The Cute Little Troll and the Amazonian...

Posted on Fri Apr 19th, 2024 @ 8:04am by Captain Addison 'Rico' Leyton & Captain George Charles [Reece] & 2nd Lieutenant Slarth [Reece]

Mission: Season 6: Episode 4: Memory Lane
Location: USS Elysium, Starfighter Gym
Timeline: MD 7 / 1607 hours
Tags: O
1931 words - 3.9 OF Standard Post Measure

After working her shift, first doing the normal maintenance on the Valkyrie that she and George flew, then helping out along the rest of the flight line, Second Lieutenant Slarth, call sign "Tink", was in the small Gymnasium that had been built for the starfighter department. While she wasn't the strongest or fastest officer, the young Ferengi woman did her best to keep her body in peak physical shape. As she was an albino, there was very few places she could find even the most meager employment back home, now that women were allowed to work and earn a profit. Ferengi like her, of which there were extremely few, were seen as a punishment that the parents who applied to Starfleet. Slarth grew up in Starfleet, surrounded by the best and brightest of the United Federation of Planets.

Now that she was a member of that storied group, she worked hard to remain a part of it.

Addison was into her second mile on her treadmill run when she saw Slarth enter the gymnasium. She hadn't managed to get to know the woman too well being in a different squadron but being the only female ferengi made the woman stick out. "Hey Tink. How are you?"

Hearing her call sign, Slarth turned her head and smiled, Dipping her head respectfully (the gym was a no-salute area). "I'm doing alright, Rico, considering I'm still grounded while my stick jockey is still healing from his spine surgery." She moved closer to where the Captain was running and started to stretch her short limbs. "How are things with you and your Gryphons?"

"Going as well as can be expected," she said through breaths. "It sucks with the ship in stealth mode and not being able to fly patrol."

Tink started up the treadmill next to Rico and got going at a steady jog. "Well, as I said, at least you're not grounded because your pilot decided to be all heroic and used his body to protect his cute little man." She smiled, thinking about Hendor and how much that little boy meant to her.

"Well, if he's still out when we're cleared to fly, I'm sure you'll be needed. If not, come over to the Gryphons. We're still short a Weapons Officer or two." The statement still stung at the casualty and injury list that the Gryphons suffered during the incident that brought the ship to the other side of the galaxy.

Tink considered it for a few beats before replying. "George and I have been a team since he joined the Elysium. I'd have to talk to him about it first. It would all depend on whether he is able to earn back his wings."

"I'm sure he will. He's a good pilot," Addison said. "I've noticed you've been keeping busy lately with helping to maintain the Valkyries."

The young Ferengi smiled proudly. "Yup, just looking after my girls. We almost have the whole Squadron flight and fight ready. Right now, we've got four ready for launch."

"Great news," Addison commented. "We have two Gryphons down and one that should be up any day now.". One thing about the Gryphons were that while they could take a beating, the more complex systems required more maintenance down time.

"Excellent!" Slarth replied, a toothy grin on her face. "The sooner all of our birds are ready, the sooner we can get back out there and provide an adequate CAG pattern." After she finished speaking, she pressed a control on the treadmill to slow the speed to a brisk walk. While the young Ferengi did her best to keep her stamina up, she was better built for sprints than marathons.

"I heard Thumper's broken leg is almost healed," Tink commented, referring to Rico's REO.

"Yeah, she'll be back to playing her playlist in the cockpit and annoying me in no time," Leyton replied, chuckling. "She's the first Andorian I've met that has a thing for old Earth rock music from the 20th Century."

"I personally like the country music of the late 20th Century." Tink offered. "It has a...homey feel to it that reminds me of my town, back on Ferenginar."

"How does old Earth country music remind you of your home on Ferenginar?" Leyton asked, curious.

"Oh, you know, someone's always loosing property or being given divorce papers, dividing said property, usually unevenly." She grinned. "Sounds like business deals all around." Tink then chuckled softly.

"Never thought of it that way but sometimes dividing property in divorces unevenly is perfect justice," Rivo replied after a moment with a grin as she recalled her divorce.

Looking over at Rico, Tink grinned eagerly. "You sound like you know it from personal experience." Her eyes seemed to glitter from the mere idea of business transactions.

"I do. I was married once. Big mistake. Long story short, he tried to claim ownership of my family's ranch in the divorce but as it is considered historical by United Earth and is in my family's name, he didn't have a shadow of a case. Bastard deserved what he got--nothing."

"Oohhhhh!!!" Tink giggled. "Did he at least have to pay fines for his stupidity?" The thought of it all was giving her a little high.

"No, no fines as it was in a Federation Court," Addison explained. "I'm just grateful for not having a kid with the cheating bastard."

The young Ferengi visibly deflated some. "No financial repercussions for failing a financial transaction and land grab? Man, you Hu-mons really don't have a head for business deals, do ya?" She gently teased Rico, as they continued to exercise next to one another.

Addison smirked. "I got rid of him and don't have to deal with him ever again so I'd call that a successful business deal. On my end at least."

Tink slowed to a walk as she considered what Rico had just said. Then, after a beat, She responded. "Well, it is like Rule of Acquisition, number two hundred ninety. A man is only worth the sum of his possessions. As he lost you, then he lost a truly precious gemstone."

"Aww, thanks," Addison said as she hit three miles on her treadmill as she slowed the machine to a light jog. "But no need to suck up. If you want to be be my back seater," she teased, smiling.

Tink returned the smile, then replied. "Like I said, Cap, it all depends on how George recovers. Though," she grinned even larger. "It is nice to know that this lady is wanted."

"Of course you are. From everything I've heard, you're a talented officer," Addison complimented as she slowed the machine down to a walk.

Tink slowed her machine down to a stop, then she started stretching some. "Well, it's still appreciated. I'll consider it." She gave Rico a pleasant grin, he bottom fangs showing slightly.

"Noted. Done with your cardio already?" she asked.

Tink chuckled as she replied. "Heh, with my small frame, I'm more a sprinter, less of a marathon runner. We Ferengi are better at scurrying, than we are at running."

"Interesting," Addison commented. She hadn't had much experience with Ferengi personally. Slowing the treadmill to a stop, she grabbed her towel and water bottle. "So what's next on your agenda?"

"You mean after hitting the showers?" Slarth chuckled softly. "I was gonna head up to the lounge, have a drink, maybe get a bite to eat. What about you?"

"Not sure. Maybe grab some food and then practice some songs on my guitar,* she shrugged. "Helps me to relax."

"Wanna eat together?" Slarth asked Rico as she started to do her cool down stretches.

"Sure, why not?" Addison said as she tossed her towel onto her shoulder and grabbing her hydration pack.

Together, the two women made their way to the pilot's showers. Tink held back a bit, suddenly feeling shy to be next to Rico, in the showers, while she was so gorgeous and Tink was...well...definitely not.

"You ok, Tink?" she asked as she lathered soap over her body. The warm water felt heavenly and seemed to melt her tiredness away.

After seeing Rico's attractive body in the showers, Tink suddenly felt a tingle run up and down her spine. She had never had a feeling like this about another female before, but her eyes were definitely drawn to Rico's curves and smooth skin. "I...uh...I'm sorry," she blushed heavily. "You're just so beautiful!" She gushed, before slamming her hands over her mouth, her own towel falling to the deck as she let go of it.

Rico stopped lathering, letting the water wash off soap and looked at Tink. "Um, thank you..." she paused as a realization hit her. "Wait, are you attracted to me?"

Tink cast her eyes down to the deck, if she could get smaller, she would have. "I...I hadn't thought about before..." she blushed harder. "But...seeing you now, brought up feelings I hadn't known I had. I'm sorry," she started to turn away. "I don't want to make you uncomfortable, Rico. I like you as a friend a lot! I just...." she shook her head, not wanting to make more of a fool of herself.

With the soap washed off, Addison turned the water off, wrapping herself with a towel. "Tink," she paused to find the right words. "You don't need to be sorry. I don't feel that way about women but I'm more than happy being your friend."

Looking back at Rico, seeming on the verge of tears, Slarth replied. "Y-you do?" A happy grin started to cross her face. "Thank you! That means a lot to me, truly!"

"Of course. Why not?" Rico questioned. "I mean you exaggerate profits a bit much but no reason not to be friends," she smiles.

This caused Slarth to smile brightly. "Rule of Acquisition, Number 365...exaggerated profits are just more latinum in one's pocket."

Rico smiled and shook her head. "I don't know how you remember all of those rules," she said as she moved to the locker room.

Slarth stepped into the sonic shower to get cleaned up quickly. As she did so, she replied. "Ferengi children are taught the Rules of Acquisition, before we even learn to walk."

"I've heard that before but thought it was simply a rumor," Rico said as she began to dry off at her locker.

A few beats later, Slarth entered the locker area. She had a towel wrapped around her torso, and was using a small rag to dry her lobes. "Nope, those who don't know all of the rules verbatim, by the time they are 6, are banned from ever earning a profit." She moved to her locker and started putting on some plesant-smelling powders.

"Wow, that sounds harsh," Rico commented. It reminded her that many species are hard on children. Perhaps not as hard as Klingons are but then, who is? She began to dress into casual clothes. "So why leave Ferenginar?"

As she started getting dressed, Slarth replied. "Naw, it's just sound business planning." She pulled on a pair of green pedal pushers and a matching tank top. Once she was done, she moved over to Rico. "Honestly? I wanted more than just profits. I wanted to do something that meant something."

"I know what you mean," Rico replied as she closed her locker. "Come on, let's get something to eat, I'm starving."

Tink nodded and grinned, as she joined her friend as both women left the locker room to go find something good to eat.

~OFF~ (post?)