So, You're a Night Owl Too?

Posted on Fri Mar 15th, 2024 @ 3:35am by Chief Warrant Officer Carol Dolton & 1st Lieutenant Joshua Young [Taylor]

Mission: MISSION 0 - History Speaks
Location: Firing Range
Timeline: Present
2001 words - 4 OF Standard Post Measure

Josh couldn't sleep. Truth was he hadn't slept well since Anna's passing. Oh, he got cat naps and an hour or two here and there but no prolonged sleep. Tonight, was no different except for the fact that he didn't stay in bed tossing and turning. No, he had gotten up and come down to the firing range to pass the time and check the sights on his rifle. Entering the range it was deserted just like he hoped.

He picked out a firing lane, set up his targets at different distances, put on his ear protecters and took out his rifle. It was a state-of-the-art phaser rifle, with starlight scope, laser targeting, with no recoil and very lightweight and durable. He got into the prone position and checked his sights and slowly pulled the trigger aiming at the nearest target. A bullseye! He smiled; sights were set now to get down to some serious business.

Carol was angry, very angry. The day had started well but slowly sank into utter shit, now she wanted to kill something. Grabbing her phaser and phaser rifle, she decided to kill a few targets. Normally there would be no one around, so she could let rip and release this frustration. On entering the range she heard firing, *Fuck, someone's here* she thought. A quick glance showed a Marine on a firing point, looking at his shooting he was good. Carol headed to the opposite end and set her self up, both weapons were fully charged and zeroed in.

She ran out a target to around the 300 mark and picked up the rifle, taking a steady aim Carol fired. Bullseye, another three shots followed rapidly all were bulls. Carol high fived the wall next to her and let out a small cheer, then remembered the Marine. *Shit! He probably thinks I'm some kind of nutter*.

Josh noticed another person enter the range and saw it was a female Fleeter. he went back to his shooting and gave the Fleeter no more thought as she went to the opposite end of the range to shoot. He chuckled silently to himself and wondered if she was like most fleeters and barely hit the target. He was surprised however when he saw her run up a string of bullseyes. *Not bad, not bad at all. * He silently thought to himself and went back to shooting at the next target set for 500 yards.

Getting no reaction made Carol feel more at ease, the Marine was to busy shooting to notice her. Checking her targets, she moved the new targets out further. But upon checking the Marines, placed her own roughly at the same distance. The two targets hung there waiting, then four shots rang out. Three bulls and an inner, "SHIT!! Fucking pulled that last one!" Her anger had made her miss, but three out of four wasn't to be sniffed at. Her outburst suddenly hit her and she looked towards the Marine, "Sorry, just venting. Please ignore me." Her Welsh lilt carried over the distance, she hoped he didn't think she was just another fleet misfit.

Josh was firing, bullseye after bullseye when he heard the fleeter exclaim "shit"
"No problem." He said pausing his firing. "Vent away." As he returned to his shooting and scoring another bullseye.

Checking her weapons, Carol walked over to Josh to watch his shooting. "You boasting about how good you are? Or are you really that good all the time?"

Josh stopped firing, placed his rifle down making sure it was secure and looked at Carol. "Not boasting at all. I'm that good." He answered. There was no bravado in his voice just quiet confidence.

"We'll have to go head to head one day, and see who comes out on top." Carol added with a grin.

Josh gave her an answering grin. "Sure thing. Anytime you want, just let me know."

"Are you sure you want to up against a fleet Security CWO?" As she spoke, Carol smiled. It was nice to talk to someone about something they both liked, outside of the brig and duty.

Josh's smile grew, "Oh, I'll take my chances Warrant Officer, are you sure you want to go against a marine sharpshooter?"

Dolton glanced away with a grin on her face, "I used to be an Officer, and in my reality we had to learn very quickly to shoot straight and shoot to kill. So yeah I'll take my chances, we'll just have to work out when our duty shifts will allow us the time." She took a step back, "I'll get back to my practice, it seems as if my skill at arms will be tested soon." turning she headed for her firing point and her weapons.

Josh nodded as Carol spoke, his smile becoming bigger, "Sounds like I'll have a challenge on my hands." He commented. "I'll let you get back to your weapons Warrant Officer, just let me know when you want this challenge to take place and I'll be ready."

"What's your name? Mine's Carol, in here at this time I don't push the rank thing." She held out her hand, "So I can see you're a Marine, what department are you attached to?"

Josh extended his hand and gave Carol a firm handshake. "I'm Josh. I part of the Diplomatic Protection team along with Captain Richardson and a few other marines."

"Diplomatic Team, lucky you. Must be different every day with them, how do you get along with the diplomats?" Carol was thinking about Imik, her interaction had been positive for once. And slowly she had been accepting other aliens coming close to her, only the Klingons and Romulans still instilled the hate and fear she felt towards them.

"There are times I don't feel so lucky. The Diplomats all feel they don't need protecting, that we're a nuisance to them and we hinder the work they do. Apart from that it isn't so bad. Just dealing with different personalities and likes and dislikes."

Dolton nodded, "I only know one Diplomat, Imik. She's different, and she's helping me to find my centre." Carol thought that might throw Josh off, "I have anger issues you see, that's the Welsh in me. So people don't hang around long, Imik said she could help me control that anger make it work for me." Looking down range, Carol smiled, "That's why I'm here see, it's her idea. When I get mad, I go kill some targets not people."

"Imik." Josh repeated, "I'm assigned to her. I don't know much about her, but she seems to be okay. Anger issues? Not good one shooting either targets or people. You need to be detached and concentrate on what the target is. I come here to practice and not think of anything else as that is painful."

"Your hiding something though, aren't you?" Carol turned to face Josh, "And don't say your not, I've been there done that and got the bloody ' T ' Shirt to prove it." She moved a little closer, "Something Imik taught me, read the person listen to the words and see if they match. Yours Josh don't quite fit together, so I'm not going to ask what it is. Not my business, you'll tell somebody when you're ready." Placing her hand on his shoulder she moved past him to go retrieve her weapons, "And you will tell someone, because what ever it is. It's hurting you, and it shows. I bet Imik already knows, but she won't tell."

Josh listened as Carol spoke, he was surprised at her insightfulness and realizing he was hurting. "You are very insightful Carol, and you are right it is extremely painful. Which is why I am here and not in my quarters." He paused for an instant. "Imik? How would she know? Is she telepathic or empathic?" He wondered if he was going to have to request a new assignment to avoid the Onjas diplomat. It was something he didn't want to think about. He gave Carol a little smile, "I appreciate your understanding Carol and I will tell someone when I am ready." He admitted.

"Ojnas are psychic, which means for you she is both telepathic and empathic. If you are unaware of your thoughts, she can read 'em." Carol looked at Josh and smiled, "If you tell anyone, Imik would be the one believe me. That woman has more insight than most empaths put together, didn't you know that about the Ojnas?"

Josh shook his head from side to side. "No. I didn't." He admitted. "You obviously know her better than I do. I haven't really interacted with her. I'll have to change that next time I am with her." He smiled at Carol. "I'll keep in mind what you said about telling her or anyone. Right now, I'll keep it to myself."

Carol smiled, "Silly boy, getting to know who's who is basic 101. And yes I suppose I do know her better than you, she's teaching me to control my temper. Which has been known to land me right in it, I still speak as I find and i will tell it to people straight." She moved a little further away, "When your ready Josh, you'll find the right person to open up to. They won't pick you, you'll pick them because you will trust them."

"I don't Carol, you may be right, probably are, I'm just not ready to open up. " Josh confessed. "As for Imik, I know who she is, I just don't know a lot about her. its not like we sit down and chat over tea and cookies. She is my responsibility to keep safe." He paused for a moment, "I know there is a Federation officer who shares a telepathic link with a Onjas. That has to be special."

Dolton now spoke openly to Josh, "Then sit down and talk to her, she likes to talk to people. And I've heard about that Officer, but he got his link before the ban came in. Now the Ojnas can't link with anyone but their own kind." Carol nodded and pointed at Josh, "Take it from one who knows, carrying something to long will scar you. It took Commander Taylor and Imik to make me see sense, and I still drop my self in it. So think on my boy, but take your time and don't rush the fence."

Josh listened to Carol. He liked talking to her, she made sense, she didn't judge him. She just talked to him. "I will talk with Imik, I promise." Josh replied. "And I will open up and get this out, just not now. I won't rush this but neither will I drag it out, I hear what you are saying Carol."

Picking up her weapons, Carol cleared then and made them safe. She packed away the small hand phaser, and the put the rifle phaser in its pouch. Then she replied to Josh, "There's a councillor called Alicia, she's worth a visit you know." Picking everything up she headed for the door, "Well, I may see you here again, or we'll meet when we have our shoot off. We don't get visitors in the brig, seems to kill off any good vibes. Or so they say, I quite like the place." She held out her hand to say good bye, "Until next time."

Josh watched as Carol picked up, cleared and stored her weapons. "I will consider it. As for seeing me here again, that's a safe bet and of course you'll see me when we have our shoot off." He took her hand and gave it a firm handshake. "Until next time Carol." He answered warmly.

Heading back to her cabin, Dolton had a smile on her face. *Nice boy, perhaps I won't go for the overkill* she thought. Carol began to giggle to herself, had she found a friend? Who knew, but she hadn't had so much fun for some time.