Lee Carter walked with purposeful stride through the commerce section near the Banshee's barracks looking for her team mates. She had a pretty good idea where she might find them -- the gang had quickly developed a taste for Mexican food since arriving at the station, though Carter suspected that the handsome manager of the El Taco restaurant might also fit into the equation somewhere.
She walked through the doors of the El Taco and immediately spotted her crew sitting at what had become their usual table, talking. Her attention was momentarily distracted by an irate customer yelling at the manager. All she could make out clearly was the word "schplict", so she could well guess what the customer was complaining about.
When Carter sat at the Banshees' table, her cronies looked up, and Jo said, "Hi, Boss."
"Hey guys," greeted Carter. She reached across the table and plucked a few tortilla chips off the tray in front of Max. "Well, it's official," she declared solemnly.
The others looked at her expectantly.
"We're officially checked in and go on duty tomorrow. I just got back from a short meeting with Captain Wallace."
"I've heard of him," said Max. There was more than a little admiration in her voice. "He was a decorated hero during the Dominion War. What is he like?"
Carter munched one of the chips and answered, "He seemed a straight-forward, no-nonsense type of man. A very capable leader; the station personnel really look up to him. But I wouldn't mention the War in his hearing...."
"Oh?"
"I got the distinct impression he doesn't like to think back to those days."
Max could understand that. "Who does?" she said, and the other three women nodded their own agreement.
"And speaking about not mentioning things," said Carter, pointedly turning to look at Kim. "I heard about your little unauthorized joy ride yesterday, Lieutenant."
Kim straightened in her seat at being called by her rank. "I was.... uh.... just demonstrating the capabilities of the fighters to the station's chief engineer, ma'am."
"That's not the story I heard," said Carter. "Let's not let that sort of thing happen again. Understood?"
"Yes, ma'am!" snapped Kim, feeling chastened.
"Good," said Carter, relaxing. "Or else I'll make you drink schplict!"
That elicited a laugh from everyone except Jo, who gave an involuntary shudder, remembering her own encounter with the noxious libation earlier that morning.
"Our first assignment is tomorrow morning at 0600 hours, so no one stay out too late." Carter cast another glance at Kim to make sure her point had been made, and satisfied, stood to leave. "Have fun, ladies," she tossed over her shoulder as she walked out of the dining room.
After their leader had gone, Kim asked to the others, "Do you think she was mad?"
Sam answered, "No, but better make sure you clear it with her next time you and Commander Loran go on a date!"
Kim kicked Sam under the table.
Max changed the subject. Ever vigilant, she'd been keeping half an eye on the goings-on in the restaurant, and now she said in a hushed tone, "The manager's been looking over here a lot checking us out."
Sam turned around to look in the direction of the kitchen. The manager noticed, and seemed to come to a decision. He began making his way through his employees and the other customers toward them. "He's coming this way!" hissed Sam.
"Looks like you caught his eye," teased Jo. Sam just looked embarrassed; she was still so shy among strangers.
The manager arrived at their table and smiled charmingly at the ladies, saving a slightly longer look for Sam. "Hello ladies. You must be new to SB901. Allow me to welcome you. My name's Rick. Can I buy you all a schplict?"