The Real McCoy

Posted on 24 Aug 2023 @ 7:13pm by Commander Allyndra illm Warraquim & Lieutenant JG Rafe Caradec
Edited on on 24 Aug 2023 @ 8:04pm

1,103 words; about a 6 minute read

Mission: Episode 18 - Cold Station 31
Location: USS Galileo-A - Deck 3, Warraquim's Quarters
Timeline: MD 11, 2000 Hours

[ON]

Rafe enjoyed getting Galileo under way to Regula I earlier during the day. It was very satisfying to him, a brief respite amidst all of the chaos and frustration of late. He reached out to Commander Warraquim in dealing with these thoughts he had due to the current situation and wanted to see another person's perspective to help him not put a hole in the wall of his quarters.

He chimed in at the door of the Commander's quarters.

Allyndra heard the chime and figured it was the new pilot. They had talked briefly before that there was something he wanted to talk about, and while she was not actually the counselor, she wasn't going to turn him down. She figured that her quarters would be more comfortable. She also decided not to wear a uniform but instead dressed in one of her House dresses. They tied at the neck and were made of a floor-length thin material that was not quite see-through. "Please enter."

Rafe walked in, seeing Allyndra not in uniform made him feel a little more relaxed. "Good evening, Commander. Thank you for seeing me."

"Please take a seat. Would you like some fermented Pua'kak'io, or blood flower juice. And no, it has no blood in it, only has the same red colour.

"I've never had any so sure, I'm willing to try it. Also, I sincerely appreciate you taking the time." Rafe sat down across from her, accepting the drink she handed him. Rafe took a drink, interesting flavor with a punch that just about knocked his head off! WOW! And his face showed it.

"I have never tried fermenting it, so if it is too much, I can certainly provide something else. Blood flower juice is very sweet. It is something we exist on as a primary source of energy. So what may I help with?"

"Well, first, call sickbay. I'm going to need my heart restarted!", he said, looking at the drink. "Definitely, not for the kiddos." He shook his head and smiled at her. He did not receive a smile in return. His smile faded quickly as he also got serious and looked directly into her eyes. "So, I should apologize, and I do, for letting my emotions get out of control in the briefing. I violated decorum and literally just about knocked Mulder's head off." Rafe paused. "I should have never given him that satisfaction. I despise him and others like him that would use Starfleet personnel, not even as cannon fodder, because even that can have a purpose sometimes, but as just expendable with no purpose beyond that."

"Wait until you try the blood kiss. Anyway, perhaps it might be best to explain why things went the way they did." Allyndra kept her face schooled in a neutral fashion. It was something she hadn't done in awhile, but old lessons came flowing back.

Rafe knew there was something behind the short explanation. Obviously, he didn't know what, but he had learned to let people get to where they were heading without jumping in too soon. He took a sip of his beverage, a little more conservatively this time. Still, it packed quite the punch.

She waited a moment. Perhaps he was reluctant to talk about things. She would lead then. "I am Akkadian. There are not many of us off-world. As you have probably noted, we, well, the females, have wings. Yes, I can fly. Due to that, our physiology is such that we primarily feed off sweet juices but our protein source is blood. A blood kiss is done between mated individuals since not only is blood exchanged but there are certain components in the bite that cause not only one not to feel pain, but highly erotic feelings. I find that most species seem to have trouble with the idea of feeding on blood. I have had to deal with that prejudice for my entire career. Now then, your turn, tell me something about yourself."

"Well, I was raised to always respect people. My dad was a blue collar worker but was skilled in his trade and did well for himself. My mother was able to stay at home when I was young and then went to work when I went to school. She became a statistician and also did well. They both taught me the value of a good work ethic and to be a contributor, not only a consumer." Rafe stayed quiet for a moment. "I guess that's why those scientists get me so upset. It's like they feel they have the right to do whatever they please, to push the envelop.

I know I got out of hand in the debriefing, and I'm sorry for that. I truly am. That's not like me, at all. My parents taught me that decorum is important, ceremony is important." He lost himself in thought. He just didn't feel like himself after what they had gone through.

"And overall, considering what even the rest of us experienced in the short time we were there compared to you, I almost cannot blame you. I think they are making a big mistake myself." Allyndra shifted slightly away. "Tell you what, I will put the incident there and post down due to continued stress experienced post the operation. No recommendation that any flight status is revoked. Heaven knows we are short-handed, and I don't relish doing a three-stint shift. Two is quite enough. However, high priority when off duty to relax and decompress, and I'm going to recommend continued sessions with myself."

"I understand, Commander.", Rafe paused looking down. He then raised his head and leaned forward, his eyes looking directly at Allyndra. "I feel we, as Starfleet personnel are approaching an impasse. With decisions being made that clearly have the willingness to go beyond what is safe, what is reasonable for Starfleet personnel to face, I hope I as a member of Starfleet will not have to choose between following orders and siding with the high ideals for which Starfleet stands. I would choose Starfleet everyday of the week. I feel that strongly about it and I think what happened at Cold Station 31 was a verified show of greed, carelessness, and a distinct turning away from those ideals of Starfleet. Allyndra, please don't make me choose between the two, please."

*Unusual, but I wonder myself at times.* She thought. She only nodded. "Of course."

[OFF]

--

Cmdr Allyndra illm Warraquim
Second and Chief Medical Officer
USS Galileo-A

LtJG Rafe Julian Caradec
Senior Conn Officer
USS Galileo-A

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