USS Explorer, Lieutenant Talaj’s quarters 21:45 SET 2185 “So what do you think of Captain Mansel?” Lieutenant Commander Jason Broadaway asked his friend after swallowing a mouthful of mashed potatoes. Lieutenant Talaj, also eating mashed potatoes shook her head.  “I’m not sure, Jason.  His methods aren’t...conventional.  I think I’d be much safer if Commander Vaughn was in command.” Broadaway frowned as he stabbed a section of his meatloaf.  He examined it for a few seconds before devouring it.  “So you don’t like him?” he asked, forming his words over the meatloaf. “It’s not that I don’t like him,” Talaj answered, after obvious hesitation.  “I just don’t like his style.” The two were in Talaj’s quarters, on a valued off day.  As usual, they had gone back to their usual assignment of mapping star systems.  They had mapped the Charlie Sector earlier, but had been interrupted due to other circumstances.  They had been out in space for almost a year now, and they were behind schedule, due that particular ‘circumstance’ and others that were beyond their control. Talaj looked over at Broadaway while he downed another forkful of mashed potatoes.  It seemed that he was enjoying her ‘home cooked’ meal that she had prepared for them when he came by her quarters.  Mashed potatoes, meatloaf, and peas...on of Broadaway’s favorite meals. She didn’t know how she felt about Jason.  She had met the shy introvert during her time at the Academy; they’d had both System Designs and Logical Thinking class together.  Broadaway had immediately intrigued her with his original thinking and ideas...she knew he’d go far one day.  She didn’t expect, however, to be stationed on the same ship as he.  Their feelings, over the years, had grown for each other, though neither one dared to admit it to the other.  Talaj wasn’t a romantic person, and Broadaway was jut to shy to admit something she already knew. So it had gone on for the last four years: Talaj was the only person Broadaway really talked to and vice versa.  She hoped maybe one day something might kindle their relationship, but she didn’t see it happening soon. USS Explorer, O Lounge 21:46 SET 2185 “Admit it...you like him,” Lieutenant Commander Fleury said with a sly grin on his face.  “You like the captain.” Startled from her thoughts, Lieutenant Ontavia Patterson, Fleury’s right-hand-woman, looked up and saw the Chief Engineer looking at her with his goofy grin.   “What are you talking about Tony?” “The captain, that’s who I’m talking about.  You like him.  I can see it.” “Who are you, Cupid?”  Patterson scowled at Fleury and took another sip of her tea.  “Even if that were true, what business of it is yours?” Fleury’s smile turned into an innocent ‘who? me?’ look as he raised his hands in a gesture of defense.  “No business of mine.”  He smiled again.  “But I know what I’m talking about.” The engineers were in the O Lounge during their break, grabbing a quick bite to eat before going at it again.  The ship seemed to be in tune for the most part, holding up against the bumps and scrapes it had taken over the last twelve years, eleven of which were supervised under Captain Darryl Mansel Sr., and one under his son, Darryl Mansel Jr. “There is something there, though,” Fleury pressed, leaning forward and putting his forearms on the table.  “I can see it in him too.” “Really?” she asked, before it was too late.  Fleury had caught her; she responded to his statement too quickly and too eagerly.  She tried to cover it by taking another sip of tea. “Ah ha!” the Chief Engineer exclaimed, stabbing a finger in her direction.  “I knew it!  So...what’s the deal?” Patterson frowned and shrugged.  “There is no ‘deal’,” she said.  “It’s just a...professional interest, that’s all.” “Sure,” Fleury responded, not believing her a bit.  “You like the captain and that’s all there is to it.” “Why are you trying to play match maker Tony?” she asked, now frustrated.  “My business is my own.” “Of course it is,” Fleury said, not bothered at all by her tone of voice.  “I’m just trying to give you guidance.” USS Explorer, Captain Mansel’s quarters 21:49 SET 2185 “So?” Commander Vaughn asked, sitting at his table with a drink in his hand.  Mansel gave him a puzzled look and sat up on his bed.  “So what?” he asked. “So what’s up between you and that engineer?” Mansel’s Executive Officer asked with a grin just as goofy as Fleury’s plastered on his face.  “Are you guys ever gonna go on a date or what?” “A date?” asked Mansel.  “I haven’t even talked to her.” “Why haven’t you?” “What do you mean ‘why haven’t you?  Why do I need to?”  Mansel had no idea where this conversation was going. “You’re shaping up to be a good starship captain, Mansel.  But you got a lot to learn when it comes to women,” Vaughn told him before taking a gulp of his juice. “Is that right?” Mansel asked with raised eyebrows.  “I don’t see you with any women.”