired already this morning." The man tilted his head did you hear I found some really old files on the LCARS?" "They go back to when we were," he stopped short, "well there files of the old crew."

Tasha could only imagine what Jasper and Eden were going through. She nodded not wanting to tell him that she was terrified of her quarters and that sleeping in the cargo bay has been the first time in months she had felt safe. She loved this ship. "Did you find anything interesting? I mean, other than the files themselves?"

The man chuckled and nodded, "found out one of the crew members had a crush on someone." He shook his head, "never even had a clue."

"Hundred years go by and there is still gossip," She smiled. She wanted to ask, but held back the question. It was too hopeful and she wasn't ready to go there yet.

"True," Jasper said with a smile, "but Mary Rose is really showing her age, she's falling apart and it's all we can do to keep up with the repairs."

"Always something to do." Tasha replied with another smile. "I don't have much to do with most of the ship, but her cargo bay is adequate."

Jasper chuckled, "and I have the rest of the ship it seems." He shook his head and drew in a deep breath, "we can keep her together but we may need to get to a shipyard soon to make some fixes."

TRUNCATED