Always Know Your Crewmates

Juran sat in his dimly lit quarters, scanning through data collected on the Dominion and the Jem'Hadar, making note of every power signature detected and all information on how their systems operated. His eyes grew sore after hours of staring at the console, and he raised his hand to his face, massaging his closed eyes and temples gently, he sighed as he slid his hand over his face, ending up rubbing his chin.

His attention was started to waver as he looked round the room, then to the mug of coffee beside his computer. He had been staring at the same screens for hours, and although he respected Captain Taybar's loyalty to her crew, he couldn't help feeling that perhaps her decision to enter the Gamma quadrant was wrong. He thought that the theft of the USS Devastator and the kidnapping of some of the Leviathan's crew had rushed the decision, so he was going to make sure he knew his opponents inside out.

*If there's a weakness on these ships, I'm going to find it.* Juran thought to himself before picking up the mug of coffee, the mug itself was quite cool, almost cold, but Juran didn't notice.

Juran swung round in his chair to face the window in his quarters and started to let his mind wander, as much as he wanted to further look through the data he could no longer keep focused. He raised the mug to his lips, still in a daydream state, and took a sip. He jolted his head forward slightly and brought the mug away from his face, the coffee was cold. After much mental debate, he finally pulled himself out of the chair and headed towards the replicator and placed the mug inside.

"Computer recycle." He stated, as the mug began to vanish in a soft blue glow.

Juran walked back to his computer and switched it off, he realised he couldn't continue looking at the screen any longer. He stood up straight and stretched as he looked around his quarters. The silence and lack of movement suddenly reminded Juran he hasn't actually seen another person for quite a while, so decided to head to the mess hall and grab a bite to eat, another coffee, and if he was lucky, a good conversation.

Mess Hall

As the mess doors slid open to reveal the room Juran took his first few steps slowly, to allow him time to scan the room, see who was about and to get the general lay out of he room. He hadn't had much chance to see the much of the ship yet. Trying not to draw to much attention to himself he made his way over to the replicator.

"Computer, coffee, black, two sugars." He announced to the console, while turning around to get another look at the occupants in the room. He grabbed his coffee and took a sip before noticing an attractive young Lieutenant seated just a few tables from him, tapping away at a PADD. He lowered the mug and a small smile made its way across his face.

*What the hel…* He thought to himself. *I need to meet more of the crew anyway.*

His smile broadened. The female officer paused for a second and looked up at him for a moment, giving Juran a friendly smile, before returning to her PADD. Juran took this as his opportunity, completely unaware she was a Betazoid and probably only stopped because she could hear his thoughts. He walked over to her table and looked at the Lieutenant with a smile.

"Hi there, my name's Juran……" He announced extending his hand. As he shook her hand he continued "….is this seat taken ?"

"Help yourself." Came the reply.

Juran needed no further invitation and placing his coffee on the table, sat down opposite the Starfleet officer.

"I didn't get your name Lieutenant....." Juran stated while holding the syllable waiting for the reply.

"Luwall" she paused "Rachel Luwall, Chief Engineer."

Juran's eyes lit up.

"Oh really ? Then I guess we'll be working together, I've been posted to look after the slipstream drive"

"Oh ?" Rachel replied "I thought Lieutenant N'akae was here to do that !"

"Well he is... sort of..." Juran replied pausing for a second before continuing "…but he specialises more in the theory parts, I'm more of an engineer, I'm the one that's gonna be getting my hands dirty." Juran finished with a smile on his face, and cocky look in his yes.

Rachel smiled, but not at what Juran said but more of what he was thinking. She looked down at her PADD and tapped away for a second before looking up at Juran again.

"Well it's been nice meeting you now Juran, but I'm afraid I'm due back on duty now." Rachel stated by bringing herself to her feet "I guess I'll see you around Engineering."

"I look forward to it." Juran replied with a grin.

As the engineer headed towards the mess doors, she placed the PADD on the next table and hurried her pace. Juran smiled and got up and strolled over to the PADD and picked it up. As he stared at the contents on the screen his smile disappeared, leaving a look of pure horror on his face.

The screen showed Lieutenant Luwall's Starfleet record, with the word 'Betazoid" highlighted and being part Betazoid himself, knew exactly what it meant. He quickly snapped out of his trance and looked around the mess hall to make sure no-one was looking at him, before quickly making an exit.

*That's enough socialising for today.* He thought to himself as he headed back to his quarters.