Running From the Party

Posted on Tue Jan 2nd, 2018 @ 10:02am by Major Hailey Weston & Lieutenant Temperance Zachary

Mission: https://wellington.pegasusfleet.site/index.php/sim/missions/id/4
Location: Outside the Prancing Unicorn

Most of the time she had been in the lounge, Temperance had been watching the goings on around her. To say she felt out of place was something of an understatement, so much glamour and glitz, and here she was in her favourite old jeans and boots. She was just about to quietly slip out when the doors opened again and she saw a tall, slim woman with dark hair walk in, the first she had seen who was actually dressed down!

She was about to step up and speak to Hailey when the entire scene became something out of a comedy movie gone wrong. Just as the other woman was about to flee, she collided directly with the Commodore, then ended up stranded awkwardly at attention, something the Commodore barely even seemed to notice.

While the entire interaction likely only took a few seconds, it felt like it dragged out slowly, and Temp felt her own cheeks flame in sympathy for the other woman. As soon as Hailey managed to clear the lounge, Temp slipped out quietly after her. "Hey," Temperance called quietly, breaking into a light jog to catch up to the other woman. "Are you alright?" Temp reached out and put a small hand on Hailey's arm. "That looked like it was about twenty shades of awkward!"

Hailey noted that the doors had remained open longer than expected and the light mis-cadence of the jog behind her caused her to slow down from her faster walk, so the touch on her arm wasn't fully unexpected as she turned to face the other officer, an easy smile on her face. After all, she wasn't in uniform. "I'm fine, thanks." She shook her head slowly, "I guess I wasn't expecting to literally run into the Commodore rather than just meet him at some point." Her cheeks reddened in some embarrassment, "Not my norm."

Temp laughed lightly as she fell into step beside the other woman. "It could have been worse," she said gently. "Chances are he won't even remember the incident in an hour, so when you do go back in, smile, hold your head high and pretend it never happened. Or if worst comes to worst, just get someone to dump a steaming bowl of noodles in his lap!"

"Jesus..." Hailey snorted in laughter, "Or go with my primary plan of NOT going back in. I can handle formal gatherings, I can handle informal things as well, but that? I don't even know what that even is!" She shook her head, "So I think I'll pass, you? Don't feel you have to keep me company if you want to head back in."

Temp stepped back for a moment and shook her head. "I think I missed the part on the invite where it said the dress code was formal costume. I'm a jeans and boots girl, I wouldn't even know where to begin to try and make myself look like that! Your inopportune collision with the Commodore did me a favour!"

"I really was trying for a clean exfiltration before anyone saw me... The only thing I have that says 'fomal' is my dress uniform." She stuck her hand out, "Captain Hailey Weston, Federation Marines."

"Lieutenant Temperance Zachary, Strat Ops," she replied taking Hailey's offered hand and shaking quickly. "So, Captain Hailey Weston, where on the ship would you suggest a couple of girls grab a drink and some wings without having to dress up like a bond girl?"

"You know, add a movie and it'd be a date." Haliey chuckled, "But, well, we can't go to the NCO lounge, I'm no longer one of them, there's always the Marine Mess? We're rattling around down there and most of the troops hang out at the NCO lounge in any case." She shrugged, "Or there's my quarters, nice and neat, but really nothing special."

"I shall leave the decision in your more than capable hands," Temp replied lightly. "When it comes to locations on this ship, so far I'm up to the Bridge, the lounge, my quarters, the holodeck and that's about it. Have you been on the Wellington long?"

"About three weeks? Maybe a bit more?" Hailey smiled, "Long enough to get settled into sickbay's routine and being offered and all but pleaded with to taje the Marine detachment. I'm not just a Marine, but also a doc, fully licensed to take you apart and weld you back up." She turned slightly and led Temp towards a turbolift.

"Impressive... I will keep that in mind, you know, if I need someone taken apart and welded back together again." Temp grinned. "The people on the ship certainly seem friendly enough, not that I've met all that many yet, but those I have met for the most part seem nice enough. It's all a far cry from my last assignment."

"Same here, much safer here. I was based off an assault transport with my Raider team, you?" Hailey was actually intrigued by this woman, odd name, but definitely seemed friendly enough.

"USS Caltabiano, diplomacy and peacekeeping, I was only there for a little over a year, and that was my first assignment out of the academy. We didn't see a lot of action, more so lots of shuttling around other diplomats and hosting meetings. It was interesting I suppose, I've met a lot of people and seen a lot of places, and I guess the quiet isn't a bad thing." She shrugged slightly.

The turbolift and Hailey led them past a sentry in green that saluted Hailey, who saluted back at him, "Quiet is never a bad thing." Hailey stated, then thought for a moment, "Usually." She considered the options, then shrugged, "Are you afraid I'd take advantage of you? Or would you feel comfortable in my quarters?"

Temperance's eyes widened slightly. "Take advantage of me?" she echoed. "Honestly, the thought had never even crossed my mind. Besides, no offence, but you're really not my type." she winked. "So, your quarters it is then. I'll let you lead the way, I still haven't worked out how to find my own quarters without getting lost! If it wasn't for the fact that I can't stand the transporters I'd use them to get everywhere I need to go!"

Hailey laughed, bypassing the mess and heading for a set of officers quarters, "Well, welcome to home, sweet home." The door slid open to a sparsely furnished room, a full dress uniform with medals and ribbons plastered on it, including the one for the Medal of Honor and Captain's bars on the shoulders the caduceus of medical next to them. A rifle that had obviously been customised to the max was in a stand on the top of one of the side tables. Hailey reached under her sweatshirt at the small of her back, then put the pistol next to the rifle. "Make yourself at home!"

"Impressive..." Temperance said softly, nodding at the display of medals and ribbons, as she dropped lightly onto the couch and crossed her legs, taking in her surroundings. "Tell me, do you always carry a firearm when you're off duty?" she asked.

"Always. I've never needed it, but I try to be prepared for the worst. It's loaded, but not chambered, if that eases your mind a bit?" Hailey moved to the replicator, "How hot and what can I get you to drink?"

"I'll have what ever you're having," Temp replied quickly. "Honestly, the firearm thing doesn't bother me, if anything, I envy you! Me and firearms don't mix, the general conclusion is that despite many hours of private tuition from well meaning instructors, I can barely hit the broad side of a space ship at point blank range." She laughed in a self deprecating way.

Hailey smiled and punched in an order, two Guinesses and a large plate of hot wings materializing on a tray. She grabbed it and carried it to the couch, sitting and putting the tray between them, "You know, I might be able to help you with that. I know, I know, others have tried, but sometimes you can't learn with some methods, and I doubt they used mine."

Taking one of the drinks, Temp took a mouthful before setting it down again. "You know, for replicator food, these wings look pretty damn good," she said, grabbing one. "Not being able to use a firearm hasn't been so much of a problem so far, I'm pretty good at hand to hand combat, and I can swing a mean sword if I need to," she said easily. "Though if you think you can, you're welcome to try, I'm not so stubborn I'll say no!"

"I'm no good with a sword, but Lieutenant Valentine makes it into an art. I can use a knife,but I prefer shooting." Hailey neatly stripped the meat off one of the wings, "And if I can't teach you to hit the side of a starship, I'll teach you to use something that you can." She smiled, "There's always something that can be done."

Taking one of the wings, Temp broke off some of the meat with her fingers before popping it into her mouth. "These are good... I'm surprised..." She finished chewing before she looked back across at Hailey. "I'll tell you what, you teach me how to shoot and I can teach you how to use a sword. After all, you never know when it might come in handy."

"I think we have a good trade going on." Hailey chuckled, "And this is the recipe of my mom. My adopted mom, that is, my own mother was a drunken bitch who never paid much attention to her only daughter, pretty much only when she needed me to get her more booze. But she really did make some damned good wings."

"I'm sorry," Temp replied quietly. "How old were you when you were adopted? That is, you know, you don't have to answer... only... just tell me to shut up, it's ok!" The words all rolled out quickly, almost colliding into one another as she spoke.

Hailey couldn't help but laugh,"I was adopted when I was fifteen and a half and under... Complicated circumstances." Hailey had to take a few seconds to find the right words, "Of course my father, who died well before then, had a horrible sense of humor. Nathan Hooker, the consummate druggie, had the idea to name his daughter Ima. So my ORIGINAL name, which I switched legally as soon as I could do, was Ima Hailey Hooker." She shook her head slowly, "Such a wonderful guy, wasn't he?"

"Oh gosh, that would have been painful at school..." Temperance couldn't help but laugh a little as she reached forward and picked up her drink, holding it between both hands. "I was adopted by my uncle and aunt when I was thirteen... my parents died shortly before my thirteenth birthday." She shrugged slightly. "I don't think I've ever actually met anyone else who was adopted before."

"I'm not aware of anyone else myself, but as I said, complicated situation. Switched my names around and took my new father's last name to leave them and my old life behind me. Dad's the CO of the Third Marine Division right now, but he's in the running for Second Corps coming up next year, it would get him his fourth star. Far better father figure than Nathan ever was." Hailey smiled as she shook her head again, "To be honest, though, the Marines saved my life, both literally and figuratively."

"I'm glad that you found your place," Temp said softly. She took a sip from her drink and remained quiet for a moment, simply contemplating before looking back at Hailey with a smile. "Ok, rapid change of topic, What's the rest of the crew on this ship like? Have you dealt with many of them yet?"

"Only a few of them. The Captain, the troops, Commander Mo'Bri a little bit, Cally, she's the Flight Officer by the way. Ran into some random people too, but they're pretty ordinary from everything I've seen. I've never really been the one to just go out an about and socialize. Getting to know people too well hurts when you lose them." Hailey nodded, "But not getting to know people just leaves you lonely."

Temp nodded slowly. It was really quite disconcerting how many sentiments Hailey was expressing that echoed her own. "I have met Cally, she piloted the shuttle that bought me here from the station... it was... well... it was an interesting experience..." she let her voice trail off. "If tonight is the standard set for this crew socializing though I don't think I will be doing much of it! Far out..." she shook her head, reflecting on the earlier evening in the Prancing Unicorn.

"That would be Cally all right..." Hailey glanced to the door, "I've known Cally for a few years, since she was just a Warrant Officer flying assault shuttles. She saved my life and the lives of my entire team and made some good drops, then saw her when we were both at the Academy later on. And I'm worried about her. She drinks too much and quite honestly, I think she's going to ruin her career."

"Have you spoken to her about it?" Temp asked gently. "If you think she is in danger of ruining her career you should speak to her, be prepared that she won't want help, but be willing to help her anyway, no matter what it takes." She sighed softly. "Sometimes it's hard to help someone who doesn't want to help themselves, but if you care about her, you should try."

"I might have to try, but... I just don't know how I'd go about doing it. I have kept her from drinking on a few official occasions, like awards ceremonies, graduation ceremony, before flying." Hailey said, "She really is a great pilot, wouldn't fly with anyone else if I could help it, but yeah,she does need help."

"If all else fails, hog tie her and lock her in a shuttle for a week or two until she starts to dry out?" Temp shrugged slightly. "Either which way..."

"That would do it, a trio of zip ties or handcuffs . But she might think I was being kinky..." Hailey laughed, "Especially if she were drunk when I tied her up."

"Well, that would be one way to pass the time while you wait it out, at least, until she sobers up!" Temp laughed and shook her head.

Hailey made a face, "Just ew. Cally is more like a little sister to me, so that would be totally just wrong!" She laughed.

"Then talk to her, tell her that you're worried about her, that you're concerned she's going to hurt herself or someone else. Be honest... and if it doesn't work, zip ties it is!" Temp smiled and reached for another wing, tearing the meat slowly from the bones with her fingers. "What have you got to lose?" she finally asked

Hailey sat back, "Realistically? Nothing. I just don't like losing family. Lost too many already." She sighed, "But tomorrow would be the best timing, before we get underway again. And, Temperance, thank you for volunteering to help." She grinned evilly at the other woman.

Temp's eyes widened as shock registered on her face. "Hey, what?!" she exclaimed. "No, you don't want me there, you don't know me, she doesn't know me... I'm just the new kid on the ship..."

"And you're showing concern for someone you've only met once." Hailey pointed out, "And I can't do it by myself. I can speed it up a bit, but it will still take a couple days for her to sober up and realise that you and I mean business about her drinking."

Temp sighed softly, knowing that Hailey was right, even if for no other reason than Hailey needed someone to stand next to her... she didn't have much of a choice. "Alright," she said quietly. "Let me know when and where and I'll be there." She looked down at the two pints of Guinness on the table in front of them. "The question now is, do we lead by example or just finish this drink?" She raised one eyebrow as she looked back across at Hailey.

Hailey reached over and picked her beer up and smiled, "I know I don't have a drinking problem, I rarely ever have more than two at a time. I think we're safe with these and we just won't drink in front of her And... I think here mi-" She glanced at the guns, then changed her mind, "I'll find an empty set of quarters we can put her in for a bit. Probably tomorrow right after noon, if I make my guess. Is that too early for you?"

Temp shook her head quickly. "That will be fine," she said quietly, holding her own drink between her hands and sipping it slowly. "Make sure you have a med kit on stand by," she finally said quietly. "It may come in handy." She paused for a moment, contemplating. "Poor Callie," she said quietly. "The ship just opens a bar fully stocked with real alcohol, and she's about to face an intervention. What lousy timing huh?"

"She was already at the bar before we escaped." Hailey chuckled, "And I'm sure that before I get to her tomorrow that she'll make another dent in the thing.. But, we let her drink so she can suffer the consequences as she sobers."

Temperance nodded. "She will be ok, because of you." Finishing her own drink, Temp set the glass back down and tucked one foot under her on the couch, grabbing another wing and breaking it apart. "Well, what can I say... a few days in and this assignment is already infinitely more interesting than my last!"

OFF:

Captain Hailey Weston
Marine CO
USS Wellington

Lieutenant Temperance Zachary
Chief Strategic Operations Officer
USS Wellington