Hunting Animals and their Spots
Posted on Fri Oct 9th, 2020 @ 11:27am by Chief Petty Officer Remal Kajun & Captain Rhenora Kaylen
Mission:
Diplomatic Masquerade
Location: Captain's Quarters
Timeline: Enroute to Orias III
It was early evening when Captain Kaylen Rhenora finally left her office and headed back to her quarters, drained from the day of meetings and preparations for the upcoming negotiations with the Cardassian delegation. If she were really honest with herself she was a little worried. Maccet was a wildcard she hadn’t fully anticipated and she was concerned as to how he would react to her presence. She walked in and flopped on the couch, kicking her boots off and resting her head against the back of the couch and closing her eyes for a few moments.
Remal was in their shared space, prepping a dinner of sorts. He had spent the day attempting to set up the replicators to reproduce ‘better’ Bajoran dishes with little success. Most things were simply bland and he was beginning to think having a small kitchen all to himself was still a better idea that a personalized replimat. His frustration was growing as he checked the time and realized his beloved would be ‘home’ soon. And then, she was. He could tell she was tired and his frustrations should not become her frustrations. So he threw in the towel, literally and moved over to the couch, crouched down and offered to rub her tired feet.
“How did I live for years without you?” She asked herself, finally starting to relax. She noted the kitchen area and the towel now on the floor.
“Problems?” She quipped, raising an eyebrow.
"Nothing I can't handle. Now, what has you so uptight?" He asked as his hands worked the ankle and ball areas of her right foot.
She sighed, relaxing into his touch and letting her eyes close again. She waited a few moments before speaking, trying to order her mind.
“Do you remember about 7 years ago on the Sunfire, we came across a nasty young Cardassian trying to blow up a Federation outpost in the Tarsus system?”She started, letting the soothing motions of Remal’s hands on her feet ease her worries.
He stopped and peered into her tired eyes. "I remember, Maccaw or something right?" Of course, he knew many of her misadventures and the people who had tried to do her in. Not all, but most, as they had shared many adventures together.
"Maccet" Rhenora corrected, opening her eyes and nailing her husband with a look. "He's part of the Cardassian delegation we're going to meet within two days to negotiate on Orias III" she flopped back against the couch again with an uncharacteristic sigh. "Why can't things be simple and straightforward for once?" She grumbled. She didn't expect Remal to be able to solve the problem for her but she felt a release by sharing her concerns. He had been there and seen the previous encounter.
Hmm. "For us nothing is ever straightforward. He was the one we caught who bombed that planet and the colony."
"Indeed he was, and he didn't take too lightly the fact he got his ass handed to him at the pointy end of a boot either" She looked at the ceiling as though it would offer some kind of answer.
"He's leading the delegation, but I have no idea if he has an ulterior motive. Why him?" She mused, feeling the urge to rise and find some spring wine.
"I can see the wheels in your head turning." He got up from the floor and turned to the sink to wash his hands. "You're thinking this Maccet or one like him is making a play for Orias like they did Tarsus?" He finished and moved to the replicator. "Spring Wine, 2 glasses."
"Something like that, he's not here to make good to the people on that planet he just happened to be mining at the time that's for sure" she agreed, shuffling over on the couch to make room for her beloved.
He moved to sit next to her, stopping on the way to offer her a glass before sitting down. "Well, you know what they say about a snake shedding its skin." He took a sip and smiled as the flavour took him back to simpler times.
"A bigger more badass snake emerges hellbent on galactic domination?" The words were out of her mouth before she had a chance to stop them. Thankfully with Remal she could truly be herself.
He chuckled, "Something like that." She leaned into him and he felt her warmth. "The only thing you must remember is that you can't let your bias show. By all means keep your guard up, but when he starts playing mind games you have to be the stronger person and not let him break you. That's what we are here for, your support team."
She considered his words, ever wise that he was. "We have a really good team, and there are investigations going on before we even start the talks. I hold hope that we will be successful, the alternative doesn't bode well for the population otherwise." Her words were somewhat somber yet slightly optimistic. "Maccet hasn't seen the last of us yet."
“I seem to recall you telling me that he said something similar when he was being carted off. Perhaps he has revenge in mind, perhaps he has learned the error of his ways.” He looked at her and almost burst into laughter. The face she was making made his heart flutter, was that a smile?
She grinned at his antics, a girlish grin that made her feel young at heart once again. It had indeed been too long since they had lived happily together. The sarcasm was en pointe.
“Sorry, right, I know most Cardassians don’t change. Once a snake, always a pain in the arse, but there have been some who, let's say, realized their talents were better served as leaders or manipulators. The one that calls himself Garak comes to mind. There is a chance, however slim, that Maccet doesn’t want to kill you and destroy a planet of natives in order to claim it’s resources for himself.”
"Oh he'll want revenge on his pride, but I feel this time we may be one step ahead of him this time. We know his method of orperatus, we know how he thinks." Rhenora tried to convince herself this would indeed be routine despite the knotting in her gut.
"Enough of my problems though, tell me about your day, what did you get up to now that you are a man of leisure? Get up to any mischief?" There was a flirty tone in her voice and a coy look in her eye.
“I... “ he looked over at the towel he had left on the floor as though it would feed him an excuse. “I was trying unsuccessfully to add some dishes to the replicator in order to feel more at home. Turns out, unless it’s fresh, it’s just not the same.” He really did want to cook something meaningful in the least as he attempted to fulfill his new position as stay at home husband. Reading all day didn’t hold a candle to being able to observe and help people.
Rhenora frowned slightly at his unease. "You need to feel useful again don't you. I completely understand that" she looked deep into his eyes as though they would uncover his soul and everything within it. "Just because you're a civilian doesn't mean you can't contribute"
“I know. I’m dedicated to contributing to us. But…” He paused as he thought about the past and all the times he was left behind, to worry about her and what evil person was trying to do her in this week. “I just want to be useful. Any chance your team needs a counselor for the non-Starfleet personnel onboard? Or a spot in a galley somewhere?” He sighed. “I just can’t stand not helping in some way.” He was feeling like a leopard unable to change its spots.
" With Commander Savar now first officer it does leave our counselling team short, and I don't see Abraham Malone around anywhere so if you wanted to turn your hand in the kitchen I'm sure the crew would love it. The world as they say is your oyster if you like that kind of seafood - can't stand it personally myself" her voice drifted off as she realized she'd just started rambling on again. It was good to have someone to talk to again, to share the little things with.
He thought about all of his possibilities on the ship and everything he could do. While he also didn’t care for oysters, as long as she was by his side, his pearl, nothing else mattered. He nudged her, “See, you’ve got this leadership thing. And I’ve got your back. So, what are you going to do about your snake problem?”
"It appears I need a snake charmer or a snake catcher" she bemused, retaliating his nudging with a nibble to his earlobe." Know anyone who could kick his snake behind from here to the Celestial Temple?" She attempted to distract him with her touch.
The hairs at the base of his neck were standing on end. She still had it, and him wrapped around her little finger. “Why Mrs. Kaylen, I do believe I know a man who has seen his fair share of snake fighting in his day. A few good huntresses too.” He gave her a wink as he wrapped his large hands around her waist and helped her up onto his lap, to face him directly. The couch was open and naughty, but no one had to know right.
TBC
