Posted by Ensign Toren Nalar (Security Officer) in The Arrival

Posted by Lieutenant Junior Grade Pretha Oberon (Chief Security Officer) in The Arrival

Toren grinned “Oh indeed I did Admiral, and I kept my end of the bargain, but Starfleet hasn’t been keeping theirs” He waved his hand dismissively as the Admiral tried to interject “Oh I know, I know, I’m a criminal, nearly killed a man, conduct unbecoming and all that, but I did my time in the brig, and I’ve seen every backwater the Federation has to offer, and now I’m out of patience, so, my terms are simple, either assign me to the Olympic, or I’ll ruin your career.”

The Admiral was angry now, but fearful in equal measure “You Bastard, you can’t just make demands like this…” but even as he spoke he knew he had no choice.

Toren grinned “And yet here I am Admiral. So, do we have an accord?” He said, already rising from the chair.

“Fine” the Admiral spat, hitting a few keys on his monitor “There, it’ll take a day or two to go through, and I can’t guarantee that the Olympic will have space in their compliment for you.”

Toren hard already turned to leave, the smile on his face was genuine at last “Oh don’t worry Admiral, I’m sure they will.

===== Several Days Later =====

Toren sat in the cool dark exterior of the Shuttle as the Olympic came into sight and for the first time in as long as he could remember, he felt the cold weight of nerves deep in his guts. As the Shuttle approached, and the Olympic filled the viewport, he reached out with his mind, trying to find any sign of Lake or Micah. He knew that he was still too far away to pinpoint any individuals, but the mass of thought and feeling was familiar, and yet different, like a childhood bedroom that has been repainted.

As the Shuttle docked, he grabbed his kit bag and stood up, trying to control his breathing, but unable to anything about the sweat that made his hands slick. Stepping off through the airlock, he realised that at last, despite it all, he had come home.

A coffee from his right piped up in query, “Ensign Nalar?” A bold in a security tunic stepped up. She was wire this but the cut off her uniform was proof, to anyone who knew what to look for, that despite her this, nearly cord like look, she was pure muscle. “I’m NE Kinder. I’m here to show you to your quarters and answer any questions you have.”

Kinder looked the man up and down, sizing him up, perhaps. The smile on her face was genuine enough to reach her eyes, but it was professional… Not flirtatious. Crystal blue eyes gazed at him before the hands, clasped behind her back too now dropped to her side. The right rose in offering for him to walk with her. “It’s this way.” She waited for him to acknowledge and take a step before matching his pace as they walked.

NE Kinder
Security

Toren gave her a cursory glance, immediately dismissed her as not his type, and then nodded “Thank you, Kinder.” He imagined he could still find his own way, it hadn’t been that long ago after all, but he decided it would be discourteous to simply dismiss her, so he followed beside her.

“You might already know I was assigned to the Olympic years ago, the layout hasn’t changed much,” he said lightly, not really interested in making anything more than polite conversation.

Ensign Nalar

OOC: Chris!!! Its so good to read Toren again!! I’ll get something for Micah up when I get home from work.

D…

Kinder laughed slightly. “I imagine I was sent more out of courtesy then, instead of necessity.” She shrugged and headed for the lift. “If you want, you are in room 16 Echo. I can let you go on your own. I don’t want you thinking you were being babysat.” She stepped into the lift and stood in the sensor’s view so the door wouldn’t shut till he made up his mind to follow her or head his own way. “I’m getting off on 14 to report your safe arrival.” She said to him, in case he was wondering why she was in the lift after her offer to let him be.

NE Kinder
Security

Toren smile “I expect you were, truth be told I’m not even sure how many of my previous colleagues are still on board.”

Toren nodded and stepped in beside her, not wanting to seem overly rude if he could avoid it “What’s the current COS like?” he said lightly, just trying to avoid an uncomfortable silence.

Ensign Nalar

Kinder smiled. “Lieutenant Oberon? She is fair and firm. She is one of those people who gives you trust from the get go. But if you make her lose that trust, then you have an almost impossible task of regaining it. She isn’t like some Security Chiefs who don’t trust you till you save their lives.” She gave a soft laugh. “Don’t get me wrong. She is no pushover. And she is a pretty mean sparring partner as well. She is always happy to teach us lessons with any weapon of you desire. She is pretty good at most of them, too, so fairly warned.”

When the lift opened, she looked at him. “I’m happy to walk you still, or you can go on your own from here.” She smiled at him. She didn’t know his background so she wasn’t aware not to flirt. But her smile was genuine enough to make him know she was willing to be friends and chat more if he was interested.

NE Kinder
Security