Supplying old friends.

Posted on Thu Aug 15th, 2019 @ 9:16am by

Mission: For Whom The Bell Tolls
Location: Cargo Bay one.
Timeline: MD 06 0900
1837 words - 3.7 OF Standard Post Measure

ON


Vannan had to get the Lounge Order right; it was her first time getting the supplies since coming on the ship; a few items were harder to get; imagine how easy it would have been to just replicate the basics? But then the quality of teh food would not be up to the usual standards of the Majestic's Chef's Culinary Magic.

The crate was not all that large; the cooking wines; a few spices and the real alcohol that were of a nature the Galley could serve but not something they were to keep in great quantities. The Galley took pride in the taste of their food and it is largely due to the Chef.

Vannan wore her Skirted uniform as she was not due in any of the Jefferies today and was more of a Quality Control over the Bay at the moment; being Deputy Operations Chief she had to do more supervising and checking than she had as a lead or just a Damage Control Girl. Yet she loved the work and the crew working the bay.

Patrick walked into the cargobay, ready to inspect his deliveries. They were late but that wasn't a problem, he wasn't doing much cooking right now anyway. Not until he knew why he wasn't up to par with his skills and he refused to serve bad food now that he knew. still, he was certain he could still inspect his supplies and make sure the galley was properly stocked just in case.

He stopped short as he recognized the woman pushing a few crates around. "Nichelle?" he asked, surprise clearly audible in his voice. Of all the people, he'd never expected to see her again. "What are you doing here, when did you arrive?"

Hello Paddy..." Vannan went over and gave him a warm hug that she was known for for a bit then backed to speak. "I just got here a few days with the crew rotation." She shrugged. "You know me; fly in and flutter about." Smiling brightly. "I got promoted and had a ton of paperwork and getting to know crews..." She tilt her head and looked him over. "You might be mad with me though..." She had a sheepish look. "Been so busy I been liivng on replicated food..." She perked before he could reply. "Really it has been long hours and I know better but work and all..."

"Yeah..you should've come to the mess Nichelle. So how have you been? Are you still with...what was his name again? The guy you were dating back on Cheron...are you still together or has it fallen through?"

"Two ships passing through the sector." Vannan said with a shrug. "He was sweet but wanted me posted planetside and I think more 'domestic' so it did not work out." She smiled. "He was a Gentleman who treated me right; some girl will be lucky someday." She laughed. "How are you doing since last we saw each other; I had prayed to Both Fate and Destiny that you would be able to have your heart alive again?"

"Oh I am alive," Patrick smiled, "and I'm happy. It took me a while though, I spent some time drifting and then i came here and well..." His smile widened as he offered an innocent shrug. "Me and the chief engineer are together, and he's moved in with me as well.. my quarters do have the kitchen and his needed dire renovation anyways so this was easlier." Obviously, there was something he wasn't telling his old friend.

Vannan raised her left eyebrow in a quizzical way; she wore that sly little grin. "I am happy you found someone of course." She almost bounced but managed to remain calm. "Dare I ask if I can meet him?" She grinned. "Or I could use my OPS duties to sneak a peek?"

"Oh he's the chief engineer, i'm sure you'll see him around," Patrick chuckled, "I still think he stays with me because he gets fresh food every meal." The smile was such however, that this was obviously not the truth. Clearly, the young man was happy. "Don't go pulling any pranks now, he's not the kind of man that appreciates his baby getting messed with. He doesn't tolerate strangers in engineering, from what I've observed."

"You do remember my old job right?" She put a hand to her chest in mock surprise. "I am a Damage Control Expert according to my specialty. Engineering and OPS have several areas that do cross over to a degree and knowing how protective Engineers are over their repair having a conversation to smooth and define those lines is not out of the question is it?"

"Oh you have no idea," Patrick chuckled. "I suppose Murph could use your help in engineering. So what's your man job here now?"

Vannan lean on the top of a crate and put her head upon her hands and smiled. "I am the Chief OPS for the ship. You might say I am your Number One supply girl?"

Eyes widening in surprise, he stared at her. "You made chief? Oh wow that's wonderful Nichelle. I'd make you a promotion dinner but under current circumstances that might not be a good idea... So I'll owe you one, alright? Until we find out why I keep ruining my dishes."

"Are you feeling all right Paddy?" Vannan was concerned. "You would not even allow me to ruin dishes?" She went to check his forehead. "Sure you are not sick or something?"

"I don't know...for some reason I can't get any dish right the last day or so." Patrick shook his head as he leaned against a large crate. "I hope whatever this is passes soon, it's frustrating and embarrassing."

"You have a good heart Paddy." Vannan assured. "I am sure you will get through this, everyone gets into a slump. While frustrating it is always temporary, you are too good and caring of your cooking not to get past this." She winked. "I know you well enough to believe in you."

"Murph went as far as trying to cook us both dinner," Patrick chuckled, "he burned it but it was very nice of him. He wanted to surprise me, except he can't cook...at all. He manages to ruin eggs, you see."

"I could whip up some things you taught me and send with you to help, you were so kind as to teach me things it is the least I can do for a pal?" Vannan brightened. "And your instructions are always perfect so we could see if that is where the glitch is..." She suddenly had an idea. "You culd have someone else do a meal or two with you guiding and if it comes out good then we know it was accidental and if comes out badly must be raw materials used?"

"Oh no...I'm not letting anyone else in my galley. It's bad enough I got to let Tarria in there...and I know she can put something decent together. No I'm sorry, I'm not ready to let anyone else in my kitchen."

"Use a holodeck silly." Vannan snickered. "If programmed right they can be replicators as they used the same things as the transporter technology same as replicator; re mixing molecules and forming them. we could practice there and see if it works?" She suggested. "It would simulate the process as if we were doing it for the Galley?"

"Yea I suppose," Patrick mused, shuddering at the idea of replicating food."

"Paddy this is an experiment, best not to use your good stuff in case it fails." Vannan pointed out. "We are just working a theory so we use 'theoretical food' to do experiment. No loss of real food and we can try as many angles as you like?"

"I suppose..." The answer was hesitant. "Did you keep up with anything I taught you? Do you think you can tell me, if I'm doing something wrong?"

"Paddy my friend." Vannan winked. "I have been using what you taught me, much to the delight of a few friends. I think I can tell enough of the spices and such apart to know if things go awry. But what I was thinking is that you d a dish and if comes out badly guide me though it; instructing me how to cook same dish and see if different?"

"We can try that." The young chef seemed genuinely distressed at his current inability to provide a decent meal for people. "Oh I hope this passes soon, what if I lost it forever? What will I do then? I don't have any other skills, I've ever only wanted to cook."

"Nothing that you love to do can be destroyed or taken away forever." Vanan said. "It might seem forever but it never is forever."

"I hope so..." He looked up, tears in his eyes. "I really hope so..."

Vannan went to give Paddy a hug. "You are meant to be a chef; nothing can take that away." Vannan assured. "You might stumble a bit but you have always gotten up and thrived afterward, this will be no different."

"Have I?" Patrick shook his head. "It took me a long time to accept Andy's death. It's only after coming here that I've started to feel alive a little again. And now this happens..."

"Adversity always precedes the greatness; it is a test of our resolve to persevere I suppose." Vannan offered. "Just another bump in the road that we can either slow down and hinder progress or keep driving until we arrive at the good?"

"I just want things to go right and keep going right for a change. I'm happy here Nichelle I've got all I wanted. And now I can't even get a fried egg straight." Patrick wiped his eyes and sighed. "And I shouldn't bother you while you're on duty, I'm sorry. Maybe we can meet later, on the holodeck? See if your idea works? When you're off duty of course."

"Paddy..." Vannan look into her friend's eyes. "You know I always make time for close friends but you are right I do need to get to my job." She handed him the PADD. "You want to go over and sign for your supplies?" She winked.

"Yeah..."

Vannan gave him that playful grin she was known for.

Patrick lifted his bandaged left hand which he'd kept pretty much out of view the whole conversation. "I'm not sure I can hold a pen right now," he apologized, "and I can't write right-handed. How do you propose we do this now?"

"All your digits are in the system; available thumb print will do on the PADD." She extended it in his direction.

Looking sheepish at not remembering the option, Patrick lightly pressed his thumb against the screen. "THanks," he murmured. "So I'll see you later?"

"Anytime." She agreed.


OFF

Patrick O'Malley
Chef
pnpc Lhaes

&

Lt. JG Nichelle Vannan
Assistant Chief OPS