Catfight In Astrometrics - Part 2

Posted on Sun Oct 29th, 2017 @ 11:28am by

Mission: https://wellington.pegasusfleet.site/index.php/sim/missions/id/3
Location: Science - Astrometrics
Timeline: Current - Immediately after Catfight In Astrometrics (Part 1)

ON:

OLD:
When Charles entered the Astrometrics lab the first thing he heard - in fact, the ONLY thing he could hear - was the sound of two women screaming epithets and insults at each other. He walked around the bulkhead that separated the entrance alcove from the main lab just in time to hear Walker's statement about the Assistant CSO position. "I wouldn't be too sure about that assistant's position if I were you..." he said to Walker, then addressed the both of them.

"Now, would either of you like to tell me just what in the HELL is going on here? We could hear the two of you all the way down in the main lab!"

NEW:
"Telling this sex crazed bitch that she can't seduce a man like the way she is doing to you. She admitted that she has always intended to have you one way or the other from the time on the Phobos right up till now. The whole thing is that she is so determined to make you hers, she doesn't care who gets in the way. She saw us on the promenade, and because she is so one track minded, she figured I was making advances on you. I had told her that, a man is something you can't own, like a farm animal. With what all you have been through, right now all you want is space, nothing more. But here she is, conniving to hook you one way or the other. I tried to explain to her that I have a genuine interest in the study of space and engineers are not trained monkeys, as she said, to do a job. We do think, study, reason and investigate which is why we found what we did in your systems. Lt. Damian, I am truly sorry, but she is up to no good and is playing with your emotional state. I will take my leave. Maybe someday, Lt. Damian you could show me astrometrics", she said.

"Okay Karen," he said, turning his attention to Walker, 'What's your take on this?"

"It's not anything like what she is making it to be," she began. "I was..." then, as she realized what he had said earlier, she hesitated. "What do you mean, you wouldn't be too sure about the assistant CSO position if you were me? Who else would be qualified for it?"

"Valeria Mordin..." he said simply.

"Valeria? But...but I outrank her. That position should be mine!"

"While it's true that you do outrank her, it's also true that she has more time in the science department aboard the Wellington than you do. Much more. And because of that I have to give her serious consideration for the position."

"You don't even know that she will be available when all this is over. How can you even consider her?" Walker asked, her tone becoming indignant."We've been friends for more than ten years and after last night..."

"I don't assign positions in the science department based on friendships OR who I share a bed with and you know it..." Charles said. "Is that what last night was all about?"

"Yes Lt. Damian. Ever since the Phohos she has hated the fact that you married the other woman instead of her. By following you , she figured that she could eventually get what she wanted and keep it. That would include, in this case, your advancement and quite possibly hers as well. A woman like that has no business being serving around or with, a man of Lt. Damian's stature or personality. A man of principles, deep emotions and above all, the desire to go beyond his present boundaries, rather than to have a woman like you to tie him to your finger like a puppy dog!", she said. Christine was mad, angry and crying to see him getting hurt by this woman.

"He was talking to me, dumbass - not you..." Walker snapped. "And just for the record, I didn't follow him here - he specifically requested that I be transferred here because I'm the best at what I do, be it science or otherwise. And just exactly how would you know how he is and what he wants? You've been aboard, what - a week? Two? You don't know a goddamned thing about him and you know me even less! So I'll thank you to keep your thoughts and opinions, especially where they involve me, to yourself!" Then, turning her attention to Charles, she said "And no, that is NOT what last night was all about!"

Through tear stained eyes , angry mind, "Lt. Damian, regardless of what she has said and whether or not you requested her here, she has made it clear she will break any relationship you try to make in the future, further more I am not going to allow NO ONE to call me a DECK APE! I am no engineering monkey who cannot think for my self and Cmdr. Mo'Bri does not run around giving me orders. I can think for my self and I know my job and almost all of the other engineers jobs as well so when one needs help I offer to help, which is more than I can say for you", she said vehemently.

"I help those that I feel honestly want or need it," Karen answered. "I just have to wonder if your 'interest' in Astrometrics isn't just an excuse to get close to Charles. After all, as I said before, I saw the way you were all over him back on the station. And as for him being hurt in the past, I know a damn sight more about it than you do sweetheart. After all, I was there on the Phobos. I saw what that Trill slut put him through and I will be damned to hell or whatever other afterlife you may believe in if I'll stand idly by and see it happen again. Who do you think he confided in after that bitch dumped him? ME - that's who! If you don't believe me, just ask him..." she said, giving Christine a look that dared her to prove or disprove her statement.

"Slow down Lt. Walker...regardless of what happened in the past with his other wife...being a Trill...first of all, it doesn't give you the right to judge me just because I am a Trill. It could have been her symbiont's hosts that lead her to treat him as such. Second, my interest in Astrometrics is genuine. On Trill my parents tried so hard to keep me from studying the heavens because they didn't believe the Trill had no business in exploring space. I was explaining that to Charles and I broke down crying. Lt. Walker, he consoled me and showed me kindness and compassion, which I might add is sorely lacking here. I gave him a kiss on the cheek as we parted feeling that I had met a friend who shared in my love of exploring the heavens. That is what happened nothing more. You do understand that in all relationships, some of them can turn into lasting relationships, but at the moment it is not on MY agenda. Now if that is not satisfactory then, I guess I will have to find another way to study the stars, but keep one thing and I want you to always remember, I AM NOT A DECK APE! NOR AN ENGINEERING MONKEY!", she said, looking Karen in the face.

After a moment, Charles spoke. "Karen, don't you think you owe Lieutenant Zen an apology?"

'Not in this or any other lifetime...' she thought. 'What I'd LIKE to give her is a good solid right to the chops.' But she knew that all it would gain her besides satisfaction would be a quick trip to the brig, so she wisely restrained herself. She then met Christine's gaze with a direct look of her own.

"Okay, so maybe you're not just a trained monkey," Walker finally admitted. It was the closest she would ever come to an apology. "I dated an engineer on my previous ship and to be honest, he was dumber than a box of dilithium crystals. Couldn't seem to think for himself. Just always waited for the chief engineer to tell him what to do."

" I guess it will be the best apology I will get from you I suppose. Some engineers just don't want to do the work, just tell other's to do it for them as you say and want to be chief engineer, but to get there, you yourself have to work hard and want to be the best you can be. Some day I will be chief, but for now, I am content to be where I am. I hope that one day you and I can be friends, but that Lt. Walker depends on you. I would still like that tour if you have the time", she said, looking now at both of them.

Walker took a deep breath, then let it out in a deep sigh. "Tell you what I'll do..." she said slowly. "Give me some time to cool off after this. Meet me an hour before Alpha shift tomorrow morning and I'll give you the tour. No smartass, no name-calling. Just..." she waved her arms to encompass the area where they stood. "Just Astrometrics."

"Agreed, no name calling, and I will be here, thank you Lt. Walker", she said and left the lab.

Walker watched as the other woman left the Astrometrics lab. She shook her head slowly and, as the doors closed, muttered “It’ll never work...”

OFF:

Lieutenant Charles Damian
Acting Chief Science Officer
USS Wellington

Lieutenant Karen Walker
Science Officer/Astrometrics Officer
USS Wellington

Lt. Christine Zen
Communications Specialist/ Engineering Officer
USS Wellington