Posted by Lieutenant Laural Corynn Witley, Ph.D., M.D. (Counselor) in (Personal Sim, All Welcome) Lounge, Just Past Midnight

Posted by Lieutenant Commander Todd Nyman (XO) in (Personal Sim, All Welcome) Lounge, Just Past Midnight

Posted by Lieutenant Commander Adam Magnusson (Chief Intelligence Officer) in (Personal Sim, All Welcome) Lounge, Just Past Midnight
Posted by… suppressed (3) by the Post Ghost! 👻
It usually took a few nights for Todd to get comfortable sleeping in a new room. These were usually dedicated to exploring every single nook and crevice he could, which usually ended with him dozing off underneath a table or the bottom of a bookshelf. As you could imagine left him rather drowsy the next day.

But tonight, for the first time feeling truly secure in his new quarters, the Commander curled himself into a sleeping position in a cavern of carefully stacked blankets and pillows. (He hardly ever slept in human form, so this arrangement was necessary for his comfort.) That evening, all seemed well.

Until around midnight…

Wake him up! demanded an uncomfortably familiar voice, No rest until I get my answers,

Todd flinched in his sleep, his arms tightening into spirals.

Who was your contact? How many others were there? Where did you meet them?

He wouldn’t answer. Even if he could have, he would never have told them.

Names, locations, anything and I can make this easier on you…

He flinched again. This time a small involuntary gurgling sound managed to escape, followed by a slow, quiet whine.

You’re just making it worse for yourself.

His breathing became faster. Wheezing in and out. He mumbled something. Arms curled into spirals. Tighter and tighter. Like a wound up spring. Another jolt launched him out of bed.

He was awake by the time he hit the floor. With slow steady breaths bringing him back to normal. Carefully he separated himself from the sheets.

There was no voice. There was no interrogation. He was in his own room. He was safe. He repeated these until he finally began to believe them again.

---

That’s why, at about 12:09 am, the new Executive Officer of the USS Leviathan could be found in the lounge. In his human, casually dressed and staring off into space with a half-empty bottle of Cola.

|Lt. Cmdr. Nyman, XO|

Adam didn’t usually spend much time in the Longue, preferring to dine by himself but there was something about spending time late at night with a good book and a glass of wine staring out the viewport. He brought one of the bottles from his personal collection that was locked in a cabinet behind the bar. He took note of Nyman sitting by himself seeming lost in thoughts. It’d been weeks since he’d closed his investigation on the Vendorian for their former Captain. Well less of an investigation and more of an observation mission. He grabbed a glass and walked towards the ships current first officer. In one hand he held the bottle of unmarked red wine and in his other an actual physical book, a rarity now a days “Troubling thoughts Commander?” The short Intelligence chief asked in his deep voice, his usual emotionless edge lessened as they were off duty.

CIO

The sensation of another person approaching caused an involuntary stir. Turning around slightly only to see Adam standing there. He didn’t like how easily people could sneak up on him in this form.

“Nothing important,” he said, “I’m just- thinking, is all.”

No smile, just a quick glance over.

“What about you? A little late to still be up reading. Must be interesting.”

|Lt. Cmdr. Nyman, XO|

Adam looked at the book “It’s a Cardassian murder mystery, from the Turn of the Century, The Lakarian Obfuscation, How the Many Became the Few by Tun Imlet. It’s considered a classic, much of modern Cardassian mystery novels of the 24th century pay homage to this story, It’s regarded as the origin of many modern cliches.” He looked back up “I prefer reading at night, helps with relaxation”

CIO

Nyman shifted around slightly, as if coming back from wherever his mind previously was to join the conversation,

“I’ve heard of it. Never read it myself, but I am familiar with the genre and its tropes. I’ve always found Cardassian literature… interesting. You can learn a lot about a culture, even one you’ve never really interacted with, from what they produce.”

|Lt. Cmdr. Nyman, XO|

“Did I hear someone mention a murder mystery?” Laural’s voice was soft and slightly hesitant. She was not the type to normally intrude on other people’s conversations, but she couldn’t sleep and was feeling homesick so she had come to the lounge, not wanting to be alone but not really sure what to do next. Spotting Nyman and Magnusson, she decided to approach and wasc immediately intrigued by words she heard, her curiosity overriding her shyness. “Apologies if I’m intruding.”

~Dr. Laural Witley, Counselor

“Oh, not at all, Doctor. Please, come join us.”

He was actually relieved to see her. The thought of it being just him and Adam was unsettling. It had little to do with him personally. He barely knew Adam, but Adam knew more about him than he was comfortable with. That alone was enough to make him feel uneasy. Dr. Witley, on the other hand…

Trust is a very strong word, especially for Vendorians, but he was definitely more comfortable with Laurel.

“We were just discussing one of Cardassia’s most notable works in the genre. I think it’s interesting, for example, how complex the motives can be. In most hum- erm, historical novels there is a lot more time dedicated to sorting out who is innocent and who is guilty. The motives have to be straight forward enough for the audience to understand. But Cardassian mysteries can usually skip that part, since we know everyone is guilty already. And their skills at deception make it very fun to figure out what fits and what doesn’t. And…”

Todd shrunk back a little, realizing he was rambling. Probably from being a bit tired.

“Anyway, yeah that’s just what I think.”

|Lt. Cmdr. Nyman, XO|

-Bump