Is This Seat Taken?

Posted on Wed Jul 19, 2017 @ 2:14pm by Lieutenant Martha Cusack & Ensign Holly Meadows

Mission: Shore Leave
Location: The Black Hole
Timeline: MD27; 12:30

Martha was back from her holiday with her family and returning to her normal schedule. She'd had a thoroughly enjoyable holiday and she was glad that she'd gone along after all. Deciding it was time to eat Martha went to The Black Hole to order some lunch - and after getting her drink the Tactical Chief took a table and waited patiently for her food to arrive.

Holly Meadows was exploring and although enjoying herself, she had reached the point of not being able to resist lunch any longer.
She stopped outside what looked to be an ok sort of place and looked up at the name across the window.
{The Black Hole...mmmm}
She decided to try it out and stepped inside.

Martha saw there was a young Ensign who looked a bit unsure of her surroundings. Standing up Martha looked over at Holly and gestured to the vacant seat at her table. It was only a two seater but Martha was trying to make some more friends. This seemed like a good start.

"Excuse me...I have a spare seat if you want to join me?" Martha asked.

Holly looked to the person who had spoken and saw a Lieutenant in gold uniform. The Black Hole was busy and Holly had noticed as soon as she entered that there didnt seem to be many spare places so, with a smile, she replied:
"Thankyou, thats kind." and pulled out the spare chair.

Martha smiled and sat back down. Looking at Holly she offered her one of the menus in the middle of the table so she could choose something to eat. In the mean time she decided to introduce herself.

"My name's Martha - I'm the Chief of Tactical. What's your name?" Martha said.

"Holly Meadows. I'm joining sickbay." she added. " Pleased to meet you."

Martha smiled. "Oh cool. That reminds me - I'm probably due to visit sickbay at some point soon for my medical. I think it's coming up to that time of the year but I need to make sure. Not my favourite thing in the world but I guess they have to be done"

"Im sure youll get a reminder." Holly said. " ..and its done for the best ofcourse." She smiled again before turning her attention to the menu.
" Have you eaten here before?" she asked " If so what do you recommend?"

"My daughter works here so I know all the nicest dishes. I like the lasagna but I can recommend pretty much everything on the menu. The chef in there certainly knows how to cook a decent meal" Martha replied.

"I'll try that then." Holly replied, closing the menu and sitting back in her chair, the decision made.
"Have you been aboard the ship for long?" she asked.

Martha shook her head. It had been barely a month since Martha arrived and already so much had gone on - the highlight up to now had to be subduing the Orions in the slave market with the stun grenades.

"About a month or so now. It's been an interesting experience so far - and you?" Martha responded.

"My first posting." Holly replied. " It was a bit daunting at first but I already know two people here...three now with you."

Martha smiled and summoned one of the waiters over and ordered Holly's food for her. Once he had disappeared again Martha responded to the new Medical Officer who she hoped would become one of her new friends.

Martha spoke. "You can count me as a friend if you like Holly. I don't have very many friends here - my wife and daughter live here with me and I have a few friends but that's it. I'd like to start going out and socialising a bit more like my wife suggested"

"Its easier said than done though isnt it?" Holly asked. " I mean its simple to say 'Im going out tonight' but not so simple on your own when it comes to the crunch."

Martha nodded slowly. With her autism she'd always preferred to stay in her quarters in comfortable and quiet surroundings where she felt more comfortable. Although it was potentially going to be a struggle at first Martha knew she needed to try and step outside of her comfort zone at some point.

"I've never really liked social situations but I need to try and make an effort. I've been in my comfort zone for about 8 years since I left the Academy but I think I'm ready to start getting out a bit more and making some more friends" Martha replied.

Holly nodded. "Well youve met me." she said with a smile. " Its a start!"

Martha tittered. "Well it is. I even asked you to sit down which is usually not what I do...I usually wait until the person asks to sit down and then take forever to think about it. I'm really bad socially so if I'm stuck for words or whatever then I apologise"

Holly shrugged a little. " You know? I think thats not always a bad thing. Its preferable to those people who yatter away non stop. Ohh...here comes lunch." she added seeing the waiter approaching.

"I don't think it's a bad thing either - but I guess I should try and make some friends. There's only so many books I can read or so many things I can watch before I get bored. It helps for working with people on the job as well" Martha said.

There was a pause as plates were set down and cutlery taken up.

"This looks inviting." Holly said and glanced at her companion not wanting to begin before she was ready to eat too.

Martha looked up and thanked the waiter for the food before carefully picking up her cutlery and eating a couple of the chips from her side order. She hadn't eaten a big breakfast so a large lunch was definitely in order this lunchtime.

"It's amazing. Enjoy" Martha replied.

Holly needed no second bidding and took a forkful of Lasagne.
"Youre right." she said having eaten it.
" I met the Morale Officer." she said, selecting her next bite. " Her seemed really nice. Perhaps you might talk to him about social stuff." she suggested.

After finishing a forkful of her lunch Martha nodded in agreement

Martha replied. "I think I probably should. I could speak to the counsellor as well and see what they suggest I can do to help improve my confidence etcetera"

"Exactly." Holly said, lifting a piece of crusty bread. " They will be full of ideas." She bit into the crisp crust.
"I'm making the most of today because once i begin duties I doubt Ill have too much free time. I have so much to learn at least until i klnow my way around sickbay. Its huge....two whole decks"

Martha smiled. "You'll always have some time to yourself even if you're a department head like me. The great thing is there's so always experienced people on each ship so you can always be sure of some good on the job learning. I learned more in my first six months in commission than I did in four years of classroom and holodeck training in San Francisco"

" I know." Holly said. "When i had my placement at the Lunar Hospital i went there thinking I knew everything. Ha! how wrong can you get? I learned in a day that medschool didnt really teach you 'how' to use medicine." She laughed at her memory. " So this time Im prepared."

"We've all been there - I can admit to that. I started off in Operations myself and moved over to Tactical in 2388 - it was the best move I ever made - mainly because I met my wife when I lead a combined Tactical and Security department" Martha responded.

"Id like one day to have a CMO position but thats years away ofcourse and then theres the decision of whether to specialize or not. Its going to great." Holly said smiling at the thought and looking back at her lunch.
Jacob Hartleys words echoed in her mind. 'Dark and Dangerous' but she pushed them away. The future looked bright and promising to her.

Martha took a couple more mouthfuls of her meal to enjoy it while it was still warm. As per usual it was delicious and Martha appreciated the larger than standard side of chips - usually thanks to Elsie.

Martha smiled. "I made department head after about four years or so in the field. Not as early as I was expecting but the more you stick at it then you'll get your opportunity to step up a lot sooner than you think"

" We'll see." Holly replied. " Im in no rush."
She laid her knife and fork neatly together at the side of her plate.
" I cant eat another thing." she said "That was delicious though so now two good things...meeting a friend and finding somewhere to have lunches." She smiled across the table to Martha.

"It has been a good lunchtime break hasn't it? Making new friends is really hard for me but you've made it really easy - so thank you. I'll have the rest of your meal if you like...I haven't eaten that much today and I absolutely love this lasagna" Martha replied.

Holly glanced at her plate then at Marthas eager face.
"Oh..well..yes ofcourse if you like." she said doubtfully.

Martha tittered and pulled her friend's plate over and placed what was left on her own plate. Normally Martha wouldn't eat so much but she didn't like to waste food - and as she was still quite hungry it made sense.

"I could eat this every day - it's just as well I go to the gym every day after my shift..." Martha commented.

"Quite." Holly agreed with a wide smile. " So..what would you recommend I see on the promenade?" she asked

Martha smiled. "There's a few different places for you to go to on the promenade - the one thing the Triumphant has is plenty of recreational facilities. There's a couple of bars and shops I go to a couple of times a week - although I don't really buy very much. There's a new place selling some old stuff I might go and visit after I've finished this. You can come along if you like?"


"That would be good." Holly replied. " If you tell me where it is we can meet up later if you like."

"It's not too far from here actually - opposite end if I recall correctly. I'll go and have a look for myself and let you know where it is after my shift's finished. I'd like to buy myself something nice for my office as it's looking a bit bland at the moment. Hopefully I get a staff discount..." Martha replied - tittering at the end.

" I hope so too." Holly agreed and got to her feet. " Speak to you later then." she said picking up her bag and pulling its long strap onto her shoulder.

Martha nodded and watched Holly leave before resuming her dinner. It had been an interesting conversation and she'd now seemingly made a new friend to. She also had a visit to the shop with her new friend to look forward to after work as well.

Holly looked back when she reached the door and raising a hand smiled to Martha before she made her exit.