Old Flames
Posted on Tue Jun 11th, 2019 @ 9:31pm by Commodore Tyler Malbrooke & Lieutenant Commander Calvin Quaid
Edited on on Tue Jun 11th, 2019 @ 9:34pm
1,366 words; about a 7 minute read
Mission:
Episode 7 - Home Again
Location: Promenade Second Level Empok Nor
Timeline: MD001 1130 hrs
As the stars danced beyond one of the large windows, Ingrid leaned against the support railing on the second level of the promenade. At this time of night, there were very few visitors, and that's what she liked most about it. She could look out into the vastness of space and think without being interrupted by the presence of others or, God forbid, approached by some gawker. She stood with her arms pressed firmly on the rail, her body draped in a in a garment of pale-pink Cardassian silk. She had gotten used to the texture both during her former marriage and her stay on the penal colony. It was form fitting on her torso, but billowed out into a gentle loose style at her waist. She wore pale-pink high-heal stiletto shoes to match and she sang a song to herself.
Calvin had completed his mission, and hoped to free of the hell he was being put through. However, there was no such luck. He had confirmation that the Pioneer had been shot down, that was two starships that he helped destroy. Speaking of he had heard rumor that Ingrid was on the station. He could not believe it, that is until he turned the corner and there looking out at the stars was his old flame. Calvin Quaid gathered his thoughts and put his best foot forward. "Penny for your thoughts darlin..." He said with a smirk.
She looked over her shoulder, immediately recognizing the voice. When she saw Calvin's handsome face, she offered a smile, turning her head to the side in practiced seductive innocence. Her blinks became more rapid as her eyes locked on his. No one had the ability to engage men like she did, and she knew it.
"I was just thinking of you, Cal." she said, still angling her body toward the window. She was lying of course, but it was the kind of charming lie that everyone wanted to hear, and yet, some might notice she often used those to avoid actually answering questions.
"I find that hard to believe, but I will take it. After your ordeal, you can only think about me. I gotta know Ingrid how did you survive? How was the Fearless taken so quickly?" Calvin thought by asking about what happened he would steer her off of the fact that he was behind it all.
Ingrid arched an eyebrow at his immediate questioning though her smile remained. She turned back to the window and was quiet for a moment. It was the last thing she wanted to talk about. "Who cares how I survived? I'm here aren't I? As for the Fearless...who knows."
"It is merely a curiosity of almost everyone on the station. But I understand... So are you going to be leaving the fleet for a bit? That is usually how it goes when people return from an ordeal like you had." Calvin replied, he was fishing to see if she knew anything, however she did not seem to be biting.
"And go where, Cal? You know I don't want to do anything but fly." she said, shaking her head, her smile finally falling as she kept her eyes on the stars. "So I'm going to stay and try to figure out what happened to turn my life upside down. Let's hope they don't decide I'm too crazy, right?"
She turned to him and saw his face for the first time. He seemed distant and, if she was to be honest, a bit nervous. "What's wrong?"
"Nothing really, just a bit worried about you is all. Worried about you going back out there." He smiled sheepishly in an effort to cover up the lie. "You know I just received word that the USS Pioneer's helmsman was killed in action. I can pull some strings and get you the posting if you wish. It would keep you in the area..." His voice trailed off as he smirked at her. Deep within Calvin's subconscious a battle was going on, and thus far the serum was winning.
She looked at him, giving him a grin and moving toward him very slowly. "Oh, you want me close, do you?" she asked, stopping right in front of him and taking in his familiar face. She had to admit that something was off about him, but she wasn't sure what. "It's not your job to worry about me, I can take care of myself. And considering there's a big chance the entire reason the Fearless was destroyed was because insider information was handed over to the New Maquis means it might be better for me to stay here...to...find out who got my crew killed."
He smirked, "Then consider it done. There are certain perks that comes with being the sector Strategic Operations Officer. One of those perks is crew assignments. When the Pioneer returns to the station make sure you report to Captain Malbrooke. I will make sure that the orders are in." Calvin's words had a hidden meaning. One of the perks of his position was having the shield harmonics and prefix codes of all the ships assigned to the sector. "As for who did this to your crew, I would be interested in that as well. However, I hope that you can build a new life on the Pioneer. Perhaps one here with me as well..." His voice trailed off as he took a step closer to her.
With a grin, Ingrid stepped in, pressing her body against his and giving him a kiss on the cheek. He'd always been sweet, and now was no different. Even though something was off about him, she couldn't' ignore the only real kindness anyone had shown her in the last year.
"You keep trying, don't you?" she asked, looking up at him with her twinkling eyes.
He smirked at her, as she already knew the answer. "I simply would not be me if I did. Your life could be so much easier if you would have me..." His voice trailed off as he chuckled. "Do you think you can fly big ol bucket like an Intrepid? I mean she's fast, but she's no Defiant."
"I guess your my savior then?" she asked, blinking. "You know I don't want one of those. As for the ol bucket, I can fly anything."
He nodded in agreement with her as he whispered "I know... I know." There was a huge part of Calvin Quaid that wanted her to want a savior, perhaps she would want on in due time. Hopefully he will be there when the time comes. "Word of the wise about your new assignment. Don't let Malbrooke hear you call the Pioneer old or a bucket. He loves that ship and all Intrepids." Calvin said with a laugh as true happiness cam over him for a moment. He was happy that Ingrid would not be on the station when it happened.
"No, I'll just tell him you said it." she said, offering a chuckle. She watched him as he experienced his joy and her eyebrow twitched. Something wasn't right about him. "I'll take a look at the assignment if you really have the connections you say you have...but I still haven't agreed to it. No promises."
He cocked an eyebrow at her statement, he would make sure to get the pot sweetened somehow. "That is all one can ask." He smirked "Why don't you let a guy take you to dinner? We can call it a welcome home dinner."
She thought for a moment, considering whether or not she would really prefer to continue brooding for a few more hours. After several seconds, she offered a smile. "Sure, Cal. Just...make sure it's expensive."
She offered a wink and showed her white teeth. Perhaps this welcome-home meal was the thing she needed to start feeling human again.
A Joint Post By
Lieutenant Ingrid Hollister
Chief Flight Control Officer, USS Pioneer
Lieutenant Commander Calvin Quaid
Chief Strategic Operations Officer, Empok Nor
(NPC Malbrooke)
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