Space - The Beckoning Presence part 1

Posted on Thursday 13 October 2016 @ 21:59 by Commander Save'ena (Sav) Tillatix & Lieutenant Commander David Tan & Major David Scarlet

Mission: Old, New Ship
Location: USS Merlin, Deck 4 Round Table
Timeline: MD8 Evening
2945 words - 5.9 OF Standard Post Measure

ON:

==== Deck 4, Round Table ====

The CAG stood at a secluded table at an edge of the viewing port. She was dressed in striped black and white leggings, black socks with fighters from a popular holovid, green plaid skort, green v-neck shirt with pocket. In her hair was a decorative red rose by her right ear. Of course, her crystalline wrist computer was on her left wrist. She was standing there, looking out, shifting her weight once in a while from one foot to the other, while holding her right elbow in her left hand and her double shot of Anisado in her right hand.

To anyone watching, the shift of the weight would cause her hips to sway from one side to the other, which showed off her very good looking and very feminine backside. The tail was up along her back, then folded back down, the tip just at where her tail protruded from her body. Her ears tips were just barely seen, and they showed full cupped towards the viewing port. Something out in space had her attention, just, nothing of difference was seen in the viewport.

Sav was standing there with a longing for being out and flying, loneliness being felt, along with some sadness. She was only truly free of the Saveena prison within her head when she joined with a ship, flowing into its controls and sensors, feeling the freedom of flying among the cosmos, to shift and turn in dodging obstacles, and to bear down on those threatening her fellow shipmates. And, her sense of duty, honor, commitment, and always fighting for what was right had kept her going for the last six years. But, she was feeling tired, exhausted, and almost beaten down to the point of just giving in.

With her present mood, Sav had really hoped to have had Melody for dinner, but she was now involved in other tasks. Thus, Sav had eaten alone, a dinner of chicken and dumplings, steamed vegetables, and pecan pie, small portions all, then came to the lounge. A quick double shot of Sambuca, and off to the window to watch the stars and dream of being out among them. She sighed, a very melancholy tone within, as one lone tear formed in the corner of her right eye. She did not notice as she was wrapped up into the stage of the cosmos before her.

==== Deck 2, COO Quarters ====

... Following the excitement of Six Flags Magic Mountain, or rather the simulation of it on the holodeck, David and his Family had returned to their quarters .. After a meal it was obvious that the girls were completely exhausted, and Lana was ready for sleep too.

"Look, go lay down and take a nap. There's a couple of things I need to do, and to be honest I feel like a drink before I get back into my routine."

"Why not go to the Crew Lounge, there's bound to be someone there at this time." Lana said, stifling a yawn, "I'm going to take you up on the nap, wake me when you get back OK, I don't want to sleep too long or I'll be up all night." David kissed his wife then headed for the Crew lounge.

==== Deck 4, Round Table ====

Entering, he was a little surprised that it wasn't as busy as Lana had thought. Granted, they had been through a lot with little or no time for rest and recharging the bodies' batteries. A couple of Crew and Officers welcomed him with passing comments as he went over to the bar. Ordering a cognac he turned his back and leaned one elbow on the bar, surveying the patrons. There were only a dozen, all seemingly paired-up or in small groups apart from one, Seveena Tillatix, the Merlin's Chief Air Group. He watched her for a few moments, trying to gauge if she had placed herself away from the others by design, or was simply watching the stars waiting for someone to join her. He turned to the Steward:

"What was Lieutenant Tillatix drinking ?"

"She had a Sambuca."

"OK ... Give me one of those, and a re-fill please." he waited for the man to return with the drinks, watching Sav as she gazed into the infinite beyond, again he wondered if she had gone to the window for solitude, 'but then he figured she would have picked somewhere where she wasn't going to be interrupted' he thought to himself as he took the drinks and walked over to her:

"Lieutenant ... Hope I'm not disturbing you, you seemed to be without a drink ......" holding out the small glass, he waited for the CAG to respond ...

Sav's ears and tail flicked, showing she had heard the voice behind her. She took in a deep breath, then let it out, coming back to the present from the inky blackness beyond the window. She turned towards the newcomer to see who it was. Looking at him, she smiled, even as now her double shot glass was evident in her right hand. "Hey there, thanks..." Then, recognition went across her face as her mind caught up to where she heard that voice before. She said to him, with a voice that had happiness and a lilt to it, "Lt. Tan. Great to meet you in person. I thought I recognized that voice. Thank you for joining me." Sav was genuinely happy to have some company as she did not feel like being alone anymore right now.

... My pleasure." David said, looking at the woman, who moments ago seemed so melancholy, almost sad, "I wasn't too sure you wanted any company to be honest, I thought maybe you were at the window alone for a reason. I'm happy to know you were open to a little company, it might have looked odd that two of the Senior Staff were stood a meter apart and not talking together. There's a free table behind you, would you like to sit ?" he asked, still holding the glass he'd brought over for her ...

Sav nodded, saying, "Sure, we can sit.." as she reached out and took the shot of Sambuca from him with her left hand. What happened next was unusual. Out of habit, she brought the glass up to her nose and took a gentle sniff, her muzzle scrunching up as she did so. Then she asked, anxiety heard in her voice and easily seen across her expressive face, "Lt. Tan, did you see the pour? Did you watch as the bartender poured the drink? Please, I need to know." She had learned a long time ago to not say, 'Is it safe?' as that always seemed to bring about the opposite reaction to her questions.

... He had watched her lift the glass, first eyeing the clear liquid as if able to see something he couldn't, then she lifted it taking in the faint aroma, then asking the question.

"I did yes. Though the Steward was out of my line of sight for a second or two as he came along the bar." he wondered why she was so concerned, surely she didn't think anything untoward could happen on the Merlin, but something had somewhere, that was obvious given her reaction. He thought about asking her about it, but decided that if she wanted to enlighten him she would and could do so of her own accord, "I can take it back and have the Steward replace it if you wish ?" he finished, glancing at the other glass, still half full, in her other hand ...

Sav flinched in fear at hearing 'second or two'. That was all it took, that second or two, to put in a mickey, knock her unconscious, drag her off. She barely heard the concern in his voice, but it was there. His next sentence caused her to flick her head to clear her darkened thoughts, "I.. umm, as long as you think it's fine, it's okay. I don't want to put you to any extra trouble.. (under her breath) common, Sahv, you can do this."

David watched the Mephetian in silence.

Sav took the glass in her left hand and hovered it over her right glass. She seemed to tremble lightly, then began pouring the one glass into the other along the sides, not wasting a drop of the precious cargo within. Within her mind, she convinced herself that if something was in there, it would be diluted and her body could handle the diluted potion. And, well, she had to trust her fellow Officers. After all, David was equal rank with her, as of this late morning, and to be trusted. That done, she dropped her left hand away from the glass and it moved seemingly of its own accord to the nearby pickup station. Sav watched it, making sure it gently landed into the other glassware so as not to break or chip.

He pulled the chair out and waited, hoping whatever phobia, or concern she was having regarding the drink didn't extend to the furniture.

The other glass firmly in hand, Sav moved over to sit down, saying, "To be honest, I was expecting to have some company, but her duties changed that. And, as the newbie on board, without knowing the sociopolitical scene, I just came here to look out into space and dream of flying with my companions, hoping maybe to be approached, and, you did." Sav churred, a rather exotic and erotic sound, then said "Thank you so much, you did. So, what brings you here, if you don't mind my asking?"

... David grinned, he'd never spoken to a Mephetian before, and he wondered vaguely if there were protocols he should observe. With no idea how to answer his own query, he decided to just chat and see where it led, besides, there was a possibility that other Officers would make use of their free time and come for a drink, so maybe he wouldn't make too much of a fool of himself.

"Hmm, 'sociopolitical scene' I have to admit, I have no idea what the sociopolitical scene is either ...." he grinned, wondering if his concerns regarding etiquette and countless social graces were founded, but he ploughed on regardless, speculating that should he step over some invisible mark she would no doubt make him aware of it, "Basically, I tend to ask someone if they want a drink, or company, and go from there." he said, with a wry shrug. He wondered how she was taking his banter, but given she was still sat down and hadn't thrown her drink in his face, he felt reasonably safe, at least for the time being.

Sav churred gently, looking up at him with muzzle slightly down, adding in, "And, hence the drink. Coolio."

"As for what brought me here .... If you mean the Crew lounge, I felt like a drink, though given my day I wasn't one hundred percent sure it would stay down." he grinned, realizing she had no idea what he was on about so carried on regardless, "As for the Merlin, I wanted a change. i was about to leave Starfleet, but my former Commanding Officer persuaded me that I had more to offer and suggested the Merlin. How about you,did you come via another assignment, or straight from the Academy ?" he asked ...

Sav quirked an eyebrow as he explained how he had gotten to the Merlin after saying, 'given my day'. The 'day' part was all she was expecting, but it was rather fun to learn more about how he had gotten there. She brought up the Sambuca, took a sniff, then a sip, rolling it around in her muzzle, then swallowed the sip down, "Churrr, good." She took a breath, then said, "Straight from my Cadet Cruise. I helped rescue a Fleet Repair Dock Freighter from the middle of a asteroid field, and I guess my hotdogging with the pods, runabouts, and the Nova class research vessel in doing so got me noticed, and next I know, I am assigned CAG for the Merlin." She held a finger in the air, "Of course, no one compares in flying to the Illustrious second officer, Lt. Jones, but I am trying for second."

... He couldn't help wondering about the sudden adulation for the Merlin's Second Officer, but let it pass, he supposed everyone had a role model at one time or another. They continued their conversation, Sav seemingly beginning to relax from her recent suspicious demeanor and he found himself enjoying her company ...

~~~~~

The instant she was off duty, Brenda Aumento shed her uniform like it was covered in spiders and quickly showered and slipped into something much more comfortable. A quick check had told her where the CAG was, and it had taken her seconds to find the bottle she wanted. It was an old tradition, and she was happy to share it with Save'ena. As she walked into the lounge, she looked around and caught sight of Save'ena and another officer talking at a table. She walked over to the bar and asked for three glasses before making her way straight over to the pair.

"Excuse me..." She smiled and nodded to David Tan before looking at Save'ena. "May I join you?" She kept the bottle and glasses firmly held and hidden behind her back. There was a fiendish, yet friendly grin on her face. "We still have to celebrate your promotion remember?"

Sav looked up at the voice and was very pleasantly surprised at seeing Brenda in civies. She looked great. Sav grinned, then said, "Wow, you.. look.. gorgeous." She turned to David, "We promised to share a drink to celebrate my promotion today. I made full Lieutenant." She motioned with her head, "So, mind if we let the very beautiful lady have a seat with us? Gives you somebody pretty to flirt with, too. At my end, I am sure I can flag down someone so we can order a bottle of good hooch to celebrate with. What do you say?"

... David had been talking when he noticed someone approaching their table. The woman, in civilian clothing as oppose to a uniform spoke to Save'ena, asking if she may join them and mentioning that Sav still needed to celebrate her recent promotion. He stood, pulling a chair out for the newcomer as Sav asked if it was OK, David had no issues with another at the table, in his opinion socializing was exactly what the Crew Lounge was for:

"Please, take a seat." he said, moving the chair as Brenda sat. He noticed she was still carrying a bottle and three glasses, 'obviously prepared' he thought as the trio began to enjoy each others' company. He knew Save'ena was the ship's Chief of the Merlin's Air Group, and knew she must have excelled in her previous positions. It hadn't passed him by that Sav had commented on Brenda's looks, maybe it was a trait of Mephetian's to compliment those around them, and he was somewhat amused and flattered at her comment that he would have someone to 'flirt' with, wondering if the CAG knew that he was married with Children, or if it made any difference in her society. He shrugged inwardly hoping he wasn't sat across from them looking like an embarrassed schoolboy.

Brenda sat down and chuckled. "Wouldn't mind the flirting sir, but I should warn you... you're not my type." She Popped the bottle and glasses down on the table.

"This..." She said triumphantly. "Is what is called 'Newfie Screech', Jamaican spiced rum... that you can feel the burning in the back of your eyeballs."

Sav churred out, "COOLIO, you brought the drink and glasses with you." She smiled across to Brenda, glancing at the bottle to make sure it was sealed and the group would unseal it. "That is so thoughtful of you, Brenda, thanks, and yes, I used your first name. We are both in civies, so please, call me Sav. I'll be your wingman tonight." She turned to David, "You too, please, call me Sav." When she pronounced her nickname, it sounded like 'Sahv' with an 'a' as in 'ah' rather than the 'a' in 'apple'.

"Sav..." Brenda repeated "Sounds good to me."

... "Well, in that case please call me David." said the civilian-garbed Operations Officer ...

Sav churred, "David it is. Okay, pour the Drinks." She watched very closely as Brenda poured the glasses, hoping that Brenda didn't notice, or if she did, she would just stock it up as an idiosyncrasy of Sav's.

"Well, I think a toast is in order Ladies." he said, raising his glass, the others following suit, though whether they knew the significance of the gesture he wasn't sure, "Congratulations on your promotion, 'Lieutenant' Tillatix." he said with a genuine smile, before raising the glass to meet the other two ...

Brenda brought up her her glass and clinked it before downing the glass in one gulp. "oooooo.... that's the shit." She grinned and sat back a bit. "This is actually a tradition that Mr. Scarlet showed us back on the Kingston."

Sav churred gently as she held up her glass with the others, "Thank you, and to best times to come, may they outshine the past." She took a sip of her drink, rolling the liquid around her tongue and along her muzzle, taking the released spiced scents into her muzzle. She swallowed, enjoying the taste. "Murr, Charrr, Good."

=== TBC ===

OFF:

Lieutenant Save'ena A. Tillatix
CAG/Uroboros Squadron Leader
Bridge Command Specialist
USS Merlin

Lieutenant David Tan
Chief Operations Officer
USS Merlin

Crewman Recruit Brenda Aumento
Security
USS Merlin
NPC