Pencil Pusher

Posted on 23 Oct 2013 @ 12:55pm by Commander Luke Wyatt & Lieutenant Commander Amynta Markos
Edited on on 26 Oct 2013 @ 4:10am

1,556 words; about a 8 minute read

Mission: Episode 04 - Exodus
Location: USS Galileo - Somewhere on Deck 3
Timeline: MD 04 - 1400 hrs

[ON]

Luke was wandering the corridors again, it was late but he couldn't sleep. He had found himself stirring every time he played down the thoughts of the Borg and home to unsettling. He stepped over a broken panel the same one he had stepped over four times now as he continued to walk the corridors the smell of burnt out metal and plastic stick thick in the air.

Stopping for a moment he noticed a stuffed toy bear half burnt peering from underneath an open latch. Picking the toy up and sweeping his hands over it removing most of the dust and debris he noticed it was missing its left ear. "Not even you have survived unsaved my little furry friend" he said talking to the toy as if it were a person.

"There are children here," Amynta Markos said, her eyes dark as she stood there. She wore not Starfleet issued boots...no, these were higher, both up her leg and in heel height. The uniform, however, was the skirt uniform of Starfleet. "Some left their toys lying around in the chaos." She studied him, clocking at once what he was. USS Venture, survivor, Marine. Of course, if there had been a file readily available, she would have looked him up. But she had needed to walk. She had needed to get out of her bed and get some hands on impression. Still, she looked immaculate, from her hair to her nails.

"A fate that most of the crew and families aboard Venture did not get." Luke didn't mean to sound so cold but he had now almost seen his death twice with another chance likely to arise shortly. "I find it unsettling that the Borg spared this ship however" He continued to study the bear before settling his arm back down at his side the cuddly toy still clutched in his hand. "

"I find it highly unlikely that they did. We are tiny in comparison with the Venture, I am surprised we survived more than two seconds under fire. I am expecting the other shoe to drop," Amynta arched an eyebrow, watching the man for a moment. "Of course, we are at their mercy for now. A situation that none of us feel comfortable with either."

"Gunnery Sergeant Luke Wyatt Former first sergeant of the USS Venture now an old lost Marine looking for something to do" He held out his left hand quickly realising that this was his burnt one where some nylon still etched into his skin. He wished he was right handed.

She watched him before frowning. "Amynta Markos," she said before reaching to touch his wrist. "Has anyone looked at this?"

"A few treatments but I didn't want to see medical resources spent on me whilst people lay half dead, it will heal over time" he replied "Besides the damage is already done and if we don't make it out of this alive it doesn't matter whether it fully healed or not"

She glanced at him before the frown became one of annoyance. "Well, that won't do like that. It should at least be bandaged so you can hold a gun without feeling too much pain," she said firmly. When it doubt, go practical. And the last thing she needed was one shooter down. "Being a martyr won't get you anywhere, Marine. All it does it mess with your head. How can you be a good fighter if you are not up to standard?" she met his eyes, her own serious and firm. "There are always resources."

"I see your logic in the matter" He let out a heavy sigh as if realising bad tension "Sorry, its just been a hard, there doesn't seem to be a moment to rest until the next thing pops up and kicks us up the but. Of course I don't stand alone in the matter" Luke folded his arms behind his back and smiled. "Ill be sure to get my arm properly attended to at the next possible moment"

"Good, or else I have to order you to sickbay myself," Amynta said tiredly, shaking her head. "You should go and get some rest now then. While we still have a moment's calm."

"The thought of being ordered to sickbay is certainly something I'd consider" Luke allowed himself a moment to relish in the thought."I am to unsettled to sleep my mind wonders to matters of a personal nature what I really need is something to do besides clean and well that's is all I can do until such a time presents itself. And as if only to add to matters If I were to need sleep I have no such place to do so! The ship is already at Emergency Capacity and I doubt someone would be as kind to lend a bed"

She met his eyes before frowning, considering it for a moment. "There's a spare office around. I think we lost some people to the Borg. So in theory, there should be at least one place to sleep there, if only on the couch."

Luke nodded thinking into setting up shop in an office for a short period until his fate was determined by the Borg who were still towing the ship "I think I might take the opportunity, its better than sleeping in sickbay" He admitted. "Thanks, So what is it you do around here Mrs. Markos?" He asked not recalling her occupation.

Her features hardened at the words and she took a breath, all signs of brief warmth gone. "I'm the Chief of Intelligence, and I sure as hell am not married. It's Lieutenant, or Markos. Never Miss, Ms, Mrs or anything else before it. Understood, Marine?"

Luke wondered if to heed the warning "Understood" he replied somewhat bitterly, this was the first time he had been spoken down to since his arrive aboard the ship. "I didn't mean any disrespect"

She met his eyes before nodding. "Of course not. People never mean any disrespect before saying things like that," she said and met his eyes. "You going to be teaming up with Security I take it? All guns together?"

He shrugged "Honestly, I dont know what I'll be doing but right now we're all guns together. The Borg wont be so easily beaten but together we're pretty unpredictable"

"We are. Organics are unpredictable, machine isn't. It is the only advantage we have to be quite frank. We should all be dead by now, or worse. And yet we are not..." she looked around, a slight frown coming to her. "I hadn't expected that. It's thrown my...tactics off."

"I believe that it has frown everybody's tactics of however we should loose our minds." He smiled lightly.

She met his eyes before a small smile pulled at the corner of her lips. "At least with you here, I can do my plan B. Throw cannon fodder at them while I escape..." she said it with a straight face before arching an eyebrow to let him know it was actual a joke. She never thought she'd have time to escape whilst throwing Security and Marines at the Borg. After all, not enough personnel on the Galileo.

"Pah! A typical response from an intelligence officer!" He to also notches his eyebrow in response to her joke "are you still getting information from fortune cookies and educated guesses?" He continued to taunt.

"We've moved to crystal balls and catgut..." she said flatly before considering something. "Would most likely be more useful than what I have right now."

"I would not be able to agree more, it seems that both of us are currently as useless as the other and just surfing the wave out" He motioned with his hands. "Just a normal day actually" he joked.

"Hardly. I rely on information...trading and obtaining. I dislike when things break the pattern," she said and frowned. "Borg used to be predictable. These aren't."

"Exciting isnt it?" Truthly Luke may have been the most worried. He had thought the Borg before but this was totally different. "If you ever need any help?" He offered finally knowing that he wasn't the only one sharing the same thoughts of concern and worry.

"I will ask you, but I believe you are better suited helping Security," she said before glancing around. "I should go. And you should rest, Marine."

Luke didn't argue, "Well know I will be if anything ever comes up" He lifted his arm and offered the lieutenant his hand "And may both of us see it out of this mess in one piece huh?"

"I sincerely doubt we will, but optimism is typical of male Marines," she said and took the hand. "My son is one. And he is the most optimistic man I know."

"Then you'll also know how dangerous we can be when we are determined" He released her hand "Nice meeting you Lieutenant" he nodded his head before turning and walking slowly away. The bear he had picked up still grasped in his right hand.

She watched him go, her eyes softening for a moment before she shook her head, her features becoming icy again as she turned and headed towards her office.

OFF:


Gunnery Sergeant Luke Wyatt
Marine Liaison
USS Galileo

&

Lieutenant Amynta Markos
Chief Intelligent Officer
USS Galileo

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