Not as James Bond as I thought

Posted on Tue Aug 31st, 2021 @ 6:43am by Lieutenant Vira Vemre [Whavi] & Captain Gary Taylor

Mission: MISSION 0 - History Speaks
Location: USS Elysium
3117 words - 6.2 OF Standard Post Measure

Vira had done a little research on her target prior to physically observing Commander Gary Taylor. She had never personally met the man, but luckily for her, he wasn't hard to pick out of a crowd.

Currently she was seated on the opposite side of the cafeteria eating her now cold breakfast. The risian had gotten to the cafeteria early and waited for her target to come in at his normal time. She had wanted to make sure her seating gave her the ultimate view of the door, but had over estimated how early she really needed to be.

Gary entered the cafeteria and greeted several other crew members pleasantly as moved to the buffet and picked several items from it. Scrambled eggs, ham, some link sausage and a slice of toast with a glass of orange juice. Unaware he was being watched he he walked over to a table and sat down and began to enjoy his breakfast.

Vira had to reign in her excitement, occasionally looking down but watching the commander from her peripheral. She took note of what he had selected for breakfast and the rapport he had with those around him. There was a level of comfort around the commander she hadn't seen with the command team. Had it always been this way? Or was his demotion the reason for such comfort?
Vira was sure to note this as well in the PADD she held.

Gary ate his breakfast in a leisurely fashion. When he had finished he rose deposited the remains in the trash recycle bin and let the cafeteria. His next stop was the barber shop, where he again greeted the barber Mr. Nox, pleasantly along with the others there.

Vira knew she waited too long to exit the cafeteria, running a bit when she entered the hall. When she rounded the corner she almost collided with Gary but her feet halted promptly. When she saw his destination she cursed. She had no business being in a barber shop! She wasn't giving up that easy though.... across the hall she faced a wall console pretending to be busy as she watched him from the reflective glass.

Gary chatted with the barber as his eyes took in everything around him. He noticed the the female officer across the corridor looking into the reflective glass and logged it away. Soon his hair cut was done and left the shop heading to the range where he could show off to himself. He stopped about halfway there and decided to go to the gym, where he could either do some lap swimming or take out some frustration on the punching bag.

Vira eyebrows knit together, all morning Gary had proceeded confidently, moving forward sure of his destination but then suddenly he switched it up. The ensign paused in the hall giving the commander more slack. She saw where it was he was headed and turned around deciding to go the back way.
Quickly she entered the womans locker-room, depositing her uniform top and PADD in an empty locker. Tying back her hair she emerged into the gym in a tank top and ponytail, she knew it didn't change her appearance by much but as she took up a spot at a machine she began scanning the room for Gary.

Gary entered mere moments later, he had changed into a grey sweat suit. and after greeting a few of the crew already there, headed for the punching bag, where he began throwing punches at it, light jabs to begin with then soon thunderous right and left uppercuts were filling the gym and the bag rocked violently with each punch. As he punched, he gave a quick look around the gym and spotted the female officer who he had seen outside the barber shop. He gave no indication of seeing her but it was odd that she be in two places he was. Coincidence? Possibly but Gary had his suspicions yet he continued his workout.

Vira huffed as beads of sweat began to trail down her temple and spine. 'This was not what I had in mind, ugh I had sweating.' Standing up from the machine Vira walked to the water fountain, picking up a towel on her way. Her back turned she momentarily forgot all about her target and reason for being there as she gulped the cold water.

Gary threw a few more punches as he watched the female get up and go the water fountain. It was time to put his suspicions to the test as he took the opportunity to duck out and go from being the hunted to the hunter. He quickly changed back into his uniform and doubled back the way he came and watch the officer's reaction to the realization she had lost her quarry.

Straightening Vira turned, using the towel to wipe the droplets of water from her lips. As she headed back towards the machine she had just left and paused not seeing the commander. Her attempt to play it cool failed as she scanned the entire area. "Drats" she mumbled to herself. After taking another glance around she huffed and headed back in the direction of the female locker room to retrieve her uniform top.

Meanwhile Gary had taken up position (discretely) outside the gym to wait for his 'stalker' to reappear and he could tail her for a bit before confronting her.

Her uniform top throw over her shoulder, Vira exited the female locker room with her head down focused on the PADD in her hands. She was adding notes from her observations from the gym as she strolled down the corridor and rounded a corner.

Gary watched the young officer exit the gym, her head down, looking at a PaDD in her hand. He decided to test his theory. Grabbing a bottle of water in a reflective insulated holder, he powered walked past the officer using the reflective cover to watch her reaction and see what she would do next.

From the corner of her eye Vira caught sight of her target pass her. Almost immediately adrenaline raced through her veins. For half a second she contemplated addressing the commander but snapped her mouth shut thinking better of it. Slowing her pace a bit to add some distance between the two she attempted to cautiously follow the same path as he. She saw him heading for the turbolift and cursed under her breath.

However at the last instant, Gary suddenly turned and headed down another corridor, all the while, sneaking looks at his insulated cup and seeing the young female following him.

Vira followed around the corner, looking over her own shoulder. Something felt off, was the commander on to her? She started second guessing this whole operation and decided at the next opportunity she would abort and go the opposite direction of the commander.


Gary increased his pace and the distance between him as his 'stalker' so he could duck around a corner first and then wait for her to follow and confront her.

Oblivious to the hidden commander, Vira rounded the corner.

Gary stood there, arms folded across his chest as Vira rounded the corner. "Looking for me?" He asked.

Vira halted, nearly colliding with the commander. Her eyes widened as she took a step back. After a second stunned silence Vira chuckled, "I'm sorry, what?"

Gary stared at her, " Have I said something funny Ensign? I said were you looking for me?"

"N-no sir, I meant no disrespect." Shit shit shit Vira thought. How was she going to get out of this one?

Gary didn't return the smile. "Really? Because it sure appeared to me you were following me. Now, once again, why were you following me?"

The risian went still, eyes never leaving the commanders. She worked to keep her breathing steady and ignore the rapid beating of her heart. She was silent for a few seconds, every excuse she concocted useless and unbelievable.

"I was curious." She cursed herself as she realized she practicality incriminated herself by admitting what she did.

"You were curious." Gary repeated. "Don't you mean you were curious about me? And the next question is, why were you curious? I'd advise you to think carefully before you reply."

Vira felt like she was shrinking, like the commander was towering over her. She hadn't felt this small in years, she also hadn't been this intimated in years either.
She had two options, try to lie her was out of this, confess some school girl crush and hope the whole situation could just be brushed off, or...or she could be honest.

Her voice held a somber note as she started speaking, "Why, that if your this humble hero that everyone seems to respect with little to no doubt, that you weren't given command of the Elysium." Surprisingly, Vira stood her ground.

Gary didn't say anything. He just continued to look at Vira for several seconds before he spoke. "Walk with me Ensign." He answered, not really an order but rather a strong suggestion as he headed down the corridor, not waiting or looking back to see if Vira would come with him or remain standing there. He was betting she would accompany him.

It took her a few seconds to process the commanders request and to put her feet into motion. Taking a deep breath she walked aside the commander, eyes straight ahead.

Gary glanced at her as Vira caught up and fell into step with him. "Relax Ensign, I'm not going to demote you to sanitation crewman third class...this time." They walked a little more until they reached the diplomatic offices. "Inside." Now it was an order.

Was he actually joking? Vira didn't dare laugh. When they reached the offices a whole new sense of dread washed over her. She kept her lips uncharacteristically sealed as she entered.

Gary moved to sit behind his desk. "If you want something from the replicator get it and then sit down." With that he waited for her next move though inwardly he thought the ensign was going to run for the door if she got the chance.

Vira was confused, if she caught someone tailing her would she be this attentive? This nice? She was intrigued by the commander all over again. After a quick glance at the exit, she tentatively took a seat on the opposite side of Gary's desk.

"Settled? Good." Gary replied as he was looking at his computer screen. "Ensign Vira Vemre. Just recently transferred in." He looked at her and then back to the screen. "A very interesting file Ensign. Yet no where do I find where it says you are a stalker."

The corner of her lips perked up slightly, she should be sweating it right now knowing the commander was eyeing her file. She knew it wasn't spotless but she also knew all that she had gotten away with that never made it onto that file of hers. "I wouldn't say stalker...I'm more of a...people watcher. An observer of sorts." There goes any future career in intelligence she thought to herself.

Gary swung in his chair, his eyes on hers. "An observer of sorts?" he questioned. "I don't think you do yourself justice Ensign Vira Verme. I think you are a stalker. Not a very good one but a stalker nonetheless. I bet counseling would love to get their hands on you. See what is going on inside that head of yours." Gary had no intention of sending Vira to counseling but he wanted to scare her. She what she was made of.

Vira smirked, her brows rising in what others would see as anticipation, but in reality was her reaction to the thrill of a challenge. "Might be one of their most interesting patients this side of the quadrant." She gave a halfhearted shrug of her right shoulder.

"Possibly. However we'll leave that for now. Question is what am I going to do with you? I could have you thrown in the brig or I could pass you off to Baeryn as your from her department but that wouldn't be fair to her." Gary mused. "Let me think." He was silent for several moments before he made some notations on a PaDD. "I think I have it."

She paled slightly knowing exactly how Whavi would react to this whole debacle. She'd much rather spend the time in the brig then hear her lecture her for what could possibly be the 100th time, not to mention this new Baeryn was all business and no...tolerance for fun. Vira slide a hand under her thigh, crossing her fingers in a silent prayer while waiting to hear her punishment.

Gary saw Vira pale slightly and he knew he had gotten her attention. "You said you were an observer of people, well your going to get your chance. Starting now and until I decide otherwise you will be part of the diplomatic department as well as Ops. Being here you will learn how to observe and watch people without sticking out like a sore thumb. Are you agreeable to this Ensign?"

A operations officer, a bartender...and now a diplomat? Talk about jack of all trades. "I'm mean its not like I have a choice is it?" Her comment came out a little too much like a retort and she straightened in her seat quickly speaking again before she could be reprimanded. "I agree. It's not a problem at all." She blinked twice before adding, "Sir."

Gary's eyes narrowed at Vira's comment. "Of course you have a choice Ensign. You have a voice in this, you can say no and take your chances. I don't want you to feel your being forced into anything. I want you to make your decision of your own free will."

The commanders words twisted something in Vira's chest. She knew she didn't deserve to be given a choice, especially when the option he laid out before her was more then generous. There was a hint of longing as she thought about working alongside someone as honorable as Commander Taylor. This was an opportunity she would be a fool to decline. Besides, the more time she spent in the diplomatic department might help answer the lingering questions she had about the commander.

"Thank you." She shook her head realizing she had to actually voice her acceptance. "I look forward to the knowledge i'll gain." She shrugged again, that smirk making an appearance as she added," Besides I clearly have too much time on my hands if i'm already getting into trouble."

"Excellent! Welcome to the Diplomatic Department. Your official title will be liaison officer and I guarantee you will learn. You may find out you like it. As for getting into trouble that comes from time mismanaged. We'll fix that." He said with a grin and a wink.

An unexpected laugh erupted from her. The tense nervousness was gone as the situation shifted and Vira wasn't sure how it had happened but she had an idea that Commander Taylor was the reason. "Liaison officer.... I do have one question. More like...a favor to ask. I know from where I'm sitting have no right to ask for anything but..." She smiled sheepishly.

"In for a penny, in for a pound. Ask your question. The worse that can happen is I say no." Gary told her, "So fire away."

Vira took a deep breath. "Can we possibly keep my 'extra curricular' activities between the two of us and not inform the captain or lieutenant Whavi?"

Gary eyed the younger officer, heard the earnestness in her question as well as what it meant to to her to keep such activities hush hush.. "Can we? Absolutely. Will we, I believe we can as long as you agree to curtail them."

Reluctantly Vira nodded, respect and appreciation blooming in her chest that far outweighed the disappointment in ending such activities. Samarie was clearly the better operative. "I think I can manage that. No, I know I can." She added after realizing all that Taylor had already done for her.

She leaned back in her seat, "So, Liaison officer, does this mean I'll get to go on secret missions?" Her brows lifted.

Gary studied her, heard her eagerness to learn and be a part of things. He would never hold that against her. "Yes Liaison officer. I think if you play your cards right, that can be arranged. Who know? maybe even a little stalker could be in the works."

"Oh I love cards." She jested, knowing full well what the commander meant. Her smile faded a bit knowing she was about to push her luck. "I just want you to know I feel like there been a large injustice, I don't have all the facts, or the rank to even ask questions and I can't really say I'm a good judge of character given my own actions, but I hope you can forgive me for today. Also, your haircut looks great."

"Your young. Hopefully you will out grow it. A it is not something I hold in high regard. However you are also too hard on yourself. Give yourself some to gain some experience. An injustice? How so?" Gary asked with a tilt of his head. I'm glad my haircut meets with your approval. Are you also a barber?"

She laughed, "No i am not a barber but I did wait outside the shop while you got it cut and I hadn't heard anyone else extend the compliment!" Her expression sobered. "Yes, an injustice. I know I came aboard mid a command shift..."The words were harder to get out then she thought. "It just doesn't seem right, the position you were put into but I guess that's just my lower deckers opinion."

"First your opinion as important as anyone on this ship and don't let anyone tell you otherwise. Though I do appreciate you saying so." Gary paused as he considered his next words. "As for the command shift. It is what it is. I just have to make the most of it.

"I can see why Baeryn likes you so much." The risian gave a warm smile as she stood. "Am I free to go? Promise no more stalking."

Gary smiled. "I like Baeryn as well." He admitted. "Yes free to go. I'll get with you later to work out a schedule for you." He looked around and then back to Vira. "No stalking unless your doing it when your here." He grinned.

"Promise." Vira moved for the door, taking one last look back she grinned and exited.