Posted May 14, 2020, 2:41 a.m. by Civilian Brianna “Bree” O'Harra (Head of Mining Operations) (Melissa Aragon)
Posted by Civilian Michael Conrad (Black Sparrow CO) in Side sim- Black Sparrow
Posted by Civilian Brianna “Bree” O’Harra (Head of Mining Operations) in Side sim- Black Sparrow
Posted by Civilian Michael Conrad (Black Sparrow CO) in Side sim- Black Sparrow
Posted by… suppressed (1) by the Post Ghost! 👻Snip
“I’ll humor you for now, because rest assured she’s not all dirt and grime. Though we will see about any secrets that come out because of this. You are technically still a stranger after all. Perhaps we’ll get to know each other a bit better soon though,” he said with a slight grin as he gestured down the work ramp. “Ladies first?” He was curious if she had already determined the entry point already, or if she needed help with that.-Michael Conrad, Black Sparrow CO
She laughed, “Fair enough.” She nodded and headed down the ramp, turning left to head over the other side of the ship she hadn’t seen yet. She hoped the door was there. If not, she was going to be fairly embarrassed. “I will concede to not poking too much for secrets. Deal? You don’t even have to power her up. I am just itching to see inside.” She glanced over her shoulder with a look that was full of hunger and curiosity. She truly was intrigued by the idea of the Sparrow.
Katherine
PilotMichael paused as she kept moving. Clearly she hadn’t done too much looking as he touched the panel to open the doors to the interior of the Sparrow. The look she gave him as she turned her shoulder almost gave him goosebumps. This woman was going to be hell for him, and he already knew it.
He gestured to the now open door with a grin. “I see you didn’t peek around too much,” he said with a slight laugh.
-Michael Conrad, Black Sparrow CO
The look was softened as he spoke, her head shaking both at him and the fact she had missed the door. “No, actually. I walked down port side and got distracted by an opening.” She laughed and moved to follow him into the ship. “I didn’t want be accused of breaking and entering. Though I admit, had it been open, my backside in the control seat is probably where you would have busted me.” She laughed and looked around as they entered. Her low whistle of approval was low and soft.
Katherine
PilotThe inside was much better than when he had first found his way back to Oed from Vren space. The place had gotten dirty and old, but with newly hired crews, Conrad was able to get enough hands to get the old girl back to a sleek condition. Conrad gestured down the corridor as the ship’s outer hatch shut behind them. “This way,” he said with a slight bow and a hand raised towards a turbolift at the end of the corridor.
As they walked, Conrad decided to ask questions. “So Prescott, what should I call you? I’m not a superior officer, so what then? Prescott? Katherine? Kat? Katie? Or a call sign?”
-Michael Conrad, Black Sparrow CO
She followed him as she thought of her response, her eyes casting around to inspect what she could see. “I am not picky, I guess. No one has called me Katie since I was a kid, though. So no idea if I like it at this age or not,” she laughed slightly. “Prescott or Kat are about all I get anymore. The callsign is gone with the past. No new one, yet.” She left a hint of anger in the telling, but she was smiling once more as she faced him in the lift. “What should I call you?” She raised a curious eyebrow and smiled.
Katherine
PilotConrad grinned. “Conrad, Michael, captain if you like though I find it awfully formal.” He gave a mischievous grin before adding, “Master is fine too.” He gave a laugh before the doors opened to the bridge.
It was small, but sharp as ever. The main center seat had several holographic displays on it. A small pedestal stood near the arm of the chair with a cup holder on the side of it. What the pedestal itself was for remained a mystery for now.
“So,” he said gesturing grandly to the open and empty bridge. “What do you think?”
-Michael Conrad, Black Sparrow CO
She whistled low in appreciation. “Wow… impressive.” She stepped off the lift and moved past the main chair to look at the general consoles. “This is incredible, Michael…” she was smiling with an almost giddy grin. “I mean, I recognize most of the systems on sight. But some… don’t… make sense…” She reached down to run her hands just over the blank consoles. With no power, the purpose to some of them eluded her.
She turned and cocked her head, one eyebrow rising in query. “Can I join you next time you run her? I mean, if I’m not flying guard, of course.” She laughed and nodded to the outside of the ship in reference to her own fighter.
Katherine
PilotConrad gave her a genuine smile. She seemed to be full of curiosity, which gave way to the many questions and tinkering around. But she was still Starfleet.
“You need to remember that this not a Starfleet vessel. Its freelance. and the customers who come aboard will likely require privacy. It’s a right I grant nearly anyone who comes aboard. If you join me, you need to make sure that your superior officers aren’t following behind. Tends to scare people away if you catch my drift. You also must have civilian clothes on. I don’t care what you wear as long as it doesn’t indicate your service.”
He paused curious as to what she might say before he continued.
“If you can do that, I’ll have you join me as you see fit. But why don’t we get to know each other first eh?” He said leaning against a console.
“How did you end up here at Oed?” He inquired with slight grin.
-Michael Conrad, Black Sparrow CO
Katherine leaned on the edge of the console where she wouldn’t disrupt a screen or press on buttons. She crossed her arms and looked at him. “Well, I can assure you I won’t have brass on me in my spare time. Since I am the new Wing Commander.” She smiled and looked at him. “I volunteered to be here. It’s not anything morbid like a death wish, in case you are wondering. But I prefer the more critical stations. I figure if I am here, someone else doesn’t have to be.”
Conrad nodded thoughtfully as he continued listening to her.
She cocked her head at him slightly. “And I’m only in uniform if I have to be. It’s a push of rank that I don’t like.” She looked at him a moment in thought. “My call sign was Fire Eyes. Apparently in the right light, they glow like the burning copper mines on an old friend’s home planet. The last mission I was on, we lost all but myself and one other. I was leader then. When I left, I left the call sign with the dead, along with my ribbon for a ‘job well done’.” She turned to lean on the console, glancing out the window to the hanger. “This is a new place. A clean slate. A chance to remind myself that there was a reason I lived, though they didn’t.” Her lips curled up in a half snarl at her own stupidity for bowling that all out to a total stranger. A shudder shivering down her spine that he would see if he looked. And, if he was paying attention, the whitening of her knuckles on the ledge of the console.
Katherine
PilotConrad felt sympathy for her. She lost people she cared about under her command. Leaders never take those events lightly. He could see the feelings roiling through her.
He slowly walked up next to her and stared out the same window. “Do you think it was your fault?” He asked, curious to the roots of the issue she brought up?
-Michael Conrad, Black Sparrow CO
She shrugged. “I’m supposed to believe it’s no one’s fault. The enemy did what enemies do… we did what we do… the outcome was what it was.” She turned away from the mass of milling bodies outside and leaned on the console once more. “But I think that outcome was partially from decision I made. So yes… I think some of it was my fault. And because of it, I don’t want to be reminded of copper hills on fire anymore.”
She was silent a moment then smiled. Her inner shields snapped into place with an almost audible pop. She was fine once more. “So what kinds of things does she run? And how far can you take her?” She was back to looking at him with warmth in her face once more. But if he was any good at reading people, there was something missing, or hidden, now.
Katherine
PilotMichael Conrad was stellar at reading people despite not being a natural telepath or empath. Understanding people was got him out of very hairy situations. And it also landed him into those such times as well. The problem with Conrad, was that he nearly always pushed people away. It was a natural habit. He knew how to play a part and play it well. Keeping people away was his best strategy. And it appeared she was not far off of his own mark.
He knew she was still struggling, her last mission still fresh on her mind. He knew she was trying to hold it together, and this was her distraction. But was it enough?
Conrad decided to play along. “Cargo transport. Crew transport. Search and rescue. You name it, I’ll find a way to make it happen.” He gave her a grin.
“So, what next? Anything else you’d like to see?” He asked with a hint of flirtiness, but not overly so. He liked to keep people guessing, or at least reacting.
-Michael Conrad, Black Sparrow CO
She laughed thinking he was trying to cheer her up. Had she known him better, she would have come back with an equally flirty comment. But she didn’t, and she didn’t want him getting wrong idea about her. “Well, how about the rest of the ship?” She laughed and turned to walk backwards to the doorway. “OOOorrrrr....” she let the single syllable drag out teasing. “I will just explore and hope I don’t break something by accident?”
Conrad’s hands were at his hips now, a curious look on his face.
She hadn’t planned on flirting but it happened anyway. “Ok…” she said, not giving him a chance to answer. She laughed and turned around, disappearing out the hatchway. She wasn’t moving fast, and in the small space a dozen long strides would put him behind her within an arm’s length.
Katherine
PilotConrad grinned as ideas start funneling into his head. He touched the pedestal next to his command seat, and a small holographic image of Katrina, the Black Sparrow’s unique AI, appeared. “Call in Kanok. We will be having the cruise run starting soon.” He spoke low, so as not to bring attention to himself from Prescott.
“Understood,” her feminine voice replied before disappearing.
He the quickly strode out of the bridge hatch way, and into the open corridor.
The hall was lengthy with the turbo lift they had just arrived in, situated at the end of the hall. On either side were several shut doors. One indicated Conrad’s quarters. Another indicated Kanok’s. And the other two weren’t labeled.
She was something else. And he figured she would be a different sort of pain in his backside. Curiosity would keep her moving it seemed. Though to be fair, he couldn’t complain. He hadn’t expected to watch her delightful behind scamper off without a thought. She intrigued him…and she was pleasant to look at. Women…his weakness. Someday, perhaps that would change, but likely not.
“I doubt you’ll get far out of my sight,” he stated as he watched her explore.
-Michael Conrad, Black Sparrow CO
She glanced at the doors. Seeing Michael’s name on one didn’t surprise her. The other name did. He couldn’t see his face, so wouldn’t notice the smile drop a moment at the sight of what, she guessed, was a woman’s name. Inhaling, her mind chided her, “Seriously, Ri? You are jealous of a woman you’ve never met over a man you don’t know. We know where this leads… so just stop…” She moved to the next two doors. Guessing they were quarters, she merely kept going.
She passed a room that, ducking her head, seemed to be a transporter room. The next door she saw that made her curious was one labeled ‘Weapons’. She assumed it was locked, but passed her hand over the entry pad anyway. Besides, it would give Michael something to laugh at. She was finding she liked his laugh and his smile.
Katherine
PilotMichael of course let out a light laugh. “Nice try,” he said. “You’re not getting in there.”
He moved forward and brushed past her, bring the turnolift doors open. “Ladies first ” he said, his hand gesturing inside.
-Michael Conrad, Black Sparrow CO
She laughed and shrugged. “A girl can dream.” He pressed by in front of her, causing her to step back a bit. Instead of passing behind her where there was plenty of room. She obediently entered the lift figuring he was taking her back to the hanger. Essentially, kicking her out.
As the doors closed, she laughed. “Thank you, Michael. I honestly did appreciate the tour. I’m looking forward to seeing her fly. You and Kanak,” she said, accidentally mispronouncing the name, “you definitely have a ship to be proud of.”
Katherine
PilotMichael grinned, not correcting her just yet on the mispronunciation. “Thank you. Now you mentioned earlier wanting to at least see the next jaunt we take. Luckily for you, its about to start, if you are up for it?” A curious eyebrow perked up as he awaited her reply.
-Michael Conrad, Black Sparrow CO
The door of the lift opened but Katherine just stood there. “Wait… you mean NOW?” she pointed to the ground to indicate this moment. “I mean… I have three days before I start my duties. But I mean… are you sure your crew will be ok with me along for the ride? They don’t know me. Hell, you don’t know me.” She laughed at him and shook her head. “Are you serious?” She still hadn’t stepped out of the lift.
Katherine
PilorConrad grinned. “Consider this a test to see if you’ll fit in well on future endeavors.”
As he finished his sentence, a large burly Klingon rounded the corner and stopped at the entrance to the lift. His eyes narrowed at Prescott, considering whether the woman was a threat or not. He made no move towards her, given Conrad was right there.
“Ah, there you are! Kanok, this is Katherine Prescott, new wing commander of Oed V. She will be joining us on this cruise, so make sure a room is ready for her.”
Kanok simply grunted in reply and stepped back allowing the duo to step out into the hall. He then entered the lift and made not another word, his eyes trained on the newcomer as the doors slid shut.
Conrad gave her a wink and said, “Don’t mind him. He won’t say anything.”
-Michael Conrad, Black Sparrow CO
“I have to tell OED I’m going to be off station for a few days. And they need a way to reach me. If you have solutions for that matter. I don’t see why not.” She nodded as the Klingon arrived. When he sized her up, she cocked her head slightly and nodded in respect. Her chin remained up, though. She wasn’t going to give Kanok a reason to think she was an easy target.
As he disappeared, Katherine smiled. “I have no doubt we will be best friends in no time.” She laughed and looked at Michael. “Have a got time to pack a bag?” She raised an eyebrow and smiled as if suggesting that saying ‘no’ would be a bad idea?
Katherine
PilotMichael moved forward with a grin. “We depart in an hour. I hope it’s enough time.” Maybe it was, maybe it wasn’t. However, he had an inkling that she would make it work.
“If not, well, I guess you’ll be left with whatever I can find on this old tub for you to wear,” he added with a laugh as he moved to usher her to the exit hatch.
-Michael Conrad, Black Sparrow CO
Katherine laughed. “I don’t need an hour. And I’ll be back.” She winked as they reached the exit. “Something tells me what you choose would make me look like an Orion slave girl in Kanok’s eyes.”
One of Conrad’s eyebrows shot up as he fought the wide grin trying to stretch across his features. Many a memory surfaced of more than one occasion when Vashki had dressed just for him on such a fashion. He enjoyed it at the time, but now it only brought back the distaste of it on her.
However, Katherine Prescott was a very different woman, and perhaps…he kept his brain from wandering to far.
She shook her head teasing. “I’ll be back. Can’t get rid of me that easy.... Captain…” She touched his hand unconsciously and headed out.
And immediately her touch following her comment gave him goosebumps.
She went to her quarters and keyed up the Station to let them know she was fine and would report on time for duty but was heading off station for a few days. Michael had sent her the way they could reach her in an emergency. She queried it and came up with The Sparrow. That helped. At least she wouldn’t have to lie. She packed her bag and slung the gobag over her shoulder and headed back to the hanger swiping her leather jacket off the back of her door. She keyed it to inform her PaDD if anyone opened it and headed for the hanger.
Katherine
PilotHe had watched her depart, a tiny part of him fighting the thought of what she would like when an Orion two piece outfit. His cheeks grew warm along with the rest of him as he turned back into the Black Sparrow, trying to keep his focus on the coming cruise.
Crew were bustling all about, but his mind just couldn’t help but stray a bit as he made his way to the bridge.
-Michael Conrad, Black Sparrow CO
Just over thirty minutes later she was strolling back across the hanger bay. She didn’t want to keep him waiting and thought it would surprise him to see her early. Heading inside, she started looking on the main deck for him. She would work her way up to the cockpit.
Katherine
Pilot
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