Lunch

Posted on Mon Aug 31st, 2026 @ 5:45am by Lieutenant JG Daniella Fox & Lieutenant JG Melody Piper
Edited on on Mon Aug 31st, 2026 @ 2:58pm

1,816 words; about a 9 minute read

Mission: Mission 1: Through the Janus Gate
Location: Messhall
Timeline: MD002 1200

Dani heard that Melody had also been promoted to department head and invited her to meet for lunch in the lounge. She liked the science officer and had worked with her a time or two. She deliberately set it for a time when operations was generally less busy. But, since things had been going smoothly, she hoped it would be enough to allow her to take a planned break.

Making her way to where Dani was waiting, Melody had a bemused expression in her eyes, but also a warm smile when she saw her friend.

"Hello Dani, really good to see you. How are you doing?" Melody taking a seat at the table.

She looked at the menu to see what struck her interest, Melody was feeling a bit hungry.

"How are you settling in?" Dani had already ordered vegetable soup, a chef salad, and a pomegranate lemonade, so she could focus her attention on Melody.

Noticing what Dani had, inspired Melody to get a salad of her own, a crab salad upon a bed of lettuce with a wedge of lemon ,to squeeze upon it. Her drink she chose, sparkling lemonade.

"I am still wrapping my mind around the fact that I was asked to take on the mantle of being a department head."

"Clearly the captain thought you could do it," Dani countered. "She knows what you're capable of." She had no doubt Melody was capable of doing the job.

She looked at Dani. "How are you settling in, and congratulations to you as well. I heard the news earlier." Melody having a soft smile when she answered.

"I'm doing well. I've been here a year, so I know the people in the department. That helps a lot. And I like working with them. So, it's been pretty good so far. How about you?"

"Two years under Cael, the former chief of science. Then he up and left. Well can't say he did that, just that he was someone I loved working with. Now though I get to grow from a trembling little bud to, a full flower?" Melody giving a light laugh.

"Everyone has to blossom sometime," Dani replied, smiling. "And this is a good place for budding new talents."

"This is very true. I don't expect to be perfect, with the role that I've accepted. To be honest though I am a little bit nervous. I have to fight that feeling of needing to second guessing myself. Cael had mentioned to me before that I had good instincts but, still I question my decisions." Melody said wryly.

Dani nodded. "Just remember that we all do, to one extend or another. I'm sure that you know a lot about your area of focus, right? But you can't know everything about every field of science. Keep telling yourself you know enough and be willing to admit when you don't know an answer. And keep learning. That's all we can do." She gave Melody a sheepish grin. "That's what I keep telling myself, anyway."

"That's about all we can do is keep learning and stuff that second guessing voice back inside the closet." a brief moment as Melody thought over what Daniella had said then, "How did you feel when you were approached by the Captain?"

"A little overwhelmed. But, I've been the ACOO and most recently, the acting chief, so it was kind of making permanent something I'd already been doing. Plus, she's very good and making you feel like you can do it." Dani paused, then asked. "If that makes sense. And you?"

"Commander Rennar leaving and then my being asked if I felt ready. It took a few moments for that to settle in. "

Melody gave a wry laugh. "Actually, I think it is starting to filter down as to yes it happened."

She looked at Daniella. "He had spoken to me about his leaving. And--" she drew in a breath. "I hadn't thought that I'd be asked to step in. And hind sight is twenty-twenty vision, he'd been working with me, guiding me in that direction."

Dani nodded while she ate some of her food. "Now all you have to do is get used to it, right?" Then she grinned. She had no doubt Melody would be fine.

"Used to it, well maybe call it finding my own flow, my own routine. And not tie myself up in knots worrying about what if something should happen." Melody taking a bite or two of her food.

"There was this old time cartoon called the Magic School bus, and I loved it . Mrs Frizzle"

Melody grinning. "Take chances, make mistakes, and get messy."

"She does have a point. Especially in our jobs." Dani grinned. "I call it gaining experience. But seriously, we both need to be prepared for the unexpected. And that can mean taking chances and getting messy--and occasionally making mistakes. But again, that's how we learn what not to do--or find new ways around a problem. That tends to be my experience, anyway."

"Discovering the unexpected is something that science does look forward to doing." a pause from Melody, "Just as long as it doesn't destroy the ship, that would be all well and good."

Spearing a fork of her salad, Melody quietly chewed, contemplating something.

"Dani, when was the last time we went and did something together beside well, besides eating lunch." Things had gotten busy what with different department heads making preparations to leave." Melody was a person who at times got involved in a project and lost track of time.

"Before we both became department heads. But we have a lot on our plates right now." Dani looked down at her food and chuckled. "Figuratively speaking, that is."

Giving a soft chuckle, seeing the direction of Dani's glance, Melody responded giving a smile. "True, this is very true figuratively speaking."

Looking down at her own plate where her fork had been placed.

"Especially since we're getting close to finishing up our meal." picking up her fork to take a couple of more bites, Melody didn't have much left of her salad.

"I would like to get back to our cooking experiments, weren't we looking into making a Hispanic sort of meal? Well, a dish from south of the border from Earth. And then there was something you were teaching me to cook from your home." Melody picking up the glass, to take a drink of her lemonade.

Dani laughed softly. "My home was a ship. Cooking was always using whatever we had on hand at the moment. But I did pick up a lot of recipes. And yes, we were working on South American food. Peruvian, I think."

"Well, still they were good recipes. And yes the Peruvian dish. I don't remember what it was called, but I am looking forward to working on it again, and well eating it."

Melody having a huge smile, remembering that time. "That was so much fun."

"It was. We'll have to add music next time." And perhaps there would be others who'd like to join them. Dani didn't know many people outside her department. Yet.

"A cooking party that sounds wonderful, I love it! Maybe a cooking contest as well." Melody's face became rather animated as the idea took root.

"And some dancing either while the meal is cooking. And there is also the dance you were teaching me as well?" Melody's eyes sparkling.

"It sounds like you want to throw a party," Dani said. She'd be happy to help organize it, then let Melody take center stage.

"Well... not exactly, but it would be fun, wouldn't it? I just want to learn more about your dances too. Dancing is rather enjoyable and good exercise. Don't you think?" Melody grinning even more.

There was something about Dani that just-seemed to draw Melody out from her own quiet ways.

"Have you met Tavian Rhos? He's an amazing dancer. I came across him when he was practicing."

"Tavian, who?" Melody looking blankly at Dani.

"What position does he serve in? Honestly I haven't got a clue. as to who he is. When did you meet him, and how?" This person truly sparked Melody's curiosity.

"Lieutenant JG Tavian Rhos. He's the new chief flight control officer. You should meet him." Dani needed to arrange a time to meet with him again to talk about music.

Melody blinked twice, "New chief helm officer?" she immediately pulled out her padd, to check the manifest.

She looked closely at his image then looked up at Dani, Melody's mouth going into an 'o' or could it be an oooh.

"He's handsome, and can you say he is nice? I wonder how I would go about meeting him." Melody doing a hmmnn.

"Yes, he's nice." Dani couldn't help chuckling at Melody's response. "He's new to the ship. You don't need more than that to say hello. I'm sure he'd like to get to know the people he'll be serving with."

"I see.. uh.. hmmnn. Oh gosh, well I most definitely can't say hello when he is at the helm. Sorry, heh. I'll figure out something. I will have to do some research as to where he might be at." Melody feeling a bit flustered at that thought.

"You can find out what shift he's working. Or just send him a message and ask him if he'd like to meet you for lunch, just to say hi." Dani didn't think she needed to point it out, but perhaps Melody was shy around men or something.

"Or you and I can meet with him." Melody stated with a little bit of a smile. "Or would it be better if I did what you recommended and just message him. Perhaps I should flip a mental coin and figure that one out"

Laughing, Dani shook her head. "Whatever you prefer. He and I are going to talk about music at some point, but I wouldn't mind lunch or dinner if it'll make you feel more comfortable."

"I will give that a great amount of consideration. "Melody giving a warm smile. She finished the last bite of her food,

A beep came from Melody's PADD, she looked at the message, "I am being summoned to Science to check on a test that is being run." sounding pleased.

"And I'll figure out a list for us to have a get together for some cooking, and dancing" Melody's eyes twinkling at that thought, as she gathered up her dishes.

A list? Dani wondered what she'd put on it. If nothing else, it would be interesting. "Sounds good. See you later!" She smiled at Melody, then finished her own meal, recycled the dishes, and went back to her office to see what else needed doing.

A post by

Lieutenant JG Daniella Fox
Chief Operations Officer
USS Resolute

Lieutenant Melody Piper
Chief Science Officer
USS Resolute

 

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