A Chance Encounter

Posted on 03 Apr 2017 @ 9:12pm by Commander Marisa Wyatt & Commander Luke Wyatt

2,824 words; about a 14 minute read

Mission: Episode 14 - Statecraft
Location: IKS DuJa'Q - Sick bay/Surrounding Areas
Timeline: MD 05 1400 hours

ON

It was quiet in sickbay, so Marisa decided to go for a walk. She was more careful this time to not get too far from the more populated areas. She'd spent much of the morning learning about the senior officers so she would at least recognize them and know a little bit about them. It was a start.

Walking the now familiar deck of the Klingon ship Luke had decided to take some time off. He had not long recovered from his illness and hadn't spent much time if any out of sickbay which he was now avoiding like the plague. He hadn't seen Miraj for what must have been weeks now and for that he felt guilty. When he was recovering, laying in that damned bed he had decided to make things up to her but she was never in her usual place and in fact, he had heard Lirha had relieved her of duty. The rumors were certainly floating around the crew for that but Luke decided not to listen especially the more absurd ones. Stepping into a vacant turbo lift Luke closed his eyes and pressed blindly on the panel.

Marisa was waiting for the turbolift. When it opened, there was another officer inside. Marisa thought for a moment. "Commander Wyatt? Hello. I'm Marisa Sandoval."

Luke opened his eyes and smiled, he couldn't recognize the face but then mild amnesia was to be expected according to the doctor. "Yes that's right, I'm sorry my memory is a little off at the moment. Kinda happens when you pick the wrong fight" He joked stepping to the side allowing space for her to join him inside the lift.

Marisa stepped inside. "Oh, yes. I remember seeing you in sickbay. I just joined the crew, so I'm still getting to know people." She paused for a moment before continuing. "I'm the ship's counselor if you need to talk."

Luke silently sighed, he hated counselors for that fact. He hated talking about himself and trying to unlock his inner emotions. "I could actually do with a chat, but more about yourself and the rest of the crew and especially Lirha" He said purposely using her first name as if he had earned that right and her recent behavior bothered him.

"All right," Marisa said. She would still ask him questions, but she often preferred a more casual approach. "We could go to what amounts as my office, or we could go to what amounts as the lounge. Your choice," she added with a grin.

Luke thought for a moment "Or perhaps we could just walk?" The door to the turbo lift closed shutting them off from the outside world. "And see where this takes us, a bit more spontaneous don't you think?" Before she could answer he randomly jabbed the elevators control panel and the lift began to move.

Marisa smiled. "That works for me. I do a lot of random walking around this ship."

Pleased with her response Luke leaned up against the wall as the turbo lift continues its journey. Unlike federation lifts, this one was bumpy and uncomfortable. "I find it helps me relax and gathers my thoughts, though I do prefer to do it somewhere more relaxing" he admitted.

"It depends on what part of the ship you choose and when" Marisa admitted. "There are some places I avoid, but there others that are usually pretty empty--at least in the morning."

He nodded "Yes well some of our guests are not quite as friendly as you or me" Luke said gesturing between them with his hand. "What's your story then?"

"I was on the USS Cartagena," Marisa said. "The ship was attacked. I was on one of two shuttles that went into the nebula to guide the ship so it could hide. Long story short, one shuttle made it to Kreanus. The ship was destroyed and only myself and my friend, Petra, survived. She's here as well, working in science. How about you?"

"A similar situation actually. I'm not sure how current you are on Borg encounters and well I'm talking a few years back now but I was a Marine Senior Sergeant on board the USS Venture which had been attacked and destroyed by a Borg cube. The Galileo was on scene to fish me out of the drink and get my ass back into action and I haven't left this..." He paused "Wow well I guess its 'that' ship now isn't"

"Fortunately, I haven't had a personal encounter with the Borg, but I've heard quite a bit," she said. "You seem to have dealt with it well enough."

Luke laughed "I was put into the rig for seven days for fighting and had an armed escort for two weeks I don't really call that coping but it just makes things like this easier, are you going to stay with the crew when we get back? We could do with a counselor after this shit"

"I hope to stay, but it depends on Starfleet." She shrugged and continued. "I don't know. Sometimes ending up in the brig can be a great way to get it out of your system," she replied. "Did you feel better afterward?"

"If I'm honest I can't remember we were shortly attacked by the Borg" he paused for a moment "I think we'll be spending a lot of time in dry dock being questioned before we do another tour, there's so much that has happened here that is against the rules I'm worried for the crew"

"As am I. We're walking a very fine line and if Starfleet doesn't accept our reasons, we'll all be spending time in the brig." She shook her head. That was something she knew was coming, but she didn't want to spend too much time thinking about it. So she went back to her previous topic of conversation. "Not remembering after a traumatic event does happen on occasion. It's the brain's way of coping. While I don't often promote fighting, there are times when it works. I generally prefer physical exercise, boxing, martial arts or some other form of activity. It does the same as a good brawl without the consequences."

"You're every bit the counselor you know that?" Luke asked rhetorically. "Sometimes it's the consequences which make the fight of allowing you to unwind.

She laughed at his comment. "Afraid so. Although I have done one or two things to get in trouble myself. Yes, there are times that the consequences are worth it."

"Somehow I don't think I'd like to get into a fight with you!" The lift stopped and it's door opened to another deck Luke paused and smiled "Ladies first" he said gesturing with his arm.

Marisa nodded her thanks and exited the turbolift. "I have three brothers and a number of cousins. They didn't think a girl could shoot or hike or play fútbol as well as they could." She used the Spanish word for the game as she usually played it at home. "So, I worked until I could beat them." She shrugged. "It also surprises people that a counselor can hold her own. We're generally thought to be passive creatures. So, what about your childhood?"

Luke mentally locked some of that information away for later, the woman was impressive. "I grew up in a private school, studied hard until I was old enough to fight. I found release through sports and everything else came second. Joined the marines as soon as I could, unlike yourself I wasn't born with an ounce of passiveness" he joked.

"Do you still find that sports help you channel your aggressive tendencies?" she asked.

"Well it's not like murdering someone," He said a teasing glint in his eye. "But yes it does which is why I try to do it as often as I can but its hard finding someone willing to train with me"

"I would not recommend murder," she replied dryly, clearly noting that he was teasing. "It tends to have severe consequences." She grinned briefly, then continued. "What sort of training do you prefer?"

He shrugged "I enjoy sparring mostly, but anything that gets the heart pumping and the adrenaline running suits me quite well. What about yourself counselor do any training?" Luke asked before adding, "Of the physical type that is"

"Mostly marksmanship," she said. "Target shooting, paintball, knife throwing. A few sports, but I'm not much of an adrenaline junkie. I prefer an intellectual high. And I dance.
that requires a physical training and plenty of practice."

Luke could agree with some of those "Well the first three are something I can definitely get behind! But I leave the dancing to Abbey" It what at the moment that Luke caught himself "I mean my previous daughter"

"Your previous daughter?" The comment was a curious one.

"It's a long story, and honestly I'd rather not say. Besides you can read up on the details in the mission debrief" he said trying not to sound too harsh but he and abbey were starting to make a relationship and didn't want to be held back by the past.

"All right," Marisa said, leaving the subject for now. "What is your opinion of the crew?" she asked, going back to a previous comment he made.

This was an easy enough question "They're broken, divided and feel as if their leadership is leading them astray. Hell that's even how I feel and I'm meant to be in a command role."

"Because of Kreanus or because of the trip to Qu'Nos?" she asked.

"Both" He answered. "I was taken ill most of Kreanus but from what I have heard.. what some of the crew have done it's inexcusable. And now, we are walking a fine line between right and wrong.

"I don't know much about what was done on Kreanus, but I do know what some of the Klingons did to those who ended up there. Well, I don't know if it was them for sure, but four of my friends were murdered there." Marisa shook her head. That was not something she wanted to talk about, especially when she was supposed to be moving on. "I'm sorry to hear that some of the crew stooped to their level. As for the Duja'Q... This is a difficult position to be in. From what I've seen, the General is doing what she feels is best to help the people of Kreanus and protect those who would be attacked to support the colony. Has she crossed the line?" She looked at Luke and shrugged. "I don't know. That will depend on how this plays out, and what Starfleet has to say about it. Those who choose to live their lives in the gray areas tend to get lost there. I hope Saalm will not become one of them."

Luke nodded in agreement "I hope so too, she has been my commanding officer longer than most and I do have the utmost respect for her. But when you see someone suffering and losing their way what do you do? Difficult times lay ahead and I hope everyone is up for the task, even you Counsellor"

"So do I," Marisa admitted. "All we can do is our best. We took an oath when we joined Starfleet. It's up to each of us to keep it--even if we sometimes walk that fine line." She wondered if she'd gone too gray herself in trying to be too helpful, too understanding. It was something to consider.

"That is what bothers me most, who desired whether we have been led astray, who decides whether or not we are doing the right thing. I'd argue that it would be ourselves but ultimately it would be up to a third party. Is that fair? Someone who hadn't experienced what this crew has been through, someone who doesn't understand the loss we have had"

"Isn't that the nature of life? As much as we pretend otherwise, we are never fully in control of our lives and our destinies. We can go to school, learn a trade, apprentice. But then, who is to stay if that will end up being our life's work?" She waved a hand at the ship around them. "I thought I'd spend my life studying ancient civilizations and teaching others to love the past. Now I'm on a Klingon ship trying to counsel people and help them resolve their issues." She smiled humorously. "I still run back to my scientific roots from time to time. I think counseling was less a conscious choice than something I fell into in college. The Starship I served on was attacked just outside the Poulson Nebula. Petra and I are the only two of our ship to survive. That was out of our control, but we do the best with the cards we are given."

"I'm sorry to hear that" Luke replied, "I can't imagine the loss you felt, actually in a sense I can. The Galileo lost a lot of good hands when it went down but we have also gained some new family" He said motioning towards the woman. "I wish I could comfort you, hell I wish I could take us all out of this situation. This crew has been reduced to mere rubble and I'm not sure what will become off us. Whatever happens, I'm certain they'll fight till the end, good or bad. I'm just afraid that we have all been manipulated in a way we have not foreseen yet..." He chuckled "as if we haven't been manipulated enough of course."

"Helping others is a panacea. Plus it keeps me from thinking too much about it. Vulcans have a pragmatic approach to death. I keep reminding myself of that, but I'm a bit too human. Like you, I keep fighting." She was silent for several moments while she thought on his words. "We're definitely being manipulated. I just don't know to what end, or by whom."

"I am glad we are both in agreement," he said crossing his arms "I hope it doesn't come to it but please stay on your guard and I'm not sure what your approach is to violence but consider having a side arm with you at all time. Unfortunately, I can't be in more than one place otherwise I wouldn't leave your side" he said sadly before trying a smile "but until such a time arises shall we try and stay on the brighter side of life? After all you're meant to be a counselor and I'm sure I'm need of counseling" he joked.

"I've already had one minor altercation. I keep a knife on me now, just in case," Marisa admitted quietly. "And I stay in the more public areas of the ship. Mostly sickbay, when I'm not going on walkabout, but I appreciate the offer." She began to softly whistle an old Terran song from an old musical called Spamalot!

Luke didn't have anything else to add, she was a smart woman who knew when to take precautions. They will need people like her in the near future. "What is that?" He asked before adding "the tune you are whistling?"

Marisa stopped whistling. "Oh, sorry. It's from an old Broadway show called Spamalot!. The song is Always Look on the Bright Side of Life. You brought it to mind."

"I haven't heard it before, it's very pleasant." He admitted, Luke hadn't himself watched or seen any broadway show but had been invited a couple of times and had even considered taking dates to see a show.

"When we get back to Starfleet, I'll have to show it to you. It's a musical comedy loosely based on the King Arthur mythos," she said.

"I'll appreciate that," Luke replied. "I just hope that with this current mission you'll be able to fulfill that and don't worry I'll hold you to it too. I would like to see a broadway show" It was at this point Luke decided that the counselor, despite being a counselor of which were on the 'to avoid list' along with clowns and the Borg was kinda cool.

"Think positive. Our chances are pretty good." She didn't way good for what, but being positive was always a good option. "We'll have a party. Bring a friend, if you wish. I'll bring the popcorn and find the play. It'll be fun."

"Perfect, well It's been a pleasure making your acquaintance Miss Sandoval. And I look forward to our Popcorn and play!" He held out his hand in good jest hovering just in front of her.

Marisa took his hand and smiled. "Igualmente," she said, reverting briefly to Spanish. "Keep your head low, I'd hate to watch the play by myself," she teased.

[OFF]

Lt Cmdr Luke Wyatt
SOO3XO
IKS DuJa'Q

Lieutenant JG Marisa Sandoval
Counselor
IKS Duja'Q

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