A Dinner With Family
Posted on Sat 20th Oct, 2018 @ 7:06pm by
1,075 words; about a 5 minute read
Mission:
Oblivion
Location: Henry Perry's Quarters aboard Saumrai
Timeline: MD 17, 1915
Henry hummed to himself as he shook some spices into his pot of spaghetti sauce. He was extremely excited that Suzuki and Riko were coming over to Samurai for dinner. He could not remember the last time that all three of them had come together to break bread with one another. As he poured more sauce into the pot, he didn't think Riko and Suzuki had really spoken to one another since Riko moved into her quarters aboard Samurai.
Henry shook the thoughts from his mind and instantly got caught up in the aroma of his infamous spaghetti sauce. "Hmmm, perfect!" he exclaimed as he tasted his sauce to make sure it was perfect for the dinner.
As he began cutting up a head of lettuce, he heard the door chime of his quarters. "Come on in!" He exclaimed.
The door opened for Riko and she stepped over the threshold, carefully balancing a plate of her favorite types of Yakitori - Asuparabekon1 and Toriniku2. "Hey, Henry, I brought some party skewers to share." She set the plate on the table and followed her nose to Henry's small kitchen.
"Wow, you added a kitchen? I'm impressed ... and is that Heavenly smell Perry's famous Italian spaghetti sauce? I haven't had that in ages!"
"Your nose does not lie to you, my friend," Henry said with a mischievous grin on his face. "And I added a kitchen when I made Samurai my permanent residence. There was no sense in having to go to the Starbase every time I wanted a hot meal." The Chief Engineer made his way from around the kitchen counter and glanced at Riko and noticed she had bought something with her. "What do you have there? Is it some type of Broken Drive dish?" he asked.
"It is, at least in the McCord family, but Yakitori is traditional Japanese food anywhere you find Japanese populations," she agreed. "I brought two of my favorites." She peered into the pot of sauce from where she stood, though she could barely see the top of the red liquid bubbling. "Looks like a lot for just the two of us. Who else is coming?"
"Well, I didn't know if Hikari was going to bring Sarah or not." Henry said as he made sure the utensils were in proper order and form. "As you know, she always has an open invitation to my home. And besides, I know you all are gonna want to take some home with you."
A huge grin appeared on Henry's face as he lay the cloth napkins below the plates. "Sooooo, what have you been doing with your time since you moved back in?" he asked, hoping she wouldn't say that she was just sitting in her quarters thinking.
"Investigating a few things, off the record. Things about what happened to us, but I was too busy feeling sorry for myself to give them the thought they deserved at the time. Looking into pirate activity in general, reports around this sector, and around this quadrant, particularly. Drawing a few conclusions I want to discuss with Hikari, but not tonight. Tonight is for fun. I've also been getting out and about a little bit. Oh, I ran into Andrew a few days ago, and we had a nice chat," Riko told him.
McCord didn't mention that she'd thought about requesting space in a small science lab. There was nothing she felt like doing yet; that would take more time. Since her teen years, she'd identified herself as a scientist, but science had failed her. Or she had failed it.
Henry's spirit was lifted when he heard Riko mention that tonight was for fun. He wanted to keep her mood up, and what better way to do that than with some music. "Computer, play Sam Cook, Twisting the Night Away, please." The computer responded and began playing the upbeat tune instantly.
"Since you said tonight is for fun, why don't we twist a little until Hikari decides to show up," he said while extending a hand to her.
"Henry, I swear I wish you'd never found that holoprogram!" Riko laughed, taking his hand. "I've been sore ever since." Nevertheless, she swung into the back and forth rhythm with him, thankful her wounds were completely healed now.
As the song came to an end, the doors opened again, and Hikari, dressed in a flowy tunic and sailor shorts, stepped in. "You know, Henry," she said without preamble, "you are officially Samurai's skipper now. You could move into the Captain's suite and have..." she paused, sniffing. "Spaghetti sauce?"
Riko, grateful for the end of the twist, smiled and collapsed onto a comfortable chair. "Henry's famous," she confirmed.
"Have more room and better communications and computer access," Hikari finished, turning to face Henry. "Also, apple pie."
Henry smiled as he looked over to Hikari. "Then technically, I need one more pip on my collar."The engineer joked as he reached to help his friend place the items she bought on the table. "But the apple pie alone might be worth the move. Is Sarah coming with you?" He asked as he looked behind Suzuki as if the door to his quarters could open at any moment.
"No, this apple pie," Hikari clarified, lifting the glass covered dish she held. "Sarah sent it. She's off chasing more fullerenes." She paused, then changed track, "and you know full well I assumed command of Samurai as a Lieutenant Commander, Henry. No lip out of you on the subject of rank."
"Got you there, Commander," Riko laughed. "Besides, in the captain's quarters, you could have a really big party!"
With a chuckle, Henry walked to the kitchen and brought out the pot of homemade spaghetti and noodles and placed them on the table. "My friends, I present to you, a sauce so special and secret, you are going to be among an elite few who are outside the Perry clan who have had it."
Suzuki chuckled. "That's the sound of evasion. But as long as it comes with spaghetti sauce, I'll accept it."
Riko pulled out a chair and sat down. "I'm all for being elite," she laughed. "Especially if it involves food. Thanks, Henry."
1 asparagus wrapped in bacon
2 white meat chicken with a Broken Drive difference - pineapple and orange pepper bites on the skewer between bites of chicken.
RSS Feed