Breakfast and a View

Posted on Wed Sep 18th, 2024 @ 7:36pm by Lieutenant Colonel Jonathon Raynor & Sterre Forster & Scarlett Hayes Dr. & Chief Petty Officer Marisa Harlan & Major Amy Ludd

Mission: Jumping Right In
Location: Mess Hall - USS Gladiator
2164 words - 4.3 OF Standard Post Measure

Raynor made his way down the bustling corridor, flanked by a mix of ship crew and SGC personnel. The mess hall was a hive of activity, filled with the sounds of conversation, clinking cutlery, and the hum of machinery. It reminded him of any other military base he had served on, though the confined space of the starship added a sense of intimacy to the usual hustle and bustle.

Mess hall staff moved efficiently behind the counters, dishing out meals and managing the flow of people with practiced ease. The air was thick with the savory scents of various dishes, a comforting reminder of normalcy amidst the vast unknown of space.

Raynor scanned the room, his eyes landing on a large, empty table near one of the viewports. He made his way over, weaving through clusters of personnel sharing stories and laughter. As he reached the table, he placed his tray down, the contents slightly shifting with a soft clatter.

He settled into his seat, taking a moment to appreciate the view of the stars beyond the thick glass. The scene was a familiar comfort, a steady constant amidst the variables of their mission. As he began to eat, his thoughts drifted back to the previous night, remembering the quiet conversation he had shared with Sterre. He had learned a lot about her, her background, her reasons for joining the mission. It was a good memory, one that added a sense of camaraderie to the day's routine.

Raynor glanced around, noting the familiar faces of his comrades, the ebb and flow of people coming and going. It was a small mess hall compared to those on Earth, but it had a sense of community, a shared purpose that made it feel much larger. He took another bite, savoring the moment, content to be part of something greater, surrounded by those who shared his journey into the stars.

Sterre had actually slept after the conversation with Raynor in the mess hall. Granted it had only been a few hours but for those few hours she was dead to the world. And she didn't feel too bad this morning so she considered it a win. After grabbing some scrambled eggs and toast she saw there were several openings around Raynor and approached. "Can I join you again?"

Raynor looked up from his tray, spotting Sterre with her breakfast. He smiled warmly and gestured to the empty seats around him. "Of course, Sterre. Have a seat."

As she settled in, he continued, "Glad to see you got some rest. The view here is still just as good, especially in the morning." He nodded towards the viewport, where the stars and distant galaxies were bathed in the soft light of the ship's wake.

He took a sip of his coffee, savoring the moment. "At least it's a nice way to start the day, don't you think?"

"It was a good way to end the night too. In fact I think I'm going to be in this spot every chance I get. If you can't find me just look here." She placed the tray on the table and sat down. She really was too nervous to eat but thought she should force herself. It wouldn't do any good if she were out in the field and collapsed from exhaustion and lack of food.

A chuckle escaped his lips and nodded as it wasn't a horrible concept whatsoever. "Don't blame you there. Plus knowing this, It will probably be easier then putting a tracking device in you or a cow bell."

"Very true, glad we got that settled," She smiled.

Scarlett arrived in the mess hall, she’d had somewhat of a rough night, dreams filled with images of places and things that she’d never seen before. What it was all about she had no idea, but she was certainly feeling the lack of sleep. She stifled a yawn as she chose her breakfast before looking around for a seat, seeing Raynor and Forster she made her way over. “Good morning, do you mind if I join you?”

Lieutenant Colonel Raynor looked up from his meal as Scarlett approached, a friendly smile spreading across his face. "Of course, Doctor. Have a seat."

Fresh off her run around the ships corridors she had taken a quick shower before heading down to the mess hall. She would normally have taken her laptop to get some work done while eating but today she had would try and engage some of the others. Thus far she had only really engaged when she needed to and they were all gonna be together for a long while and possibly under rather harsh conditions at that!

She saw the colonel, Scarlett and a few others and made a beeline for them, hitching a smile "Good morning" nodding to an empty chair, "may I?"

"Please," Sterre said, scooting her chair as far against the window as it would go.

Playing on an MP3 player Marisa was listening to a personal mix of music. The current tune that was playing was, Ride to Live, Live to Ride by Twisted Sister. When she entered the mess hall, the song, was coming to its natural end, and she removed the earbuds turning off the music. Marisa noticed the people that she briefly met in that meeting, and decided to join them once she got her food. Scrambled eggs, toast, bacon and hashbrowns, along with a bowl of oatmeal with brown sugar. This was her breakfast with a lovely cup of coffee to go with it.

"Good morning, nice to see everyone." Marisa greeted those at the table. Sliding into a chair in an empty spot.

Raynor looked up and gave a welcoming nod. "Morning," he said, gesturing to the empty seats. "Join us, plenty of room." He took a sip of his coffee, then glanced around the table at the growing group. "Nice to see everyone here. I guess the mess hall's the place to be today."

Scarlett had completely forgotten about the small satchel she’d brought with her, she’d found a curious Knick knack amongst the artefacts in the lab on Earth. It seemed to be a Go’auld hand device, that according to records could harm or heal. She wanted to study it to see how it worked, She was busy eating some croissant as she fiddled with it, almost dropping it in shock and surprise as it came to life in her hand. “Whoa! Sorry!” She put it down giving the others an embarrassed look.

Sterre's eyes widened. She'd only studied pictures and books on the subject, not the real thing and she had to admit Scarlett was braver than her because she didn't think she wanted to touch the thing. "How is that possible? I thought you had to have remnants of Goa'uld DNA in you in order to run one of those things? You're not one are you? Or are you a Tok'ra?" She'd heard the name before and understood who they were but had never met one. "Or am I mistaken," She glanced at Raynor with a slightly startled expression.

Scarlett offered a warm smile. “Don’t worry I’m no Goa’uld, long story short my mother was a host to a Tok’ra symbiont whilst pregnant with me. When she went into labour neither she, or Shani made it, in-fact Shani gave her life to try and save my mother. As a result I possess some of Shani’s memories, unfortunately I can’t access them direct it’s kind of dreams and flashes. I also have Naqueda in my blood, hence that reacting to me.” She motioned to the device, “though that’s the first time I’ve ever touched, let alone tried using a device.”

"Oh." Sterre said, feeling stupid. "Well that's interesting. Sorry! Didn't mean to accuse anyone."

Marisa almost choked on her coffee when that device activated, barely keeping herself from doing a spit take. She grabbed a napkin and placed it over her mouth to muffle her coughing, when it settled down, she squeaked out. "So.... experimentation when not at the breakfast table?" giving a friendly, grin but having a raised eyebrow as well. "So, Naqueda in your system, how did that come about?"

“It’s Shani” Scarlett offered a smile. “When she gave her life for my mother it somehow entered my bloodstream via the placenta, or something like that. I’m as close as you’ll come to a host without actually being one!” She shrugged her shoulders.

"Well now, that is something that I didn't think about my coming across this. Out of curiosity, what do any of you like to do for personal time? Any hobbies, interests things you like to do?" Marisa was definitely interested, and why not, she liked to do different things on her free time. "For me it varies, I do like to set up a small garden, even if it is just a garden box. Uh, I do like to do wood working even do some carving. Plus I do some drawing." deciding to start things out.

Raynor leaned back, a familiar smirk tugging at the corner of his lips as he listened to the conversation unfolding around the table. "You know, Scarlett, you might want to save the ancient alien tech for after breakfast. Unless, of course, you're trying to test our reflexes. In which case, mission accomplished." He took a deliberate sip of his coffee, his eyes twinkling with amusement.

Sterre relaxed back into her seat feeling incredibly foolish. She slipped her coffee, all remnants of her breakfast forgotten thanks to the sudden scare.

Scarlett offered a wry smile. “Sorry Sir, of course.” She placed her things away and got back to choosing and enjoying her breakfast.

He turned his attention to Marisa, nodding thoughtfully. "Gardening and woodworking, huh? Maybe you can start a ship-wide hobby club. We could all use something to keep us sane out here in the void." He glanced around the table, meeting each of their eyes with a grin.

"I heard sanity is over rated." Marisa giving a light laugh. "I could though start something if others are wanting to do so. I do hobbies in order to keep my temper." giving a wink. She then tucked into her food, eager to get to work.

Raynor's gaze landed on Sterre, and he raised an eyebrow playfully. "Speaking of which, Sterre, how do you like your eggs? Scrambled, over-easy, or as part of a conversation about ancient alien devices and genetic anomalies?"

She looked down at her plate since he brought it up again. "Apparently not at all sir. I seem to have lost my appetite for them."

Marisa paused in her eating, and looked at both Raynor and Sterre. "Okay are you talking about the eggs or the alien tech that has made you lose your appetite?"

"I think it's more the adrenaline than anything," Sterre answered honestly. She had been hungry when she first woke up but that had changed in a manner of moments when they had all gathered together and the realization that they were so close to their first mission sank in.

Raynor chuckled lightly, a grin tugging at the corners of his mouth. "Adrenaline has a way of making everything else seem less important. Just make sure you get some food and rest when you can. We’ll need everyone at their best for the mission. Don't want anyone missing out on all the excitement."

"That means no partying before we head off to explore?" Marisa giving a cheeky smile. "Actually I do have a list I need to go over in preparation. And looks like I inhaled my food without paying attention." a natural warm laugh. "It doesn't take time for me to eat, you never know when things call for your attention."

Scarlett was busily enjoying her breakfast, politely eating what was on her plate as she listened to all the playful banter.

Raynor chuckled at Marisa's remark, shaking his head with a grin. "No partying just yet, Marisa. We'll save that for when we’re back and not on the brink of the unknown. But you’re right—preparation is key. Glad to see you’re ahead of the game."

He leaned back slightly, watching Scarlett enjoy her meal in contrast to Marisa's fast pace. "Looks like Scarlett's the one taking her time—smart move. You never know when the next meal might be in space."

Just then, a crew member in a flight suit approached, his expression focused but calm. "Colonel, we’re 15 minutes out from our estimated drop out point. Just wanted to give you a heads-up."

Raynor nodded, the levity in his tone giving way to a more serious note. "Thanks, Lieutenant. Let’s get everyone prepped and ready." He glanced back at the team, his gaze steady. "Finish up, everyone. The real work’s about to start."