Disturbances

Posted on 25 Jul 2014 @ 4:05pm by Lieutenant Tuula Voutilainen M.D. & Lieutenant Commander Amynta Markos
Edited on on 27 Jul 2014 @ 7:18am

1,261 words; about a 6 minute read

Mission: Episode 06 - Legend of Souls
Location: USS Galileo - Deck Five, Holodeck Two
Timeline: MD7 - 2100 hrs

[ON]

Below the surface, Tuula felt her cares and worries dissipate into the clean, blue water. It had been a long day in sickbay. Coming undone, her hair floated off in every which way. This was her first chance since coming aboard at getting some holodeck time, so naturally, she decided to throw on her black bikini and get some swimming in. It was one of her favourite programs; she liked to use it to keep fit. A fairly standard program, she had to modify it slightly to add a lift to the dock to help her in and out of the water.

Under the water, she stared up at the sky and her surroundings. . The water in this program was so clean and clear that she could open her eyes without risking irritation, and that she could see the clouds, the dock, the coniferous forests, and the archway to the holodeck.

The arch, thought Tuula, that's not supposed to--

Realizing that someone must have entered, she darted up to the surface. Dog paddling to stay afloat, her head was surrounded by a mess of black, red and blonde.

"I'm sorry, did I lose track of time?" she asked, seeing a blond woman wearing a grey skirt with a matching corset top appear on the dock.

"Yes, you did," Amynta Markos said dryly, her hand on her hip. She wore black stilettos with the skirt and her hair was straight. In her free hand she had an old fashioned paperback book. "I did try to override your programme but the safety features does not allow it." Shame. Because Amynta hated waiting.

"I'm really sorry. Just let me get out of the water and I'll be on my way." Tuula quickly swam onto her lift and pressed a button to activate it. As the robotic arm slowly pulled her seat out of the water and towards her chair, she removed a waterproof wrapping from her left arm, revealing the image of a dagger with a flower in the background the inside of her forearm. "New tattoo," she said, offering Amynta a nervous smile and trying to break the awkward silence. "You know how it is with fresh ink."

"How nice," Amynta said sarcastically, watching the woman as she let out a breath of annoyance. She never liked tattoos. Not on women and rarely on men. They seemed like a snapshot of someone's life in that second, a thing to cling to. As an Intelligence officer, she found them disturbing because they were such a recognizable mark.

Tuula detected Amynta's disgust and, just to mess with her for her sarcastic attitude, decided to double down on the topic. "This new one is my favourite. Or perhaps my chest piece. Or... I do also like this phoenix as well." Really, she found it hard to pick a favourite. They were a part of her, they all had some meaning, and she didn't have any that she regretted or weren't done well. "I don't suppose you have any, Ms... Ms..." she asked as the lift clicked into position next to her chair.

"Markos," she said as she looked around, her jaw tense. "And no, I have never found the need to mark myself in such a way." She met her eyes again, holding them easily.

"Tuula. Tuula Voutilainen. Dr. Tuula Voutilainen," she said, emphasis on the word "Doctor," as she positioned herself in just the right spot to transfer herself back to her chair. Fortunately, holographic water meant that her chair and her body would automatically dry off upon leaving the holodeck. With a swift motion "It's nice to meet you, Ms. Markos," she said as she pulled her wet mess of hair behind her head to tie it back. "Enjoying the book?"

"Hopefully I will," she said, dryly. She could have been drinking coffee by now. This woman was eating into her time. As soon as the woman was securely in her chair, Amynta took it as her cue. "Computer, change program. Markos, Alpha-Two-Delta-Five," she said and smiled to herself as the whole programme changed around them. Up came the tables, the chairs. A cafe, in Rome. View to the Colosseum, but it was an ancient setting. There were motorcars driving and people speaking quickly in Italian. And suddenly Amynta didn't look that different from these people. She took a seat, crossing her legs before looking over at Voutilainen. "I trust next time you will keep an eye on the time?"

"Of course, I'm sorry," she replied. "Computer, arch." As she tried to make her way out, she found the cramped mid 20th century Italian cafe to be less than accessible. "Excuse me... pardon me... excuse me..." she had to clear a few chairs and diners out of her way. Of course, some of the holographic characters thought it quite a sight to see the tattooed woman in a bikini and wheelchair try to leave the cafe. She finally made her way to the exit, only to see a step block her path. She rolled her eyes and turned her head back at Markos. "Little help?" she asked, feebly, not wanting to disturb the woman any more.

Amynta lowered the book, rolling her eyes before looking at her. "Computer, pause," she said and the characters stilled. "Better, Doctor? Or is there anything else you might need some help with?" Like a wristwatch. Amynta would even replicate one and strap it on her wrist if it made any damned difference.

"If you could just help me with these step, I'll be out of your hair." Tuula sighed, frustrated at the program and the steps onto the landing at the entrance to the cafe -- and exit into the corridors of the ship. Though she supposed it was an accurate depiction of a 1960s Italian cafe. They weren't terribly concerned about wheelchair accessibility in those days.

Amynta stood and moved to her side, shaking her head. "You realise they did invent hover chairs," she said flatly, taking a breath. "Computer, install wheelchair access." Because clearly, the world had to be adapted for her. Hover chairs. She'd buy her one for bloody Christmas to go with the damned wristwatch.

"I... I..." Tuula stammered for a moment, taken aback by Amynta's comment. She didn't know how to respond. She had learned to use a hoverchair years ago, but found it hard to control. Her manual chair was much simpler, less bulky, more stable, and didn't leave her worrying about running out of batteries and getting stuck somewhere. And it was light too; advances in 24th century material sciences made it light, strong, and easy to roll. After using it for a few years, it had become almost a part of her -- and more natural than a barely responsive joystick. Most of all, though, she didn't think that was any of Amynta's business. "I won't bother you anymore," she said, trying to control her anger as she angrily propelled herself out into the corridors of the ship.

"Color me impressed, you are finally going," Amynta said smoothly and shook her head. A good fifteen minutes wasted from the moment she had been made to wait, then interrupting and then the conversation. She sighed as she went back to the chair. "Computer, restart programme," she said, taking her seat. She'd do what she could to enjoy the time she had left her. Without any more...disturbance.

[OFF]

Lieutenant JG Tuula Voutilainen M.D.
Medical Officer
USS Galileo

&

Lt. Amynta Markos
Chief Intelligence Officer
USS Galileo

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