JP - Lt. Nathan Richards & Molly Williams - When One Teaches, Two Learn, Part 2
Ani
((Maintenance Tunnel 24C, Security and Medical Section, Amity Outpost))
Nathan gave the young girl a questioning look. Had she been involved somehow with the Ensign’s planning?
Richards: What about Tribbles?
Molly: Nothing! Nothing!
She quickly began climbing up the ladder, looking back over her shoulder to give Lieutenant Richards a smirk. Nathan shrugged. There was no point in pressing the subject, because they were there to explore and learn.
Richards: Alright. Whatever you say.
Molly made sure to look down all of the corridors on the level above before calling back down to the Lieutenant.
Molly: No bears. You’re safe!
Richards: Oh, thank goodness.
He grabbed onto the rungs of the ladder and began to climb after Molly. Once they reached the top, he sat against the wall and took a deep breath.
Richards: Security or Medical? ::Smirking:: Who do we want to look in on?
It was another question that she put much thought into. They could very well look in on both, but if that was the case, which one should they peer on first?
Eventually, she came to a conclusion.
Molly: Can we peer on Medical?
Richards: Alrighty. ::Pointing:: Lead the way.
The two made their way down the corridor before stopping at what appeared to be a vent grate, or some kind of emergency hatch. Nathan peered through the grating at the room beyond.
Molly also peered through with fascination, like a kid in a candy store. Though, things like this actually fascinated the little girl more than sweet treats.
Molly: Oooh…
Richards: What do you think is going on in there?
Molly: I don't know.
Nathan squinted, trying to see what exactly was going on in the room beyond.
Richards: It’s kind of hard to see from here. I wonder if there is a better spot we can get a look from.
Molly looked up and down the corridor, before finding another opening up ahead, the light from the room streaming into the maintenance tunnel
Molly: What about down there?
Nathan looked further down the corridor for a better vantage point.
Richards: Lets move down a little further. See if we can find something fun to watch.
Molly: Yeah!
Richards: If I remember right, this should be the Security Center. I wonder what Bec and Cassian are up to.
Molly: What do you think they do in Security? I mean, I know what security does, they keep the outpost safe, but how do they do that from the centre?
Richards: They have access to all of the station’s internal sensors and camera feeds. They can see everything and anything that goes on inside the station. ::Beat:: Within reason.
Molly: Can we go see?
Ricards: Of course.
They moved further down the corridor before Nathan found another grating that had some light filtering through. Nathan slowed and glanced inside and saw movement, so he stopped and pointed at the grate.
Richards: Here we go. Let’s see what's up.
Nathan leaned against the grating and looked through the grate at the Security office beyond. He could make out the figure of Bec, but couldn’t quite see what else was going on.
Molly: What can you see, what can you see?
Richards: I’ll give the grates one thing, they make it difficult to spy.
Molly: Maybe they’re made that way..
Nathan adjusted himself against the grate to get a better view of what was going on, and heard a faint pop come from the grate as he put more pressure on it.
Richards: Uh…
As Nathan uttered the…sound, not quite words, the grate popped again and fell inwards towards the Security office, bringing Nathan down to the floor with it. The loud clatter certainly drew attention in their direction.
Upon hearing the large noise Bec immediately turned around to see what had caused it, instinctively preparing for a fight.
Iko: WHAT THE—
And then, once seeing the child, she bit down hard to avoid finishing the sentence.
Little Molly was also surprised at the sudden chain of events, and while still half inside the maintenance tunnel she looked between Lieutenant Richards and the security officer they had accidentally met, still a little shocked.
Molly: ::unsure:: Lieutenant?
So Bec had scared the child too. That was… that was not the best thing.
Richards: Uh oh. I don’t think we are being sneaky anymore, Molly.
Bec took a breath, and then nodded to each of them, in turn as she spoke, trying to come off as harmless, but really instead just acting really awkward about the whole thing.
Iko: Richie… Molly… What are you doing?
The little girl turned to the engineer, wanting him to explain. Nathan stood up, brushing himself off and straightening his uniform.
Richards: Exploring, looking for treasure, getting into trouble, you know. The usual. ::Chuckling:: Sorry for, uh, dropping in unexpectedly.
Iko: It’s fine. I was just not prepared for you to suddenly fall into the room.
Richards: Yeah, ::Looking down at the grate:: Neither was I.
Molly: Are you going to tell Mummy?
Bec looked at the little girl, a sudden wave of emotion washing over the security officer. Something about what the kid had just said, maybe the words or maybe just the tone she had said them in, resonated with Bec and the child inside her. The girl who was still hurting from all she was exposed to.
Richards: ::Looking towards Bec:: I don’t think there is a need, is there?
Iko: Yeah?—::shaking head:: No. I’m not going to tell your mum. Okay?
Molly smiled, finally stepping into the room, almost offering the security officer a hug.
Molly: Thank you!
Nathan stepped forward as well, smiling.
Richards: Thanks, Bec.
Iko: But… you can’t do that again. Unless you tell me.
Richards: ::Smirking:: Do you want to join next time we decide to fall out of the wall on some unsuspecting officers?
Iko: No, I just want to make sure you’re accounted for.
Nathan held up his hands in fake surrender.
Richards: I’m only joking. We will be more careful.
Molly: We promise.
Bec nodded and smiled.
Iko: What are you two going to do now then?
Richards: ::Smiling, chuckling:: We can’t deprive a child of fun and shenanigans! ::Looking down at Molly, eyebrows raised:: Maybe we will just crawl back into our cave and go see what Wong is up to.
Bec nodded. She’d let Wong know of the sudden guests so he didn’t get surprised in the same way.
Iko: But first, ::gesturing for her to come over:: Molly?
Molly: Yes Lieutenant?
As Nathan was about to climb back into the maintenance shaft, he stopped and turned to watch the exchange between Bec and Molly.
Iko: I’m sorry if I scared you—
Molly: It’s okay. We all get scared sometimes.
Bec sighed. She hadn’t expected the child to forgive her so easily, and to give such a happy, bright and yet so simple of a response. The kid forgave her quicker than she normally forgave herself.
Which was why it was all the more important to keep her safe.
Iko: Yes… Well, if anyone scares you too much, you come and tell me, okay? It doesn’t matter who they are, if they outrank me, if they’re someone like your best friend or even your mum. If someone is scaring you, come and tell me, and we’ll sort it out. You got that?
There was no way Bec would let what happened to her happen to this little girl. No matter how fine and how loved Molly appeared.
Molly: Yes Lieutenant.
The little girl then turned to Richards after her hastey nod, not knowing quite how important or loving Bec’s ask and offer was. Hopefully she wouldn’t forget it, even if ideally she wouldn't have to use it.
The exchange had brought a smile to Nathan’s face. Bec was one of the most caring people he knew. Offering such support to a young child was very commendable. Molly showed great promise in her future of maybe being a Starfleet Officer. And she was going to need the support and protection of everyone around her. Nathan’s smile faded slightly as he thought about that. It was the second time in the last few weeks he had been reminded of how much those younger, or of lower rank, looked up to those like him. Who looked for his support and guidance.
Molly: Can we go spy on Lieutenant Wong now?
Molly’s voice brought him out of his thoughts. He looked between Bec and the young girl that was looking back at him, his smile returning.
Richards: Sure. Let’s go see what the good doctor is up to.
END
*******************************
Lieutenant Nathan Richards
Engineering Officer
Amity Outpost
A239905NR1
&
Molly Williams
Daughter of Ensign Williams
Amity Outpost
&
Lt. Rebecca Iko
Security Officer
Amity Outpost
A239810RI3