Lieutenant Ras El'Heem - Miscreants, the lot of you
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((Timeskip, Shuttlebay, Deck 2, USS Khitomer, Ceram Archipelago))
The ride up gave Ras just enough time to contemplate his actions. He was inserting himself into a situation that didn’t require him and adding risk to a mission that already carried the full weight of first contact with a potentially hostile species. The officers assigned to the away mission were more than capable to conduct diplomatic relations and rescue Richard. Even Talia, though she might say something weird at the worst possible moment. He trusted them to get the job done. But trust wasn’t the issue. It wasn’t about capability, it was about correcting a mistake. Richard had gone out on Ras’s order, and whatever followed needed to be met in kind. Delegation wouldn’t do. If Richard was going to look at him as a competent Chief and not just a friend, it would be because Ras had stepped into the consequence himself.
By the time the turbolift reached Deck Two, he had let his regrets harden. The plan was already in motion. He’d need to see it through. When the doors parted, Ras stepped out of the turbolift and waited only a moment for Michaels to arrive and as soon as she did, he began walking to the shuttlebay.
El’Heem: Lieutenant.
Michaels: Response
He hesitated briefly before responding.
El’Heem: They required a science officer for the away team and Lieutenant Semara is going to have her hands full.
Michaels: Response
The doors to the shuttlebay opened, revealing the remaining complement of officers standing in front of the shuttle. Talia, Torada, and….Amelia. The force of habit almost took over and he had to will the smirk to restrain itself. The twist of fate of Amelia being in charge of the away team felt at odds with the probability of their working together decreasing when she had moved to the furthest posting from science they could manage. And yet here she was.
Semara: :: Slowly :: Two more...
The look on Amelia’s face told him she was more surprised than he was to be there. For the first time since their odd courting ritual had begun, he had the upper hand for once and it made him feel devilishly cunning.
Take that horse murderers!
Ras put more confidence in his posture than he felt and stepped in to close the ring of plotting officers with a nod.
Ohnari: Lieutenant El'Heem...do you have some information for us before we go?
He tucked his hands behind his back and looked to Talia.
El'Heem: Oh nothing that important Commander Ohnari ::glancing to Amelia without turning his head:: just that Captain Naxell has ordered me to be a part of the away team to represent the science posting in the delegation.
Michaels: Response
There was a silence that threatened to upend whatever mental preparations Amelia had done to ready herself for this role. It would almost be satisfying if it wasn’t for poor ol’ Richards condition. Torado broke the silence.
Torado: I really wish I'd brought snacks for this. ::finger snap of realization, pointing at El’Heem:: But, hey! I guess we are!
Ras crinkled his forehead as he looked to Torado. Was the implication that all three women knew about the pair? He glanced to Talia. That one made sense. Amelia would’ve have gone to Talia first about them. Torado? No, he was reading too much into it and he let the comment slide off him. Then his eyes settled on Amelia and her face somehow ran the gamut of emotions without ever flinching a muscle. Oh she was mad. Right? Or was that confusion…lust? One expression to rule them all.
Amelia must have realized they were all waiting for her to respond and snapped out of it.
Semara: :: Lips pursing. :: Fine. :: Beat :: But if I'm pretendin' at first officer... :: Motion up and down Ras' height. :: we're doin' somethin' smart 'bout all this. :: Hand flourishing vaguely. :: I dunno, some kinda disguise. :: Beat, looking sideways. :: Talia?
Ras narrowed his eyes at her.
Ohnari: Oh....::beat::: Ooooh....::clearing her throat:: I am pretty confident in my plastics abilities...::tilting her head:: I think he would make a rather fetching Redhead.
Hold on. Redhead…
Torado: Oh! Oh yeah, that makes way more sense than “pet giraffe.”
The weight of their words smacked him like a gravity well. He held up his hands and took one small step backwards. All four women were looking at him and the glint in their eyes told him that they were much too excited for this. Talia’s expression was down right rabid. And Amelia would have her pound of flesh. Michaels was ever stoned faced but it seemed she agreed with the logic that followed a disguise would increase their chances of success. Torado….she was likely just in it for the humiliation.
Michaels: Response
Someplace, somewhere this was someone’s dream. Ras was sure there were a few details he’d tweak, but….
El'Heem: Now wait a minute ladies…let’s not get carried away. Surely there is another option.
His eyes darted from face to face, and he began to feel like a caged animal as he took another slow step back, for fear that frantic movements would cause them to pounce with predatory vigor.
Semara: Oh, no. If I'm in charge a' this team and keepin' y'all safe, this is happenin'. :: A low, flirty chuckle. :: Don't worry, we'll make sure you're a very pretty woman. :: Coyly. :: 'Less you got a better idea, chief?
There was an unfortunate reality realized by her question. He did not have a better idea. This was probably their best bet. And the fact that Amelia was so into it, it was almost doing things to him. That low purr in her voice sent a shiver through him.
oO This better not awaken anything in me Oo
Ohnari: ::raising her hand:: They seem to have a less than desirable opinion on men, and considering it's Ensign Matthews we're rescuing...perhaps a little camouflage might be the thing. ::holding her palm in a vow:: And I swear on my integrity as a physician to reverse any temporary cosmetic changes.
Torado: Let's not commit ourselves to anything hasty, Doc. Maybe the Lieutenant and his, uh, special someone come to like things.
He looked at Torado with a wince and then slyly back to Amelia as he cocked his head.
El'Heem: Torado, don’t give her- I mean them ideas. They’re practically foaming at the mouth.
Ras swallowed hard. He knew he would need to relent to his fate if they were going to get anywhere near that ship. Amelia and Talia had already made up their minds about it and for the record, they were enjoying the prospect far too much.
Michaels: Response
The scowl the crept across his face gave way to resignation and he took one deep breath before letting it out slowly as he shook his head.
Semara: Alright. We're almost overdue. Michaels and Torado, take the shuttle controls and take us out, thrusters only. Once we're clear, hail the alien ship and let's request a flight plan. Keep the approach slow to give a minute. :: Beat :: Talia, I know I ain't a nurse, but I'll make up for my biochem scores with fashion sense. Lemme know how I can help. :: A head tilt to the shuttle. :: Let's go. You got questions, ask 'em in the shuttle.
Torado: You got it. ::to Michaels:: I fly, you talk?
Michaels: Response
El'Heem: Alright…alright. If these are the conditions that are required for me to be on the away team. Then….let’s just get it over with.
Ohnari: ::her fingers steepled and chittered against each other in giddiness:: Lieutenant El'Heem, if you'll join me and Lieutenant Semara in the back of the shuttle…
Ras slightly hung his head and began a moped walk towards the shuttle.
TAGS/END
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Lieutenant Ras El ‘Heem
Chief Science Officer
USS Khitomer (NCC-62400)
K240106RE3