Posted by Major General Charles Tenkiller (Vice-Commander, Colonial Customs and Defense Agency) in Sacred Heart Hospital Security Ward - Any Excuse Indeed
“Ok, Skip. I hear what you’re saying. But you gotta realize that my shi-“ “First off, it’s Major General Tenkiller, Captain.” the man seated behind the desk said. “Yes, we knew each other at the Academy. And yes, we’ve been friends for a long time. But right here? In this office? That means exactly jack and s#!t. I don’t care that I was at your wedding, Mark. Or your third one. What I do care about is that you think you were gonna parlay that relationship into me looking the other way while you tried to get out of paying your docking fees to colony. And that ain’t hap’nin. I mean, I’ll be honest with ya. You have one ship? I don’t mind doing a favor for a friend.” and he leaned forward. “Mark, you got over a dozen. What the heck is wrong with you thinkin’ I’d let ya pull somethin’ like that?” The man looked uncomfortable and Tenkiller leaned back. He glanced up at the chronometer on the wall and cussed. “You’re a lucky man, Mark. I gotta be somewhere in a few minutes, otherwise we’d be having a much longer talk. Now get out. And go pay your fees!” The man stood and said “Fine. I’ll be seeing you, Major General Tenkiller, sir.” Tenkiller glared a moment at him, and then smiled. “Go on, git.” and he smiled and stood up. “My best to Michelle.” The man stopped at the door and sighed. “Michelle was my fourth wife. I’m married to Belinda now.” Tenkiller nodded and said “Oh yeah, number six.” “Number eight. Dammit, Skip! Noa you know why I don’t invite you to dinner!” Tenkiller came around the desk and shooed the man out. “Yeah yeah yeah… do me favor and get me program. Can’t tell the players without a program.” and he closed the door in the man’s face. He turned and went to a low cabinet near the desk and pulled out a giant red heart filled with chocolates and a bouquet of flowers that was much less cliché and quite beautiful. Ignoring the looks of confusion, he walked to the transporter room and was soon standing in front of the security doors to the Secure Wing of Sacred Heart hospital. The CCDA guard standing at the door didn’t bat an eye. “General. Are you expected?” Tenkiller grinned and said “Absolutely not. Spot inspection.” The guard just nodded once and said “Of the Deltan nurse, sir?” and then he leaned in a bit and said “The nurses haven’t stopped talking about the two of you last night, boss. Be careful, it’s a high-risk environment, sir.” Tenkiller smiled and said quietly “Thanks for the warning. But here’s the trick when dealing with guard dogs. You feed ‘em, and they are your best friend.” and he patted the heart. The guard buzzed him in and he walked through the doors, eyes looking for Yavia.

Tenkiller

There was no Yavia in sight. However Shrine walked out of Harris’ room and just grinned. “Good morning General,” she singsonged, walked across the hall and knocked on the door to Holloway’s door, looked at Ilena through the window, “Called IT!” She cackled as she made her way down the hall. “Yaaaaviiiaaa you have a viiisiiitooor!”

The door buzzed behind him and the Jal’na appeared carrying a bunch of equipment, heading for Harris’ room. Yavia’s voice came from somewhere down the corridor near the small office spaces. “Shrine, I am NOT falling for that. All morning, every time that door opens. I am not going to come running for your amusement. And I know it’s not an intruder because you feel far too giddy for that. Now knock it off, I have to get these test orders put in.”

Jal’na set her equipment down and gave Tenkiller a long hungry once over and smiled. She walked down the corridor and peeked into the office. “I’m serious Yavia, I told you if you don’t want him, I am happy to take him off your hands.”

Yavia groaned, “Not you too. OUT. You have work to do, go do it. Go torture Harris instead.”

Yavia and the nurses