STF

It All Come Out In The Wash... Except Blood Stains

Posted Jan. 28, 2023, 11:21 p.m. by Lieutenant Commander Gravel Mardusk (Chief of Security) (James Sinclair)

Posted by Lieutenant Cara Esmé O’Farrell (Counselor / Education Specialist) in It All Come Out In The Wash… Except Blood Stains

Posted by Lieutenant Commander Gravel Mardusk (Chief of Security) in It All Come Out In The Wash… Except Blood Stains

Posted by Lieutenant Cara Esmé O’Farrell (Counselor / Education Specialist) in It All Come Out In The Wash… Except Blood Stains
Posted by… suppressed (38) by the Post Ghost! 👻
The little boy Cara was helping search for was 5 and had only recently been issued a civilian combadge and was always forgetting it. Once Cara managed to get the parents to breathe and stand in one place it was a matter of asking the computer for a location of the badge. (The computer was being heavily taxed with all the inquiries). The transporters were reserved for medical and security necessity so they went on foot. He had gotten seperated in the covert evacuation and hidden himself behind an environmental control access hatch. He was too afraid to come out on his own.

It took a few of hours and a team consisting of the entire counseling staff, security, medical, and a few volunteers from science and engineering to get everyone settled. Children were taken to the school rooms for their parents to pick them up, families sent home. Off duty officers and non essential personnel were sent to their quarters after stateme to were taken. Those waiting to hear back about the wounded had their names taken and that information Cara put into the computer so they could be contacted when there was news.

Cara wanted to be with Gravel rather than doing disaster control. He should not have gotten up like that, like it had never happened. It was weird, and it made her worry. Helping the crew was where she was supposed to be. It came first and it helped. She didn’t regret it at all. But as soon as she was done she headed toward the security office. And yes it took her longer than it would anyone else to get there. But even in the wake of the attack, security still found it amusing and necessary to point the way for her, even if she didn’t ask (which she did because getting herself lost now was another probkem the crew didn’t need). The corridors were empty except for security patrols and other vital personnel. A large part of it was just the sense of normalcy it provided, Lt O’Farrell would always get lost.

Cara turned into the security office and nodded to the Lt behind the desk who nodded when she pointed at Mardusk’s office door. She pressed the chime.

O’Farrell

The door slid open to the office. The usually opaque and illuminated floor was off, and the lights of the room were set low. “Hey. C’mon in, doll.” In the dimly lit room, the immense bulk of Gravel in his chair was still easily seen. He was leaned back in his chair, feet up on his desk, with a large glass of something resting on the desk in his right hand. He turned his head slightly and looked at her, his smile subdued in the dim light.

Cara stepped all the way in and allowed the door to close. Her eyes took in all the details even while her gaze landed and stayed on him. Oh this was going to be one of those times where it was going to be hard to separate the very personal feelings from the work. She walked around to the back of the desk and leaned a hip against the ledge near, but not on, his leg. Then she took his other hand.

“Get everybody handled?” he asked somewhat quietly; his normal thunder now more akin to a far off storm.

Mardusk, CoS

Cara nodded. “Yeah. We did. Everyone’s been sorted. Either settled in their quarters or being seen by the doctors.” It hadn’t been easy or simple, but they were all taken care of. She searched his eyes, “Talk ta me, Grah-vel.”

O’Farrell

He smiled as his eyes closed and he said “Sure… you want the work stuff first? Or the boyfriend stuff? I’m flexible, either way.” and one eye opened and looked at her. “Surprisingly flexible, if ya wanna try out the desk for load bearing capability.” and he winked then closed his eye again. “Those little bots do a hell of a job, gotta say.”

Mardusk

The statement about those little bots made her stomach sour. It wasn’t like she could just yank them out of him if it was even safe to do so. Cara smiled and raised her brows. “Tha’ makes me think ya in a mind for the boyfriend stuff first.”

O’Farrell

He grinned slightly and took a drink. “Oh… I’m always in mind for the boyfriend stuff first with you. But I doubt we’d make it to the work stuff if we started there.” He opened his eyes and looked at her. “But if you feel we both need a break from work for a bit…” and he looked down at his desk and pressed an icon, locking the door and engaging a privacy field. He reached over and set his hands on her hips and gently and smoothly lifted her off the ground and set her on the desk in front of him. “Medical says I am a hundred percent okay. Care to do your own exam, Doc?” and he leaned in and gave her a kiss.

Mardusk

Cara leaned and murmured against his lips, “I am sure medical did a fine job, but I’ll feel better doin’ one myself.” She began to kiss him with all the still unspent adrenaline and fear racing through her veins. She wasted no time discarding his uniform top, and then let her hands move over him, against his skin. There was nothing wildly about it, just the passion carried in the intense care and depthless love conveyed through her touch.

O’Farrell


As they made sure their uniforms were in order and nothing was out of place from the ‘therapy session’, Mardusk set a holo back upright where it had been knocked over on the long cabinet on the side bulkhead of his office. He looked at Cara and grinned. “Well that was fun. I’m surprised at you. You didn’t get lost once.” and he chuckled as he adjusted her top a bit.

Mardusk

Cara tossed her hair over her shoulder and looked up at him with a grin. “Hey I told ya, give me enough time I can memorize how ta get ta certain places. And I am very familiar with where we went.” She tugged his jacket straight. “So, now, puttin’ my professional hat on, do ya wanna talk ta me or someone else.” It was part of the procedure and debriefing.

O’Farrell

Mardusk shrugged and gestured to a seat. “Might as well be you. You’d be reviewing the file anyway. Unless it’s some kinda conflict of interest, but as this isn’t a session, I’m okay with it.” He took a seat and said “Ask away, Doc.”

Mardusk, CoS

Cara slid into the seat and contemplated a moment. “Tell me what you’re thinking, how you’re feeling, now, that it’s over.”

O’Farrell

He shrugged and said “Feelin’? About like ya’d expect: relived, pissed, guilty, happy, tired, concerned… you name it, I’m pretty sure its running around in there somewhere. Thinking? Well, I’m thinking I want something to eat. I’m thinking I’m glad you are okay. I’m thinking that I am so pissed at the Skipper and XO for not listening to me when those bastards first arrived. I’m thinking about those kids Rogan froze in that goo and how they’re gonna handle it. I’m thinking about those parents who were telling me I wasn’t doing anything when I was tryin’ to keep everybody from getting killed along with me. And I’m thinking about Della and Rogan smashing her against that fu<%ing wall.” He paused and looked at Cara. “How’s she doing, by the way?”

Mardusk, CoS

“Della is going to be okay. Physically she’s battered, concussion, bones damaged, muscles torn, bruised all over, but the docs are takin’ care of her, and physically she will heal. It’s her mind I’m worried about. She was ordered inta that den of snakes and she never shoulda been. That will be a long process for her.” Cara was worried about Della. “The children are scared, but they are all bein’ checked in sickbay and their parents are there. We’ve started some copin’ methods with them. One of us from counselin’ will go home with them to help them settle and start processin’.”

“You know that threatening children is the fastest way to create hysteria and control the crowd. Now that it’s over the parents will be able to think rather than panic. They will willna like how they acted. You also know you did everything you could to protect as many as you could. And you succeeded. You know it and I know it, but I’m remindin’ ya anyway.”

Cara was in total agreement about how the command staff handled this, but that was going to be a whole other discussion, by people much higher up than her. “Anythin’ ya feelin’ surprise you?”

The thing about Gravel was answers didn’t have to be dragged our tricked put of him. He wasn’t afraid to look at himself and examine what he saw. Beating around the bush would get a counselor no where. “Anythin’ yer tryin’ or choosin’ not ta think about?”

O’Farrell

He nodded and took a deep breath and slowly exhaled. “Yeah… I do know all of that. I do. I just…” and he shook his head exhaled again. “I guess I expected more of ‘em, ya know? I mean… I get it. Those were their kids and the parents were scared outta their minds. And the ones that weren’t parents were scared outta their minds too. But not one time did any of them even try to help. They didn’t go to the kids… not even their folks. They stood scared and did nothing.” He leaned forward and rested his arm on the desk and looked at her. “And I’m not even mad at ‘em. I’m just really disappointed in them.”

Mardusk, CoS

Cara nodded. She understood, she did. She was both disappointed (because she would have tried to do something) and relieved (because she would have been a distraction) she wasn’t in there. “It wasn’t much better on the other side. Your response teams seemed ta be the only ones able ta think and function. Once people started coming through they were no help at all. Like they noticed no details. Not a case of two people have two different stories, they had none ta tell.” Cara leaned forward, resting both her hands on his arm. “A lot went wrong today. The crew didn’t respond like they should have. The civilians and families didnna report ta the emergency family shelters like they should have. People were delayed in reporting the danger.” Cara shook her head. “Either the crew is very poorly trained, or the hostiles had help. Either insight inta the minds, emotions, and personalities of the crew, or inta our procedures and systems. I’m inclined ta believe they had a lot of help with all of that.”

“Have ya given or recorded an official statement yet? The brass is going ta want ta know what happened, step by step and why ya acted the way ya did at each step.” Sometimes the details needed to sit, but the sooner they were written/recorded the better.

O’Farrell

He nodded and said “Fourty minutes after I got here. Wanted to make sure that I got it while it was fresh. And yeah… I said the same thing you just did. Prolly won’t make the Skipper happy, but I called it like I saw it. Too many folks standing around with their thumbs up their a$$ not doing a damn thing to assist. Civilians and officers alike.” He shook his head and said “And I’m probably gonna be put on suspension pending an investigation. Standard when a Security Officer kills someone.”

Mardusk, CoS

Cara knew that too. “Yeah. Normally it would be a simple matter of checking the security feeds, but....nothing about this feels right.” She sighed, “So, I won’t be doing your official interview. Given everything and a certain admiral’s aid, I don’t want them saying anything about us being a thing. It’s insultin’. Yeah I love you and that’s why I won’t hide nothin’. And the captain can like it or not, things were poorly handled from the top down.” Cara took a deep breath and stood. “Come on. Let’s get you food ‘fore yer blood sugar drops. And you tell me whatever else you need or want. Nothing else needs my attention right now, just you.”

O’Farrell

He nodded and said “Ok.” just as his comm chimed. He looked down and let out a sigh. “Well… we can take all the time we want for food. I am suspended pending an internal investigation, effective immediately.” He stood up and said “Wait here a sec, doll.” and he walked out the door. A few minutes later he came back and said “Ok, we can go. Got the Interim CoS in place and the Fleet Investigator will be here in a day. So let’s go eat.” and he offered her his arm with a tired smile on his face.

Mardusk, CoS

Cara found the fact the investigator would arrive so quickly juxtaposed against the crap scene going on, in and around Atlantis suspicious. Oh they had to come, and maybe it would bring answers as to what was really going on. Cara slipped her hand onto his arm as they walked out of the office. “Where to, lover? You feel like crowds or wanna be alone?”

O’Farrell

“Lounge. I want to eat and drink and then go pass out.” Mardusk said. He looked at Lt. Halifred and said “Don’t burn down the ship while I’m off.” The Lt. laughed and said “You got it, Chief.” and Mardusk led Cara out the door and towards the turbolift. “You know, I may actually enjoy having a break for a week or two.” he said as the lift doors closed.

Mardusk

As the doors closed, “Lounge,” Then she looked up at him. “I think you should. Ya work hard, Gravel, and after everythin’, a break is deserved. Maybe ya should take some official time off after this is all over.” The doors slid open after a moment. “I think ya better lead the way. We don’na want ta get lost on the way.” She grinned and winked at him.

O’Farrell

He smiled at her and said “I’d be happy gettin’ lost following you. Means I get watch your butt while you walk.” he said in a low rumble. He led her into the Lounge and they found a table by one of the windows. The normal relaxed and jovial atmosphere was now one of tense apprehension; as if noone was really sure it was over.

“We can arrange that, but not till ya’ve eaten. I mean we could be lost for hours.” The lounge was somber but people were gathering to be close together and that was good. Cara stopped on the way to the table to speak to a couple of people briefly who caught her eye without trying to be obvious about it.

The server came up and looked at Mardusk with a broad smile. “Hey, Commander. I heard about you on the Promenade, what you did for those kids and those people. I’m glad we have you looking out for us.” Mardusk gave a half-smile and said “Just doing my job.” and he looked slightly embarrassed. “Well thank you anyway. Now… what’ll it be tonight?” they asked. Mardusk looked at Cara and said “You start.”

Mardusk

Cara smiled in agreement with the server, her look conveying her thanks. “I am in the mood for colcannon soup and farls and a cidona to drink.” It was a comfort food kind of day, which meant both dishes were heavy in potatoes. Cara didn’t care, comfort food was not meant to be healthy or balanced.

O’Farrell

Gravel said “Let’s see… I’ll have six bacon cheeseburgers, two bowls of chili extra spicy, four orders of onion rings, split pea soup, gazpacho, two fried chickens, a bowl of gagh if you have it fresh, and three pitchers of beer.” The server just nodded and said “Got it. Give us a bit, okay? We’re kinds busy.” and they walked off.

Mardusk

Cara nodded, “No worries, lad.” Cara looked at him, “Okay…so I gotta know…if I ever meet Lord Noggra, am I gonna have ta learn ta eat gagh? Cause I will freely admit, my tongue balks at the idea, and I donna want ta lose my lunch in front of them.”

O’Farrell

Mardusk grinned and said “Oh hell yeah… but I bet you might actually like it. Its a strong flavor, fer sure. And the texture takes some getting used to. But it actually tastes really good. If they have it, you can try one. I’ll even show ya how to eat ‘em easier.”

Mardusk

“I mean, I don’ got a problem claimin’ ta be a weak puny human. Don’ bother me at all.” Cara laughed but it was a toss up if she was joking or not. “Why couldn’t I just send pears like I did with yer mom? Which I never got a response. Not sure that’s good or really bad fer me.” That time she really grinned. “Oh, wait, I’ll send ‘em prunes.”

O’Farrell

“You do that and he’ll think you have the hots for him. I would not recommend giving that impression.” and he laughed. “He does like fruitcake, though. The human kind with the candied fruit in it. Don’t know why… but Klingons aren’t really known for the culinary arts.”

Mardusk

“Oh no…” Cara chuckled, “I don’ want ta give tha’ impression. Yer the only Klingon noble I have the hots for. Yer stuck with me. I’ll send a fruitcake. Ya mean the ones shaped like and useful as bricks? Can that stuff actually be eaten?”

O’Farrell

Gravel laughed and said “Those are the ones, and apparently they can be. In addition to absorbing light, they can slake the thirst of a Klingon Lord for sugar. O saw him eat three in one sitting. It was awful.” and he laughed again.

Mardusk

Cara grinned, “Alright so one crate may no be enough. I’ll get a bulk order, but I’m puttin’ yer name on it too, from both of us. Don’ need him comin’ up with ideas.” Cara laughed, “Gagh might be better than fruit cake.”

O’Farrell

Mardusk smiled as the server brought the drinks. “Getting kicked in the jewels is better than fruitcake.” and he lifted his first pitcher to Cara. “To us.”

Mardusk

Cara twisted the top of the bottle of cidona and a fine mist escaped the frosted bottle. She raised the bottle, “Ta us,” and brought it to her lips and drank. She paused in surprise. They brought her the hard cider version. She hadn’t specified and it was a welcome choice. She took another drink and then looked at him. “So what was the hardest thing to adjust to while you were on the IKS Ghol?”

O’Farrell

Gravel’s eyes narrowed and he said “You been my record again, haven’t ya?” he asked with a friendly suspicious look. “And why the sudden interest in my Klingon stuff?” and then he paused. “Or are ya tryin’ to get me to focus on something I am proud of 8nstead of what happened today…”

Mardusk

“First of all, ya told me about the Ghol, and I remember. Second you are the one that ordered gagh, not me. Third, ya may no realize this, but I am madly in love with ya, Grah-vel,” her voice dropped into a much thicker accent, drawing out his name, “and I really want ta be with ya for a long time. Which means I kinda want ta impress yer family.” She leaned forward setting a hand in his arm and gave him a wicked smile. “Fourth, there are a lot a ways I could distract ya, but most require privacy. And last, yeah I am. Is it workin’?”

O’Farrell

Gravel shook his head and smiled slightly. “Well one, you don’t need to impress anyone. You are amazing and if they xan’t see that for themselves then they ain’t worth the trouble. Two, if you wanted to distract me in private, you could’a just taken me back to your place and distracted me. I’m always in the mood for that for dinner. And last, it wasn’t… but now I’m certainly distracted by thoughts of very non- Klingon things.”

Mardusk

“Well yeah, I’d have ta be just as amazin’ as you if we ended up together. And you can have as much of me for desert as ya want. But ya need real food first. You keep thinkin’ and makin’ a mental list, and after we eat we’ll work our way through it.” About that time the server returned and set Cara’s food down and half of Gravel’s and then left only to return with a second tray, which indeed had gagh on it.

O’Farrell

Gravel smiled at the srtver and said “Thanks.” He then looked at the writhing mass of gagh and smiled. “Okay. No time like the present. If you are gonna try to impress a Klingon, you eat it by grabbing a handful and shoving it in. And yeah, the little bastards can bite. It’ll just hurt, no damage. But if you are learning to eat it, do this.” He reached over with a finger and grapped one of rhe wiggling worms and said “The round end is the head. Grab it here-” and he pinched the worm right behind the head, “- and just bite down and crush it. It’ll pop, so be ready.” and he put the worm’s head between his back teeth and bit down with an audible CRUNCH-POP-SQUISH. He then slurped the now-still worm into his mouth and chewed. He watched her as he did, and when he swallowed said “Ready? Or want to try it some other time?”

Mardusk

The things would bite?! She had this horrible vision in her head now of them bitting and hanging on in her esophagus and not going down or coming back up. Or maybe eating their way through her stomach linning. Cara looked like she might be sick. Like maybe she had forgotten her spacesickness meds for a few days and had been hiding that fact. Cara did not consider herself an overly adventurous when it came to food. But she was open minded and would usually try anything once - right?

“I must really love you, Grah-vel.” She picked one of the worms out of the bowl, pinched it behind the head and told herself not to think about it - not at all. The crunch and pop weren’t so bad, the squish…Cara noticeably shuddered. She slurped it in like a piece of spaghetti, chewed and the swallowed. Nope that was nasty. She picked up her drink and took a long pull, but that was really not a good flavor combination. She grabbed his pitcher of beer and took several gulps of it. That was better, she set the pitcher down. “I’ll buy you another one.”

Cara

Mardusk looked at the bits of backwashed worm chunks floating in his beer and slid it tot the side. “Yeah.” he said with a grin and a soft chuckle. “So much for impressing the Klingons, then.” He grabbed a large handful and shoved them in, chewed a few times,and swallowed. He then finished off the bowl. He wiped his mouth and said “Don’t worry. I’ll brush my teeth before I kiss you.” and he grabbed a burger.

Mardusk

Cara’s first attempt at gagh got amused reactions from the people around them. She watched him finish off the bowl. “Well I’ve got time, not like we’re leavin’ to go to Q’onoS any time soon. The flavor I could get used to, the texture will take awhile.” She waved at the waiter for another 2 pitchers of beer for him and gagh and beer for her. “Now, it’s just a challenge.”

O’Farrell

Mardusk shook his head and said “If only you put this much dedication into not getting lost.” and he laughed. He picked up clean beer and took a long pull from it before taking a bit of the burger. He chewed and looked at Cara for a moment and then said “So how are you holding up after all this?”

Mardusk


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