EXETERRPG: (1 - 1145) SF MedObs Cmdr Ailynn Bracken and FO CMdr Alex Jones

[Mark Howard]

Mission: Space was cool before it mattered

Day: 1

Stardate: 2446.04.25

 (USS Exeter - Science Offices - SF MedObs Cmdr Ailynn Bracken and FO Cmdr
Alex Jones - 1145)



Alex walked down the corridor, a feeling sinking in the deepest part of his
abdomen. Who knew how many years ago, he had been sent to the school
Principal, a man of advancing year, who had three tones of voice. Utter
indifference was the one that you hoped that you’d get, and to be fair,
most likely would, as he actually didn’t like the pupils much. The second
was the absolute reaming, parade-ground balling out.
Now that one he’d take on the chin, whilst staring at a fixed point six
inches to the right of his left ear, with chin proud and high. It rarely
lasted long.



The last, of course, was the deadly whisper.





If you heard the whisper…you were already dead.





It was of that frame of mind that Alex approached Ailynn’s office. A girl
of what…maybe fifteen years his junior, but who had already carved a very
serious reputation in the entire Fleet as ‘one to watch.’



“Commander, forgive me. Do you have a moment?” He spoke gently almost in
difference to the young, tall officer in front of him, the one who had
rocked the very foundation of Fleet Science on her arrival back to Soll III.



“Of course Alex, what’s up?” Ailynn asked pleasantly, glad for the
distraction.



“Personal favour. I…” He stopped. “Can I ask something of you Ma’am?”



“Don’t need to call me Ma'am…rather you didn’t actually.” She said with a
smile.



Alex chuckled, “Of course. Sorry Ailynn, with your permission?” he motioned
to a terminal with a holoemitter.



Ailynn sat back, and sipped at the glass of water, wishing for the
millionth time today that it was something stronger.



“Ma…Ailynn. I’m working on a date, between Erin and I…I nee…I could..I have
an idea, but it involves a certain dress, and…” He blushed. “Hooooo, this
is harder than I thought…Look, it’s a costume thing, I…I need someone to
make sure that…ahem…”



“That it fits?” She raised an eyebrow. “Was that so hard to say?”



“My apologies Ma’am. It sounds…”



“The design is beautiful, she’s going to love it…I see why you want it
to…Oh you bad boy….” Ailynn’s eyes twinkled, but said nothing.



“Ailynn, can you?”


“Of course. I’ll send her a message to come to my suite later.” She was
still looking at the dress, but her mind was elsewhere, he knew.





“Alex….” Her eyes flashed.



He gulped, wishing that he had never thought of this, wishing ther he
wasn’t under the full gaze of those eyes.



“Ailynn?”



Unconsciously Ailynn filled her gaze with her full, uninterrupted
attention.



“You hurt her…you try and play her…”



Alex looked into her gaze and saw a beast of indomitable will. He saw pain,
he saw terror, as he looked deeply into her eyes he saw so much more, he
saw a will that few posses. He saw the look, the caged beast,  deep in her
eyes, with a nod he understood. Bracken hadn’t been handed the Legion of
Honour on a whim. Looking into her eyes he saw something that to his dying
day he would never speak of.



“I know.” He was standing a brave face, but the sheer dominance of will
behind the eyes of the Officer in front of him was all encompassing. He was
under no delusion as to the situation he was in.



(Reply none)

(posted by Mark)
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