LtCmdr Sky Blake, "The Rangers." (Part 1)
Deliera Jay
Rairen Caide was arguably the most beautiful man Blake had ever laid eyes upon. That Caide fit a certain ‘category’ that she found pleasing to stare at (tall, dark-haired, and handsome) was both satisfying and infuriating at the same time. He was a Trill—he stood about an inch higher than her, with a well-groomed beard and a tight hair-bun to hold back locks that fell to his shoulders. Unlike the new uniforms, such as the ones Blake had worn whilst on Veritas, he remained in the older, 2380s-style grey-on-black and shoulder-paneled uniform—a fair choice, since it suited him well (aesthetically, anyway).
He was driving her insane.
Caide was just so... nice. He was straightforward, somewhat of a critical thinker, and liked to know about everything and everyone—but despite this need to understand the world around him, he accepted that there were topics she either could not discuss with him (namely much to do with her personal life) or information she herself was not privy about. He never pushed these topics, accepting her word and moving on. It was downright adorable the way he smiled, dimples accenting his already gorgeous features.
Was it possible to become distracted by someone else’s beauty? Blake had genuinely assumed these things were clichéd tropes people liked to talk about, to blame for tardiness or poor work form. Apparently, this was a real thing.
She stuttered when he was nearby. Sky Blake. Stuttering. What in the galaxy caused that? She was practically the harbinger of confidence and forward approaches, complete with cold eyes and judgements of character, and yet whenever he’d addressed her, queried about casual topics, she stumbled over her words. It was embarrassing.
Blake was paired with Lieutenant “tall and glorious hair-bun” to continue the investigation into the missing ranger—Kehive na-Soldim, a ranger who had gone missing one day whilst surveying a planet for settlement nearby the border between the Shoals and Tholian space. The obvious suspect was the Tholians—and given the Veritas’ minor skirmish with them, on top of the USS Artemis, she was hardly surprised they’d it had added them to the list, nor would she be shocked if they were involved in Kehive’s disappearance. But Caide wasn’t certain. Regardless, they needed to confirm whether he was dead, alive, or captured, and they needed to do so quickly, before the occupants around Havley’s Hope (or the rest of the Shoals) became increasingly restless about their positioning next to the Tholian border.
Caide was the lowest ranking Starfleet ranger to head a division of officers. Specifically, he was now in charge of Starfleet rangers in the Shoals—which included Blake. He took the position just before Kehive disappeared, and while communication speeds in the Shoals were so slow that Kehive probably wasn’t even aware that Caide was now in command, the Trill felt somewhat responsible for his disappearance. With few officers in the area, he’d even taken it upon himself to lead the investigation—something the Colonial Coalition Marshals Service (the lead security presence in the Shoals) had minor issues with. Up to that point, they’d been left to their own devices looking for Kehive and received no help from Starfleet—now suddenly after several months of shoulder-shrugging and hand-waving, Starfleet wanted to be involved. Caide had to do some schmoozing with Benjin Ranjoes so to allow him to take over, though he understood why this was a struggle.
The shuttle they’d been assigned from Esperance landed down on Kidman I, a recently established colony world along the minor ‘path’ to Donova I. They’d flown through some dark clouds, a thunderstorm looming overhead. Kidman’s sun was well shielded from view, giving the dry settlement of Bupirninyirring little illumination—solar lights that had been set up had activated on their own accord.
Caide leaned against his control panel, peering through the front window at the small and unassuming settlement.
Caide: This is Bupinyurring?
Blake: Bupir-ninyir-ring. It means ‘lacking mosquitos'.
The Trill raised an eyebrow at the translation but made no comment about it. Blake shut down the shuttle’s engines.
Blake: We should let Largew know we’re here.
Caide: Largew—the settlement’s manager?
Blake: One of them. She’s... not exactly supportive of organizations meddling in their affairs.
He spared Blake a reassuring glance before staring back out the window.
Caide: I’ll keep that in mind.
The communications array was the tallest structure of the Bupirninyirring settlement, a grey building that contrasted against the dusty-white shelters Largew and MacNamara had brought with them. It stuck out like a sore thumb, a “here be Starfleet” sign against a colony that hadn’t even decided if it would affiliate themselves with the Federation, despite origins of the planet’s settlers. Largew had made a deal with Starfleet: Bupirninyirring would be home to a Starfleet communications array if Starfleet provided the occasional help (such as supplies) when the first got settled. Starfleet had deemed this a fair agreement.
Blake was once sent as a Starfleet representative (a ranger) to help with scouting areas for Bupirninyirring and had been present when Tristam built the communications array. She had a good rapport with Largew—she didn’t really want Caide inadvertently wrecking that relationship.
As she got up out of her chair, Caide followed, and the two exited their shuttle. Despite the clouds, no rain had yet fallen—Bupirninyirring was still dry.
Keyri Largew—a rough, blonde female wearing an ensemble of leather boots, stiff jeans, a holey t-shirt, and an Akubra, had exited one of the temporary shelters to come greet them in her typical Largew fashion.
Largew: Great—more Starfleet.
Sky smirked, rolling her eyes at the statement and giving Largew a respectful nod as she approached the pair of Starfleet officers.
Blake: Lieutenant Rairen Caide, this is Keyri Largew. She’s the manager of all settler needs on Kidman.
The Trill bowed his head.
Caide: A pleasure. Forgive the intrusion, Master Largew. We’re on our way to the Thura system, but could use some fresh air.
Largew: Hmph. Can’t say I blame you—too much time in a shuttle could kill you, ::Largew mused with a sly grin, ignoring how Blake again rolled her eyes.:: We’ve got a shelter left over—you’re welcome to it. We’re also having tea fairly soon, saves you from wasting replicator power.
Blake held up a hesitant hand.
Blake: Largew, we don’t want to intrude-
Largew: Nonsense, it’s no intrusion. C’mon inside. You’re stopping the rain from falling.
Tbc . . .
LtCmdr Sky BlakeStarfleet Ranger
USS Veritas