Who needs logic when you can fly? Part 2 - (Backpost)

Posted on Thu Aug 21st, 2025 @ 1:53am by Lieutenant J'airesh Mora-Heath & Major Kett V'Laass

Mission: Season 6: Echoes of the Zynari
Location: 10-Forward
Timeline: BACKPOST
856 words - 1.7 OF Standard Post Measure

Previously:

The holo-characters were so much fun to be with they had a wonderful time and finally their session was at an end, too quickly for Rani. They emerged full of chatter and high spirits and returned to their own quarters with enthusiastic promises to return and do that again very soon.

* * * * * * * *

A few days later, in the course of their usual shifts and lives, Rani was in 10-Forward when a stunning Orion woman pilot walked in. She instantly spotted Kett and waved. She came right over to them.

"Hi Kett!" she purred, her beautifully pale apple-green semi-Orion skin was flawless and her hazel eyes contrasted with a sparkle. "I'm happy to see you haven't given up your cute little habit of following me around." The half-Orion pilot flashed the whitest, most vibrant smile that lit up her whole stunning face and almost seemed to shine out around her as if she were a personal lighthouse, with her laser-like beam pointing towards Kett.

Kett nodded politely to the beautiful woman "Warrant Officer Seona Davar, you know full well we have both serveid aboard the Elysium for some time, but I find 'our' customary greeting both reassuring and alleviating....though as I understand the human term you are being a tease."

Seona put her fabulous face close to Kett's and delivered her customary imposition of an "air kiss" - unnecessarily loudly adding the sound "MWAHH!" to it. "I know, but you love it!" she answered the "tease" description without any shame and turned to Rani, giving her a barely discernible lookover and just said. "Hello" to her, clearly intending this to be rhetorical as she didn't wait for a reply before she turned back to Kett.

"Are you buying?" Seona said to Kett, looking at the drink in his hand. "I'm sure it's your turn!" she implied they had some kind of rota going on and began to walk towards the bar. "I'll put it on your tab" she threw over her shoulder at him as she made the most of having everyone's full attention as she made the most of walking like a catwalk model so that all would (she expected) be impressed.

Rani watched her go, wondering whether to laugh out loud at the dramatics or seethe at the rudeness and arrogance. She looked at Kett's impassive face and decided not to show that any of the scene had affected her but it had, clearly, judging by the knots in her stomach and shoulders.

“Don’t mind her” said Kett more to himself than to Rani. “An impressive……..pilot though.” Kett turned from looking at the Orion who was walking away back to Rani. “Can I get you a drink Rani?”

"Yes please" Rani replied trying to sound as unruffled as possible. "A Sumarian Sunrise please" It was out of character for Rani to drink anything so strong but she had a feeling she might need some extra courage.

Kett and Rani made their way to the bar and Kett ordered a drinks for both of them. Being a Vulcan alcohol was not such a good mix for Kett, though it was only with specific drinks. Kett politely proffered a glass to Rani “I understand it is customary to complete a toast? What shall we drink to?”

Rani gave it a thought and then said "learning to fly?" with a very wide and hopeful smile.

Unfortunately for Rani, Seona was within earshot and eagerly listening to try to find out more about the girl in the Teal trim that was apparently "with" Kett in some sense. The toast that Rani proposed just a little bit too enthusiastically gave Seona all she needed for a loud guffaw and a chance to pretend to choke on her drink.

There was no proof that she was laughing at Rani's toast but Seona wasn't talking to anyone at the time, just waiting at the bar to get served a second drink so there was an implication left to hand in the air and Rani, to her own distress, couldn't help but blush which implied in return that she had taken it to have been personal.

~I'm getting paranoid now!~ she chided herself silently and took a sip of her 'dutch' courage.

As the glasses clinked together Kett nodded approvingly. "Your first lesson at the stick was very impressive Rani. you have a natural talent for handling the rod under pressure from external forces and pressure" said Kett with no feeling or emotion in his voice.

"Thank you, that means a lot." Rani said gratefully. Kett wasn't showing any emotion. Nothing new there but just saying something positive was really helping her insecurity. "I'd like to do lots of practice, if you can bear it?" she asked Kett.

“I am a Vulcan. I think you will find I have a high tolerance for such things”. Kett took another sip of his drink. “I think with some practice you will become an accomplished stick jockey “

"You're a kind and patient friend, Kett. I'm going to do my level best to make you proud!" Rani shone with admiration for the Major.

TBC