JDL|Lt. Keál & Lt. Wright |"Unexpected Guests"

Posted on 241508.04 @ 2:51am by Lieutenant Keál
Edited on on 241508.04 @ 2:56pm

Mission: Agua Mala
Location: Aboard the USS Astor en route to Apsha

[Start Log]

The Astor was a medium sized transport, however, Keál had spent two weeks basking in the boredom of having no constructive outlet for his professional energy. Aboard the Vindicator, the last ship he had served on, Keál was a king in a vast kingdom of scientific instruments and medical accoutrements. Once he transferred to Star Base 173 he had lab after lab to study microbiology and symbiotic relationships. This hull barely had what passed as a sick bay and they relied completely on the horribly outdated holographic MK-IV Doctor which she had been commissioned with.

Keál was not alone on this voyage to meet the Enterprise at Apsha. He had heard that the Enterprise's new counselor was also making the journey and had set out after breakfast to see if he could track him down. Now standing outside the crew's mess he paused at the computer console, "Computerrr, what is the location of Lieutenant Wrrright?" Though Keál had spent many hours as a cadet in speech and linguistics classes to ease the roll and rumble of his tone when speaking basic, it still came through most strongly with his R's. The console whirred and then went black much to Keál's chagrin.

Transport vessels. It truly was just in name only, it got one from point A to point B in a relatively short amount of time. Though, Jonah had to admit the last two weeks had felt like two years. The only thing the Astor had going for it was that it was moving toward it's destination. The rest of the vessel was less than desirable, but still, it was a place to eat and sleep. He tried to think of it as a short, much needed, vacation. Though, if he was going to be honest with himself, his patience was starting to wear thin as boredom was starting to settle in.

At that, his stomach was telling him it was time to eat. Though the tight quarters had offered a replicator, Jonah much preferred to be around people. The corridor to the crew mess was probably one of the longest on board, so it was a nice casual stroll. As he continued his trek forward, he noticed a Caitian standing at a terminal. Then the strangest thing happened, he heard his rank and surname being called out, but nothing happened. The speakers overhead should have at least come to life. He shrugged at that. Once behind the Caitian, he said, "The computer terminals are in need of some severe upgrades on this vessel." He waited a beat then continued. "I just so happen to know the guy you are looking for," he smiled, "I'm Lieutenant Wright."

Keál turned to face the human as he had finished his first sentence, somewhat startled by the casual tone in which the man spoke. Most if not all humans seemed and in fact were scared of Keál. His size and dark coloring mixed with his claws and fangs caused most species to give off varying degrees of fear pheromones upon meeting him. This human did not posses any such detectable pheromones at the moment. As the man introduced himself, Keál attempted to size him up. Failing at that task, Keál composed himself and did what so often elicited mixed emotions in humans, he stuck out his forepaw to shake. "My name is Keál (Kee'owl). I have been looking forrrward to meeting you." The Caitian said saying his name slowly in his own tongue so human ears could better interpret it. Keál waited to see how this new acquaintance would respond to his offer to shake.

Jonah was a man who kept an open mind, his mom's had taught him that. It wasn't his place to judge others, or their cultures. He had never personally met a Caitian before, but that didn't deter him in the least. The outstretched paw was his to take, there was no hesitation on his part as he reached out to take hold of the offered appendage. He wasn't sure how much pressure to apply, so the handshake was firm but had a lightness to it. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Keal." He said the man's name just as it was pronounced, though he did say it slowly just to be sure. He certainly didn't want to butcher any names. "But please, call me Jonah.

Keál allowed himself to smile a bit, something he rarely did around others as it could easily be misconstrued as a threatening gesture. "It is a pleasurrre to meet you, Jonah." Keál said in a rolling purr. "I would have sought you out soonerrr had I known you were aboard before today. I must admit to being somewhat intrrrigued by your demeanorrr or the lack of what I expected, I should say. It is rrrare to meet a human that does not fear what they do not understand." Keál leaned slightly back on his haunches to lower himself the very few inches it took to look eye to eye with Jonah.

The public address system cracked as the attention whistle blew and the voice of the ships captain rang through the feed back. "We will be dropping out of warp in five minutes in standard orbit around Apsha. We will be docking with the USS Enterprise for a personnel transfer and then continuing our journey to Metioc V." The speakers rang with feed back for a second and then cracked themselves into silence. Keál gritted his teeth as the feedback buzzed around between his ears. "This ship can not dock soon enough for me." He said between his clenched teeth.

Jonah listened to the brief announcement, there was a sigh of relief that wanted to escape but he kept it in check. "The Enterprise will be a vast improvement over what we have been traveling in the past two weeks." Though he didn't totally mind the Astor, it was still terribly outdated. The Enterprise was state of the art, the type of starship he was used to being apart of.

He had decided to address the Caitian's earlier comment. "As for my demeanor, I've always been an open minded person. I wouldn't be an effective psychologist if I didn't keep an open mind."

Keál raised his eyebrow much like his Vulcan professors had during his academy days. "I suppose that is trrrue. I am glad to see you are as eager to leave this tub as I am. Captain Dhej has sent a subspace message asking me to reporrrt directly to him upon my arrrival. I have a few things to bring to the airlock. I hope to continue this conversation in the comfort of an appropriately appointed Ten Forward."

Again the public address system cracked and squalled. This time the antiquated voice of the computer announced that the docking protocol had begun. Keál let out an audible sigh of relief again smiling at his new shipmate. "Shall we begin our journey to strange new worlds, seek out new life and new civilizations and boldly go to a ship that does not smell of rotten cabbage?"

Jonah couldn't help but laugh a hearty laugh at the rotten cabbage comment. He was sure his sense of smell wasn't as heightened as Keál's, but there was a definite smell. A smell that seemed to just linger as if the air recyclers just couldn't keep up. Or maybe, and this was a strong possibility, there was rotten vegetables in the air system. "Going boldly is exactly why I'm here," he replied. He had already packed up in anticipation of this moment, there wasn't much since he always traveled light. "How about I walk with you, the Captain wants me to report directly as well," he looked to the Caitian, "that is, if that is okay."

Keál raised his chin and gave a look of contemplation before saying, "I suppose in the absence of better company, you will do." Keál smiled again. "First I must collect my things. Do you mind the grueling walk down this twenty meter passageway?" Keál held out his forepaw in the direction of his temporary quarters as he began to move in that direction.

"What a coincidence, so do I," Jonah said as he began to follow the Caitian, then fell instep next to the slightly taller alien. Since he had to head down the long corridor himself, he surmised their quarters were near each other. He was glad to have met Keál, even though the first meeting was brief; still nice. Though the two had just met, Jonah hoped that a friendship would blossom. He certainly was intrigued by the Caitian, his curiosity was certainly piqued.

After a quick few minutes - the sooner he was off the Astor the better - Jonah met Keál to leave their temporary home for their permanent one. A nice, clean, air that didn't smell like rotten cabbage, home. He smiled at himself at that one. The two headed toward the airlock, he was excited to take on this new assignment. Everyone wanted the Enterprise, it was an honor to serve the flagship. He was lucky enough to be apart of her crew, not just as a counselor but a senior staff member. Excited probably was an understatement.

Jonah looked to his new friend before they crossed the threshold. "Well, time to go boldly," he said as he lifted a hand toward the airlock to allow the other lieutenant to pass first. Jonah followed, ecstatic to take on this new adventure.

[End Log]

Lieutenant Keál, M.D.
Chief Medical Officer
USS Enterprise-F

Lieutenant Jonah Wright, Ph.D.
Chief Counselor
USS Enterprise-F