Meeting the XO

Posted on Friday 11 December 2020 @ 14:23 by Lieutenant Marbim Rejal

Mission: A Whale of a problem (We're going to need a bigger boat)
Location: The Round Table
Timeline: Day Before Arrival at Earth
2709 words - 5.4 OF Standard Post Measure

With only having had a brief, very brief interaction with the Merlin's XO while on the bridge, Mathias was wanting to expand his knowledge of the Lieutenant Commander. He wanted to see what he was like off the bridge, or in a one on one conversation. That needed to be resolved, and since he didn't know any of Rejal's habits, Mathias sent him a message.

Commander Rejal, if you are not busy, I'd like to have a meeting with you. I've not had the chance to do so when I first came onboard. Please let me know when and where we can meet at your convenience. Lieutenant Mathias McPhee, Chief of Science.

His combadge beeps, and he hears heavy breathing, then, "Hello Lieutenant," there's a crash of metal on metal, "if you're any good with a bat'leth or other bladed weapons, you're more than welcome to join me in Holodeck 2, just let the computer know what you wield ... I'll be the Cardassian dodging several," his speech runs into Klingon, which makes his opponent, or opponents all yell in rage, "oh crap," another clash of metal and then the link goes dead.

That certainly piqued Mathias's interest as he hurriedly went to the holodeck. "Computer, two long swords 32 inches in length suited for Florentine fighting" He requested before stepping in through the archway leading into the holo program. The swords materialized in his hands, he scanned the scene to see where the XO was at.

The landscape before him is rocky and hot. The sky is red, and char and ash drifts with the wind. Two wrecked ships, both shuttles draw the eye. One is Federation, the other Klingon. Artfully spinning a Bat'leth, Commander Rejal spins and blocks one opponents downward swing, and kicks a second attacker away. The third, hearing a noise spins, and charges the new victim. Calling out, Commander Rejal shouts, "The safeties are off, so make sure to block..." spinning and knocking his attacker away, Commander Rejal turns and bows, "Call me Miles when we arent on the bridge Lieutenant...what can I," barely ducking a head shot, Miles does a diving roll, and slams his weapon into the second Klingon's skull. As the Klingon vanishes, Miles shakes sweat off his brow, "So, what can I do for you?"

Mathias had no chance to think, except to block the Klingon's attack with his swords in an x formation. He could feel the great strength of the Klingon bearing down with his bat'leth. Mathias felt lucky that his opponent didn't have a regular sword for the x formation wouldn't have been as affective. If it had been, the opponent would have been able to slide the blade towards him and would have hit his head. That was it! Mathias quickly adjusted the grip of his left sword, and plunged the sword into the Klingon. The klingon vanished from view.

Mathias was relieved that it worked, giving his arms a bit of a shake to loosen the muscles. "Miles, you can call me Mathias. I just wanted to meet you as a crew member getting to know another crew member, besides you being the XO." giving a pleasant smile. "Your exercise program, no safeties?"

"Computer, terminate program." The third Klingon warrior froze and then vanished as his blade was about to eviscerate Miles. "Only when I'm alone and working out frustrations, the knowledge something seriously could go wrong helps keep my mind focused." The bat'leth in Miles hands remained as he approached Mathias. "So, Chief Science Officer, those are some big shoes to fill. I've read your file, but you tell me, do you think you're ready?"

"It would be facetious for me to say, I am the greatest scientist of all and I can deal with anything. I am not the Great Wizard of Oz." Giving a slight smile and chuckle, then he stated in a more serious manner. "I will give my best, knowing full well that there is always room for improvement. No one knows everything in this universe. Otherwise that would make me a God, and I am in no way anything like that. And to be more specific, I feel up to the task of being in the head position. If I am not and someone didn't think me capable, I would not be here right now."

"Good answer. The Merlin is an interesting assignment. We've encountered the Borg, an alien intelligence who calls itself The Puppet Master, and now the megapterians. It won't be boring. If you need anything from me or my department my doors always open. Now, before we go any further, would you like to adjourn to The Round Table so we can speak more casually?"

"More casually, as in not worrying about a Klingon or other form of opponent trying to decapitate us? That is a wonderful suggestion." Mathias giving a laugh. "Though that definitely got the heart pumping there." he said thoughtfully, " I wonder if it is difficult to learn to use the bat'leth. Perhaps you could train me?" his long swords disappearing from view.

Semi-blushing, "My blood-brother, taught me. We were roomed together that the Academy as no one wanted to room with us, him being Klingon and me being Cardassian. I taught him how to gamble against Ferengi, he taught me Mok'bara and how to wield a Bat'Leth. His family wasn't happy about either. After four years together, his mother warmed up to me, and there's an open invitation to come visit her whenever I want." Spinning his weapon, "The style appeals to me. She may not look it, but she is beautiful when I work the forms. I practice against Klingons and other races to keep my skills honed, mainly if we get boarded. She stays in my room, but I have a Mek'leth stored at my bridge station."

"A well-prepared individual. I like that." Mathias giving a nod. "I can tell that you have good form, and you definitely have a grace with which you wield it. My compliments. And I will disagree, that blade is beautiful, the form and the practicality of it. Its an amazing weapon." Walking towards the archway with Miles.

Miles nodded, "Yes she is. Now, I've read your file, but why don't you fill me in on what's not there, what makes you tick, that's the phrase right?"

Mathias nodded. Mathias thought for a moment on that question as they neared the turbo-lift door, then gave a laugh. "You know every time someone has asked me that, my mind goes blank. How does one put one's own personality and quirks into a brief synopsis. I can only go by what some people say about me. Or I could put it in a symbolic way. I feel I am like an onion, I have many layers that are discovered little by little by those who associate with me. When I met with Caroline, I mean, Commander Miller in the atrium ." There was a bit of a tenderness and fondness in his eyes and voice when he spoke her name. "She said I was a bit of a romantic and a poet. She is a rather enchanting woman. I hope to get to know her more. I could tell there was some sadness she is experiencing. I do not know what it is, but I am not going to pry into her personal business. Another thing, is that I love music, and I can hear music in my surroundings in the normal everyday sounds."

Miles smiled, "I have an ear for music as well. Of course mine runs to Klingon operas, and some Bajoran and Cardassian artists. I never did find any music on Earth that appealed to, but then again, I didn't have alot of time at the Academy to listen to music, outside of what my roomie and played while studying."

"I've heard some Klingon Opera, it can be very moving and I've heard some cardassian as well as bajoran. Out of curiosity what sort of music did your roomie play while you were studying?" Mathias pausing at the turbo lift doors and turning towards Miles asking "Do you think you'd need to put your bat'leth in your quarters or would they allow you to take it in to the Round Table?"

Sighing Miles replies, "Klingon Operas, and he can't sing to save himself from a hungry targ. Now when I got him drunk, which was difficult, we sounded fairly good together," scratching his chin he ponders, "Well I think we did. Anyway, that was a long time ago it seems. As to this, yes, they have a spot I can stash her, its not like I forget often, but there are days where I need something to help me cool off before heading to my room." He removes a tightly bound object, which turns out to be a leather sleeve that covers the blades, but leaves the handles open to grab. As the turbo lift doors open he ties the sleeve on, "this is the closest she gets to a peace knot." Stepping into the turbolift, he waits for Mathias to join him before giving their destination.

Mathias stepped inside, "I am familiar with peace knots. When doing Renfaires it is important that the blades are peace-tied. Keeps people safe." The lift stops and opens on deck 10. "I really do like the name of Ten Forward, The Round Table. I feel, a link to the Arthurian legends, in its name, much like the Ships name, The Merlin."

Handing his blade over to a waiter, Miles nodded, "The naming convention was hard for me at first. Our fleet, most of the names are from the class of the ship, not necessarily tied to a person or place. A few are special, but most are just "Blah, a Galor class cruiser."

"I see, well the ships I've been on have had interesting names. Like for one the USS Broadsword, and then there was the USS Nimue." Mathias remarked, while looking for a table where they could sit. "Any preferred area you like to sit at?"

"The observation window is my favorite place. I like watching the stars go by, reminds me of how small we are compared to the universe." Miles looked around, "How about those two over there?" Points out a two seat table

"This is one of my favorite places to sit as well. Just seeing the stars is relaxing, and also makes me feel humble." walking towards the indicated table with Miles. "Sometimes I can imagine hearing the song of the stars, the intermittent patterns that can be seen."

Miles looked at Mathias to see if he was kidding, seeing the look on his face Miles continued, "Music lover. I've heard of people saying there is music amongst the stars, but I've never heard it. Fay/Sansa has said there are several locations on the ship that seem to 'sing' to her."

"Yes, I am a music lover." Mathias replied with a grin. "And in engineering, I can hear the music there as well. It's probably due to my being a bit of a musician of a sorts. I play the panpipes. " taking a seat by the window.

Sighing, Miles looks out at the stars, "I own a cythern, its an 8 stringed instrument from Cardassia. I haven't played it, much less touched it in months. When I was at the Academy I would talk to my fellow students and have them teach me songs they knew. Commander Tillatix wants me to play it for her and sing, ugh, that might scare her off."

"I'd say, why not play for her and see what she thinks? I for one would love to hear you play as well." Mathias remarked. "I had met with Sav here in the Round Table, just as possible friends, and mainly two crew members getting to know one another. Its a common thing I do where-ever I get assigned. She told me she had a beau, and honestly I think that is great and that whomever she is in love with and whomever is in love with her, is a lucky person. I didn't pry as it wasn't my business and that would have been really rude of me. Besides the secret beau she has, made her eyes sparkle and filled with joy."

He looked up as a waiter approached the table, he ordered an ice tea with lemon.

Miles ordered earl grey tea, hot, with cream, sugar, and lavender essence. Looking at Mathias Miles grins, "I'm the beau. And she makes my eyes sparkle too. Now, what do you like to do on your down time. We have some coming up on Earth. I haven't been there for a while, it'll be nice to see the places I used to hang out. Of course I did my time in London, I don't know if Sav has been there or not, but that's not too far from your neck of the woods right?"

"No it isn't, Sav had expressed interest in doing some singing with me. She hoped that her beau, meaning you, will be willing to play music with us. I suggested that we do so at my town's pub, I also mentioned that they would treat her as the magical person that she is. Just to give you fair warning, my town believes strongly in the Faerie Folk." Mathias remarked.

"Faerie Folk? What are they going to think of me," laughing he takes another drink of his tea.

"Well there are some who may say they have the sight as in seeing your aura and what they may claim to be your faeself. You would be a noble tall warrior, a Nordic troll.. Not a monster like the ones that evil, but ones that are Strong, Chivalrous, Stoic and Brave. Don't be alarmed if they look at you, in that manner." Mathias smiled. "Its all in good fun, truly. The pub that we'll be performing is in The Faerie Tree Inn. " taking a drink after he made his statement.

'Hmmming' Miles drinks some more of his tea. "I'll talk to Sav about this singing adventure. And I'll remember to pack my cythern. I would say I'm not chivalrous, but Sav would override me on that I believe. As to the stoic and strong, my people have plenty of that. The brave, that part I learned growing up on Cardassia and in my time at the Academy." Drinking some more, he seems to get lost in something out the window.

Mathias watched Miles for a few moments, while sipping his own drink, then he spoke. "It looks like you've got a bit on your mind, Miles. Something I can help you with? Or did I stir up some memories best left to lay dormant."

Miles looked at Mathias with a somewhat sad expression, "Just remembering my first year at the Academy. Jo'el'Tok helped me, well, we helped each other not go crazy. I haven't seen him in several years. I haven't told him I'm coming back to Earth, or about my beau. He and I were in the same training group. There was a malfunction, I took the brunt of the damage so the rest of my team could get out. His mother was impressed, as he could have easily died, as the others could have too. I've stuffed a lot of those memories down, knowing I'll be visiting the HQ, and the possibility of running into people I remember, well, lets say I'm not overly enthusiastic about some of the cadets I was in class with." Standing up and stretching, Miles looked around, "Maybe this is a good time to call it a night. I need to reach out to, well, a few people before we reach Earth. Thank you for this, we'll have to do it again." Picking up his tea cup Miles heads over, grabs his Bat'leth, and heads out in the direction of the turbolift. Anyone seeing him can see he's not "there" but a million miles away.

Silently Mathias raised his glass towards the XO as Miles left the Round Table. He then turned to watch the stars, lost in his own thoughts.