Lt. JG Natasha Cole - Explosive Potential

[Natasha Schell]

((Holodeck 3, Deck 3 USS Artemis))

 

Natasha leaned against the bulkhead as Charlotte tapped away at the Holodeck program. The smile she gave her filled her with ?

 

Brexis: You ready for this?

 

Cole: ::smiling that mischievous smile of her own:: Always.

 

The door opened and they walked in. Before them was an open dirt field and a bright sky. In the middle of the field was an old runabout, bridge consoles and a variety of other things Starfleet officers don't usually get to break on purpose. Off to the side was a large table. Sitting on top of it was an array of disruptor bombs, fusion bombs, plasma charges, organic explosives and a handful of other big boom material. All of them were scaled to proper specs for the simulation.

 

Brexis: Which one of those– ::pointing to the field:: –are we going to blow up– ::pointing to the table:: –with one of these first?

 

Natasha walked over towards the table and gently dragged her fingertips across the various ordinances that had been recreated for this play date. She palmed a plasma charge holding in her hand, offering Charlotte a playful smile.

 

Cole: ::turning the plasma charge over in her hand, giving it a testing weight:: Careful, Charlotte… you hand a girl something this pretty, she might start thinking you’re trying to impress her.

 

Brexis: I didn’t pin you as someone particularly easy to impress. 

 

Natasha felt the smallest kick of heat spark low in her chest. She set the plasma charge down with precision, as if she needed her hands free to keep the moment steady.

 

Cole: ::glancing up through her lashes, playful:: Let’s just say you have my attention.

 

She turned her gaze toward the field. The bridge console sat crooked, its blinking status lights flickering like it knew its days were numbered.

 

Cole: ::pointing at it:: I don’t like that console. Seems… judgy. Like it’s questioning all my life choices.

 

Brexis: ::Narrowing her eyes towards the console and cracking her knuckles:: Not in my holodeck. ::pointing to the console:: You’re done for! ::turning to Cole:: I think we need to use something aggressive with this one.

 

Cole: ::grinning:: Oh absolutely. Something loud enough it won’t have time to reflect on its mistakes.

 

Brexis: ::Yelling towards the console:: No one judges my friend! 

 

Natasha felt that again, a subtle pulse of energy, not unlike the moment before an explosion ignites. Except this time, it wasn’t coming from the ordnance.

 

Cole: ::plucks a plasma charge off the table, meeting Charlotte’s eyes over the casing; a loose strand falls forward and she absently tucks it behind her ear:: Hope you’re fast on your feet, Charlotte. I’ve been told I can be a bit of an adrenaline junkie.

 

Brexis: Here I was worried about you being able to keep up with me.

 

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: Response

 

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: Response

 

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: Response

 

Tags/TBC 

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Lt. JG Natasha Cole
Security Officer
USS Artemis-A
Writer ID A240205NC4