Saying Hello

Literary Challenge 21 - Saying Hello


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The multicolored lights were bright while cacophonous music roared throughout the room. Several patrons from varying races were dancing on the floor in the center of the room. Those not dancing were either sitting at tables enjoying the view or drinking. Club 47 was where officers came to let off war-weary, stress-filled steam or to relax.

In an adjacent observation lounge, passive lighting created calming moods and thick doors subdued the high energy emanating from the dance floor as a stark juxtaposition. Only a few tables were occupied and Kathryn sat overlooking the cavernous interior of Earth Space Dock. The synthetic Kanar in her hand was a close substitute to the real thing. Taking a sip, she swirled the liquid around her tongue before swallowing it.

With a PADD in hand, she smiled at the words on the slate and could almost recite them from the screen. All of Kathryn’s senior staff and over 70% of the crew from Galatea would follow her to the next assignment floating inside Space Dock. That was atypical, yet somehow Kathryn had overcome the odds. She would have to thank Admiral Felczer for considering and fulfilling her request to transfer most, if not all, of Galatea’s crew. They were family and she wanted them to stay together as much as possible.

Looking up through the large wall-sized window, she could see several ships in various stages of docking or repair. The gigantic doors of the station were slowly closing as an Armitage-class ship cleared the threshold. Her eyes settled on one ship in particular. It was an older design, first introduced in the 22nd century and had sharp corners compared to the current design-style. The ship’s saucer-shaped primary hull was a hall-mark of the Federation and sported the longest nacelles of any starship (relative to the rest of the ship). Primarily used for diplomatic purposes within the past century, its numbers have dwindled due to attrition. But the one capturing Kathryn’s attention was the last of its class constructed in the 24th century.

“She’s beautiful, wouldn’t you agree?”

Startled from her reverie, Kathryn turned to the voice and looked up to a human male. He held a half-full glass of clear liquid as he stared out the window.

“Pardon me?”

The man wore Captain’s bars on his collar with red piping on the jacket. Casually pointing, he explained, “the Excelsior out there. It’s the only one of its kind birthed here and certainly special.”

Kathryn looked out the window and nodded. Regarding the Captain, he stroked a well-manicured moustache to the tip of his goatee, and was clearly focused on the ship. “Um, yes, I suppose so.” She waved to a chair and invited, “care to join me, Captain –“

“Ricol. Hassid Ricol.” He looked down and smiled. “You must be Kathryn Beringer.”

Surprised he knew her by name; Kathryn noticed he had not taken a seat. “I didn’t know I was famous.”

“You’re not, except to me.” Hassid’s smile disappeared. “Tell me, Captain, do you really think you’ve earned the right to Solaris?

Kathryn sat back into her chair, stunned. “Excuse me?”

Hassid rested his glass down on the table with more force than expected. “How long have you been wearing those rank bars anyway? Months, maybe a year or two?” Placing both hands on the table, he leaned in closer and hissed, “I was promised Solaris. I’ve earned the honor to be her Captain.”

Kathryn willfully paused for a few seconds as she absorbed the moment. Feeling pushed into a corner, she decided to push back. Standing, she grabbed the PADD off the table and became resolute against Hassid’s threatening posture. Placing a hand on a hip and shifting her weight to one leg, Kathryn smirked and raised the PADD. “Not according to this,” she parried.

The Captain straightened and rolled his tongue in his jaw as if to keep from saying something or to calm himself down.

Suddenly, another officer arrived and almost stood between Kathryn and Hassid. “Excuse the interruption, but I could tell the conversation was about to get exciting. Let’s have a seat to relax.”

The other Captains glared at the officer. Also wearing Captain pips on the collar, his jacket was filled by muscles on his chest and arms. A square jaw framed sharp facial features under a bald head. His toothy smile was soft, sultry and inviting.

Hassid scoffed, “Captain Daikar. Saving a damsel in distress again?”

Kathryn could feel her restraint waning. “Now look here-“.

“Captains, Daikar interrupted. He looked over his shoulders as if to remind the others they were not alone in the room and to lower voices. With a more calm tone, he asked, “should we keep this civil or take it outside?”

Kathryn ignored Daikar’s attempt to resolve the situation. “I shouldn’t have to remind you, Captain Ricol, that no one owns any ship. I earned my rank and that’s all. If you have a problem with my posting on Solaris, then the answer is simple: too bad.”

Eyes flashed with anger, Hassid lunged toward Kathryn. Daikar stepped up and used Hassid’s momentum to spin him away and toward another table. As he crashed into the furniture, the commotion captured attention from the other patrons in the room. Kathryn watched one officer tap his badge.

Pushing away a chair as he stood, Hassid wiped his short-cut hair. Breathing heavy, he pointed to Daikar. “You’ll pay for that.”

Daikar chuckled. “Bill me.”

Hassid huffed away from the pair and through the doors.

Turning to Kathryn, Daikar extended a hand. “I’m sorry you had to experience that.”

“It’s no bother, I’ve been through worse. Listen, you shouldn’t have done that, Security is sure to be on their way. What was his problem anyway?”

Daikar waved to dismiss the comments and smiled. “I can handle them. Ricol is a brute and a bully. He's has had it coming to him. For what it’s worth, he’s in it for the glory, not the duty.”

Kathryn nodded. “It seems you two have some history?”

“Yes. Would you want to hear about it?” He pulled a seat and began to sit.

Blushing a little, Kathryn acknowledged an urging to sit down. Pride caused Kathryn to resist the invitation; she could have handled Hassid Ricol herself. She looked around the room for an excuse to justify not staying any longer. Finding a holographic chronometer on the wall, she sighed with a little relief. Still, Daikar was surprisingly attractive and she questioned whether it was due to his gallantry or good looks.

“I … can’t, maybe another time.” Kathryn turned on her heels and started walking out the door.

“Wait! I didn’t get your name?”

Kathryn stopped and looked back. Again, she caught herself wanting to sit next to Daikar. “Kathryn Beringer. If you will excuse me Captain, I have a new ship to inspect.”

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Cast:
Kathryn Beringer - Rachel Nichols
Daikar - Billy Zane
Hassid Ricol - Matt Nable