Yellow Collars, Cheese & Chocolate.

Posted on Thu Oct 1st, 2026 @ 5:54pm by Lieutenant Megan Hawthorne & Lieutenant Tavian Merkos
Edited on on Thu Oct 1st, 2026 @ 6:56pm

1,982 words; about a 10 minute read

Mission: New Horizons
Location: Main Engineering

Lt. Tavian Merkos made his way to deck 11 with the same unhurried pace as someone who just knew where to go and had no set time of arrival. He had taken a shower in the morning, gotten various meetings and such sorted and decided that as Chief Operations Officer it was only prudent to go and talk to the Chief Engineer. After all, they were responsible for making sure there was power to divert. It was one of those lovely things that just made sense to him.

As he stepped out of the turbolift, he tugged the sleeves down a little, surveying the corridor in front of him. Tavian had learned early on that while replicators could indeed get your uniform size right, it could at times take a...sentient being's touch to make it fit just right. And this uniform had passed through the hands of a tailor so that the shoulders sat right, the collar rested easily against his neck without strangling him, and the trousers fitted like a glove. It was a balance, too tight and one simply couldn't move right.

He stepped forward, head held high and a pleased look on his face. Friendly, because it mattered on a new ship. One had to be perfectly pleasant to get along. The doors of Engineering opened before him and he looked in, seeing the warp core in its pulsating glory, humming along. Such power and dignity, unhampered by sentiment...both a blessing and a curse in a way. He respected that. One should always have a certain amount of respect towards the ship's warp core.

He stopped a crewman to enquire where the Chief Engineer was, and was directed towards a woman with long brown hair. He gave his thanks and walked over. "Lieutenant Hawthorne?" he asked, because he had indeed asked the ship's computer for her name.

The long brown hair flowed and danced in the air as Lieutenant Hawthorne seemed to twirl around. It was like a practised ballet move. She came face to face with the man whom had called her. "Hmm...." was the sound that escaped her lips as her hand made its way up to her face, positioned so that her chin rested between her thumb and forefinger.

"Lets see. Gold collar, Lieutenant Rank. But you're not one of my engineers." She began to speak out loud. "And your uniform is more immaculate and tailored than an Admirals. Totally not anything a security officer would do." She began to circle the man as if examining him. "Plus, you're here and wanting the one and only me..."

After doing a full rotation of the man, she came to a full halt in front of him. "So, I'm guessing. You're part of Operations? Chief Ops?" She enquired as a smirk emerged on her face.

"Oh, I do enjoy someone who takes the time to do a proper deduction," he said and bowed his head in a greeting. "Lieutenant Tavian Merkos...and yes, Chief Operations Officer." He looked at her, raising an eyebrow as he smiled. She moved with grace, was clearly unafraid of having a little fun with the world...and intelligent. But people in Starfleet were that. Not always smart, but certainly intelligent. "Newly transferred like everyone else, and thought it would be prudent of me to...pop down and introduce myself. Seeing as we shall be working very closely together."

"Oh ho, is that a promise?" Meg replied, her smirk widening. "Well, Tavian. I'm Meg. You can call me Meg, its far better than 'Lieutenant Hawthorne' or 'Lieutenant'." She told him as she waved her hand idly in the air. "I like things to be nice and easy around here. Speaking of which.. " she pretended to check a non-existant watch on her wrist. "It's about time for lunch. But, as much as I think the warp core is pretty, and I could spend hours making out pictures in its swirls... The Mess Hall is far better! Plus, I want to test the replicators. Finally something other than Apple Pie!"

She began trotting off towards the door, then paused and turned. "Coming?"

He looked at her with surprise before he chuckled and followed, hands behind his back. "There are far more things in the replicators than apple pie," he said, lightly, watching her. "A universe of flavours and textures. Although I do find it interesting that most planets have something resembling...Earth apples. Are you a connoisseur of Apple Pies or is this some elaborate torture inflicted upon you?"

Meg smiled. "Thats all they could make since this morning. Some sort of mess up with their programming." She explained. "And, as much as I love sweet treats like any other girl, I'm quite happy to finally have something with less calories!" She grinned. She patted her belly lightly. "Got to keep this nice and flat! I don't suit the whole 'muffin top' look." She added with a wink. "Lets go! Tasty food awaits us gold collared chiefs."

Tavian looked at her before he smiled, mostly to himself at the words. "There is no harm in enjoying the pleasures of fine food and drink...although overriding the replicator's calorie setting may not be recommended," he commented, lightly. He personally did not find any harm in various body shapes, but it was all about what people themselves were comfortable with. "Except when cheese is in question. One must always have that as close to real as possible in my opinion."

Meg stopped, instantly turning around and looking him dead in the eyes. She reached out and placed both hands on both of his shoulders. "Wait. Wait. Wait. You like cheese? Like, proper cheese? And you believe that it can be used with everything if you do it right?" She asked. Her stare was dead serious, as if the sudden cheese related question was now a matter of life and death.

He stopped before he could crash into her, watching her for a long moment. "Cheese, true cheese, can be a wonderful addition in most recipes. One has to find the correct cheese for your purposes," he said with a firm nod. "It is all about balancing the flavours, you see. In fact, I brought some cheese with me simply because cheeseboards are a necessity of civilised living."

Meg's gaze looked down at the deck between them as she kept her hands firm on his shoulders. "Oh. My. God." She said in a low tone. Before he could react her head shot up. Her eyes were almost sparkling like glitter. "Where have you been all my life?!" She asked, pure energy and excitement now surfacing. "You totally understand that cheese is not just a food! Its a way of life!" She released his shoulders. "You and I..." she pointed between them in turn. "We're going to be best friends!" She then reached out and grabbed the cuff off his sleeve. "Come on Tavian! Cheese awaits us! Wensleydale, Leicester, Gouda, Stilton and the good all rounder... Cheddar!"

She proceeded to pull him via the wrist down the corridor, little happy noises coming from her as she led them towards a turbolift.

"Best friends over cheese? I have heard of worse propositions," he said playfully as he shook his head, following her with a small smile of amusement. "You only indulge in Earth cheese? My homeworld has quite a spicy offering of a cheese...I think you'd like it. The texture of a mature brie with the punch of Gorgonzola. I do believe that the mould is quite safe for...I am assuming human?" he looked at her as he stopped into the turbolift, looking her up and down.

"If its cheese! Meg here will eat it all!" She announced. "Even if my Human stomach doesn't like it!" She stopped for a moment. "I do look forward to sampling Ardanan foods with you." She grinned as she walked. "Plus, one day I might get an opportunity to look at those amazing cloud cities you have." She added with a wink. It seemed that Meg had worked out not just who he was, but what he was from the very beginning.

He looked at her with sudden interest, raising an eyebrow. "And how did you know I was Ardanan?" he asked, but there was a teasing playfulness in it. "Was it my handsome face? My manners? Surely not my accent, although perhaps it is just how the universal translator is. Do tell me...so I can stomp out the tell and drive people quite mad unable to figure out..." he winked.

Meg smirked again. "I was born and raised on a Starship." She started. "I've met so many people and all sorts of species." She added. She crossed her arms and closed one eye giving him a smug, yet cheeky expression. "The Ardanan's are known for their unque taste in exquisate food, manners, and taking pride in their appearance. Then you presumed I'm Human and that was the cherry on the top."

Maintaining her pose. "Either that, or I read the daily memo about an Ardanan Chief of Operations joining the ship this week..." she admitted, her smirk turning into a somewhat nervous smile. "I guess, I busted myself there didn't I?"

"Blasted internal communications, you almost had me there...since I could recognise myself in all those traits. Espcially the unique taste and manners...and pride," he gave a dramatic sigh before he smiled, enthusiasm returning to him now that he had faced, and survived, that brief moment of concern. "Still, I shall adapt and overcome some of my mystique being gone." He winked, because the nervous smile on her was quite adorable and very unnecessary. "As for Ardanan food...you'd like it. Very rich, we adore our sauces too...and finger food. Not at the same time of course, one wants to avoid messy cuffs. Oh! I must introduce you to out bubbled chocolate drink. Served almost frozen, it retains the bubbles and they melt on your tongue as you drink it."

"First cheese... and now chocolate!" Meg exclaimed. "You really know how to woo a girl don't you?" She asked with a giggle. She held out a hand, but not like a handshake. This was more formal, like a proper invitation for friendship. "I look forward to filling my belly with lots of yummy food with you! As long as I don't put on too much weight... Oh, and working together as Officers. That too," she winked at him.

He took her hand and bowed over it, meeting her eyes. "This is going to be quite the culinary adventure in space, dear Meg," he said, both a warning and a promise. And most of all, it was full of warmth, playfulness and just enough seriousness to make it clear that yes, he did look forward to working with her as well, not just the food talk.

A very tiny squeal escaped Megs mouth as he bowed to her. She had never had anyone do anything like that to her. She could feel her cheeks flushing. "Y...Yeah..." she replied as she retracted her hand and spun around on the spot. "To the mess hall!" She said pointing down the corridor. 'What the hell is this?! Why am I getting all flustered?!' she thought as she led the way, her movements a little stiffer than usual.

He chuckled as he watched her go, taking a deep breath. He had seen the blush, the way she pulled away. She was a graceful one. Was she a dancer maybe? He would have to ask. Over some cheese. He pulled himself away from the clouds of thought and followed her, his long legs easily catching up with her. "Lead the way," he said easily.

Posting by:

Lieutenant Megan Hawthorne
Chief Engineer

Lieutenant Tavian Merkos
Chief Operations Officer

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