Quint is in his quarters on the Victory, an old bit of classic Earth metal playing in the background.
So, had my first Command level meeting the other day, have my new assignments for my Squadron, and everything seems to be in place. Well, professionally at least. I got to see Beylara for a couple hours yesterday morning. We talked about our assignments and the distance this will be putting between us. As it sat before we saw one another so little, now with me being a Squadron Commander, I worry it's going to get worse.
Quint leans back in his chair and skims over a PADD for a few moments, then places it back on his desk.
We talked a bit about what options there would be, she offered standing down and becoming an instructor at the Annex. I'd never ask her to do that, I can't let her. She's worked to hard to get her post, to command an exploration vessel, and now the exploration plans that are going into effect? Absolutely not. It wouldn't be fair. Nore is it fair to her that I'm gone so much as well.
I hinted at us, putting things on hold. Till we've both gotten to a change in our professional lives. It wasn't a well received idea and I confess I'm not overly fond of it but, that may be the course ahead. I'd rather that than us end up resenting the other or a choice we made just to stay where we are.
He gets up and lets out a long deep breath.
Regardless I've got other things going on. A squadron to run and a patrol to get started on. There will also have to be the usual crew evals and fitness reports, and on a Squadron level to boot. How'd I get roped into this?
7 Likes
Thump-thump-thump "What the hell is wrong with me?" Thump-thump-thump The heavy bag swings on its swivel, protesting the rapid impacts. Quint's been spending most of his free time in gym during the off hours. Few people ever roam at this odd hour so he works in general peace, except for music blaring in the back.
"Best choice," Thump-thump-thump-thump "there was for what was happening." the bag spins and swings away, on the back swing it's met with another flurry of left and right punches. "I'm not around," thump-thump-thump-thump "and she deserves better than that." THWACK. The last strike sends the bag spinning and swinging. Quint lets out a huff as he watches it and shakes his head.
"Lets be honest Emery, neither of you are around." he says to himself as he stops the bag. He stands there just staring at it for a few moments. "I didn't want to let her give up being a Ship Commander, and an explorer. Not for me."
The bag is again assailed with a series of four hit combos, all coming in a rapid secession. He adds kicks and knee strikes, sending the bag into a wide back and forth swing after each combo. "One day things will level out and we will be able to make it all work. Till then she can have her life, with out trying to work so hard on us and everything she wants to do."
Quint stands there eyeing the bag for a few more moments, he shrugs and steps off the plate. "Computer, reset gravity setting to standard on panel 223-4. Move user settings to panel 223-6" The computer beeps a reply as he steps over to the salmon ladder and proceeds to work his way up.
"How long can I operate a split Squadron?" he thinks to himself in between each clang of the bar and brackets. "Easy, its only a slow shit." he answers himself, the next two brackets locking into place. "I'll eventually have full Squadron strength in Doza." He continues his way up, another twenty feet to top. "That'll let things run smoother." another few feet till the top. "Maybe I'll pick up a ship or two outta this next meeting."
He hangs there at the top glancing down and letting out a long deep breath, then starts the descent. Slow and measured, each twist of his body precises as he drops each rung. "I'll have to re think the deployments." a few feet of hight gone and he continues to himself, "Mix of heavy and escorts, maximise mobility and hit." he continues to drop down, rung by rung till the last, and he drops to the floor.
Looking back up he contemplates his next ascent. "Maybe soon they will have some counter measures in play. Something I can work with." He hops back to the bar and again works his way up. "I wonder what Neema has planned." a several rungs go by. "Admiral Krvhn was certainly on that I work with her on it." Before long he's reached the top and starts down again, not thinking at all until the final rung is in place.
"A lot to sort out. Answers will come." he repeats to himself as he stretches out his core. "On site for SAR soon. One domino at a time. Get the lost folks home." His hands find the bar again and up he goes.
"Best choice," Thump-thump-thump-thump "there was for what was happening." the bag spins and swings away, on the back swing it's met with another flurry of left and right punches. "I'm not around," thump-thump-thump-thump "and she deserves better than that." THWACK. The last strike sends the bag spinning and swinging. Quint lets out a huff as he watches it and shakes his head.
"Lets be honest Emery, neither of you are around." he says to himself as he stops the bag. He stands there just staring at it for a few moments. "I didn't want to let her give up being a Ship Commander, and an explorer. Not for me."
The bag is again assailed with a series of four hit combos, all coming in a rapid secession. He adds kicks and knee strikes, sending the bag into a wide back and forth swing after each combo. "One day things will level out and we will be able to make it all work. Till then she can have her life, with out trying to work so hard on us and everything she wants to do."
Quint stands there eyeing the bag for a few more moments, he shrugs and steps off the plate. "Computer, reset gravity setting to standard on panel 223-4. Move user settings to panel 223-6" The computer beeps a reply as he steps over to the salmon ladder and proceeds to work his way up.
"How long can I operate a split Squadron?" he thinks to himself in between each clang of the bar and brackets. "Easy, its only a slow shit." he answers himself, the next two brackets locking into place. "I'll eventually have full Squadron strength in Doza." He continues his way up, another twenty feet to top. "That'll let things run smoother." another few feet till the top. "Maybe I'll pick up a ship or two outta this next meeting."
He hangs there at the top glancing down and letting out a long deep breath, then starts the descent. Slow and measured, each twist of his body precises as he drops each rung. "I'll have to re think the deployments." a few feet of hight gone and he continues to himself, "Mix of heavy and escorts, maximise mobility and hit." he continues to drop down, rung by rung till the last, and he drops to the floor.
Looking back up he contemplates his next ascent. "Maybe soon they will have some counter measures in play. Something I can work with." He hops back to the bar and again works his way up. "I wonder what Neema has planned." a several rungs go by. "Admiral Krvhn was certainly on that I work with her on it." Before long he's reached the top and starts down again, not thinking at all until the final rung is in place.
"A lot to sort out. Answers will come." he repeats to himself as he stretches out his core. "On site for SAR soon. One domino at a time. Get the lost folks home." His hands find the bar again and up he goes.
4 Likes
Quint is horseback riding, using the record function to document his log entry. He's talking to his horse, as he would if he were riding the real one back on Earth.
The location is a rolling set of tree covered hills, a creek cutting a path through the low parts, and several mulberry trees clustering along its course. It's a spring setting, a warm breeze and clear sky. Quint's horse is a black and white patched Appaloosa, moving along the trail, head neck and back in line, Quint riding in the saddle, hand barely on the reigns.
"Well, been a lousy few weeks but here we are." he begins, guiding the horse down from the top of a hill towards the creek. "Squadron has been reassigned to the Klingon border as well as the Hormi cluster and the Terix border." he shakes his head, and there is a light nicking from the horse. "Ya I know. According to Admiral Perim it's because of the pirate incident with TDF ships. She wants a 'Level head' out there. Not totally sure how she put me in that category but oh well."
"That's also the rub of it all too." he adds as an afterthought, passing by a cluster of mulberry trees, the horse bites onto a thin branch and drags its teeth off, pulling leaves off to munch. Quint pats the horse's neck "You're gonna get that stuff all tangled in that bit again...." he leans forward pulling foliage from the edges of the bit and bridle. "You're still a pain I see......Anyway." he sits upright again as he continues "I'm now supposed to be going to Terix to speak with some of their representatives about 'Cooperation' in dealing with these pirates. They requested a Federation representative, and Admiral Perim thinks its a good idea to send me."
The horse nickers again and their course has now brought them along the creek. Promptly dropping his head the horse starts to get a drink, Quint simply feeding reign so he can. "I can only imagine the expression on their faces when that was dropped. Judging by their response it had to be pretty good. Although they plan on making my welcome and example of how peaceful cooperation blah blah blah....Despite your peoples questionable actions in the past." The horse stops drinking and lifts his head, half turning and looking back at Quint. "Don't give me that look. Not like I've got much choice in the matter. The Admiral already volunteered me. If she backs up now and sends someone else...Who knows its politics they'd probably see it as an admission or some lack of back bone." Quint shakes his head, the horse lets out a snort and steps back from the water, dropping his head and eating a few bites of grass before showing he's ager to get going.
"Maybe I'd have felt better if she'd have asked me first." Quint adds as he moves the horse along the creek. "Not that I really can say no when she asks but this....Would have been nice to be aware of. Not just CCd in a message." Quint rubs his face and looks up at the sky for a few moments. "I'm hoping to catch her at some point. Not sure what I'm going to say but...." he shakes his head.
The location is a rolling set of tree covered hills, a creek cutting a path through the low parts, and several mulberry trees clustering along its course. It's a spring setting, a warm breeze and clear sky. Quint's horse is a black and white patched Appaloosa, moving along the trail, head neck and back in line, Quint riding in the saddle, hand barely on the reigns.
"Well, been a lousy few weeks but here we are." he begins, guiding the horse down from the top of a hill towards the creek. "Squadron has been reassigned to the Klingon border as well as the Hormi cluster and the Terix border." he shakes his head, and there is a light nicking from the horse. "Ya I know. According to Admiral Perim it's because of the pirate incident with TDF ships. She wants a 'Level head' out there. Not totally sure how she put me in that category but oh well."
"That's also the rub of it all too." he adds as an afterthought, passing by a cluster of mulberry trees, the horse bites onto a thin branch and drags its teeth off, pulling leaves off to munch. Quint pats the horse's neck "You're gonna get that stuff all tangled in that bit again...." he leans forward pulling foliage from the edges of the bit and bridle. "You're still a pain I see......Anyway." he sits upright again as he continues "I'm now supposed to be going to Terix to speak with some of their representatives about 'Cooperation' in dealing with these pirates. They requested a Federation representative, and Admiral Perim thinks its a good idea to send me."
The horse nickers again and their course has now brought them along the creek. Promptly dropping his head the horse starts to get a drink, Quint simply feeding reign so he can. "I can only imagine the expression on their faces when that was dropped. Judging by their response it had to be pretty good. Although they plan on making my welcome and example of how peaceful cooperation blah blah blah....Despite your peoples questionable actions in the past." The horse stops drinking and lifts his head, half turning and looking back at Quint. "Don't give me that look. Not like I've got much choice in the matter. The Admiral already volunteered me. If she backs up now and sends someone else...Who knows its politics they'd probably see it as an admission or some lack of back bone." Quint shakes his head, the horse lets out a snort and steps back from the water, dropping his head and eating a few bites of grass before showing he's ager to get going.
"Maybe I'd have felt better if she'd have asked me first." Quint adds as he moves the horse along the creek. "Not that I really can say no when she asks but this....Would have been nice to be aware of. Not just CCd in a message." Quint rubs his face and looks up at the sky for a few moments. "I'm hoping to catch her at some point. Not sure what I'm going to say but...." he shakes his head.
10 Likes
Quint is sitting at his desk his costume coat hung on the back of his chair. He reaches up and rubs his chin that is lacking its goatee.
Well the Halloween events have hit their apex for the weekend. Aside from the kids roaming the Hab levels tomorrow it's all pretty much wrapped up. Didn't win the contest but had a good time. Saw some pretty good costumes as well. Even a few good ones after the contest, so a fair amount of folks were having a good time as well.
He leans back in the chair and picks up a PADD skimming over it.
So, that's the end of my distractions between now and this meeting on Terix. Well, in terms of 'fun' had a chat with Katriel that was basically her checking up on me after Beylara went to her about some worries. Mostly it was a good chat but honestly for a bit I felt just a tad on the defensive.
He sets the PADD aside and rubs his face, letting out a long breath.
Anyway...done is done.
I also got a short chance to talk to Neema about this Terix trip, didn't say half of what I wanted to...which was honestly probably a good thing. She seemed pretty well prepared for it. Something in her body language was off, I'm not sure if it was directly her call or not to send me but...she's going to be taking the heat for it and, like our talk, she's fully committed to that.
I told her I was putting a Plan B in place in case this all goes sideways, that went over about as well as one would expect. Which is really puzzling to me, she got fired up about me making sure it doesn't. It's the first Diplomatic chance we've had with them...They've also set a pretty good precedent for doing as they please. Any Diplomat sent would have a Security team. Guess she didn't like me laying it out there. 'Be the Captain they need to see'? Seriously?
Almost sounds like a movie quote.
He rubs his face again and looks up at the ceiling.
Not like I'm going to half ass it. She needs me to do it so...Off I go. Need to get a team put together, leaning towards taking the JAG Officer who's been translating all this legal detail for me. I'm thinking I want to keep it to three or four people on the ground. I want to bring a Republic rep but Neema seems pretty set that won't fly. So does the Khre'Riov for that matter. I did manage to gain some footing with her on a few other things, so maybe after the initial meeting she'll help me keep things from getting to tense when and if Terix goes back to the Hromi cluster.
Anyway, I've got some mission planning and a Plan B to get in place. Between that and all these legal meetings I'm going to lose my mind.
Well the Halloween events have hit their apex for the weekend. Aside from the kids roaming the Hab levels tomorrow it's all pretty much wrapped up. Didn't win the contest but had a good time. Saw some pretty good costumes as well. Even a few good ones after the contest, so a fair amount of folks were having a good time as well.
He leans back in the chair and picks up a PADD skimming over it.
So, that's the end of my distractions between now and this meeting on Terix. Well, in terms of 'fun' had a chat with Katriel that was basically her checking up on me after Beylara went to her about some worries. Mostly it was a good chat but honestly for a bit I felt just a tad on the defensive.
He sets the PADD aside and rubs his face, letting out a long breath.
Anyway...done is done.
I also got a short chance to talk to Neema about this Terix trip, didn't say half of what I wanted to...which was honestly probably a good thing. She seemed pretty well prepared for it. Something in her body language was off, I'm not sure if it was directly her call or not to send me but...she's going to be taking the heat for it and, like our talk, she's fully committed to that.
I told her I was putting a Plan B in place in case this all goes sideways, that went over about as well as one would expect. Which is really puzzling to me, she got fired up about me making sure it doesn't. It's the first Diplomatic chance we've had with them...They've also set a pretty good precedent for doing as they please. Any Diplomat sent would have a Security team. Guess she didn't like me laying it out there. 'Be the Captain they need to see'? Seriously?
Almost sounds like a movie quote.
He rubs his face again and looks up at the ceiling.
Not like I'm going to half ass it. She needs me to do it so...Off I go. Need to get a team put together, leaning towards taking the JAG Officer who's been translating all this legal detail for me. I'm thinking I want to keep it to three or four people on the ground. I want to bring a Republic rep but Neema seems pretty set that won't fly. So does the Khre'Riov for that matter. I did manage to gain some footing with her on a few other things, so maybe after the initial meeting she'll help me keep things from getting to tense when and if Terix goes back to the Hromi cluster.
Anyway, I've got some mission planning and a Plan B to get in place. Between that and all these legal meetings I'm going to lose my mind.
6 Likes
Quint is pacing the living room of his quarters, slowly, listening to music. He's barefooted and wearing his uniform pants and undershirt. The top shell and boots sitting on the edge of the couch.
So, took part in an operation that served as kind of a stage setter for my trip to Terix. Visiting the powers that be, to see if they had any intel on 2492 that we didn't already know. Most of the trip went well. The negatives were clear though. Echomet for specifics. Looks like some sort of civil war or ethnic cleanse...Whatever it was, it's consumed almost three quarters of their fleet. They still have zero tolerance for us, not that I blame them, but the bluster wasn't there anymore. Of all the things we've done, I think it's fair to let them lay this mess at our feet.
The meeting with Circini went much better, even offered a couple of leads for us to look into. What could be very useful was Tilly's clench call towards the end. If that information pans out, we could have a better view of 2492's operational areas. Or squat, it depends on how honest the traders all are and how well the Governor feels like following through.
Time will tell. Beylara told me she planned on visiting a few of the places we stopped at while on leave, like the Waydi. I think she'll have a good time. We also talked about a few other things, I suppose, the part worth mentioning is her insight on why people keep coming to me on things. How did she put that?
"You carry yourself with confidence. Even when you don't actually know the answer to a question, you give your best guess with all the confidence as if you did. You are humble, enough to convince people that you do not overestimate yourself, so they believe you are capable of more, it's a quiet confidence."
"You are human, you will have self-doubt. Your strength may have difficulties under all that weight, but that doesn't mean you can't handle it.""
He stops pacing and looks out the window for a long moment.
Maybe she's right. I don't know if I'm coming or going anymore, stuffs so blurred together.
He lets out a long breath and goes back to pacing around.
Terix.....Terix is next. I've got to get all those dominos in line. Some pieces are falling into place, plenty of intel is filtering in, so I've got an idea as to what's waiting, and by default what plans to make for their likely arguments. Still, four weeks. I need to get a security team in place and trained on that shuttle. Also a good place to let it hide in Victory's wake. That'll be my next focus. Stay on task, one step at a time one door at a time.
End log.
So, took part in an operation that served as kind of a stage setter for my trip to Terix. Visiting the powers that be, to see if they had any intel on 2492 that we didn't already know. Most of the trip went well. The negatives were clear though. Echomet for specifics. Looks like some sort of civil war or ethnic cleanse...Whatever it was, it's consumed almost three quarters of their fleet. They still have zero tolerance for us, not that I blame them, but the bluster wasn't there anymore. Of all the things we've done, I think it's fair to let them lay this mess at our feet.
The meeting with Circini went much better, even offered a couple of leads for us to look into. What could be very useful was Tilly's clench call towards the end. If that information pans out, we could have a better view of 2492's operational areas. Or squat, it depends on how honest the traders all are and how well the Governor feels like following through.
Time will tell. Beylara told me she planned on visiting a few of the places we stopped at while on leave, like the Waydi. I think she'll have a good time. We also talked about a few other things, I suppose, the part worth mentioning is her insight on why people keep coming to me on things. How did she put that?
"You carry yourself with confidence. Even when you don't actually know the answer to a question, you give your best guess with all the confidence as if you did. You are humble, enough to convince people that you do not overestimate yourself, so they believe you are capable of more, it's a quiet confidence."
"You are human, you will have self-doubt. Your strength may have difficulties under all that weight, but that doesn't mean you can't handle it.""
He stops pacing and looks out the window for a long moment.
Maybe she's right. I don't know if I'm coming or going anymore, stuffs so blurred together.
He lets out a long breath and goes back to pacing around.
Terix.....Terix is next. I've got to get all those dominos in line. Some pieces are falling into place, plenty of intel is filtering in, so I've got an idea as to what's waiting, and by default what plans to make for their likely arguments. Still, four weeks. I need to get a security team in place and trained on that shuttle. Also a good place to let it hide in Victory's wake. That'll be my next focus. Stay on task, one step at a time one door at a time.
End log.
8 Likes
Quint was sitting in the Captain's Ready room on the Victory. It had been put back into some semblance of order. None of the chairs or the couch remained. He had ordered them taken to the cargo bays now serving to house refugees. He made the order shipwide, if it was extra it went there. Officers in their own quarters would have roommates now and enough furnishings to rest. Anything else was being used for the refugees. The Officers had refused to remove his chair and bed in the ready room however. They felt he had to be able to work and rest if he was to see them through.
They all still looked to him, as if he could do the impossible. Despite the hell that had occured around them, the purgatory the ship had become, they saw him as their hope. He was their Captain, he would make things right, he'd show them it was all just bad dream. He had come to accept not being able to sway them off it some time ago, but in light of the past hours, he felt more unworthy of it than ever.
He had trained them well, and they had shown that, taking a page from his book the XO took the Victory right into the thick of the fight. They went into the battle, while he sat at a table trying to make peace. They held the line while he sat trapped on the station, unable to lead them. He hated himself for that, even though he knew there wasn't anything he could have done about it. He had advocated for a course to peace. He had no intention of not seeing it through.
Finally he looked up from the PADD in his hands, the mounting Casualty report.
"Computer, open personal log." The Computer beeped in reply, synthetic voice advising him it was ready. "I.....I really don't know where to begin. I reached out to....No, from the beginning, Deep Space 13 had to be evacuated. The peace talks were interrupted by an outside force, causing the already paranoid Azedi to with draw to their ships and engage them, regardless of the risk to our station. The station sustained heavy fire, the death toll is....Rising and already over fifteen thousand."
He leans back and rubs his face, staring at the ceiling.
"Trialla, Beylara's mother was killed." The usual mask of control falls away, forced off by a flow of tears."Beylara is missing. They are still combing the ship but, so far, nothing. I made a point to call Kevit and tell him about his wife and daughter. I've never had an easy time telling anyone they've lost a loved one. Its harder in this instance. I find myself more off course than ever in all truth."
He holds up the PADD again as he sits up,"I've got, three hundred and seventy eight families to reach out to." he rubs his face, and then stands"I need to get cleaned up and ready for those calls. End log."
The Computer beeps and closes the file as he leaves the ready room. The dimly lit bridge was busy as engineers where working around the bridge crew as they tried to go about their own duties. 'What watch is on?" he thought absently. He looked at the Command chairs and saw Lieutenant Shobe pacing the deck, at seeing his Captain he stood at attention. Informing him that things would be operational there with in the next two hours. Quint looked around again and waved him off. 'Carry on.' and then made his way to the turbo lift.
He wasn't sure what deck it was, and he really didn't care, he just needed to walk. The deck was quiet, it had to be late. He could hear a crying sound at one point. It sounded like a child. He then took stock of where he was. Deck twelve, no one should be here let alone a child. He started looking more earnestly now, following the sound. It didn't take long, a few twists and turns brought him to the decks common room, an open space lounge for the staff to congregate in. Sitting on the far side was a little girl clutching her knee. Even in the dim light he could see and angry red gash.
"Hey little one," he said in his calmest voice as he stepped over. "What are you doing down here huh?" he somehow managed a smile as he knelt down. SHe didn't cringe away, she saw the uniform and knew he was a Starfleet officer. 'I was trying to find my kitty.' she said finally. 'He ran away, and got into those cabinets.' She pointed over and Quint could see a black and white cat inside one of the glass doors. Eating something contentedly. It had probably gotten into the food display and bumped the door shut.
He nodded then turned his attention to the girl again. "Well, this could have been worse." he looked around and noticed the section of broken glass from a different cabinet. 'It doesn't look to deep so," he pulled off the shell for his uniform and put in on her shoulders, then found a towel and wrapped her knee. After that he went and got the girls cat. Handing it to her, he then picked her up. "Come, let's go find your family. Are they in the Cargo deck?" She nodded, still sniffling but hugging on her cat.
The girl's reunion with her family was as one would expect, her mother was frantic and all but out the door to go looking on her own. Thankfully that wasn't the case as Quint arrived. Telling them he'd send a medic their way to see to her knee. He scratched the cats head and told the little girl not to go roaming alone like that. 'Do you have a kitty?' she asked as he turned.
For some reason the question struck him more than he was ready for. "I....Do, I just don't know where he is right now."
They all still looked to him, as if he could do the impossible. Despite the hell that had occured around them, the purgatory the ship had become, they saw him as their hope. He was their Captain, he would make things right, he'd show them it was all just bad dream. He had come to accept not being able to sway them off it some time ago, but in light of the past hours, he felt more unworthy of it than ever.
He had trained them well, and they had shown that, taking a page from his book the XO took the Victory right into the thick of the fight. They went into the battle, while he sat at a table trying to make peace. They held the line while he sat trapped on the station, unable to lead them. He hated himself for that, even though he knew there wasn't anything he could have done about it. He had advocated for a course to peace. He had no intention of not seeing it through.
Finally he looked up from the PADD in his hands, the mounting Casualty report.
"Computer, open personal log." The Computer beeped in reply, synthetic voice advising him it was ready. "I.....I really don't know where to begin. I reached out to....No, from the beginning, Deep Space 13 had to be evacuated. The peace talks were interrupted by an outside force, causing the already paranoid Azedi to with draw to their ships and engage them, regardless of the risk to our station. The station sustained heavy fire, the death toll is....Rising and already over fifteen thousand."
He leans back and rubs his face, staring at the ceiling.
"Trialla, Beylara's mother was killed." The usual mask of control falls away, forced off by a flow of tears."Beylara is missing. They are still combing the ship but, so far, nothing. I made a point to call Kevit and tell him about his wife and daughter. I've never had an easy time telling anyone they've lost a loved one. Its harder in this instance. I find myself more off course than ever in all truth."
He holds up the PADD again as he sits up,"I've got, three hundred and seventy eight families to reach out to." he rubs his face, and then stands"I need to get cleaned up and ready for those calls. End log."
The Computer beeps and closes the file as he leaves the ready room. The dimly lit bridge was busy as engineers where working around the bridge crew as they tried to go about their own duties. 'What watch is on?" he thought absently. He looked at the Command chairs and saw Lieutenant Shobe pacing the deck, at seeing his Captain he stood at attention. Informing him that things would be operational there with in the next two hours. Quint looked around again and waved him off. 'Carry on.' and then made his way to the turbo lift.
He wasn't sure what deck it was, and he really didn't care, he just needed to walk. The deck was quiet, it had to be late. He could hear a crying sound at one point. It sounded like a child. He then took stock of where he was. Deck twelve, no one should be here let alone a child. He started looking more earnestly now, following the sound. It didn't take long, a few twists and turns brought him to the decks common room, an open space lounge for the staff to congregate in. Sitting on the far side was a little girl clutching her knee. Even in the dim light he could see and angry red gash.
"Hey little one," he said in his calmest voice as he stepped over. "What are you doing down here huh?" he somehow managed a smile as he knelt down. SHe didn't cringe away, she saw the uniform and knew he was a Starfleet officer. 'I was trying to find my kitty.' she said finally. 'He ran away, and got into those cabinets.' She pointed over and Quint could see a black and white cat inside one of the glass doors. Eating something contentedly. It had probably gotten into the food display and bumped the door shut.
He nodded then turned his attention to the girl again. "Well, this could have been worse." he looked around and noticed the section of broken glass from a different cabinet. 'It doesn't look to deep so," he pulled off the shell for his uniform and put in on her shoulders, then found a towel and wrapped her knee. After that he went and got the girls cat. Handing it to her, he then picked her up. "Come, let's go find your family. Are they in the Cargo deck?" She nodded, still sniffling but hugging on her cat.
The girl's reunion with her family was as one would expect, her mother was frantic and all but out the door to go looking on her own. Thankfully that wasn't the case as Quint arrived. Telling them he'd send a medic their way to see to her knee. He scratched the cats head and told the little girl not to go roaming alone like that. 'Do you have a kitty?' she asked as he turned.
For some reason the question struck him more than he was ready for. "I....Do, I just don't know where he is right now."
12 Likes
Sleep was evasive, when it came, a part of him wished it had not. With the exception of promising to sleep, he'd have forgone it again. He had snapped awake three times now. He fought the urge to get up. His body was actively fighting rest at this point. In his mind there was so much to do and not enough happening. He felt trapped, just like he was on the Station. Just like sitting on the Avalon's bridge. It's not that he wasn't doing things it just felt like he wasn't helping to put a dent in the collective problem.
He rolled over, tired of staring at the wall. There he saw the mirror reflecting the window from the other room. Victory was orbiting K7, drifting in a lazy circle. Other ships came into view, and he could see part of the station. It almost looked peaceful from here. He closed his eyes again, willing sleep. A few moments later his eyes opened again. He suddenly wished they hadn't. He looked at the mirror and saw the Ockham reflected.
He sat upright almost immediately. He could feel his heart pounding in his chest at that moment. He so wanted it to be a bad dream, now more than ever. Seeing it, crippled and listing, somehow made her absence more palpable. She wasn't on the ship, and he had just came from the other place hope said she'd be. He used the last minutes of the operation to search, for ANYONE, any reason to draw it out. To keep looking.
According to the reports, the group they did rescue didn't have much longer at the time of rescue. Fate was on their side, a few more hours and it would have been a different story. How many did they miss by that margine? NO!
He wouldn't let himself go down that trail, he knew where it would lead. He had to fight it off when he heard they had rescued Neema. He felt such a rush of relief, and almost immediately grief as it wasnt Beylara. That was followed by anger, that he'd wish one life was condemned for another. He was better than that!
He had to shake it off and continue doing his job. Others were out there waiting for rescue and he had to keep at it. Small steps he had told himself.
That was it, he had enough. He stood and started to get dressed. He had no intention on staying in this room any longer. He needed a long walk, or a drink, or a good fight. He was so out of sorts with himself he couldn't see straight. He had just thrown on his shirt when to door chimed. He blinked a bit and unlocked it, standing outside was the girl from the day before.
"How did...." he looked around. Almost no one was on the bridge. Those who were, actually had so much going on they probably hadn't bothered to look up at hearing the turbo lift. He put his attention on the little girl. She simply stood there staring up at him. "I found a bunch of kitties. I talked to the man who was taking care of them. He said they were all homeless and he was trying to find their owners." She smiled hopefully.
"Oh?" His anger simply vanished, how did parents do this?
She nodded "Uh-huh!" she walked to the side of the door. "When I told him about how you helped my kitty, one of the Security ladies who were there told him who you were." She came back over with a small animal carrier, a quiet mewing could be heard. "He said he knew who you were. That he had one just for you!" She held up the cat carrier as best she could, Quint tooks hold of it. "Why would he..." his question died on his lips.
Inside was a very frightened black and white cat, upon seeing it he felt a familiar tingle in the back of his head. The cat started to meow loudly now, pawing at the door. "I...Oh!" Quint managed to stammer. Sitting the carrier down he quickly extracted the cat. "Hey hairball!" he said, tears again starting to flow.
The Little girl stood there, almost looking smug. "I cried when I found my kitty too." she said as she leaned forward, "Just dont tell my mommy. Then I won't tell anyone you did too."
Later, after taking her home yet again, Quint found himself laying in bed. Miruda, a gift to Beylara from her mother, had finally stopped roaming the cabin and laid down. On the bed of course, they had this battle often. Quint was sure Beyala let the cat on the bed when he was away. It made him smile a bit. As if on cue Miruda got up and moved over to lay against his side. "You're a pain, you know that?" he said. Miruda simply purred, the trilling sound all the more impactful due to the cats odd nature. Beylara had warned him of the empathic effect their felines had on people. Sleep came finally. Dreamless but restful.
He rolled over, tired of staring at the wall. There he saw the mirror reflecting the window from the other room. Victory was orbiting K7, drifting in a lazy circle. Other ships came into view, and he could see part of the station. It almost looked peaceful from here. He closed his eyes again, willing sleep. A few moments later his eyes opened again. He suddenly wished they hadn't. He looked at the mirror and saw the Ockham reflected.
He sat upright almost immediately. He could feel his heart pounding in his chest at that moment. He so wanted it to be a bad dream, now more than ever. Seeing it, crippled and listing, somehow made her absence more palpable. She wasn't on the ship, and he had just came from the other place hope said she'd be. He used the last minutes of the operation to search, for ANYONE, any reason to draw it out. To keep looking.
According to the reports, the group they did rescue didn't have much longer at the time of rescue. Fate was on their side, a few more hours and it would have been a different story. How many did they miss by that margine? NO!
He wouldn't let himself go down that trail, he knew where it would lead. He had to fight it off when he heard they had rescued Neema. He felt such a rush of relief, and almost immediately grief as it wasnt Beylara. That was followed by anger, that he'd wish one life was condemned for another. He was better than that!
He had to shake it off and continue doing his job. Others were out there waiting for rescue and he had to keep at it. Small steps he had told himself.
That was it, he had enough. He stood and started to get dressed. He had no intention on staying in this room any longer. He needed a long walk, or a drink, or a good fight. He was so out of sorts with himself he couldn't see straight. He had just thrown on his shirt when to door chimed. He blinked a bit and unlocked it, standing outside was the girl from the day before.
"How did...." he looked around. Almost no one was on the bridge. Those who were, actually had so much going on they probably hadn't bothered to look up at hearing the turbo lift. He put his attention on the little girl. She simply stood there staring up at him. "I found a bunch of kitties. I talked to the man who was taking care of them. He said they were all homeless and he was trying to find their owners." She smiled hopefully.
"Oh?" His anger simply vanished, how did parents do this?
She nodded "Uh-huh!" she walked to the side of the door. "When I told him about how you helped my kitty, one of the Security ladies who were there told him who you were." She came back over with a small animal carrier, a quiet mewing could be heard. "He said he knew who you were. That he had one just for you!" She held up the cat carrier as best she could, Quint tooks hold of it. "Why would he..." his question died on his lips.
Inside was a very frightened black and white cat, upon seeing it he felt a familiar tingle in the back of his head. The cat started to meow loudly now, pawing at the door. "I...Oh!" Quint managed to stammer. Sitting the carrier down he quickly extracted the cat. "Hey hairball!" he said, tears again starting to flow.
The Little girl stood there, almost looking smug. "I cried when I found my kitty too." she said as she leaned forward, "Just dont tell my mommy. Then I won't tell anyone you did too."
Later, after taking her home yet again, Quint found himself laying in bed. Miruda, a gift to Beylara from her mother, had finally stopped roaming the cabin and laid down. On the bed of course, they had this battle often. Quint was sure Beyala let the cat on the bed when he was away. It made him smile a bit. As if on cue Miruda got up and moved over to lay against his side. "You're a pain, you know that?" he said. Miruda simply purred, the trilling sound all the more impactful due to the cats odd nature. Beylara had warned him of the empathic effect their felines had on people. Sleep came finally. Dreamless but restful.
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Quint wound up returning to the Victory far earlier than he had planned. The call from his sister and her less than patient explosion had derailed much of his plans at some down time. Not that it mattered, even when off duty he found work haunted him. Seemed everyone zeroed in on him for ideas and plans. It never ended. As he rounded the corner to his quarters he found his XO, Lieutenant Commander Thelen coming from the other direction.
"Oh perfect, I was hoping you were in. This'll do just fine." the short woman explained, wearing her most casual grin. Quint was immediately wary.
"Should I run the other way?" he asked with as much humor as he could manage. It was in short supply but he made absolutely certain his crew got what he could muster.
"You'd best not, I really wouldn't know what else to do with this stuff. And....After the yellign I heard on your last call to Betazed, I REALLY don't want to be in the midst of that. So.....I umm." her bluster faded as she explained. Finally she offered the tote over, looking a bit sad. "We....I had a talk with some of the Engineers who went to help on the Ockham, and umm. Well. I called in some favors and...Got..What we could find from her quarters."
Quint eyed the tote and forced himself as calm as he possibly could. He took it gingerly, hearing some things clink and rattle. "I...What, in the galaxy put you on that course?"
"You sir." she said, "With you running the ship and the Squadron and all these mission meetings and everything else I do know of." she offered a shrug, "I, felt you needed, a bit of her." With that Thelen spun on her heel and walked off, leaving her Captain holding the mystery tote.
Once in his quarters, Miruda immediately bound over, meowing loudly, and emphatically for attention. Then stopping. Sniffing the air. Quint watched him a moment before opening the box. On top was a couple of shirts Beylara had purchased on Risa, he sat those aside on the nearby couch and went back to moving items in the box. A picture frame with a few photos of Trialla and Kevit, a small wooden box, and the bridle he had made her.
Sitting down he put the pictures aside, he' wasn't in the mood to figure on sending them out. Pulling the bridle out he rolled it in is hands, feeling worn spots in the leather, the places her hands rested with the reigns. Straightening it out he sat it down gently on the table, Miruda was lightly purring and leaning against his leg. He wasn't rubbing and begging for attention anymore, just simply being present. It honestly amazed him some days how a cat could be so aware, but then again, Miruda wasn't a normal cat.
The next thing was opening the little wooden box. Opening it he saw the Galaxy pendant he gotten her just because. There was a slight crack along part of the delicate geode. He expected it happend when she ordered the ship to ram one of the attackers. He couldn't help it, tears came again, he nearly dropped it, scrambling her made extra sure to put it back in the box. "Damn it." he muttered. After a few moments he pulled the last item, a book.
"Cardinal and the Kremlin" he quoted the title. Flipping the paper back book a few times, her scent soon came off the pages. She'd read it none stop since he loaned it to her. He sat there in silence a long time resting his head in his hands. Staring down at the few remaining things he had of her. After looking around a bit he noticed Miruda wasn't at his feet.
It didn't take long, he found him purring his light trilling sound, curled up on Beylara's shirts.
"Oh perfect, I was hoping you were in. This'll do just fine." the short woman explained, wearing her most casual grin. Quint was immediately wary.
"Should I run the other way?" he asked with as much humor as he could manage. It was in short supply but he made absolutely certain his crew got what he could muster.
"You'd best not, I really wouldn't know what else to do with this stuff. And....After the yellign I heard on your last call to Betazed, I REALLY don't want to be in the midst of that. So.....I umm." her bluster faded as she explained. Finally she offered the tote over, looking a bit sad. "We....I had a talk with some of the Engineers who went to help on the Ockham, and umm. Well. I called in some favors and...Got..What we could find from her quarters."
Quint eyed the tote and forced himself as calm as he possibly could. He took it gingerly, hearing some things clink and rattle. "I...What, in the galaxy put you on that course?"
"You sir." she said, "With you running the ship and the Squadron and all these mission meetings and everything else I do know of." she offered a shrug, "I, felt you needed, a bit of her." With that Thelen spun on her heel and walked off, leaving her Captain holding the mystery tote.
Once in his quarters, Miruda immediately bound over, meowing loudly, and emphatically for attention. Then stopping. Sniffing the air. Quint watched him a moment before opening the box. On top was a couple of shirts Beylara had purchased on Risa, he sat those aside on the nearby couch and went back to moving items in the box. A picture frame with a few photos of Trialla and Kevit, a small wooden box, and the bridle he had made her.
Sitting down he put the pictures aside, he' wasn't in the mood to figure on sending them out. Pulling the bridle out he rolled it in is hands, feeling worn spots in the leather, the places her hands rested with the reigns. Straightening it out he sat it down gently on the table, Miruda was lightly purring and leaning against his leg. He wasn't rubbing and begging for attention anymore, just simply being present. It honestly amazed him some days how a cat could be so aware, but then again, Miruda wasn't a normal cat.
The next thing was opening the little wooden box. Opening it he saw the Galaxy pendant he gotten her just because. There was a slight crack along part of the delicate geode. He expected it happend when she ordered the ship to ram one of the attackers. He couldn't help it, tears came again, he nearly dropped it, scrambling her made extra sure to put it back in the box. "Damn it." he muttered. After a few moments he pulled the last item, a book.
"Cardinal and the Kremlin" he quoted the title. Flipping the paper back book a few times, her scent soon came off the pages. She'd read it none stop since he loaned it to her. He sat there in silence a long time resting his head in his hands. Staring down at the few remaining things he had of her. After looking around a bit he noticed Miruda wasn't at his feet.
It didn't take long, he found him purring his light trilling sound, curled up on Beylara's shirts.
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Quint sat at his desk, a few PADDs scattered around it as he sorted the information. Squadron reports, Requests for surveys, Escorts, Ship status reports, crew reviews, and even his tactical review of the Azedi. Each stack held a few PADDs, depending on the number of requests and ships, and his coffee sat hidden in the mix. Miruda sat in the nearby chair, lazily watching the goings on.
Sitting the PADD he had in hand down finally Quint looked over at the cat and then out the window. The orbit around K7 had brought the stars in view, no longer hidden by the planet. Long moments passed until he finally shook his head and stood. Stretching some he went over to the small stasis box and pulled out a bit of the leftovers from his Exchange gift. A tap of a few keys brought the remains to a nice warm temperature, not that there was much. A tamale remained and just a few dabs of rice and beans. There were also two left over beef burritos and the desert managed to not touch. Miruda also decided it was time to eat and as usual attempted to give Quint the impression that those burritos would be really nice. "Keep dreaming hairball," Quint joked in reply.
Miruda relented and trotted over to his bowl, giving off the impression the fresh food was..tolerable. "What am I going to do with you?" he asked the feline as he sat down. He took a few bites and then sat in silence. Eventually glancing down as Miruda took up his customary place laying against his leg. He reached down and petted Miruda some. "So this is what it's going to be like isn't it?"
The only answer was the absent purring from the cat, he looked around the room some and then finished eating. Once he had finished and cleaned up he found himself lying in the couch. He looked at the ceiling fora long time before Miruda stuck his nose in his face. "You miss her too dont ya bud?" A slight feeling of sorrow emanated from the cat, who promptly got on the couch and curled up next to his shoulder. The silence endured for as long as he could take it, "You think I could invite her to a movie without it being...weird? Or maybe the Holiday Holo program?"
He didn't really get an answer, not that he expected one. It was just meant to fill the air. "Part of me is glad I said it, another part....Really isn't ready to let go. Still another part would just be glad for the company." Between the silence and Miruda's purring, sleep came, silent and restful.
Sitting the PADD he had in hand down finally Quint looked over at the cat and then out the window. The orbit around K7 had brought the stars in view, no longer hidden by the planet. Long moments passed until he finally shook his head and stood. Stretching some he went over to the small stasis box and pulled out a bit of the leftovers from his Exchange gift. A tap of a few keys brought the remains to a nice warm temperature, not that there was much. A tamale remained and just a few dabs of rice and beans. There were also two left over beef burritos and the desert managed to not touch. Miruda also decided it was time to eat and as usual attempted to give Quint the impression that those burritos would be really nice. "Keep dreaming hairball," Quint joked in reply.
Miruda relented and trotted over to his bowl, giving off the impression the fresh food was..tolerable. "What am I going to do with you?" he asked the feline as he sat down. He took a few bites and then sat in silence. Eventually glancing down as Miruda took up his customary place laying against his leg. He reached down and petted Miruda some. "So this is what it's going to be like isn't it?"
The only answer was the absent purring from the cat, he looked around the room some and then finished eating. Once he had finished and cleaned up he found himself lying in the couch. He looked at the ceiling fora long time before Miruda stuck his nose in his face. "You miss her too dont ya bud?" A slight feeling of sorrow emanated from the cat, who promptly got on the couch and curled up next to his shoulder. The silence endured for as long as he could take it, "You think I could invite her to a movie without it being...weird? Or maybe the Holiday Holo program?"
He didn't really get an answer, not that he expected one. It was just meant to fill the air. "Part of me is glad I said it, another part....Really isn't ready to let go. Still another part would just be glad for the company." Between the silence and Miruda's purring, sleep came, silent and restful.
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Quint woke up to the trilling of his alarm, and the matched trilling from the other room of the new little critter in his quarters. The empathic proding had started as well. Beylara had warned him about the creatures empathic nature, that is wa similar to Miradu's but less focussed. Or perhaps more as it was solely driven to its need for feeding. In either case he had been given warning and was decently prepared for it.
The small thing was wandering around its cage a bit more steadily than before, letting out its mewling call vocally as well. Its rate of growth was about what he expected, slow but gradual. The little thing had moved more steadily over the last week, not as wobbly but certainly not steady. The feathering was showing signs of change and its head was up more. The silver and black coloring was more pronounced now and he expected it was going to become more so over the coming week.
Quint went and pulled a few cut cubes of meat from his food preserver and walked over offering them in. The critter eagerly gulped the food down. "Thats beef greedy, you may wanna see how it tastes." Quint commented aloud with a laugh. He took a drink of his water and watched. Offering over another bit of meat, again eagerly gulped down. "Guess that's on your favorites list. Next time we'll try sailfish."
Having tried a variety of protein heavy foods, per Beylara's advice, Quint had worked his way through a long list of food stuffs. Whisp, as Quint had called the critter, had shown main interest in meats, but though it never ate any of the seeds it did sniff heavily at them.
After the meal and some attention Whisp had finally settled down. Quint eyed the time and decided that a short nap wasn't worth the work, so he set up his breakfast and went to shower. After coming back out and eating his fruit and eggs her checked once more on Whisp, who was sound asleep. "Computer, set monitor program up." the double beep told him the program was running, which he needed to get to before his Yeoman showed up with the days reports.
The small thing was wandering around its cage a bit more steadily than before, letting out its mewling call vocally as well. Its rate of growth was about what he expected, slow but gradual. The little thing had moved more steadily over the last week, not as wobbly but certainly not steady. The feathering was showing signs of change and its head was up more. The silver and black coloring was more pronounced now and he expected it was going to become more so over the coming week.
Quint went and pulled a few cut cubes of meat from his food preserver and walked over offering them in. The critter eagerly gulped the food down. "Thats beef greedy, you may wanna see how it tastes." Quint commented aloud with a laugh. He took a drink of his water and watched. Offering over another bit of meat, again eagerly gulped down. "Guess that's on your favorites list. Next time we'll try sailfish."
Having tried a variety of protein heavy foods, per Beylara's advice, Quint had worked his way through a long list of food stuffs. Whisp, as Quint had called the critter, had shown main interest in meats, but though it never ate any of the seeds it did sniff heavily at them.
After the meal and some attention Whisp had finally settled down. Quint eyed the time and decided that a short nap wasn't worth the work, so he set up his breakfast and went to shower. After coming back out and eating his fruit and eggs her checked once more on Whisp, who was sound asleep. "Computer, set monitor program up." the double beep told him the program was running, which he needed to get to before his Yeoman showed up with the days reports.
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Log Entry: Stardate-96760.5
Well. Things just started to feel 'normal' with Beylara being gone. So naturally somthing had to happen. The new LCARS update has sent everything in my system into a spin. I've got reports moved all over the place, headers are missing, the new interface and I do NOT get along.
Gremlins in the machine I suppose.
So, naturally I've had to relearn this system from the ground up. That also means resetting my various alarms and programs for monitoring Whisp while I'm at work. Since Beylara moved to her new posting, he's been feelign a bit lonely. I may have to see about adopting another cat. It'll have to be one from Betazed too. Whip's empathic talents mixed with Miruda's pretty well. I dont think he'd do as well with a less interesting feline.
He certainly isnt alone in the feeling. Its still strange coming home to an empty place, well mostly, I still have Whisp here. All the same, it takes some gettign used to again. I did manage to get her to take a few things to decorate her new quarters with. So that means at some point I need to get some more of my stuff out of storage and fill the space again.
I've also been keeping busy. It helps a bit to fill the time. Commander Mi'Shune has expressed interest in advancing to Captain, and asked for some guidance. We also take some time to spar. Makes for a good work out.
In other interesting news, Lauren is now in Command of the station. She 'll do well I'm sure, she was a good CO when she headed Gemini Squadron. It'll be good to catch up some.
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