10:02 Hours - September 9 - 2194
With a small hiss of air, the hatch slid open and allowed entry.
"If you'll just step this way, sir," the young enlisted woman said, motioning to the corridor that opened up before them. Busy with workmen cleaning up the last of their tools, and a handful of military personnel either overseeing the operation of going about their own business, it was a rather crowded affair.
Following behind the smaller human, Termidus looked around. The tall, well-build turian was cool and collected, never said a word as the humans stopped what they were doing to look at him. He met each of their curious gazes with a nod, and proceeded on his way down the corridor behind the young woman. What was her name? Inwardly Termidus cursed himself, but at least he could recognize her rank, having studied human military when he learned of this posting.
"Serviceman," he spoke up in a heavy voice, "is the Captain not on board yet?"
"She is," the young woman spoke as they walked. "She was going to meet you when you arrived, but a Senatorial delegation wanted to view the ship, so she'll meet you later this afternoon."
Termidus nodded, and continued to follow silently. It was disconcerting to arrive at a new post without meeting his commanding officer, but he supposed this was just the first of many new things he would have to get used to. This wasn't a standard post, after all.
As they walked through the various corridors, the turian continued to exchange nods with crew and workers that they passed. He struck an imposing figure; his turian height over them was the first impression, and his fierce countenance with bone-plated face and sleek head spikes another. Still, he did his best to appear nonthreatening, even amicable. It was in this mindset that he first encountered Kimila.
Rounding a corner at breakneck speed, the small blue asari nearly collided head-on with the massive turian. Only Termidus' quick reflexes, and the asari's sudden roll to the side, prevented the two of them from ending up in a heap on the floor. Several nearby workers and crew were forced to dive against bulkheads as well, and the Serviceman who was escorting Termidus turned with a wide-eyed stare.
"Sir, are you alright?" The young woman asked, even as the asari stood from where she had landed with a roll. With a nod and a scowl, the turian reached down to help up the blue alien. When he did, he was dumbfounded by the brightest, bluest, shiniest eyes ever to grace the galactic stage. She gave a dazzling smile, blushing.
"Sorry about that, I was in a hurry to explore the whole ship and I didn't look where I was going. The corners on these ships are really block compared to what I'm used to, and normally on asari ships I can see where I'm going a lot better." The asari, who appeared young, spoke at a pace that nearly had Termidus' translator at a loss, and he gave a grunt of amusement. She held out her hands, one to him and one to the Serviceman. "Kimila Danagi, just got here this morning and I'm happy to meet you both." The asari gave a little laugh as she shook their hands. "Sorry I'm talking way too much, I do that, just tell me to be quiet if I get annoying. My mother--"
"Kimila, please," Termidus said, holding up one hand gently. The Serviceman next to him blanched, but the asasri didn't seem the slightest bit offended. She just smiled, and nodded cheerfully. Termidus looked back up and down the corridor, chuckling quietly to himself. "So you're part of this whole new program too, I assume?"
"I am! I'm so excited, this is a tremendous honor, and I can't wait until we launch, it's going to be the best!" She looked over at the Serviceman. "Are you taking him to his room? I'm learning the layout of the ship, I could take him if you have other things to do, or I could come with you and tell him about things that a human might overlook. Not that you might not know to point things out, but you know some things would be automatic for you and you might not think about pointing them out to someone who hasn't--"
Termidus held out a hand silently, and Kimila shut her mouth with a delighted giggle. Clearly young, as Termidus had originally surmised, and very excited. He smiled however, and looked to the equally amused Serviceman. "It's your call, Serviceman, I haven't offically reported for duty yet."
With a smile and a shrug, the human woman gave a small laugh. "Well, I'm happy to have you along, Ms. Danagi. There aren't many crew aboard the ship yet anyway, so it'll be nice to talk to people who aren't workers on their way out."
Kimila clapped happily, and the trio began walking down the corridor again. As they did the young asari chirpped happily about many various things around the ship she had discovered. She told him about the engine room and its sheer size, exploring the shapes of corridors around the vessel's central gun, the smell of the mess deck, and how far along she was in counting the different structural frames from one end of the ship to the other.
"So what's your name, anyway?" She asked at the end of a lenghy description of the medical deck.
"I apologize Ms. Danagi, I hadn't realized that I forgot to introduce myself earlier," the turian replied, giving a small salute. "I am Termidus Metridus, third--" he stopped when the asari snickered, and gave her a scowl. "I'm sorry, is there something funny?"
The asari blushed again, and gave a little shrug. "That's...is that really your name?"
"It is." His voice indicated his annoyance, and to her credit Kimila didn't push the matter further. She did, however, have to bite her lip to maintain such an advanced level of etiquette. Termidus made a face. "You're very young, aren't you Kimila?"
"Hundred and thirteen three months ago!" The asari beemed cheerfully. Termidus exchanged a look with the human escorting them, and both of them shook their heads.
Kimila began to cheerfully regale them with tales of the adventures she'd had in the cargo bay.
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