Meeting the Diplomat

Posted on Fri Aug 30th, 2024 @ 4:12am by Consul Josephine Carlyle-Cragen & 1st Lieutenant Joshua Young [Taylor]

Mission: Season 6: Episode 5: A church beyond heaven
Location: Varioua\s
Timeline: MD1
1480 words - 3 OF Standard Post Measure

Having gotten a new assignment from Captain Richardson after Imik had left the ship to find/rejoin her people, Josh thought it would be a good idea to meet Lieutenant Carlyle-Cragen and introduce himself as her new protection detail. He had seen the lieutenant at various staff meetings but a 'hi' or a nod had been the extent of their interaction. He wanted to change that. Arriving at Carlyle-Cragen's quarters he pressed the door chime and waited. As he did, he looked over his uniform making all was as it should be even as he brushed away invisible dust and smoothed out wrinkles and looking at his reflection in his boots that were shined to a high gloss.

The door was opened by a slender blonde officer who looked like she had not showered yet. Dressed in sleep wear and her hair down, she had a tired look on her face. A babe of 4 months was in her arms and was whimpering. Josephine took a step back when she saw Joshua standing there. "Lieutenant?" She asked as she gently bounced her daughter who was going through colic.

Seeing Josephine in her sleep wear and holding her daughter. Josh felt instantly guilty. "I'm sorry for disturbing you ma'am. I've been assigned as your protection detail, and I wanted to come by and inform you and see and discuss if there was anything I needed to be aware of regarding your routine and activities." As he waited, he looked at her baby girl. "She's beautiful ma'am, may I ask what her name is?"

Josie huffed out a breath pushing hair from her face as she juggled her child "Her name is Liberty. I call her Libby." she replied. "Look come in." She waved him in. "Its my day off I am sorry I was planning on a relaxing day."

Josh nodded, "Liberty, a very pretty name." He replied as he followed Josephine back into her quarters. Once the door shut, he spoke again. "I didn't mean to interfere with your day off ma'am. As I mentioned I wanted you to know I was your protection detail."

Josephine frowned now. "Why does Captain Richardson believe I need a protection detail?" She asked.

"Oh, you haven't been singled out ma'am. Captain Richardson has assigned a protection detail to all the diplomats. No one escaped having a detail." Josh smiled as he said the last.

She shifted Libby to her other hip and considered how to make Mattias Richardson pay for this. "I do not need a bodyguard. All people who want me dead are in the Alpha Quadrant and my ex-girlfriend killed herself months ago."

"I'm sorry Lieutenant but as of now you have a protection detail officer... me assigned to you. Those are Captain Richardson's orders and there is no room to argue. If it makes you feel better, I will be as unobtrusive as possible. As for people wanting you dead, you mean the people you know about. We're thirteen million light years from home. I think it is say to say, we'll all find others that want us dead." Josh replied politely.

Josie wanted to snarl but she knew better, it was not this man's fault. She studied him. "You were part of the Commodore's black Watch Crew right?"

Josh nodded, "Yes. You have a good eye and a good memory. I was indeed a member of the Black Watch crew."

"Yeah thought so. You looked familiar from the images I saw Kyle had." She meant Kyle Cragen. But she didn't give a last name.

Josh smiled and caught the name Kyle. He wasn't stupid. Kyle could only be Kyle Cragen. "Forgive me ma'am. You mentioned a Kyle do you mean Kyle Cragen?"

"Yes, My ex-husband and father of my child" She replied. Now was where he would run like the hounds of hell were on his heals.

Josh nodded but gave no other reaction to the name. "I am familiar with the name ma'am. A former crew member of this ship mentioned his name and another's." Josh finished simply not wishing to bring up any painful memories for Josephine.

Josie considered his words. Probably Arrianna. She had done her fair share of spewing their personal business around the ship before she had taken her, and others lives. "No matter. Please inform Captain Richardson that I do not require a bodyguard, no offence, but I have been caged enough."

Josh smiled easily at Josie's comment. "No offense taken ma'am. I understand your reaction and your feelings. As I mentioned earlier, I'm afraid you don't have a say in this as this comes directly from Captain Richardson ma'am. I don't wish us to get off on the wrong foot. I really hope we can get along. I think we can work well together, and I won't intrude on your time with your daughter."

Mattias Richardson was going to so get more than an earful. She bit back a snap it was not the lieutenant's fault. "Fine. You should have my schedule. I will not be leaving my cabin outside of working. And when I get your boss alone, he is going to regret this."

"Ma'am, may I be bold and say something? Give this a chance. It isn't personal. All the diplomats have a protection detail. I wouldn't lash out at Captain Richardson. He is just concerned about your safety as I am. As for your schedule, yes, I will need a copy of it."

"Oh yes so concerned." She muttered under her breath. She went to the desk and shifting Liberty she picked up a PADD and handed it to him. "My Schedule."

Josh took the schedule and glanced down at it. "Thank you, ma'am. I'll get this back to you once I make a copy and commit it to memory. If any changes occur please let me know." He paused and looked at Josie. "I'm sorry you are upset over this ma'am."

"oh its not your fault." She replied as Libby began to whimper again. "Mattias is at fault."

Josh nodded not wishing to rehash what he had already said instead he shifted his gaze to Libby who had started to whimper. "May I hold her ma'am? I've had some success with babies."

Josie was wary about it but "Sure while I get her bottle." She handed over the whimpering 6 month old.

Josh took Libby and cradled her in his arms as he softly cooed at her and rocked her in his arms, singing a soft lullaby. As he sang and rocked her, Libby began to stop her crying and grew silent staring up at Josh.

When Josephine came back to them with the bottle she raised an eyebrow. "Children really do like you."

Josh smiled at her. "Yes ma'am., for as long as I can remember kids have always liked me. I'm glad to see that Libby does as well."

"hmm." She held out the bottle. "If you would like to feed her I will shower and change then I can go twist Mattias's ears into knots."

"Yes, ma'am I would. Thank you." Josh answered as he took the bottle From Josie. Take your time ma'am, Libby is in good hands."

Josephine nodded and headed to the bedroom in the small one bedroom cabin. In fact her cabin was barely a cabin. Not one, one would expect that a diplomat would have. One bedroom, one living area.

Meanwhile Josh and Libby were having a grand time. he cooed and sang, and she giggled, in between the singing and the cooing he would feed her.

Josephine showered and dressed swiftly. She twisted her hair up into a bun and checked her rank pips. Exiting the small bedroom, she came out to see them. "I will need to change her." she said not really happy to break the sceen.

Josh smiled at her. "Certainly." He said as he walked over to Josie and handed Libby back to her. "Such a good girl." He commented.

Jo took the baby and vanished back into the bedroom humming softly. She changed Liberty and dressed her in fresh clothes. Then she was back out and after a quick glance and grabbing a spit cloth for Libby just in case, she said "I am going to argue with Mattias."

Josh nodded silently at Josie's words. He stood ready to accompany her when she went to talk to Captain Richardson. He still thought this was a bad idea and nothing good would come from it.

Josephine exited her small cabin with Liberty in her arms and stalked off to the turbolift.

Josh turned and followed Josephine out of her quarters. He followed a respectable distance behind her. Far enough to give her privacy yet close enough to reach her side quickly if trouble arose. They neared the turbolift and he still had a job to perform.

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