Revelation

The golden shimmer of successful transportation faded and Captain Kathryn Beringer slapped her comm badge.  "Helm, emergency jump, Warp 7."

The Helmsman sounded confused. "Capta-"

"McKinnon, pick a direction, GO!"  The air hummed as the warp engines suddenly roared to life before calming down into the background.

Unlocking her helmet and throwing it to the ground, she knelt down to injured crewman on the next pad.  Most of his body was encased in crystals and within the structure his face was locked in a rictus of fear.  A third member of the away team also knelt near the injured crewman and Kathryn raised a hand to stop him further.  Dejected, he stood and unlocked his helmet, air hissing quickly.

The crystallized human was bathed in transporter light as he was moved to Med Bay.

Standing, Kathryn turned on her heels to the remaining crewman.  "What the hell was that about, Karl!?"

Karl Melango stood akimbo and calmly responded, "Captain, we were under attack and I reacted."

She recognized Karl was visibly standing his ground.  Such strength of character was perfect for Security detail and also why Kathryn preferred his presence on away missions.  It also seemed slightly insubordinate, so was worth considering later.  She pressed on the situation.  "We had a holofield and the Tholians were not threatening us!"

He crossed his arms, a defensive posture.  "From my perspective, they were about to discover us.  While your focus was rightly on the instruments, one soldier came within a meter of the perimeter.  Watching him, I perceived it could sense vibration frequencies emitted from the field.  As you know, Tholians are sensitive to sonic disruptions and -"

"I'm cutting you off right there, Lieutenant." she raised a hand and used his rank to add gravitas.  "As you know, research on dimensional portals is critical and Nukara is practically the perfect source in the known galaxy."  She took a step closer.  "You had orders: take no action without direct provocation."

Karl sighed.  "Permission to speak freely, sir?"

Kathryn was quick, "Granted".

Taking a step closer, Karl lowered his voice.  "My duty is to protect you, the crew, the ship and the Federation.  In that order.  I was confident the Tholian spotted us and was going to attack."

Kathryn countered with matching Karl's volume.  "Then you didn't 'react', you presumed.  That ruined the mission, endangered all three of us and resulted in Ensign Mechol's injuries.  It seems to me you need to reverse priorities.

Karl paused for several seconds.  "My feelings for you won't allow that."

Surprised by the revelation, Kathryn realized her jaw dropped.  The engines dimmed until it was silent for a few seconds, then thundered as before signaling the Helmsman abruptly changed course in an attempt to hide the path Solaris was taking to escape any followers from Nukara.

"What?"  Kathryn instantly chided herself for her naiveté. Recalling the many missions they had together, she could not recall any signals from Karl.  Just as quick, she found comfort knowing his attraction was a well-kept secret until now.

He reached for her hand and wrapped it with both of his.  "I'm sorry my actions caused harm to Mechol and I would gladly switch places, as long as you are safe."  He stared lovingly at Kathryn and he gently squeezed her hand.

As Karl started to lean toward Kathryn, she caught herself not moving away, even if Starfleet regulations were very clear on what was about to happen.  She was also surprised to be frozen in the moment while recalling one of the first lessons during officer training at the Academy: being Captain of a Starship can be a lonely career.  Karl was ruggedly attractive and was usually of few words.  He was a man of action and Kathryn appreciated that fact.

Only centimeters away, the moment between them changed when Ensign Claire McKenzie cleared her throat from behind the control console.  "Um, sirs?  Should I leave?"

___

Cast for crew:

Kathryn Beringer - Katheryn Winnick

Karl Melango - Jeremy Renner

Claire McKenzie – Hayley Orrantia

Travis Mechols - Freddie Prinze Jr

Heard, but not seen:

Ian McKinnon - Ben Browder

A Fool's Errand

Unofficial Literary Challenge 33 - Prompt 1 Fleet Week

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Jim Bushel looked into his drink. The Andorian whiskey was reportedly very strong and its deep red color was a warning toward its potency. The Bolian bartender refused Jim’s request for a larger cup on the grounds to protect his own and other patron’s well-being. The cup was larger than a shot glass and made of silver-coated metal, the preferred container for the whiskey. Jim gulped, counted to three, and then took a sip. The liquor clawed its way down his throat and annihilated whatever was in his stomach. The result being a coughing fit that made Jim’s eyes water.

The bartender grinned as he handed Jim a cloth. “You were warned, Lieutenant.”

Jim accepted the cloth and wiped his eyes and mouth, nodding regretfully. “It was worth it”, he choked out. Looking away into the maw of Club 42’s dining area, Jim wanted to see who was watching his debacle. A few tables were occupied by various species wearing Starfleet uniforms and almost all the other patrons returned to their own business, their conversations clearly interrupted. Behind him was the exit from Club 42 that lead into the main gallery of Earth Space Dock.

The bartender grabbed a glass and started cleaning it, the way bartenders do to look busy. “So, what has you tempting fate?”

Clearing his throat, Jim replied with some embarrassment, “typical girl problems.”

The Bolian nodded with the wisdom of a sage. “It must be serious if you want to drown in liquid death.”

The Lieutenant lifted the glass as if to take another casual sip and paused. “I broke up with my fiancé last week when we docked.”

After a few seconds of contemplation, the bartender commanded, “have another sip. If separating from a loved one is ‘typical’, then I need to find another job.”

Jim smiled and then counted to three before half-emptying the glass. Less liquid this time, but it scorched down just the same. Being more prepared, possibly because the liquor already damaged his internal organs, his coughing was more subdued and manageable. He smacked his lips with a grimace, and then looked toward the dance room to his left. The area was in a separate part of Club 42 and was separated by a force field that severely dampened the music flooding the room. For him in the bar area, the music could be heard but was muffled, yet the tune could be discerned. Exiting the dance floor and through the force field walked three women; a Human, Talaxian and Andorian. Each wore off-duty clothing of various colors, styles and skin revelations and all three laughed as if sharing the punch line to a joke. They headed for the main doorway.

Jim recognized all three from his ship, but the Human captured his attention. He turned to the bartender and excused himself. Tugging on his own shirt, as he is used to with his uniform, he tried to casually walk toward the exit and matched speed so as to meet the women. Without turning his head, Jim looked toward the group to see if they noticed him. Jim started to feel dread about his decision to meet them. Yet, he was committed by now and persevered by looking casually toward them and then washed a bright smile over his face while waving.

“Claire, hello!”

The group stopped and their collective mirth faded slightly, which heightened Jim’s feeling of impending doom. The Andorian had whispered something and Claire shook her head slightly. Looking back to Jim, she smiled and replied, “hello Lieutenant. I’m sorry we didn’t see you earlier. Have you been at the Club long?”

The potent alcohol must have started affecting Jim: her voice was warm and inviting to hear. Rich, red colored lips pulled into a polite smile. Long, full brown hair flowed over her shoulders, they being bare from the strapless and loose-fitting blouse Claire wore. The skirt hugged her legs halfway down toned thighs with shiny smooth legs.

Jim scratched the back of his head to try to relax. “Uh, no, not long. I was just here for a drink.”

After an eternal second of silence between them, Claire raised eyebrows and looked to her friends. “So, we were about to leave-“

“Ah, yeah, about that,” Jim blurted out. “Could I speak with you for a moment?”

Shifting her weight to one side, Claire crossed arms. “Sure.”

Jim looked at the other women who was looking at Claire disapprovingly. He cleared his throat. “Maybe in private?”

Claire looked to her friends and nodded. As if they were communicating telepathically, the two other women shrugged and left Claire in Club 42.

After a few more seconds watching the others exit, Jim turned to Claire and invited her to sit at a nearby table.

Claire gently waved away the offer, “it’s getting a little late, I’m sorry. What’s on your mind?”

“Ah, yes. Well, I … I have not seen you in a few of weeks and so … how are you doing?”

“I’m doing well,” she chuckled nervously.

“Good, me too.”

Claire looked skeptical. “Oh, really?”

Jim blushed. “Well, yes, I suppose.” He looked to the bartender quickly and noticed the Bolian was staring at them as he cleaned a glass the way bartenders do to look busy. Turning back to Claire, he knew the conversation was strained and pushed away from small talk. “Look, I would like to explain myself. Would you be willing to talk about it over a drink?”

“Tonight? Like, now?”

"Oh, no no! I meant sometime soon. Tomorrow?”

Claire looked surprised at first, and then her affect became neutral again. She looked out the doors from Club 42 and noticed her friends were watching from the outside. “Um, I don’t think that would be a good idea.”

Nodding, Jim’s hopes were struck by a verbal phaser shot. “Is it because of Mallory?”

Claire looked down to the floor. “I wish it were less obvious. I mean, I am her roommate after all.” 

Jim tried to salvage some dignity. “I know. I just felt you and I had good rapport. I thought … you know … there was something-“

“No, Jim. I’m sorry if you felt that way. We all became friends because you were with Mallory. But she is my friend, and breaking off a year-long engagement with her is not-,“ Claire paused as she bit her bottom lip. “I don’t mean to take sides, but … I’m not really your friend. You know what I mean?”

The words were a torpedo to Jim’s fledgling hopes. He resigned to the events that lead to this moment. “I understand. I’m so sorry.”

Claire looked sympathetic. “I’m not the one you should apologize too. But I know you already have to Mallory.” She turned and walked away.

Jim felt embarrassed as he trudged back to the bar and reached for his drink. The bartender snatched it away with one hand and replaced it with a cup of cold water from the other hand in one fluid motion. “You’ll need that, if my suspicions are correct.”

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Cast for crew:
Jim Bushel - Jason Ritter
Claire McKenzie – Hayley Orrantia
Bartender - Conan O'Brian
Talaxian friend - Female street extra 1
Andorian friend - Female street extra 2

Mentioned but not seen:
Mallory Aralla - Alexandra Daddario