Young Volcanoes (Part 1 of 2)

Posted on 31 Oct 2013 @ 9:53pm by Commander Luke Wyatt & Commander Scarlet Blake & Lily Blake

1,667 words; about a 8 minute read

Mission: Episode 04 - Exodus
Location: USS Galileo - Corridors, Bridge, Blakes Quarters.
Timeline: MD 05 Time 1926

[ON]

Luke was taking his mid-morning stroll through the corridors of the Galileo gathering his thoughts and thinking about the days passed, how close he had been to death on at least two or more different occasions. During this time he had been kicking along a piece of charred and somewhat warped piece of plastic which may have once been a part of a door or console screen.

Luke was in his casual slakes which consisted of a grey tank top and black jogging bottoms, he hair was flat though the length was longer than usual and despite all his cold washes he could not completely get rid of the grey specs of dirt. He was also holding the Teddy he had picked up a couple of days before from between the wreckage in hope that he would find the place it belonged and if not that a new home but in the meantime it was keeping him company and gave him a war thought inside.

"What's his name?" the voice of a young girl said from behind him. She looked about 4 or 5 in age, her long, dark hair loose and blues eyes staring at the teddy intently. She smiled before tilting her head so she could look at Luke instead, her head tilting curiously.

Turning around Luke didn't anticipate having to look down. He was faced with an obviously young child maybe five but he couldn't be to sure. "Who this?" He asked pointing to the bear. "I Haven't given him a name yet, I'm actually trying to find him a home." He replied smiling softly toward the child wondering where her parents where.

The girl bit her lip as she considered, reaching out to touch the bear shyly. "He doesn't have a home?" she asked, her eyes wide at the prospect.

Kneeling down Luke held out the bear willing her to take it trying to make himself look as friendly as possible, though with a ripped shirt and messy hair it must be pretty scary. "Do you think you could look after him for a while? Maybe give him a name?"

She took him with a smile, hugging the bear close, as if to comfort and keep him warm. She took in the battered state of the bear, biting on her lip in thought. "Hm....Patch! Lieutenant Patch."

"Lieutenant Patch? That's a great name!" He said smiling as he stood up frowning "Where's your parents Um? What shall I call you?" He said quirkily. Watching her as she comforted the bear, he was glad he had picked it up out of the debris.

"I'm Lily. Lily Blake," she said with the kind of voice that showed she'd been taught how to introduce herself politely. She smiled brightly before leaning close to lower her voice. "I heard growling! Sounds like dragons!"

Luke let out a small huff "A Dragon huh? Well Lily Blake I'm pretty certain I haven't seen any dragons about recently" Blake Luke thought himself thinking where he had heard the name before. "Lets say we urm... Try and find your dragon shall we? Its a bit late to be running around alone" Of course there was no dragon but at least this way he could find out who lily belonged to.

"Shhhh!" Lily watched him with wide eyes as she put her finger to her lips and half bent over as she walked slowly. "You have to sneak! Or dragons hear! Then he sneezes fire on you, and you turn into burnt food!"

Luke mimicked her by putting his finger to his mouth, crouching over and nodding his head "Oh, Sorry" He whispered, "You lead on and Ill follow make sure it doesn't sneak up on us" He gave a reassuring smile as he started to follow her.

Lily nodded with serious eyes for such a youngster, creeping carefully to the wall. She placed both hands on it, peeking her head around the corner and looking both ways up and down the corridor before moving out on 'fairy tip toes'.

Luke copied the young girl though he was slightly clumsy, he wasn't used to being on all fours and even though he was pretty good and staying silent he couldn't help but laugh at the situation. The last thing he though he would be doing today was crawling on his hands and needs looking for a dragon.

"And just what are you two doing?" Scarlet Blake watched them from the other end of the corridor, hands on her hips and her face set tight and still with worry and anger.

"Hunting dragons, Mummy!" Lily looked up with a playful smile.

Scarlet moved to them, catching hold of Lily as she knelt down to her. "How many times have I told you? You never go out of our room alone!"

Lily searched her features with a frown, biting her lower lip. "But Claire was sleeping and I had to find the dragon...."

"No buts," Scarlet said firmly, her hand stroking her hair off her face, despite the anger that had come from her worry. "You never go out alone! It's not safe!"

Lily's lips pressed together with worry at her mother's anger. "I'm sorry," she said quietly, already knowing at her young age that it was the simple response that was the best.

Scarlet frowned, letting out a shaking breath as she stood, lifting the girl up to hold close, her hand protectively on the back of her head. "I was just worried," she whispered, kissing her head. "Don't do it again..." her gaze fell on to the Marine who was on his knees in front of her. "And as for you, you should know better."

Luke stood up dusting his trouser free of dust "I didn't realise she was doing anything wrong, besides she wasn't alone she was with me and lieutenant patch" he said smiling at lily who still had hold of the bear. "Sorry"

"No offence, Wyatt, but I have no idea whether you're safe or not, I hardly know you," Scarlet pointed out, her voice sharp and her hands holding Lily tightly. Her usually pale skin was hinted just a touch by pink on her cheeks. "At the moment, all I see is a fully grown adult ready to join in a child's game instead of getting her home!"

"But he found Lieutenant Patch, and was trying to find him a home..." Lily held the bear to Scarlet, as if it was kissing her cheek.

Scarlet sighed, taking a deep breath to try and calm down. "You're not supposed to speak to strangers, remember," she whispered to Lily.

"But he got a uniform..." Lily pointed out, physically pointing to Luke's uniform. "Like yours, Mummy!"

Scarlet was silent for a long moment before kissing her forehead. "Just, not again, Lily," she said quietly, hugging her warmly. She looked to Luke with a frown, considering.

Luke felt bad but he also felt somewhat angry, all he was doing was just looking after the girl and letting her play slightly longer. "Look I am sorry, I was obviously going to take her back but she was having fun and I didn't want to spoil it besides her and please believe when I say this but I wouldn't have let anything hurt her. I've seen a lot in the last few days and well she just showed me that not everything has to be about death and despair" His voice was pleading and soft. He could see the love she felt for Lily and he admired that.

Scarlet's jaw was tight as she watched him with a frown, rocking Lily gently - who was more than happy fussing over Lieutenant Patch. Maybe it was her own mistrust about people; uniform enough, there were some nasty people out there. Although, she knew Luke wasn't one of them. She nodded softly, finally letting out a long breath as she forced herself to relax. "Thank you. For keeping her safe."

"Hey, Are you okay?" He asked Blake who was obviously stressed as it was without having to worry about her daughter running around with crazy young marines looking for imaginary dragons whilst the ships faced impending doom from the Borg. Actually now you say it maybe she was right Lily shouldn't speak to strangers! "You must have a lot on your shoulders" Luke new the feeling all to well.

Scarlet nodded silently, the frown still etched into her brow as she let out a breath. "All in a day's work," she said lightly, shaking her head. "Why don't you come and grab a drink with us? I need to settle this one back in before I do anything."

"Sure, I think Lily might like that" He said smiling towards the girl and then back to Blake "You know to keep her safe form the..." He held his hand to his mouth so she couldn't see and he mouthed "Dragon".

"Oh this little one is always chasing dragons..." Scarlet finally chuckled, shaking her head as she carried Lily, leading him down the corridor. "Isn't that right..."

"Yep!" the young girl have a firm nod, making her dark, long hair swing forward over her shoulders. "Stars are dragon eggs!"

Luke chuckled "You know you can get nice dragons right Lily? Such as Puff the Magic Dragon! He was nice!" He smiled walking besides Blake though somewhat distant.

"All dragons are nice! They only fire when cross or scared!" Lily giggled, watching him across Scarlet's shoulder.

Scarlet led them inside, setting the girl down as she made her way to the replicator. "What can I get you?" she asked with a small smile, starting to relax more now she knew that Lily was okay and nothing untoward had happened.

To be continued...

[TBC]

Gunnery Sergeant Luke Wyatt
Marine Liaison
USS Galileo

Lt. Commander Scarlet Blake
Chief Counsellor/2XO
USS Galileo

Lily Blake
Civilian Child
USS Galileo

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