Cafeteria (Post Episode 5)

[Shawn Booth]

1320
Cafeteria/Mess Hall
Meropis

Shawn wished he decided against staying back at Meropis while the Sun Tzu went to back to the Milky Way but of course he didn't know of the storm or that it would be so hectic, which made him miss the Sun Tzu even more. If he wanted chaos he wouldn't joined the Air Force to become a Pilot, nope he would've joined the Marines or even the Army. He was in good physical shape even though being a pilot requires you to sit for hours on end but on the Sun Tzu its still big enough to do a few laps in. 

Time went by and the cafeteria was quiet and Shawn was there alone. He wasn't in a eating mood but he had his kindle and was reading a book, it was a science fiction book, Area 51. Not very close to this reality but that is why it is called science fiction and not science fact. Of course if all of this was science fiction people wouldn't believe it but real it is. Humans on other planets, ancient astronauts being real, parasitic beings living in peoples heads and taking them over, yeah Shawn wouldn't buy it either, yet it is real...

Stargate Command with its limited resources and personnel has done what others couldn't, even those more advanced. Taking out system lord after system lord, until all the Goa'uld Empire was destroyed was a great victory, but then came the Ori and all their might yet they were also defeated. The Asgard are gone and although the Vanir are still here in this galaxy, they aren't in the Milky Way and they aren't as powerful as their brethren once were. The Tau'ri have taken the mantle of responsibility as the 5th race and as such stand up for the weak and the innocent. However even with that and the Asgard computer core, there are always other enemies, some worse than those before and others not so bad but still a pain in the rear. However they could only face those challenges as they come along, until then all they could do is wait and live their lives.

Shawn enjoys silence and peace, and he was enjoying it, for now. Drinking some beer and reading his book, he was living the life.           

<Tag: Anyone and everyone...>

[Benjamin Grisswald]

1322
Cafeteria/Mess Hall
Meropis

It was not long since he had arrived at this place, this landlocked city. In many was it was better than S.G.C. and Area 51; there was daylight, the decorations were much nicer and so were the surroundings. Yet when put into context, it was quite a lonely place. A few hundred souls quite alone in a galaxy far, far from home. He’d get used to it he supposed.

Some days he considered eating a necessary evil. This day was one of those days. His work was really absorbing and so any breaks were really only disturbing him. Yet he knew that if he did not eat lunch he would turn into a monster, or rather develop a monstrous headache. That was the reason he had now left his lab and made his way to the Mess Hall. After having taken the wrong turn a couple of times and transported to the wrong place, he was finally on the right path, at least according to some technician that he had asked along the way.

Ben could hardly brag about being part of the great things accomplished by S.G.C. He had not defeated the Goa’uld nor the Ori. He had been sitting in his lab mostly, reviewing the substances that off-world teams had brought back to earth. Yet some small contributions had been made on his part; vaccines for off-word personnel and for some of their allies and modified drugs as well as mapping hundreds of new substances for future use. As he did not seek praise he was very content with his role.

At last he entered the Mess Hall; the locale was rather empty, a few people here and there. He realised that most people would have had their lunch by now, and it was too early for an afternoon snack, which left the hall quite empty. He collected some food; nothing too fanciful, which seemed to be one of the downsides of Meropis. Ben fancied a plave with a view, so while making his way through the labyrinth of tables and chairs he kept his eyes sweeping through the hall. Unfortunately he did not register Shawn, nor the position of his chair. Without any warning he walked right into the chair that the major was seated in, resulting in a near disaster as he lost the balance of his tray for a while, but fortunately gained control again preventing the major being drenched in food.
“I’m so, so sorry sir! I’m such a clumsy doofus!”, Ben used the word ‘sir’ without knowing that Shawn was indeed major, it was more used out of politeness. He cursed himself and his absent-minded demeanour. It was just typical of him. “Are you quite alright?” Ben asked with concern, as if he had almost shot them man. He vaguely remembered the man’s face, but then again his face-memory was not the best, he often confused people.

<tag: Shawn Booth and everyone else who wants to join>

[Shawn Booth]

1322
Cafeteria/Mess Hall
Meropis

Shawn continued his silent afternoon when he heard someone walking in, obviously not military because they'd be in uniform and definitely walk and act differently like the warriors they were trained to be, regardless of branch or the nation they were from. Shawn continued to sit with his iPad and beer, not that he was much of a drinker but he usually doesn't have time to just sit and relax as the Sun Tzu isn't exactly relaxing. It may be nice in the middle of space or in hyperspace, but he was incredibly unnerved, he liked to fly but flying in a spaceship isn't exactly flying.

Nope it is more of a.. well like being on a naval vessel without the waves, like an aircraft carrier without the noise of the jets or helicopters landing or taking off every so often. Shawn was only one one aircraft carrier, when he was flying missions in Iraq and he had to go refuel and the closest refueling point was in the Persian Gulf, good times. But nope the Sun Tzu isn't like that at all although flying the F-302, the one time he did was fun but he missed pulling G's, it was just like being in a race car going 200 mph around the track.

Shawn was reminiscing on good times when the Doctor whom he only saw maybe once, there are too many of them around Meropis, after all, almost or did trip before saving himself and his food from crashing into the floor. Shawn smiled, he couldn't help it, it would've been funnier if he fell but he wouldn't be allowed to laugh out loud, nope it would have to stay on the inside. “I’m so, so sorry sir! I’m such a clumsy doofus!” Yeah, no kidding... Shawn thought but never said. “Are you quite alright?”

"I am fine..." Shawn didn't know his name so he skipped that, "Have a seat, Doc. Everyone know's you guys aren't the best on your feet." Shawn said sarcastically although it was true, they may be smart but they really aren't good on their feet. "I am Major Shawn Booth the XO of the Sun Tzu, as you aren't military, you don't need to call me, sir. And you are?" Shawn asked as he placed his iPad down and took a sip of his beer while looking at the man.

<Tag: Benjamin Grisswald and others...>

[Finnbar Kennedy]

1322

Cafeteria/Mess Hall

Meropis

For the past few hours Finn had been pouring over a few of articles and journals he had brought with him. There was no sense in being cut off from the goings on of Earth, even if he was a mindboggling distance from it. Besides, it was possible that they might give him new ideas when it came to the items he was looking at here... And boy were they strange. Recently he had been working on something that looked like it was a simple necklace but was in fact a communication device... Or... Something... That didn't really matter to him, all he was trying to do was figure out if it was important or simply the alien equivalent of a mobile phone. After spending hours looking at it he had stopped and read a few of the articles and what not he had brought with him. Maybe the answer would be in one of those... So far they hadn't been. But he had only been working on it for a few days now, sorta a way to help himself get used to living here.

 

Finally he decided that it was time to get out of his room and explore abit. He did have a tendency to get fixated on things and loose track of time, and while he had snacked on plenty of food, both healthy and not so healthy (more of the latter). The only problem was that it was about time for him to get his tea. This wasn't always a habit of his, no, it became one when he lived with Keyik and her family for a year in Turkmenistan. Though he could never quite get used to the style they used, drinking tea from a saucer just seemed... Well... Cumbersome, but far be it from him to criticize someone else's culture.

After stumbling though the station for about an hour he finally made it to the cafeteria and stopped just inside the doorway looking around at the empty room. Either he was early or late, it seemed that there were only two people in the place. Unsure of how things worked here he made his way over to the machine that he hoped made tea and fumbled with it for a few minutes. He assumed this was like a civilian café of sorts and that he wasn't violating any rules by doing it himself. Pleased that this was in fact the device that made tea he grabbed himself a glass and poured some out for himself. After taking a sip and nodding to himself in satisfaction he turned and looked at the other two... Eh, why not? He may as well go say hi since the were all here. Once he saw an opening he made his way over to them and offered a friendly smile. "Jolan Tru." He didn't care if either of them recognized the traditional Romulan greeting, so long as they got the message. "Mind if I join you?"

[Benjamin Grisswald]

1323
Mess Hall/Cafeteria
Meropis

Ben was relieved that the man had not been upset or hurt or something like that. One could never know with these military chaps, they could fly into a rage for nothing. He remembered how he and a couple of colleagues used to joke about the military giving the marines extra testosterone to make them more aggressive, and every time one of the military personnel at S.G.C. bristled at something or someone, the joke was revived. Apparently though, this chap had not been taking his daily injection, thought Ben with a sense of jocular thankfulness. The man was even gracious enough to offer him a seat. Ben longingly took a quick gaze at the window-table where he initially had intended to sit. but realised that company was far better than no company. He gave his thanks and proceeded to seat himself opposite to the man.

At Shawn’s comment he laughed mildly. ”True, very true” was all he could think of saying before the militaristic man continued to introduce himself. This almost made Benjee blush a little, and he had to look down his plate for a few moments. He had almost dropped his food on a Major, a Major! They are like hotshots, almost colonel and all that. He cursed himself again, mentally, but pulled himself together rather quickly.
”Nice to meet you… Shawn… I’m sorry, I just habitually do that with people I don’t know, you know… being British and all that” he was still uncertain as to how he should address the man, by surname perhaps? Yet he felt the man’s comment indicated that perhaps they were on a firstname-basis now. Anyway Ben tried to cover his awkwardness with making fun of his British heritage, the Americans usually liked that. ”I’m Benjamin Grisswald, and you’ve already figured out that I’m a doctor” he said and smiled faintly remembering the embarrassing accident just minutes ago.

Ben had intended to proceed to ask about the Sun Tzu, but his plans were circumvented by another man coming up to their table. It was quite a surprise, as he had not even noticed anyone else entering the Mess Hall. The man, who seemed vaguely familiar, spoke something which Ben could not make sense of, perhaps it was Irish? Anyway it seemed to be intended as a greeting so he returned the greeting with a short ‘hi’ and a polite smile. It was the major who was the master of the table, Ben had just recently sat down, so he didn’t feel like he could decide, but in an attempt to be obliging and friendly he spoke. ”I don’t mind the slightest, what say you major?” the tone was mildly humoristic, as if he knew the major well and they were inspecting the newcomer to see if he was suitable or not.

<tag: Shawn Booth, Finnbar Kennedy and others>

[Shawn Booth]

1324
Cafeteria/Mess Hall
Meropis

Shawn was starting to get surrounded by nerds, Shawn is pretty smart himself having a bachelor's degree in Physics, he does know more than he let's on but he likes to pretend he isn't as smart as he really is. He does loves science but he wanted to join the Air Force and he did, being a pilot was one of his dreams as well. When an opportunity presented itself he figured he'd apply and was accepted, he got lucky. Shawn could've went to college on the Air Force payroll and went for a masters or even a Ph.D. but he isn't that into science. Being apart of a program like this was beyond Shawn's wildest dreams. Being an Air Force Officer is one thing but being a civilian doctor and getting chosen into the program that means you are quite great at whatever your area of expertise is.

But Doctors that are chosen are nerds, that is obvious by Benjamin's balance and by this new guy's greeting, Star Trek... really? Shawn knew it and was a semi fan of Star Trek but he was no trekkie so why not play dumb? "Of course, Jolan, sit." Shawn said trying to act like how most scientists and historians and other academic professionals see military officers and military personnel altogether. They aren't dumb but sometimes they act it, other times it is just because they don't understand all the nerd talk...

”Nice to meet you… Shawn… I’m sorry, I just habitually do that with people I don’t know, you know… being British and all that” Shawn looked at him expressionless, "That is what you do? Almost drop food on them?" Shawn kept his look albeit a sarcastic look, if there was one. ”I’m Benjamin Grisswald, and you’ve already figured out that I’m a doctor” Shawn gave up, "Relax Doc... Benjamin. I am messing with you, of course I know what you meant. But I did know you were a Doctor by the way you are dressed and by the way you walked, not to mention I would've known your name or face at least."

<Tag: Benjamin Grisswald, Finnbar Kennedy>

[Finnbar Kennedy]

1324

Cafeteria/Mess Hall

Meropis

With a wide smile Finn sat in the nearest open seat at the table. Sure this guy might have just been repeating what he had said, but still, it was nice to hear someone responded in a Star Trek manner. As for the Brit, well... At least he knew it was a greeting. "Thanks." He said politely as he set his cup down on the table before his and wrapping his fingers around it. Not wanting to interrupt anymore than he already had he sat quietly and simply observed. It was something he did often, being an archeologist he observed the history of the world through stone and dirt. Though, unlike a certain archeologist he loved dearly he didn't always get the girl... But he did have high hopes for one. As the British man spoke Finn found himself mentally trying to copy his accent, just an odd habit he developed for fun.