A second chance at a first impression

Posted on Saturday 17 July 2021 @ 17:06 by Civilian Sansa Draxx-Jones & Civilian Abigale Blackwood

Mission: A Cry from the Darkness
Location: Cetacean lab
Timeline: MD10 1500
2803 words - 5.6 OF Standard Post Measure

ON:

Sansa made a point of getting to the lab early so she could have a look at what this Hamish Teague had written on whales and much to her frustration.... His writings were..... really good!

She had been hoping that his work would be sloppy, full of cliches, and poor assumptions with little research to back it up but as she kept reading, the work was insightful, well researched, balanced, and very informative.

She continued reading.

The sound of the lab door could be heard as it opened, Hamish stepping in almost seeming to be reluctant. He managed to get enough nerve to come at the appointed time, Hamish was uncertain what was going to be happening this time. He walked over to where Sansa was reading, then he noticed what she was reading. He chewed his lower lip nervously, she was reading one of his papers. He wanted to pluck it out of her fingers, as he didn't think that was well written, even though they had raved about it. He quietly cleared his throat to gain her attention.

"Uh, Miss Sansa? I am here as requested." Hamish stated.

She had been so engrossed in her reading she hadn’t notice that Hamish had entered the room until he spoke, at which point she jumped. “Hamish. There you are. I was… just doing some reading. It’s good. And you can call me Sansa, just Sansa. Ok?”

Hamish nodded, seeming to be a bit subdued. "Alright, I'll call you Sansa." gesturing towards the paper she was reading, "I wish you wouldn't read that. it's still just paltry trash. Not my best work." he commented, he rubbed the side of his neck. "I don't know why they are making a big deal of it. They said it was good enough..." his voice trailed off. "Er sorry and thank you for the compliment." clapping his hands together. "you were talking about a recording?"

Sansa looked at him for a moment. What he had written was really good and he didn't think it was his best work? She decided not to pull on that particular thread at that moment. “Well, maybe you could recommend some of what you've written that you think is... More suitable?” she asked, trying to be tactful. “Anyway the recording of the whale trip. I've got the file ready for playback.” She led them over to the big wall monitor. “Have a seat.” she sat down next to him then “Computer, begin playback.”

The monitor came to life starting when Fay had led Mathias down to the observation deck. There were seven different camera angles. Several showing an underwater view. It showed how the mother and calf approached the boat. How Sansa had out her hand on the calf which while smaller, was still larger than a shuttle. How they seemed to have a conversation without words and communicated on such a deep level. How Mathias had sung a beautiful and haunting melody before the whales headed back to their pod.

Sansa looked on, quietly amazed. While she had been there, technically doing these things it had been Fay who was in control and Sansa was still taken aback how Fay known things about these gentle giants and somehow, had left this gift with her now. She glanced sideways trying to get a reading on what Hamish thought of all this.

Hamish's gaze was locked on the screen, watching every moment, every movement. He surreptitiously wiped away a tear being deeply moved by the whole video. In fact, it seemed that he had forgotten that Sansa was right there. He reached out towards the whales almost in a loving caress. "Oh would have been a wondrous thing to be there." he murmured softly.

"It was... It really was." Sansa agreed with him quietly. She had not noticed him wipe away the tear. "I was there and I'm still blown away by it. Fay was the one who was in control at the time. Sharing my body with Fay was... a unique experience. The Megapteraians physical form is... enormous, larger than a whale but their consciousness interacts in... "She struggled to find the words to describe it, even though she had experienced it. "In a mental landscape call the Etheria. When we were in there, they appeared as humanoids to us. I suppose that was how we were perceiving their reality. Maybe you'll get to see it for yourself. Shall we discuss the upcoming mission?"

Hamish gave a start, realizing that he wasn't alone. He looked at Sansa, "I'd like to discuss it, and yes I hope to see it for myself." his voice at the moment was rather pleasant as well as his demeanour. He was still in awe of what he had seen.

Sansa tried to cover a smile. The thoughtful expression on his face and his pleasant demeanour was a stark contrast from his earlier attitude.

She started with the mission brief. "So the leaders of the Megapteraians have requested that a colony of Humpback whales be established on their planet and the Federation Council has agreed. This will be the first colony of Humpback whales off Earth. We will be rendezvousing with the ship carrying Fay and the first whale colonists and accompanying them to Megapteraia to help get the colony established. We'll then return to the Merlin. Any questions so far?"

As soon as Hamish heard about the proposed mission he was very attentive. " A colony of Humpback Whales?!"Oh, his eyes lit up like a kid at Christmas seeing piles of presents under the tree. "How long will we be there? And how many whales will be part of the colony, and will I get to swim with the whales too?"

Sansa smiled, his enthusiasm being infectious. "I'm not sure about all the details yet. Fay and Abigale travelled to Earth to get the first group of whale colonists and they will be on the ship that will rendezvous with the Merlin and take us all to Megaptera. I'm sure Fay will fill us in on all the details. From the sounds of things, they're wanting to make this a long term arrangement so I'm assuming this will be the first of many colony trips. I wouldn't be surprised if we do get to swim with the whales so I'd bring your swimming trunks if I were you. I'm sure you'll like Fay, she's really nice and Abigale... Well, Abigale already knows Mathias..."

"Swim trunks, check, scuba gear. Check." then at the mention of Abigale and Mathias, Hamish's enthusiasm started to diminish. It was as if a cloud came over the sun at the most inopportune time. He started to stiffen up slightly. "Well, I am looking forward to meeting Fay..." he said stiffly.

Sansa picked up on his change in attitude. “Hmmm, so you know Abigale as well huh? You and Mathias, you went competing for her, we're you?”

"Not competing, really. She only had eyes for Mathias, and I had not a chance. He didn't do anything to gain her attention but he did like her a lot so.. no way to be in the running and she would just ask about Mathias even when he was away. I was there but invisible." he grumped.

Sansa let out a hollow laugh. "Oh, I know how that feels." Remembering not her feelings but more Fay's. "I believe they've decided to remain friends since Fay is now sharing Abigale's body for the time being."

"What is it with you and Mathias anyway? Are you falling for his charms too? I am wondering if he is besotted with you. It has been nothing but Sansa this and Sansa that. Were you two lovers?" for some reason he was feeling jealous and he didn't know why. This time it wasn't about her knowledge of the Whales, just the thought of Mathias and Sansa was really ticking him off.

Sansa looked at him a bit shocked and shook her head. “Me and Mathias? Oh no no no. We're just good friends. It was Fay who was... More interested in him in the beginning. She found him very charming and she was wanting to get more knowledge of physical relationships.
Mathias turned her down as it was rather complicated. I was in a relationship at the time” she said, a look of sadness crossing her features “and Mathias only has eyes for Caroline... Commander Miller.”

"Caroline?" Hamish was confused. "Uh, who is Commander Miller? He's not shared with me anything about her. It's been more about you and the whales. Oy my cousin can be so...puzzling." Hamish stopped, as he actually caught the expression of sadness on Sansa's face. "Um... what happened? If you don't mind your arch nemesis knowing what is going on in your love life." trying to make a bad joke, but was probably failing miserably.

Sansa looked at him incredulously for a moment, and then as much to her surprise, she burst out laughing with tears running down her cheeks. It took a few moments for her to get her voice back. "Archnemesis? That's a good one." she wiped the tears from her eyes. "Caroline is our chief counsellor, she's been abducted and Mathis is pretty cut up about it at the moment. As for me, I was in a relationship with someone but... it ended." She clammed up slightly, the tears now threatened to flow again, but this time not from laughing.

Hamish felt awkward he'd not had much experience in dealing with a woman who is crying. Mathias always knew what to do. Hamish carefully put an arm around Sansa, "Um sorry, you are having heartbreak." awkwardly patting Sansa's back.

Sansa stiffened as his hand touched her back. While she didn't loath him anymore, she wasn't yet comfortable with him on that level yet. Also, she definitely didn't feel comfortable discussing Hayley. "I'm fine. It's in the past now." She took a deep breath and calmed herself. "Thanks. Is there anything else about the mission you need clarifying?"

Hamish noticed her stiffening up and withdrew his hand and arm. Figures once again, I'm considered repulsive, what is it with women? Do I stink? he thought to himself. He moved away from Sansa giving her a bit of distance. "Okay yes. The mission at the moment I don't think I need anything else to be clarified. " he remarked, his brief show of warmth turning cold. "If I do, I'll make sure I ask you or message you, whichever the case may be."

"Ok." Sansa said smiling at him, trying to cut through the tension that had just gone up a notch. "I'm not sure when we'll be leaving but I'd keep a bag packed just in case.

Just then the comm system beeped "Bridge to Miss Draxx-Jones. You have a subspace communication from Earth. A Miss Fay and Miss Blackwood."

Sansa's face lit up. "Patch it through to the Cetacean lab please."

"Standby."

The monitor came to life with Abigale's face, but with the purple shiny irises and lower more sonorous voice indicating it was Fay. "Hello Sansa. It's good to see you again."

"Hi Fay." Sansa responded cheerily with a wave. "it's good to see you too. I've missed you." She indicated next to her. "I've got Hamish here with me."

Fay's eyes looked over at him and seemed to study him for a moment. Sansa knew that Abigale must have been filling Fay in inside her head. "Ah yes, Abigale has told me about you. A most respected scientist. I look forward to meeting you in person."

Hamish gulped seeing the purple eyes, they seemed to bore into his soul. And he could almost feel an enchantment happening. He quickly averted his eyes. "Charmed I'm sure." he said softly.

Fay turned her attention back to Sansa. "I have communicated our intentions which have been received with great enthusiasm from the Humpback whale population on your planet. It has taken some organisation but we've finally assembled 12 whales, six female and six male to be the first off-world settlers of their kind. If all goes well, the second set of colonists will follow in six months. They will be transported aboard the USS Santa Maria with myself and Doctor Blessed. We are also bringing over ten tonnes of shrimp, krill and small fish. Some will be used to create a sustainable food ecology on our world for the colony. We should rendezvous with the Merlin in 2 weeks. I've sent all the details to Melody. I look forward to being with you again. See you in two weeks." and with that, the transmission ended.

Seeing Fay and Abigale again had cheered up Sansa immensely. She turned to Hamish "You'll like Fay."

"I.. don't know about that. She worries me, both of them do." Hamish feeling extremely uncomfortable. "Is she a siren? She has an enchantment about her. I am... afraid." honestly feeling rather frightened. "How did Mathias resist that?"

She turned to look at him, about to make some witty remark but she stopped when she saw the look on his face. The look in his eyes... That was an admission. She took a deep breath and then.... she placed her hand on his. "No... She's not a siren. She's..... She's unique. I had her consciousness inside my head remember? She is one of the most... peaceful individuals I've ever encountered, innocent in a way." She tried to find words to explain to him. "Their existence is totally different from ours. She shared her thoughts, her feelings, her memories with me, freely and at no point did I ever feel threatened or feel any sort of malice or deception from her. I also met Abigale briefly before Fay was transferred into her. She seemed a lovely person. As for Mathias... " She chose her words carefully "I could not speak for him so I think it's best you ask him about Fay and Abigale. I do know Fay was..... disappointed but, she respected his decision not to..." She started to blush... "Have physical relations with her."

"Oh.. .OH!" Hamish responded, "He managed to withstand you and Fay together. That must have been difficult for him to resist someone so beaut...." he stopped remembering Sansa's reaction to his touch. "Er well um you did say you were in a relationship with someone and Mathias isn't one who would poach. But you said that Abigale and Fay were linked later...Oh, you said he had Caroline on his mind and... he resisted the combined charm of Abigale and Fay.." he stopped there. "Sorry, just thinking out loud." Hamish turning a rather deep red. "Um yes... Back to the mission, how long before they will be meeting us?"

Despite his earlier actions, Sansa found herself smiling at him, brushing her long red out from her face and behind her ear. He could be quite sweet, when he wasn't being a self-absorbed ass she thought to herself. "Well, Fay mentioned it would they would be here in 2 weeks. It gives us some time for you to get acquainted with the logs and information we gathered when we were in the Etheria. Also, it gives us a chance to...." she paused, choosing her words carefully "Get to know each other a bit better, since we're going to be spending a long time together."

Hamish's attention was caught by Sansa brushing her silken red lock away from her face, she was so beautiful he loved how pretty redheads were... then his face paled as an image of another redhead, came to his mind. Actually several redheads some wanting to get to Mathias through him. The last one...His face went really white... "S-sorry Sansa is it getting hot in here? I'm feeling a little faint, maybe a need a stiff drink. Maybe need to lie down...." he seemed to be getting a bit wobbly in his seat.

Sansa studied him for a moment. Was he getting..... flustered by her? She remembered an encounter she had in sickbay after her last..... growth spurt.... how she had acted in front of a young ensign. Total embarrassment, yet deep down she secretly liked that she was having this effect on him. She decided to let him save face. "Ok, I think you're right. You better go and have a lie down. We can pick this up tomorrow? Say 1000 Hrs?

Hamish nodded, "Um thank you.. I'm sorry... We can talk about it later on. What's... yes um I'll see you later." Making a hasty retreat out of the lab.

Sansa's smile broadened. "Ok, I'll see you tomorrow."


OFF:

Sansa Draxx-Jones
Marine Doctor
NPC Jones

●● Lieutenant Mathias McPhee
Chief Operations Officer
USS Merlin