Lt. JG Natasha Cole - The Dress Between Past and Present
Natasha Schell
((Elysium - Main level, Deck 6, USS Artemis))
Natasha raised an eyebrow at the myriad of simulation suggestions Alex rattle off. They all had great potential. Truth be told she had a slew of ideas coming to mind, but something Alex said sparked an idea.
Cole: ::leaning in matching Alex’s energy:: How about an amalgamation of sorts blending some elements and leaving some room for surprises.
Storm: Go on.
Cole: Ok, so here is my thought. Simulation is set up where the ship has been boarded by entities unknown, but their doppelgangers of our crew. Think like a mimic, or skinwalker, where they look and sound like us, but something is just a bit … off.
Storm: That’s a fabulous idea. Where’d you come up with something like that so quickly?
Cole: Oh it’s a thing from old Appalachian folklore. Think more along the lines of changelings, but more primordial and mysterious. Anyway these entities once aboard the ship, partition it so they can sow distrust and gain control of critical systems to travel the galaxy or some such.
Storm: It sounds mystifying. ::Her grin sharpened, mind already racing through possibilities.::
Cole: We could even set the program to pull inspiration for these entities from folklore and mythology to add some elements of surprise.
Storm: We absolutely could. Okay, let’s talk about particulars so we can set up said scenario. How do these entities get on board? And how many entities are there?
Cole: We beam them aboard. ::smiles:: Under the guise of responding to a distress call from a remote planet where the ‘survivors’ have been isolated. As for how many, as many as we want, but for our exercise I would suggest no more than a dozen. In Appalachian lore Mimic’s are supposed to be ancient, known for betrayal of the familiar and erosion of identity and trust. It’s what makes them so terrifying.
Storm: I like it! And how many ways are they going to partition the Artemis up? Personally, I think we should keep sickbay, the bridge, the security area, and engineering separate. oO If only real threats came with this much advance notice. Oo What do you think?
Cole: I think that’s a good idea, from the standpoint of someone attempting to take control of the ship, each of those locations would be invaluable for various reasons, not just limited to controlling the ship as a whole.
Natasha thought she noticed a hint of sadness in Alex’s face, it was brief, but as quick as it came it was gone and her smile had slipped back.
Storm: And how does the scenario end? Capture, containment, or something beautifully chaotic?
Cole: I think in true Appalachian fashion, their not captured or contained. They’d be more likely to just run, be it by taking a shuttle, beaming off the ship or even, using an airlock to escape. ::making direct eye contact:: After all … do mimic’s need to breath?
Storm: I’ve picked up some hearsay about the Captain airlocking ensigns. While I’m sure there’s no real substance to it, who knows? Maybe your solution to the scenario would play into the rumor.
Cole: I do think it would be a good idea to have a safe word just in case the computer takes its recreation of Mimic’s to far. My go to is Pineapple, ::shrugs:: but I’m open to suggestions.
Alex’s eyes crinkled with laughter.
Storm: Pineapple works for me.
Cole: You ok? You looked a bit sad, or maybe distracted a moment ago. It’s ok if you don’t want to share.
Storm: I’m okay.
Cole: …Uh-huh. And I’m a Tellarite ballerina. Want to try that again?
This time she chuckled.
Storm: Really … It’s just ... It’s strange. Have you ever felt guilty for enjoying yourself or for letting your guard down?
Natasha thought about how she chose her own happiness over others expectations for her and the repercussions of that. Her eyes drifted toward her PADD on the table, with a hint of her own sadness.
Cole: No ::looking back to Alex:: I’ve chosen to be unapologetically myself, and admittedly my guard is always up.
Storm: Sometimes I get so focused on something that I have to remind myself that it’s okay to enjoy what I do, or to enjoy laughing with a colleague.
Cole: If you don’t take the time to enjoy things, you run the risk of losing yourself. ::making a face, that conveyed a familiarity with that topic:: And I’ve seen what that does to officers.
Storm: There’s … just too much else I’m focusing on.
Cole: So what’s dominating your focus? Do you need me to put on my friend hat, or Security hat?
Alex lifted her hands and pressed them face before lowering them.
Storm: Neither? Both? ::Deep sigh:: I don’t know anymore.
Natasha leaned forward and listened intently as Alex shared what she was comfortable sharing. Being sure to not interrupt and only nodded when she felt it was appropriate.
Storm: I’m looking for my daughter. Two years ago, my husband took off with her, and I haven’t seen either since. So when you ask about where I’ve put my attention … it’s all been on finding her.
Cole: ::exhaling slowly through her nose:: That is a lot to deal with. As your friendly colleague, I am very sorry that you’ve had to carry this. No one should ever have their child taken from them.
Storm: You’re right, they shouldn’t.
Cole: Now with that being said, ::in air quotes:: Hypothetically if you need a hand to … any emergency extractions. ::end air quotes:: I want to help.
Storm: If and when the time comes, I’ll let you know. But … what about you. Yeah, I’m betazoid, but I don’t need to be one to catch your guard slip a few moments ago.
Natasha started to nod and then realized she had been called out.
Cole: It’s not important, not like what you’ve been dealing with.
Storm: Hey, I’ve bared my soul …::Tipping her head to the side and grinning:: or at least my misfortune to you. I can likely handle whatever it is you’ve got going on.
Natasha let out a sigh, looking back to her PADD. She realized that Alex would likely not let her drop it.
Cole: Yeah… this time of year's a little complicated for me.
Storm: Family can be our biggest support or our worst enemy. Unfortunately, the same can be said of ourselves too, sometimes.
Natasha hesitated, eyes unfocusing just enough to suggest she was choosing her words carefully.
Cole: I call my father ‘the Commander’ Not as a joke. He was one in Starfleet, and he never really stopped being one at home. Everything was structure, discipline, expectations. ::a faint, wry smile:: Turns out that doesn’t leave much room for your kid to be… different.
Storm: Response
Cole: I started my transition around the holidays. Thanksgiving, actually. My mom showed up. No questions, no hesitation. My sibling did too. He… didn’t. Instead of trying, he left.
Storm: Response
Natasha glanced back at Storm, grounding herself in the present.
Cole: So when the calendar rolls around to late November, my brain knows I’m safe … but my body still remembers, gets a little heavier.
Storm: Response
Cole: And for what it’s worth? Calling him ‘the Commander’ helps. Keeps him where he belongs … in my past, and out of my head. ::a half smile:: Unless you're suffering from simulated radiation poisoning, Thanks for that Ollie.
Storm: Response
Tags/TBC
-----
Lt. JG Natasha Cole
Security Officer
USS Artemis-A
Writer ID A240205NC4