Lt Kayla Drex: Time to Go, Kiddo Pt 1 (NT)

[Kayla Drex]

((OOC - This has all been arranged with Nicholas offline, so I'm proceeding with this character plot arc with the understanding that all official arrangements have been seen to IC but out-of-sim))

((USS Eagle, Deck 10 - Shuttle bay 1))

:: Kayla stood just inside the hatch of the Condor, assisting Crewman O'Rourke with the pre-flight checklist while she waited for their passenger: a 12 year-old girl who'd somehow managed to stow away aboard the Eagle not just once, but twice. She was honestly shocked to hear this, given the Eagle's nearly airtight security, but supposedly, Miss McQueen had managed it. ::

Drex: Looks like we're just about set, Donovan. Need any more help from me?

O'Rourke: No, we're ready to go. Thanks for your help, Lieutenant.

:: Kayla nodded and stepped out of the shuttle. She studied the small craft. Looking at her now, you'd never know what had happened the last time Kayla had flown in her. All traces of the exploits in the Edrov system had been erased. Her admiration of the engineering crew's efforts was interrupted however by the sound of the doors to the shuttle bay hissing open. Turning, Kayla saw a young, dark-eyed and dark-haired girl being escorted in her direction by a yellow-clad crewman she didn't recognize. He strode up to Kayla, stopped, and actually saluted. ::

oO Ok ... we'll stick with formalities. Oo

Jeffers: Lieutenant Kayla Drex?

Drex: ::returning his salute:: Yes. At ease, crewman.

Jeffers: This is Charlotte McQueen. I have been ordered to remand her into your custody.

:: Remand her into Kayla's custody? Geez, you'd think this kid was an enemy of the state or something. She glanced at the girl, who hadn't said a word. She was staring at her feet. Kayla could tell the girl was completely defeated and dejected. She couldn't help but feel a pang of sympathy for the pre-teen. Ok, formalities were fine, but this was just adding insult to injury. Kayla decided to end this "prisoner transfer" as soon as possible. ::

Drex: Acknowledged, crewman. You're dismissed.

Jeffers: Sir, I am furthermore ordered to inform you that under no circumstances is Miss McQueen to be left unattended-

Drex: I understand, crewman. You are dismissed.

:: Kayla hated emphasizing rank, especially since he was just doing as he'd been ordered. Apparently though, this last part fulfilled his orders. He snapped to attention, saluted again, turned on his heel, and walked briskly from the shuttle bay. Kayla watched him go, shook her head in mild unbelief, then returned her gaze to the child, who still stood unmoving, staring at her feet. ::

Drex: Charlotte?

Charlie: ::mumbling:: ...

Drex: I'm sorry?

Charlie: It's Charlie. My name. I go by Charlie.

:: The girl - Charlie - sniffed. Kayla heard the resignation in her voice, and knew it for what it was. It was the tone used by one who had lost just about everything, but was trying desperately to maintain control on the one thing she could: her name. The feeling was so painfully familiar to Kayla, it actually made her smile sadly. ::

Drex: Sure thing. Nice to meet you, Charlie. I'm Kayla.

:: Charlie looked up at Kayla, studying her. Kayla didn't mind. She simply smiled warmly and held out a hand to the girl. ::

Drex: I understand this isn't the happiest of moments for you, but we can at least be friends while we travel, right?

Charlie: ::unsure:: ... It's ... nice to meet you, Kayla.

:: Charlie hesitantly put her hand in Kayla's, and the two walked onto the Condor as the engines came online. Five minutes later, the small long-range shuttle was travelling at low warp, bound for SB281. ::

TBC

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Lieutenant Kayla Drex

Chief Science Officer

USS Eagle, NCC-74659

Writer ID: E239510KD0

Image Collective, FNS Member

Science is life, art is soul, love is home

Wiki: Kayla Drex