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“The warp coils also need an update, along with the transporter buffers and climate control systems.”
“I see. I shall be sure to inform the Captain at the soonest opportunity. We have to dock somewhere soon, it has been a while since the Enterprise has had a decent look-over.”
“I concur.”
With that, Spock and Hemmer’s conversation dwindled to a halt. However, neither one of them was inclined to pick up small talk and hence the silence continued as they sat at the same table in the mess hall.
Perhaps it was this silence that led to Christine Chapel and Erica Ortegas’s arrival. They both had a knack for scouting out the places where they would be most needed when it came to the art of conversation.
“Hello Hemmer, Spock. Do you mind if we join you?”
Before Spock could reply, Ortegas pitched in.
“Please? If you say no then we’d have to bunk with the cadets. And you know what cadets are like.”
Spock sighed, “Very well. They can be quite tedious.”
Christine nodded empathetically. “The other day, I heard that one of them got stuck in jefferies tubes trying to set up a prank for a friend.”
Hemmer snarled at that. “Yes, I know. I was the unfortunate soul who found her. I don’t know why they try to do these things. If Lieutenant Singh got wind of it—I shudder to think of the consequences.”
“Well, it is a slot on Enterprise Bingo. I had to set one up myself when I first got on the Enterprise. Of course, I wasn’t stupid enough to get caught.”
With this, Ortegas ran a hand through her hair with bravado.
“My prank became a legend among new recruits. I actually got the Captain mixed up in it.”
“—Perhaps it is because I transferred here from a different ship as Chief Engineer, but I’m not quite sure what Enterprise Bingo is.”
At this, both Christine and Ortegas turned to look at him, even Spock looked a little flabbergasted.
“You don’t know what Enterprise Bingo is? Have you not had anything like it on the other ships you served on?”
“Not that I remember.”
Christine turned towards Spock. “You know what Enterprise Bingo is, right?”
“Yes, of course. I completed the entire thing. It seemed the logical thing to do at the time, if only to see what all the fuss was about. Because I am a Vulcan, they added some extra categories for me.”
“Like what?” asked Ortegas.
“I don’t quite remember all of them, but I believe trying chocolate cake was one. The humans on board couldn’t believe I’ve never had it. Apparently it’s considered an Earth specialty.”
Hemmer cut in again, face twisted up in confusion, “Excuse me, but chocolate cake? I’ve never heard of such a thing.”
“ You’ve never heard of chocolate cake!?! Oh my god, you have to try it right now!” Christine exclaimed.
“Chocolate cake is not a breakfast food, nor is it nutritious.” Spock murmured, but his concerns were soon overridden.
Ten minutes later, a slice of chocolate cake rested on a dish in front of Hemmer, and no matter how much he tried to refuse, he could not escape Ortegas’s and Christine’s enthusiasm. Even Spock looked expectant. The traitor.
Well, there was no avoiding it.
Prodding it with his fork, Hemmer was disgusted by the resulting squishing noises.
“It sounds wet. And slimy. You know what, I think I’m just going to pass on this one.”
“I don’t think you have much of a choice Hemmer.” Spock stated sympathetically.
“I assume it’s too late to claim I’m allergic to the ingredients.”
“Nope, I already went through them all. And as a physician on this ship, I’m pretty familiar with each of the crewmembers' allergies. You have none that correspond to the ingredients. So you’re not wiggling out of this one that easily.”
Sometimes, Hemmer wondered why he even suffered through the presence of these humans. They were so irritatingly stubborn.
With a displeased grunt, he brought the utensil to his mouth.
Oh. Oh wow. That was unexpectedly good.
He took another bite.
Not just good, it was delicious.
However, stuffing his mouth was not a very sightly scene, so Hemmer slowed his pace. But in that brief instant, the others had seen his reaction. The unconscious grin and twitch of antennae that signaled pleasure.
And, unfortunately for Hemmer, they let their observational skills shine through narration.
“I thought you said you wanted to skip out on the cake. Now look at it, the poor thing. It’s all gone.”
Hemmer groaned, “What gave it away?”
“Well, maybe it was just the way you seemed to melt after that first bite. Didn’t he melt, Christine?”
“Yep. I saw it too.”
Oh god, they will never let this go, will they?
No, they will not. Do you wish to get out of here?
Of course. I never knew Ortegas could be this tiresome.
Then you have never been to a game night. She tends to get over articulate whenever she wins anything. Nurse Chapel doesn’t help.
I’ll take your word for it, Spock. Now get me out of here.
“I’m sorry to interrupt. But I just remembered that I needed Hemmer to look at a conduit with me. It’s been malfunctioning and everybody we called up hasn’t been able to fix it.”
With that, Spock stood up.
“If you could please follow me Lieutenant.”
“Oh, gladly.”
Thank you Spock.
Don’t thank me just yet. Wait until the Captain hears about this. He’s worse than Ortegas.
Did you have to remind me?
{ooo}
“Since when does Spock forget things?”
“I don’t know, and at the moment, I’m not too interested in finding out. After watching Hemmer, I have a hankering for some cake.”
“I do too. Dibs on chocolate!”
“Hey, no fair!”
“Life isn’t fair Christine. Get used to it.”
“Fine. Then I’m getting vanilla. It’s much better than chocolate anyway.”
“Yeah sure, whatever floats your boat sweetheart.”