Checking in

Posted on Fri Jul 10th, 2026 @ 1:23pm by Lieutenant JG Varinity Atoro & Commander Alicia Kelea-Salik

Mission: Season 6: Episode 7: Crossroads of Destiny
Location: Varinity’s Quarters
Timeline: Before "Springing Varinity"
1053 words - 2.1 OF Standard Post Measure

Having dropped in to check on Phoenix, Alicia made her way to Varinity’s quarters. She wanted to check in with Varinity and make sure she was alright. Events had been stressful for everyone and being restricted to quarters didn’t make it any easier. Arriving outside she pressed the chime and waited.

The officer standing guard knew she was coming and didn't stop her.

After entering her quarters, Varinity admittedly let herself panic. What was she thinking?? She spent about 20 minutes pacing, hands behind her head, wondering of she just nuked her entire career before it even began. The emotional storm from that had passed a while ago, and she was about to get some tea before she curled up for a self-care movie marathon when the chime rang. "Uh... enter?" She said, curious who was on the other side.

Walking in Ariana offered a warm smile. “Hello Varinity, forgive me for dropping by unannounced. I thought I’d see how you were doing? It’s all been pretty tense.”

"I guess it could always be worse, Commander," Varinity replied. She returned to the replicator to get herself some herbal tea, and wrapped her hands around the mug as she turned back to face Alicia. "I'm... I don't know. Anxious. Nauseous. Perhaps a little scared that I just ruined my career. Dreading talking to Commander Reece again. Worried, for Damien and everyone else on the surface." As she answered, she felt her pulse change as that knot in her gut returned.

Alicia felt the change. “Relax Varinity, you did what you had to do. Besides Commander Reece is now under lockdown for shooting the Commodore, so you don’t have to worry about facing him. If it comes to a hearing I can testify on your behalf, but hopefully it won’t come to that. Emotions are running high for everyone right now.”

Right. That happened. "How is she?" Varinity asked. She certainly remembered seeing Phoenix not moving on the ground, and she didn’t know if it was worse to see that or her anger.

“I think angry will suffice” Alicia smiled. “The Commodore will come round once she’s feeling more herself, you did what you needed to do and you were ordered to blow out the transporter controls remember?”

Varinity gave a little nervous chuckle at her words. "Trust me, I'm not going to forget that for a while. I just..." She sighed, looking at the tea in her hands. "Captain Taylor gave an order, but then the commodore countered it, but I knew her judgement was clouded because of how angry she was, and Commander Reece was clearly on her side. It certainly doesn't feel like the right choice... but I didn't want to see a reality where the commodore went missing too. The way they approached Damien and I, and you and the captain..." She shook her head, almost as if disagreeing with herself. "... my actions felt wrong, but I... think I would have done it anyways."

Alicia nodded. “In my opinion you did the right thing, keeping the Commodore safe. We have a lot of people missing and adding the Commodore to it wouldn’t have helped matters. Try not to feel guilty, I know it’s easier said than done though.”

There was a brief pause as Varinity took a sip of her tea. Alicia had a point; she was trying to keep the commodore safe. Sometimes, such measures weren't pretty. "I'm trying. I think I'm just... shaken, from how quickly things changed. Do... you have any recommendations to help with that? Well," she glanced around the room, "preferably a 'do at home' type of thing, considering the circumstances?"

Alicia nodded. “I understand how you feel, hell I can feel how you feel” she smiled. “I suggest doing whatever makes you feel better, for me it would be curling up on the sofa with a cosy blanket and a tub of ice cream, maybe watching a movie, or simply being cuddled up with Savar.” She paused. “Try not to dwell on what you can’t change, you did what you had to do.”

Varinity slowly nodded. "Right. Yeah. I was thinking of a movie when you stopped by, but I'm not sure how distracting it will be." She rolled her shoulders a little. "I have a bad habit of dwelling on the past. I doubt myself. Commander Reece can attest to that. I know there was no way for me to know that any of this would happen." She took in a deep breath. "Maybe I'll reorganise my quarters. If I'm going to be in my head, I might as well be productive, right?"

Alicia nodded. “What eve you feel helps Varinity. I tend to be the same, I dwell on the what if’s. Give Phoenix time to cool down and this will all blow over, hopefully.” She smiled. “If not I’ll be right there to support you.”

Varinity gave Alicia a smile that was uncertain at its edges but recognised the effort to help her feel better. At least it was easy to steer clear of the commodore. "Thanks. Was there anything else you needed from me, Commander?" She didn't know what the exact protocol was for checkins after breaking a regulation, and frankly she hoped to never be in this situation.

“I don’t need anything from you at all” Alicia smiled warmly. “I’m simply here to see how you’re doing, if you should need anything just let me know and I’ll sort it for you.”

What she'd like was to get back to work, but Varinity knew that being confined fo quarters meant revoked access to systems. Besides, it was probably better to let things cool down first. "I think I'm alright. I appreciate the visit. I don't know how long I'll be here, but I would like to know when our people come back."

Alicia nodded. “I’ll keep you updated on that I promise.”

With nothing else to really talk about, Varinity thanked Alicia for the visit before watching her leave. She then looked around her quarters for something to do, a grimace twisting her expression when the unfolded towels and messy sheets on her bed caught her attention. Ugh, laundry.