EXETERRPG: (2, 0305) CO, Captain Trip Williams and Dir. R&SE Ashlyn Williams

[Will Banowsky]

  Mission: Murder on the Exeter Express
Day: 2
Stardate: 2445.12.02

(USS Exeter - Personal Quarters - CO, Captain Trip Williams and Dir. R&SE
Ashlyn Williams - 0305)

It was a little after 3 in the morning when Trip returned to his quarters.
He had held his mood for most of his time in public, but he was fuming. He
was pissed. That someone on his ship would resort to murder, it made his
blood boil. Even worse it was an SFI Agent, so who knew what the motive
was. By his count the Exeter was probably 3 hours from the rumor mill just
taking over.

He was stressed, upset, and knew he was going to have to make some awkward
calls in the next 24 hours. More than that he felt like it was a failure
that reflected on him. He probably should have just got to bed, but he
didn’t. He poured himself a glass of bourbon and sighed. Then without even
thinking he grabbed one of the dining chairs and just threw it across the
room watching it break against the wall.

“@#%&!!!”

He took his glass and sat down on the couch.

Ash was torn out of a deep sleep by the crash. Jumping out of bed, and
pulling a robe on she stormed out of the bedroom. A feeling of terror at
the thought of what she might see. Seeing the broken chair and trip sitting
there with a bourbon at 3am flipped her mood instantly. She wasn't one to
lose her temper, but couldn't stop it now.

"WHAT THE BLOODY HELL DO YOU THINK YOU'RE YOU DOING?" She yelled at him.

“Sorry” He sighed as he took a drink. “Lt. Commander Tyko Nix….. he’s dead.
Looking likely that it’s…..foul play. Ailynn is doing an autopsy, Ravok and
Merek are doing some investigating.”

"So you thought that we had too many chairs." Her temper was waning, she
sat next to him, holding his hand.

“There was a murder on my watch Ash….” He took another sip.

"Okay, firstly you don't know that yet, secondly if it’s true, you have the
best people in the right place."

“Ash...he’s the one who called in the emergency…..he was a guy a lot of
people didn’t like…” Before he could finish Ash cut him off.

"Lastly 3am bourbon is never a good thing. I've seen where it goes babe."
She kissed his cheek. "Okay. So now, breathe, talk to me."

“I had the dream again, the one where the mystery woman whose face I can’t
see is in our bed.”

"Same as always? Or different?"

“She guided me around the ship, and then acted like she knew this would
happen. I think it was just the last bit of my enhanced abilities going
away.  But I heard his voice in my head, Commander Tyko’s that is. He knew
that someone had entered his room to kill him. Then the mystery woman
kissed me, and I was awoken by security calling me to his quarters after
discovering his body.”

Ashlyn nodded. "You’re upset about the murder, I get that, but this is
getting to you more isn't it."

“A bit… yeah..”

"Look I know the answer, but do you...fancy someone else?"

Trip put his glass down. “@#$% no! It’s not the dreams, though the
recurring dream of some mystery woman replacing you does have me a
bit….upset….I just think it’s more me picking up other people’s dream
thoughts, hopefully. Trust me, I’m a one girl kinda guy and I have you.
But…”

“I know, and I don’t even know why I asked. I worry so much about you.”
Ashlyn said, holding his hands.

“It’s more that someone would even think of murdering someone on my ship.
It’s, it’s like a slap in the face. I should be more upset he’s dead. Like
that should be my main concern of rage and outrage, but it’s almost like a
disrespect ya know. It’s like rookie captain, let’s cause some mayhem and
murder. I don’t know, its dumb. It’s just the thought that someone who
would put on this uniform could bring themselves...to that….It just….@$%@
Ash, it just makes me mad.”

“I know...Sssh ssh ssh” She spoke gently. “Look, you're going round in
circles. Close your eyes and calm down.”

Trip sighed and did as he was told.

“Honey, You are my troubles, its okay, it’s why I’m here. You can not take
this to heart; take it on the chin and roll with it, despite what everyone
says about the society that we live in, you can not tell me that all ill
feeling has been eradicated, this type of thing will always happen.”

"I'm just… what if it's part of larger conspiracy?"

Ashlyn leaned on him. “You have the most gifted staff in the Federation
working under you as your Command team. Merek and Ravok are Officers beyond
compare. Ailynn is now very widely regarded as a Command Officer and Medic
by her own reputation, not her mother’s daughter. Trust your staff.”

"Yeah, I know. There is nothing I can do about it now. We just have to let
the process play out."

“I can’t remember much about Kadaya, my foster mum. However I remember one
thing really clearly. I was worried about going to school. She looked me in
the eye and said, ‘Ash, don’t go borrowing trouble.’ It’s always stuck with
me.”

"You're right. If I look for grave conspiracy I'll find it. Just need to
trust." Trip then yawned. "But I'm not gonna figure it out without sleep."

Ashlyn took the glass off bourbon and put it on the side, pulling him up to
his feet and slipping an arm around his waist. "Your staff are doing their
thing. Use this chance to sleep where you can." Ashlyn felt her heart fill
as it always did when she worried about her husband.

“I know, and I will try, but I just, hopefully I can.”

Ashlyn led him gently to the bedroom smiling gently, and helped him off
with his uniform, folding it and placing it on the chair.

“But you’re right, I’m no good to this crew if I don’t sleep. Thanks for
the pep talk sweetheart.” He said as he kissed her on the top of her head.

"I love you baby. But you have got to learn to lean on me too." She pulled
his head down and kissed his brow, before gently lifting the bed covers and
slipping in behind him. Carefully and gently she ran her fingers up and
down his back and over his shoulders.

“Computer set alarm for 0600”

[Confirmed]

“Good night Ash, hopefully things wont be too topsy turvy in the morning.”

"Good night pumpkin." She then slid closer to him and pulled him gently
into her, her arm draped over Trips waist.

As Trip drifted off to sleep he sighed. He had a good team, he needed to
trust his team. They would have his back.

(reply none)
(posted by Mark and Will)
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