Starfleet Headquarters, San Francisco, Somewhere In The Year 2150
With three ships returning to Earth, the base commissary was completely packed at lunch time. Hoshi couldn't blame them for wanting decent food after months of replicated or freeze-dried rations. And in a few weeks when her probation was lifted, Hoshi was heading straight to Chinatown where she could get some really good food. For now, the commissary would have to suffice.
But at least she had some company now that Ensign Travis Mayweather had returned from his final training flight. He was full of helpful advice ("Make sure you get quarters on the port-side of the ship or else the stars look like they're going backwards at warp.") as well as gossip about crew rotations.
Halfway through lunch, Hoshi had the sensation that they were being watched. She spotted an officer at another table who awkwardly picked up his tray and fled when Hoshi caught him staring. "Hey Travis, who is that guy and why does he keep looking over at us?" she asked.
"That's Lieutenant Reed. He was head of the armory on my last ship," replied Travis. "Maybe he wants martial arts tips from the cadet who broke her commanding officer's arm over a poker game. It seems your reputation proceeds you," he added with a wink.
"Shut up!" said Hoshi, punching him lightly on the arm. "Am I ever going to live that down?"
"Wait until you get into space," said Travis. "When everyone sees how well you talk to aliens, they'll forget all about your poker game."
[NFB, of course.]
But at least she had some company now that Ensign Travis Mayweather had returned from his final training flight. He was full of helpful advice ("Make sure you get quarters on the port-side of the ship or else the stars look like they're going backwards at warp.") as well as gossip about crew rotations.
Halfway through lunch, Hoshi had the sensation that they were being watched. She spotted an officer at another table who awkwardly picked up his tray and fled when Hoshi caught him staring. "Hey Travis, who is that guy and why does he keep looking over at us?" she asked.
"That's Lieutenant Reed. He was head of the armory on my last ship," replied Travis. "Maybe he wants martial arts tips from the cadet who broke her commanding officer's arm over a poker game. It seems your reputation proceeds you," he added with a wink.
"Shut up!" said Hoshi, punching him lightly on the arm. "Am I ever going to live that down?"
"Wait until you get into space," said Travis. "When everyone sees how well you talk to aliens, they'll forget all about your poker game."
[NFB, of course.]