A Mission Post by Commander Zivit Agron & Lieutenant Commander Jin Rha-Yaleii
Mission: Coil of Darkness
Location: Main Shuttle Bay, USS Crazy Horse
Timeline:
Internally, Commander Agron was a malestrom. Externally, however, the Valzhan's expression was pointedly blank, as her stiff footsteps rang out along the corridor that led the way to the Crazy Horse's shuttle bay. She had not even seen her Commanding Officer yet, but knew well enough that he was back aboard, being tended to for the moment. That would simply have to be good, for the moment. As the door slid open with a subdued hiss, emerald gaze swept the bay methodically; though it was a simple enough task to locate the shuttle that was not exactly familiar. Pausing only for the amount of time it took to suck in a steadying breath, Agron made a bee-line path towards the vessel. Hopefully not too late, yet.
"Why is the rum always gone?"
The inquiry was directed at the universe in general, and it wasn't as if Jin expected an answer. All the same, she got one in shape of the poor shuttle bleating another alarm, this time announcing that the inertia dampeners had thrown in the rag – it had run out of towels somewhere between London and the mesosphere.
No amount of loving care would get this little darling off the deck in less than a standard day, and the bedraggled Efrosian wondered if she should ask someone for a ride or just curl up right here and take a nap. Gods knew she needed one, but it might prompt a medical officer to haul her off … the sound of footsteps approaching the ramp reached her sensitive ears and Jin hoped she hadn't conjured a doc with her thoughts. But the woman floating up to the shuttle with elegant, measured steps was sporting a red collar. Commander's pips and … it was just as well the tiny pilot was sitting down or the sight of this gorgeous alien might have planted her unceremoniously onto her backside.
Never mind the rum.
"Commander? Can I help you?"
Head canting ever so faintly to one side, a silvery brow arched delicately at the question. "I more intended to offer my thanks, in returning our Captain to us, mostly intact."
Coming to rest in a slightly tense, attentive stance, the Commander in question still managed to display a fleeting smile to accompany the first part of her statement. "I am Commander Zivit Agron, Executive Officer of this ship. And you are Lieutenant Commander Rha-Yaleii, if I am not mistaken?"
"Ah." Favoring the other woman with a small but warm smile of her own, Jin shook some dust and other things she'd rather not ponder from her wild mop of hair while scrambling to her feet. "That's really nice of you. And you're welcome. I just hope Ducky will let the doctors do their jobs for once without going alley cat on them."
Though right now it was the little Efrosian who rather felt like said alley cat after an encounter with happy-go-lucky Rottweilers. And possibly a sandblaster. Standing next to a beautiful, exotic, tall, 'Best-in-Show' purebred. It was enough to spark a glint of humor in glacier blue eyes as she craned her neck to study the Commander's face. Wow. Not a species she'd ever seen before, and she sure as all seven hells would have remembered one looking like that.
"Pleased to meet you, Commander Agron. You're not mistaken, either, though I generally go by Voodoo."
"Voodoo." Was repeated, the word infused with a mild sort of curiosity, not enough to invoke the desire to actually inquire further. Quiet observation filled a moment in the space between them, though the Valzhan's expression had quickly shifted back to a careful neutral. The way the significantly smaller female spoke indicated a familiarity, especially with Kanryth, that bore some further investigation. Later.
Finally, the thoughts percolated enough, and the Commander broke the silence again. "Very well. Do you have a superior officer that you would wish to contact? I would not send you back into...that, again, so swiftly if it is not necessary."
Jin endured the perusal with good humor, taking the chance to appreciate the startlingly emerald eyes in turn. Even rattled and beyond weary, an Efrosian's senses pick up on subtleties that were lost to most species, but Jin simply had no frame of reference to determine anything beyond a vague undercurrent of tension. For all she knew that might be normal for this pretty species, though it would make sense for the Commander to be worried about Ducky and upset over the Gods-damned mess down on the planet.
"That … yes, the poor darling's bought the farm I'm afraid." Instinctively adopting a soothing tone, laced with just an inkling of fatigue and sorrow in her melodious voice, the little Efrosian waved at the battered shuttle which promptly confirmed her assertion by spilling a puddle of lubricant onto the deck with a pathetic squelch.
"I was going to ask for a ride, but I'm sure you guys have your hands, fins and tentacles full." with a rueful glance at her own disheveled, dust caked and blood stained state, Jin squared her shoulders "So I appreciate the offer, Commander. Le Moose has probably scrambled the wing already, but maybe he has orders for me anyways. If not, … well, if you need someone to sit on your Captain to stop him from running out on the doctors, I'm at your disposal."
Blinking slightly as she took a brief moment to translate what was being said, or at least what she thought was being said, Zivit simply nodded. It at least seemed to be an acceptance, if not exactly the direct answer that had originally been sought. "Hopefully Captain Kanryth will not require...being sat upon," was mused; though admittedly the idea of this little Efrosian being the one to do so was rather amusing, "In the mean time, I will find you some space within the guest quarters until we can manage to ascertain a more definitive plan of action."
"Hopefully." Jin's white-golden slanted brows climbed in a brief display of amusement – unless Duck had changed a great deal in recent years they might in fact need to find a Gorn to do the sitting. But it was nice to see he had a ship of his own, and people who were obviously concerned for him.
And speaking of nice … the gorgeous Commander's seemingly stand-offish posture aside, the offer was more than kind and for the first time in what felt like a very long time, a genuine, bright smile dawned on the tiny pilot's elfin face "You don't have to go through all that trouble, Commander. But I suppose I could use a fresh uniform. So thank you. I'd like that."
And a drink. Several drinks. But that would have to wait until she was sure no one needed her anywhere for a little while. One thing at a time.
"Very well," The Valzhan replied, accompanying the words with a small nod. "I will see to it immediately. Though I must admit it may be a bit longer before we are able to spare the personnel to assist with repairing your vessel. What help can be offered, I will see to it is done so."
With all that had happened, had yet to happen, over the past...day? Zivit was no longer entirely certain how long she had been awake. It may be a good deal longer than she cared to let on. As it was, it seemed doubtful that anyone would be going anywhere in the immediate future; dubbing it a problem that could be dealt with at a later time. She had plenty of others to juggle, currently.
Slipping her artfully practiced smile back into place, the Commander arched thin brow once again. "If there is anything else you require in the interim, we will do our best to facilitate given the present circumstances. As soon as I am able to set up the temporary quarters, I will send someone to assist you. Are there any other instantly demanding needs?"
"A barrel of Saurian brandy, a pile of Levithi nuts and a fully armed and loaded fighter would come to mind." Jin winked amicably, waving her little hands in a 'I'm itching to do something but blast it if I know what' gesture. "No. Seriously, Commander, you're practically rolling out the red carpet for me and it's awfully nice of you but I'll manage."
So formal. Another species-specific thing, or just the Commander's personality? Despite her exhaustion-muddled brain the little Efrosian found she was as curious as a kitten dropped onto a personification of that ancient terran feline goddess Basket. Bastet. Something. And more than a little charmed, too, to be honest.
"Unless of course Le Moose tells me to go cool my thrusters and I could persuade you to have a drink later." For the life of her she couldn't detect anything but dignified composure in the tall, willowy lady's stance but there was that instinct itching at her eartips. Something in the voice, not quite discordant but … Jin rubbed her temples and looked back up. Further up. Either way, after that horrible mess most anyone could use a drink, right?
"Oh, and the poor little shuttle isn't mine. I just borrowed her when…" yup, about a barrel would do. Beard of the Cloud God, right now she'd even drink that phaser coolant called Romulan Ale "… when things went Mjeynnð-shaped down there. Sorry. Babbling. But if you do want to do me a favor, keep me apprised of how Ducky is doing?"
"I..." Zivit faltered briefly, slightly thrown by just how animated, open the smaller woman was. It was an assault on already strained senses that otherwise would have piqued a greater amount of interest. So long stuck around countless peoples that quelled their every thought and feeling, who hid behind carefully chosen words and choreographed actions, the Efrosian was... jarring. Though not in an entirely unwelcome way. Just, perhaps, poorly timed. Even if the words slammed against her mind awkwardly, the meaning and sentiment behind them was still incredibly clear.
"I will give you what information I can, when it is available," was finally agreed. "And may consider the drink, should the opportunity provide itself."
"Thank you." Jin just so stopped herself from offering a friendly pat, realizing she was still covered in horridly smelling dust and debris generously mixed with the blood of several species, and would have smeared that awful concoction onto the gorgeous Commander's pristine uniform. How in the seven hells she was so inured to the stench by now that she wasn't retching all over the gleaming deck was just another thrice-cursed thing to add to the list of 'reasons to get blind-stinking drunk'.
She grimaced before favoring Commander Agron with an appreciative smile and a playful little shrug that sent her disheveled white-gold hair bobbing. "Later, then. If the opportunity comes around."
While the little Efrosian firmly believed in making opportunities by getting on the universe's nerves until it gave you one just to be well rid of the nagging and general mayhem, she was also an ardent believer in the maxim 'be nice to nice people'. She hadn't missed the brief hesitation and figured a ship's XO with her Captain in sickbay had better things to do than indulging a bedraggled elf, which made the gesture of coming down here in the first place all the more touching. So in turn Jin would try her fair best to not be a nuisance. The fact her success rate in that area was abysmal at best was hardly reason not to try.
"Until then, I'll stay out of your beautiful hair. Just point me to a crewman I can borrow to pilot-sit until we've a better idea what's going on or you've found some quarters to park my scruffy self."
Once again giving a small nod, the Valzhan shifted once again, now ready to move. Some tiny part of her mind roiled with embarrassment through the crashing waves of pressure and weariness;her reticence to return to the larger duties at hand making it that she practically had to be dismissed by this pilot. Not even one of her own, at that.
"I am sure we will speak later, Lieutenant Commander." Zivit delivered succinctly, turning to make good on her exit before her own, mostly subconscious, unwillingness won out again. Making way towards the sickbay, the Valzhan could not shake the feeling that the conversation she was just leaving was likely to be the nicest one that would be had in a while.
=/\=
Commander Zivit Agron
Executive Officer
USS Crazy Horse
Lieutenant Commander Jin Rha-Yaleii
(soon to be) Chief Helm Officer
USS Crazy Horse
This is an automated email, please don't reply to this message.
No comments:
Post a Comment