Coffee! With added sugar!

[mirrorlinnis]

::bustles around USS Voyager's briefing room, angling and reangling chairs::

::frowns at crooked brunch settings...that little orange furball can't do anything right, can he

Comments

[ltcmdrtomparis]

::waves on way through bridge...sending a flexy flying in Jetal's direction...maybe a few complex alogorithms will keep her awake and out of astral eddies until Baytart shows::

::whole damn ship overslept this morning, it seems...those lucky enough to not have family aboard, at least::

::scratches behind ear, grimacing and returning eyes to morning reports while waiting for entrance into the briefing room...even the gel packs...::

::jerks head back up when doors finally open, ears quirking as a certain, too cheery voice attacks them::

[mirrorlinnis]

::perks up at tell tale groan and hiss of automatic door system, straightening and nearly falling over own heels::

::grumbles, dusting self...ego included...off and turning to grab recently mostlycleaned cup::

::pours hastily, addressing first customer over shoulder::

Good morning! I was beginning to think I'd have to handle morning business myself! Since you made it, though...two spoons or three of sugar? I also have a pinch of...um, local...spice, if you prefer...

::spins when no response is forth-coming, enthusiasm waning::

Oh, you.

::shoves cup at him, glaring::

One spoon, then. You're getting fat, anyhow.

[ltcmdrtomparis]

Am no-

::scowls, barely stopping self from rising to bait...again::

Truce, Paris...be the bigger man...

::winces, taking the undoubtedly bitter coffee::

::opens mouth, then closes, at a loss for something nice to say::

::carefully skirts way around steaming kettle and she-demon in charge of it, making way to a chair as far away as possible::

[jennydelaney]

::catches tail end of exchange...the childish part...rolling eyes at twin as they lunge for half-closed doors and fight over who gets through first::

I'm the oldest, dammit! Two minutes!

::sends an elbow flying into megandelaney's ribs, rewarded with an outraged squeak and step back::

::pats disarrayed uniform down, sauntering in and breezing past proffered beverage::

::settles down in seat opposite the Commander, studiously alternating gaze between padd and jackass::

[ltcmdrtomparis]

::shakes head::

Gladly.

::straightens as well, clearing throat and glancing down at padd::

I think the only major point of discussion would be the contents of our last uplink to Command.

Much as they're enjoying our creative innovation insofar as day to existence goes, and love the science briefs we send back...the Federation Council thinks it's time we started applying serious intent to actually get home.

[megandelaney]

::drops jaw::

Like we haven't already!

What do they think we think this is, a romp in the park?

[ltcmdrtomparis]

::raises hand to halt what could prove an extensive tirade, knowing the Delaneys::

Damn it, I'm becoming the Admiral.

::lowers it, ignoring captainchakotay's amused, knowing little smirk::

Well, Megan, the grass always does seem greener from the other side...but we know better, now don't we?

As I was about to say...

They've had the Science Council on our specs for as long as we've been sending them back. They're particularly interested in some technology we abandoned a few years back...

::cocks head toward lieutenantkim::

...the quantum slipstream drive.

[lieutenantkim]

The...what?

::leans forward, knocking linnis_paris' soothing fingers off arm in process::

It was dropped because it was too dangerous!

[linnis_paris]

::lifts brows::

It's exactly the same. Perfect image replication.

[ltcmdrtomparis]

::frowns at her again::

You missed when Neelix programmed the Golden Gate pink...and it's notreal.

Even if it isn't home you're heading to, it's still a hell of a lot safer than here. Like I said, the ship won't last forever, even under the best of circumstances. The last thing any of us want is for her to give up the ghost out here in the middle of some forsaken void, or hell, enemy territory, leaving the lot of you at the mercy of God knows what.

I know, you've all survived it before. But it was different. You had Voyager, and even if we didn't always think we would escape the worst, we had the comfort of knowing you kids would grow up fast enough to withstand it.

::jabs thumb toward sickbay doors::

The baby's growth rate is near human norm, isn't it? I don't want to even think about a kid spending years struggling to make it in this quadrant.

[linnis_paris]

It could change, you know that. I've learned not to take anything at face value with hybrid physiology.

And you aren't looking at the flip side...the quantum drive was just as dangerous as any alien or void we've ever faced. It could rip Voyager apart far more quickly than she's likely to fall apart...and I doubt there would time for escape pods at all.

::bites lip, pondering::

And it's not just us...the 'kids'. We have guests aboard...who aren't even so much guests now as crew members. Miral...Renara...her...Kes, Magnus. They've all come from unstabile situations and just seem to be finding a happy balance. What sort of reception do you think they'll receive in the Alpha quadrant? What about Seven?

[ltcmdrtomparis]

Seven is almost human again now...

::twists lips...she'd have read that as an insult, for sure...still so insecure::

She regains more of it day by day. I don't think she even considers herself Borg any longer.