Strengthing Crew Relations [prt 2]

Posted on Mon Feb 13th, 2017 @ 10:55pm by

1,529 words; about a 8 minute read

Mission: New Faces and Terror Beyond
Location: Captain's Quarters / Bawden's Den
Timeline: 10 am shipboard time

"Time to go visit the Bawdens. I've sent a message to confirm." Elizebeth entered the room where Ra was at. She looked him over with a appraising eye and nodded.

Ra had changed into a smart yet not too formal jacket and trouser set. His glasses were clean and ready, his hair in immaculate condition and style and all he had to do was wait for his Wife to be ready to leave. "Do I meet with the ladies approval?" He asked with a smile.

"Definitely My love!" Elizebeth moved to him and gave him a soft appreciative kiss. She was wearing one of her full length dresses with modest cut that was borderline casual and formal.

"One of your designs?" Ra asked as he looked her over. She was beautiful indeed, he was lucky to have her and he knew it.

"You could say that. Modified from anothers concept." Elizebeth spoke as she walked with Ra to the Bawdens Den.

Ra followed in thought about what lay ahead, with the loss of a daughter there could be expected a marked degree of tension. He would have to be delicate in his actions when they arrived.


Ayla scooted about the quarters picking things up and putting them away or making them appear presentable. Miracle was thankfully at school. "Mark! Come on. Theyz gonna be here anytime soon." She called out.

I admit I was not overly thrilled to be receiving guests, my baby girl had just died, couldn't we at least have some time to ourselves to grieve? I dressed in simple shirt and trousers, I didn't know fully dress code for this little venture but figured it was better than walking around in shorts only I guessed. "I'm here." I spoke walking out of the bedroom.

Ayla looked him over with a critical eye and then nodded with the softening of expression. She was dressed simply in her comfortable peasant full length skirt and blouse with embroidered flowers and baby animals around the hemlines. "Iz see that." Giving Marks a quick hug.

I held onto Ayla to draw some measure of stability, I knew what I was doing, I did it all the time. I was bottling it up, pouring all my hurt and rage, all my anguish into a bottle and hoping the cap was strong enough to contain it. It was unhealthy I knew but with my medical condition and now this, it was a coping mechanism that had proven effective in the past.

Ayla pulled away as Elizebeth rang the door chime to announce Ra and her. Ayla moved to the door and opened up. She gave a soft smile as she stepped back to allow Captain Havrelli and Elizebeth into the neatly furnished apartment.

Elizebeth looked over the both of them and her expression softened as she took Ayla paw/hands in hers. "You have our deepest sympathies. It's never easy to lose one so close to oneself." After entering the Bawden's Den.

Ra expressed similar notions of support and understanding as his Wife had done. He couldn't begin to image what it must be like to lose a child and hoped he never would. "If you require some time, let me know." He was happy to permit them as much time as they needed to see this ordeal through.

Ayla nodded accepting their condolences. She glanced at Mark to see how he was taking the intrusion into their personal space aboard the Dreadnought. "Iz hope yooz never do, Ra." Giving Ra a soft look that lighten the brave look she wore. "Please sit." Offering them the best seats in the Den's common room. "Care for refreshments?" Being the proper hostess.

Elizebeth gently guided Ra to sit in another comfortable chair other than Mark's which she knew about from previous conversations with Ayla. "Water or a fruit drink would be nice."

"Water will do nicely." Ra spoke. Understandably the air was thick with loss and grief, even unspoken it could be felt. Losing people was always hard, he'd sent officers to thier deaths before but that was duty, Marcie had no duties, no expectations.

Ayla scampered off to get the refreshments of fruit juice and water and four glasses. She returned shortly with a tray with two pitchers. One of fruit juice and water. She made sure the fruit juice was compatible with all bio-forms in the room.

I wasnt really sure what to say, I mean right now would could do with being alone yet in the other hand he was just doing the Captain thing. Still, alone was better.

Ayla served the water to Ra as requested, Fruit juice to Elizebeth. She looked at Mark as she set the tray of drinks and two remaining glasses on the coffee table. "Yooz settling into yooz new command... Ra?" Being less informal than normal. Seeing that Mark was playing the quiet stoic man, leaving all social responsibilities up to her.

"I am, the Dreadnought is a powerful ship, a testament to Starfleets engineering prowess." Ra stated but there was more to it then that. "I'm aware that my arrival was unexpected, I know the crew was close to Admiral S'iraa." Ra could see Mark was quiet. Somehow asking him if he was alright seemed like a cliche right now in light of what the family had lost. "And you Ayla, how has First Officer taken to you?"

Ayla spoke softly, "Iz should've taken it slower, and discussed it with mez mate. Iz stepped up cause wez didn't want an unknown stepping into slot at the time." She served herself some water. "As yooz noticed wez are a tight knit crew. At least from mez perspective."

"Mark, If I may be so bold to address you as such." Elizebeth spoke looking at Mark. "Has your Marine Skills helped to improve the Security with a broader range of knowledge in order for them to do their jobs?"

"To a degree, but I'll admit I miss being a marine. Regardless of how you cut it I'm a trained killer, its what I know, being in security I have to be all touchy touch and feely feely. As a marine its pretty clear cut, friend or foe, kill or be killed. As security you have suspects, innocents, the unknowns. So I'd say it was a give and take when it comes to using what I know in what I do now." I replied. Unfortunately it was the honest truth and I didn't like it. As a marine I knew who the enemy was, go here do this and come back, simple and clear cut.

As security though there are all kinds of rules, procedures, measures that have to be observed. Time wasted in my books.

Elizebeth nodded as she paid attention to Mark as he spoke. "From what I hear about the ship, Mark, is that crew and those that call the ship home. Are glad to have you leading Security. If given the chance, would you go back to being a Marine?" She titled her head to the side a little to show her curiosity

I looked at Ayla, then back to Elizabeth. "I would." I answered. "Though being a marine cost me much in life, even now I feel that by leaving I have not paid the due that is owed." While Elizabeth wouldn't know what that meant, Ayla would. By leaving the Marines I couldn't strive to put things right, I let Ayla down and it cost us a Daughter. I even had to kill Ayla to save her from that critter on her neck but even still, the piper had not been paid in full.

Ayla seeing that Elizebeth had Marks engage in conversation, turned her attention to Ra. "Wez need to meet on assigning a Chief Of Science. Being XO consumes to much of mez time to keep abreast of whots happening in Science Department. Would yooz schedule allow mez to pay a visit to discuss this?"

"Of course, when ever suits you." Ra spoke trying to give Ayla as much flexibility as possible in light of recent events.

"Be careful what you wish for, Mark." Elizebeth spoke softly. "At least both of you along with your daughter have a promising future. Don't let this Piper rule your life with your family. Or you may find yourself having lost it all."

Ayla glanced at Mark and Elizebeth talking, then turned back to Ra. "Hows Colonel Frost handling being temp XO?"

"I don't think it agrees with him, change out of the field seldom does with a marine but I do note he is trying his best given the circumstances." Ra replied to Ayla. "I know this is difficult for you, not just in light of your loss but because of your position as well. It will still be there once this is dealt with, your family is more important and if what I have read about your Husband is true, he will need your care." Ra had noted that Mark was the sort to bottle things, he'd know because he used to do the same thing and Elizebeth had to tend to it.

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