Just A Grease Monkey

Posted on Tue Sep 22nd, 2015 @ 5:46am by Petty Officer 3rd Class Avery Stiles

Episode: Lost Property
Location: Jefferies Tube 32A
Timeline: MD 01: 0900

There were many things that Avery enjoyed about life on the Highlander. Though he had only been around a few weeks, he already liked the ship. The chief engineer was competent and the rest of the staff seemed like they were as well. All and all, he was pretty sure that he was going to enjoy his new posting. Well, except for the fact that the ensign on the previous shift had neglected to replace the gel packs. Again.

Not that Avery minded, crawling around in the depths of the ship wasn't all that bad. Besides, it have him time to think. He started whistling as he yanked out the bad gel pack and then replaced it. Next he started reconnecting it with the ships systems.

"Mister Stiles."

Avery tapped his combadge. "Go ahead."

"We have a personal communication for you," the ops officer on the other end said. "Can you take it now or should we have her leave a message?"

"Hang on," Avery responded, shimming out of the jefferies tube to the access area. "Alright, route it to my current location."

The screen shifted to show Miranda Reyes, the mother of his best friend. And if he was honest with himself, probably more like his mother than the one that gave birth to him.

"Avery," Miranda smiled warmly. "I missed your call the other day."

"Hey Miranda," Avery smiled broadly. "I wanted to thank you for that birthday message and the gifts, really you didn't have too."

"Of course I did," Miranda said. "You're family Avery, you know that."

Avery smiled and blushed. "Theo's gift was pretty awesome too, you haven't told him about me being on the Highlander have you?"

Miranda shook her head. "Nope, although he's been moping about since last week. He'll never admit that he hates not knowing exactly where you are."

Avery chuckled. "Yeah, I know but I really wanna see the look on his face when he materializes on the pad and sees me."

"I can appreciate that, you should at least tell him about your promotion."

Avery nodded. "I will when he gets here, I promise."

"I'm proud of you Avery," Miranda. "And so is Theo, he's going to be to be so happy for you. Be warned though, he'll probably go on and on about how you'd be even further if you went to the academy with him."

"Oh I know that," Avery responded. "I need to get back to work. Thanks again, you know for everything."

"You're welcome," Miranda smiled. "Stay safe out there."

"I will."

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