USS Dark Fire (IC)

[sereneotter00]

◅ ALFREDO ARAIZA ▻​

“Can we just go back to how my dealbreaking insubordination is refusing to work with a person who forcefully did something to me and not using some title? Hell, the person running this ship sexually harrasses everything in a three foot radius but I get placed on sabbatical for not being comfortable?”

He dragged his hand down his face, then crossed his arms. “Chief, I don’t care about being relocated. Frankly I couldn’t be paid to give an ounce of my real respect to anyone on that bridge. Maybe you can just say that everbody dies even after all those experiences. I can’t. I won’t. Some honor ceremony isn’t nearly enough to make up for all the people we keep losing. And if you intend for me to not give equal importance to everyone on this side and be a yes man to people who are only above me based on titles then you got the wrong guy for the job.”

 

[The_Weeping_Angel]

Stardate 29870605.1450

Chief Engineer 1st Lt. Kaywinnet Frye

“Use Rank, whether you like it or not. The XO isn’t a bad guy. He’s just walled himself off from everyone – like you. He’s cold and logical. You’re angry all the time.”

“I can’t do anything about him, or the Captain. But at least he’s trying to be polite to people. I’ve heard he’s even saying hello to everyone on the bridge. So apparently, he’s talked to the Counselor about his attitude towards people.”

Touching his arm she sighed, “Araiza… my first death was a daughter. She was two days old. It damned near killed me. It was before I had the Frye Symbiote. If I hadn’t been implanted I would have died. I was that close.”

“Then I got Frye’s memories and feeling and everything it had gone through. It helped. It was like a personal therapist in my head, with me all the time. Remembering everything it had ever felt was horrible, but it helped. I realized I wasn’t alone. Neither are you. Fuck I’ll be your therapist if you want. I’m sure somebody in my head was at one point or another. And If not I’ll wing it until your ready to see a pro.”

“As for Yito, she’s the only one qualified to help you with some of the stuff your going to be working with. She has the decon training and experience, as well as the hazardous waste, and torpedo experience. Beside she needs to do something, I have to get her out of the core, and get other people their time working with it as well.”

“Please, work with her.” she said, letting go of his arm. “Don’t tell her I told you, but she’s the only survivor of her last ship. The Lexington. She got blown into an turbolift, when everyone around her was dying or getting sucked into space. She was found still wedged into it.”

“Since then she has made any friends, and the fact that she kissed you is surprising as hell. She avoids people more than you. The only reason I never scheduled her for night shift was to get her people time. Same with you. People time. You’re stuck in the second stage of grief, Anger. She’s stuck in four, depression. She won’t see the counselor either.”​

 

[sereneotter00]

◅ ALFREDO ARAIZA ▻​

“I never said he was a bad guy. I don’t care about the guy and I can promise he doesn’t care about me. We’re on two different worlds, why the hell do I owe him anything? I’m not here for him. I’m here so people like us stop dying. Fuck, I’m sure he’d agree.”

He was tempted to pull his arm away. “I’m sorry you went through that, but we’re not the same person. I processed what happened, I’m fine. I go out with coworkers, friends, whatever. My life is normal when I’m not getting interrupted.”

“A whole galaxy and she’s the only one qualified? A whole monologue insisting I need to take care of my wellbeing but then you ask me to work with someone I repetitively tell you makes me uncomfortable?” Araiza scoffed. “I’m sorry Chief, but I would’ve cared a whole lot more if I was offered something except being reprimanded. I already used up my empathy trying to be more leniant with my officers. Hell, I even apologized to Stephens and got him back on the team.” It had been difficult, but the kid was back and killing it. He was pleasantly surprised.

“You told me to try and I have. You told me to get to work and I did. I even had to try to develop new weapons suggestions out of nowhere. Yet the one boundary I have, the one I have every reason to have, you don’t care about. I bust my ass like everyone else, but God forbid wanting to do the work I’ve been able to do on my own for years is my preference.”

 

[The_Weeping_Angel]

Stardate 29870605.1455

Chief Engineer 1st Lt. Kaywinnet Frye

“She’s the only one on this ship.” Frye replied. “And we’re fuck all from everywhere. But fine. Work alone. I’ll reassign everyone so you won’t be bothered by anyone. That is what you want, right? Alone?”

“And you won’t have to work with or see her again.”​

 

[sereneotter00]

◅ ALFREDO ARAIZA ▻​

He laughed in disbelief. “It’s insane. I feel like I’m talking to a wall. This woman did sexual battery and you don’t care. You’re treating it like it’s some small issue. Man, you work your ass off to get on what’s supposed to be a phenomenal ship with elite leadership and the person who you routinely did your best for doesn’t give a shit.”

“I meant it. I quit. I’ve done a lot of shit. I’ve yelled and said all kinds of stuff. I’m far from perfect but this is a limit for me. If you don’t care about this one actual discomfort I have because it’s inconvenient to you, then I don’t wanna be around for worse. My issue was never being alone. I don’t like being alone. But with people like you? I’m better off,” he concluded, granting a final nod before disappearing into the hallway, his heart as close to humming as possible.

 

[milkmaiden38]

Lt Sol
Lt Sol was taken aback by the counselor’s words. Her remarks about dignity and self-worth—framing them as reasons to avoid helping others—didn't sit right with him. They gnawed at his sense of duty, clashing with everything he believed in.

“I believe anyone who wants to do better can change. Unless they’re a weak, snowflake quitter. A quitter who hides behind talk of dignity and self-value rather than prioritizing the health of this crew.

What if I abandoned my post because someone tried to intimidate me or called me stupid? I’m a security officer—prisoners don’t just hurl insults at me, they attack. Physically. Should I refuse to do my job because I ‘value myself too much’?” His voice carried raw emotion, cutting through the air.

“Dinosaur… It means ‘terrible lizard.’ But it was the mammals on your planet who wiped out the dinosaurs. The entire clade Dinosauria—gone. Genocide is horrific, but erasing an entire clade? You don’t even have a word for something that terrible. I'm intimidated by mammals. I look at all of you and see ruthless monsters. But I still work with you”

Lt Sol paused, forcing himself to steady his thoughts. But restraint lost the battle against the fire inside him. He leaned in closer to Dr. Marlowe.

“When this ship is attacked, and some unspeakable horror is trying to devour all you herd animals, you’ll want your ‘terrible lizard’ to intimidate them. You’ll want ME to rip them apart.”

His voice was now a growl. He snatched the paper listing other recommended counselors from Dr. Marlowe and glared.

“I don’t want help from a quitter. Keep running from your problems—skip the Captain’s breakfast, avoid everything. Hide in your office, where you can cling to dignity and convince yourself you matter more than the crew."

Lt Sol narrowed his eyes. "Any questions for me?”

 

[sereneotter00]

◅ XIANA MARLOWE ▻​

She held in a reaction, only offering a look up in his direction. “Good thing I’m not a quitter, then. A quitter would imply being given a chance to begin with—one you pried away. A quitter would imply futility, yet I went out of my way to find you capable psychiatrists regardless because I do find change possible. I could’ve easily kicked you out ten seconds ago, yet I didn’t. Instead, I sat here only to be insulted, which is precisely what I anticipated. What a disappointing way to be proven right.”

“I put in my work with this crew,” Xiana continued unfazed, her eyes returning to her papers. She was too tired in the day to entertain any self-doubt. The counselor spoke as she wrote. “I didn’t leave my job, either. I’m allowed to have limits, as are you. I have never argued otherwise.”

“What’s more disappointing is that I never treated you or approached you differently. I’ve never thought of you as less or more than anybody on this ship. I understand your wariness, and I’m no one to negate it, but the point remains that you didn’t know me and chose those actions anyway.”

“Never had I said or thought of such terms or harbored the mentality you’re trying to project onto me. I don’t blame you for being reluctant; frankly, you had and have every right to be. Yet there were other humans at that table, one you were yet to know as well, and instead you directed your actions at me. I’m not saying that it would’ve been any better if you acted that way towards others, but your aim was noted. You don’t get to unload your sentiments on a stranger and then complain about quitting. That’s hypocrisy.”

She took a handful of papers and stored them in a drawer. “Likewise, I’m not running from my problems; I simply know when to walk away, and the longer you stand here self-inserting your own interpretations only further proves my point.”

Xiana got on her feet, walking across the room towards some files. “You’re not the sole reason I’ll be skipping those meetings either, so kindly step away from your own conclusion. If I didn’t sincerely want you to do better, I would’ve kicked you out of my office long ago. But I do. I truly hope you improve and you become as healthy and joyous as you can be. The Croco-Lamia species is a marvelous one, one that deserves tranquility. It isn’t your race that I have a problem with. It’s you.”

She took a folder and returned to her desk, briefly glancing at a clock on the wall. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have some work to attend to. Please find your way out whenever you’re ready.”

 

[The_Weeping_Angel]

Stardate 29870605.1500

Reeves:​

Finished with his report he sent it over to the Captain. He’d already given her a verbal report, this was just the official long report. That would be recorded for someones memoirs, or a deep dark trash been back on Earth.

Just as he was standing up to go to the bridge his door chimed. “Come in.” He said.

Stepping through the door was the Chief Engineer.

Half an hour later the both left his Office, her back to the Engineering Hub, and him to the Captain. Officers were her responsibility after all.

Once on the Bridge, he called the Captain over to a quiet corner and explained the situation with The Weapons Officer and the Ensign, and the Weapons Officer’s statement that he was quitting, and that he’d left probably to the Red section.​

 

[milkmaiden38]

LT Sol
"Dark Fire… define 'quitter,' please," LT Sol requested, voice steady.

"Quitter: a person who gives up easily or lacks the courage and determination to complete a task," the ship’s AI responded without hesitation.

Sol turned to Dr. Marlowe, eyes cold. "In my opinion, that describes you perfectly. You give up easily. You lack courage and determination."

Without another word, LT Sol pivoted and strode out of the counselor’s office, leaving the silence to settle in his wake.

 

[milkmaiden38]

Hora
Hora crossing her arms over her large chest. "Really? I'm out here trying to defend the galaxy, and I have to babysit a grouchy, pouting, self-absorbed asshole?" she asked Commander Reeves.

Then, with a sly smile, she added, "I know what you're thinking—I'm one to talk. Sure, I might be grouchy, self-absorbed, and an asshole… but I’m not pouting."

She sighed, shifting gears. "Fine. I’ll track him down in the red section. You can give the Major a heads-up so she can keep me from getting killed." A mischievous glint sparked in her eyes. "I hope I find him with a sex worker. That’d make this encounter so much more entertaining."

Her smile grew bigger. "Hey, you wanna tag along? Watch me work?"

 

[The_Weeping_Angel]

Stardate 29870605.1500

Reeves:​

“No I do not, and Captain your exploits are reaching the ears of others. Including him and from what I understand he finds it distasteful, inappropriate, and repulsive. According to Dark Fire his social interactions are limited.”

“Please do not try to have sex with him. He’s a Junior Officer in your line of Command. It would be inappropriate, and I’d have to report it.”


Dr. L’Sa:​

“If you are willing, I can begin showing you the forms Suus Mahna, this evening.”

Sending the message to the Counselor L’Sa returned to her duties analyzing the microbes from the living ship they’d encounters, as well as it’s combative .. ?pilot?Warrior?​

 

[sereneotter00]

◅ XIANA MARLOWE ▻​

“Sure,” she mumbled in response, half as attentive as she had been for the majority of the conversation. She had too much on her plate at the given moment to have to argue about what she believed was a reasonable consequence.

When she finished wrapping up her work, she replied to the doctor’s message.

That’d be wonderful, thank you. Should I do anything to prepare?

◅ ALFREDO ARAIZA ▻​

The Red Section seemed appropriate in the granted time. He’d done little in his new leisure—he wasn’t used to having it. He’d accepted he’d be dropped off as soon as possible and was ultimately resigned to figure out his next steps. Earth didn’t seem appealing since years ago. Early retirement? He’d go insane being sedentary. A glass of liquor before him, he’d been nursing the same few ounces for hours. Sat in the back of a bar unfamiliar to him, he figured it was best to avoid his usual place… for obvious reasons. He’d sort out the last parts of his resignation the next day; at the moment, he had enough with the sound of others talking tables away.

 

[milkmaiden38]

Captain Hora

The scent of booze, smoke, and sweat hung thick in the air as Captain Hora stepped into the dimly lit bar. Filth coated every surface, the evidence of neglect stretching back days—perhaps even weeks. The stench was a cocktail of stale Terran beer, soured Antarean brandy, and the unmistakable burn of Orion rum. She swept her gaze across the room, sensing the weight of scrutiny. Eyes lingered, sizing her up—some gleamed with raw desire, others calculated greed, measuring her worth in credits. And then there were the lost souls, drowning in their drinks, oblivious to her presence.

It was among the latter group that she spotted Alfredo Araiza.

"Orion’s Belt," she ordered crisply, not bothering with pleasantries. The bartender, well accustomed to her reputation, had the drink ready in an instant, sliding it across the counter with an efficient nod.

"Yes, Captain," he murmured.

She glanced down, suddenly aware she was still in uniform—she had been warned about that. "Too late now," she mused, exhaling softly. Brushing back her long brunette hair, she exposed more of her striking, near-perfect face before straightening her posture. With confidence etched into every movement, she strode toward Alfredo’s table, her shoulders squared, her presence commanding. The taut fabric of her blue uniform stretched across her big chest, accentuating her toned figure—her narrow waist, her unmistakable curves. Each step carried her gracefully forward, her long legs cutting a purposeful path toward the dark-haired man.

Alfredo Araiza, 32 years old—but Hora never could tell human ages well thought he was younger. His physique was solid, his sharp blue eyes vibrant beneath the low-hanging light. Too bad he was not with some sex worker… she might have joined in.

"Second Lieutenant Araiza… can I get you a top-off?" Hora gestured toward his half-empty glass, her voice smooth, poised—but with a small unmistakable lusty edge.

 

[The_Weeping_Angel]

Stardate 29870605.1505

L’Sa:​

“Doctor, you have a message from the Counselor,” Dark Fire informed her. Looking over at the computer she read the message and typed in her response with her left hand as she wrote her notes with her right hand.

‘I Recommend clothing that is tight and will not bind or snag on anything. But not so tight that it will restrict motion.’

Reeves:​

Looking over the reports from Astrometrics, the XO raised an eyebrow. Once the Captain came back from dealing with that, they both needed to talk to Astrometrics about this data.

 

[sereneotter00]

◅ ALFREDO ARAIZA ▻​

He had about five different retorts ready for when a new voice joined him in his solitude, but a glance up to the source resulted in a perplexed expression. Why the hell was the captain of the ship in there? Most importantly: why couldn’t anyone seem to take the hint that he wanted to be alone?

“No,” he replied. His own drink was surely warm by then, but had it been chilled he wouldn’t have downed it anyway. He montioned it towards her. “You can have this if you want it. Araiza works just fine.”

“I also don’t think it’s a good idea for you to be down here,” he stressed, although he wanted to guess she knew that already. He gave a quick look to the surroundings. He’d never been the type to care about outside opinions, but he also didn’t want to attract any confrontation. He’d just wanted a drink after all.

◅ XIANA MARLOWE ▻​

She had a set that would work just fine. After thanking L’Sa in a message and asking what time and place to meet her, she tidied up her office for her next appointment. Xiana had an hour to kill, but cleaning always helped her organize her thoughts with more efficency.

 

[milkmaiden38]

Hora

“Thanks for the offer, but I have my own drink” Hora replied, holding up her Orion’s belt for Araiza to see. “I’m not sure why I should not be down here? But I can take care of myself. Kind of hoping someone intelligent talks to me. That would be fun. Anyhow, I’m sitting over here, if you want to talk” Hora explained. She walked over to a nearby table and took a seat. Sipping on her drink.

 

[The_Weeping_Angel]

Stardate 29870605.1515

Dark Fire:​

“Doctor, You have a visitor outside your door. They are not scheduled for an appointment, but they have requested to speak with you. Shall I grant them entry?” The Ship asked in its standard monotone. It sounded like it had been programmed by a Vulcan, or a less intelligent computer.

“They expressed this should ‘only take a minute or so” of your time.”​

 

[sereneotter00]

◅ ALFREDO ARAIZA ▻​

“Well, it’s the favorite place of lowlifes and people looking to be anything but professional. Kinda doubt they’d be that welcoming to the person in charge of everything,” he replied. “But suit yourself.”

He watched the captain walk away, not too subtle of how he checked her out. Of course, she was a beautiful woman, but while as far as he knew she wasn’t his captain anymore, he hadn’t decided if it was a good idea to try anything. He did, however, believe she was here for a reason. Hopefully not for him.

He followed her to her table and took a seat. “Look, if the Chief sent you or something, I’m not changing my mind and already sent my resignation. No reason to keep you here more than necessary if that’s the case. I don’t want all this.”

◅ XIANA MARLOWE ▻​

The counselor was too preoccupied with fixing up her desk. “Yes, let them in,” Xiana answered, breathing in. She had hoped for a few more minutes to finish. Perhaps it’d be a quick chat.

 

[The_Weeping_Angel]

Stardate 29870605.1518

Yito:​

Stepping through the doorway Ensign Yito took in the bare office, the hint of wood chips hanging in the air. A day or so old. The light spectrum was human, in contrast to the spectrum's she was able to see it had it’s limitations.

The desk was tidy as Vulcan would keep it. But the Counselor wasn’t a Vulcan. This human she’d encountered before, when she was cleaning the testing range, after Jordan… No she needed to refer to him as Lt. Araiza had left.

“Commander Reeves and First Lieutenant Skye both suggested I speak with you, though the Commander was less polite about it and made it an order.” She said walking over to stand in front of the desk.

“I’ve never done this before so I don’t know how to proceed.” she said her hands twitching with the discomfort of the situation. How does one speak about feelings and emotions when they are simply lines of could and synaptic responses?

With two chairs available she sat in one, allowing her to see the door and the counselor at the same time. Tactical protocols directed this action, though this position also allowed her a view out the wind so she could see the wormhole. She found it’s electromagnetic signature pleasing and soothing.​

 

[sereneotter00]

◅ XIANA MARLOWE ▻​

“Oh, hello again,” Xiana said, rising to her feet. She hadn’t seen the woman since the demonstration prior. While she would’ve appreciated an appointment, she figured a short conversation couldn’t take too much of her time. “Ensign Yito Seja, was that right?”

“Speak about what exactly?” the woman asked, assuring the doors were shut before she sat back at her desk. Her muscle memory led to her reaching for paper, but she stopped herself due to the mystery topic at hand. “Are you alright?”

 

[The_Weeping_Angel]

Stardate 29870605.1520

Yito:​

“Yes, and I apologize for the intrusion. If needed I can come back later when you’d be more comfortable with an appointment.” Yito replied as she adjusted the seat laterally two centimeters and rotated it one degree counterclockwise. Yes, better. The harmonics of the wormhole slid along the ships shields making a nice wavelike pattern in the depths of space.

“Commander Reeves ordered me to speak with you about..um.. ‘interpersonal relationships and boundaries’. As well as ‘inappropriate contact of an intimate and/or sensitive nature’.” She’d much prefer an appointment, but getting this over quicker was easier.​

 

[sereneotter00]

◅ XIANA MARLOWE ▻​

She kept her eyebrows at bay at the movement, but didn’t question it. “Don’t worry, I can spare a few minutes before my next appointment. In the future we can schedule something more thorough if you’d like.”

The descriptions that followed worried the counselor. A concerned look in her eyes, she spoke in a soft voice. “Did somebody on board do something to you? Remember that this conversation is solely between the two of us.”

 

[The_Weeping_Angel]

Stardate 29870605.1523

Yito:​

“No, I um.. Kissed Lt. Alfredo Araiza.” She replied. “We had flirted earlier, had lunch together. He said he wasn’t looking for a commitment. But the way he said it made me to believe he’d be interested in a.. one-off? Is that the way humans express it? Bajoran’s don’t have the word or phrasing, so I’m not sure how to describe it.”

“But I kissed him, and then he was angry the next time we spoke. He’s very rude. And I told him so. Which escalated into yelling. Across a tavern and into the hallway. I’m sure Dark Fire has the records if you need to look at them.”

“I was then assigned to work with him again and he refused to do so, which got the Chief Engineer involved, then the X.O., and now you.”

“If the grapevine is correct he has tendered his resignation and quit. Lt. Araiza, not the Commander.” She added for clarification.​

 

[sereneotter00]

◅ XIANA MARLOWE ▻​

She couldn’t argue that he wasn’t rude, but she kept that to herself. Still, a resignation was quite a decision, particularly with the inability of his departure anytime soon. Xiana wondered what that would mean for self defenses, but that was a query for later.

“Ensign, did he ask you to kiss him?” she asked, placing her hands on top of one another on the desk surface.

 

[The_Weeping_Angel]

Stardate 29870605.1525

Yito:​

“No, not in so many words,” she replied honestly. “But the phrasing he used indicated he wanted, or at least was willing, to pursue a physical encounter possibly one of a sexual nature. If I understand Humans, but apparently, I don’t. So, I’m here.”

“Plus, the fact that we could have died as soon as we arrived here and could still die at any time this far from the core worlds, and the possibility of another attack at any time from the ‘silver parasites. Do they have a proper name yet? Well, I didn’t want to die without kissing him. So I did. And now I’m here.”​