Lt Alex Storm - And the Winner Is...the Cat!

[Karen Morris]

((Kerrit Dromos Race Track - City One, Rylor)) 

The race had lost its pulse. What had been cheers and movement a minute ago now sagged into scattered claps and half-hearted attention.  Apparently, that affected Lt Vailani more than Alex because the woman stood up abruptly.

Vailani: I'm going to go :: looks to the others :: It's the sun and the wind. I need to … go.

And she left.

K’Wara: … Lieutenant?

Imril: Bye!

Storm: Did something we said upset her?

Tamio shook their head.

K’Wara: Who knows? ::looks back:: Ah, they’ve crossed the halfway mark!

Imril: Oh, yeah! … ::Softer, disappointed:: Oh.

Storm: What’s--he doing?

Alex’s nose crinkled so much that she almost looked like a Bajoran.

K’Wara: I really should’ve bet something. ::snaps their fingers:: This’ll teach me to let an opportunity pass me by!

Roy slowed to a stop and crouched down. 

Storm: Is he hurt?

She stood, leaning forward.  

Storm:  He’s…Oh my goodness!  He’s tying his shoe. 

Alex threw her hands in the air and sat back down with a plop. 

Storm:  When it rains, it pours!

Imril: ::To K’Wara:: So, how would you sculpt this race?

Storm: With a much different outcome.  

K’Wara: Response

Imril: And ::small laugh:: that cat?

Alex’s eyes swept across the venue as the cat’s owner was still trying desperately to leash it.

Storm: I think we should call the cat the winner.

K’Wara: Response

Storm:  Hey, they’re turning toward us.  

Alex stood again and looked at the runners. Her hands waited in front of her expectantly, like they were itching to clap.

K’Wara/Imril:  Response

Storm: I think he’s finally finding his stride.

A sigh escaped her mouth.  oO Don't crumble at the loss. Keep going. Oo  A corner of her heart ached for him.  Sure, it was all supposed to be good fun, but that didn’t mean a loss like that didn’t sting.

K’Wara/Imril: Response

There was nothing to do now but watch.  Munro crossed the line first with a sizeable lead.  Alex brought her waiting hands together in a gracious spat of unfelt applause, but she kept her eyes on Roy.  His effort didn’t wane.  His stride didn’t waver. 

Storm:  Come on, Roy. ::She side-eyed the other two::  Finish strong.

And he did.  As he crossed the line, his hand went up into the air, and Alex clapped for him - while not louder than she clapped for the XO, certainly more heartfelt.

K’Wara/Imril:  Response

Only as Alex left the stands and headed toward the finish line could she hear what he said.

Bancroft: ::between breaths:: Well.

A pause.

Bancroft: I do hope you appreciate how irritatingly competent that performance was.

Another breath.

Bancroft: ::faintly, with dry resignation:: Thorough work, Commander.

Storm:  Yes, Good job, Commander.  ::Turning to Roy:: What did you do to the fates today?

Munro/Any: Response?

Bancroft: ::genuine smile:: Enjoy this, Commander. ::arching an eyebrow:: But do remember… sequels have a way of being far less kind to the original leads.

Munro/Any: Response

Alex grinned at the exchange.  She walked over to get two waters.  Roy looked like he’d given everything he had. Water was the least she could offer.

~*~

Tags / End scene for Storm

~*~

Lt Alex Storm

Tactical Officer

USS Artemis

O240103SK2