Lindsy had been taking her time getting settled into her new quarters. She also had been familiarizing herself with her new role and reviewing certain contract details and the like. She also had been looking over lists of different vendors and logistics sources on the docking ring and New Ferenginar. Mostly just for familiarization.
She had replicated herself a bowl of broth and a sandwich with meat, cheese, and some vegetables. Her fruit drink had proven a good choice and she had chosen to sit closer to a window in the Officers mess. She wore dark fitted trousers and a charcoal wrap top that she had owned long enough that it had stopped feeling like something she had chosen and simply felt like something she wore. Her hair was down which it was more often now than it had been in her first week aboard. Having extended an offer to Tiraa to join her for lunch and conversation, she waited patiently while continuing to look over the PADD on her table. She knew the XO was busy, as was everyone else. Their interaction had been minimal but it was something she wanted to improve upon.
Up until three days ago, Tiraa had been settling into her role on the Dutchman with ease. The crew was standoffish, but that was something she was used to given the color of her skin. Truthfully, there had been no plan to put energy or effort into trying to bond with any of these people. There would always be suspicion of her, giving sideward glances that though she couldn’t see she could feel. They’d always be waiting for her to betray them, and perhaps in the end that was the wisest thing they could do.
Not a week on the ship and she had already seen Zedd’s version of “cooperation” between him and herself. She’d been quite aware of his wandering mind between Lindsy and Mei-Lin given his lack of mental quiet when he considered them. While she didn’t begrudge desire and whatever he chose to do in his private time, she did when it affected her. He’d made his choice between the two in a spectacular way – his chosen women had been given a promotion and new private quarters for his convenience right across the hallway. While she could understand wanting easy access to her bed, the notion that two decks of separation was too much was rather ridiculous to her. The promotion was the most damning thing of it all though: Command Liaison. It was a position that would see her working very closely with not only Zedd himself, but it was also expected Lindsy would now work closely with Tiraa.
Zedd had not, however, given her any notice that this was something he wanted or that was happening, much less asking if she approved of the idea. This was a typical weakness of man, and while she was mildly disgusted by Zedd, she had to appreciate on some level the swiftness with which Lindsy had moved to stake her claim on the most powerful man on the ship and the reward she had received from opening her legs. It was very Orion of her, which also wasn’t a surprise given she had grown up on Rigel IV surrounded by Orions. Granted in Orion culture it was usually the males in this role given their matriarchal society. Obviously, adjustments had to be made depending on the culture.
Tiraa had accepted Lindsy’s offer for lunch when it had come to her. Her irritation was not at the other woman after all, and it seemed she had no choice but to work with her. Somehow she suspected Zedd would be monopolizing all the “work” time, however. She had dressed in her typical clothing for around the ship that had almost become a uniform in itself all in black and gold accents, the pants, the tank top, the duster jacket over it, and the accent belt of black leather and gold that tied it all together. She stepped into the Officer’s Mess, immediately saw Lindsy, and briefly debated simply sitting down with her but instead went to the replicator. Soon enough she walked back over with a plate and drink in hand and put them down on the table.
“Good afternoon.” She greeted as she slid into the seat across from Lindsy.
Lindsy looked up and smiled, she was happy to see the other woman and was looking forward to sharing their lunch “Good afternoon Tiraa. I’m glad you were able to take the time to join me here, I can only imagine what all you have needed to work on lately. I’ve done my best to provide some supplemental help but along with astrometrics and the helm, I’m sure you and Zedd have a lot to focus on.”
She emitted a glow of positivity and some weariness, the last number of days having been the whirlwind they were. But she remained positive and was looking forward to working in her new role more over time. In addition, her new quarters also made it easier to get rest and the privacy was an added bonus. It also allowed her to work later on the bridge when no one else was around. Lindsy took a bite of her sandwich and then followed up with a sip from her drink.
“Oh I’m sure, though his focus has been elsewhere as of late. We haven’t talked much.” Tiraa replied and turned her attention to her plate. She picked up one of the skewers of meat and vegetables and used her fork to slide them off onto her plate near the rice that had come on the side. “But yes, I’ve been keeping myself busy. You’ve been doing a lot of hard work, I know.”
Lindsy watched on as Tiraa spoke, having some interest in the skewers but not wanting to be rude and ask what it was. “True, going over star charts and running back and forth between the docking rings has kept me quite busy. A lot of late nights on the bridge too, I want to make sure everything for our upcoming mission gives us the best travel route possible, and the safest. So between that and having to move quarters again so soon, I wasn’t planning on all the extra work and having to re settle in. But I am appreciative to be closer to the command team and the bridge.”
