Speaking with Raptor Lady

Posted on Tue Oct 5th, 2021 @ 3:25pm by Micheal Robertson & Jinx Jorasco

Mission: Mission 14: Holoworld
Location: SS Mary Rose, Main Science Lab
Timeline: TBD
2073 words - 4.1 OF Standard Post Measure

Moving on to the next department head, Micheal made his way down to the science labs, located on the port aft quarter of the saucer.

As he entered the lab, he could hear energetic conversations being had over by one of the long tables which held several different pieces of equipment.

The energetic conversation seemed to be one-sided, a feminine voice, and when Michael rounded the table, he saw a red haired young woman with green eyes and freckles over her nose sitting on a high chair at one of the scanners.

And she couldn’t be more than three feet tall -- shorter, actually -- about half the height of a normal person, though proportionately built, and perhaps a bit buxom. A black tribal tattoo traced along the left side of her face, framing the outer edge of the eye and the upper cheek, some kind of winged creature, and a blue line drawn on the right cheek.

The tiny woman was talking to a small, cat-sized dinosaur with a purple tint to its scales and a single oversized claw on each foot. The raptor spotted Michael and froze, going low to the ground and hissing at him.

Micheal raised his hands in surrender. "Easy, girl," he said softly. "It's just me, big friend." He slowly reached into his right breast pocket and pulled out a few bits of raw steak, wrapped up in plastic. "You want your treats?"

Jinx jumped a bit, startled, and spun around on her seat. “Zambi! Behave!” she ordered the small raptor.

Zambi clacked her tongue, mouth opening revealing sharp teeth at the sight of the meat.

Jinx chuckled and looked at Michael. “You know the way to a girl’s heart, apparently,” she said with amusement. “Can I help you?” she asked, brushing a lock of red hair from her freckled face.

Grinning, Micheal moved to an empty seat next to Jinx, unwrapping the bits of meat and tossing them, one at a time, to Zambi. "Well, as I am from Texas, I was raised to be a gentleman." He looked around and saw that there were several junior scientists within earshot. "Can we talk in private?" he asked in a hushed voice.

“Oh, uh, sure,” Jinx said. “I do have an office. This is a big ship.” The tiny woman reached for the chair controls and lowered it to the ground until her feet could reach the floor and stood up.

Zambi fell in obediently beside the small woman, though the raptor kept an eye on Michael in case there were more treats.

The office was done differently than the rest of the science section. Everything was lower. The desk and the chair and even a sofa looked like they were made for kindergarten children -- or aliens the size of kindergarten children. There were two normal size chairs, though, that Michael could choose.

“Can I get you anything?” Jinx offered, indicating the replicator and a stasis chiller near it.

Micheal shrugged. "May I please have a raktajino, double sweet?" He then pulled another slip of steak out and tossed it to Zambi. "Forgive me for asking, so long as nothing untoward occurs, and she stays as healthy as possible, how long should Zambi live?"

“About twenty years, if cared for,” Jinx said. “More like ten or fifteen in the wild.” She went to the replicator and ordered the raktajino. She got a bowl of water and set it on the floor for Zambi, and an sassafras tea for herself.

Micheal thanked her with a warm smile. He then took a long sip of his coffee. "Man, that really hits the spot right now." Looking over at Jinx, he thought to himself again just how many attractive women there were on Rosie. Then he kicked himself for thinking that way. The woman he loved was in stasis, on the verge of death. He shouldn't be thinking about how attractive other women were!

Without realizing it, the internal struggle crossed his face as he sat there.

Jinx saw the expression flicker over Michael’s face as she sipped her tea. “What’s wrong?” she asked him gently.

Micheal made a face of regret as he replied, "Sorry, it's just..." He let out a small sigh. "Please don't think I'm a schmuck. When I looked at you just now, I had a thought of how many attractive women there are on Rosie." He paused a beat before continuing, "Last time I had that thought was the day I met Di, the woman I now love, and who is currently in stasis while being on death's doorstep. I felt bad having the thought, of thinking how attractive you are, because, it feels like I'm being unfaithful to her.'' He shook his head and growled softly. "I'm being an idiot. Forget I said anything."

Though he did feel as if he was doing something wrong, there was something about Jinx that made him feel...something. Was it her smile, those eyes, her flame red hair? He always had a weakness for redheads.

“There are a lot of attractive females on this ship,” Jinx had to agree. She blushed a bit when Michael included her in the list. “I don’t think you are being unfaithful to Dixoho. But then my people have different views of that than Humans,” the Kisongo admitted. “I...I’m just surprised a Human would consider me attractive,” she admitted, remembering Angel’s rejection of her. That being said, she was still a bit surprised that she had found the Human attractive, as well. At first she had assumed it was because of the body swapping, but she wasn’t so sure about that now.

Micheal gave her a slightly confused look. "Why wouldn't I think that? You are an attractive, intelligent woman. Anyone would be lucky to be with you, be they Human, Klingon, or any other species.'' He then took a beat and added, "And thank you for not thinking me unfaithful. I know I've been gone a long time and my relationship with Di is fragile at the moment. I still love her with every fiber of my being. The thought of finding a way back to her was what kept me alive when I was trapped in the Andromeda Galaxy this past year."

“My people don’t have any history of such relationships with other species,” she admitted. “I admit to being...intrigued at how that would work out,” she said, reddening. “But we understand what a male needs, and that another woman may provide it when the preferred one cannot,” the little Kisongo said. “Is...that what you are asking for?” she asked, brushing back her red hair and tilting her head a bit, looking at him quizzically.

In a moment, Micheal was blushing as red as Jinx's locks. "Oh. Uh...I, uh..." he stammered, embarrassment filling his face. "That's...uh...not what I meant..." He took a breath and tried to calm down. "While I am flattered by what I think was an offer. Believe me, I am. I just...I can't do that to Di. When a Texan loves someone, they love that person with everything they have." He paused again, suddenly worried. "I...I hope I haven't insulted you in any way!"

“Oh! I...um, no,” Jinx said, that rejection feeling emerging again. “I...was just trying to help.” She looked down at her tea, fiddling with the cup in her small hands. “I didn’t mean to imply anything about what you feel for Dixoho.”

Realizing that his reaction was too strong, Micheal put his coffee down and moved over to where Jinx sat. Kneeling down, he leaned in and gently kissed her on her cheek. He then sat back on his knees. "I'm sorry. My head is still a bit messed up from my return, then with everything that has happened in such a short time. I meant no insult to you, Jinx. Another place and time, I'd be honored to have you by my side. I hope...I hope this...misunderstanding, doesn't hurt our friendship." His face and voice expressed full honesty in his words.

Jinx smiled. “It’s fine,” she said. “Humans are just weird. Like I said, I don’t even know how it would work.” She laughed a bit.

Micheal couldn't help but fall back on his butt, laughing aloud. "I have been called many things by other races, Jinx. This is certainly the first time I've been called weird before." Still chuckling, he stood back up and sat back in his chair. "And as for the how," he shrugged. "Life usually finds a way. There was a time when it was thought impossible for Vulcans and Humans to interbreed. Hell, ask Cassie." He suddenly realized that they had gone way off topic for why he had come by.

"Anyway, that's a discussion for another time. I actually had something ship related to speak about with you."

“Oh, yes. Of course!” Jinx said, chuckling herself. Vulcans and Humans were at least the same size, but the small Kisongo pushed that out of her head. “What did you need?”

"Well, I need you thoughts on a certain matter," Micheal began, "regarding Rosie. How do you feel we are doing, by ourselves, out here."

Jinx considered, and shrugged. “I’m not in an Orion slave auction,” she said. “That’s a positive on my end. I’ve only been a member of the crew less than a year, though. But we’re still flying,” the tiny alien said. “That seems pretty good all the way out here. We’ve gotten out of a few scrapes.”

"True," Micheal conceded. "However, there have been a few scrapes that required help to get out of." He paused a beat before continuing. "What's your opinion on the Fenris Rangers?"

Jinx shrugged. “Never knew about them before all this,” she admitted. “Not from around here.” She smiled at Michael. “They weren’t operating on my side of the Empire, really. They seemed like good folk, though, helping those refugees out. Brave, too, flying right into that old minefield after us.”

"Well," Micheal said, "there is a discussion upstairs about the possibility of joining them. How would you feel about that?"

“From what I’ve seen, seems like it would be okay,” Jinx said. “I didn’t know they were hiring, or how that works. They have a job for us?”

Micheal shook his head slowly. "Less of a job, more of a joining for the mutual benefit of both parties."

“Okay,” Jinx said. “Are we providing logistics or something? Supplies?”

"As we are in need of offensive and defensive upgrades, I'd say we would be in more of a support role. Hauling supplies, personnel, maybe act as a listening post."

“That shouldn’t be too difficult,” Jinx said. “And we can certainly keep our ears to the ground during our other jobs and pass along information. The upgrades will be nice.” The small alien woman considered what had happened with the pirates. “Angel will be happy to have them.”

"As will I," Micheal said with a chuckle. "If we could upgrade the offensive and defensive systems two generations, I'd be happy. Three? I'd be ecstatic.' He chuckled again, reveling slightly in that particular pipe dream. "So, your opinion is yes, we should join?"

“Sure!” Jinx said. “I mean, not my decision, and it’s not like anyone will force us.” She shrugged. “If it doesn’t work out, we can always leave.”

Smiling, Micheal nodded. "Very true." Another department head on the yes column. "Well, I won't keep you from your work any more. I must ask that, until a decision is made, please don't discuss this with your staff?"

Jinx nodded. “Okay,” she said. “Not a word.” She smiled at Michael. “And don’t be afraid to stop by,” she told him.

Standing, Micheal smiled down at the petite woman. “Thank you, and I will." He paused and said, "And thank you, for...you know, the other discussion. It helped." Pulling one more piece of raw meat from the baggie he was carrying, he tossed it to Zambi. "You be a good girl now, Zambi, and I'll get you a big rib steak next time." He gave Jinx another warm grin and left her office.

One more senior staff member to see.