Posted by Lieutenant Commander Bethany Kovra Gadi (Chief of Security) in Kindred Souls - Tag: Martel

Posted by Lieutenant Miranda Martel (Chief Engineer) in Kindred Souls - Tag: Martel

Posted by Lieutenant Commander Bethany Kovra Gadi (Chief of Security) in Kindred Souls - Tag: Martel
Posted by… suppressed (4) by the Post Ghost! 👻
Bethany was having a very long conversation with herself. This mission was voluntary and when first given the details she had signed up without hesitation. This was the kind of thing she was trained for, and she was good at it. It wasn’t so cut and dry. The taskforce had been disbanded 3 years ago. Most of the members had moved on to other things, other assignments, retired, or died. That didn’t matter though, they were all out of reach, and she could not, in good conscious, work with Elias. There was no way to know until the smoke cleared, the body’s counted, and investigations done, if he was acting for good or ill. There were children on this ship. And no matter what their parents had or had not done, what knowledge they possessed, choices they freely made, the children were still innocent.

People had called the way Bethany tracked Elias, uncanny, supernatural, or accused her of being a double agent at times. It was some kind of bizarre game. Some times she was ahead and some times behind. Hell, some times she’d felt like he was leading her through some twisted dance. But there was only one truth to the matter, the crew was safer with Bethany staying. No one knew Elias like she did, but that was flimsy and disappointing reassurance if at all. She had to eat though, and act like it didn’t phase her, or the entire security team would go off it’s rocker. They were going to get a dressing down from her anyway, when her temper had cooled some.

She entered the galley, ordered from the replicator and took a seat, at a far table, back to the corner, one foot propped on the edge of the adjacent chair and leaned back, watching the whole room, trying not to look like the predator she was. How easily old habits returned.

Gadi, CoS

A minute or so later another figure shuffled in. Despite being almost four centimeters taller and around five kilos heavier, the woman in Operations gold seemed somehow smaller. Perhaps it was the hunched shoulders, or the way she kept her head down. Her eyes darted through the room, noting the position of every doorway and person. assessing them spatially and tactically. She sized Bethany up in an instant, a way that suggested the woman wasn’t a threat. Perhaps she was, but, not to Miranda’s mind. Then socially came after, noting what people were wearing, rank pips, uniforms, hair, cosmetics, appearance. All in less than a second. Perhaps it was hyper-vigilance. Maybe it was something else.

Her hands were balled into fists at her side, not white-knuckled but clearly not relaxed. And she wore her shoulders for earrings. Her face was drawn and she didn’t say much, or really anything as she headed for the replicator. That was a far cry from the officer from the staff meeting. she’d been serious then in her own way but more relaxed. But now? She seemed almost like a caged animal.

Miranda pulled something from the replicator without really paying much attention, then grabbed a mug of tea, but one loaded with chamomile and lavender, along with bright notes of bergamot. Finally, she sat down with a tray that had a steaming soup that smelled wonderful, and something that resembled a cinnamon roll for dessert. And for a time she simply sat, cradling the mug in her hands, staring at nothing. Checked out. Her hands tight around the mug.

Lt Martel, CE

Bethany watched the new CE enter and pace across the mess and to a table. It didn’t take an expert to know something was wrong, but thanks to Bethany’s training she knew with just a glance that Martel had had a massive panic attack and was on the edge of another one. She was fighting with herself and loosing. That girl needed a hug, as her uncles would say. And whatever Martel might tell someone, she didn’t need to be alone. Bethany got up from her seat, making a clear approach to the table Martel was sitting at and set her tray down across from her and sat. “It’s about to get packed in here, and you don’t look like you feel like being bombarded with the days gossip.”

Gadi, CoS

Motion caught her attention on the edge of her vision. Green eyes snapped up, catching the approaching security officer. Oh no. Clearing he r throat she took a sip of her tea as Bethany approached. And the tray landed. Miranda flashed her a small smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes. That she didn’t quite believe. “True enough,” she said then gestured to the other seat. Part of her wanted this person to go away. But even more so she really didn’t feel like being alone. At least then she was distracted… somewhat. But too, she sensed the chief was unsettled too. Maybe in her own way, for her own reasons. A kindred spirit perhaps. “Sit.” It was as much a command as a request, and an offer. Then added a hasty, “Ma’am.” Not that she could really stop the lieutenant commander. Not that she wanted to either. “I guess now is as good a time as any,” she said, bringing out that smile again, but it didn’t quite burn away the dark clouds in her eyes. “We haven’t been formerly introduced. Lieutenant Miranda Martel,” she said, offering her hand to the chief.

Lt Martel, CE

Bethany shuddered, “I’m too young to be a ‘ma’am.’ Lt. Cmdr Bethany Gadi.” She quickly but surely shook Martel’s hand. “But Gadi works, or Bethy if you like. A curse on whoever in command thought to promote me to Lt Cmdr.” About that time, true to her word about ten other offers walked in and headed for the replicators. Bethany took a sip of her coffee. Martel didn’t want to talk, but wanted a distraction. Bethany had seen that look on others. For the time being she kept true to her offer, to not have to talk, acting as a buffer to keep over eager junior officers away. In the mean time Bethany attempted to enjoy her dinner and ignore her own swirling thoughts.

Gadi, CoS

Miranda nodded as Gadi introduced herself. When the doors opened and ten other crew ambled in, her head snapped around, then Visibly relaxed and retreated into herself once again. The mug in her hands trembled for a moment, but she forced t hem steady once more and sighed, taking a long drink once again. For a long minute she said nothing. She was aware of a few of the others looking their way, their eyes on her making her skin crawl. But none approached, instead they moved to fin d their own table not to far away. “Thank you,” she said quietly. “Most days things aren’t like this. But… I have to wonder if my assignment to this op was someone’s sick joke. … Or someone-s misplaced vote of confidence.” Or both. She turned her gaze from her mug back up to Bethy. “I assume you read my file, as any good security chief would. Wanna know who’s on their boat with them.”

Bethy nodded. She’d read the basics what she needed to know. She didn’t read the in depth logs, but enough to know the core of the person who was coming on board. “I get you there. I’m starting to know why I was transferred here for this mission and it’s sickening.”

She paused just long enough. “Well, after the Shamshir … this seems like dealing with the same kind of people. I dunno if I can go through another group like that … trying to steal the ship, kill the crew. Trying to… ” She trailed off, breaking her gaze. It wasn’t hard to see the ghosts there. Shame and guilt. Even though by all accounts Miranda had went above and beyond. What she’d endured had been horrific. But did she have the strength for another round?

Lt Martel, CE

Bethy listened and took a long pull of the water. She needed coffee, but that was off limits for the time being. Survivor guilt was a hard thing to get past. Usually an unjustified accusation at the self, but a serious monster to slay. “Well in this case no one is really trying to steal the ship or kill the crew. We’re just making it look that way. Until of course we get to wherever Agents Blue and Pikelsimer are sending us.” She leaned back and looked at her. Giving Martel the solid reality of her options. “You know, you’ve given more than your due to Star Fleet. You can walk away from this. It’s totally voluntary. You’d have to hang around this strange station for a bit, but that might be better than the alternative of going.”

Gadi, CoS

Miranda put down the mug and then leaned forward, elbows on the table. Lacing her fingers together she rested her forehead against her hands. “Either way, I’m dead. I don’t get out of here without being dead. Vanished, into thin air. Or my family thinks I’m now a career criminal. Or both. You heard the cover.” She sighed. “So the only way I can move forward is to complete the job. But more than that, who would I be disappointing if I didn’t? Myself, maybe. And you’re right. I more than put in my dues.” She grimaced at that. “But I was young and dumb, and thought I knew the odds. Well, I played myself.” She shrugged. “And yeah, I know it’s not exactly the same thing. But if somebody decides they want to take from me-us. Another set of pirates? It’s not what we’re planning on but someone could get a wild hair and decide they want the Asimov.” Memories flooded back, being huddled on a floor with dozens of other crew. Armed gunmen going down the line looking for officers. In a quick play she reached out and grabbed her lieutenant’s second pip off their collar and stuck it on her own. Before he could stop her she stood and addressed them. She’d paid… brutally.. for the choice. But she didn’t regret protecting her chief, or the rest of her ship and crew. But it didn’t undo the invisible damage. Would she do it again? Could she do it again?

The idea was terrifying. But she’d survived that. Could she survive it again? If it came to that? Maybe. Maybe it would be better to eat a disruptor bolt, than to deal with what came after. A dark, sardonic chuckle escaped her. What’s a little more damage? She’d already been through about the worst anyone could.

Lt Martel, CE