PNPC 1LT Alene Torado — The Greatest Showwoman
Nolen Hobart
((Marine Barracks, Deck 3, USS Khitomer, en route to the Lagoon Nebula))
With a complement so small, Marine officers aboard starships like Khitomer were faced with an awkward social choice: do they dine with the ship's fleet officers, or with the men and women they command? Either choice had its merits and risks. Get cozy with the officers, and you might lose a bit of connection to your enlisted. Get cozy with your enlisted, and decay your authority through familiarity. Thus it was that First Lieutenant Alene Torado, Khitomer's only marine officer left after the transfer of Captain Jones to the Eagle, usually dined alone. She saved meals with the enlisted for special occasions, and she'd made it a tradition to share breakfast with her marines the first morning of a new mission. She was in the middle of organizing the entire cadre when her combadge chirped.
Charles: ::puts on an exaggerated French accent:: =/\= Lieutenant Torado. Zis is Old Money, come in please. =/\=
She didn't notice, but the corners of her lips spread and climbed up towards her eyes.
Torado: =/\= Ah, Field Marshall. How can I help you? =/\=
Charles: =/\= You’ll never guess where we are… and where the ship is going. Again. =/\=
Corporal Niur was looking at her funny. She gave the Mazerite a scolding sort of scowl, and turned her back to the bunch before continuing the conversation. They'd give her hell for it, but that could wait until after.
Torado: =/\= Well, I know where we're going because I get a briefing, too. But as to where you are… I'm guessing ice cream? =/\=
Charles: =/\= Hm-hmm. Are you free? Lieutenant Zerva and I are at Holodeck One. How about you join us, and we make some actual progress this time? =/\=
Torado: =/\= Progress? Zerva and you? Not sure what kind of girl you think I am, Lieutenant. ::waving off the snickers behind her:: I'll be there shortly. Torado out. =/\=
The channel closed, Alene reset her face into the most serious “Lieutenant” expression she could muster before turning back around. As expected, all eyes (and, for M’reeth, the Caitian, ears) were on her. Private Greene opened his mouth to speak.
Torado: Can it.
Ohnari: =/\= Chief Medical Officer to all crew, please report to Sickbay prior to our arrival to the Lagoon nebula. Due to time constraints, we will also have a mobile vaccination station in Main Engineering, and on the bridge. ::pausing:: And yes, I do mean everyone. Ohnari out. =/\=
That was two curve balls in one morning.
Torado: Alright, Sickbay for your ‘sprays, then go get yourselves breakfast. I'll see you for supper.
Few people called inoculations by any formal name, besides doctors, in Alene's experience. Sometimes they were called “jabs” or “shots” consistent with long ago terminology for different technology. Often she heard them abbreviated to “hypos.” But “sprays” was funnier, so “sprays” she said.
((A short while later, Sickbay, Deck 5))
They had to take two turbolift cars to get the full complement down two decks to Sickbay. Might have been able to do it in one, clown style, but Alene was trying to reduce the number of hijinks her unit got up to. Which was difficult, given that her nature was very hijink-prone.
Ohnari: Oh, hey there Torado, here for your implantation?
Torado: Not until you buy me dinner at least, Doc. ::wink:: Actually, not just me.
Ohnari: ::blinking:: You mean...all of you...?
Torado: Marines, fall in and show the good doctor your best sides.
Dutifully, the dozen green-clad infantry lined up abreast and—more or less in unison—gripped their uniform waistbands, leaned forward, and presented themselves cheek-to-cheek for inoculation. Satisfied, Alene joined them both in line and form.
Ohnari: ::hiss:: Next, ::hiss:: Whoa, that looks infected, soldier, step out of line, I'm going to need that examined, ::hiss:: Ooh cool tattoo! Next! ::hiss::
Something made Doctor Ohnari’s rhythm break up, which irked Alene. She was the last on the line and any delay meant holding an awkward pose longer than strictly necessary for the wholly unnecessary bit.
Ohnari: Othin! Back on the line.
Othin: ::crossing her massive arms over her chest:: Five minute break boss. Union rules.
Ohnari: ::snorting:: If you say so.
With that cleared up, Torado, opted to give the Klingon nurse a playful wiggle. Tracking Ohnari in her peripherals, she managed to stop and hold still Just in time to feel a sharp pinch in her exposed buttock.
Torado: Ooooh, that's a thing.
Ohnari / Othin: Response
As she pulled her pants back up and readjusted the waistband she turned to face the medical staff. With a crooked, suspicious smile, she wondered if they had tried to make it extra painful.
Torado: Was it good for you, ladies? ::smirk:: Side effects we should be aware of?
Ohnari / Othin: Response
Torado: Got it. “In case of goo, promptly scrape marine into bucket and return to Sickbay.”
Ohnari / Othin: Response
TBC
——— ▯ ———
1st Lieutenant Alene Torado
Marine Officer
As simmed by
Lt. Commander Nolen Hobart
Executive Officer
USS Khitomer (NCC-62400)
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