"Romulans are Coming!"

[Zack Yuuko-Chen 0]

Ens. Laarell Teykier and Lt. Zack Chen

A Joint Log

"The Romulans are coming!"

 

 

Zack entered the science lab of the Morning Star. It wasn't as big as Excalibur's but it was sufficiently cramped with past experimental materials, equipment, padds and etc. to be a scientist's home. Cosy ... He thought and rubbed the back of his head, it didn't hurt any more but he could still see the image of the soggy ground on that planet after he was struck. Remembering the image causes him to shiver.

 

He spotted Laarell working on a console near the end of the room and walked over.

 

"I'm sorry ... but being smacked in the head by a disruptor rifle doesn't help with memory ... you are...?"

 

Laarell turned to Chen and smiled warmly. Extending a hand, she replied, "Ensign Laarell Teykier. You must be Zack Chen. I've heard a lot about you."

 

Really? I'm surprised that someone actually can tell you a lot about me." Zack said while still rubbing his head.

 

The Orion smirked.” Perhaps 'a lot' is an overstatement, Lieutenant. I've been reading your personnel profile, spoken to a few of the scientists..."

 

“Oh, ah. Oh, Laarell! I remember now. I’ve worked with you for what? A day?” Chen chuckles and looked around, obviously he wasn’t a professional conversationalist.

 

“Um … Er … how do you like the MorningStar?”

 

She looked slightly sheepish as she responded. "Well, my pressure-tent during lunar survival training was more cushy. But I don't make a habit of complaining. How do you find the lodgings here?"

 

Chen shrugged. "I don't think I've seen my quarters yet ... oh well I prefer the science lab anyway."

 

"Let's hope that the quarters of a Lieutenant are better than that of an Ensign." She sighed before changing the subject. "Been to the Mess Hall yet?"

 

"Nah, I can't find my way around here, it seems the ship is all squished together, or packed with systems. I bumped into several warhead storage bays that I thought was the mess hall."

 

Laarell smiled. "It's this ship's one redeeming quality. It has the capability of replicating a decent bowl of Terahulian soup.

"Tera - huan - lean ... Ah, it has an interesting name ... Well it is redeeming to know that a ship so armed to the nacelles can make good soup."

 

Laarell nodded. "It's the simple things that make a ship a good ship." She looked around thoughtfully and remained quiet for a moment. "But then again, I did like Excalibur. She was a good ship. Do you think that we'll ever get her back?"

 

Chen sighed and sat on a chair. "I don't know ... when I came around in sickbay, they told me nothing ... said it was 'classified' so I have no idea of what actually happened..." Chen thought about his experience on the away team for a moment.

 

"Come to think of it I don't remember who brought us to sickbay...”

 

Laarell looked at him with some concern in her eyes. "Mr. Chen? Are you all right?"

 

"Hm, I feel fine ..."

 

She shrugged. "You must have been through some pretty tough stuff back there. And to tell you the honest truth, I didn't know that what happened here..err... on Excalibur that was classified."

 

"Is that sooo ..." Chen wondered if the crew is playing a trick on the away team folks. "Oh well, I bet it was so boring the others say its classified."

 

Laarell laughed loudly. "It was so desperate that I was given the Bridge. Hardly boring."

 

"ahhh, that's good then ... hopefully adjustment will be very temporary"

 

"I suppose that you are correct, Lieutenant. And a little change is good for the psyche."

 

"I hope so ... my psyche needs some rest." Chen tapped on a console. "Ah ... code ... I suppose we can take a rest before going to duty again...”

 

"I'll uhh ... see you in a few hours I guess." Chen picked a nice, mess-free spot on a table and put his head down.

 

Laarell started staring. "Lieutenant, perhaps your quarters are the best place to nap..."

 

With out lifting his head, he responded. "No, no, my quarters are creepy ... I'm scared that Romulans might come ... here is much more comfy"

 

Alarm crept into her voice. "Lieutenant?!"

 

Chen lifted his head abruptly. "Huh?! What? Where? Oh ... "

 

Laarell looked like she was about to laugh and raise an eyebrow at the same time. "You were on your way to your quarters. I suggest that you continue."

 

“But … I wanted to sleep here … with all the noise and light …” Chen whined.

 

Laarell spoke quietly and firmly. "Just go to your quarters, Lieutenant. It's for the best."

 

Chen forced a smile and started for the door. "Yes ma'am!"

 

He made his quick exit straight back to his quarters, bumping into storage areas on his way.