Linha had been working with Lieutenant Murphy with getting the two hospital suits operational for the past several hours since her arrival. She had been given an hour of downtime to get something to eat and get some studying in as she had an exam tomorrow morning she needed to take. She made her way down to the promenade where she saw many shops and restaurants, there were so many to choose from.

After a few moments, she saw one that she felt was quiet enough to study and can get a good cup of coffee and something to hold her over until later on that night. Walking in she placed her order before she took a seat at a corner booth. She had a padd in hand that had her study sheets, she began to read. Before long her order had arrived and she smiled at the waitress and thanked her. Taking a drink she smiled at the savory taste, made fresh and not replicated made her feel happy that she could enjoy something authentic for once.

Ethan stumbled down the promenade, a PADD in his hand, looking for something to eat before heading back to work. He had been pulling double shifts working on the Hippocrates, trying to get that ship operational as quickly as possible, and he was exhausted. His shift supervisor offered him to work a single shift today and to get some rest, but Ethan refused and said he would be back after a quick bite to eat. 

He finally made it to the Brew and placed his order with the staff before looking around for a table, though there wasn’t a single empty table in the establishment. He walked over to the corner where he saw a Trill cadet around his age sitting by herself. Ethan walked over and waved to get her attention, “Mind if I join you? Sorry, there aren’t any open tables left.”

She looked up to see a young man in a yellow uniform standing next to the open seat in front of her, smiling “of course I don’t mind.” She replied looking at him, “Cadet Linha Varen, third-year medical cadet. I have just recently been reassigned here from Mellstoxx III campus,” she said as she saw him take a seat. “I recommend their coffee if you haven’t had it already it is really good,” she commented.

“Thank you, much appreciated.” Ethan smiled as he took his seat. One thing he always took for granted was his ability to make new friends, something that fortunately came very easily to him. “I’ll have to try that next time! Actually, I haven’t been here before, so I’m excited to try a few things on the menu. I’ve had my eye on it for a little while but never seemed to make it down here. Doesn’t help that it’s usually packed.” He laughed.

“So what is your name?” She asked looking at him. She wondered what department he worked in as it either had to be security though he didn’t look like the type. Not that anyone had a certain type though she couldn’t see him shooting things. So he either had to be in engineering or operations.

Ethan almost looked stunned that he didn’t even think to introduce himself to her before he just sat down and made himself comfortable. “Oh, I guess that would help! My apologies, I guess I’m more tired than I thought, Engineering has been keeping me extremely busy over on the Hippocrates. My name’s Ethan, Ethan Hale.” He extended his hand.

“A pleasure,” she said shaking his hand in return. He seemed like a nice young man and she could get why he was tired. With the things going on within the Denab sector, they had almost everyone working more hours getting ships repaired and shipped off and medical supplies sent with them. She couldn’t help but think of her mother who was in the thick of it onboard the Saratoga and her squadron. She was worried that something might happen to her, she already lost her younger brother in the Delta Quadrant. She wouldn’t know what to do if she lost her mother too. Her father was currently on Trill as all civilians were dispatched from the ships for their safety. She almost looked as if she was zoned out for a moment before she snapped too.

“So how long have you been here?” She asked trying to get her mind off her thoughts.

“For a few months, I just arrived in January. Kind of bad timing to already be in the middle of a war, I suppose.” He tried to smile away the nerves of that statement. He knew he was trained and ready for anything, but that didn’t make the prospect of fighting in a war any easier. He didn’t want to think of himself as a coward, but at the same time, he also hoped that the battles didn’t reach as far as the station. He watched as the wait staff brought over his order, he picked up his glass and took a sip, “So, what’s your role in all of this?” He said, motioning to their surroundings. 

“Working with Lieutenant Murphy in getting the two hospitals here on Starbase Bravo up and operational for anything that might come our way.” Linha replied looking at him, “while still studying. Though I am surprised they gave me another tour as I just finished one on the USS Saratoga,” she added. “I guess they really need the extra pair of hands during a crisis like this,” she replied as she took a drink.

Ethan took a sip of his drink while Linha finished up, then raised his eyebrow, “Oh, you served on the Saratoga? I actually read up on that ship a while back, it’s an Obena-class isn’t it?” He smiled, setting his glass down on the table, “I’ve always really liked that class’s design, that’s pretty awesome you’ve got to serve on board. Bravo is my first posting out of the academy, most of my friends went off on starship assignments, I was the only one that got a station.” He looked down, not wanting to admit that he was glad he received this posting now that there was a war on. 

“Well it was originally an Odyssey-class ship before the change,” she replied with a smile as she didn’t get a chance to step foot on the new ship. “The captain happens to be my mother,” she admitted with a smile. “The ship took heavy damage in the Delta Quadrant and would be laid up for months so Starfleet Command assigned the Obena-class as its replacement.” She added looking at him.

“Your mother is a starship captain? Whoa, that’s incredible!” He smiled wide, more intrigued than ever, “I always wished I had more family in Starfleet, but alas I’m the only one. My family all have jobs on Earth, but none of them really had any passion to see the stars and explore the unknown. Though, I guess in a time like this, maybe they were the smart ones after all.” He joked, grabbing his drink and taking a sip. 

She chuckled at his almost excitement, “space isn’t for everyone and I am sure they have important jobs that don’t involve space that make them happy.” She said looking at him, “everyone has their own calling and I guess we are right where we need to be, no matter what is currently going on. We can make a difference even if we don’t see it right now,” she said more wiser then her years. Though, she had a mother who always instilled seeing the best side of things then the worst. Her caring nature is one of the reasons she really wanted to become a doctor. “I know I am exactly where I am meant to be,” she added.

Ethan smiled and admired her confidence, knowing exactly who she was and where she wanted to be. That was a trait he used to be so proud of in himself, though after the announcement of the war, somehow he started to have doubts. But seeing how this young cadet could have as much confidence as she did, it really inspired him to turn his attitude around. “That’s a very enlightened state of mind, sounds like the confidence of a future captain someday perhaps?” He said, grinning as he finished his drink. 

She chuckled a bit, “I probably won’t go that far at least that is a long way away.” She said with a smile then looked at the time. “Shoot I have to be getting back to the main infirmary,” she said with a smile as she finished her cup of coffee before standing up. “It was a pleasure to meet you, Ethan hopefully, we will see each other again.” She said with a smile.

Ethan stood as Linha got up to go, “It was a pleasure making a new friend, thanks for letting me share the table.” He smiled, then gathered up the PADD he walked in with, “I also have to be getting back, the Hippocrates isn’t going to finish itself after all. Hope to see you again soon!” He nodded, then started down the promenade towards the turbolift.