CH02: S [D06|0300] Game of Pawns
Chapter 02: Supplemental [ Day 06 | 0300 hrs. ] Game of Pawns
[ Lt. JG Alessia "Angel" Garcia & ENS James "Jimmy" Mariner | USS Theurgy | Vector 2 | Deck | Trying to Forget the situation in Sickbay | ]Attn: @Triage
The day had only just begun and already Jimmy was already wishing it would just end already. He'd spent every hour he could in Sickbay to be within sight of Meony while assisting with nonessential but necessary clean up of the recent violence aboard. Fortunately, Alessia was also there looking out for a wounded squadmate who was still unconscious and whom Alessia had given permission to have put into cryo-stasis if nothing could be done for the Tac Conn Ensign "Fury" Ferris. Alessia had taken her time to make peace, or at least a pledge to bring their friends home. It wasn't such a bad idea to do the same when he had a lull in the operation.
"Hey there, Luv. It's me. I know, compared to your hitchhiker, I'm not that big of a headache, but listen. These blueshirts here are gonna patch you right up, one hundred percent and then you're going to sit back up, put that hat on, repaint your fighter and get all sorts of even before the Borg muck things up. Then we'll talk about... that other thing." Jimmy held her hand and massaged her slim fragile fingers in his calloused and rugged grip that managed to be uniquely delicate when matched with hers. "An undisturbed holodeck shore-leave. I'm sure Capt. can give you that when we're out of this shithole nebula." Jimmy didn't often curse in Ancient-American, but did so when he was mocking (affectionately or otherwise) someone with their regional accents, he did so for emphasis. Unfortunately, the moment was cut short by a medical officer who shooed the Australian out before he could say that he loved her, but kissing the Redhead's hand was more than enough.
On his way out, Mariner noticed Garcia was waiting outside for him. "You and her, huh? Looks like it's a serious thing."
Jimmy just hung his head and sighed. "Where's the Mess on this Vector? Looks like the best chow was on V-3."
"We have chow in the lounge or in quarters. Holodecks are offline, so none of your cowboy holodeck cookouts."
"It's called 'outback steakhouse'," He corrected, "But thanks for the homesickness." Jimmy smirked an inch, showing his sarcasm. "Though now that you mention it, I'm getting that to start the day. There's just one fella I gotta check in on."
[ Deck 7 ]
"That's..." Alessia pointedly raised an eyebrow when she met Sharky for the first time, who could hardly contain himself from making all matter of sounds that convey happiness and excitement for energetic canines. "Quite the 'fella'-- Ai! Cuidado!<Hey! Careful! Watch it!>" Angel was surprised and caught off guard when Sharky jumped up on Alessia and put his paws on her uniform before she hesitantly pet him and smiled. "People and their pets. He's cute, but he smells." came her reply, though she was clearly amused at the sight of Jimmy briefly horsing around with the large pit bull.
"He's mine and Meony's. No resemblance. And no resemblance because he's not our biological kid, just someone we brought aboard Resolve before we were adrift for 3 years. Named him Sharky, because of his winning smile and keen nose." Jimmy proudly claimed, roughing up Sharky's scalp affectionately.
"And because you collect MACO regalia and patches. And Because..." Alessia knew Jimmy was one to brag about his ancestors' participation in that organization that his father instilled in him. Jimmy interjected before she could deflate him.
"I'm fond of history and extreme sports, if that's what you mean, aye." Jimmy wondered to her as he secured Sharky's leash and harness as the pooch happily wagged his tail and reared up his front, seemingly eager to get out of the zoological lab. Once that was secure, Sharky again smelled Alessia, looking for treats in her hands, which the Latina stepped away from, uttering something in her native language. "How cute. He likes you."
"If he hugs my leg, I'm going to....!" Her look was intercepted by an inquisitive head tilt when Sharky sat down and seemed to smile at her. Angel couldn't help but be charmed. She knelt and spoke to him face to face. "Hey, big guy. You a Taco fan?" The smiling dog barked in her face. She stood up, indignantly. "Well, Sten will have my ass if we take the furball to the pilots' lounge and I'm not having that thing--…. that … fella-- in my quarters."
[ Later, James Mariners' Quarters. ]
Someone had done room service here from the last time Jimmy was here. It was clear the quarters were shared, given the mix of decorations, sports posters, photographs and Models. Alessia, in her White-collared uniform looked at a few of the decorations and decorum of moments that highlighted Jimmy's and Meony's moments either together or in their careers.
"Those were the days." Alessia spotted a group photo with the USS Hornet's Dedication plaque, which included herself in a red collar and Ensign pip next to a half-smiling Leon with his arm around her shoulder. "Dance like a butterfly..."
"Sting like a bee." Jimmy said simultaneously, fondly recalling that ship's motto. On one bookshelf was a model of the Hornet and every major support craft she had employed during the war nearby it. "Leon deserved that ship." Mariner grumbled as he made his way to the replicator for some Andorian Kathetka coffee.
"Two." Alessia requested a second mug, glancing along more of Mariner's photographs. "He was going to take a shore leave.... with me... then I would've gone with him wherever he went." Anywhere indeed. "Orcus Killed your captain on Captain Slayton's orders." Alessia turned to face him, her expression neutral but direct. "That's why I defected. I didn't sign up for killing our own people, our own ships" Alessia sighed as she wondered what the Federation would do to her family in reprisal. Hurt the families of the crews to gain leverage on them. That thought frightened Angel as she looked out to the Azure Nebula, momentarily distracted by Sharky making himself at home on the sofa.
Jimmy approached and handed her the Andorian coffee, and shrugged. That was the end of the topic as he clinked glasses. "To absent friends."
"And may we find the missing." Alessia chanted the second half of that toast before they each drank. A moment passed as Jimmy's gaze fell on the centerpiece of the breakfast table: Jimmy and Meony piloting a Type-8 shuttle together and having a happy moment as the craft swung around the Resolve for a selfie. "Look. It's going to be a long day for a lot of us. This might just be the only break we'll probably get to relax and eat. I'd rather not think about missing or fallen. Yet."
"I would be a bloody indecent host if I didn't show you the menu, Left--- Loo-- Lieutenant." It seemed to hurt his ego to call his friend by her rank as she liked it, but she was his best mate's lady and a fellow boot on the ground during the Dom War. "I can have something ready in about 10 if I get creative with yonder replicator. Meanwhile though: I just gotta ask. You still carnivorous?"
"That's like asking if you still think you can play chess." It wasn't an affirmation. It was a challenge. The look on her dark eyes matched a challenging sneer.
Roughly 10 minutes later, the office area had a screen-spanning depiction of a timeless board game brought to life by depictions of Federation vessels in place of their tokens of royalty, nobility and military figurines of medieval representation. Pawns, according to this game's designer were depicted by shuttles, though for the contrasting colors of Alessia's little army, she seemed to favor her dear Peregrines as the first line of attack as she chose the darker-hulled vessels for her chess pieces. Larger ships such as Intrepids and Galaxies were the bishops and knights, while the Nebula's trademark saucer landed it as the figurehead for the rooks. Jimmy laughed to himself when it was the Typhon-class that was the chess king piece, unsurprisingly alongside a Theurgy-class as the Queen. How fitting.
"A game for kings and admirals." Jimmy momentarily exaggerated his Australian accent.
"And queens and commanders." Alessia smiled. During those 10 minutes, Alessia couldn't help but involve herself in teaching Jimmy a thing or two about ingredients to impress a lady. Meony was a mutual friend and knowing Jimmy, felt the two made a cute pair. The least she could do was pre-prepare the ingredients of a hearty steak salad with rice, guacamole and beans and the right amount of salsa (a recipe she'd memorized as a girl and served up for years). The ensuing fireworks display of contending chess pieces drew as many pained whoops that were blamed on the spiciness of the salsa. Between those and Alessia's satisfied remarks each time she claimed a piece, it was a wonder they heard someone chiming at the door.
"Come in!" Jimmy announced, wondering who it was. Ensign Cameron Henshaw, the Captain's Yeoman and the officer liaising with the bridge and the Squadron. Jimmy hadn't met her but had almost mistaken her for Meony, or at least a sister or relative when he first spotted her file. "G'day, Ensign. Skipper mentioned you might want a word with me at some point. Lt. Garcia and I were just having a breakfast before starting early. Care to join?" Mariner mentioned nothing about the unfolding battle before them, complete with 'weapons fire' depicting one piece claiming another or moved across the board.
After Alessia claimed one of Mariner's three remaining pawns, it was Jimmy's move, and his lead pawn was almost behind enemy lines, meaning it could become a queen-- a Theurgy and corner Alessia's Typhon King piece, despite her formidable line of hard-hitting pieces cornering Jimmy's own homerow, forcing his Typhon to get out into the open. Fortunately, however, he made the right call on a gamble on waiting another turn before his piece could be crowned. Queens Rook takes King's Bishop. as he did, Sacrifice one piece for another, which gave Alessia some pause.
"Ensign." She greeted Henshaw with a smile and a nod. This girl helped her and the remaining wolves escape, but hadn't met her face to face to thank her for that, at least with an invitation to breakfast and to perhaps apply her analytical mnd toward this seemingly mundante mental sport. "Will you be staying long? We've got enough for another guest.[/i][/color][/b]