A place to hang a hat

Posted on 20 Oct 2020 @ 10:16pm by Lieutenant JG Ron Bumble

Mission: R&R - after facing the Planet Killer
Location: USS Andromeda
Timeline: R&R day 3
1624 words - 3.2 OF Standard Post Measure

Carrying a PADD, Michael had a pleased expression, he also was a bit excited as well from what was on the device. On the PADD was the information from the probe that Ron had sent out to gather data from that Planet Killer. There was another reason why he was looking to find Ron, he wanted to see how he was doing.

Tapping on his comm badge, Michael sent out a message.

"Lieutenant Bumble, what is your location, I've got some news that you may want to hear about."

Ron had been half asleep on his makeshift bunk, in his makeshift cubicle in cargo bay 3 and suddenly his comm. badge beeped. He sat bolt upright and his arm flew to the side searching for it. It landed in something cold and lumpy. His half eaten irish stew from last night. "Uggg ...." he muttered shaking it off and then spotting the badge.

Pressing it, he answered. "Im on cargo bay 3 Lieutenant. Perhaps ...." his eyes shooted round. It was heaving and people were yo yoing between not managing to contain their sadness at what had happened and worrying as to what was to happen next. "Perhaps we should meet some place else. Quieter?"

And less smelly ... he sniffed. Was that him or everyone or a mix of the two. He hoped it wasn't him as there looked to be a queue for the set up sonic showers and toiletries area.

"I've got just the place and I'm on my way to your location right now." Michael responded, and in a matter of minutes he was there.

His eyes darted around looking at the set up for the refugees, there must be a better way to fix things here. He'll put his mind to that shortly, first off, he needed to find Ron.

"I'm here, Ron."

He had at least managed to get rid of the stew and clean up his badge. "Yeah ... ermmm welcome to my temporary lodgings.

So ... good news," he ventured. There was no where to sit except the floor or the bunk. He chose the floor sitting down cross legged and indicating he take the bunk as a seat.

Around them a few of the females had noticed this mans arrival and from their reaction were pleased with what they saw.

Michael gave a nod in acknowledgement to the ladies, giving them a warm smile in greeting. Also wondering to himself, how many people could fit in a holosuite and get cleaned up that way.

"Ron, yes I have some good news but.. why don't you come with me. Get some clean clothing, and as you asked, a quieter place for us to talk.

Ron shrugged. It didn't sound any worse that his current situation. He stood up again and followed him. Suddenly he was grabbed by ... he couldn't remember her name. In fact he didn't even think they had ever spoken in a non work setting before. Nothing more than "heres the report."

"Ron .. hey Ron. Who's your friend?" she slid up next to him and didn't even give him chance to answer that question instead turning some puppy dog eyes in the direction of Hawkins.

"Tara," she said holding her hand out to the other man.

Michael's right eyebrow raised, as he watched the rude way Tara was sashaying over to meet him, using Ron as an excuse. Its something that made his blood boil, he never liked it when people used others to get ahead in life. He had a pleasant enough smile, as he took her hand. "I'm Michael, Chief of Operations, nice to meet you Tara." he released her hand

"However, Ron and I have some business to attend to. Which involves..." gesturing towards where the refugees were waiting for their time to get cleaned up. "Figuring out more comfortable places for you all to sleep in. I definitely need my friend's intellect to help me solve the puzzle out."

Ron raised an eyebrow really not sure what was going on. He followed the other man out of the cargo bay in silence. When the doors shut behind them and his ears accustomed to the lack of noise again, his shoulders suddenly dropped. He hadn’t realized he was carrying tension from this situation.

“Did my data manage to be saved through all of this Lieutenant ?” He asked suddenly

Michael had breathed a quiet sigh of relief when they made it out in the corridor, sort of wiping his hand on his uniform as if he had touched something slimy, the one hand that had shook Tara's hand.

At Ron's question, Michael brightened up, with a smile running from ear to ear. "Yes! Indeed I got the data you sent to me." giving a friendly clap on his shoulder. "That's one of the reasons why I came here to find you. Also, I've got some other news for you. I do believe the captain is going to have you join the crew of the Andromeda. However, until we get the others situated, I've got a bed set up in my quarters besides my own that you can sleep in until we get your own quarters It maybe a little bit cramped, but, I think we can deal with it until the time comes. "

Michael held out his hand towards Ron, "What do you say? Clean uniform, a chance to get a shower without waiting? I was also serious with what I told Tara, I figured you and I could figure out something for the others to stay in."

"Captain Reynolds wants to offer me a job?" Ron asked in disbelief. "Is ... is he offering anyone else to stay on the Andromeda?" he asked sheepishly his mind going to his XO.

"I am not certain if he has done so yet. When he had me come to his ready room, and gave me this." Indicating his new pip." He told me that he was planning on 'stealing' you for the Andromeda. " Michael smiled. "I thought it a wonderful idea."

"I'm very grateful for your kindness but I think I would feel more comfortable sleeping on the sofa rather than encroach on your bedroom Lieutenant," he said.

Michael chuckled, "Well, that is where I have your 'bed' set up, on the sofa. Hopefully it will be comfortable enough for you. Come on, lets get your essentials, and you can get situated."

On the way to his quarters it dawned on Michael as per Ron's question. "Ron, that question you asked, if the Captain had offered someone else a job on the Andromeda, is there someone you were hoping to be asked to stay?"

Ron flushed and avoided that question. "There's a lot of us from the Europa suddenly without a job. And familiar faces are well a sense of comfort aren't they," he waffled.

"Congratulations on the promotion," he added.

"I agree, having a familiar face does make things better. Thank you." Michael answered, "I hadn't been expecting the rank, so it's a great honor. I am also going to be the Chief of Engineering, Lieutenant Xu will be taking over the Chief of Operations slot. Its a bit of a change don't you think?"

"Well not so much to me," Ron said honestly. "I wasn't used to your old senior staff line up."

They stopped at the Quartermaster to get Ron some supplies, then off to Michael's quarters. Michael paused before entering in and said, "Mi casa es su casa"

Inside on the couch there were sheets, a blanket and a pillow waiting for Ron, and also a work area with a computer for him as well. "There you go, settle on in get cleaned up. While you do that, I am going to see about figuring out a place for the others to stay in that's more comfortable. Maybe a holoprogram set in historical New York, resembling a large apartment building like say on Manhattan Island? If you have ideas, let me know when you get out of the shower."

Ron nodded awkwardly. He thought his days sharing quarters with strangers had been over but clearly not. Although he appreciated the man deciding to make room for him in when he didn't necessarily have too. It was certainly much more quieter than where he had been.

He went through Michaels bedroom to the bathroom and had a long shower. Feeling much better, he then dressed in a clean uniform not actually knowing if he should do as he had been told the Andromeda Captain wanted to offer him a job but he hadn't actually formally been offered one.

"If you don't mind, I could replicate something. I didn't have any breakfast," he said quietly.

"Go right ahead get what you need." Michael responded. "I am going to send a message to the captain and see about the progress on you becoming officially a part of the crew." Michael pulling out his padd and sending off a quick message to Captain Reynolds.

Captain, is there any news of Lieutenant Ron Bumble being assigned to the USS Andromeda? Please advise. Ensign Hawkins

Official request has been put in to Starfleet and accepted. We just need to speak with Ron. came a quicker response than expected.

I've got Lieutenant Bumble bunking in my quarters on the couch for the time being. He's about to eat breakfast. When he's finished, meet you in your ready room? Also have an idea on how to make things more comfortable for the refugees. Will tell you about it when we meet up. I will need your approval and thoughts on it.

Michael looked up from his PADD, "When you are finished with breakfast, we'll be meeting with the Captain."