Return to Season 2

 

         When Naeve heard the door chime, she was just getting out of the shower.

         “Coming!” she called, not bothering to dry herself off before pulling on a robe and padding across her quarters to the entrance.

         The doors slid open to reveal Mark O’Conner standing in the corridor, hands in his pockets.

         “Commander.” She said in surprise, her hand self consciously going to her wet hair.

         “Hi.” He said, looking at her with a quiet intensity that should have made her uncomfortable, but didn’t.

         In response to his silent question, she stepped back and he entered her quarters without another word. As the doors hissed shut, she reached for him, the robe falling soundlessly to the floor at her feet.

 

         “Doctor Keset?”

         Mirana looked up in surprise, her eyes seeking the unfamiliar voice that called her name. Regretably, they settled on the face of a Cardassian. A Cardassian in a Starfleet uniform. A Cardassian she should have forgotten, but couldn’t, because he had once saved her life on an away mission.  A Cardassian she hadn’t particularly wanted to see again.

         Gered Kor still wore the yellow tunic of Engineering; he still radiated arrogance and sported the cocky grin she remembered. The only change that she could see were the Lieutenant’s pips on his collar.

         “Mr. Kor.” She said curtly. “Congratulations on your promotion. When we last met, I believe you were an Ensign?”

         “A lot has changed since them. Rumor has it I’m on the fast track to aCEO.  Can’t let all my talents go to waste.”

         “Of course not. “she said dryly.

         “What are you doing here?” he asked curiously.

         “Refit.”

         “Ah. Us too.” He nodded in the direction of a group of Terrans in Starfleet uniforms clustered at the bar of the restaurant.

         “If you’re alone, perhaps you’d like to join me—join us—for a drink?” Gered asked casually, the arrogance temporarily diminished.

         “Actually…” Before she was forced to think of a suitable dismissal, she spotted Ari Denyri making his way to her table with two platters of food. 

         “Hi.” He looked from her to the Cardassian with obvious interest.

         “I’m already here with someone, Mr. Kor.” She finished.  “This is Ari Denyri, aCEO of the Prometheus.”

         The blond haired man put out his hand and the Cardassian shook it.

         “Gered Kor. USS Phoenix.”

         For a moment, Mirana could have sworn he looked embarrassed, but the arrogant posturing returned so quickly she had likely imagined it.\

         “Care to join us?” Ari offered, intentionally oblivious to Mirana’s alarmed expression.

         ‘Thank you, but my friends are waiting for me. I just came over to say hello. It was nice to see you again, Doctor.” His gaze lingered on her face for a moment before he left them.

         Ari watched him go, then sat down.

         “Where do you know him from?”

         “Long story. Too long.”

         “He seems nice enough.”

         “He’s Cardassian, Ari.” She admonished.

         “So? What have you got against Cardassians, Mir? Aside from the obvious, of course.”

         Mirana shook her head. “Maybe someday I’ll tell you.”

         She quickly changed the subject, glancing suspiciously at her plate.

         “What was it that you ordered?”

         “Hasperat. It’s Bajoran—similar to a Mexican dish from Earth called a burrito.”

         “Mmm.” Mirana said noncommittally.

         “Just try it.” He insisted. “”You might like it.”

         Mirana laughed. “Now you sound like Colin.”

         Ari glanced at her sharply. “Are you and the Captain on a first name basis now? Did I miss something?”

         “Only when we’re off duty, Ari.”

         “Hmm.”

         “It’s not what you think, believe me. We’re just friends. He and I meet once in a while for lunch.”

         Ari was silent. Judging by the hue of her cheeks, she obviously had feelings for the Captain. He wondered, for her sake, if the feelings were mutual.

         “It’s really nothing.” She insisted.

         Choosing to let the matter drop, he nodded and lifted up his plate.

         “Now. Back to the hasperat…..”

 

“What do you think, Rhianna?”

         The dark haired chief engineer looked up from the final schematics display after studying it for a long moment and met Mark O’Conner’s gaze.

         “It’s a lot more complicated. “ she admitted, referring to Prometheus’ new infrastructure.

“But nothing I can’t handle.  I look forward to seeing what she can do.”

“As do I.” He agreed smiling slightly.

Knowing Rhianna Jorrell, she probably had the schematics memorized down to the smallest wire.

“Did we get our new orders?”

Mark nodded.

“We’re holding a place in the departure queue. As soon as we’re cleared by spacedock, we’re on our way. They promised it wouldn’t be more than a few hours.”

Rhianna nodded and glanced past the Commander at her engineering staff, who waited impatiently at their duty stations, eager for their impending departure.

“I better let my staff know they can stand by until then.”

Mark nodded and turned to go. As he stepped out of Engineering, he almost collided with Naeve Sevril, who was on her way in.

“Commander.” She acknowledged, the twinkle in her eye belying the formality in her tone.

“Mr. Sevril.” He responded, equally politely.

“My quarters. 2200 hours.” She whispered as she brushed past and headed in Rhianna’s direction, not even bothering to look at him.

Mark grinned at her retreating back.

“It’s a date.” He murmured.

“Excuse me Sir?”

He hadn’t noticed the passing crew member who now paused to watch him with a puzzled expression.

“Nothing, Petty Officer.  Carry on.” He waved him away, still smiling to himself.

 

 

“Bridge.”

The turbolift hummed to life as it began its slow ascent. Distractedly, Colin scrolled through the PADD in his hand, thrumming his fingers lightly against the base. A familiar tingling sensation began to creep up the back of his neck. One that he hadn’t experienced in over a month.  And never in a public place. Not now. Damn Oren for dredging up the past. With unseeing eyes, he lost his grip on the PADD as it fell to the floor.

The restrains bit into his flesh, slicing at his wrists as he arched his back, bucking against the figure who hovered over him.  Eyes—black eyes—bore into his own as the alien ruthlessly entered his mind, his thoughts, shredding his resistance without regard to the searing pain….

“Captain?’ A familiar voice intruded.

Colin was wrenched back into the present by the feel of Mirana Keset’s hand on his forearm.

He was in the turbolift-somehow the CMO had appeared-and was regarding him with curiosity mingled with concern. Her expression was too similar to Oren’s for him to bear.

“Mark asked me to check on you. You weren’t responding to your commbadge.” She said gently.

“I’m alright, Doctor. Thank you.” Colin managed a smile to offset the rudeness of his tone. “It’s just a headache.”

The CMO regarded him doubtfully but did not argue.

“If you stop by Sickbay later, I can give you something for it.” She offered.

“That really won’t be necessary.” He cut her off. “I need to get to the Bridge. If you’ll excuse me?”
         “Oh. Of course.” Mirana couldn’t hide the hurt at his rebuff. Flushing she picked up her unused medkit and stepped off the turbolift.

Without looking at her, Colin barked a command and the doors slid shut.  He calmed his shaking hands before he stepped on the bridge, smiling brightly at his crew.

As he took his seat, Mark glanced curiously in his direction.

“Everything OK?”

“Couldn’t be better. We’re finally going back to deep space.” Colin said, turning to his Ops officer.

“Do we have permission to depart, Lieutenant Commander?”

“Just got it, Sir.” Naeve grinned.

“Good.” He nodded at his navigation officer before turning to face the forward viewscreen.

He took a deep breath.

“Engage.”