Lieutenant Valesha Sienelis - Stars Apart
Quinn Reynolds
((Cochtois Lagoon, Deluvia IV))
After the conversation with Bear had reached its end, Valesha glanced back toward Chris and Llaiira. Was this the right decision? Was it something she could regret for the rest of her days? It would be nice if the universe could offer some easy choices now and then. Life seemed to be a procession of... what did the humans call it? Stones and hard places, or something like that.
Sienelis: I'm going to head back. Let me know when I need to pack?
O. Marshall: I'll watch the feeds. KNS has been making noises about Federation citizens in the border sectors. Keep your pointy ears to the ground.
She nodded, letting the pointy ears comment pass. They could trade barbs later, and probably would. His farewell (for now) said, Valesha parted ways and moved back toward her husband and daughter, sharp ears catching his retreating steps.
A frown crested on Chris' brow as watched her return, while Llaiira remained oblivious to her parents' mood. The young girl squealed something in two languages that should never normally meet and then launched herself from her father's shoulders with reckless disregard for gravity.
Definitely Valesha's daughter, as if there had ever been any doubt.
Chris caught her with paternally enhanced reflexes and handed the cackling child to her mother. Valesha scooped the dangling child into her arms and absently pressed a kiss to her chestnut hair.
C. Sienelis: Lena?
Sienelis: Lena. ::She exhaled a sigh.:: No one will tell him anything about where she is or what she's doing. So he wants to find out for himself.
C. Sienelis: It's only what I'd do to find you. Hunt down every wraith in the quadrant, and then some.
She smiled at him, despite the pall that had settled on their day. There was no doubt in her mind that's exactly what he would do, if she vanished with no trace. As she would for him, and woe betide anyone who got in her way. For a moment, she wondered if Lena would do the same for Bear, though it wasn't a thought she wanted to linger on.
C. Sienelis: How bad is it?
Sienelis: I don't know. All he has to go on are gut feelings, and his gut isn't the most objective party in this mess. It could be nothing. It could be something.
C. Sienelis: Response
The problem with gut feelings was that they were usually based on some subconscious knowledge. Connections the waking brain hadn't put together, an amalgam of experience and theory that the brain transmitted in abstract terms. Rationally, there was no good reason to go hunt Lena down. She could think on her feet, had the training and the experience, and had spent plenty of time undercover in the past.
But Bear was an intelligence officer, too. Even if they didn't go into full operational details with him, surely they could manage something more than the crumbs on offer. From what she'd read, Valesha doubted they would have acknowledged Lena even existed, if not for the fact they were talking to a man who knew she did. Something didn't feel right... and so maybe it wasn't.
Sienelis: I mean, Lena's good at this. First time we met her, we had no idea she was undercover until the operation was over. If there's anyone who can take care of themselves when things go wrong, it's her.
C. Sienelis: Response
Sienelis: I don't know, Chris. I get operational security, but this..?
C. Sienelis: Response
--
Assistant Chief Science Officer
USS Gorkon
simmed by
Commanding Officer
USS Gorkon
T238401QR0