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Presim- Wrenches everywhere

Posted March 25, 2020, 3:35 p.m. by Ensign Kristiana O’Larria (Engineer) (Melissa Aragon)

Posted by Lieutenant Mike Stone (Chief Engineer) in Presim- Wrenches everywhere

Posted by Lieutenant Kalika Darz (Security officer) in Presim- Wrenches everywhere

Posted by Lieutenant Mike Stone (Chief Engineer) in Presim- Wrenches everywhere
Posted by… suppressed (1) by the Post Ghost! 👻
Kristi was in the little used hall on a lower deck hardly anyone used. It was places like this that she liked to work, despite there rarely being a reason to. Today she was cleaning and replacing a slew of circuits, conduit junctions, and plasma switch spots because it hadn’t been done in ages. She had spent last night going thru maintenance records and discovered several inspections that had been ignored, overlooked, or just written off as ‘done’ despite there being no work actually done. With everyone else doing routine stuff in Engineering, she had grabbed box and taken off for a quiet place to work while she considered what was going on between her and Mike.

Before his last away, he had kissed her and confessed a secret that had shook her to the core. He wasn’t supposed to be there… in engineering. He doubted his abilities to work and lead. But he had been bold and sure in his affections for the engineer who saw him as a mentor. Her hand rose absently to her lips where he had kissed her. It was foolish move and she quickly reached back down to grab a wrench and reach back into the space she was working on. “A moment of weakness, Kristi. He’s hardly gone out of his way to be with you, since. So let it go.”

Anyone coming down the ball would see someone on their back, legs sticking out of the hole in the wall, and tools spread over the hallway in a haphazard way that would make someone wonder if the person in the wall was even aware what tool was where.

Ens Kristi O’Larria
Engineer

There was a knock on the wall just outside. “Hey Kristi… I thought I might find you here.” Mike of course knew exactly where she was, as he only asked the computer about her location 3 times before getting here. He peeked into the jefferies tube, where she was tinkering with… well he didn’t know exactly what, but he was sure it was important somehow.

Kristi let out a small squeak as Mike tapped the panel. She shifted to smile at him as he looked in. “I would have told you, but you were in morning briefing. I told Harrison to let you know where I was. This is the next panel we were gonna check in regards to trying to get section 7 inhabitable again. Seemed as good a time as any to check it. Most of the equipment in here is fried like it was under water. I don’t understand it but it’s all gonna need replacing.”

He imagined what he’ll say to her when he met her but at that moment everything just went blank for him. Why she had this odd effect on him, he wasn’t sure. Normally he hadn’t had trouble fitting in into any kind of crowd, be it a low ranking or leadership bras.

They were planing a dinner to talk things through. Mike hopped it would turn into a romantic dinner even, but their plans fell through since suddenly an issue with the colony on the verge of destruction popped up. That was it, he remembered.

“I know I said some stuff I shouldn’t have, and I hoped we could still talk it over.. you know over some food perhaps.”

Still a bit nervous, he fidgeted with a bolt cap on the wall. The rusty cap however didn’t seem to like the attention. With a loud ping it fell to the floor, rolled away for a bit and fell through a mashed gutter.

Lt. Mike Stone, CE

She stopped mid response when he suddenly went on about an apology and then about dinner. She wasn’t sure if he truly regretted what he said or did. She certainly didn’t. Sliding out of the area and sitting up, her hands wiping on her pants for lack of a rag (it was in the tool box behind Mike and just out of comfortable reach).

“Mike, are you asking me to dinner?” Kristi didn’t wait for an answer before pushing on. “Because if you are, I will only accept if you answer me a question… honestly.” She looked down the hall, past his legs, a moment, before looking back up at him. “Do you regret the kiss and wish you hadn’t?” She had to know. It was blunt, and bold, and brash. If he said yes, then dinner was just that, dinner and conversation. But if she could get him to admit he liked it as much as her, then maybe they stood a chance of not turning this duty rotation into a couple folks denying what they desired. She had seen it ruin too many people. She couldn’t do it. She’d ask for a transfer if it was that or being awkward the next two years she was assigned here.

Kristi
Engineer

Mike suppressed the urge to immediately yell out a no and actually thought about it for more then just one second.

“Honestly.... no. I don’t regret it. It just felt right at the moment. I know i stepped out of line though, and I put you on the spot for it. I know I also shouldn’t told you about me, my you know… true goal here. I trust you completely though, and it’s been so long, I just had to share it with someone. I mean you’re the only one on this whole ship, that knows. I did what I wanted, and realize now just how selfish it was of me.
I guess I should ask you the same question. Should I not have kissed you? You can be honest as well. If it was wrong I’m prepared for what ever consequences you think are proper.”

He shrugged with his shoulders then smiled slightly and gave her his best puppy eye expression to let her know he was sorry if what he did was wrong. While he spoke from his heart, all was true but the last sentence. He wasn’t sure if he was really prepaired for rejection. He could deal with demotion, or councilor sessions he would have to attend, if he was reported for harassment. But thinking of Kristi as just another engineer, one of so many under his supervision… he wasn’t sure if he could go back to that.

Lt. Mike Stone, CE

She had been about to bite her lip when he paused. Had he truly regretted it? But when he said no, she smiled and let out a breath she hadn’t realized she was holding.

Standing up and stepping up to him, she smiled a bit brighter and laid a hand on his chest. “I don’t regret it either. I’m glad you did. As for your secret, it’s safe with me. You have my word.” She waited for his reaction before continuing.

“And I would love to have dinner with you. Someplace besides the mess hall, if that’s all right.” Kristi raised her eyebrows suggestively hoping he would understand she wanted them to have privacy. “And I’m always here if you need to talk. If you want to clear it with the CO, I’m willing to go in with you. Then it won’t be an issue if they find out afterwards. I like you, Mike… and I know of other relationships on the ship that cross Fleet lines. I can remain professional if you can.” She was giving him a way out to save face if he wanted. Either way, it would be hard on them. If they told the Captain, they risked him getting in trouble. If they pursued this relationship, they risked both of them getting in trouble. And if they ignored their feelings, they would both feel the trouble of that as well.

There was no right or wrong answer… she just hoped they were both strong enough to risk happiness.

Krist
Engineer


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