Dinner, Conversation, and Giant Miniature Space Robots

Posted on Mon Nov 4th, 2019 @ 10:08am by Lieutenant Mona Gonadie & Lieutenant Commander Mnhei'sahe Dox & Petty Officer 3rd Class V'Nus Wil'I'Ams
Edited on on Sun Nov 17th, 2019 @ 3:30pm

Mission: Family Detention
Location: Starfleet Intelligence - Earth
Timeline: 2396

It had been over a week and a half since arriving on Earth at Starfleet Command for her official debriefings at Intel Command, but already Lieutenant Mnhei'sahe Dox was done with the whole affair.

After a month of captivity on a Romulan Warbird, she had to convince a phalanx of Admirals, counselors, diplomats and more that she was fit to return to duty and that day had been particularly taxing. Her most recent meeting, which had actually been with the Hera's own Lieutenant Commander Sonak, who was acting as a representative of the Vulcan government was productive but she was exhausted. Thankfully, nights offered at least some reprieve.

Beamed out onto the main mall of Starfleet Command from her meetings with the Admirals in the Intel Complex, Dox was met by Petty Officer's V'Nus and S'Rina Wil'I'ams. The Klingon sisters had been assigned to protect Dox while she was at Starfleet and did their jobs diligently. And while she was happy they were there, that wasn't who she was looking forward to seeing.

Captain Telvan had pulled some strings and made arrangements for Dox's wife and Bond-mate, Mona Gonadie, to be able to stay with her in the assigned quarters she was given during the two weeks of briefings. So the trio made their way across the campus to an Officer's lounge and restaurant for dinner after a long and draining day. Entering the busy restaurant, there were a number of eyes that immediately shot over to take in the unusual sight of a Romulan Starfleet officer with two female Klingon security officers flanking her. But the stares abated quickly, and Dox saw who she was looking for.

Out on the picturesque balcony overlooking the sunset on the San Francisco Bay, was the brilliantly plumed Miradonian pilot and inventor. She had all but kept from her seat and waved her wife over with a beaming smile. She was wearing one of her vibrant green and purple maternity dresses and was becoming more visibly pregnant with each passing day.

To give the couple privacy, the sisters took up positions at two separate tables near the table Mona was at as Dox all but rushed out to the balcony. "Jhu Dhael, I am so glad to see you."

Not caring about professional decorum as they weren't on the ship, Dox met Mona near the table and wrapped her arms around her love with a tight embrace as she called her 'angel bird' in Dox's native Rihan.

"My Minay, I've missed you so much over these briefings, but I understand you have to focus. I just wish you could have seen the things I've seen today." Mona used her nickname for Mnhei'sahe, Minay, after the Miradonian moon goddess as they embraced and sat down for dinner, hand in hand. "I hope you don't mind, but I took the liberty of ordering for everyone. A baked cheesy tofu egg noodle casserole with a side of honeyed pears for us and rare pork loin strips with a bowl of bloodwurst for the Wil'I'Ams sisters."

With the warm smile she rarely shared with anyone, Mnhie'sahe chuckled lightly. As usual, Mona knew exactly what she needed, and tonight it was her, food and distractions. Sitting down, the haggard young officer did her level best to NOT look as tired as she felt and she replied, "I'm sure that will be fine for them, and what you ordered sounds wonderful. Please, take as many liberties as possible... I don't want any more agency tonight. Heh."

Leaning forward on her elbows, Dox took a sip of the water already on the table, wishing for just the slightest of moments that it was something much stronger. But she pushed that particular thought away and nodded. "So, what did you see? It sounds like you had a much more exciting day then I did talking to intel directors that all think they're the most clever person in the room."

"Which is ironic since for once, I felt like I might not have been the most clever person in the room a couple times this week," Mona replied as she ran one finger down Dox's nose, a wide grin going almost ear to ear. "I visited Akihabara, Japan's electronics district, to check out the robotics scene. They've already got the Banshee and not only started using the design in robot fights, but improved upon it. I showed one of them my plans for the next version and within an hour we had it completely redesigned for competitions and a prototype built."

Smiling, Dox could still feel the energy from Mona's touch strengthening their empathic bond as it always did. And today, that felt more wonderful than normal as she listened intently. As a general rule, she knew her wife usually was the most clever person in any given room. And while the title of 'Mad Scientist of the Hera' usually went to the equally inventive Ila Dedjoy, Mona Gonadie was remarkably brilliant.

That brilliance was but one of the countless things that Dox loved about the colorfully plumed inventor sitting across from her at the table. And ultimately, Dox was a tinkerer. She could fix engines and work on her own ship or her hovercycle. She liked getting her hands dirty under and engine and knew her way around most modern computer systems, but she was like a primate with a stick compared to Mona. She knew she couldn't compete with her wife in raw intellect on any level, so she was happy to see that Mona found a place to challenge her while on Earth for the debriefings. "You entered the Banshee in... robot fights? That's amazing. We already know the kind of havoc she can wreak in Ten-Forward. How did she do? Tell me everything."

Without hesitation, the brightly plumed Miradonian launched into it as the servers delivered their food and drinks. "Well... Apparently, there are six different people that built Banshee analogues... They're about forty-centimeter tall remote-controlled robots that you use in these competitive bouts... All based on the information released in the Federation tech journals. I spoke with all of them about the real one and showed them some of my notes on building the real one and I think it helped them. I mean, they're building the analogues for competitions in small holographic environments, but still. And then after the rest had gone back to their shops, one young human was left, still asking questions, so I showed him the plans we had for the Warhawk."

"And he's going to use it in tonight's regional competition," Mona added as she spooned up some of the cheesy noodles and took a bite. "Where the Banshee was built for speed and mobility while transforming, the Warhawk only has robot and walker modes so is a lot more suited to these fights, plus is designed for raw brute strength."

"That's incredible, Mona!" Dox said excitedly, taking a bite of her casserole and knitting her eyebrows as the taste hit her. "It looks like people are genuinely excited by everything you've been doing once Starfleet declassified the papers on your work. I'm really glad. This is fantastic for you. It's a big step in the direction you want your career to go in."

Taking another bite, Dox let out an audible "Mmmmm." And then blushed slightly, turning a slightly deeper shade of olive. "Sorry. I think Starfleet's official policy is to starve me during these debriefings hoping I slip up and say that I'm some kind of nefarious sleeper agent for the Imperium because I'm hungry. Or... what is it that Ensign Gavarus calls it? HANGry?"

"At least the briefings aren't being held in a type nine shuttle. Cramped, hangry, and away from me? I wouldn't stand for it!" Mona giggled softly as she took a couple more bites. "Soon enough all of this will be but a memory and we'll be back on the Hera flying off to new adventures, saving the galaxy from who knows what and those admirals won't have anything to say about it."

"Well, until the next major crisis makes them question one or more of us." Dox shrugged lightly and lowered her voice. They were separated from most of the other diners, largely alone on the balcony save for the Klingon sisters, who Dox trusted implicitly, but it was still an Officer's lounge and she didn't want her concerns to carry.

"I know I shouldn't feel this way, Mona. I know this is all procedure and it exists for a good reason. I know if it was me on the other side, I'd be questioning me too. But…" the embattled Rihannsu woman's shoulders dropped slightly. "But it still feels so much like it did back there… on the Warbird. Being forced to declare my loyalties over and over and being made to feel like a traitor for caring about what happens to the world I come from. Except for my meeting with Sonak, it's just been… distancing. Like they're looking for an excuse to rip the uniform off of the filthy 'Romulan'.

It was a low, emotional confession of her feelings with the one woman she felt the most comfortable with. After all, if she couldn't indulge in at least some self-pity with her own wife, who could she do so with?

If anyone could understand how her bond-mate felt, it was Mona as she reached out and rubbed the back of her Rihannsu mate. "This too shall pass, my Minay. I'm sure they're happy to have you back, but I'm sure they're just following procedure and worried about you, is all. After all, they don't have the same connection to you as myself or even Commander Sonak so they have to go about things in their own way. They'll come around and see you for the wonderful Starfleet officer I know you to be." With that, she leaned in and planted a kiss on Dox's nose.

Shaking her head, Dox couldn't help but smile that much more. "You have more faith than I do, Jhu Dhael. But then, you had more faith in me than I did, too. So you're generally right."

"So, enough about my ennui. Tell me more about this event with the Warchicken prototype? You said it's tonight?" Dox said, changing the subject.

"Right, the first round of the new season is supposed to start in a few minutes I think. The time zones here on Earth are confusing, but I think they time it so that Starfleet Command can watch the opening ceremonies when they get off of work." Mona pulled out a small PaDD and tapped at it for a few seconds before leaning it up against a glass of water, the intro to the bout playing on it.

On the screen was a small 35cm analogue of the Thunderchicken painted in gaudy yellows and greens with Japanese logos and characters all over it, and across from it in a sort of road rally, thunderdome setting filled with tires and 50's style crushed cars was the mech in question - the Warhawk - a full 42 centimeters tall, painted in red, orange, and purple, looking like a muscular version of the Thunderchicken, and covered in armor plates similar to the plumage on Mona's head, it looked like it was ready to eat its competition. In the 'sky', you could see two people looking on on the two mechs with complex remote stations, ready to rumble as the commentator called out specs and stats for each of them.

"That's him, the geeky guy with the prosthetic eye. The other guy had questions too, but it doesn't look like he had time to do more than tweak the leg actuators. Projectiles, grappling, and flight are prohibited so a lot of it is throws and punching, which is why walker mode is so popular." Mona took another bite of her pasta as she wound one arm around Dox's arm.

Taking another fork full of her dinner, Dox looked out over the sunset and across the bay to San Francisco. "I'm sorry that I'm essentially confined to the city during all this. I know you'd like to be there to watch in person. But I'm so glad you've been able to enjoy yourself during the last few days."

Leaning in closer to Mona, Dox sighed pleasantly and looked at the screen with a grin. "Can you imagine what they're going to do if Starfleet ever declassifies your neural interface controls? Still, it's wonderful to see your work having this kind of impact. Inspiring other people."

"Yeah, it really is. They've had a lot of animation and science fiction to inspire them, but I think this is the first time they've had real-world designs to..." Then Mona caught sight of something and squinted at the screen, tapping and zooming in on the cockpit of the Warhawk analogue to reveal that there was a tiny model of herself inside of it. "That cheeky knave..."

Looking at the display, Dox's eyebrows raised slightly at the tiny miniature of Mona in the cockpit of the scaled-down robot. "That's... different." Then she raised and eyebrow and smirked with mock jealousy on her face. "So, WHO was this person again? That's a... unique way to flirt."

"DO I have to go to Japan and fight tiny robots for you? If I have to, you know they'll come with me and take care of this guy if I ask them to, right ladies?" Dox smirked and gestured to the two Klingon sisters sitting at two nearby tables. Clearly paying attention, they both raised a fist and let out a "Q'PLAH!" in unison before going back to their Blood sausage. 

A bit taken aback by first the miniature of herself, then the declaration of intent of harm, then the Klingon sisters pitching in as well, Mona couldn't help but give a nervous chuckle. "No, I'm sure he's just... I don't know... An attempt at flattery or something? He was very respectful and seemed more interested in what we could do to advance the field than in me."

Leaning in a little closer, Dox kissed Mona’s cheek gently and smiled, remembering her bond-mate’s intense reactions to even the idea of violence. “I’m sorry, Jhu Dhael. I’m just joking, I promise. I mean, he might well be flirting with you, but I’m probably the last person to know. After all, how long was it that I was missing all the signals you were giving me? It was… months, I think, before I figured it out and it took you taking all subtlety off the table AND me having an influx of brand new hormones for the first time in my life.”

“Regardless… I trust you and nobody is going to hurt anyone. It was just a bad joke, I’m really sorry.” Dox’s tone was much more subdued as it was clear that she sincerely was apologetic for worrying her love.

"It's ok, my Minay. I just..." Mona sighed heavily before continuing. "I did my best ignoring that these analogues would be used for fighting competitions for simple entertainment rather than saving people or anything like that... And I just... I'm trying to remind myself that maybe the technology will find itself into other fields and that people aren't getting hurt."

“I’m sure it will. I’m sure you’ll make sure of that and help that all develop.” Dox said softly as her mind compiled facts from the various mechs’ existing uses. What she lacked in inventive genius, the Hera’s flight chief made up for in a mind for research and organizing data and finding patterns. In truth, command skills, though she tended to ignore that idea.

“Think about it. When Ensign O’Dell used the Thunderchicken on the bridge of the Bloody Rose, with your technology, she successfully restrained, subdued and made possible the beaming of twelve of her bridge crew without a SINGLE injury… much less a casualty. AND, using the Silver Banshee, she successfully picked you up and moved you through the ship and put you to bed without so much as ruffling a feather.’

“I’m not an expert, but that’s a level of manual dexterity that rivals almost anything going on in robotics, in proportion to its size and power. There have to be medical applications… rescue applications. Mining, Industry. All kinds of things that are light years beyond me. And that’s just based on ONE direction of just ONE of your inventions.” Dox finished, hoping to boost her wife’s spirits and get her mind thinking of the positive possibilities.

"And that's one of the reasons I love you so much. You're always seeing the best in everything. You just need a reminder of the best in you now and then," the brightly plumed woman added, leaning in to rest her forehead against her lover's. "How about I invent it and you market it, then? Sound like a good plan?"

“I have you to remind me.” Dox whispered, her head pressed against Mona’s so she could feel her bond-mate’s breath on her. “Even light-years away, you’re always here to remind me. And now, I think that’s a good idea. I can…”

Mid-sentence, Dox paused as her eyes glanced down to the screen on the PaDD on the table as she spoke with a mix of surprise and pride in her voice, “Uh… in the few seconds we were talking, we missed the match. And the Warchicken won. Significantly.” On the screen, the miniature mech stood victorious over the wreckage of the competing bot.

"I think I may have assisted him a bit too much..." Mona muttered as she glanced over at the outcome of the match. "At this rate, the current champion won't stand a chance."

"Well, then. You'll end up in even more history books then, Professor Gonadie." Dox chuckled, leaning her head against Mona's, evoking the prophetic title that the young Android from the future, Kodria, had let slip when she met the brilliant adventure and mentioned how Mona's innovative flight systems were all the standard in a hundred years time.

"It will still be a couple more days of my debriefings. Will you be going back tomorrow or doing something else?" Dox asked, taking a bite of the desert.

The brightly plumed aviatrix grinned broadly as she heard the term 'Professor' and speared another bite of pasta. "Actually I'm supposed to meet with the Jacque Cousteau Preservation Society tomorrow to discuss some custom underwater explorer designs. They saw the release as well and contacted me through Starfleet Public Affairs and I agreed to a meeting when they came into port. Tomorrow they'll be putting into New Zeee-land or something so I'll be meeting them there."

Beaming with pride for her wife, Dox smile broadly. "That's fantastic, Mona! I didn't even consider those kinds of avenues. We don't get to do much actual exploring on the Hera, but the applications for use in intense environments with your technology must be amazing."

"I am so glad for you, Jhu Dhael. You… you truly are going to change this universe for the better with that brain of yours.

"I wanted to help everyone fly... Well, in a way, this too is flying. Achieving your dreams, be they underwater, in a ring, in the sky..." Mona speared one of the honeyed pears and nibbled on it thoughtfully. "So yeah, I'll be helping them. I mean, the current design is already crush-proof and built to withstand the required pressures. I just have to see what their special requirements are and do a few redesigns, right? From what I'm told they're using an old Class F shuttle with manipulators on it right now so anything at all would be an upgrade."

"Imirrhlhhse… Yeah, I would say so." Dox replied, cursing slightly in her native tongue as she took a drink of water. As she did, she watched the sun sip below the horizon over the bay through the spans of the Golden Gate bridge. Already, the lights of the city sparkled across the vista while the sky faded to a rich magenta with dapples of gold across the few clouds in the sky.

"And you made me fly, that's for sure." Dox reached under the table and room Mona's hand and gripped it tightly. "It's… strange. I was here for only a few years. First for high school, then the academy. And the entire time, I couldn't wait to leave. It was like I was trying to not see any beauty in the place. As if I was… cheating on my dreams of ch'Rihan if I found any other planet beautiful, if that makes any sense."

"But it really is beautiful here, isn't it?"

"There is beauty everywhere," Mona replied with a sappy grin as she watched the same sunset, but reflected in her lover's eyes. "Especially with your smile to make it better."