Posted by Captain Rende Asam (Commanding Officer) in Side Sim - They Won’t Let Sleeping Dogs Lie

Posted by Lieutenant Xam Ra’Ti (Tactical Officer) in Side Sim - They Won’t Let Sleeping Dogs Lie

Posted by Captain Rende Asam (Commanding Officer) in Side Sim - They Won’t Let Sleeping Dogs Lie
Posted by… suppressed (29) by the Post Ghost! 👻

(snip)
When their lips finally parted, he slowly opened his eyes and said softly “Rende, I…” and then he stopped. His finger tips brushed her cheek and slowly his fingers slid across her temple, running through her hair. His eyes were wide, staring into hers, and the look was one of surprise… and something else much deeper. On the back of her head he grasped her hair firmly but gently pulled her mouth to his and he kissed her with a renewed sense of urgency; as if he thought she may slip away from him forever and this was the last kiss they would share.

Ra’Ti, Chief Tactical Officer

She stretched out against him, relaxing into the hold of his arms. She watched his eyes, the notes carried on his voice made her heart race. She wasn’t an adept empath, but strong emotions registered. The deeper she was connected to someone the clearer she could identify the feelings she was hearing. However she was never quite confident of her interpretation.

His urgency was matched by a need of her own. Her arms stole around him, holding him close against her. She should stop this for his sake. No matter what they had hinted at, it wasn’t what they agreed to. It was far too late for her though. Her heart belonged to him now. He kissed her like he was losing her, and all the while she kissed him like she belonged to him.

Cpt. Asam, CO

The next four days were a wonderful, beautiful escape from their normal reality. But as they sat next to one another at the fire late the last night before they had to go back to the resort- and having only one night there before they had to return to the Sentinel- Xam stared into the fire. They had been very quiet for a while, neither one of them speaking. Xam sighed heavily and leaned back in his chair. “Well… at least we don’t have to pack all this up.” he said with a half-hearyed smile.

Ra’Ti, Chief Tactical Officer

“You’re going to keep it all right? It would be a shame if you didn’t have this to come back to.” Rende looked over at him, stood up, walked over to him and took his hand, pulling him up. “Come on, let’s go to the hammock. We need to talk.” This wasn’t going to get better by being silent, by just hoping and avoiding it. Whatever they would or would not do, they had to decide.

“Anytime a woman or a Captain says ‘We need to talk.’, it makes me nervous.” he replied. He stood up and followed her.

She climbed the ladder and settled back into the hammock.

Cpt. Asam, CO

Xam climbed in, but instead of laying next to her, he sat cross-legged facing her. The normal mischievous grin was not there, but there was an odd playful resignation to him. “So… let’s chat, shall we?” he said with a small smile.

Ra’Ti, Tactical

She sat up, crossed-legged, in front of him, in difference to the space he seemed to be creating. She was miserable. Even more so than when she arrived on Risa a week ago, and she didn’t think that was possible. “You sound like I just told you I have to kill your dog.” There was no humor in the statement. How to say what needed to be said. “I told you I was lonely and grieving. You asked what would happen when my husband came back. He’s not, I told you that, but I wasn’t mourning the loss of my marriage. Even after two centuries, this time of year is hard for me. I’ll never get over the loss of my son. And yes, I was lonely because I was wallowing in the grief the anniversary reminds me of. I missed El, but to be fair, not because of him, but because he understands the grief and he shares it.”

Xam remained silent, but looked directly at her, listening to every word and watching her eyes looking at him.

“I told you I didn’t want to use you, but I let you convince me to go with you anyway. What I had thought would be a single night has turned into…” she paused and looked around the site and then back to his eyes, “Well, I haven’t lived as much in the last century as I have in this last week. That’s because of you. You’re a damn fine officer, and an even more incredible man. I’m still your captain though.”

And there it was. Xam visibly deflated just a bit. He didn’t disagree… he couldn’t. She was his CO. He was her direct report. She was a Captain. He was just a Lieutenant. Of course she would make that choice. More people depended on her than just him. And just because they had a fling doesn’t mean that she would choose everyone else over him. So.. fling it was.

She was rambling a bit, but everything she said was true. She was putting it off, for her sake more than his, but it had to be said. “I have to make those hard choices. Life or Death decisions and give people those orders. Whatever you decide, I don’t want you to think, if it ever comes down to it, that I want to give you an order like that, or I’m using it out of hurt feelings. If anything happens to you, by my order or happenstance, I’d stop breathing.” Her cheeks puffed out as she blew out a breath. “I didn’t expect to fall in love with you, Xam, but I did. But I’ll respect whatever you want to do.”

Cpt. Asam, CO

Silence. Xam stared at her, mouth open. His brain was suddenly a flood of static. Love? was the only phrase that his mind could hear over the white noise. She loves me? he thought. For almost a full minute he just stared at her, trying to come to terms with what she had said. Finally, he smiled and leaned forward and KISSED her, pushing her back on her back and almost attacking her in his sudden contact. He held her lips on his for a long time and then said “Rende… I love you too.” and he kissed her again.

She wasn’t sure she heard him right. It wasn’t what she was expecting, that was certain. She knew there had been genuine affection forming between them, but he had made it clear early on, that he didn’t do commitments, of any length. But Rende knew she had to tell him, the truth, whatever his reaction might be. No what ifs or uncertainties. The only thing she could do was smile against his lips as he kissed her again. The moment was heaven; who cared about needing to breathe?

It was several minutes later when he pulled back and said “You win.” and he grinned. “The moon. I won the whole moon.”

Ra’Ti, Chief Tactical Officer

She gazed up at him confused. She won, but he won the whole moon? Was he being poetic? Then she remembered their deal from days earlier. She laughed. “The whole moon? Why are you serving in Star Fleet?” She had one hand around his back and the other in his hair, but she went still and very serious. “So does this mean you aren’t resigning or asking for a transfer?”

Cpt. Asam, CO

He grinned at her and said “No, love… I’m with you wherever you go from here on.” and he kissed her again. “But as to why I’m in Star Fleet?” and he shrugged. “It’s a better prison than my other options.” and he smiled bigger. “And the guards are a lot sexier, too.”

Ra’Ti, Chief Tactical Officer

She cursed, quite elegantly, in Klingon and some other little known language, but the tone carried it all, about the machinations of Star Fleet brass. “I suppose I can’t be too disgusted though. It did land you on my ship. I will also be sure to let Lt Anders know what you think of his physique.”

Cpt. Asam, CO

“The only physique I’m interested in is yours.” he said with a grin. He then laid back a little, still looking at her. “So how are we gonna handle this? After all, like you said, you are the Captain.”

Ra’Ti, Chief Tactical Officer

He!! if she knew, but she was the captain. Which meant she had to have answers. “Officially the brass says it’s a bad idea, but they all do it, and look the other way until it causes embarrassment. I for one never subscribed to the idea that relationships between officers and crew is a bad thing. Makes for some interesting dynamics though.” She reached over and traced his face while she spoke. “I don’t really care what the brass thinks. However, I do care about it affecting the morale of the crew. It can be taken negatively or positively. Of course everyone knows about my first officer and my yeoman, so I’m not too worried there.”

Xam nodded and said “Got it. No swatting your ass in the passageway.” and he wiggled his eyebrows at her.

She stared at him for a long time. “When we are on duty, we’re on duty. We’re professionals. We both continue to follow protocol, chain of command, and regulation. Well for the most part.” She grinned. They were neither poster children from Star Fleet. “And then discretion is our new favorite word. I’m not suggesting we aren’t seen together in public. I am not ashamed if people find out, but that our public behavior is mature and responsible.”

Cpt. Asam, CO

He sat back and looked at her. “Um… about that. I’ve been accused of a lot of things. But ‘mature and responsible’ isn’t on that rather extensive list.” and he laughed softly. “I mean after all; you are looking at the party guilty of gluing that fart noise device under the auxiliary science console.” That particular prank had caused a member of the science department to almost pass out when it was triggered right when Asam came on the bridge once. “But I’ll do my best.” He would, of course, not do anything that was out of bounds… but she knew he would go *right up to * that line from time to time.

Ra’Ti, Tactical

She laughed, “Xam, if you stopped doing that stuff, the morale of the entire crew would collapse. I only mean between us. In other words no private interludes in what we hope is an abandoned corridor.”

Cpt. Asam, CO

“Well… the torpedo bay is always available. You happen to know a guy who has the keys.” he said with a grin. “And nobody likes it in there because I tend to put people to work tagging casings when they come in.”

Ra’Ti, Chief Tactical Officer

“Now see, that’s one of your most alluring traits. You always have the most inventive solutions.” She leaned in and kissed him, “I used to be a Tactical Officer. I don’t mind helping g tag casings.”

Cpt. Asam, CO

“Was that before or after muzzle-loading cannons?” he asked with a grin. Before she could answer, he leaned forward and kissed her, smiling the whole time. “Don’t worry. Older women are my weakness. And since I doubt I’ll meet anyone older, you have nothing to worry about.” and he kissed her again.

Ra’Ti, Chief Tactical Officer

“Hmmm I will just have to make sure you don’t run into any more of my species.” Her hand slid up his arm and into his hair. “To answer your question, it was during and after. I’ve got some black powder projectile weapons I can show you. We could retire on those alone.”

Xam smiled and said “Oh… I have a pension lined out.”

“Okay, so you asked me how we would handle this. I told you what I think. Now it’s your turn.”

Cpt. Asam, CO

Xam was quiet for a moment and then said “Well… neither one of is especially invested in what other people have to say. But then again, we can’t just flaunt it either. So how about we be discreet, but not hidden. No PDA on duty, no terms of endearment. Off duty, we just do our thing and let the chips fall where they may.” He thought a moment longer and then said “And we split time between our quarters. That way it keeps anyone from thinking I get special treatment because I am…” and he grinned wickedly, “… giving you special treatment.”

Ra’Ti, Tactical

“Oh, you’ll get special treatment, just not the kind that has any bearing on your on duty time. Except for making you need an extra pot of coffee or two.” She turned fully on her side, her feet tangling with his. “I can agree with all that. But there are other things than just regulations and service we should discuss.”

Cpt. Asam, CO

Xam’s eyes narrowed slightly and he said “Um… okay. Such as? I mean, I wasn’t lying when I said I love you. But if you are gonna start planning a wedding or some sh!+, we are probably going to have to reevaluate our immediate future.” and then he grinned at her.

Ra’Ti, Chief Tactical Officer

She shoved his shoulder gently and kissed him. “No, nothing like that.” She took a breath. “My species is empathic. I’m not very adept at it. Another sign of my misspent youth. But the longer we know each other, the more attached… involved we are, the better I will get at it. We also have a very limited form of telepathy.”

Cpt. Asam, CO

“Oh, okay.” Xam said as if she said the weather was nice. “I trust you, Rende.” he said. “I don’t think you’ll start digging around in my head without telling me. But is there anything else I should know?”

Ra’Ti, Chief Tactical Officer

“Well our telepathy doesn’t work that way. We can’t read thoughts. We can, in extreme circumstances, project an image of ourselves I to the mind of people we are close to. I’ve always thought of it as a type of telepathic SOS system.”

She shook her head, “No, I don’t think there is anything immediately needing discussion. You know how long I’ve lived, and about my colorful history. Well enough that you won’t be completely caught off guard by anything that comes up.”

Cpt. Asam, CO

Xam nodded and then his brow furrowed. He looked at her and said “Yeah… about that. You never really asked, and I never really talked about it… my life before Star Fleet. That may be a conversation we should have…”

Ra’Ti, Chief Tactical Officer

Rende nodded, “Well we didn’t really talk about mine either. Just quiet innuendo that we both understood. So let’s have that conversation now. While we are still away from the ship. We still have a night and most of a day right here.”

Cpt. Asam, CO

Xam grinned and said “Okay. Rock Paper Scissors to see who goes first?” he asked.

Ra’Ti, Chief Tactical Officer

“Sure, there seems to be a variation of that on every planet.” Rende held out her fist and in time with him, pumped it three times and went with paper.

Cpt. Asam, CO

Xam waited til her hand dropped and he leaned in and kissed her. “Fine. You win. Go ahead.” and he grinned and leaned back. “Regale me with all your dirty secrets. And no matter what, you can’t change my mind about you.”

Ra’Ti, Chief Tactical Officer

“I would hope not.” She rolled to her back, staring up through the transparent cover. “I was born stardate 1849102.3 in my homeworld of El-Auria. It is licated in the far side of the Beta quadrant, past Klingon space. My parents were very well off, I was taught by private tutors, and I was genuinely in need of nothing. Except things didn’t seem right to me. There was political and social strife on my planet that the government refused to see. Much to my parents displeasure I refused to listen and I joined the protests.”

“You see, not listening is considered a grave social sin amo g us. We call ourselves a race of listeners because that is how our empathy works. It means that we can “hear” the world like music. To us, every action and word vibrates with a specific resonance, and those most adept can further manipulate reality by finding and plucking the “right chord”. El-Aurian parents pride themselves on how well behaved their children are compared to other species. Because we always listen to what our parents say.”

“Finally, several large groups of us decided we could not stay and we left.” She shook her head, “Leaving did nothing to change it, we should have stayed and fought for change. But we were young and thought removing our presence would punish them.”

“The transport we were on was attacked by a roaving band of pirates. That is the beginning of how I became The Star Siren. One of the most notorious mercenaries in history.”

Cpt. Asam, CO

Xam took a breath. “Ok. So let me ask.you this. I mean, I’ve heard the stories, the folk tales. How the Siren once destroyed an entire Klingon fleet to protect a pre-warp world from being taken over. I also heard the stories about double-crossing an employer when offered a higher payout that resulted in the employer’s family being wiped out. So which one was your Siren? Merc with a heart of gold? Bloodthirsty killer only after the prize?” and he really looked at her. “Both?”

Ra’Ti, Chief Tactical Officer

“Both stories are true if you look at just the the events. We started out wanting to do right where at home things were wrong. Though we had to eat. We had parts for our ship to buy. Sometimes we took jobs just for the pay. We tried to be discerning. But the young think they know everything.” She looked at him, “and that employer, he and his family were the targets. We didn’t kill them, we collected the bounty. They were wanted alive and that is how we delivered them. They tried to stage a couple at the prison, and died in the fight.”

Cpt. Asam, CO

Xam held up his hands. “Hey. I am the last one in this hammock who has any kind of moral highground to judge. And even if I did, I wouldn’t.” There was a level of sincere honesty to his words that Rende could feel, even in their burgeoning connection. “I am not without my own past, and I’ll never hold yours against you. Deal?”

Ra’Ti, Chief Tactical Officer

She smiled at him, kissed him, and sighed a sound that was pure relaxation. “I never thought you would, Xam. I judge myself. There are things I should regret, but instead I could only learn from them. I won’t judge you either. I mean I took jobs that offered a bounty only if the person was dead. I did what needed to be done.” Okay so need was subjective, but still. “So, Deal, we won’t judge each other. Any other particular stories you want to know about? You said you studied our tactics. That’s a rather pretty feather in my cap, you know.”

Cpt. Asam, CO

Xam looked at her for a long time and then said “We’ll have plenty of time to share war stories, I’m sure.” he said. “I want to know about something else. Something… personal.” He smiled at her. “Tell me about the first non- El Aurian you ever had feelings for.”

Ra’Ti, Chief Tactical Officer