What's up?
Posted on Friday 12 August 2022 @ 12:55 by Major David Scarlet
Mission:
Revelations
Location: DS21
Timeline: MD 1 just after arrival
1524 words - 3 OF Standard Post Measure
Pearl was really feeling like a fish out of water. She had shore leave but, what to do on it she had no clue even if Jack had made some suggestions. She was in the habit of reporting into Major Scarlet, well Pearl decided to not break that habit. He was her constant person she depended on. It was the truth. He hauled her out of the depths of her own darkness, and well, maybe she was a bit attached to him? Either way, she needed to go find him. She called upon the computer to direct her way to where he was staying and if he wasn't there she'd track him down.
Scarlet sat quietly at the table. Hunched over his coffee and the cane, that blasted cane, leaned against the leg of the chair he was sitting on. It might have been leaning against his leg too, but of course that was the problem wasn't it? He didn't know.
But that wasn't why he was sat at this specific table on the promenade of DS21. No, it was because he'd spotted her and couldn't fully believe what he saw. The Orion woman who had been captured while guarding the Captain was here. Free.
Pearl followed the guide from the computer and found the Major, "Hi sir." she said quietly. "Mind if I join you?" she hadn't noticed cane as of yet, her focus was more on him.
Scarlet motioned toward the chair at the side of the table, his eyes didn't move from studying the Orion. He took a sip of his tea. "Sit and observe Princess. Tell me what you see."
Pearl went to sit at the chair and followed his line of perception and she froze. "What the heck is she doing here?" she whispered quietly to him. Feeling some anger rise up. "I thought she was in jail."
Scarlet grunted and continued to eye the Orion. Had she escaped? But then why would she hide out on a federation station? "Recon. Then report." Scarlet said after a moment. "But if she so much as jay walks..."
"Oh don't worry I intend on seeing what tomfoolery she is up to. What and why is she there? This is so strange. Did someone decide she was to be trusted?" Pearl's mind with so many questions only those two questions came to the forefront.
"Tomfoolery Princess?" Scarlet took his eyes off his target and raised an eyebrow toward Pearl. "Really? Make sure to look for shenanigans too then."
"What? Something wrong with what I said?" Pearl glancing over to the major. "Shenanigans I like that word. So yes, I will be looking to see what she is doing. Hopefully she doesn't plan on shooting someone." giving a slight frown looking back to where Mirae was at.
Scarlet glanced in that direction as well and grimaced slightly to hide his amusement with Pearl. "There is more to this. If she'd escaped she shouldn't be stupid enough to come to a Federation station."
Mirae, for her part, was trying to continue her work and ignore the pair of Marines who were obviously staring at her. They looked familiar, but couldn't place her finger on it right way.
Pearl looked at Scarlet, "I'm going to go grab a coffee, I'll be right back, and get a different perspective on this situation. Want me to get you a pastry? Won't take to long." the corporal was feeling just a tad bit antsy at this point.
"I'm fine." Scarlet said, glancing at Pearl for a moment. "Don't draw attention to yourself."
"I will do my best, don't know if she'd recognize me. I'll be back though." and Pearl left seeking out some coffee and pastry.
As she walked away, Scarlet scanned the room for his target once more and was somewhat shocked when he didn't spot her right away. Where the hell had she gone?
"Can I help you with something?" The female voice behind him asked with a snap. Without waiting for a response, Mirae walked around and sat down at an empty seat at the table. She adjusted her tunic a little and cocked her head to the side. "See something you like soldier? Too bad, I'm not for sale."
Pearl had a slight difficulty trying to choose between the pastries she liked then decided to get two. One a glazed doughnut and the other a lemon filled doughnut. She could not resist. On the way back she noticed the certain person she and Scarlet were watching, seated at the table. "Hey, you better not give him any trouble lady." she growled.
"You should be in the brig." Scarlet stated coldly. Out of the corner of his eye he saw Pearl and raised a finger for her to stay back.
Mirae noticed the gesture and looked over toward Pearl. That's where she recognized them from. "Oh... you. You both were there."
The Orion woman frowned a bit and let a sigh out. "Seems like a lifetime ago after what's happened. But I guess you wouldn't know that. You can tell her to come over. I won't bite."
Pearl paused when she saw Scarlet's gesture and she waited until he gave her the signal to come sit down. Otherwise she was ready to put Mirae into a clinch and keep her from doing anything to the major.
Scarlet didn't let his eyes of Mirae as he lowered his hand for Pearl to come closer.
"You were released to Starfleet security to serve out your sentence. That wasn't long ago for you to now have free reign on this station." Scarlet said coldly.
Mirae sighed and chuckled, remembering all that had happened in her time since she got to the station. "Would you believe good behaviour?"
Pearl sat down, coffee in one hand pastry in a bag over her arm "Good behaviour? What... how did that happen? And does Captain Jones even know about this? Are you planning on shooting anyone here? What is the deal?"
Mirae looked from Scarlet to Pearl before tilting her head slightly and giving a harmless chuckle. "I'm sure your captain will be briefed on what happened." She then flapped open her jacket. "Also, no weapons. Part of my probation."
Scarlet shook his head. This didn't make much sense to him, although she couldn't be stupid enough to escape and then come to a federation station. "I don't like it. And I don't trust you."
Mirae sighed and for a moment actually looked defeated. "Look, I know my past better than you. I just want to make the most of this second chance. I'm tired of running. And Captain Jones... she made a lot of sense when we talked."
Second chance, second chances; that hit Pearl hard as she remembered what it was like when she was first transferred to the Merlin. She cast a glance towards Scarlet, he gave her a chance, when she tried to punch him and she was put to the ground by his second in command. A wry smile flitted across her lips, "Second chances, everyone needs one or more." giving a nod. "I've had to work on mine as well. It won't mean that I'm going to be immediately trust you but, if you aren't in chains or have a ankle lock then... maybe this means you've turned a new leaf?"
Scarlet glanced at Pearl and frowned before returning his gaze to the Orion woman. "If you so much as think about stepping out of line..."
Mirae bristled. "I'm not stupid. I'm on a federation station. I know what's needed and what's expected." She gritted her teeth before finally calming down. "Now, I'm going to get back to work. You're free to keep watching me, but you're probably going to be as bored as I am."
Pearl looked at Scarlet, and then back to Mirae. "Well, I think I've got something else in mind for this shore leave so you won't have to worry about my watching you." actually giving a slight chuckle. "You have a good day then."
"I have a coffee to drink in peace here on the promenade." Scarlet replied grimly, he took a sip of coffee for show and put it back on the table. "Other than that I have no plans to speak of."
Mirae studied the Major for a moment longer before sighing. Maybe if circumstances had been different she'd have found his demeanor... intriguing instead of annoying. "Fine. Enjoy your coffee."
Scarlet nodded. "Enjoy your freedom." He glanced toward Pearl. "Dismissed Corporal."
"Thank you Major." Pearl responded. She paused to consider asking him if he were interested in meeting up later but got the feeling that now wasn't the time to ask. She was figuring out how to read Scarlet's moods. Even if it were an almost imperceptible indicator, with his body language. "See you later sir." with that Pearl took her leave to meet up with a certain someone.
LC Pearl Bijoux
Marine
USS Merlin
* Major David Scarlet
Marine Company Commander
USS Merlin
Mirae
Civilian
DS21
