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Death of Salesman (Part II)

Posted on Fri Jan 9th, 2015 @ 9:58pm by Lieutenant JG Rhett Beaumont & Captain Enalia Telvan

Mission: Devotion of Time
Location: USS Hera | Captain's Quarters

It had only taken Rhett Beaumont a little over half an hour to gather some of his belongings, luggage for his trip home. He had also taken liberty to head down to the shuttle bay to perform a quick but thorough pre-flight inspection of the mustang class Bast. Rhett had already taken the liberty of loading the Bast with the necessary supplies and other cargo needed or wanted. Though he had not been given any approval to take the Bast or any other shuttlecraft or runabout. Rhett would have to seek permission as much as he disliked having to do so.

Afterwards, the Chief Engineer navigated the desolate corridors of the USS Hera in the middle of the night, approaching the early hours of the morning. He hopped onto the nearest turbolift that would take him to where he needed to go. In this case, it was deck eight to the Captain's quarters. He did not want to bother the woman at this hour, but it was between her and the XO, and regardless, Enalia would have the final say if Rhett got to take leave and have the Bast. This was just saving time to go directly to the Captain.

As he approached the door to the woman's quarters, Rhett prepared himself for what he was going to say or rather how much he was willing to tell her. He did not like opening up about his personal life, his family, or anything that had anything at all to do with him outside of Starfleet and being Chief Engineer. Despite his want to keep everyone at bay and in the dark, Enalia would want a damn good reason for this request and to have been bothered at this hour.

Taking a deep breath, Rhett reached out and pressed the door chime. He stood there waiting and worrying. He was worried that she would say no to his request if he did not give enough detail or truth, worried that this would force him to do something that would cost him his career in Starfleet. If she said no, he would get home by any means necessary. If that meant taking the Bast behind her back, he would. Hell, if it meant having to hijack the USS Hera, he would do so. Why? Because of Matilda. They had killed Rhett's mother and father. Whoever they were. Tilly had been lucky but Rhett feared that her life was still in danger.

Having just clicked her desk terminal off, Enalia was leaning back in her chair and contemplating the latest reports Starfleet had felt the need to wake her up about. When the door chimed, she had 3 guesses who it could be but none of them were who it was. Standing and wrapping her robe tighter around her, she headed to the door and opened it manually, surprise flashing on her face for just a moment as she realized it was her Chief Engineer. "Is there something I can do for you Ensign?"

Ensign Rhett Beaumont nodded simply and held out a PADD that he had carried on his way to the Captain's quarters. "I am requesting immediate leave, Captain. I also request that I be permitted to take the Bast from the shuttlebay" added Rhett, looking at her as he tried to keep himself composed and together.

He knew that she'd want more than just requests. She would want reasons or an explanation. "My parents were killed and I need to go home for a while. I need to make funeral arrangements and tend to my sister. She has nobody but me" he explained as simply as he could.

Taking the PaDD and moving towards her desk, Enalia waved for him to come inside as she read the PaDD. "I'm sorry for your loss. Unfortunately, I can't let you take the Bast alone like that. I'm not in the habit of handing out runabouts like that." Changing direction and heading to the replicator, she punched up some tea and pastries, moving them to her dining table. "Care for anything?"

"Just the Bast" replied Rhett with a sigh. "No, Captain. I am not really in a mood to eat or anything. I just want to get to my sister. I'm a capable pilot and as Chief Engineer, I have the technical skills to operate and maintain the Bast" countered Rhett. "I understand not handing out runabouts, but this isn't for some joy ride."

"No, not a joy ride... More of an away mission. As a department head, you should know the policy on that. 2 person integrity. Is there anyone you want to take with you or do I need to assign someone?" Enalia said as she handed the PaDD back and sat at the table.

Rhett scoffed and shook his head. "Hardly a mission, Captain. A trip, yes, a mission? No." He thought for his moment. He really did not want to take anyone away from Hera, and did not want anyone that he did not feel comfortable with if he had to take someone. "The EMH. Does he count? I can download his program onto a PADD or something."

"He doesn't." Looking up at the green man, Enalia paused for a moment. "Which is it then? An away mission or a joyride?"

"Hologram aside, I can have my choice of who you send as my chaperone?" asked Rhett. Who the hell are you woman? My Captain or my mother?! he thought the Orion bitting his lip and trying not to lash out at his Commanding Officer.

"Chaperone? No, as your copilot and someone to return the shuttle if you get yourself killed trying to tangle with the Orianis Group." Turning her attention to her tea, Enalia sipped at it. "I'd like you to take the ship's chef. She can fly a shuttle and she might be able to keep you out of trouble enough between meals."

"Me? Tangle with someone...get myself killed? You must not think very highly of me, Captain" said Rhett shaking his head. "I'll take her, but she better not try to feed me that plomeek soup shit."

"I'll let you discuss your diet plan with her." Enalia said simply, knowing he'd be in for a world of hurt if he underestimated her culinary skills. Literally. The woman could almost turn water into salsa with a glance. "Good luck with the assassins."

"Who said anything about assassins?" he said with a shrug. "In the Orion Syndicate, it could have been anyone. Hell, it could have just been some idiot killing the wrong family" added Rhett with a sigh.

"I didn't say Orion Syndicate. Though the Orianis group is supposedly a part of them... " Enalia said before munching on one of her pastries.

Rhett nodded "Probably. The Syndicate has a lot of relations with other groups and business associates" replied Rhett. He looked at the Captain "I will do my best to stay safe, but the family business can be rather risky."

Enalia sighed and leaned back in her chair. "Do you want to know why I'm up at this hour? Starfleet intelligence just sent me a briefing on our next mission. By their count 47 entire families were murdered in one night and they all have... had... ties to the Orion Syndicate in some way. They've linked a lot of them to the group I mentioned. I may not like you. I may even outright dislike you. But in the end, you're a damn good engineer and a member of my senior staff and part of the Hera family. Come back alive, ok? That's an order."

"I'll see what I can do. No promises about the Chef. She's best off just staying far away from me once we land" commented Rhett. "Orion space is no place for an officer or noncom in Starfleet...especially one with a nice rack" added Rhett.

Enalia broke her composure for a moment to grin lecherously. Just for a moment though. The thought of that hot Vulcan woman really got her going on cold nights. "Yeah, try not to get her killed either. There's a shortage of perfect breasts in this galaxy and hers are about as perfect as you can get."

"She has nice ones, Captain. However, you do not have to look fair to find a nicer rack" replied Rhett with a small smile. "I am sorry that you've been kept up so late, but what the hell difference does 47 Orion families make to Starfleet? Why care? They aren't Federation citizens."

Enalia raised an eyebrow at the nicer rack comment. Was he trying to be smooth? "47 families, if they were random, probably wouldn't show up on any reports. Those 47 families all had ties to the Federation in various ways. Some prior informants, some through family.

"Fair enough, but I doubt that Starfleet Intelligence will find who was responsible for those deaths. It would be difficult to find much cooperation from the Orions, and even less from those tied to the Syndicate" said Rhett. "I am fortunate to know people and to have the ability to work around the shadows of the Syndicate" added Rhett as he reached up towards his chest and pulled off his comm badge.

Rhett handed it over to the woman with an almost apologetic expression on his face. "I'm sorry, Captain, but you may want to hold onto this. I do not want you held responsible for what may happen in Orion space."

Refusing to accept it, Enalia shook her head. "If I accepted that I'd have to accept your resignation with it. Leave it in the runabout or something. Besides, under my command or not, while you're assigned to me I'm still responsible for your actions and conduct whether you're wearing it or not."

"Then, I'll make sure to clean up any messes that I may or may not theoretically make" said Rhett with a flash of a smile.

"You do that. And remember to take Petty Officer T'pel with you." Enalia said with a wink.

Rhett nodded. "Yes, mom..." replied Rhett who quickly cleared his throat. "Ma'am" he said correcting himself.

"Good. Now hurry up and go before I change my mind." Enalia said, sipping at her tea again.

"Aye, Captain" said Rhett, turning around and headed for the doors. Pausing for a moment, Rhett looked back. "I'm borrowing some things for this mission" he added.

"Fill out a hand receipt." Enalia said automatically, not entirely caring what it was he borrowed.

"Will do" he said heading out through the door, quite pleased that she did not ask.

 

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