Hide and Seek

Posted on 21 Sep 2014 @ 11:47pm by Chief Warrant Officer 2 Tharia sh'Kari & Commander Luke Wyatt

1,447 words; about a 7 minute read

Mission: Episode 06 - Legend of Souls
Location: USS Galileo - Deck 2 - Mess Hall
Timeline: MD08 - 0930

[ON]

Tharia had been avoiding the Security Chief for a few days now. That was actually a accomplishment with her job. From what she had heard from others he was in a very bad mood and the last thing Tharia wanted to do was find that out for herself.

"Computer, one [i]Katheka[/i]" and the beverage materialized before her. She was taking a short brake from the new training's program she was working on what needed to be finish today, so she ordered the Andorian equivalent of coffee.

Spending most of his time avoiding the entire deck sick bay was on Luke still couldn't bring himself to seeing Abbey in the state she was in. Despite all the promising medical reports and the numerous times he had been told that there was nothing he could have done, he still felt responsible. Taking a moment a way from work (Something he found himself doing more frequently) he made his way to the lounge.

Passing several crewman, of those of which were lucky enough to get more than a grunt received a half hearted wave before he pushed onto his destination. As he arrived Luke surveyed the room and seeing nothing or no one of immediate interest decided to carry on his planned break with a cup of Mocha. "Computer" He started, pausing thinking about his choice although knowing what he already wanted "One Large Mocha, and a slice of carrot cake" Within an instant his drink and snack we're in his hand and he was already walking out of the door when he spotted someone in the corner of this eye.

Taking a second glance he noticed from the file he had received and read it was his Master at arms. An Andorian on who he was looking particularly interested in meeting. "Chief Petty Officer Tharia Sh'Kari, Served on three ships the Andorian Warship Galeev, Federation Starship Perefine and Zephyr until recently was a Security Crewman and now a Chief Master of arms. Welcome Aboard the Galileo." He said sitting down across from her with a genuine smile. "Now I have one question for you Chief, Do you say a glass is half empty or half full?"

Tharia looked up from her cup. Then back to it. She had no idea idea what he was referring to. Didn't they mean the same? "What does it matter? When it's empty I can get you a refill."

He shrugged "It doesn't mean anything its just a question but I'll take you up on that offer in the future." He sipped on his Mocha and took a bit form his cake "Rumours going around saying your may be avoiding me?" He questioned.

"Not avoiding, just trying to work somewhere where you are not." she said honestly.

He sighed "You know some would translate that as avoiding, is there any particular reason? I've not upset you already since we've only just met" He returned.

"I've been dealing with complaining crewman about your mood most of the day. Something I'd rather not experience first hand." she took a sip from her already cold coffee. "Nothing personal"

"I like your honesty and I guess I haven't been myself but did you really think you'd avoid me forever? Or until I got happy which by the way is most of the time just so you don't have any doubt" He asked sipping on his drink slowly.

Tharia put her glass down. Humans could be so... stupid. "Sir, I wasn't avoiding you, I was avoiding the distraction your behavior provides, so I could finish waht I was working on." she paused for a second. "Do you want to continue to have this useless discussion, or is there something usefull you want to discuss. If not, I prefer to go back to work. Sir." She spoke the last word with extra emphasis.

Luke sat back into his chair "I can imagine that you're a great starfleet officer and I'm only going on what I have seen in the last few minutes but from my experience which by the way is alot and does come with serving with Andorians tells me to tell you that its not all about just getting on with work." He paused allowing the information to sink in a little "If we didn't engage in these useless conversations how would know now you like me?" He smiled "I don't want to pull you from you obviously important work but burying yourself in it wont hide all the challenges of life even the good looking ones like me"

She smiled, even though it was a fake one. "My life offers more then enough challenges, sir" She said strictly.

"And what would those be?" He asked in return. Luke was by no means trying to annoy the security officer but simply trying to get to know her and break into her very, very, very, very... very hard exterior shell.

She looked at him like he asked her to just get naked. "That is not of your business" she spoke on a insulted tone.

Putting his arms up in a defensive manor "Hey hey, I didn't mean any offence from it I'm just trying to get to know my team better can you blame a guy for trying? It's not like I'm asking the impossible right?"

Tharia looked around her to find the time, while shaking her head. If he wasn't going to let her go without telling more about her self, well, then just let's get it over with. After a deep sight she said. "Ok, you win, what is it that you want to know about my personal life?"

He shrugged "Why did you join starfleet? Why did you choice security over everything else?" He asked taking his final bite from the carrot cake he had ordered and washed it down with a sip form his brew.

"I've been serving with the Imperial guard since I was twelve. After Elev was born I wanted to work in a slightly safer job, just in case something happens to Hrani. The security department seemed the most logical decision, with my expertise."

He nodded "See that wasn't so hard, I just want to make it clear that I dont want to make you feel uncomfortable in anyway but this department is one where you can't isolate yourself because someone is having a bad day especially me and its not like its a good reason." He admitted.

Tharia listen to the chief, then decided to asked the thing she was curios about since she heard the rumour. "So, is the rumour true? Is your mood caused by lady troubleshooter?" she asked with a wicket grin.

"I guess you deserve to ask questions to so I'll just be out with it" He said sighing and leaning back into his seat "Yes, you could say my mood is caused by a lady however its not because of the romantic endeavour that to may be having some effect but if you must know or if you hadn't my daughter is in sickbay with a chance of not being able to have full mobility again" He said bluntly.

Tharia lost the grin on her face the moment he mentioned his daughter. "I wasn't aware of your daughters accident. My apologies. I can understand that it must be awful to have a child hurt."

Luke put his hand up as if to silence her "Don't apologies it wasn't your fault and you couldn't have done nothing to help her the only person's fault is mine for letting her go down there in the first place though she is not a child and makes her own decision" He said without faltering though his eyes told a different story.

"You see Chief not everything you see is the whole story and though I may be not my best at the moment I expect everyone to be honest with me and especially more so brutal as its times likes these that test a character and that you have been, so I thank you for your honesty. I just ask in future you bring it to me first"

He did have a point Tharia thought. "I will sir."

"Now" He said pushing his tray into the centre table "With the doom and gloom over I must be going to cast a very large shadow over security and maybe I'll try doing it with a smile as long as I see you there this afternoon"

"I'll try to be there." she responded.

[OFF]

Lt.JG Luke Wyatt
Chief Security Officer
USS Galileo

CPO Tharia sh'Kari
Master-at-Arms
USS Galileo

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