Promotion and Playing With Fire

Posted on Sat Oct 7th, 2023 @ 8:20pm by Alexis Agrax (Mirror) & Captain Reuben Gregnol (Mirror) & Executive Officer Jake Ford (Mirror)

Mission: Mirror Mirror
Location: ISS Fenrir
Timeline: 2398
1325 words - 2.7 OF Standard Post Measure

Gregnol did not often get to award promotions as often as he liked but there he was being awarded the fourth of the day. His promotion to Commodore has spread through the ship like wildfire, but it also created an atmosphere of distrust that people might be prompted over another. It was how he liked to keep his ship in check but the officer he was waiting for was the one that would put everyone back in check.

“Enter.” He called and looked up to see first Alexis enter then Ford. He might be awarding promotions but he also wanted answers.

"The fools that disturbed our sleep have been taught the error of their ways," Jake began, assuming that it was the reason for their summons. "A drunken mistake they will not be making a second time. I even let Agrax off her leash for a few hours to toy with their minds."

“Do you concur that they will not be making that mistake again?” Alexis said nothing about being off her leash as she sat down gracefully in the chair despite still being like she had been run through a blender. Gregnol watched her intently as she ignored him a little. He had not seen the dress she wore before it was dark with lace that cascaded down the bodice, sparkling with a thread of a lighter material that flowed down. He could imagine it had been terrifying for the crewman for someone to toy with them whilst dressed like that.

“Very much agree. It was enjoyable to prove myself to the Empire.” Alexis said finally. Gregnol glanced at Ford and raised an eyebrow.

"For an inquisitor, she does her job well enough," Ford said. It was a sly dig at Alexis, given their relationship. And maybe at the same played it down in Gregnol's eyes. "You wanted something else?" he inquired.

Gregnol looked at Alexis and wondered not for the first time what she had made of her change in fortune. She had been an officer and his head of security until she had gone to secure the senate building in the attack and he had changed the course of all their lives by blowing up the planet. “I am sure she did but I did summon you here for something more. I have been promoted to Commodore.” He announced waiting for the anger.

Jake failed to suppress his surprise at first. But he snapped it back rapidly once that had settled. "The Empress has recognised your efforts, then," he stated quickly. "A great honour, Commodore."

“An honour that I pass down to you as well Captain.” The man tossed a box to the man. He knew the right time and place to bring along his crew as well as to take the honour just for himself but this was not one of those cases. He wanted his crew cemented to him as he meant less chance of mutiny and deaths.

“Let me,” Alexis said holding out the box smirking just a little at the fact she did not need to be a telepath to see the surprise on his face.

Ford's eyes narrowed slightly, clocking Alexis' expression as she clipped the new insignia to his uniform.

"Unexpected," he finally admitted. Not in weakness, but bordering on accusation. There was no reason that he could think of that Gregnol would pass on an immediate increase in rank like this. Unless the man knew something he didn't.

“My success is your success,” Gregnol said simply. “If I did not reward men who are somewhat loyal then I will lose the game so I will reward that and continue our journey together.”

“And where is next Captain?” Alexis asked sitting herself back down crossing her legs staring at the Commodore intently. She was intrigued now that they were allowed to spread their wings as to where they would be going.

"That is down to the Commodore. And the Empress' command," Ford deferred to Gregnol, waiting to see if there was yet more to be revealed.

"We are off to Hoth," The Butcher revealed making Alexis laugh just a little as she instantly realised what planet they were going to. "So prepare to be cold for a very long time." He said for the other man's understanding. "We have information that there is a rebel base there from the ship we destroyed so we are going to track down."

Jake smiled thinly. "I hope so. I do so very much enjoy stamping out resistance." He glanced at Alexis. "Don't you?"

Alexis felt the gaze on her but said nothing for a moment before turning to look at him. "Well, I am better at it than you so yes." The woman replied staring at him intensely. Gregnol looked between the fair and raised an eyebrow. The dynamic between the Terran and the Betazoid was something he could not quite put his finger on what it was yet it was almost heavy.

"You can leave interrogator." Gregnol decided dismissing he woman who nodded and took her leave from the room quickly.

Jake was marginally surprised that Gregnol had dismissed Agrax so sharply, but returned his attention to the man in front of him. "Muzzling her was the best decision our Empress could ever make," he smirked. "Watching the Betazoids walking around as if they own the place..." he shook his head. "A reminder of their place was well overdue."

"I had them doing that so they the crew knew their place," Gregnol said lowly. "But for your sake, it has worked out well for now but I do want to know what is going on between you both." He demanded wanting to know what was happening before he took his next step forward in working things out.

Jake smirked. Evidently the Butcher had been watching; either he knew the answer and was testing Jake's openness, or he didn't and was fishing. "Nothing more than a friendly rivalry," he answered. "Honestly, I'm sure the woman would like nothing more than to lobotomize me or sleep with me. The jury's still out." His smirk widened. He was aware of Gregnol's history with Agrax, and that was an amusing thread to pull on.

Gregnol found himself laughing loudly. It was unusual sound from him but the man’s words had tickled him. “Friendly rivalry?” He was either delusional or trying to hide something. He had not decided if it was one of the other or both yet.“If you ever got that close to her it will be both and likely at the same time.” The new Commodore commented commented.

"Some Terrans would view that as a good death," Jake remarked. His eyes narrowed slightly. "You and she never...?" he let the question hang.

Gregnol smirked at the question and shook his head deciding honesty and no mind games here. "No... Me and Agrax have never. Beautiful and deadly but I was very much interested in my Chief Engineer wife and not my chief of security and now it is much more entertaining to see who flutters towards her." It was a game of wits for sure but he was not sure if Ford or Agrax was the hunter in that game.

Jake logged that information for future reference. Hopefully that also meant Agrax would be less emotionally invested in Gregnol as well. "Was there anything else?" he asked finally.

Gregnol's gaze remained fixed on the man before him, his expression inscrutable as he nodded in response to the man's assurance. "Not in the slightest," Gregnol affirmed, his tone steady and unyielding. He watched the man leave and chuckled. As the man made his exit, Gregnol reclined in his chair, his thoughts deep and contemplative. A wry chuckle escaped his lips, revealing a sense of amusement tinged with a hint of concern. The new Captain, it seemed, was playing with fire for sure. Who would burn was not certain just yet.