Ensign T’Fearne - Pulling Rank
teayl.thorn
((Lavatory Module, Outer Concourse, Tether Terminal, Proxima Sigma IV))
((T-Minus 85 Hours, 20 Minutes to Impact.))
Some time had passed as they were left alone to examine and document the scene. The silence stretched as peacefully between them as it could with them hovering over an unfortunately deceased. T’Fearne crouched near the busted open lockers, taking readings before Alyndra asked for her opinion.
Syrex: What do you think caused the boot marks T’Fearne?
Crouching down to look closely at the marks, some were red dust from the dirt outside the facility. She took a deep breath through her nose and opened her mouth slightly. She scented earth—soil, the synthetic material the soles of boots were made of, various spills and fluids that a person trod on during their day, walking around and something slightly acrid.
T’Fearne: It could have been the thrashing, as you say, but it looks more like someone walking around in here. :: Pointing:: This could be a drag mark. None of it is conclusive.
Syrex: It’s possible. But then someone falls, the natural physiological response is to flail about, these marks are almost all on the floor.
T’Fearne glanced toward the lavatory stall where the body had been.
T’Fearne: :: Indicating the lav :: There’s also less blast damage here—further from the terminal’s outer wall. The west side and entrance showed heavy over-pressure signs. Maybe he was caught in it, wounded, and made it back here. Or… someone moved him. Helped or finished him off.
She shook her head slightly. She didn’t like not having enough data to formulate a concise hypothesis.
They worked more for some time in silence until Alyndra broke the silence again with a curveball.
Syrex: Also, I hope my promotion doesn’t change anything between us.
T’Fearne was having a moment where her empathic sense was strangely null, no emotion echoed from Alyndra—not even a whisper. She studied her roommate… soon-to-be ex-roommate with surprise at the unexpected conversational segway. Head tilted slightly to the side, she gave her friend the eyebrow.
T’Fearne: Odd time for that kind of question. :: nodding to the body :: Why? What are you worried about, Alyndra?
Syrex: Well.. We have a little downtime now, just working through this whilst O’Connor and Carpenter are back doing.. Whatever… Because you’re my best friend, I’m going to find it hard to pull rank, which I need to do now that we’re both on duty.
T’Fearne felt something stir inside—pride, concern, something bittersweet. She didn’t hide it. A small, wry smile slipped through as she put a hand on Alyndra’s blue shoulder and gave it a squeeze. Even without an empathic sense in that moment, she guessed that Alyndra was worried about this change in their circumstances.
T’Fearne: Firstly, I’m proud of you. I knew that you could do it, :: playfully :: and I expect to see you reach full Lieutenant by week's end. :: More seriously :: Alyndra, when have you ever had trouble pulling rank? Your medical position already gives you specific authority. This is just an extension of trust that the Captain sees you are ready for. I expect you to pull rank if you see the need, and I trust your judgment. We are Starfleet officers, a team, we work together to keep eachother safe, and if you see something I don’t, I rely on you to warn me. Your promotion benefits the Ronin because you care for its crew, and now you are in an even better position to do that. :: meeting the crystal blue eyes :: Finally, things will change between us, as much as we may not want it to, change is just part of life, but we adapt, my friend.
She winced a bit at the end, disliking change herself but recognising its need at times.
Alyndra looked like she was about to respond when the helms officer came dashing back to the lavatory cubicle and stopped, fidgeting in the doorway and cleared his throat.
O’Connor: Sorry to interrupt. We need to wrap up here. We’re heading out.
oO Did he think he interrupted something personal? I suppose he did. Oo
Syrex: Leaving? Why?
O’Connor: The Captain has ordered us back to Ronin. We’re going to pick up the XO and he’ll brief us from there.
The security officer stood from her crouch and looked past the green-skinned officer out into the rest of the facility.
T’Fearne: :: speculating :: The train… something must’ve happened.
A look of concern shot across Alyndra’s face.
Syrex: But.. We’ve only just scratched the surface of what’s happening here. There’s so much more to learn.
O’Connor: Agreed, doctor. Lt. Commander Carpenter will be staying here to coordinate with the local officials and hopefully she’ll be able to continue to investigate as well.
That threw a complication in T’Fearne’s mind. She didn’t like the idea of the Chief being stranded here alone.
T’Fearne: If the Chief is remaining behind, then I should also stay. She may need backup.
She brushed the dust off her uniform and reslung her rifle and gear, preparing to leave to follow Carpenter.
Syrex: Is that wise? Don’t get me wrong, I know that Commander Carpenter can look after herself, but as the leading physician here, I have my concerns.
O’Connor: I understand and I have my reservations as well, but the captain can see the bigger picture. Besides just following his orders, have faith in the man. He’s earned my trust numerous times over. Lt. Commander Carpenter is already gone and we need to get a move on.
T’Fearne’s brows knit together. The gentle edge of command in his voice made it clear—this wasn’t up for debate. That didn’t make it any easier for her to obey.
T’Fearne:...Understood, sir.
Alyndra sighed.
Syrex: Already gone… Right… Well. I’ll collect some more data here, then join you in the shuttle in around 10 minutes, if that’s all right?
T’Fearne didn’t argue, though she doubted it would take just 10—more like 50-70 minutes. The terrain was treacherous on the way in, and she wasn’t looking forward to navigating back through the radiation patches unless he had re-parked the shuttle closer. She would use the tricorder to plot the optimal route to wherever the shuttle was now located. She was also annoyed with leaving without Kirsty, and she didn’t want to say anything that might let her emotions escape.
O’Connor: No, that’s perfect. Get what you can in the next few minutes. I’m running the shuttle through some diagnostics anyway to make sure nothing was damaged from its little shielding maneuvers.
T’Fearne: Comm if you need any help. Otherwise, I'll stay here with the Doc and help pack up.
Syrex: Response
O’Connor: Ok, I’ll see you two back on board Sojourn in a few minutes then.
He turned and headed back to the waiting craft.
T’Fearne nodded stiffly and strode briskly out of the lav cubicle, her boots echoing against the polished tiles. The sooner they made it to the train and found a way to deal with the situation, the sooner Kirsty and all the inhabitants of PS4 would be safe.
This was the situation that she and Alyndra had just been discussing, but with Ian pulling rank, now she was being put to the test.
She entered the corridor and stopped, sharp ears twitching at a strange, low rumble. It grew—metal grinding and the twanging of cable, something heavy sliding. She looked up through a shattered skylight.
A massive disc-shaped object was descending—an orbital lift, sparks flying from its brakes as it screeched along the tether. It vanished below the rooftop, and a second later, a deep metallic clang echoed from the arrivals lounge.
She returned to the lav where Alyndra was almost done collecting her data.
T’Fearne: Something has just descended from the station in one of the orbital lifts attached to the tether. We should have a quick look before reporting back to the shuttle.
Syrex: Response
T’Fearne: It could be something important. We haven't found much else of substance here to explain what happened or who did it. It will only take a moment to have a look.
Syrex: Response
Faintly, she could hear strange chittering noises echoing from the corridors and the sound of several somethings dragging something heavy.
[Tags, You're it! / End of scene for T’Fearne]
((OOC: I’m ending this scene here and picking up the story in the sojourn with a bit of a time skip.))
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Security Officer
USS Ronin - NCC-34523
R240107T14