When Worlds Collide

Posted on Tue Nov 25th, 2025 @ 12:35pm by Lieutenant Colonel Azhul Naxea & Captain Gary Taylor

Mission: Season 6: Episode 6: Conglomerate
Location: Marine Country
Timeline: MD5
1251 words - 2.5 OF Standard Post Measure

Naxea sat at her desk, going over the reports from the remaining officers and platoon NCOs. Third platoon had taken the heaviest losses. She even had to place her best Marine and friend on bed rest. She wondered if they would ever reach home. The sound of the door chime broke her from her thoughts. "Enter."

Hearing Naxea's voice to enter, Gary came into the office. He waited for the door to slide shut behind him before he spoke. "Colonel Azhul, I came to check on your marine situation." Then informally and with a smile, he said, "Hello Naxea, I've been worried about you. How are you holding up?"

"About as well as can be expected. Which isn't saying much," she replied, looking up at him from her PaDD. " I'm having to reorganize the entire department to account for all of the ...vacancies."

Gary nodded in understanding. "How bad is it Naxea? You know you can take personnel from Security to bolster your marines.it will help fill the vacancies." He paused and looked around, "Where's Gami? I didn't see here when I made my way here." He asked as he took a seat in the chair in front of her desk.

"She's on bed rest for 24 hours. My orders. With Moses critical and the mental pain she suffered during the boarding. She needs rest, at least I hope. She possibly over extended her abilities. As for how bad my department is. Third platoon is gone. I only have one capable Marine combat ready from that platoon. The rest are either injured or KIA. First platoon only has ten Marines with Second Platoon with fifteen. Sure I can take some from Security but they're not as trained as Marines. It will take time to get them up to speed on our equipment and tactics. Though the Intel officers Rin sent over are adapting well. Probably due to their infiltration training so they're going to be assigned to First Platoon."

" I hope the rest helps her. She's a good one." Gary answered sincerely and moved on. " I knew you had suffered heavy losses but I hadn't realized it was that extensive. Take the security personnel you need. Take De La Rosa among them. Unless Kyle wants him. I know he isn't your favorite but Naxea, he is a damn good shot and he does follow orders. Not to mention right now you and your department need all the help they can get.".

"Well being stuck in this damn galaxy without reinforcements tend to wear down even the best departments," Naxea said bitterly, setting the PaDD down harder then she had intended to. She thought about all the Marines she had lost since they arrived in this new galaxy. How many she had lost against their mirror counterparts. She wasn't sure how much more death she could take as tears threatened to escape their ducts.

"I agree and that is why you take the help when it is offered." he said softly. he was about to say something more but stopped as he looked at Naxea, saw her face warring with emotions. He swiftly got up and came around her desk. Reaching her, he gently pulled her to her feet and wrapped his arms around her in a hug. He brought his head down and softly kissed, her. "I was so worried about you. So very worried." He repeated and just held her

Naxea leaned against Gary. It felt good to be held as she in turn wrapped her arms around him. "I'm fine, I was worried about you as well," she said softly before giving him a kiss.

He pulled his head back just a bit while maintaining his hug. "I don't think any of us are fine Naxea but we are doing the best we can under the circumstances and knowing you are safe makes everything better." As he kissed her again.

After several moments, Naxea pulled back. "I was worried about you too. I heard Rin was Injured. "

Gary nodded somberly, "Yes, she was but thankfully not too seriously. She will make a full recovery. What of your daughter? Is she alright? Who is watching her by the way?"

"Sle'anna is doing good. She's with S'hib. Luckily none of those things made it to that section of the ship during the attack. I really hope we find a way home soon. It is far too dangerous for a baby here. I hate it that this ship is all that she's known. She deserves fresh air, dirt beneath her feet, and space to run and play."

"Good. excellent in fact. We'll get home and she will have all those things you mentioned. In fact when we get home. I'd really like it if you and Sle'anna came to my ranch. She could run and play with LL. see the horses and cattle. Have a grand time and you. You can relax and just unwind, maybe even go on a horseback ride or two," Gary finished with a smile.

"That sounds too good to be true," she sighed. "But I can't think about that right now. I need to focus on preparing for the next attack. She knew better than to daydream. Such things often led to disappointments."

"It is exactly what you need and Sle'anna as well." Gary repeated. "However i do agree you don't need to think about that now. You can set it aside until this over. Meanwhile what can I do to help you?"

"You're doing plenty just being here," she said, embracing him, letting her head rest on his shoulder. She then let a smile form. "Then again this isn't the place where you can really help me," she barely managed to keep from laughing.

Gary's arms remained wrapped around Naxea as her head rested on her shoulder. At her comment, he leaned back and looked at her, "Well we will just have to remedy that when this is over." As he said it, one hand dropped and lightly squeezed her behind. "I am so looking forward to helping you." He grinned.

"As am I," she replied, looking at him as she wrapped one leg around his as he squeezed her behind. She wanted nothing more than to be taken now but she was fighting the urge to say the hell with it.

"Great minds think alike Naxea" He whispered to her as he continued to hold her in his arms. "I promise we will have time together, quality time." As he kissed her tenderly.

Naxea returned the kiss and slowly broke it as she pulled back some. "I'll hold you to that. "

Gary nodded, his eyes on hers. "I want you to, I certainly do. Now, I need a good place for us to spend this quality time. Though I think I have time to come up with a place."

"As long as it's not in the Admiral's ready room, it should be fine," she joked, grinning. She needed this distraction.

Gary couldn't help but laugh at Naxea's comment. "I promise it will not be the Admiral's or Commodore's office or any senior officer's office or ready room. We don't need that."

She smiled at him. "Good," she replied before giving him a kiss.

Gary returned the kiss tenderly. He desperately wanted to take Naxea away from all this but there was nowhere to go. But after this was over, there would be time for them and he planned on making good use of it.

End