#9 The standoff

Posted on Tue May 26th, 2020 @ 1:06am by

Mission: The Restroffs (Space Spiders)
Location: shuttlebay
Timeline: current

ON:

Using a leg to push a tool chest over next to a grav cart, then placing his medical backpack on the chest as a sort of back cushion, Dr. Bjorgo sat down and leaned back against it, legs extended adn crossed at the ankles as he waited for the other away team members to arrive at the shittlebay. There was a seven year old Human child who had a terrible cold he could be seeing to right now, but instead, he got jacked into this. However, thinking on that was always amazing to him. With all the medical knowledge the Federation had they still could not cure the common cold for Human beings. If you got a cold, a true cold, you simply had to ride it out. Albeit, with a decent regimen of food and medication to alleviate symptoms. Putting an earbud in his right ear Tore began to scroll through his musical choices, intending to melt into musical notes while he waited for the others, one ear open for hearing.

He chose to jam Juicy J, Wiz Khalifa, Ty Dolla $ign - Shell Shocked feat Kill The Noise & Madsonik, a great beat and heavy bass. And, chalk with attitude.

Making her way to the shuttlebay Alona stepped into the cavernous bay and stopped to assess the terrain. Crew moved about hither and thither, doing their duties, and that's when she noticed the man in the science blue shirt, leaning back like he was in an easy chair and on vacation. Approaching, noting that the man was only a LT(jg)., she came in and stood over him. "Are you on leave, Lieutenant?"

Tore's player had moved on to Elliphant: Could it be, as this new arrival approached him. By the odor of her body he knew she was Vulcanoid. Once she spoke he looked up at her with total disinterest in his eyes. "I am on whatever I choose to be," he glanced at her Romulan rank pin. "Centurion."

"Have you been assigned to the away team?" Alona asked, trying to be the 'good' officer and see to slackers.

"Yes, as a matter of fact, I am," he said, standing up with an irritated demeanor. "Do you always interrogate everyone you meet? "Oh, wait," he said, his tone becoming somewhat cynical. "Of course you do. You're a Romulan, after all."

Alona's ire began to rise, which she kpet in check--for now. "You're name. Now!"

"Lieutenant junior grade Tore Bjorgo, Chief Medical Officer, USS Amandora." Bjorgo met her gaze evenly, letting what he said sink in. "Have you had your physical yet, Centurion?"

His answer had taken Alona aback. So, he was a department head, like herself and, despite rank, he was an equal. "My apologies, Doctor. I saw an officer who appeared to be slacking, so I chose to confront."

"And, you did a grand job of it, Centurion." Tore gave a grin, but there was no warmth in his eyes. "I will ask again, since you seem to have dodged the question. Have you had your physical yet?"

"Not yet, no." She answered truthfully. "My most recent physical was given as I left Starfleet Academy."

"Ah, I see." Bjorgo could play this as a form of revenge. He wasn't above such things, after all. "Consider yourself on notice, Centurion. The moment we return and this mission is over you better be in Sickbay within the next minute. If not I shall remove you from duty until it is rectified." He then considered something. "I do hope you're not going with us?"

"I have no idea, honestly." Alona had to be wary around this one. There was something different about him, piercing in stature, bearing and character. "The Captain's directives were a bit confusing in regards to myself."

"Oh, I don't think so," stated Tore, his tone still a bit smarmy. "After all, I've just met you and I can assure you I could never forget you. You leave quite the impression on folks. At this juncture, with you not holding away gear, I would surmise that you are slacking, Centurion."

Alona mumbled several Romulan expletives under her breath, which Tore could hear, of course, but he played it off. He heard her but didn't understand Rihanna. "What was that?"

"None of your damn business." Alona responded, glaring into the eyes that glared at her. Several long minutes went by as they stood there in their staredown, other crew stopping and gawking at the spectacle, waiting for a fight to break out.

Reaching deep into himself Bjorgo eased back on his anger and stubborness. Taking in a breath and letting it out slowly, having to actually consider the reasoning behind her initial approach, adn finding the reason valid, he spoke. "In the interests of good relations allow me to apologize for my barbs. Your approach, however unseemly, was logical. In recognizing this I offer my apology for my reaction."

Alona's eyes squinted slightly as he spoke, trying to see if he was being sincere. Not knowing him, and his face never changing until he wanted it to, it was difficult to tell. However, something deep within told her he was being honest with it. "I accept, Doctor. And, in turn, please accept my apology. My approach was a bit...Romulan. I need to remember that while aboard." Both of them visibly relaxed. "I'll be in for my physical the first chance time permits. You have my word."

Bjorgo gave a genuine smile. "It was merely my way of getting revenge for you being a twat. But, it does need to be done every time personnel switch to a new command. No exceptions." He motioned to his tool chest sofa. "Shall we sit and get to know each other while we wait? After all, I have yet to hear your name."

"Centurion Alona," she said as She took the offered seat with just her rump, not wanting to lean back. An exchange officer from the Romulan Republic." She looked him over as he sat down. "You are a very interesting man, Doctor Bjorgo. I would like to hear your story."

"My story?" He cracked a grin at that, light chuckles in his throat as he leaned forward with elbows on knees, casting his gaze at the floor. "Even for you, Alona, that could cause you nightmares."

Alona could see that whatever past he was thinking on, that simple statement told her there was a depth to it. "I highly doubt that. After one is tortured for years by the Tal Shiar, in prison, not much else shocks you." Her own eyes began to get a faraway look to them. "Once I escaped I became an animal, a predator, who's preferred targets were Tal Shiar agents and their families. Children, mates, servants. All of them paid a price for my pain and anguish, for all the losses I suffered under their iron boots."

Bjorgo gave a few nods and looked over. "Hey, let's drop this line of conversation and move to something more up to date. Come, let's get to know us NOW, not us THEN."

She agreed and before long they were conversing like old friends, kindred spirits from seperate worlds.

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