LCDR Aine Sherlock - Grip It and Rip It

[Aine Sherlock]

((Gator Deck, Training Range, Deck 12, USS Octavia E. Butler))

"Now was as good a time as any" was an old Terran saying. And it was bullcrap. Especially when you had to tell someone bad news. And given the rumor that things got physical between Michele and Jack, maybe rightly so on her part (not that Aine would condone it publicly), she probably should have come armed.

The computer told her that Michele was on the training range of the Gator Deck. Going to the mostly Marines only area of the ship always felt weird to her. The gold yoke of her uniform seemed like a bright signal light in the dark green sea of the Marines. Some of them even still wore the old grey shouldered utilitarian uniform from a few years past. There was even one rather large boy who also wore a ball cap with a pirate flag on it. Marines were weird.

When Aine walked through the door of the training range, Michele looked up and even from that distance, Aine could see her jaw clench. Aine simply stood watching and waiting. She wasn't going to rush this, but also, Michele had to be expecting this. She couldn't have done what she had done and not expect this. The woman dismissed the other Marine before joining Aine.

Winters: Commander, welcome to the Gator Deck.

Aine gave Michele just half a quick nod, and a little benefit of the doubt as the woman was trying to be civil despite those tight jaw muscles.

Sherlock: Thank you, Captain. We need...

Winters: (holding up both hands and speaking with remorse) About earlier. I was out of line and I want you to know that was not directed at you.

Aine's mouth opened and closed slightly as if she were trying to say words, but not quite, because she was confused, because this was suddenly a very different temperment from Michele. It caught Aine a little off guard.

Sherlock: Um...well...I thank you? For recognizing what happened?

Winters: response

Aine quickly shook her head to "knock off the cobwebs."

Sherlock: I'm glad that you recognize your mistake. And you have to know there's going to be some form of punishment.

Winters: response

Sherlock: I'll cut to the chase oORip off the band-aid?Oo, you're going to be assigned to Engineering. They could use a good medic down, they have a series of injuries. So don't just patch them up, please teach them to quit hurting themselves.

Winters: response

Sherlock: Yes.

Before Michele could say anything else, it was Aine's turn to hold up her hands and stop her in her tracks.

Sherlock: I want you to know that I heard every word you said. Every concern. Every fear. And I also want you to know that I will be watching closely and if anything seems out of place with him, he will be pulled off the line immediately.

Winters: response

tag/TBC

LCDR Aine Sherlock

Chief of Security

U.S.S. Octavia E. Butler

R239712AS0