Battletech: Planet's Fall

(Up to 2 PCs)

In the Cafeteria, both Tessa and Laks sit down with their dinner on trays. Laks had gone for a vegetarian bhuna curry with nan bread, rice and Bombay potatoes. Tessa had opted for a fried fish with vegetables. All the ingredients were fresh, so the food smelled especially appetising. Both women sat down opposite one another with glee at their impending meals. It was chow time!

John sits down at the table next to the two and starts eating the same thing Laks is. He gives the two of them a nod.

"Evening."

"Good evening." Tessa gives him a quick wave and a polite smile.

"Hey John." Lakshmi lifts her hand in greeting. She notes the shared choice of curry.

He seems to enjoy the curry. And his table manners are pretty precise. After his first bite he asks, "How are things goin?"

While Tessa is focused on cutting up her fish Lakshmi is already enjoying forkfuls of curry. She reaches for her cup of water to glug some down so she can reply to John. "Pretty good. Fresh food and a sortie tomorrow. Can't complain." She answers cheerfully. "You?"

"New job's giving me plenty to do," he replies.

John stirs the curry as he talks. "Hoping we bring everyone back tomorrow, just like the other day."

"That's the goal. Don't be afraid to call in help on the radio if there's trouble." She gives him a wink before resuming her meal.

"Congratulations again on your promotion." She hesitates with what to call him. Tessa didn't known John too well. He was the helpful but known to be trouble mechwarrior who was now their gunnery sergeant.

"Yeah," he agrees with a nod, then looks to Tessa. "Thanks."

A bit awkwardly, since he's not exactly a pro at conversation, he takes a deep breath. "Nice we got fresh stuff again, right?"

Laks clapping the table and nodding meant her complete agreement.

Tessa twirls a piece of fish around on her fork. "I hope so. Let's find out." She took a bite. Then she made a happy noise as she began to eat. Taste test passed!

John nods at their approval, taking a bite of his food. He chews and lets quiet linger for a bit. Then he turns to Lakshmi. "You have them prep this? Was a curry place I liked on Solaris."

Wolfing down her mouthful, she answers proudly. "You bet. They're following my recipe. I cooked the one for the new years feast. I still don't know where I found time. This one I just gave the cooks some instructions and checked in a couple times. You like it? I've never been to Solaris."

"It's good. Liked the one on New Years too. I ain't vegetarian, but I can skip the meat for a good curry," he says, nodding in approval.

"And with people from all over the galaxy there, they got food from all over too."

"I'm glad you liked it."

"A place for foodies as well as mech battle fans then." Laks observes. "And all the gamblers."

"A lot of business deals are negotiated there too." Tessa adds in between mouthfuls.

"Don't know if they got a lot of foodies. Can't really say what was better or worse quality. I think there was just a lot of different stuff because people were from all over. Some folks like the taste of home. But yeah, always something going on there."

"So... what caused you to leave that behind? If that's not too personal." Tessa asks. Laks also slows down to listen.

"I started that life for someone else. They're gone now, nothing else kept me there," he replies.

"But I got Steffen, a man that knew my father, who I never met, as the closest thing to family. So here I am."

"I'm sorry to hear that, but I'm glad you're with us now." Tessa politely responds.