Boaz was looking over the list of things going on in Bajor
engineering. Nothing exciting going on here at HQ, just a
few things on the drawing board and one actually in the
prototype build-up stage. Starship design, a couple of
requests for permission to submit preliminary drawings.
Starfleet has one shipyard going into construction. He would
go there and see what advances Starfleet has made. Maybe
something he could use for Bajor.
After checking his schedule he called LtCmdr Jameson in.
"Commander, I'm going to Starbase Unity for a bit. It's a
new shipyard operation and I just want to check it out.
Keep things running smoothly here. You'll know where I am if
you need me. Any questions?"
"None sir" was her reply.
He sat and looked at her for a moment. "Is there something
wrong sir?" she asked. Boaz blinked his eyes a couple times,
"Uh, no. You're dismissed." She got up and left.
Boaz sent a note to General Adah where he was going and went
to try out his new runabout. He sat down in the pilots seat
and looked around.
Just then someone poked his head in and asked, "Can I help
you sir?"
Wondering who would interrupt him Boaz turned around, "And
just who are you?"
"I'm the pilot of this runabout. Are you Ambassador Teal
sir?"
"I am" he answered. And stood to shake hands with the man.
"I'm LtJG Jones,sir. Your pilot. If you want to go for a
ride to check it out we can."
He seemed to be a pleasant enough man, part human and part
Vulcan. (Like Spock.) "I'm sure you've already checked it
out, since you're the assigned pilot. We're going to
Starbase Unity for a few days. I'll be back in 30 minutes
with a little bit of luggage for the trip. Then we can
leave. Is that enough time for you?" The Lt sa id it was.
Boaz arrived back at the runabout to find the Lt running
prelaunch checks already. "I have indeed checked it out.
Prelaunch checks complete. We're ready when you are sir."
Boaz just smiled, "Let's go."
Jones called flight ops and requested permission to leave.
"Flight Ops, Runabout Specklebelly ready for departure."
"Runabout Specklebelly, you are cleared for launch. Have a
nice flight ambassador." They were off. During the time it
took to travel to Starbase Unity Boaz and his pilot got to
know each other.
LtJG Jones had been flying since his father let him pilot
the family runabout.
Arriving at Starbase Unity they docked and Boaz told the
pilot to enjoy himself but keep his comm badge on at all
times. Boaz was in civilian clothes and headed to a
restaurant for some lunch.
*** 'SnackAttack' * SB Unity ***
Lucy sighed and peered out at the little tables and chairs
set outside. {If they dont hurry up my seat will be taken!}
she grumbled to herself and casting her attention back to
the chef, wished he would speed up in making the pizza and
slow down on the chitchat that took too much of his time.
Five minutes later she had her meal on a tray and turning
from the counter carried it towards the door, seeing the
empty place waiting for her as she passed the window. With
a smile of triumph she turned left out of the open door
stepped towards the table, stopped dead and said "Oh!" for
someone was sitting down on 'her' chair.
Boaz looked up at the surprised 'Oh', then stood up. "Am I
in your seat? I didn't see anyone here. I'm sorry if I took
your table, but I didn't see anymore empty tables around."
He held the chair for her, if she wanted to sit down. "That
pizza looks good. I think I'll have one. Waiter."
Lucy clutched her tray and sank down onto the chair as
though she had lost the power of self control. A waiter
hurried forward at the same moment as this stranger
commandeered a vacant chair from the next table, whose
occupants said they didnt mind.
Finding herself with a lunchtime companion, Lucy gave a weak
smile and said " Of course" when he asked if he could sit
with her. It would have been churlish to refuse for there
was nowhere else free except one space at the next table and
it was obvious that the couple there wanted only each others
company.
"I'm afraid the chef is sometimes a bit slow...though it's
worth the wait." she added lowering her eyes to the
delicious pizza.
"Thank you." He turned to the waiter, "I'd like a pizza like
hers. What topings do you have?" He listened as the waiter
went through the list. "I'll have sausage, olives and a few
anchovies if he has any." Boaz sat down. "Please eat. Don't
wait for me. My name is Teal Boaz. And your name is?"
"Lucy Fleming." she replied, then with a slightly self
conscious expression added " I will begin if you don't mind.
I haven't eaten since yesterday lunchtime. So...." She
lifted her knife, cut a small portion and bit into it with
obvious relish. A moment later she smiled to him as she
chewed the first portion of her lunch.
"And why haven't you eaten in 24 hours? That's not good you
know. Ask your doctor." It had started out to be a chair to
sit and drink some tea. Now he was curious about this female
human.
Lucy swallowed and shook her head as she did so. " I don't
need to see a doctor." she replied, reaching for the glass
of water. " I work in the infirmary." she added, lifting the
glass to her lips.
He was smiling and watching her eat. She is a pretty lady.
"You must be a doctor or a nurse if you work there. I'm just
visiting here myself. Ah, my pizza. And some anchovies." he
said as his was delivered with a new glass of spring tea.
Lucy bit into another mouthful as the waiter set out Boaz's
meal. Hers was delicious but she had been so hungry, dry
bread would have seemed a feast. "I'm a nurse.. head nurse
in fact." she informed him. " That was the problem. A
temporary staff shortage and as we're so busy at the moment.
Well...one thing led to another.. you know how it goes?"
She took another piece of Pizza.
Boaz picked up a piece of his pi zza "Lucy, that's a pretty
name for a very pretty lady. You are correct, this pizza is
excellent. Thank you for the recommendation. Are you
married?" He took a drink of his spring tea.
Lucy, slowed her chewing and looked across the little round
table at the Bajoran seated opposite to her. "No I'm not."
she said, eyeing him thoughtfully . She took another drink.
"You?" she asked.
"Yes and No. I didn't mean to get personal. After all we've
just met and I'm sure you are busy. Although I wouldn't
mind, or should I say, I'd like to get to know you better
while I'm here. Maybe we could do a proper meal together.
Maybe supper tonight?"
"I'm working a late evening shift." she replied promptly and
saw a his expression turn sad. "Really I am. But...perhaps
tomorrow?" she added, thinking that her reply had sounded to
abrupt even if it was the truth but there was something else
that had caused the refusal which was more important to her
than her shift pattern. "What exactly do you mean by 'yes
and no' " she asked looking directly at him.
He thought for a moment then answered. "Let me explain
that. Yes, I am married. But only one wife. Bajorans by
law and approval of the prophets are allowed to have up to
three wives if they can afford them. It was instituted
after the Cardassian occupation and never recinded since the
prophets approved it. So, no I'm not married as many times
as I can be." He thought for another moment. "Tomorrow
will be fine. Unless you'd like to make it a snack after
your shift is done. I'd like someone to show me around the
starbase, computers are so impersonal. Who might I talk to
about positions here?" He thought if she showed any interest
maybe he could stay in a temporary position for a while to
get a good feel for the station and the personnel.
Lucy found herself looking at him thoughtfully, mindful of
the encounter she'd had with Vlimar PontBrillant. Teal too
was a much older man but... She smiled suddenly at his
quizzical expression when she took so long to answer.
"Alright then, I'll show you around." she replied. "Shall we
meet here?.. say about 3? That's if you're not engaged in
some work." she answered.
As he took the last bite of his pizza he said, "I'll be
here. I've no work here. I'm just looking the station over."
He stood, took her hand and kissed the back of it.
Lucy remained seated and looked up at him, returning the
smile that followed his charming gesture.
"Tomorrow then." she said, intrigued by his manners.
*** End Log ***
Bajoran Gen. Teal Boaz
Ambassador to Starfleet
&
Lucy Fleming
Head Nurse
SB Unity
