Smoke me a kipper! I'll be back for breakfast.

[2ndtechnician]

When he’d woken up this morning Ace had determined that a sweep of the island was in order. It wasn’t that he thought the inhabitants of this tropical paradise were any immediate danger; it was just that Ace had always been a firm believer in ‘Better Safe Than Sorry.’ He knew the ITF could more than handle any emergency that arose, but an extra

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[atlantismother]

Apparently the island had turned upside down in many unpleasant ways. While she herself had been spared the immediate affects, a good portion of New Atlantis had not, and it was bordering on distressing that they were given three days in which to cause trouble for themselves.

She could do nothing but advise, and she briefly regretted her inability to simply quarantine the affected persons to spare them danger from themselves or other similarly affected people.

As it was, she merely hoped that this last day would go without incident, and that this truly would be the last day, as pattern and lore held. She was on her way back to New Atlantis from the Compound when she came across an unfamiliar man. It was impossible to say from a glance whether he were normally the way he currently was or not, but he was odd enough all the same to bring her walk to a halt.

"Quite the day, isn't it?"

[2ndtechnician]

"It is indeed!" Ace replied jovially. "The island has been in quite an uproar these past few days. It's like that old chinese curse, 'May you live in interesting times.' Still, it's good to shake things up occasionally, right?" He extended his hand with a friendly smile. "My name's Rimmer. Arnold Rimmer. Friends call me 'Ace.' What's your handle miss?"

[atlantismother]

She gave a slim smile, and took the offered hand with a nod. "Doctor Elizabeth Weir. Elizabeth is fine." It seemed she'd been constantly living in interesting times for almost a decade now, but she couldn't complain. She'd gotten quite accustomed to them.

"Have you lived here long?"

[2ndtechnician]

"Delighted to meet you Elizabeth," he said with a charming smile. "I've been here just over a month, but if I'd known the doctors on this island were as attractive as you I would have gotten here sooner." Ace released her hand, his smile firmly in place. "Listen, I was just heading up to the compound for a bite to eat. I'd be greatful for some company. Care to join me?"

[atlantismother]

That earned an amused smile. It was not every day a man was daring enough to speak flirtatiously toward her. Of course, she was not the same woman on the island as she had been in Atlantis, and those who had not known her ahead of time would doubtlessly have no such inhibitions as those who knew her as the leader of the expedition.

She wondered, as she smiled, whether this man were always as he was, or whether he had fallen prey to the same affliction that had Cameron Mitchell--who had also attempted to flirt his way into her hut. She was not certain which possibility was more wryly amusing.

"I was just about to go for lunch, actually."

[2ndtechnician]

"Splendid! My treat. Can't cook much I'm afraid, but I learned this great sandwich recipe the day I arrived. I'll whip us up a couple along with some fresh veg and a pot of tea." He fell into step with Elizabeth as they headed towards the compound. He made small talk on the way, smiling and nodding whenever Elizabeth spoke, clearly listening to her in earnest. When they got to the kitchen Ace pulled out a chair for Elizabeth and helped her sit down.

"You just put your feet up and relax and let old Arnie J whip up some nosh. While you wait, would you do me the honor of telling me how long you've been on the island and what you did before coming here? Help pass the time and all that," he said with a grin as he started making lunch. First he got the tea started and then he cut up some roasted boar, placing it onto freshly sliced bread along with a helping of mango-ginger chutney. He scavenged around for some vegetables as well, coming up with an assortment of greens.

[atlantismother]

Well, she would certainly give him that he was entertaining, at least. She smiled as she took the offered seat, crossing her arms as he got to work on the promised sandwich. She wasn't very picky with her foods, so she had no doubt she would at least appreciate whatever he made.

"How long...?" She made a quick calculation. "A little over half a year. I was a diplomat."

[2ndtechnician]

"A diplomat, eh? Tricky business that. Takes a sharp mind and a quick wit to keep all sides talking. Something tells me you're very, very good at it though." The compliment was sincere, if perhaps a bit over-blown. Ace arranged two plates of sandwiches and greens before pouring them each a mug of tea. He set Elizabeth's plate and mug in front of her before sitting down across from her with his own.

"What kind of diplomat are you? Civilian, military, government?" He seemed genuinely interested.