Some Down Time

[Brian Graham 0]

Assistant Security Officer's Personal Log

Lt. jg. Brian Graham

USS Excalibur

Stardate 200405.03

 

Brian Graham climbed back into the Excalibur after having spent a few moments on the outside, face to face with the Dominion probe that had been giving them so much trouble. Even though Brian had been fully trained to operate in a Zero-G environment, he still felt better inside a ship then walking on the outside. Especially when being outside a ship put him in close proximity to Dominion technology.

 

Brian looked up, seeing stars where there should have been a hull plate.

 

"Engineering will make sure that the hull will be repaired," came Captain Sorehl's comment.

 

"I'm sure anyone who lives on this deck will be happy when this section is repressurized," Brian replied as he and the Captain walked back to the forcefield. The Captain tapped a console, bringing up another forcefield behind the two. Sorehl tapped a few more buttons, and the section repressurized. At the same time, the other forcefield deactivated and now the two officers looked like two morons wearing EVA suits in a pressurized corridor.

 

"Well, now I can get this blasted thing off" Brian said, deactivating the suit and getting out of it.

 

"That 'blasted thing' was the only thing between you and space Lieutenant," Sorehl replied.

 

Brian couldn't argue with the Vulcan's obvious logic. It wouldn't do any good either since the Captain was 100% correct.

 

"Understood sir" Brian said, glad to drop the issue. Checking a chronometer, Brian noticed that his shift had ended five minutes ago. Brian decided that after his out-of-ship experience, he deserved some recreation, meaning he was going to the Lounge. Then Brian remembered the Captain standing next to him, and realized it would be rude to just leave. Even though Vulcans aren't the best ones to converse with, Brian figured he'd be polite. "Captain, I don't suppose you'd care to join me in the Lounge for a drink?"

 

The Vulcan surveyed him for a moment, blinking. "Thank you, Lieutenant, but the Admiral indicated he would like me to oversee some duties in engineering. Perhaps another time."

 

"No problem sir, till next time" Brian replied as the two arrived at a junction and parted company. Brian continued on and entered a turbolift. "Deck 5" Brian commanded, and the turbolift began it's journey. "Hold" Brian suddenly said, deciding that he'd take something to read with him, just so he wouldn't have to stare out a window. "Deck 7."

 

The turbolift doors opened up onto Deck 7 and Brian quickly headed for his quarters. Entering his room, Brian spied the PADD containing the current book he was reading. Now that he had what he needed, Brian went back to the turbolift and had it resume it's course for Deck 5.

 

The turbolift finally came to a halt and Brian stepped out into the corridor and found the familiar doors to the ship's forward lounge. Entering Brian immediately headed over to the bar.

 

"Hello Brian, what can I get you today?" the bartender asked the young Lieutenant.

 

"Water please" Brian replied.

 

"Again? Brian, every time you come in here you order water. Water water water, what are you a fish? Get something interesting! You're wasting my talents."

 

"Consider it me giving you a vacation. Now am I going to have to use a replicator?"

 

The bartender shook his head,defeated, "No, here you go. Enjoy yourself."

 

Accepting the water, Brian thanked the man and headed over to a corner of the Lounge. Sitting in a chair, Brian took a drink of water and set it on the table. Leaning back, Brian activated the PADD and started reading. Every once and awhile, Brain would take a drink of water or take a look out of the forward-looking viewing ports.

 

Sudden laughter interrupted Brian's reading and he looked over to the source, a group of female officers apparently enjoying a joke one of then told. One of them noticed Brian looking at them and smiled. Being the polite guy, Brian returned the smile with a short nod and returned to his reading. Females were not the reason Brian had joined Starfleet, but they did make it more interesting.