Lena hadn’t to wait long for company. The crew ambled into the cafeteria, with many bee-lining to the “gear-oil dispenser,” as she had done. She smiled, and greeted each as warmly as her still pounding head would permit. 

When Alice gave her the salute, Lena leaned forward in her chair and feigned dramatic indignation. “It’s good to see you up and about, but for fuck’s sake don’t salute me, Alice. God, you’ll have everyone thinking I’m some Jarhead like these characters…”

Lena winked good-naturedly to Alice, and pointed up to the members of the security team that had just entered the cafeteria like a human tempest. Among the small bunch of Colonial Marines, her eyes found Diego, and she returned his smirk with a smile of her own. 

“And a good morning to you to, D.” She said as the security team leader took a seat beside her. “I haven’t seen you in [i]years[/i], and you look so…so preserved. Whatever you use to keep that skin of yours so radiant, I simply [i]must[/i] have it.”

She gave the man a playful nudge with her elbow, and snorted a light laugh when his coffee edged just barely over the rim of his cup. Lena glanced over to Olivia with a knowing look, having heard the medical officer’s proclamation of “smooth” in response to Diego’s sarcasm.

“I know right? The pinnacle of wit, and not even half an hour out of the cryo-bed.” Lena rolled her eyes before continuing her jest. “We’re in for such a treat on this mission. The company couldn’t be better.”

Several more of the crew filed in, and Lena nodded in greeting to each. It was nice to see that her team was punctual, and seemingly no worse the wear from their long slumber. The Aphelion mission was a serious one, and Lena got the sense that the crew understood that. Even still, it was good to see some humor and life in their faces. There would be time for more sober interaction soon enough.

When the XO entered the room, and gave his loud greeting to his brothers and sisters in arms, Lena couldn’t help but laugh. The camaraderie that existed in the Colonial Marine culture always amazed her, and it was something she very much admired. It was a rare thing indeed, especially in the sometimes ruthless corporate world of Weyland-Yutani, to see people that considered the well-being of the people on their right and left first, before themselves. Though she had never been in the military, it was a quality she told herself to exemplify.

“Good morning, Preacher.” She said, giving him a smile. “It sounds like you gave Sara as much of a start as anyone can with an android. Kudos for that.”

“Mr. D’Angelo’s attempt at humor was most unexpected,” said Sara, who seemingly materialized from thin air. Her demeanor was pleasant, and the flawless face was affixed with a smile. “Though, due to the level of stress hypersleep can exert upon the human mind, it was a circumstance that could have very easily been a reality.”

Lena lifted a brow to the android, and gave Preacher’s leg a light kick with her boot. “Isn’t Sara such a charmer? It’s amazing that our feeble human brains just don’t leak out of our ears while we sleep.”

Sara’s face took on a concerned air. “Oh Captain, I meant no disrespect…”

“I was joking, Sara.” Lena interrupted with a wave of her hand. “Only joking.”

At that, Lena looked down to her watch and frowned. “Sara, do you know where Reddick is?” she asked, speaking of the [i]Aphelion[/i]’s mission supervisor. “Times a-wastin’.”

“I do believe,” the android said cocking her head slightly, “that he is still making himself ready for the briefing. I imagine he should be along presently.”

Lena’s expression soured at the thought of the company man’s disregard for her orders. It was a small thing, to be late for a briefing, but all the same Lena had little doubt it was a way for Reddick to exert his authority. Saying nothing to Sara in reply, Lena merely brought her cup to her lips once more, and set back to take in the conversation around her.