That awkward moment when ...
Posted on Mon Sep 7th, 2015 @ 4:34am by Captain Melody Windsor & Captain Julius Whitlam
Edited on on Mon Sep 7th, 2015 @ 4:34am
Mission:
First Strike
Location: Marine Country, Deck 7
[ON]
The turbolift doors swished open onto the main corridor of Deck 7 and Captain Julius Whitlam strode out. He was getting close to the end of his 'walking the ship', which meant he was getting inexorably closer to the moment where he would face his own mortality again. Despite the appearance of being busy, he didn't deceive himself into thinking that this pre-combat ritual was anything more than a chance to keep himself occupied.
A very large part of this deck was marine country and he straight away felt uncomfortable. Whitlam didn't like that feeling, not on his own ship. He gnashed his teeth behind his clenched shut lips as he approached the marine barracks. He wanted to drop in on the marines and talk with them like he had the rest of the crew, but he was very conscious that this was not really his turf. As long as this rift existed between him and Captain Windsor, he knew that this would never feel like part of his ship.
"Make sure that all three platoons are running close combat drills in the holodecks tonight, and have 2nd platoon run their demolitions drills. I want charges set and blown in thirty seconds or less," Melody was saying to a junior officer as she walked out into the hallway with her. "Tell them not to work on it too long, though. I want them to hit the lounge tonight and blow off some steam. Might be their last chance for a bit, but I want them loose and ready to deploy."
"Yes ma'am, I'll let them know," The junior officer replied.
Melody stopped short when she saw the CO and one would almost have thought she groaned a little bit to herself, but it couldn't be said for sure. "Get 'em moving, Private," She said, handing the PADD with her instructions on it to the younger woman, he caught the tension and left without another word.
Melody clasped her hands behind her back and walked forward to the captain, "Sir. Can I do something for you?" She asked, trying to sound as courteous as possible, but unable to cut all of the displeasure from her voice.
Whitlam found himself unconsciously mimicking the marine's posture; his hands clasped behind his back, which straightened noticably. He detected the displeasure, but also noticed that it wasn't as pronounced as he expected. She might have been making an effort and he felt she deserved the same from him. "I like to walk the ship before going into battle," he said, failing to keep all of the haughtiness from his voice. He heard it and followed up more softly. "I make a point of talking with the crew and making sure they have what they need. Do you have everything you need, Captain?"
Melody nodded, once, "Thank you, Captain, we're all set. I believe there were one or two requisition requests, but they were more for building a back supply of frequently used items than anything critical right this moment," She explained, flatly. She wasn't going to be rude if he wasn't, but having him on her deck was making her antsy. Was he going to pull something? Try to show off in front of her men? He'd have about forty marines up his hind quarters if he did. The didn't call her their queen for nothing.
"Excellent," Whitlam replied with a curt nod. "I'll leave you to it, then." He quickly continued on his way, determining that there was no need to prolong the awkward encounter. No matter his personal views on Captain Windsor, her and her people were going to play a significant role in the battle ahead. The last thing he wanted to do was antagonise her on the eve of an engagement; the mission was most important, after all.
Melody narrowed her eyes as he walked away, but shook her head and ignored it overly awkward nature of that encounter, "Thanks, Captain." She said, turning back into the Barracks and trying to ignore that that had ever happened. It was going to be a loooong assignment.
Captain Julius Whitlam
Commanding Officer
Captain Melody Windsor
Marine Commanding Officer
