To Be Let Out and Let Free

Posted on Sun Sep 29th, 2024 @ 8:12am by 1st Lieutenant Torian Vale & 1st Lieutenant Jenna Reyes

Mission: MISSION 0 - History Speaks
Location: Starbase 115
Timeline: Two Days Prior to Arriving on Elysium
799 words - 1.6 OF Standard Post Measure

Torian Vale and Jenna Reyes stood facing each other in the training ring, swords in hand, their fencing gear adding to the tension between them. They had agreed to a sparring session on the holodeck, but the energy between them felt anything but routine. The bell sounded off, Reyes immediately lunged forward with surprising aggression, her strikes faster and harder than usual. Torian blocked her moves, his muscles straining under the effort, but it was clear something was off.

They both reset themselves for another round. The bell went off and Jenna lunged at him, this time toward his face and kept aiming for it even though the holographic referee kept alerting her she was violating the rules.

"Jenna, what’s with you today?" Torian asked, breathless as he parried her relentless strikes.

Reyes didn’t answer, her focus locked on him with an intensity that bordered on anger. Her footwork was sharp, her attacks precise, and she wasn’t holding back. Torian struggled to keep up, the usual fluid rhythm of their practice now more like a battle for survival. He was confused, but there was no time to dwell on it—he had to defend himself.

Just as he raised his sword to block another overhead strike, Reyes slipped past his guard. The sharp edge of her blade grazed his arm, slicing through his sleeve and drawing blood. Torian winced, more in shock than pain, as the crimson began to stain his shirt.

"Jenna!" he barked, stepping back and gripping his wounded arm.

But Reyes didn’t stop. She froze for a moment, staring at the blood on his arm, her chest rising and falling with deep breaths. Then, in a sudden, frustrated rage, she threw her sword down and stormed out of the ring.

"Reyes!?" Torian called after her, wiping the blood from his arm and jogging to catch up. "What’s going on?"

Reyes didn’t turn back. Her footsteps were fast and determined as she made her way out the holodeck and through the corridors. Her anger palpable. Torian finally caught up with her near the turbolift, grabbing her arm to stop her.

"Jenna, talk to me. What is this about?" he demanded, still holding his injured arm as he looked at her, his frustration clear.

Reyes pulled her arm free, turning to face him with a glare. "Why do you even care, T? You’re leaving in a few days, off to the Elysium, off to a new crew. You won’t even remember this place, let alone me."

Torian’s brow furrowed. "Is this about the transfer?”

Reyes shook her head, her hands balled into fists at her sides. "You don’t get it, do you? It’s not just a transfer, Torian. Like none of it matters to you."

Torian stared at her, his confusion starting to melt into understanding. "Jenna, this isn’t my choice. You know that. Orders come down, and we follow them. You know what this life is. It’s what we signed up for."

Reyes let out a bitter laugh, shaking her head again. "It’s always about the orders, isn’t it? No one ever asks what we want. Well, for once, I’m telling you what I want."

Before Torian could respond, she turned and stormed off again, heading toward his quarters. He followed her, his mind racing as he tried to piece together everything she had just said. By the time they reached his door, the tension between them was electric.

As they entered his quarters, Reyes paced the room, her frustration evident in every step. The door closed behind them.

"Jenna, talk to me," he said, his voice softer now. "I didn’t know it was like this for you. I thought... I don’t know, I thought we were just doing our job."

Reyes stopped pacing and turned to face him, her eyes shining with unshed tears. "That’s the problem, Torian. I’m not just your partner in the field. I’ve been your partner through everything. And now you’re leaving, and I can’t do anything about it."

Torian stood still, the realization hitting him like a punch to the gut. He hadn’t seen it, hadn’t allowed himself to see it. For him, their bond had been about trust, survival, and getting the mission done. But for Reyes, it had become something deeper, something more personal.

He stepped closer to her. Without thinking, Torian reached out, gently pulling her into his arms. His chest against hers. He could feel her heart racing, banging against her chest cavity to be let out and let free. For a moment, they stood in silence, the weight of the past few days falling away as they held onto each other.