Will You Survive Being XO?

Posted on Fri Jul 1st, 2022 @ 8:06am by Ledeya Ehestri (Mirror) & Executive Officer Jake Ford (Mirror)

Mission: Mirror Mirror
Location: Mess
Timeline: 2397
1946 words - 3.9 OF Standard Post Measure

Ledeya smirked as she saw Jake walking across the bar towards her, the tone of the room was half elated as the fall of Robinson and half bitterness and it was all directed at him. She paused as he joined her trying to judge his demeanour and how to react. She did not even acknowledge the two men that had been talking to her as they scuttled off as soon as they noticed the tone of the room and who was walking towards them. It was fun talking to Ledeya and trying to convince her of leaving with them but not worth their life when they realised who she belonged to. “Well haven’t you been a naughty boy today. Killing Executive Officers and neutering Betazoids.” She said in a quiet voice.

"Aren't you going to get me a drink?" he asked, almost ignoring her question. "We're celebrating, after all." He'd allowed himself the moment. A few people had fled; their loyalty to the former XO of the Fenrir was well-known. They would find few allies now their patron was gone. He was the right hand of the Butcher now. And favoured agent of the Empress herself. Fortune was smiling.

“You are celebrating.” She murmured as she disappeared to get the ordered drink.

"You're missing something..." he noted, taking the drink in his hand and embracing the scent of it before putting it to his lips. Seeing her confused expression, Jake took out the bracelet from his pocket and slid it across the counter towards her. "You didn't think I would forget the other Betazoid on board, did you?" His eyes narrowed. "Put it on."

The woman looked down at the new item she was going to be required to wear.“So I am now of no use now hmm. How you get rid of me?” She snorted as she took the item putting it on.

"Don't be disappointed," he replied, satisfied that she could still follow his instructions. He put the glass down and took hold of her hand, not-so-subtly checking the band was active. "You still have plenty of other uses. Warming a bed. Serving drinks." He watched her, waiting to see if she would submit fully or hold onto the defiance he liked in his women.

The woman held her tongue for a moment before she pulled her hand back and took her own drink downing it. “I am not the one who should be disappointed.” She hissed as someone stepped up to them.

“I can get rid of your defiant… toy if you need to.” Dixoho commented looking the woman up and down with a smirk.

His smile grew as he watched her approach, his eyes tracing every angle and curve. "As much as I would derive an incredible amount of pleasure witnessing that, there is more than enough of me to go around." His attention was drawn more to the helmswoman, however. "Saa. Come to pay your respects?"

“Not really Sir. I am loyal to Gregnol as long as you are then I am to you as well.” She shrugged at him. It was not something difficult as the man had solved a problem for her but it did leave her without anyone to vent too.

"Interesting. And how does one normally demonstrate loyalty?" he wondered aloud, extending his hand and running the tips of his fingers down her hip. "True loyalty." His sly, self-confident grin only grew, especially given she was being so dismissive.

“By not killing you in your sleep.” Dixoho said making Ledeya snort into her drink as she watched the scene. “You should be more concerned about protecting yourself and not playing games. You forget who I used to be bodyguard for before I came here. Reece saved my life, I might not kill you but I do not have to protect you.” She reminded.

His hand lingered as he watched her face intently. "And look how effective the last XO's bodyguard was," he remarked. "I don't think I need to worry. But if you're interested in the job, I suppose there might be an opening." His eyes darkened a fraction. "It wouldn't do well to get on my bad side. Especially now that I have the ear of our Empress."

“The last bodyguard was sleeping with me remember. And I am not getting on the bad side of you. I am just stating the facts.” She laughed looking at Ledeya amused. Reece had been full of it believing that he was impossible to kill due to who his grandfather was. “I fly the ship and no one else compares to my skill. I am sure the butcher would love that I lowered myself to you bodyguard.”

"Lowered?" he glowered at the implication. "Watch yourself, Saa." She wasn't invincible. Even if she was a reasonably skilled pilot, that meant nothing if she wasn't cooperative. He turned away from her, now disinterested in any kind of physical involvement. "I'm sure there will be plenty of others that would be willing to 'demonstrate' their loyalty if you are not."

“I am sure there will be many people who do not mind being lowered but I know where I am happier as a senior officer. Be careful though Jake. Not everyone is as easy to change loyalty.” Saa said grinning at how under his skin she had gotten in minutes. “And I will see you around.” She said pointedly to Ledeya.

“I am sure you will.” Ledeya answered with a smirk as she watched the woman disappear into the crowd grinning.

Jake didn't watch her leave. Instead he watched Ledeya's face. "You made a friend," he observed.

“It’s what happens when you are nice to people.” She commented her grin disappearing as she frowned at him.

"Don't be like that, you know that you're different to the others," he said, taking hold of her hand more firmly. "Remember, this is a partnership. I look after you, and you look after me. And now that I've ascended in position, so have you. We both benefit from this arrangement, after all." He lifted her hand and placed a kiss on the back of her fingers. "I'm sure you'll find there are plenty of perks."

The woman pulled her hand back more forcefully and shook her head. “I am not seeing any perks yet. I’m the one neutered.” She reminded jingling the bracelet. It was less visible that the interrogations but still it was boring.

He scowled. "A small price to pay. You have safety and security. Those are perks that can be easily taken away. I can send you back to the hole I found you in if you'd prefer?"

“They are not perks.” The woman laughed. “They should be given as the normal and do you know how many men onboard this ship had attempted something with me just today? Ten and that is not including the two that were here when you arrived.” She said in a low voice as she slid and sat on his lap looking around. “You won’t send me back because unlike everyone onboard here I won’t stab you cause I had my chance on the base and I didn’t.” She reminded.

"You're right," he nodded, holding her by the waist. "Like I said, this is a partnership. So tell me...what sort of reward should I grant you for your part in our ascension?"

“I do not know but I am sure I will think on something if you survive. I’ve been hearing that we are going to be sent somewhere to track rebels when the empress has finished playing with Gregnol.” She mused relaxing again. It was a strange feeling to only hear one’s own mind instead of everything.

"My survival is all but guaranteed. I have leashed the Butcher's hounds, replaced his first officer, and gained the full backing of the Empress. With every step we take the threats become ever more insignificant. And...I have you." His possessive hands roamed again. "Either Gregnol crushes these rebels easily, or he fails - and I will ensure the fall is not one he will ever rise from again."

“You really think you can keep the butcher down? The man who blew up his own wife’s home world to stop Cardassians?” She laughed into his neck and shook her head. “You might have the backing of the empress but so does he.” She said reminding him, trying to quench the fire that was brewing in him that would make his too cocky.

"I've waited this long. I can wait as long as is needed." He smirked, nuzzling back into her. "Time is the enemy of every man, in the end." Lecherous hands continued to grasp the Betazoid's body. He liked her defiance, and her intelligence. Despite her inferiority, she wasn't to be trifled with. She'd make for an excellent companion in the times to come, provided her loyalty didn't waver.

“It is the enemy of most people.” She soothed thinking she had a few more years than him but that did not matter. “Play the long game.” She soothed against his neck. “Get people on side and do not rock to many boats yet.” She added as someone else came to pay respect.

"Commander..." The Ensign that approached was a blonde female, her hair cascading down the side of her face and 'come hither' eyes fluttering heavily in his direction. Her hand touched his leg. "That has a nice ring to it. I'd be honoured to be one of yours..." she cooed. Jake recognised her as one of the former XO's minions. Whether Reece had bedded her or not, she was playing the same game. He looked briefly at Ledeya, who hadn't moved from his lap, then back at the Ensign.

"Sloppy seconds aren't my style." He took the Ensign's wrist and removed it from his leg. Forcefully. "My predecessor may have been fond of playing the field, but I have different tastes." He took Ledeya's hand in his, making sure it was very visible. "Loyalty is important to me. And only proven by actions. My bed is occupied, at the moment."

“By a witch makes you no better than the butcher.” The ensign spat but did not get a chance to say much more when she fell to the floor from a strike. Alexis stood there looking annoyed and torn between what she had done.

“Loyalty as per usual comes with not calling me or anyone of my species a witch.” The woman said as the ensign rose from the floor and looked her over before deciding against it. She could have been killed easily but the former security chief left her alive.

Jake eyed Agrax. The last time he had seen her she had been angry - really angry. Apparently now she had calmed down enough to at least not try to cut his throat in public. "I'm practically building a coven..." he said softly to Ledeya, amused by this turn of events. "I may not be untouchable, but it seems there are few that would dare right now."

“She has her own games.” Ledeya assured quickly as the pair shared a look and the woman disappeared off into the crowd as if nothing had happened to spill blood on the floor.

"Let her play. She's far less of a threat now she's muzzled." He returned his attention to Ledeya. "I have far more enticing prospects much closer at hand."

Ledeya stayed quiet and nodded quickly returning her attention to the man. “Yes.” She agreed plastering a smile on her face.