Posted by Commander David Morris (Commanding Officer) in Simon’s Shenanigans

Posted by Civilian Sisnil Zoi (Intelligence Consultant) in Simon’s Shenanigans

Posted by Commander David Morris (Commanding Officer) in Simon’s Shenanigans
Posted by… suppressed (59) by the Post Ghost! 👻
David sighed, standing on the upper level of engineering. He’d finally beaten most of the paperwork and was just about to sit back and read when the call had come in. “Sir? There’s a…cat? Trying to get at the warp core?” David had just shaken his head and taken the turbolift down a couple decks. Sure enough, Sisnil’s cat - he hadn’t gotten the name yet - had somehow made his way into Main Engineering and was now batting at the pulsing light, surrounded by a gaggle of engineers. =/\= “Morris to Zoi. Can you come to Engineering, please?” =/\= His tone was slightly annoyed, of course, but more amused and disappointed at the same time.

Commander David Morris
Commanding Officer

A couple of moments passed, and then Sisnil showed up in Engineering. “I was harness training him and well, he slipped out of it and went straight for the jeffries tubes,” he explained. “Where’d he go anyway?” He asked. As he said it, Simon started to play with some very sensitive wiring.

~ Zoi

David looked right past Sisnil, directly at the kitten, and switched abruptly into his command tone. “No,” he directed, “do not play with that. No.”

Commander David Morris
Commanding Officer

The kitten gleefully ignored David and flopped onto his back, pawing at the same thing. Sisnil turned and looked. “Simon! Simon, not those ones.” It was Sisnil’s voice that caused the kitten to look up and go Mew?

~ Zoi

David smiled and motioned Sisnil to walk with him down to the main level. “I hadn’t gotten to ask you about the name - Simon?”

Commander David Morris
Commanding Officer

“Ever heard of Simon and Garfunkel? Weren’t they popular on Earth?” Sisnil said as he followed David. It wasn’t the real origin of the name but a deflection. “Wrote Sound of Silence, they did.” He commented. “Now Simon,” he greeted the kitten as they drew closer. “Unfortunately I have to care a little about that wire, because without it we won’t be flying very far.”

~ Zoi

David lowered to be more on-level with Simon. “Hello! I’m sure we have some spares you could play with though.” He extended one hand towards the kitten, letting him sniff at it before moving closer.

Commander David Morris
Commanding Officer

Simon sniffed, and then playfully munched down on the end of his finger, tiny needle like teeth digging into his skin as Simon’s long tail waved playfully.

~ Zoi

David winced but stayed still, letting Simon become bored and release his finger of his own accord. He shot Sisnil a meaningful glance but otherwise stayed focused on the kitten in front of him.

Commander David Morris
Commanding Officer

Sisnil grinned and shrugged. David could handle a little tiny kitten bite. He reached carefully into the area and picked up the kitten, who struggled and swatted at his hands, cradling the little cat in his arms. “What did we say about wandering off, Simon? We don’t do that, do we?” He said in a cutesy animal voice. He looked at David, “Biting Starfleet Captains though.... that I can get behind.”

~ Zoi

David grinned back at him. By this point, the taunts were mostly playful on Sisnil’s part, as much as he would likely deny it. “No, Simon, we don’t bite anyone unless they’re trying to hurt our family, so we?”

Commander David Morris
Commanding Officer

The kitten mewed playfully at David’s words. Sisnil shrugged, “Does in the future count?” He asked. He slipped the kitten’s little harness back over his head and tightened it down. Then he set Simon down, leashed. “There. No more slipping away.”

~ Zoi

“Well, given the future isn’t set in stone, no.” David shifted to fully pay attention to Sisnil now. “We really haven’t met as much as I intended we would - now’s as good a time. Are you integrating into the crew well enough?”

Commander David Morris
Commanding Officer

Sisnil seemed uncomfortable for a split second before he changed and smiled. “Well, integrate isn’t the word I’d use…” No, between Stephens and his preference of interacting with the crew as little as possible, he more or less only spoke to Dradvia, “but it’s fine, honestly.” he said with a nonchalant shrug.

~ Zoi

He pushed himself to his feet and motioned Sisnil to follow away from the heart of engineering. “I seriously doubt that. What trouble have you been running into?”

Commander David Morris
Commanding Officer

Sisnil lingered for a moment, then followed David. “What trouble do you expect me to run into?” He asked guardedly. Old Syndicate instincts - never admit to trouble.

~ Zoi

“My first guess would be interpersonal issues with some crew members, followed by self-isolation due to trust issues and loneliness. Am I right?”

Commander David Morris
Commanding Officer

“What would make you think that? Has someone said something to you about me?” Sisnil asked carefully. There were those trust issues. Not to mention a desire to hide vulnerability.

~ Zoi

“Sisnil, you keep insisting on forgetting that I was trained as a counselor and again as an intel commander. I can read people pretty well. No, nobody’s brought it up, at least not to where it crossed my desk.”

Commander David Morris
Commanding Officer

“You can estimate fairly well based on body language, facial expressions,” Sisnil said. “But you can’t know for sure. And if I wanted to I could know precisely what you know.” He shook his head, “but that’s not the discussion we’re having, is it?”

~ Zoi

“No, it’s not. So, based on your reaction, I’ll assume I was right. What do you need from me to start to remedy that?”

Commander David Morris
Commanding Officer

“Assuming there is a problem to be remedied, what exactly do you expect to do about it? These aren’t exactly ‘my quarters is on the wrong side of the ship’ type problems.” Sisnil said.

~ Zoi

“For the first issue, if there’s any particular perpetrators that are refusing to let you fit in, I or Alita can deal with it directly. As for the second, there isn’t a lot I can do without shirking my duties as a CO, but Dr. Tessan absolutely could. We could also work together to figure out how to ease your transition into the crew - is there anyone you get along with so far?”

Commander David Morris
Commanding Officer

“I’m no rat,” Sisnil said firmly. “And just Dee-Dradvia.” He shrugged, “I’m fine, David. I don’t need a shrink.”

~ Zoi

“You’re not, as far as I can tell, a danger to yourself or anyone else, so I have no reason to order you to talk to Tealor. I recommend you do, but we both know that won’t happen.” He chuckled ruefully. “And as far as not ratting anyone out, I’ll respect that, but I would be fair. As much as I believe that most in the fleet uphold our ideals, I know full well it’s not always true. That’s my job, to address it when people fall short.” He paused, then smiled again, evidently content to let that rest. “Dradvia? She’s a…” he paused, scanning through his mental list of personnel. In a less guarded moment, Sisnil caught the thought process - David had a habit of making sure he knew at least the names of everyone under his command, and had evidently been fastidious about it since news of an upcoming mission where they might lose people. “Ensign, Medical, right?”

Commander David Morris
Commanding Officer

Through David’s thought process, Sisnil learned a few names. Not that he needed that, he already had given himself access to the personnel logs and files. But it could come in handy. “That’s right.” He confirmed. “The Risan, about my height. She was at that welcome party. In fact, she’s the only reason I went. She asked me to.”

~ Zoi
“I haven’t gotten to meet her yet, but I’m glad you at least have someone else to talk to, especially one who’s also a doctor.” David walked through the door to exit Engineering, into the narrow hallway leading to the turbolift.

Commander David Morris
Commanding Officer

Coming around the curve of the corridor was Stevens. He was built more like a bouncer or old time mechanic than a fleet engineer. 6 foot, broad, muscular, and recently with a permanent scowl rather than his charming smile that all ladies loved. Well all but one and it was irritating him.

He saw the major obstacle to fixing that in the corridor with a cat. The man intimidated him, but he was in a more foul mood than usual. “What are you doing, Zoi?” he sneered. “You don’t belong in engineering and certainly not with that animal. What? Was one pet,” he actually spit, referring to Dradvia, “not enough for you?” He stalked toward Zoi, unaware of his companion for the moment.

Ens. Dradvia, Medical Officer

“Ah, my favourite… engineer, apparently,” Sisnil responded dryly. “Simon is better behaved than you are, so watch your tongue. If we weren’t here… in the presence that we are, calling Dradvia that would have… consequences.”

~ Zoi

Stevens scoffed. Pure bravado and self inflated bruised ego. “Really? Funny how your mind went directly to her.” He bit back the retort as someone else moved.

Said current company stepped lightly around the corner, his body language instantly cooler (though still friendly, given he was an Intel CO). “Ensign Stevens. Please don’t refer to anyone on this crew in that fashion, and Mr. Zoi is here by my direct request. Simon here was pretending he was an engineer himself.” David laughed, though his eyes still held the much icier look than most people ever got from him.

Commander David Morris
Commanding Officer

Stevens eyes widened and he came to attention. The respect was genuine. This was his Captain and Cmdr Morris knew his name. “My apologies, Sir.” This could be good news. The captain looked unimpressed, but if he did this right. “I was unaware you were already handling his unauthorized access. I am honestly just glad to see he’s not stalking our medical personnel.” His eyes darted past them, or was Zoi following Dradvia? No, she was in sickbay, he’d seen her there.

Ens. Dradvia, Medical Officer

David sighed internally. No ratting out indeed, Sisnil? Externally, he maintained the slighty detached, cool mask. “Stalking, ensign? Has there been an incident I didn’t hear about?”

Commander David Morris
Commanding Officer

“No, David, there hasn’t. Stevens, here, is going to stay away.” With that, he shot Stevens an intimidating glare. “As for unauthorised access, well, you called me here yourself, didn’t you, Captain?“

~ Zoi

“Sisnil, he is assigned to work here,” David countered. “And yes, I did request that you come down here directly.”

Commander David Morris
Commanding Officer

Stevens took a slight step back. Then decided he didn’t need to be intimidated. Yet he still was. “Yes, Sir there has,” Stephens said pointedly looking at Morris. “I’m not surprised you haven’t heard, Sir. Drad…via, Ensign Dradvia, that is, she’s too afraid to say anything. Mr. Zoi,” he thrust his chin towards Sisnil, “never leaves her alone. He doesn’t allow her to socialize with others, he ‘escorts’ her everywhere, he isolates her away from everyone in the lounge, and he is aggressive towards anyone that tries to speak with her. I’ve tried to make her understand we can help her, but she won’t even talk when he’s around.” That wasn’t quite true. Dradvia had told him to leave her aline, but he knew that was only because that was what Zoi told her to do.

Ens. Dradvia, Medical Officer

“You’re a creep who can’t take a hint, simple as that,” Sisnil said easily. “Even worse that when you didn’t get your way you resorted to putting her down and calling her names.” He stared down Stephens, “Even I don’t do that.”

~ Zoi

Stevens pounced on that, “You admit your behavior is inappropriate.”

Sisnil ignored him.

“I assure you, I’ll look into it with all the diligence it deserves,” David stated, shooting a brief warning glance at Sisnil before this got out of hand. “I haven’t gotten to speak with you much, Stevens. How are you finding life on board?”

Commander David Morris
Commanding Officer

Stevens saw the look Morris shot Zoi and grinned like an evil Cheshire cat. “Quite well, Sir. Being ship side is everything I hoped it would be.” He added on fake sincerity, “I just hope that En. Dradvia will find it as fulfilling. It’s so hard to settle in to a new place without adding unwanted complications.”

Ens. Dradvia, Medical Officer
“Indeed,” David agreed quietly and non-committally.

“Ugh, you’re so fake you may as well be an android.” Sisnil scoffed, unable to take it anymore. “If I’m forced to sit here and feel your insincerity much longer I might just drown in it.”

~ Zoi

“Let’s take that as our cue then,” David suggested. “I wouldn’t want to keep you from Lt. Lovejoy, Ensign. If there’s nothing else?”

Commander David Morris
Commanding Officer

“No Sir. I am relieved you are handling this unpleasant situation. It should never have happened.” He took his dismissal, throwing Zoi a smug look. He almost shoulder checked Zoi, but decided at the last minute he didn’t want to cross punched with the man.

Ens. Dradvia, Medical Officer

Sisnil didn’t miss the intention or the motion of his body that changed at the last moment. “I dare you to do it, Stevens, I’d love the excuse to teach you a lesson.” He said, his first direct threat.

~ Zoi

Stevens got away with a lot due to his size and bulk. Zoi was a short small man by comparison. The direct threat and absolute confidence and the look on Zoi’s eyes made him step back quick. Stevens wasn’t sure what to do. He didn’t like Zoi and his competition. It hurt his pride and his ego to know he would lose. But he didn’t relish getting injured. Then again… Dradvia would see what Zoi was really like, and he would be alone in sickbay with her. It would be worth it.

“You’ll get treated by Tessan.” Sisnil commented in response to his thoughts.

David stepped directly between the two. “No need for it, Sisnil. Shall we be on our way?” It was very much a direction phrased as a question.

Commander David Morris
Commanding Officer

Stevens wouldn’t defy a direct order. He smirked at Zoi again. Another time. He hurried off to Engineering.

Ens. Dradvia, Medical Officer

Sisnil didn’t like being ordered about. He watched Stevens hurry off and then shook his head and looked at David. “Where were we headed?”

~ Zoi

“Anywhere where we can talk alone,” David said. “You may be many things, Sisnil, but a stalker is not one, I expect. I can ask Ensign Dradvia whenever I encounter her next, but I tend to trust you over Stephens - he’s been a problem child for our past three chief engineers.”

Commander David Morris
Commanding Officer

Sisnil seemed surprised. “You’d trust a Syndicate criminal over a problem child Starfleet officer?” He asked, heading down the corridor. “Lead the way, David.”

~ Zoi

“So,” David asked, leading on through the corridors, “How have your day-to-day tasks been? I haven’t been able to keep as close an eye as I hoped on that.”

Commander David Morris
Commanding Officer

“Boring, I feel like an errand boy or butler,” Sisnil said. Not trained in anything else, there wasn’t much for the ship he could do. Basic engineering mechanically he could do, but he was really mostly useful on the electronic side of things. “I’m sure if anyone had a problem with me you’d hear about it.”

~ Zoi

“Oh, I agree,” David laughed. “Would you rather have more off time or just boring tasks until we get a mission? I’m hoping one will come in any time.”

Commander David Morris
Commanding Officer

“Off time,” Sisnil answered. “I’m no one’s butler. Besides, that gives me time to work on personal projects and train Simon.”

~ Zoi

“Done,” David said. “Contrary to what you seem to think, I really would like you to be as comfortable and happy as possible here.”

Commander David Morris
Commanding Officer

“I don’t think you want me to hate it,” Sisnil replied, “I think you’re a threat to me.”

~ Zoi

David raised an eyebrow. “Oh? Aside from the fact I caught you in the first place, why?”

Commander David Morris
Commanding Officer

“Your first duty is and always will be, to Starfleet. If my interests and Starfleet’s don’t align I would expect you to do your duty. Making you a potential threat to me.” Sisnil explained.

~ Zoi

“My first duty is to my moral code and ideals,” David countered. “My second is to Starfleet. If the two come into unsolvable conflict, I’ll pick my morals every time. You are right that if you were acting against Starfleet’s standing directives and not because of a moral supersedence, I would have to try to stop you, but that would be true no matter who you were. Even if you were my first officer or my commanding officer.”

Commander David Morris
Commanding Officer

“Admirable, to be sure, but not good enough.” Sisnil replied. The Syndicate believed in absolute loyalty and Sisnil had been deeply entrenched for the better part of a decade. “I can respect a man who stands by his morals, David.” Sisnil refused to call him by his rank. “But that doesn’t mean I can trust him. Unless of course, his morals include loyalty.”

~ Zoi

“I don’t expect you to fully trust me - you should know by now I’m loyal to my crew above myself, or at least try to be - but I do want you to try to trust me enough to work together.”

Commander David Morris
Commanding Officer

“That’s yet to be seen. To be tested.” Sisnil replied smoothly. “It’s one thing to say it. It’s another entirely to prove it.” Sisnil looked him in the eye. “My trust is earned.“

~ Zoi

“Fair enough,” David conceded. “Although I hope we never have to prove it.

Commander David Morris
Commanding Officer

“For a ship captain, you are quite naive,” Sisnil commented. “By nature of our affiliation, the day will come.”

~ Zoi

“Optimistic, not naive.” He smiled. “I know it’s always a possibility, but there’s always a chance it won’t happen too. And don’t think I’ve forgotten your brother and crew - if I can find a way to let you get a message to them, I will.”

Commander David Morris
Commanding Officer

“Yeah, sure,” Sisnil said. “A message with a side of Federation police? No thanks.”

~ Zoi