Shootin' the breeze

Posted on Wed Sep 27th, 2023 @ 1:30pm by Lieutenant Commander Aurelia Taylor & Chief Warrant Officer Carol Dolton

Mission: Season 6: Episode 3: Far From Home
Location: Security Section/Brig
Timeline: Present
1025 words - 2.1 OF Standard Post Measure

ON

Carol sat at Lia's old desk, everything which had been in there had long been removed. In fact nothing Lia had put up or installed, remained. She looked over to where S'hib had once sat, again nothing remained to mark his ever being there. *Erased from memory*, she thought. A swift glance at a screen showed Lia sat in her cell, *She looks different* Carol decided. Indeed Lia seemed smaller, detached from reality and those around her.

Pondering on events, Carol now concentrated on Lalor's pet JAG. *That bitch needs taking down a peg or two* she decided. But how do you kick a dog that doesn't stray far from its master? Dolton shook her head, *Lia told you to stay away, are you going against her?* The thought rattled around Carol's head for a minuet or two until she dismissed it, *Sorry Lia, I want to hurt that bitch. She needs to be taught a lesson.*

Standing up, Dolton crossed to the replicator and got her self a coffee. Then she ordered another one, and leaving hers on the desk took the second to Lia. "Coffee Lia, move to the rear please." Taylor silently rose and moved towards the bunk, "Thank you Chief, what time is it?" Carol placed the cup on a small table and returned outside of the cell, "It's about 15:30, why? You got a date?" Dolton smiled as she spoke, she hadn't even reactivated the force shield between her and Lia.

Approaching the hot coffee, Lia could see that the force field wasn't active. "Your slipping Chief, reactivate the shield. I could always throw this coffee straight at you." Carol didn't move, "No you won't, one because you want a coffee to drink. Two because you know you wouldn't get far, and three I trust you and you trust and know me." A grin appeared on Lia's face, "Slipshod ways Chief, never take a convict for granted. They bite." Dolton nodded in agreement, "True, but your not a convict are you? You know the difference between kindness and bribery, right from wrong." Taylor sniffed, "Smells great, and knowing right from wrong is what got me in here. If I'd held S'hib back, neither of us would be where we are now."

Leaving Lia unattended, Carol fetched her coffee. "See what I mean, you had the perfect opportunity to escape and didn't even move." Taylor nodded, "But where would I go? Not a lot of places to run to on this shit pit." Dolton laughed, "Now now Lia, are you getting vindictive?" "Yeah, I suppose I am." Replied Lia. Looking at Lia, Carol smiled slightly. "You don't have to use my rank when I talk to you, I'm not about to screw you around like that." Lia looked at Dolton, "I know that, but I'm not about to drop you or myself in it. What if some little backstabber was listening in, straight to the Princess or her stalwart No.1. And we're both in the shit."

"Now that's a little paranoid you know, are you getting stir crazy after three days?" Carol asked Lia, Taylor shook her head. "Nope, I just don't trust our new Chief of Security. I think he's out to keep what Lalor's given him, so I ain't about to give him any ammunition." "Never thought about that, what makes you think that?" Carol replied. "Because he's one of Princess's little pets, and I just don't like the look of him." Was the response Lia gave.

Carol waved Lia back from the cell door, "I'm activating the field Lia, step back please." Retreating back to the bunk Lia responded, "This far enough Chief?" The cheeky grin on her face made Carol react, "Oh very funny Lia, now if you want another coffee I may just forget." Taylor just smiled even more, "Your not attempting blackmail of a prisoner are you Chief?" Dolton now waged a finger in Lia's direction, "I pity anyone trying to blackmail you Lia, you'd probably knock them horizontal at the first chance you'd get." Taylor nodded, "Got that right, and being in here is just one more reason not to trust the Princess or her No1."

A buzzer now sounded, "Hey Lia, front and centre. Evening meal time is here, grab your fighting irons." Picking up her cutlery, Lia now stood waiting. A small crewman appeared with a dining cart, "Choose yer poison ya crim." Dolton now moved forwards, "What did you just say?" The crewman looked puzzled, "I asked her to choose." Carol now stood only inches from the man, "No you bloody didn't, you called her a crim. And I don't allow bloody little shits to abuse people in my charge! Now apologise before you get one of these cells all to yourself!" The crewman paled and turned to Lia, "Sorry Commander, I was out of line." Lia just stood and waited, then spoke quietly. "You thought you'd get away with the verbal abuse, well the Chief there is not the sort to cross. I'd let everyone else know what to expect, now can I have the roast chicken with french fries please." The crewman served Lia her meal then turned to Dolton, "Sorry Chief, can I interest you in a selection?" Carol shook her head, "Nope, got my food in my cabin. Now get your butt out of my Brig, before I loose my shit with you."

As the dining cart and crewman scuttled away, Lia turned to Carol. "I told you other forms of address would be used." Carol looked back at Lia, "And I told you I'd bounce the first idiot to use it, that little shit is on report." Taylor sat on her bunk, "Do you think that's wise? He won't be the only one, you know that don't you?" Dolton slowly nodded, "He maybe the first, but if I hammer him hard. The word will get around, and the verbal will cease. Or you'll be having cellmates." Carol turned to leave, "Commander, enjoy your meal." Carol left and Lia began eating, *That girl is going to cause trouble for herself if she isn't careful* she thought.

OFF