New Face

Posted on Mon Sep 13th, 2021 @ 7:21am by Commodore Phoenix Lalor-Richardson & Lieutenant Clara Lawson & Tristi Richardson & Commander Arrianna Salannis an Vantar & Lieutenant Commander Malakai Starr [Taylor] & 1st Lieutenant Joshua Young [Taylor] & Lieutenant Commander Kara Starr {Kelea-Salik} & Captain Mattias Richardson [Reece]

Mission: Darkness Rising - A Phoenix Lalor Sub Plot
Location: Rigel X - new base
Timeline: MD25
2156 words - 4.3 OF Standard Post Measure

Tristi hung back as the group exited the small shuttle they had boarded in the city and now exited in a large hanger. She clutched at the duffle and shoulder bags she carried and watched warily.

The one they called Lily led the way down the ramp, the Breen disguised man close behind her. She had studied the group's body language on the way back. She could see that Lily and Mattias were close. closer than the others looked to be with each other. Though the Blond Human was pretty close to the one they called Lily as well, though it seemed a different sort of friendship.

Lily led the group off the shuttle and called out "KARA!" loudly towards the group gathering in the doorway of the shuttlebay.

As soon as they exited the shuttle, Mattias pulled off his helmet and started to open his Breen uniform. "Man! I can't wait to take a shower!"

Kara had heard Lily’s shout and came running carrying her medical kit just incase it was needed. “Is everyone alright?”

"we are. This is Tristi," Lily waved a hand to the teenager who was following the group down the ramp. "We... found her on the streets. Can you check her over please and assign her a bedroom?"

“Of course I can” Kara smiled warmly as she looked towards Tristi. “Welcome to our, now your, home Tristi. If you’ll come with me I’ll get you checked over in no time.”

Kate spoke as she pulled off her disguise. She walked towards Kara and dropped a small PADD into her pocket as she went to her room. Particularly to be alone.

*Kara's PADD*

“She's been out on the streets for a while. She's malnourished, and she may have some health problems she's not telling us about. Me and Mattias also think she's been exploited.”

Kara nodded and looked at Tristi. “Okay, I’ll run a few scans give you a full check up.”

Tristi gave a choppy nod at Kara her knuckles were almost white as she clenched them around her bags.

“Hey...” Kara offered a warm smile. “It’s okay, your amongst friends here. No one will judge you or hurt you.”

The teenager gave a shrug and followed her.

Walking to the medbay Kara walked ahead and motioned for Tristi to enter. “Okay grab a seat and I’ll have this done in no time.”

"ok.." Tristi replied softly.

Kara grabbed a tricorder and walked back to the bed. “Is there anything I should know before I start? Nothing you tell me will leave this room I promise.”

"Like what?" asked Tristi. "What do you mean?"

“Living on the streets can be... brutal. That’s all I’m saying.” Kara offered a smile. “Do you have parents? As a mother to be I couldn’t imagine my child living alone on the streets.”

"No Parents. Born on earth." the teen replied. "Apparently." Tristi shrugged.

Kara nodded and ran her scans. Tristi was extremely thin, very malnourished, and had numerous cuts. “I see signs of badly healed broken ribs.” She ran her scan lower. “I also see... Oh...” she paused offering a kind smile. “Old scaring between the legs.” She put her tricorder down. “I’m so sorry...”

The teen shrugged "You didn't do anything. No reason to be sorry." She was calm.

“I know, but I understand what you went through.” Kara paused. “I’ve been through it myself... three years ago. If you’d like I can start treating your scars? It’ll take a few treatments but you’ll never know they were there.”

Tristi bit her lip. "They lower the price." She whispered. "No one wants a scarred girl."

Kara gave Tristi a caring glance. “No one is going to be selling you to slavery, you’re safe here with us Tristi that’s a promise!” She put the tricorder away. “Would you like something to eat or drink? The replicator here will dispense whatever you want, we also have some fresh food as well if you’d prefer that.”

"Why are you being so nice?" Tristi asked curiously

“I was an orphan too, I was adopted by the family that found me. You’ve already met my brother Mattias, he’s always been extremely protective of me.” She grinned. “The ever over protective big brother!”

"You are lucky." Tristi said "But.. I dont want the scars removed sorry."

Kara smiled. “That’s fine, I’m not here to force you to do anything. From what I can see you’re suffering from malnutrition so I want you to make sure you eat a balanced diet. Just to get you up to a healthy weight and in good shape. Go careful to start though or you’ll make yourself sick, your body isn’t used to large amounts of food in one go at present.”

"ok.." Tristi replied "I don't eat much anyway."

“Well you’re going to need to keep to a good diet if you want to be healthy.” Kara smiled. “We’ll just keep a check on your weight while you’re here. So how’s about we find you some quarters?”

"Okay." Tristi said softly.

===Lily/Mattias Quarters===

As soon as Mattias entered their bedroom, he started to strip out of the rest of the uniform (he had already deposited all of his weapons in the armory). "Damn, I forgot how stifling this damn thing is!"

"Yet you chose to wear it." She replied watching him.

"The group needed a heavy. No one messes with a Breen bounty hunter. They're almost as dangerous as a Nausican, and twice as quick to anger as a Klingon." As he spoke, he was trying to pull the chest rig off over his head. He ended up getting stuck. "Um...help?"

Laughing softly she moved and began to help him. "aww poor baby." She said softly.

Once the rig was removed, Mattias reached out and pulled Phoenix to him. There was a look in his eyes that seemed to be a mixture of sadness and resolve. "Phee," he whispered. "We can't send her away, Tristi. When i saw that look of fear in her eyes, it took me right back to Erisia, when our eyes met! She needs our protection. She needs this crew to be her family.....Please."

"She is a teenager. I would be surprised if she is 15! We cannot risk her here Mattias. What do you suggest we do?" Lily said softly

"She has no one else, and nowhere else to go! If she did, she'd already be there. You saw her room. If it looked like the rest of that shithole, then she is completely on her own. I'm not saying its gonna be easy. But, it is the right thing to do. Even with our mission, this ship, and this crew, is the safest place for her to heal and grow."

"With Cragen after us? With us trying to bring down ..." she threw her hands up and turned away, ready to unleash. "Look I am the first to say it is a suckful situation! But she is a Kid Mattias! She should be far from this! And I cannot send her to the Elysium cause I can all but guarantee that she wont make it there. I know!" She said at his look. "I know!"

"You can't send her away now, Phee.... Think about what that would do to her confidence, let alone her trust for others. Like it or not, she's stuck with us, and we her, for the duration. I have a feeling about her. I don't think she will be any kind of hindrance. In fact, the exact opposite! She will be the symbol of what we are trying to protect!" He paused briefly, before adding, "You know I'm right, sweetheart."

She shot him a cross look. "I hate it when you are right" she snapped. "A teenager, a Kid... just brilliant!"

Mattias gave Phoenix a very charming, roguish grin. "You know how sexy you are when you're annoyed when I'm right?"

Phoenix flipped the blond hair at him. "You like me as a blond bajoran?"

He made a face, then replied. "Honestly....you're hot in any way you disguise yourself. However," he moved right up to her and pulled her to him. "You normal look is so fucking more sexier, I'm still amazed that I'm with you." He leaned in and kissed her deeply.

Lily kissed him back and then after a moment she broke it. "Ok.. we have things to do Love"

Nodding, he replied. "First thing I need to do, is take a shower."

She smirked. "Go have the shower. I will go replicate some clothes for our newest member."

Nodding, Mattias kissed Phoenix again, and then released her. "I'll be out in a bit."

===

Lily met Kara and Tristi as they exited the medical bay. "Hi" she said and held out a pile of clothes to Tristi. "We replicated these for you Tristi. I think they will fit."

Tristi took the pile gingerly. "T-thank you.." she got out

Kara smiled warmly. “If there’s anything you need all you have to do is ask.”

Lily smiled "So Kara, where are you taking her?"

“We were just going to look at the spare quarters, see which one Tristi would like” Kara smiled warmly.

Tristi gave her a puzzled look. "I.. get a choice?"

Lily nodded. "And make sure she picks out a room on the Equinox as well"

A few moments later, Mattias re-emerged from the shower. No longer dressed like a Breen, he was scrubbed and dressed in his usual attire of combat boot, black cargo pants, tank top, and gunbelt. He left his vest back in his and Phoenix's cabin. "Hey kiddo!" He said with a friendly grin to Tristi. "You settling in okay?"

She recognised the voice and nodded "yes sir."

“I was just about to show Tristi the spare quarters here and on the Equinox actually” Kara smiled as she looked at Mattias. “Maybe you’d like to join us big brother?”

Mattias nodded and smiled. "I'd love to!" He then started to reach out for the items that Tristi was carrying. "May I help you with all that?"

She shook her head "No. no thank you, I have them. "

Smiling softly, Mattias nodded his head and lowered his hands. "Okay," he replied gently. "Well, if you'd like, once you're settled and rested, I'd be glad to give you a few more pointers on how best to use that blade of yours? Maybe even start training you on other items?"

She considered it and figured if she made herself useful, maybe she would be able to learn stuff. so she gave a shy nod.

Malakai walked up on the group. "Ah, here you all are. Are we having a private conversation or can anyone join in?" He asked before looking at Tristi, :Hiya kid, how you doing?"

"okay" she said feeling very overwhelmed.

“Hey Handsome” Kara smiled at Malakai. “We were just going to show Tristi to her quarters.”

"Hello Sweetheart." Malakai replied to Kara then added, "Is that a fact? She's got a wide selection to choose from that's for sure."

Tristi was silent as they walked the halls of the house.. though it was way bigger than any house she had ever seen. She wrapped her arms around herself and waited to be told where to go.

As they approached a medium-sized suite, Mattias spoke up. "This could be a good room for ya, Kiddo. It's far enough away from the other rooms, that you can be alone if you want to, and close enough to us, should you need anything."

"Ah...ok" Tristi said softly. "Thank you" she had been taught manners over the years. She paused and glanced at them curiously.

"Your welcome kid. It's your room. You set it up and decorate it any way you like. I'm sure Kara, Lilly and the other ladies will help you with ideas." Malakai replied.

Tristi gave another half shrug. "Thank you"

Mattias smiled softly. He could see that Tristi was feeling very overwhelmed by everything. "Alright guys, let's give her some space to relax and unwind. I'm sure she doesn't need us all hovering around her like dotting mother hens." He then covered the side of his mouth so only Tristi saw it and whispered, not all too quietly, "Of which Malakai there is the biggest one." He then gave her a playful wink, trying to get her to smile, even a little.

She gave a soft giggle and then stepped into the bedroom in silence. She kept her head up but her eyes were widening out of sight of the others. It was bigger than anything she had ever seen. The door slid shut behind her and she sank to the floor as she stared.