Polishing the Brightwork

Posted on Tuesday February 2nd, 2021 @ 2:15am by Lieutenant Commander Olivia Lorrietta & Lieutenant Junior Grade Lee-ee-ek Bluefern - Ek & Lynne Brightwork

Mission: The Forgotten Outpost
Location: Security offices

Daniels was prepared, as he stepped into the security offices. He had unexpectedly gotten help from the grievance counselor for problems outside his immediate concerns.

Olivia Lorrietta strolled up to the civilian, and inclined her head. "My apologies, Captain." She collected a group of other civilian shopkeepers whose licenses were being held up. "Bluefern-Ek. With me.".

The aquatic woman looked up, and hastily fell into line behind the executive officer.

"Something the matter, ma'am?" She asked, as they stepped into a private office.

Olivia held out her hand. Daniels handed her his pending paperwork.

"It's all been reviewed but the security department has been exceedingly overtaxed of late. We need the civilian shops-" Lorrietta began.

"Ma'am, due respect, this isn't exactly a pressing-" Maddison interjected.

Lorrietta narrowed her eyes, and interrupted, herself. "It is, however, an order, Lieutenant."

Maddison paused, and then nodded. "Of course, ma'am."

"Start signing." Olivia collected the paperwork from the others.

Maddison glanced over each one, nodding, before signing each PADD in order.

Olivia handed each one back.

Daniels leaned against the bulkhead. "I guess you're the chief of the getting shit done department."

"Someone has to be." Lorrietta nodded. "Your complaints about the sluggish bureaucracy have been noted, Captain." She handed Daniels his authorized licenses. "Anyone gives any of you-" she turned to Maddison. "-yourself included, crap, I've authorized this. You direct them to me immediately. Are we clear?"

Maddison smirked. "Yes, ma'am. Chief of getting shit done, indeed."

She paused on the last of the paperwork. "Lynne Brightwork?" Maddison asked.

"Present." A soft-spoken woman stepped forward.

"There's a missing signature from the base command team. I can't-" Maddison began.

"This is outrageous-" Lynne chimed in.

Lorrietta grabbed the PADD, signed it, and handed it back wordlessly.

"Nevermind." Maddison signed off. "Here you are, Miss Brightwork."

"Dismissed." Lorrietta paused. "In the future, twenty minutes of work will be less time than arguing."

"Point taken, ma'am." Maddison escorted them out of the offices.

Daniels shook his head. "You know Krang, Trensu, or the boss man are likely to-"

Liv shook her head. "They'll get a lecture right back."

Lynne cleared her throat. "Uhhm. Thank you, miss."

Liv looked towards the other civilian and raised an eyebrow. "Oh. Of course, miss Brightwork. I know the civilian population has been getting antsy about emergencies continually interrupting commerce."

Daniels looked between the two women, and Lynne looked awkwardly towards him.

"I'll just uhhh." Daniels held up his PADD. "Thanks, Liv. Atwood will stop yelling at Admirals."

Liv watched him leave, confused by this reaction.

"Something else the matter, miss Brightwork?" Olivia looked back towards the other blonde.

"Do you drink espresso?" Lynne asked quietly.

"When I can get good stuff, yes." Olivia paused. "Why?"

Lynne held up her PADD. "Brightwork cafe and gifts can open for business, and I've got some good stuff."

"And-?" Liv frowned.

"If you're not busy, I'd like to buy you a cup." Lynne cleared her throat.

Liv took a moment. She just then clued into why Daniels left so quickly.

She looked around, suddenly feeling exposed. She tilted her head towards the exit. Her face flushed. It had been a while since someone had evoked this strong a reaction from her, and given how hectic the past few days had been, it was unexpectedly welcome.

She took a breath to recollect herself once they reached a less busy section of the station.

"Sorry. I didn't mean-" Lynne began.

"Miss Brightwork, I would absolutely love to." Olivia interrupted. "Sorry. I don't like discussing personal topics in front of people under my authority."

Lynne tilted her head at the interruption and counter apology. "I didn't think-"

Olivia shook her head, and held out a hand. "Olivia Lorrietta. Executive officer. A pleasure to meet you."

Lynne shook it, with a perplexed expression. "Lynne Brightwork." She frowned. "Are you alright?"

"Oh, I'm rarely alright. It's a busy station and half the time too much crap like civilian licensing gets side tracked unless specifically called upon." Liv paused. "But right this second? I'm fine. Thank you."

Lynne shook her head. "I... See." She cleared her throat again. "Didn't think I was leaving that good an impression."

"It takes a lot to throw off my composure. I am actually impressed." Olivia laughed. "Captain Daniels' reputation precedes him. He knew what was going on before I did."

"I may have quietly nudged him while you were busy with the others." Lynne looked relieved.

Liv shook her head. "It's... Been a while. I tend to put people off."

"With the boss bitch routine?" Lynne paused. "It really is just a routine, isn't it?"

"Daniels and Maddison are aware I normally despise formality, but the show was necessary to let the civilian population understand that the command team takes this seriously." Liv nodded.

Lynne stopped short. "That was all... Planned?"

"A script." Liv nodded. "All the world's a stage."

Lynne shook her head, before chuckling. "You have a knack for stagecraft."

"I am a diplomat. Showmanship is it's own magic." Liv tilted her head. "I hope you're not disappointed."

"Exactly the opposite." Lynne opened the doors to the Brightwork cafe. "I was curious if you actually were like that."

"People usually get disappointed when I drop the mask." Liv paused to look at wooden and metallic figurines throughout the cafe. "Brightwork. Literally."

Lynne nodded. "On Vandra six, where I grew up, we all pretty much have last names denoting profession. The Brightwork family have been craftsmen and women for nearly a hundred years. I just... Wanted to do something different. My own thing. Six brothers are more than enough to keep the workshop at home running."

"Did you make all of these?" Liv tilted her head, picking up a replica of the station. It lit up when she touched it. "That's beautiful."

"I have a workshop in the back." Lynne nodded. "Everything here is a Lynne Brightwork original."

Olivia withdrew her credit chip from her jacket. "This is going in my office."

"My first customer?" Lynne raised her eyebrows.

"You did invite me for an espresso."

"I never said I was going to charge you for it."

---
Lieutenant Commander Olivia Lorrietta
Executive officer

Lieutenant junior grade Lee-ee-Bluefern-Ek
Security officer

With

Civilian Captain Daniel Daniels,
Calysto Trading conglomerates

And introducing

Lynne Brightwork
Brightwork Cafe & Gifts