Old Friends...

Posted on Thu Jun 24th, 2021 @ 5:29am by Commander Arrianna Salannis an Vantar & Commander Kyle Reece

Mission: Season 5: Episode 2: Operation Save Humanity
Location: USS Elysium, Lounge
Timeline: MD5: 1500hrs
1450 words - 2.9 OF Standard Post Measure

Kyle was at the bar, having a drink, following his meeting with Carrington. He definitely did not like her. It was feeling like the Ragnarök all over again, after Sharr was assassinated, the first time, and Command put Commodore Skylar in command. She was a tyrant too. The only difference between Skylar and Carrington, was that Skylar had combat experience and didn't always see the regulations as scripture. Carrington, apparently, did. That would make her vastly more dangerous. He would have to tread carefully around that woman.

Arrianna entered the lounge and proceeded immediately to the barkeep. "Your usual Commander?" The Barkeep noted.

"A Chocolate Sundae. Today has been a very... Antagonistic day." Arrianna noted. She was different from what Reece would remember. Her hair was longer, her post-adolescant form had evolved into something more refined than she was at the academy. There was quite the club of admirers back on the Talleyrand of then Cadet an Vantar. But it looked like she had been through fire.

As Kyle continued to nurse his drink, he heard a voice, ofc to his left, that was familiar. Turning to look, he saw the woman that the voice came from. Knitting his brows together, deep in thought, his eyes slid to the bar top as he tried to bring forward the memory.

"Dammit. I wish you were here Doryan. You were strict, but you respected us. You respected us!!! Carrington doesn't respect us. Only thing she cares about is her chair and the, 'perfect starfleet officer.'" Arri began talking to herself. Almost loud enough for Kyle to listen. "I want those old times back. When I was just... me..." Arri spoke up. "Bartender. Fill a wine glass with one part French Chardonnay and three parts water."

"Hard day, Commander an Vantar?"

"You have no idea." Arrianna mentioned.

Hearing his first Commanding Officer's name, Kyle knew he had to find out why he knew this woman. As he approached, he heard the Bartender refer to her by her name. A huge grin filled his face. "Arri? Is that you?"

She looked at him. Gone was the nineteen year old Arrianna. This was a woman, and she looked like she had been through hell itself. She lost none of her splendor though, but her eyes looked like she had seen things that few people would have. "Kyle Reece?"

Kyle's grin grew even broader. "Oh my God! It is you!" By reflex, he started to reach out to hug her. However, seeing the look in her eyes, he stopped. The last thing he wanted to do was make her uncomfortable. Instead, he gave her hus typical lop-sided grin and replied. "Yeah, it's me, Kyle Reece, former serior cadet Chief of Security and Tactical, of the Talley, with her orange shag carpets."

Arri chuckled for the first time in days. "It all seems so long ago... Remember Admiral Trogar's Cat?" She chuckled again. "The Admiral made us find the damned thing. It turned out to be a test. And being the rational minded person I am, I was fixing the sensors while everyone was getting scratched up." Arri noted.

Kyle shivered at the memory of that small ball of demon spawn. "I had several nightmares following that little excursion. I still have never looked at cats the same since."

"We'll there's another private story to that. The Admiral soon afterwards came up to me and asked me what I wanted. I told him to 'mind his animal.'"

This caused the big man to chuckle. "Yeah, I vaguely remember that happening. As I recall, the Captain had to step in on your behalf." He shook his head, chuckling softly. He then said, "so, what are you doing on Ely? Chief Science?"

"And I was Second Officer... Arri looked around." She then spoke. "Kyle, not everything is well on this ship." The bartender gave Arri her wine. "The Captain does not think much of her crew, in fact she hates us. She demotes and reassigns us if our performance is anything but her view of the perfect starfleet officer, and when we object, or protest, she ruins our careers." Arri noted. "That... and... Kyle the last years have been hell. I'm not the same Arrianna you knew on the Tallyrand.. I'm less rational.. more angry... and trying to get that rational calmness I once had back. Trying so hard."

Hearing his old friend in pain, Kyle reached out reflexively and laid his strong right hand on her left shoulder. His touch was more gentle than his bulk would have seemed able to achieve. "Arii," his voice soft and caring. "I am so very sorry. If there is ever anything I can do to help, please let me know."

"Reece. I'd give anything to serve under Doryan again. He was hard on us. Demanded our utmost, but never perfection. Some of his lessons. Oh they saved my life. Again and again. Learning how to fight, What to do when things go to shit... That was Doryan Kox." Arrianna noted. "He always respected us, he never ridiculed us. And during Hobus we delivered. He made us strong, glorious. He made it so I survived the Mirror Universe and its horrors."

Kyle nodded silently. Commander, then Captain Kox, was still one of the best commanding officers he had ever seeved under. "He was the best," he finally said in agreement. "That woman up in the center seat," he shook his head. "I've seen her kind before. I've lost friends to her kind of officer." His moid turned dark as he remembered Skylar and the damage she caused on the Raganrök.

Looking again at his old friend, he asked, "would you care to have supper with me? I haven't eaten anything since breakfast and I was going to see if there was any new resturants here, since last I served aboard Ely."

Arri smiled. "it would be my pleasure. And there's a certain culture here." She noted. "And you will need some party clothes. Captain Lalor is something of a... runaway princess. She likes extravagant parties and we've grown accustomed to them here. I just hope she's alright. Reece, I need you to do something for me."

Kyle grinned as he listen to his friend's opinion of tge misding Captain. Then, he turned serious, hearing her tone shift. "Anything, Arri, you know that."

"This crew has suffered greatly. We were almost imprisoned and enslaved by the Terrans. They're going to chaffe under Carrington's abuses. If the worse happens, and there is a mutiny. Tell them to never become the Terrans." Arri noted. "They'll listen to that. Promise me. These people are Starfleet Officers. But we're not the perfect little drones she desires, she's doing things Captain Kox would not dare do." She smiled. "Bartender, three parts water, one part of the good stuff. That bottle of Saurian Brandy, and bring some out for my friend."

He nodded slowly. "I'll do what I can, Arri, but, Imnot even officially a part of this crew at the moment. I'm just on assignment from Command, here to babysit the scientists you guys are taking to the Green Colony."

"To Doryan Kox..." Arri tosted. "An example of the finest grade of Starfleet Officer."

Raising his glass in reply, "To Doryan Kox!" He then downed the shot. It was diluted, because of the water, but Kyle wasn't going to say anything. "And why are you asking me to say anything? They know you more thhan they know me."

"I trust you Reece." Arri noted. "Even if it doesn't happen right here and now, I need you to watch things here." She mentioned. "I'm already in Carrington's crosshairs because she cannot intimidate me. I need you to watch what this woman is doing here and get it to Starfleet Command. Otherwise.." Arri shook her head. "She may try to transfer me out to some backwater and destroy my career." Arri noted. "I need someone she's not watching to record and document her abuses."

Kyle was quiet for a few beats, as he concidered Arrianna's request. Then, looking her straight in hmthe eyes, he nodded and replied. "You have my word, Arri. I will do what I can."

"Thank you. I need to go. I have to vent." Arri turned and left the room.

Kyle opened his mouth to say something, but Arri was already gone. A few seconds later, the waitstaff brought over the food that she had ordered. Sighing heavily, Kyle told them to put it on his tab and then left the bar. What the hell was happening on his old home?!


OOC: just needs a timestamp, then you can post it :-)