USS Dark Fire (IC)

[sereneotter00]

◅ ALFREDO ARAIZA ▻​

He snorted. “I heard she hit on everything with a pulse, didn’t expect people to be right. Not that it’s wrong if they want it, but if it makes you uncomfortable you should fill something out, too. With your marriage and all I thought she’d be more, you know, realistic.”

Araiza nodded with a sad smile. “Come on, man. He was the best. The type of person you didn’t mind following, you know? That’s the kind of person you fight wars for. Well, another reason on top of the countless others.”

“It’s fine man, things happen.” Unfortunately, but they do. “I doubt you would’ve even gotten wind of it if I hadn’t bailed. It’s not like I want Seja dead or anything either, even with all that. I guess I didn’t like how the Chief went on about it at the time. I was really frustrated, though. It’s tough. I really look up to her.”

 

[The_Weeping_Angel]

Stardate 29870605.1955

“As I’ve made my lack of interest clear, if she does it again, I will file a formal complaint. Otherwise I’ll let it go. I have no desire to punish someone for a simple miscommunication. If I had told her I wasn’t interested the first time, she wouldn’t have continued.”

“How did the Chief go about it? I haven’t reviewed the recordings, I’ve been waiting for you to file your report. Perhaps I’ll review them anyway so that everyone can become better people with thee proper guidance.”

“During me conversation with the Ensign, she said you had indicated interest in her. Perhaps she misunderstood. Or she’s lying. Either way it’s a sexual assault on a Superior Officer, as well as Conduct Unbecoming of an Officer.”

Finishing his drink he motioned for a refill before folding his hands together with his fingers interlaced. “As the victim you have some say in recommending her punishment. As it stands she’s already been reassigned to the night shift so there won’t be anybody for her to offend, by her own request. Is there any punishment you desire for her to suffer? I can’t guarantee it, but it will be taken under advisement.”​

 

[sereneotter00]

◅ ALFREDO ARAIZA ▻​

“No, actually I feel like people can pick up on whether something’s wanted or not. Maybe it’s hard sometimes but we’re not rocks. We can ask.”

Araiza sank into his seat, eyes rolling up to the ceiling and arms crossing over his chest. “I said I wanted to leave this for another day.”

“I did indicate interest, but then I also clarified I wouldn’t pursue it anymore,” he said, looking back down to the commander. “And even if I had still kept the interest, I feel like I still have a right to not be a fan of something.”

“Look man, I have my reasons to not have wanted that, and I’ll survive with her on the night shift, that’s good enough for me. Can we just, like, go five minutes without talking about work? I didn’t want any of this, okay? And I certainly didn’t want to focus on it. I’m trying here. Instead of your employee, can’t you treat me like a friend for an hour?”

 

[milkmaiden38]

Hora

As the video connection to Federation Headquarters flickered to life, Captain Hora saw Admiral Volgu seated behind his imposing desk. His crisp white uniform lent him an air of commanding presence, accentuating his already formidable stature. His large, goggle-like eyes studied her intently, unreadable yet piercing, his webbed hands pressed together—three suction-cup-like hollows fused in a gesture that almost resembled a prayer.

"Admiral Volgu," Hora purred, her voice laced with intrigue, her emerald-green skin catching the faint glow of the screen. "That uniform suits you. Very... commanding."

Volgu's eyes narrowed slightly, betraying a flicker of irritation. "Captain Hora, do you even understand how Mon Calamari biology works?" he asked, his tone clipped.

"I'm no expert," Hora admitted, unfazed. "But from what I gather, reproduction involves underwater spawning. The female releases the eggs, and the male fertilizes them—rather efficient, wouldn't you say? And, if I'm correct, the female has a rather... involved role in ensuring the male releases. Sounds exhilarating."

Volgu exhaled sharply, his tone flat. "I doubt you could hold your breath long enough."

Hora smirked but pivoted swiftly, adopting a professional tone. "Understood, Admiral. Now, my report. The minefield is complete. But we encountered an anomaly while surveying the wormhole."

Volgu leaned forward slightly, his interest piqued. "Anomaly? Explain."

"I sent both an unmanned probe and a manned shuttle through," Hora continued.

Volgu's irritation resurfaced. "A manned shuttle? Who authorized that?"

"I did," she said, unwavering. "Commander Reeves and Lieutenant Sol piloted it. I was planning to recommend them for commendations."

"You should," Volgu admitted, his fingers tapping thoughtfully on his desk. "Reeves is an outstanding officer."

"They confirmed our hypotheses—the wormhole leads to the Andromeda Galaxy. But after analyzing the telemetry, we've discovered something else. It also transports objects through time. Approximately 900,000 years into the past."

Volgu's webbed fingers curled slightly. "Fascinating," he murmured, his mind already dissecting the implications.

Hora hesitated before pressing on. "Given the temporal regulations, I’ve made the difficult decision to shut the wormhole down."

Volgu's gaze remained fixed on her. "Why?"

Hora stiffened slightly. "It's against Federation regulations. We must safeguard the timeline."

Volgu scoffed. "Captain Hora, you’ve never let regulations stand in your way before. Consider the sheer scale of what you're dealing with. Any changes made 900,000 years ago—on the far side of the universe—would take another 1.6 million years to propagate across the timeline. By then, the Federation would have had ample opportunity to correct any irregularities."

Hora’s eyes narrowed. "I don’t understand. Last time we spoke, you threatened to relieve me of duty. Now you’re asking me to violate regulations? Has the silver parasite infected you?"

Volgu chuckled, shaking his head. "Let’s hope not. I took some time to review your record, Captain. You've demonstrated integrity, courage, and a fierce commitment to duty. Your leadership style may be unconventional, but it works. You and your crew exhibit remarkable ingenuity, resilience, and tenacity—qualities I don’t see often."

Hora’s posture eased slightly. "Then... you trust me?"

Volgu's eyes gleamed with something resembling approval. "I do. You have my confidence and my blessing to explore the Andromeda Galaxy. Just minimize any disruptions to the timeline."

A slow smile spread across Hora's lips, her green skin almost luminous. "Thank you, Admiral."

"Don’t let it go to your head, Captain," Volgu warned, before adding dryly, "And stop calling me fishface."

With that, the transmission cut off.

 

[The_Weeping_Angel]

Stardate 29870605.2000

“Sorry, I tend to forget I’m not on duty if I’m not in my quarters.” Reeves said looking at the table. “What are your hobbies? What do you do when not on shift?”

“I myself tend to go to the holodeck and practice there. Or I play tri-dimensional chess with L’Sa.”

“It’s difficult for me to have... friends.” He commented. “Because of my Rank it’s against regulations for me to fraternize with my co-workers. But you’re far enough removed, and an Officer so I don’t hold judgment over your promotions and such.”

"But with the Counselor's help, I'm trying."​

 

[sereneotter00]

◅ ALFREDO ARAIZA ▻​

“Yeah, we can tell. I mean I’ve been here for years now and we never see you being casual with anyone else,” he agreed. He wondered, in a small amount, if it came from his experiences with others. “I get why you’d do it, I guess, but I honestly just figured you thought you were better than anyone else outside that bridge.”

The tri-dimensional part was impressive. That activity being fun? Not so much. “Solo? Uh… Cooking’s nice. Baking mostly. Wish some ingredients were fresher but can’t blame anyone. I did sports growing up and I get a little competitive so I try to join any makeshift games on board when I can.”

“I guess I go out with coworkers often.” Too often, but he wasn’t sure if to expand just yet. “I’m not a drunk or anything, but enough places know me by name. Good distraction, I guess. I like company off the clock, not so much when I’m in the middle of building something.”

“I’ve always been a bit of a mechanical techie, so I have some projects outside of work, for whenever I get the time. Nothing dangerous, before you go snooping in my closet.” Small innovations, like enhanced cleaning supplies, athletic instruments, or personally adapted items, such as his own computer and a hovering vaccum that made accidents easier to tackle. He was currently working on a hair dryer that reduced heat damage. It was at the bottom of all necessary inventions, but it made his hair look great. Good enough for him.

 

[The_Weeping_Angel]

Stardate 29870605.2005

“I do some cooking. Once a week I cook. Once a Week L’Sa cooks and the rest of the week it’s either replicator or a holodeck, which is rare, for a night out.”

“I’ve never thought of myself as better than anyone, maybe more cautious and reserved, but never better.”

“You should try boxing with the Captain, she’s won awards for it. Personally I practice martial arts, including Human, Vulcan, Romulan, and Klingon. No one knows what move I’ll use next. And some stances are the same, with follow ups being different.”

“I doubt if any of the places aboard would recognize me out of uniform. I’ve been to the red section a couple times to heck on things and make sure the mayhem was under control. Plus I get reports from the Major weekly.”

“Perhaps the next time L’Sa and I play chess you could join us? She knows what I do to well and beat me most of the time. She needs a new challenge. Maybe even play a little fourth dimension chess.”

Fourth dimensional chess allowed pieces to vanish and return at a set amount of time later, taking over the position of any piece on the square when they reappeared.​

 

[sereneotter00]

◅ ALFREDO ARAIZA ▻​

Martial arts, huh? He shouldn’t have expected differently. Was there anything the guy didn’t do? Well, socializing. “If they wouldn’t recognize you out of uniform, I don’t get why you keep wearing it. I’d pay big bucks to not run into my techs at a cantina. Half are kiss asses, half are nervous, not fun. Kills my mood.”

He let out a small laugh. “Hell no. No offense, Reeves, but that doesn’t sound fun at all to me. Cool as shit you guys can do it, though. Pass on the boxing, too. Don’t like one on one physical things unless it’s gonna escalate.”

“I feel like I’m doing ice breakers at a summer camp or something. You wanna be friends? How’s this,” he said, motioning the server over and ordering ten shots, giving them the liberty to choose whichever liquor they wanted. He didn’t want a clue. “Let’s play a game. You ask five questions, I’ll ask five. If you don’t wanna answer, you drink. Down?”

 

[The_Weeping_Angel]

Stardate 29870605.2010

“Well, I don’t kiss ass. And I out rank you so I won’t be nervous.”

“Alright,” Reeves replied suspicious as he raised an eyebrow. “If you run out of shots before I do. You have to go to a holo practice with me. If you win… I’ll dress out of uniform for ten visits to anywhere except the bridge.”

He figured he was safe enough with that, and it was probably something the Lt would want him to do. Unless Araiza wanted something else.​

 

[sereneotter00]

◅ ALFREDO ARAIZA ▻​

Holo practice? That was it? He shrugged. “Sure, why not.” But where was he supposed to take the guy for ten visits? He wanted higher stakes… reasonably. “If I win… I want a banquet for the soldiers. Something to boost morale. Lots of food and decor and drinks and entertainment. Paid by you guys.”

Was it too much? Maybe, but he figured it was worth it. He extended his large hand to the other male with a grin. “Deal?”

 

[The_Weeping_Angel]

Stardate 29870605.2015

“Starfleet security staff, or the MACO?” Reeves asked extending his hand and shaking Araiza’s. It didn’t matter he just wanted clarification, maybe he meant both.

It was easy enough to do, and with the Security under him, he didn’t have to run it passed the Captain, and The MACO were under the Major, so still not involving the Captain.”
​

 

[sereneotter00]

◅ ALFREDO ARAIZA ▻​

“Why not both?” he smiled, thanking the server as they placed the short glasses before them. He looked over the unique colors and consistencies, both curious and nervous, but with excitement overall. Araiza looked up at the commander and shook his hand firmly.

“I’ll go ahead and start,” he declared, humming as he decided on a glass. Taking a traditionally amber liquid, he took the rim and placed it before the other man. “Why didn’t you become captain after Marcus?” He had certainly expected him to take over.

 

[The_Weeping_Angel]

Stardate 29870605.2015

“I was a Lieutenant Commander, Not a Commander at that time, and Starfleet higher ups kept refusing my promotion to Commander, Captain Marcus put in a request for promotion every year on my anniversary aboard ship.”

The man was starting out easy Reeves thought, he decided not to be too rough on the man.

“Why did you select the Dark Fire for your next assignment, you had a choice of several. Including the Agamemnon, which was a Heavy Cruiser. Not a bad ship to serve on.”​

 

[sereneotter00]

◅ ALFREDO ARAIZA ▻​

Easy enough, He grabbed the previous shot and let the liquid move side to side teasingly. Unknowingly going for the jugular.

His gaze on the drink, he began to speak, his voice less chirpy than previously. “You guys were the ones who offered better health benefits for my spouse,” he admit, visibly uncomfortable. “I had a few offers, but most of our savings went to our house, and shortly after we got it we found out she was sick so…”

“Pretty decent docs you guys have,” he said. Taking a quiet breath in an attempt to get ahold of himself, he continued. “You gotta pick three people on this ship to evacuate with, excluding your wife. Who are you taking? And don’t give me that rank reasoning bullshit either.”

 

[The_Weeping_Angel]

Stardate 29870605.2020

Without hesitating even long enough to breathe in he answered, “Major K’alena, Dr. Grissom, The Counselor.”

Why was the man being so easy on him he considered thinking about a question to ask. “Why do you go to the Red Section? Any other facility on the ship can serve you alcohol, or food.”

“But instead you choose the backwater as it were, the ships dungeons. The first built and the furthest from your duty station.”

The man didn’t like anything that bordered on his spouse. Granted he understood why. If Leshusa'atik died he’d be worse off than Araiza, but that was because of the bond. Having the psychic connection severed would be like losing half of his soul. Probably what the other man felt.​

 

[sereneotter00]

◅ ALFREDO ARAIZA ▻​

Were follow up questions allowed? He’d bite his tongue for now. Glancing at all the drinks before them, he wondered if they’d even get to touching them at all.

Oh, easy. “It’s shady sure, but people don’t really care about things like ranks or titles or bosses down there. Out here, any of your folks can do or say anything to fuck us over. It’s nice letting go of that pressure,” Araiza paused, “or used to, anyway.”

The male bit the inside of his cheek. How much did he want to push the bit of leniance he was being granted? He did have a query, and he figured if it was a dealbreaker it’d be best to cut this off before they went further. “Did your wife ever mention me flirting with her?”

 

[The_Weeping_Angel]

Stardate 29870605.2020

“No, though she has had several men and women interested in her either a temporary event or a more serious ongoing thing. She did not mention your flirtations. Perhaps she didn’t notice? Or she chose to ignore it out of kindness or impropriety.”

“Though you are what most females of a humanoid species would consider attractive, if her and I were not Bonded and married she might have considered it.”

“Why can’t you continue going to the Red Section?” He asked curious. His brown furrowed in confusion.​

 

[sereneotter00]

◅ ALFREDO ARAIZA ▻​

He raised his eyebrows, having expected a more intense reaction. Huh, good for them and their strong marriage. “Fair enough on either.” If an actual friendship was established, he’d naturally drop the advances.

Araiza faked offense, dramatically placing his hand to his chest. “Am I not what most males of a humanoid species would consider attractive too? Shame.”

“We’re really not drinking tonight, are we?” he said. “Because this little chat with the captain really turned me off to the place. I went there to escape work and then work decided to find me there. No thanks.”

“There’s a bunch of other officers. Why’d you wanna have dinner with me?”

 

[The_Weeping_Angel]

Stardate 29870605.2025

“As I don’t find you attractive, nor am I attracted to other males, of any species. I can not comment as to whether another humanoid male would find you attractive. Though it is possible.”

“As you are outside of my direct influence, I cannot give you a promotion or demotion, I can only recommend such a course of action for the Captain to decide upon. Though I would be required to fill out all the necessary paperwork and documentation. And you don’t work on the bridge so I could not have any decisions influenced by you.”

“And the Counselor wants me to be nicer to people and to ‘socialize more’. You are a likely candidate.”​

 

[sereneotter00]

◅ ALFREDO ARAIZA ▻​

“Loosen up, Reeves. I think you’re a hot guy, doesn’t mean I wanna fuck you.” Still, he was pretty confident in his appearance, so he’d survive.

Nothing encourages amicable behavior more than being narrowed down as an option. “I should’ve guessed you were going off statistics or something. Jeez. You were a loner as a kid, weren’t you?”

 

[The_Weeping_Angel]

Stardate 29870605.2025

“No, I was actually on the Football team American style and European style.” Reeves replied. “I tried track, but I wasn't slim or limber enough. I considered wrestling but they don’t have cheerleaders.”

“I was horrible in math, literature, and debate classes. I joined the ROTC then went MACO after High School. Made friends everywhere. Until I hit the battlefields…”

Leaving the rest unsaid, he took the first shot glass and poured into his mouth, holding it there as the taste burned his tongue and nostrils before swallowing it in one go. “Romulan Ale.”​

 

[sereneotter00]

◅ ALFREDO ARAIZA ▻​

“Hey, I did soccer too. Forward since I was a kid,” he beamed. He let a whistle at the mention of cheerleaders. It was such an odd idea: the rigid man before him who he was sure was more object than person until recently would’ve been someone he likely would befriend as a teenager? Araiza had changed, sure. Most adults did. But he didn’t think he had changed that drastically.

“Nah, I killed it in math. Loathed English and the like. Took a while to even get a hang of the language,” he mentioned.

Araiza watched the man drink unprompted. “You didn’t have to do that, man.”

 

[The_Weeping_Angel]

Stardate 29870605.2030

“Any question we don’t want to answer, those are the rules you set forth. You and I both have subjects we don’t like discussing.” Reeves replied calmly. Romulan ale was like fizzy water once you had Vulcan Ale nothing compared.

“Why Weapons Specialist? With your skills I’m sure you could have been a pilot or a Chief Engineer by now.”​

 

[sereneotter00]

◅ ALFREDO ARAIZA ▻​

He’d argue he had answered, but if that was what he needed in the moment, he understood. It wasn’t new to witness.

“I like making stuff, I guess,” Araiza answered, readjusting his posture. “If the position existed, I’d just spent all day making developments or new things from scratch. I like my position just ‘cause I’m very detailed and the idea of faults hurting someone freaks me out. I get to make sure that doesn’t happen. It’s a safety I wouldn’t be able to assure in a higher position.”

“On that note… why Commander?”

 

[The_Weeping_Angel]

Stardate 29870605.2035

“I’m good at it,” Reeves replied. “With my experience as a MACO I was promoted to Ensign for the shift over. Worked my way from their. If they’d left me as a Pilot on a fighter I would have been fine. I wanted to be away from everyone and the darkness of the void helped.”

“It gave me space to breathe and not think, about anything. Unfortunately I was good at piloting so I got a promotion and started Piloting Capitol Class ships. The USS Justice was my first one. Lancelot Class Cruiser out of Utopia Planetia.”

“Ever been with a nonhuman?” Some found it repulsive, and he’d gotten a number of looks when he came back from Vulcan with a wife, and a hot one at that.​