Lt. JG Natasha Cole - Explosives Edge
Natasha Schell
((Holodeck 3, Deck 3 USS Artemis))
Without
breaking eye contact, she hefts the charge once, testing the balance, then
casually cocks her arm back and hurls it across the field. The charge arcs
cleanly through the simulated sunlight, whistling as it spins …
KA-THOOM!
A blossom of blue-white plasma engulfs the console, sending scorched debris
flying in a dramatic, physics-accurate spray. Natasha’s hair flutters from the
shockwave. She doesn’t even blink.
Charlotte let out a beautifully chaotic laugh as the blast brushed past them.
Brexis: ::Slow Clapping:: That execution was absolutely beautiful.
Natasha lifted a shoulder as if to say “what did you expect?” with just a shrug, her smirk is equal parts cocky and inviting.
Cole: Explosions say a lot about a person. ::eyes flick toward the charges:: I’ve shown you mine. ::winks:: Your turn.
Brexis: ::Flexing her arms and almost growling:: Let’s do this!
Cole: By all means. ::bowing slightly as she stepped back::
She watched as Charlotte skipped towards the table, looking between the field and the items left on the table. There was a brief moment where Natasha was lost in just watching Charlotte work.
Brexis: Think I can aim this right into that door?
Cole: ::tilting her head letting the subtle wind to move some strands of hair:: I like your odds.
Brexis: Here goes nothing!
Cole: ::smirking:: Impress me, Charlotte… I dare you.
She watched as Charlotte chucked the fusion bomb. She held her breath watching the spiral as it sailed through the air arching towards the runabout. The fusion bomb hit the edge of the open door and ricocheted sharply, disappearing inside.
For half a heartbeat, the world paused, then …
FWUM-BOOOOM!
A column of white-hot energy punched upward as the runabout’s hull bulged, blistered, and then ruptured in a rolling cascade. The explosion bloomed outward like a supernova trapped in the atmosphere, hurling panels, scorched glowing embers, and shrapnel in a spectacular arc. A shockwave thrummed through the ground, as the burst of concussive force lifted Natasha’s hair again … this time more violently.
Cole: ::slow grin:: Remind me never to play darts with you.
Her heart kicked once—annoyingly obvious, but she hoped the other woman didn’t hear it. Charlotte had that wild-smile look again.
Brexis: ::Smirking:: Wait. With me or against me?
Cole: ::steps closer, head tilted, tone teasingly intimate:: Then again… getting on your bad side looks like it might come with some pretty spectacular fireworks.
The words slipped out smoother than she expected, her pulse still syncing with the fading echo of the blast. She absently brushed a strand of hair behind her ear, hoping it looked casual instead of “I need something to do with my hands.”
Brexis: Everything about me comes with pretty spectacular fireworks.
Cole: ::letting her fingers trail along another charge on the table:: So… want to see if you can keep turning my head? Because I’m starting to enjoy the view.
Why did her stomach do that stupid flip? She shifted her weight, boot tapping lightly—bleeding off adrenaline she couldn’t quite hide.
Brexis: Go ahead and enjoy the view. ::Taking a step closer:: But I have to warn you…
Charlotte reached over, grabbing Natasha’s hand lightly and holding it gently. At that moment, they looked into each other's eyes. Natasha thought she might get lost in them for a moment and then … nothing. Charlotte stopped stepping back, still holding her hand.
Brexis: ::Clearing her throat:: I’m not good for you. I don’t want to ruin what could potentially be a really great friendship. ::giving her a warm smile:: I’m sorry…
Cole: ::still holding Charlotte’s hand lightly, voice calm:: Hey. You don’t owe me an apology. ::a small, sincere smile:: I appreciate you saying it out loud instead of pretending it wasn’t there.
Brexis: From what I can tell already, you are a good person. ::Finally letting go of her hand:: I don’t want to be a setback for you. ::laughing lightly:: What I can be, is a really fun friend.
Natasha held Charlotte’s gaze for a moment longer, then nodded once, not stiff, not awkward. Just honest.
Cole: :: a small, genuine smile:: I can do “really fun friend.” ::beat, lightly:: I’m told, I am very good at that.
Brexis: What do you say we end this day off right? More big booms?
The tension didn’t vanish, it simply shifted, settling into something steadier. Natasha had let her hand fall back to her side, rolling her shoulders once like she was physically resetting herself. No disappointment. No pressure. Just … clarity.
Cole: ::smiling, relaxed:: I’d like that. ::beat:: Friends blowing things up together is kind of my comfort zone.
Brexis: Response
Cole: ::turning back toward the ordnance:: You want big, loud, or … something that makes the safety protocols nervous?
Brexis: Response
Cole: ::a small smile:: I’ve got a feeling this won’t be the last time we do this.
Natasha looked across the field for what to blow up next, and then she spotted it. A segment of the Warp Core, her smile shifted into a mischievous smirk. She glanced at Charlotte, who she was standing next to, as she scooped up a charge, pointed to the Warp Core as if calling her throw and chucked it. Raising her hand to follow its path in the sky.
Brexis: Response
((OOC: Returning the favor, You can decide if she lands the shot or not.))
Tags/TBC
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Lt. JG Natasha Cole
Security Officer
USS Artemis-A
Writer ID A240205NC4