Further Into the Thick of It

Posted on Mon Dec 20th, 2021 @ 11:48pm by Commander Jennifer Baldric & Commander Finchley Kerr & Commander Savar cha'Salik hei-Surak Talek-sen-deen & Commander Dean House & Lieutenant Commander Thriss Kla'ren & Lieutenant Commander Aurora Vali & Lieutenant Commander Bonnie "Bon-Bon" Durnell

Mission: Gamma Quadrant
Location: Gamma Quadrant - Ion Cloud
Timeline: Current

Aurora looked towards her husband. “Commander, I suggest we proceed with extreme caution. The slightest misunderstanding could result in someone being injured, or killed. The fear I’m getting from them is off the scale.”

Savar met his wife's gaze head on, "You recommendation is noted Aurora and all caution will be taken. I have no desire to escalate this situation just the opposite. I am hoping to alleviate their fears, let them see we can be trusted."

Aurora nodded. “In that case I’d like to accompany the away team, my experience in diplomatic and counselling matters might come in useful.”

Savar didn't answer Aurora directly but instead posed a question of his own for her, "Do you think me incapable of handling diplomatic matters Aurora?"

Aurora gave her husband a very shocked look. “Not at all Sir, I withdraw my request. Actually I...have some counselling matters to attend to, if you’ll excuse me.” She didn’t wait to be dismissed as she quickly headed off the bridge.

Now it was Savar's turn to be surprised, He arched an eyebrow at Aurora's statement. He hadn't denied her request he just wanted to hear her reasons. "As you wish Lieutenant." He answered knowing there would be a discussion on this later.

Stepping into the turbolift Aurora wiped away a few tears, she felt as though she’d in some way offended Savar, though whether she had was another matter. Perhaps she was just imagining it, it was too late now.

Savar wanted to run after Aurora, to explain, clear the air between them. She was his life, his better half. Aurora kept him grounded with her love and support. Now it felt like he had let her down and that bothered him. He looked at the lift, hoping Aurora would change her mind and return to the bridge but that appeared not to be.

In the lift Aurora could feel her husband’s emotions through their bond. Pausing the lift she took a deep breath before ordering it back to the bridge. Stepping out a few moments later she made her way back across to Savar. “Commander...I’m sorry.”

Savar looked as the lift door's opened and Aurora stepped out and made her way back down to the command level of the bridge. His eyes on hers as she spoke, a slight upturn of his lips in a smile, betrayed his emotions. His voice however was it's usual cool, unruffled self. "As am I Lieu... Aurora."

Aurora smiled and nodded, they would talk later but right now wasn’t the time. She walked across to her seat and sat down, one thing she knew was that she needed to talk to Sarah regarding her emotional control.

Finchley watched the exchange between Aurora and Savar with interest. It wasn't like the Commander to show emotion, however, it was there.

Commander Baldric also watched the exchange, it wasn't an uncommon occurrence to have family members or spouses serve on the same ship, however in the direct chain of command was a different matter. There was a tense silence as the bridge crew focused intently on their tasks rather than the altercation playing out on the platform of the main bridge.

Another thought struck Finchley, this time more to do with what was currently going on in the mission. He hoped that, if Aurora did go on the away team, this altercation wouldn't effect the planned meet-up, it was going to be tricky enough as it was.

Jennifer waited until Savar headed for the shuttle bay then left the bridge herself, stopping by her quarters for her phaser and tricorder before continuing onto the shuttle bay. Commander Kerr was in command of the bridge, whilst herself, Savar, House and Durnell headed to the weapons platform to begin the talks.

Aurora settled back into her seat, all she could hope was Savar and the others would be able to allay the fears of the people they were about to encounter.

Finchley, now the Senior Officer on the bridge found himself in charge of the Sunfire. Motioning for his Assistant Chief to take over his console, he walked over to the centre seat and sat down.

"Tactical, shields at the ready, phaser banks charged, but not online. Communications, keep a clear channel to the shuttle, Operations, continuous passive scans of the platform the shuttles heading to, if there's any deviation from it's current status I want to know it immediately" he ordered.

"Aye Sir, passive scans now" the Ensign replied.

Tapping the Comm's link on the chair he added "Transporter room, I want transporter fix on all the away team members from the moment they leave the Sunfire, at the first sign of trouble I want to be able to get them out, understood?"

"Aye Sir, transporter fix will be established the moment the shuttle hits open space" the report came back.

Turning to Aurora he said "Lieutenant Vali, your abilities will be critical as well, I would like you to, as best you can, report anything you feel is out of place, or doesn't feel right. We're not taking any chances here. This may be a First Contact situation, but if recent things are anything to go by, trust isn't a high priority from their end, so any edge we can gain will be crucial."

With that, he turned back and stared ahead, watching the main viewer as the shuttle carrying the away team departed the ship on it's way to the meeting.