Beauty and a Good Right Hook

Posted on Sun Jun 19th, 2011 @ 2:07am by Captain Nathan Cowell MD & Lieutenant Terina Mekar

Mission: Shore Leave 2; Picking Up the Pieces
Location: Commodore's Ready Room, Bridge, USS Arizona
Timeline: Following 'Coming Aboard'

Commodore Nathan Cowell watched an attractive young woman enter and report for duty. He's seen such scenes play out time after time, and yet for some reason, the view never got old. At least there were some perks to being in Command... Nathan leaned back in his chair and pointed to the chair that stood empty before his desk.

"Sit down, Lieutenant... Mekar was it? Name sounds familiar... maybe I met one of your ancestors... who knows. Anyhow, what brings you to my boat? Judging by the uniform, you're either a doctor, a scientist... or headed straight for the nut house. Which is it?" Doc Cowell asked in his usual manner.

Terina took the offered seat sitting rod straight and facing her Commanding Officer. He spoke - plainly. It was rather refreshing.

"Assistant Chief Science Officer, sir. I was looking for work on the frontier and this is most definitely the frontier. My father says that the search for knowledge is an honorable pursuit, Commodore. I could not think of a better place than the Arizona. Out here on the edge of the unknown, sir."

She spoke clearly and in an evenly pitched voice though it did little to hide her sense of wonder.

Nathan chuckled at hearing those words. The Chief of her department had made similar claims not long before she'd arrived. Nathan wasn't entirely sure what they saw in the Delta Quadrant... He'd known it to be full of Borg, bullshit, and whatever else the Universe had to offer, none of it overly pleasant. But, as with most things, Nathan had a somewhat slanted view of things.

"So, tell me something about yourself. Hobbies, interests, anything..." Nathan continued, not entirely sure what he should expect out of the Capellan.

She adjusted herself in the chair looking down at the polished surface of the desk. "I am an accomplished combatant, sir. Hand-to-hand, zero-g, explosives, and particle weapons. I like to ride whenever I get the chance. The horses on Earth were some of my favorite animals. You may know of my father. He served in Starfleet and retired to return home and take his place as the Leader of the United Tribes of Capella. His final rank was that of Captain and he was in charge of Strategic Operations at Starfleet Headquarters. His name is Tutuala Mekar."

There was no keeping the pride out of her voice so she did not bother to try. "My wish is to serve this ship and you with distinction, Commodore. If I am half the officer he was I will be able to accomplish that."

"Nothing wrong with that, kid. Doing a bang up job is a reward in its own right," Nathan said before the name finally found its way into his head properly, "Are you talking about that big burly sumbitch, used to work with old what's-her-name... Amnell? Yeah, I think I met him once or twice back when I was still on the Nobel. Nice guy, a little pent up, but one hell of a arm wrestler. Almost beat me too..."

Terina was a little surprised that her Commanding Officer knew her father. On top of that he had beaten him in a game of strength! This is something she would pursue with him when she had a chance.

"I do not mean to take up so much of your time, Commodore. I will report for duty once I am made aware of the present shift structure."

She stood and went to attention again. "Thank you for interview, sir. May I be dismissed?"

"Sure... but pack your crap, you're comin' with us on the away mission. Might need a pretty girl with a good right hook," the old man said.