Strange visit

Posted on Fri Apr 10th, 2020 @ 3:16am by Lieutenant Commander S'hib & Lieutenant Commander Aurelia Taylor

Mission: INTERMISSION: Rebuild, Reuse, Recycle
Location: S'hib's Quarters
Timeline: Sometime after Back in the Saddle
1204 words - 2.4 OF Standard Post Measure

S'hib had been cursing at himself ever since he had been rescued, spending the first few days back in his quarters picking up dried leaves and tending to the myriad of plants that had grown out of control in his absence.

It wasn't all bad however, It had kept him busy and his mind off of recent events as he dwelled in his tropical cave, enjoying the artificial humidity that mimicked Sequella even if it did smother the viewports in condensation, replacing the stars with thousands of water droplets.

"If you grow anymore you'll need a bigger pot..." S'hib snorted, cutting back a large flowering plant with a pair of scissors, occasionally eating what he had removed before moving onto the next plant.

So deep in thought and lost to his hobbies was he that the door chime made his heart skip a beat our of fright. "Who is it?" S'hib called out, wondering if it was another nurse or Naxea checking up on him.

"Lieutenant, it's Commander Holmes", she said through the closed door.

"Commander?" S'hib replied, slightly bewildered that she was at his door. "Umm, yes, come on in." He stuttered, placing the scissors down on a shelf as the door opened.

Lia entered the cabin and stopped, "Ah, am I disturbing you?" She glanced around as she had never been here before, "I see what you mean about clothing S'hib, if you don't mind could you?" She pointed at his unclothed frame, she wasn't a prude but talking to a naked being was kinda hard.

"Hmm?" S'hib replied, tilting his head to the side in confusion before realising the fatal error. "Oh... right, uh... sorry, I'm not used to having guests." He replied before hurrying himself into the other room, silently mouthing explicits as he looked for something to wear.

"Can I get you anything to drink?" He called out as he hastily wrapped a full length skirt around his waist.

"Since your busy, I could get a drink from the replicator", but then Lia noticed she couldn't see a replicator. "Ah S'hib, cancel that. I'll wait for you, please don't rush".

"Not busy," S'hib replied hastily, awkwardly stepping back into the same room as Holmes. "Just... very unprepared apparently." He added as he moved across the room and towards his small kitchen. "Kinda been all over the place, to be honest with you." He continued, tapping on the replicator. "You did want a drink right?"

Holmes glanced at S'hib, "No I'm sorry for not telling you in advance, but I thought it would be better sooner than later". She nodded and continued, "Yes please, a white coffee. It's about Moxton, I think he's up to something. So just stay clear of him, report only to me. Even if you have to come find me, just stay away from that creep ok?"

"I have zero interest in being in his company let alone listening to what he has to say." S'hib snorted before leaning towards the replicator. "Coffee, white..." He said, waiting for the drink to materialise.

"But I hope you didn't come all this way just to tell me something so trivial." He smiled, walking over to Holmes with her drink extended out in one hand.

Lia took her coffee, "I don't think Moxton trivial S'hib, and neither should you. I came to warn someone I work with and care about, not to turn their back on a snake". She continued to look around S'hib's cabin, the whole thing just didn't quite fit into what she had thought. "Slight change of subject, what's with the naked thing? I mean someone show's up unexpectantly, and your in your birthday suit can you tell me why?"

"Most dangerous thing to do is approach a Sequus from behind Commander." S'hib smiled as he walked back towards his replicator, stopping briefly and lifting a leg up as if it further his point.

"And as for being naked, I did say before... My people tend to not wear clothes." He added, turning to face Lia. "I sometimes forget that everyone else does though." S'hib smiled awkwardly, turning back to his replicator.

What S'hib said resonated with Lia, she could see why he would think that way. "Just watch your back S'hib, you can never tell with some people". She sipped her coffee and looked at this strange being, "I'll make you a deal S'hib, if you can recreate your home planet on a holodeck. I'll visit it with you, au natural if you want". Her suggestion shocked herself, but she decided to try and make this being feel more at home. She looked at S'hib as a friend and colleague, so a little bit of embarrassment would be worth it if he felt more at ease.

"It's already been recreated," S'hib replied enthusiastically. "Though it is still somewhat of a work in progress... we have yet to recreate every region." He added, moving back to the replicator. "Apple juice, chilled."

"Oh really, so how much more is there to do?" Lia suddenly had an attack of nerves, walking naked on the holodeck with a subordinate could be misunderstood.

"Well most of the coastal regions are complete as that's where the majority of my people live, the further inland you go the more the program just sort of repeats itself," S'hib mused before taking a sip from his glass. "But a few more months and they should have everything accurately mapped."

Lia let out a slow breath, "Months, so things will take time to sort out. Is it just you programming things or do you have help?" She took another sip of coffee, at least she had time to explain things to Gary. Not that he would understand why she was willing to go starkers in a holodeck with S'hib, he would probably just go into a mood and tell her not to do it. Finishing her coffee she placed the cup on the replicator, "I have a meeting to attend, I think you do to. See you there, and just make sure your not late. The Captain can be a little testy if you are, I know I've been that person". Lia headed for the door and turned to S'hib, "We'll talk again no doubt, just watch Moxton ok?"

“Its in a working condition, we could visit Sequella whenever you like, though you don't need to do so without any clothes... however, I do appreciate your interest in my peoples culture.” He smiled, unaware of the mental struggles he was putting Lia in

“I’ll see you at the meeting Commander, Once I put some proper clothes on.” He added, returning his apple juice to his lips.

Lia simply nodded, "Thanks for that, but I did make a promise. And unlike some people around here, I keep my promises. Soooooooo, just tell me when and what holodeck and I'll be there". She smiled at the prospect, thinking back at her little problem. This could be a way of reclaiming her free will, she didn't have to go naked but she had chosen to go naked. *My Choice*, she thought.

OFF:

Commander Lia Holmes
Chief Security/Tactical Officer
USS Elysium

Lieutenant S'hib
Security Officer
USS Elysium