A Bite To Eat
Posted on 24 Jul 2025 @ 7:26pm by Master Sergeant Thomas Zang & 1st Lieutenant Gavin Ross Dr.
2,029 words; about a 10 minute read
Mission:
General Sim Postings
Location: Mess Hall
Timeline: Current
[ON]
The bustling atmosphere of the USS Themistocles Mess Hall hummed with the familiar sounds of clinking cutlery and soft conversations, a comforting backdrop for any Starfleet officer navigating the rigors of space duty. Lieutenant Gavin Ross strode in, his uniform crisp and well-fitting, reflecting the discipline instilled in him during his time at the Academy and the rigors of his role as a military medic. He approached the replicator, inputting his order for a ham sandwich, a glass of milk, and a shiny red apple. He enjoyed the familiar mealtime ritual amidst the chaos of the day's duties.
As the replicator whirred to life, delivering his food with precise efficiency, Gavin scanned the room for a place to sit. His eyes landed on a table occupied by officers, laughter punctuating their conversations. But one seat remained conspicuously empty, creating a subtle invitation that intrigued him. At the table’s center sat Master Sergeant Thomas Zang, a staunch figure known for his precision as a sniper specialist with the esteemed 95th Regiment. Despite his hardened exterior, Zang had a reputation for wit beneath the surface, and Gavin's curiosity was piqued.
Gavin felt a pull towards the table in a galley filled with voices and camaraderie. He could surely share a moment of fun with the sergeant, perhaps discovering more about the man behind the sniper’s scope. Balancing his tray carefully, he made his way over, ready to blend two facets of military life—the medical and the tactical—over lunch.
"Master Sergeant." Gavin stood at the seat. "Might I share the lunch hour with you?" Ross opened up casually, friendly.
Thomas looked up from his meal with a slight smile. He offered Ross a nod as he motioned to the empty seat.
Gavin slid into the chair, the weight of his tray settling comfortably before him. The scents of the mess hall wafted around—a mix of seasoned chicken, mashed potatoes, and a hint of something sweet that he couldn't quite identify. He picked up his fork, glancing at Thomas, who seemed unfazed by his presence and unhurried in his food consumption.
"How's the chow today?" Gavin asked, his voice low, a touch gravelly but laced with an ease that made it inviting.
Thomas smiled. "It's as good as usual. Only way to make it better is if it was homemade instead of replicator. I kinda miss a fresh venison steak cooked over an open fire." He let out a chuckle as he took a bite of his steak on his plate.
“They can be too gamey, Thomas, if you have them like we do up Northerly in Alberta, Canada,” Ross remarked.
“Your deer feed off of the nice farmed fields. They taste tamer and are a lot better for eating!”
Ross grinned as he ate his ham sandwich, drank his eco-friendly, crack-open recyclable cup of milk, and chewed on his Macintosh apple from the tray.
Thomas chuckled. "Actually, the deer that I was raised on were wild ones that roamed the forests of Washington. The gamey taste i actually find quite taste, it shows that they are true wild deer and not deer that had been raised in large fields that simulate being wild." He said with a grin. "I think that some of the deer I grew up on did migrate into Canada during the summer while being more in Washington during the winter."
Ross took a bite of his apple, grinning back at Thomas. "Man, that wild deer sounds like quite a feast—gamey and real, just how it should be. Kinda reminds me of the thrill I get sport fishing up on the shores of Lake Huron. There’s nothing like hooking a large-mouthed bass out there, the way they fight when you reel ‘em in. Those waters are crystal clear, and when you’re out on the boat, you can almost feel the fish daring you to catch ‘em. Ever try fishing for bass? They’re scrappy, like those wild deer of yours!" Ross got excited thinking about it.
Thomas chuckled. "Yeah, I do enjoy a good fishing trip as well. I prefer fishing for bass in lakes, but I also like trout and salmon fishing in the creeks and rivers. Salmon fight more and there are more obstacles that can make your line snap if you're not careful." He said with a laugh. He thought back you his early teens when he would go fishing with his father not far from their homestead. He had enjoyed spending the time learning all he could from his father about nature and how to move in the various terrains. Her let out a sigh as he repressed the following thoughts of his life after his father had passed away and he had been left alone with no one to talk to prior to him leaving and joining star fleet.
Ross leaned back, his grin widening as he took another crunchy bite of his apple. “Oh, man, Thomas, you’re really hitting home with that! Salmon and trout in those creeks? That sounds like such an adventure—dodging rocks and currents while they splash around like crazy. It reminds me of this one time on Lake Huron; I hooked a bass that was so feisty I swear it nearly yanked me right off the boat! My buddy had to grab my belt to keep me from tipping over! When was the last time you enjoyed some real salmon?”
Thomas thought a moment before he answered. "It's been about eight years, I think. I was about 17 or 18 when I had went fishing for salmon. Though the last time I actually went fishing for anything was right before I left for my first assignment. A few other recruits and I went on a boat in the bay outside of Starfleet headquarters. I hooked a large sturgeon that really fought me. I swear I had a bruise on my hip for a month from the end of the pole from that fish." He said with a smile and a laugh. He wondered how Smitty and Trexler were doing now. He hadn't seen them in almost 6 years now.
Ross chuckled, chewing the apple core now and finishing.
"A sturgeon bruising you up, I can imagine that! Thomas, that’s a story worth telling." Gavin leaned forward, tone warm but easy. "Been too long since I’ve fished." He shook his head.
"How about we hit the Tomcat’s holodeck next week for a fishing trip on Lake Champlain? We’ll take a sport fisherman boat, chase those legendary bass, trout, and sturgeon. You in?"
"Of course, would you mind if I brought someone else along as well? I'm wanting to get to know Cassandra's Daughter a bit more and taking her fishing might be fun for her." Thomas said with a smile. "It might be fun to teach her to fish and it will give her a chance to meet other people as well but only if you're up for that idea Dr. Ross."
Children love me, I am a Doctor!!! Pshhhhhhh!!!" Leland was full of mockery. Then, images of screaming two and 3-year-old faces whenever he pulled out the old hypospray clouded his mind."
"That is cool that you take care of the young child. There is not much mentorship for young children on this ship." Gavin regarded Thomas.
"How is everything for the Marines?" Ross found himself often asking a Military Officer whenever he could. The General population and the Marine Population usually require different aspects of Medical and Well-Being to be regarded.
"Going good. A lot of training but we get our off time as well. I've been spending it getting to know Martha, Cassandra's daughter. She's a sweetheart and very intelligent for a 3 year old." Thomas said with a smile. "What about you, how's the medical field going? Any new discoveries or problems come up?" He asked.
"Going good. A lot of training but we get our off time as well. I've been spending it getting to know Martha, Cassandra's daughter. She's a sweetheart and very intelligent for a 3 year old." Thomas said with a smile. "What about you, how's the medical field going? Any new discoveries or problems come up?" He asked.
Ross appreciated the conversation. “You must find it a real stress reliever to interact with the child, being a father. Does this lessen the stress of the day?” Ross studied family dynamics in Starfleet Space Medical Literature.
"I'm not Martha's father and I'm still only Cassie's boyfriend. We are not married. Yet." Thomas said with a wink. "I plan on asking her in the future but it's not the right time and we're just getting to know each other again after not seeing each other for about six years."
Ross opened up another sandwich as he returned with coffee and doughnuts from the replicator. "Please. Dig in!!" This chat had gotten interesting. "Well, I am sure you will be an excellent role model, Thomas!" Gavin sipped at his Starbucks and relaxed back into the seat. Damn it. He wishes he could have a cigarette with his coffee right now. The craving, the force, it was intense. The Caffeine soothed his nerves. He popped open a can of Diet Coke, and it was cold. He took a drink; it was refreshing, but the aftertaste was that of chemical aspartame, a 21st-century product from Earth.
"I hope so. I plan on taking Martha to the holodeck and run a carnival or fair program." Thomas said with a smile. "I plan on letting her ride the rides, play the games and eat the junk food that was popular in the early 21st century."
"That is absolutely a great idea." Ross remarked in thought, taking another drink. Swallowing "I cant ever remember those programs being used in forever..." A carnival was something that he remembered regarding early earth culture.
"You'll have to get Martha a big pink elephant!" He chuckled. Zang had it great!
Thomas laughed as he pictured Little Martha trying to carry a giant stuffed pink elephant that was bigger than she was. "It depends on if she would like that or if she decides to want something else. It also depends on if I can win the games to get the prizes as I will only have it set up so that it is as authentic as can be. You know that back when they did those things that most of the games were rigged so that about only five percent can win them. you would have to be practically an expert in whatever it was they had to do." He slid his now empty plate away from himself and leaned back a bit in his seat. "You have any plans with any of the crew, or do you have your eye on any young ladies my friend?" He said with a sly wink.
Gavin swallowed and then replied. "Uh. That's a rather up-front question." He leaned back as well. Crossing his arms, in thought. "I have been seeing an Andorian. However, she counts us as playmates. What does that mean? Exclusive, or what?" Ross looked at his padd, noticing that some of his medical tests in the lab would need to be attended to soon. "So, what do you say? We're going on a fishing trip soon."
Thomas nodded. "Of course we're going on a fishing trip soon." He said with excitement in his voice. "I should get going, I need to take care of a few things before the next GQ is called." He stood up and grabbed his tray to take to the replicator to dispose of it. "Send me a message when you have an idea of when we can go on it and I'll talk to Cass about taking Martha with us." He smiled over at Ross.
Gavin waved up at Thomas with a kind, relaxed-looking smile.
[OFF]
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