The Journey Begins

Posted on Tue Jul 28th, 2009 @ 3:04am by Lieutenant JG Drew O'Connell & Lieutenant Commander Kaylis Kirana

1,534 words; about a 8 minute read

Mission: Behind the Mask of Familiarity
Location: Starfleet Command - Flight Deck Twelve
Timeline: Three Days Ago

Drew walked behind his brother on the topmost flight deck. The brilliant blue sky was occasionally marred by puffy white clouds but the day was otherwise perfect. A duffel on his right shoulder weighed him down and I an had his own bag slung over his shoulder. Together they looked for the USS Covington, a long-range Starfleet transport. The tarmac smelled of baking tar in the California heat and waves of distortion rose off the ground, hazing out the numbered docks.

Of course, being one of only four long-range transports, The Covington wasn't that hard to find. Stepping up to the transport, one of the three crew approached. "Lieutenant O'Connell?"

"That's right," Drew said, removing his sunglasses and sliding them into the zippered top of his uniform jacket. He extended his hand as he asked, "And you are??"

With an easy smile and a reciprocal handshake, the crewman introduced himself. "Ensign Gold, sir. Flight crew. Can I take your bags?"

Drew handed his duffel to the man and watched as Ian did the same. As he carried the cargo back to the hold, the Covington's captain, a man sporting Starfleet Commander's pips approached. "Welcome to the Covington, Lieutenant. It's not every day we get a Starfleet celebrity aboard. Let me introduce myself, Commander Caleb Fields. I'll be captain on this flight."

"Commander," Drew said appreciatively. "Forgive me sir, but a 'celebrity'?"

"Well, you've not spent a lot of time in Starfleet's legal sector, Lieutenant, but Captain Corella Lange has ruined the career of many a Starfleet officer better than you. It's nice to see someone triumph over her for once, however short lived."

"You'll have to forgive me, Commander. Short lived?"

"Oh, Lange doesn't give up quite so easily. She may have stood there while your punishment was handed down with a dour expression and an upturned nose, but you can bet you haven't seen the last of her. She'll be watching for you to screw up and when you do, she'll be all over you like white on rice. Word of warning here, don't screw up...but then, you're not the only celebrity on this trip, we've got two more before the manifest is full."

Drew was aware that he wasn't the only member of the Rook's crew boarding the Covington, he had requested Devanani Ral's reassignement to his new team on the Archimedes. He couldn't help but wonder who the other member was.

"Ah," Commander Fields noted, "Here come the other two now."

Drew turned to see his Bajoran friend making her way across the tarmac. She was accompanied by someone Drew had not really wanted to see again. The Orion hybrid, Lieutenant Shalie Montgomery. With a sigh, he turned to Fields. "This trip just got a bit more interesting for you, I'd say."

Shalie walked along with Devan as they made thier way to the transport. She was relieved when she had recieved her new orders. She had been assigned as the Chief of Ops aboard the Archimedes and was excited for the change of pace. She had managed to keep herself busy but being planet side was never her favorite thing.

Shalie followed Devan onto the shuttle as they were both greeted by Commander Fields. The two women handed off their duffle to a member of the flight crew before turning to delve farther into the ship. It wasn't long before Shalie's luck ran out. Standing just back from the hatch was Drew O' Connell and his little brother. Shalie noted the genuine excitement in Devan as she too noticed thier ship mates. Of all the ships... Was Shalie's only thought as she approached the brothers. The idea to just pretend he wasn't there had come into her mind, but in the end she decided that would be childish. The last thing she wanted was O'Connell thinking she was some how uncomfortable with the current circumstances.

"Well, well, well...if it isn't Drew O'Connell." Shalie started smuggly. "We must have the worst luck...we just keep ending up in the same place." She added with a fake smile for good measure

"Worst luck?" Drew asked easily and with a brilliant smile. "I would have thought you might think of this as good luck, after all I did save your green hide once already." Drew clamped a hand on Ian's shoulder and led him towads the aft passenger quarters before Shalie could expose their one night fling.

Shalie rolled her eyes. "Well, see that is just the thing...bad things always happen when you're around..." Shalie said as she followed suit. Karma seemed to be working aginst her. First, she met Drew and now, just when she thought she was through with him, he was back and as annoying as ever.

Drew actually laughed at the newest twist of fate. As crewmates from the same ship, Starfleet had arranged transport for the four passengers to the Archimedes in the same quarters. Ian looked at his brother with a mixture of confusion and surprise.

"First, what was all that about? And second, why are you laughing?" Ian asked curiously.

In response Drew stopped laughing as Devan finally caught up. With the sudden realization they were all about to spend two miserable days together she sighed and entered the cabin wordlessly.

"This, little brother, just turned into a fun little trip. At least, I plan on making it that way..." Drew tapped the access code into the door and entered behind his brother.

Shalie gave an exasperated sigh. "Why me..." She said under her breath as she entered the quarters and slumped down into a chair. The one thing she hoped was that with Ian around Drew would at least behave himself...some what. Granted she wasn't counting on it. Over the last month Drew and Shalie annoying one another had become a past time for both. Always a contest to one up the other.

"Hello roomie!" Drew exclaimed as he crossed into the room. He knew Shalie had just about had her fill.

Ian, by virtue of age, decided he would follow suit. Flinging himself onto the couch, he kicked off his shoes and ordered in his Irish lilt, "Grab me a water would ya, love?"

Normally, Drew would have reprimanded the boy, but because of the nature of his obnoxiousness he let it go. With Ian on his side, they were poised to become the most annoying duo in the universe. Plopping down beside his brother, Drew ordered the same.

Shalie looked over at Drew and Ian keeping her amazement hidden. She sighed as she pushed herself out of the chair. She walked to the replicator and order three glasses of water as cold as she could get it. Once the glasses appeared she picked them up with ease and moved towards her chair. She set all three down. Leaving only one behind she took the other two glasses and headed for Drew and Ian. Feigning to trip over Ian's shoes she emptied the contents of both glasses onto Ian and Drew. "Oh damn..." She said fakely. She spun on her heels and headed back towards her chair. She couldn't help but laugh at the two brothers as she sat down and sipped at her glass.

Drew and Ian both shot up from their seats. Looking at his younger brother, Drew told him, "I think we earned that... Go get changed."

Once Ian had entered the bedroom off the communal space, Drew turned to his would-be roommate and conceded. "How about we call a truce. Two days. We can act like respectable adults that long, don't you think?"

"I think I can handle that" Shalie replied. "You step out of line and the truce is void." She added with a smile.

Drew nodded as he started to remove his wet jacket and shirt. When Shalie turned away abruptly, Drew couldn't help but jibe, "You've seen me in less, why so shy now?"

Shalie turned back towards Drew. She took the time to look him up and down again. Despite who it was she enjoyed the view. "It was merely for your comfort....I would hate for you to have another awkward moment." She smiled genuinely, "Because I must admit I do enjoy the view."

Drew was about to reply with a snappy retort but decided to hold his tongue in respect to their truce. The comm flared to life overhead, thankfully interrupting the awkward silence. =/= Attention crew and passengers, the Covington is prepared to depart Earth. Prepare for atmospheric maneuvers. =/=

Despite the best inertial dampers, atmospheric maneuvers on starships were often bumpier than not. Leaving their awkwardness behind, Drew excused himself to check on Ian and retrieve a towel.

Shalie sat in the chair as the ship lifted off. She was off to a new adventure with new people to meet. She retrieved a PADD from her bag and delved into one of her favorite book. Her mind sailed off to the land of Jane Austin as Mr. Darcy danced though her mind. And the journey begins...

 

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