Coffee And Counsel - Part II

Posted on Thu Apr 3rd, 2025 @ 9:48pm by Lieutenant JG Gianna De Luca & Captain Robert Burke

1,046 words; about a 5 minute read

Mission: EPISODE 1: SHAKEDOWN
Location: Archanis Orbit, USS Hecate Briefing Room
Timeline: MD030 0800 hours

::ON::

[And now the continuation ...]

He smiled as he heard her enthusiasm for food. 'Well, it's probably that it was your mother who made it. Love makes all the difference in food.' He shrugged, 'there's still nothing quite like my mother's roast potatoes, even though I know her recipe.'

"Potatoes are just so... versatile." Gia commented as she finished off the coffee. God it was good. "How do you want them? Jacket, fries, hash? Such versatility. A good roast potato though," she let out a low whistle, "It can do wonders for the soul." Laughing, she added, "Sorry, I love some good homemade food. Especially when family make it. What does yours do to make them special?"

'She boils them within an inch of their life, then pops them in hot oil in the oven, and roasts them for an hour. A light dusting of salt and pepper, and the magic is complete.' Burke replied with a laugh at the unexpected passion for potatoes. 'I think you forgot boil them, mash them, or sticking them in a stew, by the way. A good lamb stew with potatoes - homemade of course - is absolutely to die for.'

Gia smiled, "Ah yes, I forgot about mashed potatoes. I haven't had a decent stew in a very long time though, but unfortunately for you, that's one recipe that's not in my repetoire so I can't cook it for ya." She leaned over and got some of the cold cuts on her plate, "I know it's nothing but starch and carbs but just add but and it's a complete meal to me right there."

'Starch and carbs, the two main food groups,' Burke raised his coffee mug in salute. 'We could arrange a regular home-made meal evening for the senior officers. It might keep morale up, and it will allow us to bond a little better over the next five years.' He looked at her, 'any good in your professional opinion?'

"Professional opinion? Yes. I think it'll allow people to get a better feel for each other and who they're working with." Gia returned the salute with her own mug and finished off the contents within. She did like her food and thought that it was definitely one way to get on most people's good sides.

'Good, we'll look to arrange it then,' Burke said, as he raised the cafetiere. 'Some more? There's always plenty of it to be found.' Pulling the platter over to himself, he plated up some cheese and meat. 'Aside from your professional goals aboard ship, what else are you looking to accomplish here?'

"Oh gosh, yes please." Gia replied probably a bit too enthusiastically to the offer of more coffee even though she'd only just finished the first one. "A good coffee is definitely one of the ways to my heart, not going to lie there." She continued to eat the food in front of her and paused for a moment as she thought about what he'd asked, "I hadn't really thought of it, to be honest, but I guess I'm hoping to build some strong connections with people and go places I've only dreamed of visiting. What about yourself?"

Chuckling at her enthusiasm, Burke poured more coffee into her mug, 'myself? Well ... there's a few motivations I suppose. A five-year voyage is one of the ultimate tests of oneself, and my ability to captain a vessel. Can I hold us together and get us back in one piece? Can I hold myself together too?' He raised his eyebrows. 'Then there's my ego. I'm the first Starfleet captain from Titan. A lot of what we'll accomplish will burnish that legacy.' Burke smiled, 'there's no point in denying that ambition has driven me to this point.'

"I reckon you'll be able to accomplish all that and more within the next few years." Gia nodded as she took her mug back and sipped on the drink. "You will get us all back in one piece, yourself included. That's why you've now got a decent counsellor on board to help with anything and everything." She smiled widely as she gestured to herself.

'Well, I think I'll hold you to that, Lieutenant,' he said with another smile and a laugh, before removing his glasses and cleaning them a little self-consciously. 'If you're bedside manner is as charming as your regular conversation then you'll be more than a decent Counsellor for the crew.'

"Trust me, it gets better when I'm working," She grinned at him and then took a long drink from the refreshed coffee. "I will talk way too much sometimes, but people will appreciate the fact they can talk to me so that you don't get your day bothered all the time."

'I'm not entirely sure that there's such a thing as talking too much when you hit the right topic,' Burke replied, topping up his own coffee. 'Remember, you're the chief as well, don't feel you have to take the burdens of the entire crew on to yourself. You can and should delegate.' He smiled widely, 'we have to take care of you for the duration of the voyage as well.'

"Speaking of," Gia picked apart the bit of cold meat she had on the plate, "I haven't met them yet, so checking them and their capabilities out should be next on my list. See if there's a talented one amongst them all," she laughed.

He chuckled in response, 'I hope they're of the highest quality.' Burke added mock-seriously, 'I'd fear for them if you had to whip them into shape.' Slowly he began prising apart his vanilla crown, methodically peeling back the layers of the dessert before taking it apart and savouring every bite.

She raised an eyebrow at his comment, "I'll have you know I'm actually a really lovely person and there's not a single mean part of me, Robert." Her tone was more playful than sarcastic and she hoped he took it that way.

[To be Continued...]

::OFF::

Captain Robert Burke
Commanding Officer
USS Hecate

Lieutenant Gianna De Luca
Chief Counsellor
USS Hecate

 

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