The Lift Part 1

Posted on Wed Apr 1st, 2020 @ 9:42pm by Commodore Ledeya ‘Ed’ Ehestri (*) & Chief Operations Kendra McIntyre & Chief Helmsman Eden Bowers

Mission: Cosmos
Location: Starbase 621
Timeline: 2396
835 words - 1.7 OF Standard Post Measure

Ledeya was going through the list that she needed her science officer to go through when the door opened. Whoever she thought was going to walk through the open doors it was not that man. She glanced at the offer female and offered an apologetic smile before giving the man her fall attention. "Hello, Lieutenant."

"A pleasure to finally see you again," Chend Xaha, a Bolian engineer replied. In his jovial personality, he said as though he knew exactly what she wanted to hear, "As beautiful as I remember you, perhaps even more so."

Karis had just smiled and opened her mouth to say hello to her Captain when the Bolian stepped on board the turbolift. What came out of his mouth made her open her jaw even wider and then snap it shut again as she looked back and forth between the two of them. She thought about exiting but something kept her glued to the spot and the Bolian was actually in the way of her exit.

The turbolift stopped again and Lake stepped in. He spotted Ledeya and gave her a small smile and a nod, knowing better than to do anything even remotely familiar in public. It was then that he noticed the other two people in the turbolift, a red haired woman he didn't know and a Bolian whom he also didn't know but the entire feeling of the lift was very tense. He curiously glanced around at everyone as the doors closed.

“I am sure the pleasure is all yours Lieutenant,” Ledeya said relieved that she was wearing her correct uniform instead of the blue scrubs she had been wearing last few days. “How have you been Xaha?” She wondered looking straight ahead as she realized just how awkward this was going to get.

Not exactly taking a hint, the Bolian turned to face Ledeya. "We never finished our date a few years ago before I was transferred off the Cosmos. What do you say I pick you up at 18:00 and I take you somewhere as special as you?" Chend asked, clearly not appreciating the awkward situation he was creating.

Karis's mouth fell open and if she'd had anything on her to distract her from this scene she might have used it but she wasn't even holding a PADD.

Lake on the other hand made a snorting noise he managed to pass off as a sneeze as he pretending to bring the crook of his arm up to his nose.

Ledeya did not even look back at the other two occupants as she turned to look at the Bolian. "Chend Xaha flirting with married women." She tutted.

"Married?" Chend responded, unbelieving. Looking at the Betazoid as if she were playing hard to get, "Your personnel file said nothing of marriage. You just know how to keep me interested." He grinned as he regarded Ledeya. "Your friends can come along if they'd like, they may even be lucky enough to find love with each other," he offered as though he was being charitable.

Karis looked scandalized and opened her mouth to reply but another voice beat her to it so she shut it again.

"It's very very recent," Lake said sounding slightly annoyed. "The only one going anywhere with her is me since I would be the husband."

Ledeya glanced back at Lake and smiled. She took a step back and stood closer to him. "We do not want to make it a big thing considering the state of the base." Ledeya started to explain as the lift cart stopped with a start.

Shrugging as if it were no big deal, Chend looked to the red haired woman. He gave her a fairly creepy once over, examining her as if he were in a meat market. "You'll do, what do you say about 18 hour on the dot?" he asked as though he was irresistible.

"Thanks," Karis managed to say through her shock. "But I think I'll pass on that as well. I'm bonded." It wasn't exactly married in Starfleet's eyes but she had no intention of cheating, and certainly not with this . . . thing.

"I believe that everyone is married in some form or the other in this lift apart from yourself Lieutenant," Ledeya said brushing her hand again Lake's silently grateful for him putting aside everything to say that.

As if on cue, the turbolift stopped on a floor as another person waited to enter. Taking the chance to avoid embarrassment, Chend practically leaped out of the enclosure. Without a word, the Bolian began speed walking down the corridor.

"Uh, I think I'll just get off here too." Karis said looking at the other two with a bit of a blush on her face. She exited but was replaying the situation over in her mind.

---

Commodore Ledeya Ehestri
Commanding Officer
USS Cosmos

Lieutenant JG Karis
Science Officer
USS Cosmos

Lieutenant Lakeland Smith
Stellar Cartographer
Starbase 621

Lieutanant Chend Xaha
Engineering Officer
Starbase 621