Serren Tan & Mikali sh'Shar - Andorian Blues: The Deal, Part X

[David Adams]

(( Sto'Vo'Kor, USS Gorkon ))

They cleaned their plates and then headed back out to the ship. Tan hoped that nobody would be too concerned about their very public little breakdown, but he also didn't really care altogether that much. If anyone asked he would explain that she was a former officer trying to get her life on track, and that parents making huge sacrifices for their kids was something that bought out the waterworks for him.

Hopefully that would be enough to ward away the rumour mill that seemed to operate with impunity on every ship in the fleet.

Tan: So, how long are you staying?

sh'Shar: Eh. Not long. I... I have to get signed into this program as soon as possible. Every day I spend here is another day I won't have on the other side. So honestly, I was going to scoot over to the transporters once we were done here. Get some quarters on Iana Station. Meet my contacts there. I budgeted on spending a few days trying to convince you, but... I guess I don't need to now.

Tan: Guess you don't. Still, I wouldn't mind if you did stay. Got a lot to catch up on.

sh'Shar: I know. But I... can't. Where's the transporter room?

Serren smiled understandingly and walked her to one of the various transporter rooms. The area was pretty crowded, and they formed an orderly queue, waiting for their turn.

Finally it was sh'Shar's turn. She stepped up onto the platform, waiting to get beamed over to the station.

Tan: Okay. Take care, Blue. It was nice to both meet you for the first time, and see you again after so long.

They were both very different people now. Tan more literally than her, but in many ways no less.

In many ways they had both just met for the first time.

sh'Shar: Watch your arse out there, Spots. You won't have me to protect you anymore.

An image of Sevo flashed into his mind. And...

Tan: Oh, don't worry, I think I've found someone who will keep an eye on it.

The transport process started, bright light starting to shimmer all around Mikali. Her eyes nearly bugged out as her body started to fade away.

sh'Shar: Wait, what? Wait! You didn't tell me about any --

The blue flare of a transporter took her away to Iana Station, leaving nothing but a shower of falling blue sparks in her wake.

Tan chortled and then slipped out of the crowded transporter room, a little pep in his step.

Vaala was here, Rael was here, and sh'Shar was here, and while that was them sorted in descending order of destructive terribleness, he was glad that the rest of his old friends had finally managed to show up.

Even sh'Shar.

A year would go past quicker than he imagined. And while it was far from certain that sh'Shar would get her commission back, the possibility existed that she might. Regardless, there was a lot she could do with that certificate that would satisfy her need to care for her daughter. Even with her wings clipped, Mikali was on the right path to sorting her life out, and that made him feel very good indeed.

It felt good to help people.

He could practically taste that birthday cake already.

fin

--

Ensign Serren Tan

Security/Tactical

USS Gorkon

O238704AT0