First Contact Gone... Right?
Posted on Sun Jan 1st, 2023 @ 7:35pm by
Mission:
MISSION 0 - History Speaks
Location: Hades' Inferno, Deck 10, USS Elysium
3359 words - 6.7 OF Standard Post Measure
"Thank you, sweetie, have a nice evening, now!" Vasha smiled sweetly at the young Bolian armorer that had taken her service phaser from her and put it back where it belonged in the armory. The end of her shifts were always the best part of her day - going back to her quarters, changing out into something a bit more comfortable and doing whatever she wanted afterward.
Stretching, she made her way down the corridor, savoring the few jealous glances people threw her way. By no means was she as a Kelpien well-endowed, but what she did have was shapely like a swimmer's body, lean muscule and curve in the right places. Non-humanoid as she was she still turned heads wherever she went, and she savored the attention.
Sean O’Keefe was ending his duty shift as well. Turning in the phaser assisted to him, he couldn’t help but notice Vasha. Who couldn’t. Her height taller than O’Keefe’s was accentuated by a well toned body and curves that could be deadly.
Sean had noticed her on his shifts, observing the operation of the security department as part of her duties as an officer. He couldn’t say the long well-toned legs hadn’t drawn the attention of his eyes on numerous occasions. Those long legs went on for a good mile or so.
O’Keefe used this as an opportunity to get to know the shapely Kelpian. Of course, she was an officer and may not be one to fraternize with those under her, but she seemed nice enough. After all, she had just called the armorer “Sweetie.”
“Uh, Lieutenant?” Sean called out as he caught up with her, “Would ye care fer an aft shift drink?” It would be good to get her input on how she thought the security department was running, but mostly, he just wanted to get a bit closer to her.
The Master-at-Arms' reputation with women of quite literally all kinds preceded him, unfortunately or not - not that Vasha minded at all, actually. She wasn't one to turn down the opportunity to get to know a colleague, regardless of the name they'd made for themselves. She thought of it as giving everyone a chance, as they deserved.
"I'd like that. I'm in the mood for something light this evening, just enough to help me unwind." She responded with a kind craggy Kelpien smile, as she did to most people whom she talked to. It made her seem a bit less threatening, or so she liked to believe.
"Why don't I see you at Hades' Inferno on deck ten in thirty. I'd like to change out of my uniform and into something a bit more comfortable." She offered while walking to the turbolift. There was something quite eye-catching about the way she walked. Dancerlike. Like a gazelle trotting on slender, lithe legs. Graceful. "I'm sure you'd like to do the same."
With that she cast a knowing glance backwards. Part of her had been curious about how exactly he chose to apply his charms - why waste this ripe opportunity to find that out exactly? Build a connection, possibly slip in something brief about work, tease the ship's (in)famous ladies' man. She couldn't ask for more.
“Aye!” O’Keefe agreed, a grin upon his face and a glint in his eyes.
Vasha looked damn good in uniform. He could only imagine what she looked like out of uniform…that is in something more comfortable. Still, the other thought wouldn't be bad either.
The way she walked took the breath from Sean. Did she know what that did to him? Did she walk that way to stir him up?
“See ye in thirty!” he agreed as he hurried off to put on comfortable clothing for himself.
As it turned out, Vasha seemed to draw eyes whether in or out of uniform - moreso in her casual, more comfortable outfit for the evening. As with most of her species she didn't have all that much in the way of breasts, but what she did have was accented tantalizingly by a dark purple crop top that terminated just barely past her ribcage and left her flat yet toned belly exposed. A pair of tight blue jeans clung to her long, shapely legs, accentuating the gentle swell of her butt. Certainly a tomboyish look yet one that was feminine enough to be sexy, one that she seemed to slip into and wear as easily as she would a glove for investigations.
Hades' Inferno certainly lived up to its' name with the blasting electronic music overhead, holographic fire projected onto the walls and general edgy vibe that the decór and macabre black and red paint job. As always the bar was filled - but Vasha had had the fortune of finding and sitting at a small round table for two located a good distance away from the throbbing speaker abovehead. Perfect if you asked her. All she needed now was her companion for the evening.
Sean went to his quarters and grabbed a quick shower. He didn’t want the impression tonight be one of the sweaty after-shift smell he usually had. Toweling off, he grabbed a pair of snug straight-legged jeans, a gray t-shirt, with a black and white flannel shirt over it. He put on a pair of gray dockside’s with no socks. Casual was the definition of comfortable to Sean.
Walking down the corridor, Sean realized his jeans accentuated his tight arse and powerful legs. The flannel hid his strong chest that the t-shirt, which was a size too small, emphasized.
Entering Hades’ Inferno, O’Keefe paused just inside the door to scan the area. He spotted Vasha seated at a table for two. O’Keefe’s eyes widened. The crop top she wore was tantalizing. Sean acknowledged that he had spotted her with a wink and a grin.
When O’Keefe approached the table, Sean affirmed, “You loo’ ravishin’!”
He really was going for it, wasn't he. Vasha couldn't help but admire the way his chest really stood out in that shirt that was obviously too small for him. Classic. The jeans were suitably tight too, accentuating his powerful legs. Somehow she found that unsurprising - as master at arms he'd obviously need to be in superb shape after all. As infamous as he was with women, she had to admit, he had the looks to go with it.
"Well, hello there, Chief... so do you, by the way. Like a chiselled specimen of mankind." She said with a chuckle. "Or do you prefer Sean? In here, ranks don't exist - at least, until they have to, of course." She gave him a playful wink. She knew simply looking at her getup from the wide-eyed look he'd given her as soon as he clapped eyes on her form. "Call me Vasha in return. Or if you'd like, some people call me Vee."
"What would you like? I can order for us both." She offered.
Sean glanced at the way Vasha’s jeans hugged her hips and instantly wished he were them. He had to mentally ouch the thought from his mind. Easy Sean me boy! She’s an officer above ye. However, he had the nickname for her: Ravee! A combination of Vee and ravishing. He may not reveal that to her, unless their relationship became more than duty related.
“Aye! I’ll ‘ave a Redbreas’….a good Irish Whiskey!”
Vasha waved over one of the waitresses, a curvaceous young redhead. "An Irish whiskey and a bottle of hili'kach, please. Thank you, doll." She let the young girl nod and scamper away to the bar counter before speaking: "She's such a dear. I come here quite often, and we talk a lot. Brought her for a nice dinner at one of the restaurants on one of her really very few off days. Oh, what fun we had that night." The sly smile that danced across her lips then seemed to imply that their 'fun' hadn't just been them enjoying the evening on the entertainment deck.
"Well, now that we're both off duty with far less holds barred than on duty." She smiled, leaning slightly across the table. "Why don't we get to know each other properly. So! What brought you to Starfleet, Sean?"
Fun, eh? Sean thought, Well maybe she plays both ways… The gears began to turn in O’Keefe’s mind. Far less holds barred than on duty. Does that mean w’at I thin’?”
Sean leaned forward and chuckled. “Trut’ be tol’ me Lil’ Sis. She went to the Acad’my. Me?” he added, “I’m nae off’cer material. So I enlisted an’ worked at gettin’ assigned. Ya see…me Da’s las’ words ta me was ‘Loo’ aft ye Sis!’ So tha’s w’at I di’. ‘Til we ‘ad a fallin’ out an she ‘ad ‘erself re’signed.”
O’Keefe paused a moment wondering if Megs was doing well. He hoped so. The drinks came an Sean filled up a glass for her, then poured whiskey into his. “W’at ‘bout ye?” he probed, “W’at’s a fine wan like ye doin’ ‘ere?”
Vasha sipped from her drink, which was a sort of caramel-colored liquid that seemed, and certainly smelled, as smooth and sweet as the real thing. Quite adequate, perhaps, considering the light yet still tan coppery caramel of her complexion, earned from years of playing basketball under the blazing sun of multiple climates. There was something about the way his accent tinted the Kelpien that came through the Universal Translator, made it harder to comprehend, but the meaning came through.
"That's sweet." She said with a smile and a soft chuckle. "I'm sure she's still somewhat proud of you, as much as she may want to distance herself from Starfleet! Look at you, master at arms of an Odyssey class starship! That's certainly worth something!"
"Why am [i]Ii[/] here? I grew bored of competing for Kaminar, competition after competition, one every other week, non stop training, no time to myself or my family. I like my freedom. I like to do what I like, when I like - but I don't mind some structure to my life." She replied, setting her glass down. Her drink coated her lips, giving them a golden sheen that she licked off. "I have plenty of medals, by the way, from before and in Starfleet. I've got the latter pinned up on a board all nice, which you'll get to see if you make it to my quarters." There was a mischievous gleam in her eye then. "Which is a privilege I don't grant to just anyone. Play your cards right, and you might just have a chance. I'm sure you'd like that, wouldn't you?"
Sean listened intently. As Ravee removed the glass from her lips and O’Keefe’s eyes spied the glistening caramel tint on them, his lips grew hungry to taste it upon them. Then when her tongue ever so slightly licked her lips, Sean swallowed hard. He took a long sip of his whiskey, which added to the heat he was beginning to feel inside. She’s good, Sean thought, damn good!
At the words, “Play your cards right, and you might just have a chance,” O’Keefe instantly became slightly aroused. She had a way. She definitely knew what she was doing, and was enjoying it. What’s more, so was Sean.
Grinning with a wink and nod, Sean replied, “Well! It be a good thin’ I ‘ave a few aces up me sleeves.” Sean unbuttoned a few buttons to the flannel shirt, feeling warmer. This revealed more of the tight fitting t-shirt beneath.
He held up his glass in a toast. “Ta Starflee’! Bringin’ people tage’er!”
"To Starfleet!" Vasha couldn't help but grin and look as the Irishman undid his shirt, exposing the barely hidden musculature underneath. She knew of a few lesser women who, upon being treated to that sight, would swoon and melt into his waiting arms, proclaiming him their knight in shining armor... and additionally a kilt, perhaps, in his case. A couple more in that category would then proceed to grab him by the arm or somewhere else appropriate, abandoning their drinks or food or whatever have they, and satisfy their growing carnal needs there and then.
Vasha liked to think she was a lot better than that. She was a tree, oaken and strong, not a sapling that could be felled by a stiff wind. Or, in this case, possibly something else stiff.
"Well then. What do you do for fun. Surely you can't spend all your time chatting up every beautiful woman that you meet, or draining the local pubs and bars dry of whiskey. The Irish pub a few blocks down knows you, you know. I visit often." She said with a cheeky smile.
“Indee’ it does,” O’Keefe agreed with a chuckle. “I be there bes’ customer! I live a free life. Ye fergot weap’ns. Women, whiskey, an weap’ns! I ‘ave a good co’lection, which ye will git ta see, if ye may git a chance.” He was playing her game and enjoying the banter. He took a slow sip of the whiskey.
So he was playing the same game she was. Play a little coy, dangle an irresistable offer in front of her eyes, then make her work to get it, prod her a bit to get her to work harder. Vasha smirked. "I'm afraid I'm not a weapons girl, Sean, as much as I [i]am[/i] a security officer. But since you offer so politely, alright, I'll bite. We'll see about that!" No harm in a bit of teasing of her own, she reckoned.
"I have a few hobbies of my own - remember what I said about doing what I want? I play sports, lots of them. Tennis, badminton and my old love, basketball." She said. "I also play the violin and cook, by the way. You'll get to taste my food one day, but you'll have to earn it." She couldn't help but give him a sly grin at that. "Or just be at the right crew function. I once catered for the whole crew of the Hephaestus together with a bunch of friends - can you imagine how hard it is to cook for an entire Sutherland class' worth of people?"
The Hephaestus? O’Keefe’s expression suddenly changed. So tha’ be it…Megs pu’ ‘er up ta this! It would be just like Megan. Her biggest contention with Sean was his belief that no man was good enough for her. Sean kept pushing the men in her life away from her, while Sean himself had many lovers. And, every once in a while, he would settle into a serious relationship.
“Oh…,” O’Keefe managed to say, “I see w’at’s ‘appenin’ ‘ere.” Sean finished a drink and poured himself another, becoming a bit miffed. “She pu’ ye up ta this, didn’ she? Megs, I love ye,” he began to chuckle. After all, Megan knew his weakness. “Dan’le a carrot in an arse’s face, then yan’ it away from ‘im jes as he’s ‘bout ta ta’e a bite? Very funny!” O’Keefe drank half of the glass he had just poured.
Maybe Sean had expected Vasha to snicker and affirm the sentiment for him, and possibly drive the sentiment even deeper and even more painfully just to torture him and his poor worn heart. Instead the Kelpien blinked hard, seeming truly and utterly confused as to what he was talking about. "I don't know anyone called Megs." She replied. "I really am here utterly of my own volition, not because anyone put me up to it." Vasha offered him a kind smile and a squeeze of his hand. Her palm was warm and soft, like seasoned leather. "I don't who she is to you, or what she's done to make you think that, but I assure you I would never go out with someone just to help someone else spite them."
“Megan O’Keefe,” Sean confirmed, “me twin sister. In many ways, she be like me. She could nae stan’ me int’ferin’ with her relationships. The Hephaestus be the ship she transferred to. I can see ‘er settin’ me up li’e this.”
He paused feeling Ravee’s hand on his. It had been a while for Sean. His sister’s departure from the Sun Tzu had sent him in a downward spiral, which led to the reprimand and transfer sending Sean to the Elysium. From what she expressed, Vasha was as free-spirited as he was. Perhaps the barmaid could confess to that.
Taking a deep breath, Sean probed, “W’at say we go? Me cabin?”
So this 'Mabel' girl was his sister? Cue Vasha a little bit shocked to hear that - the way he talked about her, he made it seem like she was his ex he'd broken up on some particularly nasty terms with, seeing as how she seemed quite keen to send women his way just to mess with his feelings. But then again maybe there was some element of sisterly love in that, she reckoned. Siblings liked to mess with each other, after all.
"Alright then. Lead the way." Vasha smiled and picked up the half full bottle of hili'kach she'd ordered. "I think I'll take this to go if you don't mind. If you want you can try some when we get there, and trust me when I say you'll love it. I've never met a single person who hates it. It's like liquid caramel, it's so sweet - though I'm quite sure that's not the sweet, caramel thing that you're actually after." She said with a low, sultry chuckle, leaning on the table slightly so that she still towered over him a little, smallish but still perky chest in his face. They must've been the perfect little handfuls, or so her top seemed to imply.
Sean grinned. It took everything within him not to bury his face in the temptresses breasts at that moment. It was like Ravee knew him. Perhaps, she was a female version of himself. He had never made love to a non-Terran. He supposed it wouldn’t be much different, especially with her last comment.
Standing, Sean held out a hand to Vasha. Despite being a worshiper of women, he was a gentleman, or so he thought.
“I’ll cherish e’ery sweet drop,” O’Keefe mused.
Sean came off to her as someone who was rather starved for affection - real, genuine affection, not something he'd get for a night before the other smiled and went on her merry way, leaving him feeling empty all over again. He needed more than just a woman's touch. He needed an actual connection - which she was willing to give him, in good time... but for now, they could simply enjoy their night together. She smiled and slipped her hand into his. "Lead the way." She said.
He needed no further prodding. His eyes brightened as her grasped Ravee’s hand. Leading the way to the turbo lift, Sean gave the command for the deck where he slept. Standing just inches from Vasha, he had the urge to take her right there. He was certain she could feel his warm breath upon her skin.
When the lift doors opened, Sean led her to his quarters. Stopping before the door, Sean said, “It nae be much, not be officer quar’ers.”
The door swished open and O’Keefe pulled Vasha through with him, right into his arms. Now, those caramel flavored lips were so close to his. He looked up into those blue eyes, bringing light to her darker complexion. He couldn’t wait any longer. Sean moved his lips to hers and kissed her deeply...
TBC