Vesta's the Best - Part III
Posted on Thu Sep 25th, 2025 @ 3:52am by Lieutenant Commander Rafael Montoya & Lieutenant Rynna Csira
1,316 words; about a 7 minute read
Mission: A Day In The Life
[PREVIOUSLY]
The pilot slowly navigated through the ship and out the other side. Then he did a loop over the hull.
Raf was smirking, but the boys were ecstatic. "You're not going get in trouble for that little maneuver are you?"
"Probably. But hey, it's a VIP tour, right? What better way to end it?"
[CONTINUED]
He couldn't deny that on the way back to the Spacedock, both Sam and Xavier got a chance to sit in the pilot's seat and work the controls, after the autopilot had been locked in place.
Eventually the ride was over and they landed in the stations main shuttle bay. the boys were still running on the excitement of the trip but now it was time to get something to eat. After thanking the pilot, it was time to head to the promenade.
"Everyone hungry?"
"Starving." Rynna couldn't help smiling. The pilot had gone above and beyond to please the boys. She'd put in a good word for him with her friend, and ask Mike to pass it on. She had no doubt the boys would tell everyone and there's be at least a dozen people asking for the VIP tour.
Xavier walked next to Raf, completely absorbed in the tablet he had been given with all the unclassified details on the Vesta, cross-sections, lay outs, specifications, loadouts, and variations. Every so often Raf would have to palm the top of his head to make sure he stayed in the right direction.
Sam held the hands of his uncle and his new friend and they walked occasionally getting them to swing him from time to time.
When they got to the promenade Sam looked up to open space , "Wooooo....How high is it?"
Raf looked up as well as he stopped Xavier. "Well, the main Promenade is 100 decks but that looks to be about 10 decks. What's everyone in the mood for?"
Sam jumped. "PIZZA!"
Xavier looked over, "You know mom says we can't have pizza..."
Raf looked at Xavier, shocked, but before he could say anything, Sam cut off his brother.
"Mom's not here..."
"Yes, but your uncle is, and he has to report back to your mom," Rynna said. "That would be a poor way to thank him for arranging this." She eyed both boys. "So, why doesn't she like you to eat pizza?"
"That's what I wanna know. Especially since she used to devour pizza. Beside with replicators...Wait. She doesn't want you having Grandma's pizza, Right?"
Looking at Xavier's red face Raf not only knew that was right and that Xavier hadn't been following that rule. With his great grandmother's help obviously.
Glancing over to Rynna, "My grandmother doesn't like replicators so we are talking about real dough, real meat, and lots of real cheese."
"That sounds perfect to me." It was true, but probably not something she should admit in front of the boys. "But I'm an adult now and don't have to follow my mother's rules. So, since we don't want to get your uncle Raf in trouble, what's your second favorite food?"
Raising a hand. "Now, now. This is a special day." Putting hand to his chest, "And in my expert medical opinion, two young, growing boy can certainly deal with a few extra calories in a couple of pieces of pizza."
Rynna grinned. "You heard the doctor. So, what kind of pizza do you like?" She figured if she could get the boys to have some salad as well, their mom wouldn't be too upset about it.
The boy began firing off a list of requests.
"Lots of meat..."
Sam wrinkled his nose, "But not those fishes."
"...and Extra cheese!"
"Can I get some chicken bites, too?"
"OH, and can we get hot brownies and ice cream for dessert!?"
Raf tried to calm the pair. "Hold on, hold on. First we need to find a pizza shop." Tapping his combadge. "Computer is there a pizzeria on the station offering non-replicated ingredients as well as boneless chicken bites on their menu?"
"Affirmative. There are 7 establishments on the main promenade offering the stated menu items?"
"And the highest rated?"
"Angelinos. Level 623, section 18."
"Perfect." Rynn raised an eyebrow as she turned her attention to Raf. "And what do you like on your pizza?" They could get mini pizzas so everyone had their own, if that worked best for everyone.
"It varies, let see what they've got. But first...we need a lift."
After a quick trip they were on the right level and in the right section and they could smell the pizza shop before they actually found it.
Rynna's stomach grumbled when they got close. "That smells incredible." They paused outside to look at the menu. "They have individual mini pizzas, so everyone can have what they want."
Having heard the grumbling, Raf laughed. "Haha...ok, let's get seated and something to eat before she gets hangry." As if on cue, a host had them seated and was all smiles. "Welcome to Angelinos, I saw you all looking at the menu outside do you know what you want or do you want?"
Raf, picking up on Rynna's suggestion, started things off. "I know we are going to want to do the individual pizzas, but...," glancing to Rynna, "...do you know what you want?"
Rynna nodded. "I'm going to be the odd one out and have your regular sauce, mushrooms, tomatoes, pineapple, black olives, and cheese. And a salad."
"Pineapple?"
Their waitress laughed, "And the centuries old debate continues."
Grinning as he chuckled Raf pointed to Sam. "I want pepperoni, ham, olives, lots of cheese. Can I have some chicken bites too?"
"Sure. If it's ok with your parents?"
Sam looked to his uncle, Raf looked to Rynna and Xavier snorted. Deciding to play it up Raf rolled on as he patted Xavier on the back. "You and your brother can share but you both need to have a salad as well.
Rynna said nothing, she just smiled, glad he added a salad for the boys. Hopefully their mom wouldn't be so mad at them for letting the kids have pizza.
'Xavier, your turn."
"I'll have Pepperoni, Ham, Italian Sausage, beef, peppers and olives."
"And for you sir?"
"I will do the stuffed pizza, but I want you to blend the regular sauce and your garlic cream sauce with Pepperoni, ham, salami, beef, bacon, black olives, and extra cheese. Side salad as well."
"And to drink?"
"Oh, can I add stuffed crust to mine, please," Rynna added. She grinned at Raf. "Your fault." Then she turned back to the host. "Do you have Dr Pepper? If so, I'll have that. If not, root beer."
Raf looked to his nephews and the cheesy grins on their faces said soda too. Something his sister probably didn't want them to have either. Well in for a penny... "Root beer for these to and sweet tea for me."
"Great. I will get this started."
"Okay, guys, go find us a table," Rynn said to the boys. As soon as they ran off, she turned to Raf. "We need to get your sister a gift. First, for letting her boys come with us, and second, as an apology for letting them have pizza a root beer."
"Actually, if I know Karmen she'd think something was up if we did that. We'd have better luck bribing those two." Playing on the hostess' earlier assumption he offered her his arm. "Come along, dear."
Raf was probably right about the bribe. She'd be suspicious if she were in his sister's shoes. "Yes, my love." Rynn slipped her hand through his arm and gave it a squeeze, then smiled impishly. If she happened to like the gesture, she kept it to herself.
(To be continued...)
Lieutenant Commander Rafael Montoya
CMO
Xavier & Sam Larson
Raf's Nephews
Played by Montoya
Lieutenant Rynna Csira
Chief Operations Officer
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