First Impressions

Posted on Wed Aug 13th, 2014 @ 6:19am by Ensign Robyn Maxwell

1,735 words; about a 9 minute read

Mission: In the Dark
Location: Earth
Timeline: Current

Robyn Maxwell, rucksack swung over her right shoulder, hauled an overladen holdall behind her as she made her way along the center aisle of the transport ship looking for her allocated seat.
{39B...must be here somewhere..37....38....aha!}
With a sigh of relief, for her bags were heavy, she came to a standstill at the end of the three seater row only to find all the places occupied.

She frowned, leaned forward slightly the better to read the seat numbers and check she was at the correct place.

It took only a second to see that she was but a man was already sitting there with luggage on the seats either side of him

"Ummm, excuse me.." she said, looking down at him "...but there's some mistake. You're in my seat."

She expected him to respond perhaps with an apology for the oversight or even to query her claim but instead he remained exactly where he was and appeared not to have heard her.
"Excuse me?" she repeated in a louder voice. " You're in my seat."

Norbert sighed loudly. He turned his head to look at the woman and smiled. "I do believe you are mistaken as I have secured all three of these seats for myself and my luggage". His smile had the air of authority, but it was a hollow presence as it was borne from smugness and a general disregard for anyone's needs but his own. He turned his attention back to the PADD in his hand and continued reading.

Robyn glanced back along the aisle in hope of seeing a stewardess but, in the bustle of arriving passengers, could see no white suited representative of the civilian transport.

"Look..." she said redirecting her attention back to the man in hr seat "...there isn't a mistake...at least not on my part. I have confirmation of the travel details."
Once again she was left to stare at the top of his head when he didn't immediately reply and noted with distaste the slick gelled down hair.

"And I'd like to sit down!" she added when he seemed disinclined to make a move.

Norbert rolled his eyes and looked back at the woman and realized she was wearing a Starfleet uniform. Not one for making scenes. He scoffed, "Where is it?", he asked, smile gone.

Another frown and a holding back of stinging word saw Robyn hitch the rucksack from her shoulder.
"In here." she replied balancing the heavy bag on the arm of the seat. It was full to the brim and in the present position wasn't the easiest of items to open. Knowing that he could clearly see her difficulties, Robyn's lips drew into a line of displeasure at his attitude so that when the rucksack tipped forward slightly and came to rest on his luggage, she merely continued her search for the document and let it remain where it was.

Norbert's eyes shot to the rucksack now resting on his expensive luggage. No doubt soiling the pricy fabric with layers of dirt. He immediately pushed her bag off of his own and watched as it fell to the ground. "Excuse you", he said, "But that bag probably costs more than your entire wardrobe".

The rucksack tumbled down to Robyns feet, spilling out a few items including the padd she was searching for. She gasped as it fell, grabbing at it but having no time to gain a secure hold.
"Now look what you've done you...you...."
She was on her knees, bending to retrieve her belongings and staring up at the unpleasantly smug face looking down at her. She pulled her things together, stuffing them back into the top of her bag which she lodged against the seat and got to her feet.
With a little more force than was necessary, she tapped on the padd and brought up the relevant information which she then held out to him.
"THIS is MY seat!" she declared, holding the padd close to his nose. " You need to move if you would so kind!" The sarcasm was plain.

Norbert noticed several other people on the transport now looking towards them, "Calm down" he snapped. "You are causing a scene", he grabbed his bag and placed it on the seat on the other side of him. "Fine! are you happy now", he shook his head, "How rude", he added under his breath.

"Thank you." Robyn said, although it almost choked her to say it.

She seated herself and pulled her luggage from the aisle into the space near her feet making it cramped and uncomfortable. She stared straight ahead at the back of the seat in front
She felt ruffled and tried to calm herself as she followed the intricate design of the logo in front of her, gold letters on white, an N and B intertwined.

In a few hours, she reminded herself, she would be boarding the USS Vindicator and beginning the career she had dreamed of. This unpleasant passenger, someone she would never see again, was not going to spoil it.

Norbert leaned back and took a deep breath trying his best to ignore the woman sitting next to him. He began reading his PADD again when he noticed one of the flight attendants passing by. "Excuse me", he said holding up two fingers in front of Robyn. "I will take a sealed bottle of Spring Water and a Hot Towel".

"Sorry sir, we are just about lift off, once we are on our way I will be back to assist you", She said with a bright smile.

Norbert was having none of this. "What??", he said, "Do you know who I am?", he continued.

"Sorry Sir" she responded and quickly continued walking down the aisle.

Robyn smiled to herself. Why was it always so pleasing when an unpleasant person had even a minor comeuppance?
The little ship traveling at warp speed through the lower loop of the B into the angle of the N on the logo in front of her seemed to shine especially brightly.
After a moment she couldn't resist a quick glance at her companion.

Norbert returned her gaze. "What?", he snapped glancing at the rank on her collar, "That means Ensign right?", he asked, "Not surprising the quality of people Starfleet lets in these days", he said low under his breath just loud enough for Robyn to hear but nobody else.

She looked at him with surprise for she was proud of her uniform and all it represented. It was in fact just that that stopped a stinging reply. Instead...
"I'm an Ensign yes." she said quietly "...and a medical officer if you recognized it. Do you have a problem with Starfleet?" she ended.

Just then the transports engines fired up and moments later the ship was on its way.

"Oh no not all", he responded with a sarcastic laugh, "No problems at all." he laughed a little more and then directed his attention back towards his PADD.

{Yes you do} she thought.
Her eyebrows raised slightly then lowered again, she gave her head a short shake, sighed and sat back to enjoy the trip.

This though proved to be impossible given her companion. She now wanted to know what his problem was and gave him a sideways glance.
He was well dressed certainly, his guarded luggage was of the best quality and a designer make too given the discreet name in silver below the zip.
His attitude was arrogant to say the least and he was, she decided, the epitome of a Starfleet reject.

The Stewardess returned along the aisle and stopped beside Robyn carrying a bottle of spring water and a hot towel.

"I am very sorry sir for the delay, here is your water and towel", she leaned forward and handed the items to Norbert.

He scoffed again as he grabbed the items from her hands, "You are lucky I don't have you fired", he paused as he checked the brand of the water and temperature of the towel, "Dismissed", he finally said to the attendant who was still standing there.

She, trained to believe the customer was always right, maintained her pleasing smile which she also directed to Robyn before continuing on down the aisle.

Robyn did her best to ignore the fussing going on next to her as the man used his towel and sipped the water. He nudged her arm once or twice clearly intending to use her space as well as his own.
Robyn rearranged her position to keep out of his way as much as possible without limiting her own comfort.

She observed him from the corner of her eye, still fussing with the towel, examining its condition, rechecking the water, flicking imaginary dust from his suit, looking about to see what others were doing.

His attitude and indeed his words to the stewardess made Robyn wonder what he did. He certainly seemed to be a seasoned traveler judging by his luggage. He was , she supposed, some sort of businessman although what would be taking him to the Klingon Shipyards she couldn't imagine.
{Perhaps he will disembark before then} she decided.

"There was no need to speak to the poor woman like that." she said matter of factly. " She was after-all only doing her job."

"Excuse me", Norbert said bewildered. He had always spoken to the hired help in that way. He looked at Robyn and rolled his eyes. "Mind your own business", he said shortly. He then leaned his head back against the seat and pulled an eye mask out of one of his bags and fitted it over his forehead. "Now I am going to get some sleep, please do try and keep quiet", he smiled at Robyn then pulled the mask over his eyes.

She looked at him with distaste thinking what an arrogant and obnoxious man he was.

"Mind you don't snore!" she replied frowning horribly as she wriggled in what space was left to her. Her movements caused the top most one of his bags, piled on the floor near her feet, to wobble ominously and she watched with the utmost pleasure as it toppled onto the red carpeted floor.

"Mind that you avoid any sharp objects", Norbert thought to himself as he drifted off to sleep.


<--->

Ensign Robyn Maxwell
Medical Officer
USS Vespertine

&

Norbert Bernard III
Lounge Manager
USS Vespertine

 

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