The Return of The Raine

Posted on Thu May 3rd, 2018 @ 10:30pm by Commodore Jason Myers & Ensign Andrew Gervais

Mission: https://wellington.pegasusfleet.site/index.php/sim/missions/id/4
Location: Commodore's Office

It only had taken her a few minutes to find her target, especially when someone knew what questions to ask, and the platinum blonde with the messenger bag over one shoulder knew the right questions. It was what she did. Now. She was, in fact, very knowledgeable about the Fleet, starships in general and this one in particular. She traced a hand along one wall for a few paces, then stopped as she rounded the corner and came face to face with the door she was looking for. This was, of course the entrance to the Commodore's office on board ship, at least the door to the watchdog of the Commodore.

There was only the barest hesitation before she activated the stud and the door slid open in front of her. She wasn't surprised to see the red-shirted, very young, Ensign seated at the desk in front of the other door. She put on the award-winning smile she'd been known for all those light years ago in the Alpha Quadrant, even though it had been on the smaller stage than she would be out here. Out here? She was in line to be the star of the show. Out here in the Delta Quadrant? The sky was the limit.

She reached up and settled the ear bug more firmly into it and deactivated the automatic recording. This was a personal visit after all, no need to be all official about it. "Good morning!" She said brightly, her sea-green eyes sparkling, "I'm here to see the Commodore, if you don't mind?" Her eyes locked on his and she seemed to peer deeper into them, "Ensign..." The thoughts crossed his mind at the trailing off and one came out immediately, "Gervais." She finished.

Gervais looked up at her, rather surprised. "Yes... that's.. Ummm... That's correct." he said, wondering who it was as it looked like he didn't have any appointments today. "Can I ask who wants to see him?"

Even her eyes seemed to smile at him, her hair seeming to change colors across the rainbow as the light hit it from different angles as she moved towards him, "I'm from the Federation News Service, been assigned to the Delta Quadrant as one of the lead correspondents." She, Raine Dash, raised her eyebrow by less than a millimeter, "He'll want to see me." Her mind thought at him, 'He'll really want to see her, it could really be important.'

A reporter? 'Shit.' Gervais thought to himself. "Well, not sure if the Commodore has time for an interview but I will get him for you." he said as he tapped his comm panel. "Sir, I have a reporter from the Federation News Service here for you."

"What?" Jason asked. "Federation News Service? How in the hell did they?.... Never mind. It could be something important. Send them in."

"Aye, sir." he said as he stood up to escort her to Jason's office. "This way, please."

Raine took a hop-skip to catch up to his side, then fell into an easy but rapid stride for the few steps, "Thank you, Ensign. And things'll get better." She picked up on sadness, a close, very personal loss, "Trust me, I know a bit about that sort of thing. There's always a bright light at the end of the tunnel and it isn't always a train coming at you."

Andrew looked stunned for a moment, almost completely taken aback. She must be full Betazoid or a really good guesser if she could have put that together "Th-Thank you." he said as he nodded. "The reporter for you, sir. I'm sorry, I... I didn't get a name."

"That's fine. Thank you, Ensign. That will be all." he said still engulfed in his PADD. "Now then..." he said, slowly looking up. "What can I do for...for you." he said, somewhat recognizing the face of the woman in front of him although the hair had been different last time they saw each other.

"It doesn't surprise me to see you with Commodore's pips." Raine gave a lopsided grin, knowing that look of semi-confusion on his face, then chuckled and reached over to the display on her bag and punched a few button, a hologram of a goat grazing on some hay projecting from it, "And see, I came prepared for the ambassador this time!"

Jason laughed a bit. "Oh god, not the goat." he said. "Of course you remembered the bloody goat." he added. "Oh man, the chief diplomat nearly had your head for that."

"Hey, I can get away with calling it justifiable by insanity!" She tapped the control pad on the bag to turn it off, spreading her arms out for a hug from Jason, "It's really good to see you again, Jason. I've been gone far too long, been... Not well."

Jason knew what she meant. He knew when she had to leave and he had to appoint Michelle to replace her. He laughed a bit as he returned the hug. "It looks like you've at least recovered a little. A reporter now, eh? I mean that takes a certain lapse of sanity to be able to stand that job..."

"Just a little?" Raine laughed, "Actually, I'm rather quite good at it, been able to talk my way past people to where I really shouldn't be, but I'm always circumspect now and don't make many mistakes anymore. Ohh, and I typically get to choose my own assignments now, which is why I'm out here and on the Wellington again! Congratulations, Commodore, you're the new recipient of a reporter!"

"Every flag officer's dream!" Jason said somewhat sarcastically but still managed a chuckle. "So... what story did they send you to ask questions about, anyway?"

"Besides the obvious?" Raine asked, "The editors want something on the sabotage, mutiny and revelation of that Cardassian impersonating the Exec, Commander Bowman I believe? They really wanted someone at the trial of that Major, but it went way too quick for me to get out here. I tried swinging an interview with him, but got turned down flat. Oh well, and then, I get word that I'm to be one of our primary correspondants out here and picked the Wellington to be my base of operations. This ship really does get into the most interesting stuff." She smiled, "I figured that since I had an in with the brass on board, I might be able to wheedle permission to stay on board?"

"I'll put in a word for you with the Captain." Jason said, as he pondered the other part of that. "It's certainly something that's been hard on the crew. Of course, as much as I would like divulge every last little detail to you, I do have to consult with my superiors to see what I can say and what I can't say." he added. "But you were out here before. You know what it's like. A handful of ships doing the workload of an entire fleet."

"Exactly, and you guys don't get nearly enough credit for what happened out here. I covered the recent Klingon/Federation agitation and you know I won't just tiptoe out of some danger, but I want the people back in the core of the Feds to hear about what goes on out here." She brushed her shoulder, "I've actually gotten to be decently well known back there, my editors love that I can also be used as an 'expert' on virtually everything in the Fleet."

"That game of musical chairs in the departments paid off, I guess." Jason said. "Dare I ask what the opinion is back home?"

"About what happened with Major Lo'Mah and that Cardassian? Hell, Jason, a lot of the folks back home want to take him and rip him to shreds. Rumor has it there's an Admiral who wants the heads of anyone with any sort of oversight on the Wellington, but they're not going to get what they want, but consensus? The deal the Major got was candy for him. A lot of sympathy for Captain Bartlett and the rest of the Wellington, good wishes and all that. You've got the civvie's support, Boss, and most of the Fleet that I've had a chance to ask for opinions from." Raine smiled, "And they really want to know what all is going on out here in the ass end of nowhere. Not much is known about the Ts'usugi and Dalacari, nor any of the other races we've come across. Is it true that the Tialans are bloodthirsty barbarians who only worship combat?"

Jason chuckled a bit. "That part's a bit of a stretch." he added. "I can see where some might have gotten that impression but it's far from the truth."

"Kinda figured, so I need to find this Lieutenant Valentine and have a talk with her..." Raine mused, "And Commander Tang and Lieutenant Mordin, soooo many people to talk to!" She was jovial about that, "And you know, Jason, if you ever need any help? I do still know what I learned and accredited media people have to be able to talk well."

"This is true. I'm sure Commander Honn wouldn't object to any assistance where needed. She's settling in to her role herself. Most of the senior staff is."

"I'll go hunt her down too!" Raine said cheerfully, "But, I know it's probably Ops I need to talk to... But I do kinda, sorta, might need authorization for a set of quarters, if possible?"

"Lieutenant Forrester should be around to get you quarters. If not, I'm sure there's someone in the Ops office that can assist." Jason replied. "Civilian quarters can be a little cramped though so I apologize in advance."

"I'm sure I can wheedle a set of quarters out of someone." Raine shrugged, "And I really don't need much space, I'm not THAT big, you know!"

"Oh I know. But I'm sure you're used to much bigger quarters on a starship." Jason replied. "Senior officer quarters, specifically."

"Well, yeah, then I did get used to a far smaller set of quarters, a bedroom basically, when I was in treatment. A new set of even junior-officer type quarters'll seem like a luxury suite, I'm sure!" Raine pointed out.

"I hadn't considered that." Jason said. "I'm just glad you're well enough again."

"You and me both, Skipper." Raine sighed in relief, "That wasn't a fun time, though it worked. But, I'll let you get back to whatever boring thing you're working on as one of the high and mighty." She grinned, starting to back out, then glanced over to Gervais as she left the room, "And kid? I know you probably have a good shrink on board, but if you ever just want to sit down and talk about it? Give me a yell."

"Of course." Andrew replied, still a bit confused but hiding it for professionalism's sake.

Raine redirected herself towards the Ensign and gave him a brief hug and kiss on the cheek, to cheer him up best she could, though she already knew he didn't swing her way. Then with a wink and a smile to Jason, walked out the doo.

After Raine left, Gervais turned to the Commodore "With all due respect, Commodore...What the hell just happened?"

Jason chuckled a bit. "Raine was my first First Officer back on the Yorkshire. She had to take a medical leave. Let's just say she's extraordinarily intuitive and leave it at that." he paused. "And she's right. You maybe should be looking at talking to a counselor."

"Sir, I... It's nothing. I mean it sucked at first but... I just have to pull through, right?" Andrew replied.

"Trust me when I tell you that the worst thing you can do is put on a brave face and pretend that it doesn't sting like hell." Jason said.

OFF:

Commodore Jason Myers
Flag Officer
USS Wellington

Ensign Andrew Gervais
Commodore's Aide
USS Wellington

Raine Dash
Federation News Service Reporter