A quick introduction

Posted on 02 Aug 2021 @ 7:14am by Ensign Vince Stryfe

Mission: Picking up the pieces
Location: Medusa's Head
1085 words - 2.2 OF Standard Post Measure

Michael decided he wanted a drink at the Medusa's Head, which was what Ten Forward was termed. He ordered a bourbon neat and when he received it he turned to take a look at who was there. He noted that there was some new faces who had come in due to personnel changes and transfers. He remembered his own experience coming to the Andromeda. He pulled out his PaDD just to see who had arrived lately. Going through the manifest. Still a hold out from being Chief of Operations. He was interrupted by a female crew member.

"Hey Hawkins, when is the next dance practice going to be?" she asked. The girl being blonde and pretty, "And when are you going to be asking me out?"

"Sorry, Melinda, I am off the market." Hawkins replied, "I'm currently seeing someone." he replied, "But, we'll be having a dance practice soon enough."

"Well your loss but, whomever the girl is, she's pretty lucky." Melinda replied. "Well maybe I can buy you a drink instead?"

"I am amenable to that." Hawkins replied, with an affable smile. "And I am the lucky one instead. She's quite the woman."

Vince walked up to the bar, towel in hand, and got the bar tender's attention," Hey, I forgot to give this towel back to the server, but thank you for it, dried me right up as a towel should," Vince glanced over and saw Lt. who seemed to be looking at personal files, and his was the topic at the moment." Hey bud, you're in the 10, no need to be doing work right now, and I can tell you more about that guy then the PADD can, since I am that guy," Vince put his hand out," I'm Vince Stryfe, pleasure to meet you."

The bartender nodded and took the towel from Stryfe. "Thanks."

Hawkins laughed, putting away his PaDD and shaking his hand. "I'm LT. Michael Hawkins, Chief Engineer. I just like to see who's newly arrived on the ship. I used to be the Chief of Operations. From what I read, before, Melinda interrupted me." nodding towards the blonde next to him, who was eyeing Vince. "You are a helm officer. Welcome aboard."

" Helm is definitely where I make my home, nothing like being at the wheel of a several ton beast in zero gravity," Vince sat next to Michael," Nice to meet you too, Melinda. I have a feeling we should be running into each other frequently," He gave her a wink.

Melinda smiled broadly, "I am hoping that we will do so." getting prepared to take a seat on the other side of Vince. However, she is called away by some other crewmates.

Michael remarked to Vince, as she walked away, "She is really into dancing, if you want to meet up with her." taking a sip of his bourbon.

"Another water please," Vince asked the bartender, watching Melinda walk away," Well that would be a slight issue. I can dance with a ship or a Mustang, but dancing on a floor with a woman," He paused for a moment," the saying goes, two left feet, right? Never got that whole thing figured out. It was quite the show when I tried at my prom, it wasn't pretty at all."

Michael raised an eyebrow that one. "Seems to me that someone hadn't figured out a way to teach you how to dance, and instead left you hanging out to dry so to speak." then taking another drink from his glass. "My feeling is, if you've got the coordination to fly, you've got the coordination to dance. A Mustang you say? As in a P-51?" his eyes showing keen interest in this.

"The very Mustang that soared over the skies in WW2," Vince took a drink of his water, pointing at Michael," The P-51 is actually the reason I may have never learned to dance, spending time with her. We restored her to complete working order, and original order. That plane has none of today's tech, everything relies on you and you alone. It's an absolute thrill, and I can't describe how great it is to fly that beauty."

"Oh, I can very well see you falling under the spell of the Mustang. She is beauty, I will confirm that. I am pretty big on historical genre. In fact, where I am from, troops that took part in D-Day had been loaded up on the ship there, I am from Brixham, England." Michael remarked.

"Nice, I know quite a bit about all of that. I myself am from the midwest United States, not much really happens there, which was perfect for flying the Mustang, and cultivating my love of piloting. We grew more than corn out there I guess." Vince laughed," Engineering would be a leap for me that's for sure, way too technical."

"Oh I don't know about that, if you restored a P-51 then there isn't much of stretch to become an engineer." giving a half smile, "however you prefer to be in command of the ship feeling it respond to your touch. I get that. Its much like sailing on a tall ship, and feeling the tug of the wind as it fills the sails." Michael remarked.

"I may drink water, but I ain't going near it. I'll stay in the sky and on the ground," Vince tipped his glass to Michael, then realized the time on the PADD still sitting near him," Oh crap, I need to get to the bridge and finally talk to the Captain, sorry to cut this short, but procedure calls"

Michael lifted his glass towards Vince. "Maybe next time we'll have a longer chat. You take care, and be seeing you around, and also, I gotta see that P-51 that you've been talking about and perhaps a general idea of how well you fly. Had a friend who was based on this ship, was the main helm officer. He got injured though, had to be sent back home to recuperate." there was a slight hint of sadness in Michael's eyes. "Yeah be seeing you, Vince." giving a small wave. "Yeah, nothing like facing off with a Planet Killer." he said lifting the drink to his lips and turning back around to face the bar.

"Oh and one more thing, make sure you meet the CMO, Caitian Doctor, Lieutenant C'Tora Kuroka." Hawkins said as an addition.



Lieutenant Michael Hawkins
Chief Engineer
USS Andromeda

Ensign Vince Stryfe
Flight Control, USS Andromeda