Ensign Tho’Bi - LaGrange Point

[Tobi]

((CREW QUARTERS, USS ARTEMIS-A))

With a dismissive wave of the hand, the Bajoran made for her quarters, only to be blocked by the still mid-repair door. Her cheeks a noticeable red, the Bajoran turned to face him again.

Vailani: That was supposed to be a dramatic exit :: then :: What do you have to say for yourself? 

Arms crossed. The Lieutenant waited.

Contorted blue. The young Andorian's facial muscles strained against themselves as they grappled with averting a smile.  

Tho'Bi: ::bitten down:: Sorry. ::smiles breaks out:: I am sorry ::smile squeezed:: that you could not make ::smile breaks out:: your dramatic ex-

The Andorian’s speech collapsed into a series of breathy laughs that might, for all the quadrant, be a large dog panting.

The Bajoran remained unmoved with the exception of eyes cast in a high arch of weary contempt.

Vailani: Ensign Tho'Bi can you just repair the door you broke and leave me alone. I'm sure if you hurry you'll catch your friend.

The Andorian laugh cut dry.

The Lieutenant sighed.

He stood up straight.

She crossed her arms.

Tho'Bi: ::quietly deliberate:: Crewman Leone is not my friend. 

One Door shunted up and along.  

Tho'Bi: He is why you have your door today and not next week.

Second door set straight.

Tho'Bi: Not all of Starfleet works the way it should.

Door Control Pad LCARS switched to Starfleet Standard Operating Code

Tho'Bi: the way you think it does.

DOORCON_ALGNCHK_EXT

Tho'Bi: Every Deep Space Station has a Tony

DOORCON_ALIGNST_87%

Tho’Bi: Enlisted broken by the Dominion War. 

Sonic Driver. Coupling adjustment.

Tho'Bi: By Officers like your Father.

If his words had troubled the Bajoran Lieutenant, she didn’t show it. He couldn't even be sure if she'd heard him.  

Vailani: If you could hurry up, that would be nice. I do have things I'd rather be doing. 

She was done with him, that much was clear.

DOORCON_ALGNCHK_EXT

Luckily, so was her door.

DOORCON_ALIGNST_100

Hyperspanner, bolt one. Two. Three. Four.

DOORCON_UNLOCK_EXT

DOORCON_LCARS_EXT

The bright colourful interface sprang back to live.

Swoosh! The door opened. 

The Bajoran breathed a sigh of relief.

The Andorian began to stow his gear.

Vailani: Finally. 

Lieutenant Vailani Chief of Operations USS Artemis-A stepped across the threshold into her quarters.  

The young Engineer snapped shut the grey Engineering kit and stood up to leave. To his surprise, the Bajoran turned; her green eyes to his dark blue.

Vailani: I saw potential in you. On the surface, during the Battle of Breetia. I like to think that was the real Tho'Bi. Maybe I was wrong. I guess that's up to you. 

The door control was pressed. The door closed. His chance of a response negated. 

//TIME JUMP: TWO HOURS LATER//

((UNDERSIDE OF MAIN HULL, USS ARTEMIS))

Close breath. Clunk, gravity boot. Snap! The damaged sensor came away. Slow turn. Old sensor stored for repair or recycle. Slow turn. New sensor lined up. Click and lock.  

Stand up, upside down. Look up, down onto Deep Space 224.  

Tho'Bi: oO Vailani: I saw potential in you. Oo

Push off. Drift.

Tho'Bi: oO Vailani: On the surface, during the Battle of Breetia. Oo

Into darkness.

Tho'Bi: oO Vailani: I like to think that was the real Tho'Bi. Oo

Halfway. Fire RCS.  

Tho'Bi: oO Vailani: Maybe I was wrong. Oo

Velocity halted. Cut RCS.

Tho'Bi: oO Vailani: I guess that's up to you. Oo

LaGrange Point. 

END OF SCENE FOR THO’BI 

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Ensign Tho’Bi

Engineering

USS Artemis-A

A240203T11