Pressure Before the Storm

Posted on Sun Feb 22nd, 2026 @ 3:14pm by Samanthia Akiashiro

975 words; about a 5 minute read

Mission: The Hand That Rocks The Babe
Location: Dreadnought : The Dive

Tension filled the air. You could see it in the movements of the patrons. They treaded carefully, giving each other room to maneuver with their drinks in hand and even without carrying anything. Words were spoken in semi-hushed tones to each other.

Eyes darted about as if looking for something elusive, yet it had to be there. Some sign or something out of place that would give them purpose of action or relief. Drinks were hurriedly drunk and glasses and mugs held tightly in hand as if the drink would get up and run off on their own.

Patrons entered, stayed for a few minutes to partake in their chosen favorite drinks. Sitting with others that they knew or were in the same section or field of occupations. Marines in one corner discussing the latest tactics or just general complaining about higher ups how they were being targeted by them. Security with their gripes and the latest threat about virus and whot-not related to the upcoming mission. Engineering with their pet peeves of not getting the equipment and materials quick enough to keep Medical and the Science department happy and off their backs in the rush of getting their isolation wards built along with the onsite labs.

Quarantine, virus, plague was the common subject of conversation amongst them. A nasty invisible germ that could wipe out vast numbers within days without treatments and even with treatments, the germ could mutate rendering the vaccine ineffective.

Samanthia kept her expression neutral even it held a bit hardness, as she was a mother with a daughter. Maybe she should've went back to the Starbase 332 with S'er'in'e and Mariah as she was their family Elder. But she seen the hopeful look in her Mate's eyes to expand his horizons. To serve the greater good, even though moving from flying aerospace fighter to flying a desk aboard a moving Starbase like ship. At least the scenery changed by seeing different star systems. Where back on the Starbase, S'er scheduled time to fly his aerospace fighter to keep up his qualifications and to get the required flight time hours.

She smiled at the few times she had to pause her trip back to the Starbase from visiting the nearby planet for routine custom checks by him. Or maybe he just wanted to be near her and hear her voice, even via radio. Everyone knew the Akiashiro Danube, type 2 long range shuttle that was part of the fleet of shuttles Akiashiro Merchant family had based out of SB-332 and was cleared to be in SB-332 Area of operation, that Samanthia used to travel between SB-332 and Archa IV where she attended the University.

Heated voices rose stilling other conversation as it drew attention of everyone. Breaking Samanthia from her thoughts as the voices grew in anger and frustration at the table of four patrons.

Two were standing and facing each other, faces flush with anger and drink. Throwing caution to the winds, not caring how it'll end up, yet hoping their co-workers had their back.

"Damn your fam..." Was rudely interrupted of flesh hitting flesh as the chair were shoved back as the others at the table hurriedly got out of the way of the combatants. One in Science teal and the other in Engineering yellow.

"You don't have fami..ooof!" Engineering broke off as a fist connected with his nose, swinging a fist into the others stomach.

Scientist staggered back moving his arms into defensive posture, gasping for air, but not willing to back off yet. gasped out, "you're the one stupid enough to bri..." Getting hit in the head, dropping him to the floor unconscious.

Engineering looked around wiping the blood from his bloody nose, glaring at anyone and everyone, while teammates approach him. "You had enough." One of his teammates spoke calmly to quell the raging beast.

"No-one puts my family down as nothing to be concerned about." Bloodied engineering growled as he was led from The Dive.

Samanthia shook her head and moved on to help another customer. "That was quick. Normally fights start much later." Patron spoke receiving her drink. "What do you think on going to happen to Velis III?"

Samanthia looked thoughtful for a few minutes, letting her bar staff help the other patrons. "Start off with quarantine to prevent off planet spread. Then probably getting a sample of the virus to study it. And find a way to neutralize it." Knowing full well that wouldn't sit well with the crew and those that lived aboard the Dreadnought. "If the virus is brought aboard. I'm sure there will be more patrons here getting the relief that couldn't be found in other parts of the ship."

The big screen stopped showing the game as the news broke in to show Penelope's section of the news. Samanthia turned the volume up so people could listen in on the broadcast. Specially broadcast, it was showing a cargo section of the Dreadnought and Penelope doing her on the scene interviews with an unhappy Medical Officer.

"You guessed right," The patron lifted her drink in salute and took a drink. "Gonna leave him lying there?" Nodding her head towards the unconscious science officer.

"Naw, he's gonna end up in corridor several levels away from here." Samanthia signaled to two of the Bouncers that knew the routine, already moving to remove the science fleeter out of The Dive. "I grew up on a hospital ship and ran into several situations like this. It sucked having to wear protective gear as a kid." Samanthia scrunched her nose in displeasure. "I'll probably do the same for my daughter. At least have it ready for her."

"Yeah. I think I will have to get something for myself." Patron smiled, finishing off her drink. "Cyas around!" Pushing herself up and staggering off towards the exit.

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