Lt. JG Natasha Cole - When an Officer Breaks
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Natasha Schell
Feb 5, 2026, 10:38:34 PMFeb 5
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((Riverside, Callis 1 ))
Natasha noticed the adult nudged the child as they collectively were backing away from the area. The adult darkling stared at them as if they were the threat in this situation, which was an interesting dichotomy.
Syn: No. Go if you have to, but let me back there. This isn't right.
Natasha’s eyes went wide at the sight of Ensign Syn literally took their hands and dug them into their flesh at the side of their own head.
Cole: What the [Expletive Deleted] are you doing?!
Storm: It’s not safe to follow them, Ensign.
Brexis: Response
MacKenzie: Now, Ensign Syn.
Syn: ::defeated:: No reason to stay now. Let's get back, quickly. Regroup at camp.
Cole: What the heck was that?
Storm: I don’t care what that was at this moment, as long as we’re all headed away from immediate danger.
Brexis: Response
The walk back to their camp was tense and quiet, save for the cautious footfalls of the weary group and the crackle of the detritus upon which they stepped.
(( Alleged Monastery, Callis 1 ))
Natasha clocked the tightness in Syn’s shoulders, the way their breathing went shallow. Fear didn’t always shout. Sometimes it folded inward.
Syn had made their way towards the fire.
Syn: ::with a dissatisfied grunt:: Hm, fire's dying.
They took the scraps of sticks left laying around the fire and began tending it, hoping to keep the spark alive long enough to heat the group another night. She glances sideways at Syn, not pressing, just present.
Natasha stepped closer to the fire, lowering herself into a crouch opposite Syn. She doesn’t rush them, just adds one longer stick to the edge of the embers, careful not to smother the flame.
Cole: ::calm, conversational:: Fire’s tired. Doesn’t mean it’s done.
Storm: And because we’re safe, neither are we - done that is.
Syn: ::scooting to 3 o'clock so Cole is directly to Syn's right, whispering to her:: Lieutenant. Cole.
Natasha watched as Ensign Syn moved closer, judging by their body language, they were scared, embarrassed, ashamed, possibly all three.
Syn: ::whispering voice breaking as they continue:: Something's wrong with me, Cole. I-I don't know if I'm seeing things where there aren't any, or-or if I'm... compromised, somehow, but something isn't right. I would go in front of a tribunal right now and, hand on the stand, swear that the little one was trying to... communicate? Make contact with us? I don't know. Maybe I'm just looking for patterns in the dark where there are none.
Brexis: Response
Cole: ::quiet:: As a kid, my first night alone in the woods, I thought the dark was breathing at me. Turns out… it just wanted me to slow down.
MacKenzie: Out here, I think the dark is actually breathing...
Storm: It does seem to have a life of its own. One that I don’t think we completely comprehend quite yet.
Natasha nodded, there was definitely more to this planet then they currently knew, and probably would ever know.
Syn: An odd and discerning darkness, this. Embracing flame up close, yet shirking flame's light through the filtration of atmosphere.
Brexis: Response
Cole: I know you want answers, we all do, but next time I will not hesitate or wait for the Captain's orders. I will physically remove you from danger if I have too.
MacKenzie: You want to tell me what that was about back there, Ensign?
Alex moved over towards the wall and leaned on her non injured shoulder.
Syn: ::in a practiced cadence:: There's no excuse for my behavior, sir.
Natasha fully expected the Captain to drag the Ensign into the other room and dress them down, but this was not a normal situation. She was impressed that the Ensign had the clarity of mind to acknowledge they messed up.
Brexis: Response
MacKenzie: That was pretty reckless back there, don't you think?
Storm: ::mouthing the words:: Understatement of the year.
Syn: ::with a curt nod:: Yes, sir.
Admittedly Natasha was trying to still process that Syn had somehow managed to do that with their hands. She didn’t know much about the Suliban, outside of some things around the time the Federation had been founded.
Brexis: Response
The Captain closed her eyes and shook her head.
MacKenzie: I don't know how it worked on whatever posting you were stationed to last, but that behavior won't work here, and it certainly won't work with me. (beat) Anyone have any interest in exploring some of the ruins while we have daylight left? I'd like to learn more about the people who lived here... maybe see if we can find any tools that would be useful.
Storm: Being out in the light felt good. I’d welcome going back outside.
Cole: It was a pleasant change of pace,
Brexis: Response
Storm: We found a lot in the side room here. Who knows what else we’ll find?
Syn: Anything is better than nothing, as they say sir. Supplies won't last much longer, and unless we learn how to start hunting our friends from the stream...
Cole: I had noticed some kinds of birds took flight earlier. If we could fashion a bow and some arrows, that gives us some options. I didn’t notice any kind of fish while we were at the river.
Brexis/MacKenzie: Response
Storm: Are we all going into each house, or are we separating into two groups? Strength in numbers or divide and conquer?
Cole: Splitting up could double the search area, and possible discoveries.
Brexis/MacKenzie: Response
Once outside, Natasha could feel the gentle breeze, closing her eyes she took in a deep breath. Had they been anywhere else she’d want to hike
Storm: I’m guessing we have about two hours of light left. Let’s keep an eye on that, so we don’t get caught unaware.
Syn: ::pained, still covering eyes with hand:: I leave the monitoring of the daylight situation in the team's capable hands. ::under their breath:: I swear it feels like that thing is trying to kill me.
Natasha offered the pained Ensign a half smile imagining them with sunglasses like those her and Roy wore on the holodeck. She glanced at the ground hoping everyone else was faring better than them.
Cole: ::low to MacKenzie:: Sir, I can keep an eye on Ensign Syn.
Brexis/MacKenzie: Response
(( OOC: keeping all tags, till teams are flushed out ))
Natasha kept Ensign Syn within a step of her as they explored the area outside the presumed Monastery. She noticed that they had their hand on their dagger with a grip tight enough that their knuckles were starting to change color.
As they approached the first building Natasha made note of its windows, they were barred as well, and the door appeared to have been left partially open. The structure was similar in style to that of the ‘Monastery’ it reminded her of buildings she had seen in the Balkans on Earth.
Cole: This place looks like it’s relatively intact, let's check out.
Syn: This place giving anyone else the distinct feeling we need to leave, or is that just me?
Natasha glanced at the Ensign.
oO Please don’t be having a panic attack Oo
Brexis/MacKenzie/Storm: Response
The Ensigns breathing was starting to get faster and faster. They looked as if they might jump out of their skin at the slightest sound. What was going on with them?
Syn: ::in a whisper, waving to the closest party member:: Wait! Something's wrong. I- I can't see straight. I feel like we're being watched, and I can see these... these things that aren't there. I don't know if I should keep going with you, I might be a bigger hindrance than a help.
Natasha looked from Ensign Syn to around the room and was not seeing anything troubling. What was their deal?
Cole: Enisgn, look at me. Are you good?
Brexis/MacKenzie/Storm: Response?
Natasha watched their pupils appear to be dilated. At that moment the Ensign took a frantic step backwards and drew their knife, brandishing it frantically as if there was an unseen attacker.
Syn: ::breath growing fast:: We have a problem. Do you see that too? The-the-the dark thing right there. You don't, do you?
The Ensign let out a laugh that made Natasha a little uncomfortable as they pushed past her and faced the open air.
Syn:[Expletive Expunged: Ensign Sairrek Syn under review for Conduct Unbecoming an Officer], I hope this is a hallucination. Please tell me I'm hallucinating.
She had been trying to figure out what was going on with the Ensign, they had been exposed to the same air, water, food … wait, the berries and leaves that the Captain had foraged. Was it possible Ensign Syn was having some kind of reaction to them? She had to think fast.
Cole: I think you might be having an unfortunate reaction to the Berries you had earlier.
Her heart was beating like a jackhammer in her chest. She never thought she’d have to disarm a fellow officer.
Syn: Response
Brexis/MacKenzie/Storm: Response?
As Ensign Syn was flailing about attacking their unseen assailant, Natasha was trying to decide how to resolve this situation to minimize harm to everyone, especially Ensign Syn.
Cole: ENSIGN! ::snapping her fingers getting Syn’s attention:: Eyes on me!
Syn: Response
Brexis/MacKenzie/Storm: Response?
Cole: I am going to need you to hand me your knife. ::extending her hand::
oO Please don’t stab me Oo
Syn: Response
Brexis/MacKenzie/Storm: Response
Tags/TBC
----- ◌● -----
Lt. JG Natasha Cole
Security Officer
USS Artemis-A
Writer ID A240205NC4
Natasha noticed the adult nudged the child as they collectively were backing away from the area. The adult darkling stared at them as if they were the threat in this situation, which was an interesting dichotomy.
Syn: No. Go if you have to, but let me back there. This isn't right.
Natasha’s eyes went wide at the sight of Ensign Syn literally took their hands and dug them into their flesh at the side of their own head.
Cole: What the [Expletive Deleted] are you doing?!
Storm: It’s not safe to follow them, Ensign.
Brexis: Response
MacKenzie: Now, Ensign Syn.
Syn: ::defeated:: No reason to stay now. Let's get back, quickly. Regroup at camp.
Cole: What the heck was that?
Storm: I don’t care what that was at this moment, as long as we’re all headed away from immediate danger.
Brexis: Response
The walk back to their camp was tense and quiet, save for the cautious footfalls of the weary group and the crackle of the detritus upon which they stepped.
(( Alleged Monastery, Callis 1 ))
Natasha clocked the tightness in Syn’s shoulders, the way their breathing went shallow. Fear didn’t always shout. Sometimes it folded inward.
Syn had made their way towards the fire.
Syn: ::with a dissatisfied grunt:: Hm, fire's dying.
They took the scraps of sticks left laying around the fire and began tending it, hoping to keep the spark alive long enough to heat the group another night. She glances sideways at Syn, not pressing, just present.
Natasha stepped closer to the fire, lowering herself into a crouch opposite Syn. She doesn’t rush them, just adds one longer stick to the edge of the embers, careful not to smother the flame.
Cole: ::calm, conversational:: Fire’s tired. Doesn’t mean it’s done.
Storm: And because we’re safe, neither are we - done that is.
Syn: ::scooting to 3 o'clock so Cole is directly to Syn's right, whispering to her:: Lieutenant. Cole.
Natasha watched as Ensign Syn moved closer, judging by their body language, they were scared, embarrassed, ashamed, possibly all three.
Syn: ::whispering voice breaking as they continue:: Something's wrong with me, Cole. I-I don't know if I'm seeing things where there aren't any, or-or if I'm... compromised, somehow, but something isn't right. I would go in front of a tribunal right now and, hand on the stand, swear that the little one was trying to... communicate? Make contact with us? I don't know. Maybe I'm just looking for patterns in the dark where there are none.
Brexis: Response
Cole: ::quiet:: As a kid, my first night alone in the woods, I thought the dark was breathing at me. Turns out… it just wanted me to slow down.
MacKenzie: Out here, I think the dark is actually breathing...
Storm: It does seem to have a life of its own. One that I don’t think we completely comprehend quite yet.
Natasha nodded, there was definitely more to this planet then they currently knew, and probably would ever know.
Syn: An odd and discerning darkness, this. Embracing flame up close, yet shirking flame's light through the filtration of atmosphere.
Brexis: Response
Cole: I know you want answers, we all do, but next time I will not hesitate or wait for the Captain's orders. I will physically remove you from danger if I have too.
MacKenzie: You want to tell me what that was about back there, Ensign?
Alex moved over towards the wall and leaned on her non injured shoulder.
Syn: ::in a practiced cadence:: There's no excuse for my behavior, sir.
Natasha fully expected the Captain to drag the Ensign into the other room and dress them down, but this was not a normal situation. She was impressed that the Ensign had the clarity of mind to acknowledge they messed up.
Brexis: Response
MacKenzie: That was pretty reckless back there, don't you think?
Storm: ::mouthing the words:: Understatement of the year.
Syn: ::with a curt nod:: Yes, sir.
Admittedly Natasha was trying to still process that Syn had somehow managed to do that with their hands. She didn’t know much about the Suliban, outside of some things around the time the Federation had been founded.
Brexis: Response
The Captain closed her eyes and shook her head.
MacKenzie: I don't know how it worked on whatever posting you were stationed to last, but that behavior won't work here, and it certainly won't work with me. (beat) Anyone have any interest in exploring some of the ruins while we have daylight left? I'd like to learn more about the people who lived here... maybe see if we can find any tools that would be useful.
Storm: Being out in the light felt good. I’d welcome going back outside.
Cole: It was a pleasant change of pace,
Brexis: Response
Storm: We found a lot in the side room here. Who knows what else we’ll find?
Syn: Anything is better than nothing, as they say sir. Supplies won't last much longer, and unless we learn how to start hunting our friends from the stream...
Cole: I had noticed some kinds of birds took flight earlier. If we could fashion a bow and some arrows, that gives us some options. I didn’t notice any kind of fish while we were at the river.
Brexis/MacKenzie: Response
Storm: Are we all going into each house, or are we separating into two groups? Strength in numbers or divide and conquer?
Cole: Splitting up could double the search area, and possible discoveries.
Brexis/MacKenzie: Response
Once outside, Natasha could feel the gentle breeze, closing her eyes she took in a deep breath. Had they been anywhere else she’d want to hike
Storm: I’m guessing we have about two hours of light left. Let’s keep an eye on that, so we don’t get caught unaware.
Syn: ::pained, still covering eyes with hand:: I leave the monitoring of the daylight situation in the team's capable hands. ::under their breath:: I swear it feels like that thing is trying to kill me.
Natasha offered the pained Ensign a half smile imagining them with sunglasses like those her and Roy wore on the holodeck. She glanced at the ground hoping everyone else was faring better than them.
Cole: ::low to MacKenzie:: Sir, I can keep an eye on Ensign Syn.
Brexis/MacKenzie: Response
(( OOC: keeping all tags, till teams are flushed out ))
Natasha kept Ensign Syn within a step of her as they explored the area outside the presumed Monastery. She noticed that they had their hand on their dagger with a grip tight enough that their knuckles were starting to change color.
As they approached the first building Natasha made note of its windows, they were barred as well, and the door appeared to have been left partially open. The structure was similar in style to that of the ‘Monastery’ it reminded her of buildings she had seen in the Balkans on Earth.
Cole: This place looks like it’s relatively intact, let's check out.
Syn: This place giving anyone else the distinct feeling we need to leave, or is that just me?
Natasha glanced at the Ensign.
oO Please don’t be having a panic attack Oo
Brexis/MacKenzie/Storm: Response
The Ensigns breathing was starting to get faster and faster. They looked as if they might jump out of their skin at the slightest sound. What was going on with them?
Syn: ::in a whisper, waving to the closest party member:: Wait! Something's wrong. I- I can't see straight. I feel like we're being watched, and I can see these... these things that aren't there. I don't know if I should keep going with you, I might be a bigger hindrance than a help.
Natasha looked from Ensign Syn to around the room and was not seeing anything troubling. What was their deal?
Cole: Enisgn, look at me. Are you good?
Brexis/MacKenzie/Storm: Response?
Natasha watched their pupils appear to be dilated. At that moment the Ensign took a frantic step backwards and drew their knife, brandishing it frantically as if there was an unseen attacker.
Syn: ::breath growing fast:: We have a problem. Do you see that too? The-the-the dark thing right there. You don't, do you?
The Ensign let out a laugh that made Natasha a little uncomfortable as they pushed past her and faced the open air.
Syn:[Expletive Expunged: Ensign Sairrek Syn under review for Conduct Unbecoming an Officer], I hope this is a hallucination. Please tell me I'm hallucinating.
She had been trying to figure out what was going on with the Ensign, they had been exposed to the same air, water, food … wait, the berries and leaves that the Captain had foraged. Was it possible Ensign Syn was having some kind of reaction to them? She had to think fast.
Cole: I think you might be having an unfortunate reaction to the Berries you had earlier.
Her heart was beating like a jackhammer in her chest. She never thought she’d have to disarm a fellow officer.
Syn: Response
Brexis/MacKenzie/Storm: Response?
As Ensign Syn was flailing about attacking their unseen assailant, Natasha was trying to decide how to resolve this situation to minimize harm to everyone, especially Ensign Syn.
Cole: ENSIGN! ::snapping her fingers getting Syn’s attention:: Eyes on me!
Syn: Response
Brexis/MacKenzie/Storm: Response?
Cole: I am going to need you to hand me your knife. ::extending her hand::
oO Please don’t stab me Oo
Syn: Response
Brexis/MacKenzie/Storm: Response
Tags/TBC
----- ◌● -----
Lt. JG Natasha Cole
Security Officer
USS Artemis-A
Writer ID A240205NC4
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