Lt. JG Natasha Cole - Explosive Finale
Natasha Schell
((Holodeck 3, Deck 3 USS Artemis))
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. In that moment, they looked into each others eyes. Natasha thought she might get lost in them for a moment and the … 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: Good. Because I can absolutely deliver in that department.
Cole: ::turning back toward the ordnance:: You want big, loud, or … something that makes the safety protocols nervous?
Brexis: Why not all three?
Cole: ::a small smile:: I’ve got a feeling this won’t be the last time we do this.
Brexis: Perfect, because I am already thinking of ways to adjust the program to give us bigger, better booms.
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: ::In an announcer voice:: Cole has seeked out her enemy and prepared for ultimate decimation. Will the hit land or will she–
Charlotte was cut off by the sound of the explosion. It landed just short of the Warp Core, but close enough to still cause it to explode. The resulting explosion caused the Warp Core to roll toward its side resulting in a shockwave that kicked up dust and shrapnel in its wake. It was a glorious explosion.
Cole: WOOOHOOOO! [Expletive redacted] YEAH!
Brexis: ::Turning to Natasha:: I have that effect on people. You really shouldn’t let pretty girls distract you.
Charlotte playfully nudged Natasha with her elbow. Leading to Natasha nudging her back with a laugh.
Cole: Bold of you to assume I was distracted ::looking at Charlotte before laughing::
Brexis: What do you say we go get some more coffee and decide on some new things to add to our ::gesturing to the field:: repertoire here?
Cole: ::smiling:: I think that is a brilliant plan. We should get snacks too.
The two friends forged in the explosions of mutual insured chaos, walked towards the Holodeck doors. As the field with the remains of their shared playful nature faded returning to the default grid of the holodeck, the next occupants none the wiser to the destruction that was waged there.
Cole: How do you feel about cherry pastries? ::as the doors closed behind them::
End Scene
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Lt. JG Natasha Cole
Security Officer
USS Artemis-A
Writer ID A240205NC4