=Tarangor/Aeran Shipyard=
=Aeran System=
Rick and Lara stepped onto the lone docking port walkway connecting
the shipyard to the Rapier. Rick wanted to tour of the ship to make
certain it was on schedule. The walkway itself was long with windows
along the way, giving a splended view of the Rapier, as well as Aeran
III.
"So, you said something about growing up on the planet below," Rick
said as they walked, nodding in the direction of Aeran III.
"Yes, sir," she responded. "I spent most of my childhood there."
"Please call me Rick."
"Sir?"
"When I was chief engineer on the Chimera, I felt more comfortable
working with everyone in my department on a first name basis," Rick
explained. "We felt more of a tight-knit group and everyone seemed to
feel less stressed out. So, when no one outside of the shipyard staff is
around, please call me Rick."
"Uhhh, OK sir ... I mean Rick," she was a bit puzzled, but went along
anyhow.
Rick smiled. Things were starting to feel a lot better around here.
"Anyhow, sir ... I mean Rick. I was born on Proxima, but when I was
eight, my father, who was an agriculture specialist at the time, was
asked to join a team to help with a mild famine they were having
here. He liked it here so much, he decided to stay and begin his own
farm."
"A farmer?"
She smiled, "Yeah. He had about 30 acres of farmible land, which he
enjoyed. I suppose I did, too. Especially on summer evenings when we
would pick some corn on the cob, cook it up and soak it with butter.
He always believed that it was rewarding to be able to eat something
you grew instead of buying it at a market or replicating it."
She chuckled.
"The man hates replicators. For starships or in emergency situations,
he says they're fine, but other than that ... Anyway, it was quiet and
peaceful where we lived, away from villages and such. Here recently,
he had provided what he can to the residents of the closest town
since he always grows way more than he needs."
"I guess he hated you leaving the farm to join starfleet," Rick said.
She shook her head.
"Oh, no. He was very supportive of me. He always said that I should do
whatever I felt I wanted to do with my life. Though, I sure that if I chose
to stay on the farm, he would have been more pleased. He was tickled to
death when I transferred here."
She stopped and turned to face Rick.
"You know, you and your wife and daughter should come down and visit
sometime. I'm certain you would like it."
"Maybe. I'd have to ask Mai. Fresh vegetables does sound good."
They arrived at the end of the walkway and saw an engineer floating
along the hull of the Rapier in an EVA suit waving at them.
"You want to help em out?" she asked, nodding to the engineer.
Rick shook his head.
"No. I try to keep my EVA's to a minimum. Though you're free to help
out if you want."
She shrugged as they entered the ship.
Commander Rick Rodgers
Assistant Engineering Officer
Starbase UNITY
attached to Tarangor/Aeran Shipyard
and
Lieutenant Lara Proietti
Assistant Engineering Officer
Starbase UNITY
attached to Tarangor/Aeran Shipyard
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