On The Flip Of A Coin

Posted on Thu Sep 3rd, 2020 @ 2:51pm by Lieutenant Bonnie "Bon-Bon" Durnell

Mission: Welcome Aboard!
Location: Starbase 234
Timeline: Current

Bonnie stepped down from the pad leaving the still sobbing Cody to cry over his lost ship or beer, or both. She stood at attention "Lieutenant Durnell reporting in."

The ensign at the console wasn't sure how to respond to a senior officer saluting him, but he had his orders. "I need the two of you to remain here. The Commanding officer wants a word with each of you." Nothing screams you're in trouble more than a visit from the principal.

Great first impression, Bonnie thought to herself. Meanwhile, Cody was composing himself as he made his way off the pad and into line next to Bonnie. The contrast of her rigid stance versus his nonselance pose struck the standing ensign as an odd pairing.

The tension was broken by the swish of the doors and the entrance of two armed security guards followed by a stern looking Commander with a chiseled jawline and a frown upon his brow. He spoke first as the doors closed behind him
"What is the meaning of blowing up a ship in the middle of my busy shipping lane? I'm going to be cleaning up your debris mess for the next two hours." Stern, his voice level rose as he spoke.

Bonnie mulled the idea that it really wasn't his shipping lane and he personally wouldn't have to lift a finger, but supervisors tended to claim responsibility for none was in question. Claiming responsibility wasn’t something Bonnie relished, but as was her custom when something went wrong at her hand she was quick to apologize. She opened her mouth to speak but Cody was quicker to the punch.

“She was an old ship, uh sir, I’m sure it won’t happen again.” He was smarmy. His grin hid an untold agenda. Bonnie knew he meant that particular ship wouldn’t blow up again, not that he would never blow up a ship again and it made her chuckle visibly.

The grizzled Commander caught the chuckle, then eyed Cody with disdain. “Yes, well, as I can’t officially punish a Federation citizen you’re off the hook, but…” He gave Cody a steely gaze. “I expect a full report from you detailing the incident.”

“Uh, yes sir, no problem sir, I would be happy to. Uh, sir.” He stammered about like he was trying to be polite and apologetic at the same time. He was scheming something.

Bonnie eyed him for a moment, then spoke up. “Sir I must take responsibility for Mr. Devilrall’s shuttle incident, sir.”

The Commander turned to eye Bonnie now. “Is that so Lieutenant? And how pray tell do you figure this is your fault?” His voice was low and accusing in a way that triggered Bonnie’s timid nature. She began to sweat.

“I… uh… I accidentally... “ But Cody cut her off.

“Look it doesn’t matter how it happened, right? I mean Little Debbie was old. Things happen.” He turned on the charm. “Though since this young lady is Starfleet and theoretically she was at fault, mostly, hypothetically would I be, perhaps, entitled to say, I don’t know, I little compensation?” He was moving his hands around like a magician and at some point had put his arm around the Commander and begun to guide him back to the door.

The Commander noticed this tactic and stopped in his tracks. He mulled over the request, then eyed Bonnie who was looking down at the floor, shame filling her face. “What sort of compensation are we talking Mr. Devilrall?” The Commander seemed to deflate with Cody’s annoying perseverance. He had the tenacity of a Ferengi.

“Oh, I think we can work something out.” Cody tapped the Commander on the chest. “Got any old shuttles hanging about, maybe something to replace my poor departed Little Debbie?” It was a stretch to think the Commander would just give Cody a shuttle to replace his old one, but then Cody was a charmer and if he could play on a heartstring, he would be a rock God.

They started for the door again but as they passed Bonnie Cody turned and said with a smile, “Heads.” This made Bonnie’s heart skip a beat. Her cheeks went flush with a feeling she couldn’t describe. Was it possible this cad was the flip side of her coin?

Just as the doors opened and they were about to step out, several things happened all at once. Bonnie stepped forward and asked, “Sir, about the Liberty?”

The Commander turned to give his reply when an angry looking Orion woman wearing a Starfleet uniform with fierce looking daggers for eyes b-lined through the door and right up to Cody where she promptly slapped him in the face. Of all in the room, Cody and this mystery woman were the only ones not shocked by this turn of events. Even the stoic security team winced at the slap which echoed in the chamber.

“Alright, that is enough!” The Commander yelled, losing composure in an effort to regain control of a spiraling situation. He pointed at Bonnie, “Report to my office in Ops for debriefing.” Then he turned towards Cody, “As for you, Security will escort you to the brig where you can issue an official claim report without interference.” Finally he pointed at the Orion, “And you had better have a good reason for leaving your post Lucy, we’ve been through this.”

“But, but…” was all Bonnie heard as he ushered Lucy out the door.

Cody was rubbing his face which was beet red when a security guard grabbed him by the arm. Looking at Bonnie he said, “And you owe me a beer.” Before being ushered out of the transport chamber by both security guards.

Bonnie was unsure if she would ever see Cody again, but she was even more unsure how to get to ops. She slung her bag over her shoulder and looked at the transporter Ensign with pleading eyes. He got the message. “Down the hall to your left, then turbolift straight up. Can’t miss it.”

“Thanks.” she mouthed without sound. She then turned and made her way out the doors, following the instructions she quickly found the turbolift. As soon as she was in and the doors had closed was the first time she realized she had taken a breath.


TBC

BTW:

Debbie: Model B-52
Radio operator to the tower
Debbie's comin' in for a landing
Oh, put your head between your knees
Caused by the vibrations of love
They're about to shake me to pieces

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rSEMjZ6YqGI