Ensign Tess Evinrude - For Your Eyes Only

[Tess Evinrude]

((1803 hrs - Turbolift Entryway, Deck 3, Starboard Catamaran, USS Ronin, Orbiting PSIV))

The fantastical holodeck adventure with Beck and Tucker had left Tess yearning for more time in the forest. There would be no manipulative temptress, no cryptozoological mystery, and - of course - no magic, but there would be many other lovely things.

Tess had spent some time in real-life Chicago as a teenager, living with his father and finishing school. It was his only time truly living planetside, and the allure of a planet had finally clicked while exploring the coastline of Lake Michigan.

He realized that heavenly bodies move slower than starships.

The science behind that sentiment could be debated, but it felt true. A planet would keep turning without the toil of preventative maintenance. Life expanded outward into open country, defying efficient use of space, but on a station those living around you pressed inward, ever-present, and each cubic meter demanded optimization.

The operations ensign adored living and working in space - the tangled jumble, the parade of diversity, life in defiance of the void - but sometimes he needed a slower pace.

A quick search of planetary maps revealed a forest near Prism Lake, a sight that by itself was worth seeing. He packed a small rucksack with snacks, hydration, bare-minimum first aid, and a change of clothes, and, still in uniform, left his quarters to log his intentions in-person at the main operations department office.

When the turbolift chimed and the doors whisked open, his mind was wandering...and he nearly walked straight into someone. A pair of calm dark eyes, unfazed yet keen.

For some reason, Tess thought of the huldra in Beck's holo-program.

T’Fearne: Tess. How convenient. I was just coming to find you. 

Swallowing, the ensign caught his bearings. The Vulcazoid was dressed for off-duty activities. Tactical-chic.

oO Is she also going down to the surface? Oo

Regardless, her intention to seek him out was not unwelcome.

Evinrude: ::With a smile.:: I'm actually slated for some shore le--

Before he could finish that statement, T'Fearne smoothly slipped her arm through his and turned him around, guiding him back down the corridor as if they were on a casual promenade. Her pace was brisk and her grip firm, and Tess momentarily wondered if this was some on-duty security detail, but her expression shut down that idea. It was one he'd grown accustomed to - amusement, understated but distinct.

She was planning something fun.

T’Fearne: If you're scheduled on leave for the next few days, I could use your help with something. But we can’t wear our uniforms.

((Tess Evinrude’s Quarters, Deck 3))

Without another word, they had crossed the short distance to Evinrude's room. She even reached out to palm the control panel to his door, letting them into his own room without preamble, moving quickly.

Evinrude: ::Growing somewhat flustered.:: T'Fearne, I'm the only one in uniform. Are you suggesting I strip?

She was also carrying a pack, somewhat larger than his own, and when she slipped it off one shoulder and opened it, there was a second, nearly identical bag nested inside.

T’Fearne: :: unfazed :: Ah, I meant you need to change into civilian attire, we need to blend in with the colonists. Dress for warm weather, but bring a jacket. And a tricorder for data retrieval and analysis, and anything else you think might help for stitching corrupted logs or slicing encrypted subroutines. :: Handing over the empty pack :: Here you can put anything you need in that. And hurry please, the Kushiro is scheduled for a passenger run down to the colony. We’re booked. Departure is scheduled in 15 minutes, but we need to be quick, the turbolift is broken again or something, so we might have to take the jeffererys tubes.

He took all that in, glancing between T'Fearne and the empty backpack. His mind was already made up.

T’Fearne: I’ll explain more on the way. This should be interesting. :: pause :: Will you trust me?

Meeting her eyes, he tapped his combadge and smiled.

Evinrude: =/\= Evinrude to Kushiro. Can you delay departure by five minutes? Passengers are inbound and there's a turbolift out of commission. =/\=

Tess turned away and upended the rucksack onto his bed, transferring its limited contents into T'Fearne's larger bag.

Evinrude: ::To T'Fearne, over his shoulder.:: I'll need to strip after all. ::He pointed to a set of drawers, built into the wall.:: Can you grab me something to wear? Should be pants and a shirt that suits what you have in mind in there.

Kushiro Pilot: =/\= Response =/\=

His desk was strewn with sub-sections of the starship models Alyndra had gifted him, watched over in their various states of completion by still faces in photos from Evinrude's past or present. Some of them were unfamiliar to T'Fearne.

Evinrude opened a smallish fleet-issue equipment crate next to the desk, and slid a few pieces of diagnostic gear out of their form-fitting softpack slots. These too went into the bag, along with a standard PADD and tricorder.

Evinrude: That oughta do it. Just need to change. ::He paced back over to T'Fearne by the dresser, and accepted the clothes she'd chosen for him.::

T'Fearne: Response

He nodded and dashed over to the refresher.

Evinrude: ::From behind the closed door.:: These encrypted subroutines...are they Starfleet?

T'Fearne: Response

The refresher door slid open, revealing someone who very much looked the part required of him. His hair was out of regulation, messier from the wardrobe change, and - though he still looked casual enough to blend into a downtown square - Evinrude's boots and cargo pants were clearly built for practicality.

Evinrude: ::With a reassuring nod.:: Hey, I trust you. Whatever we get into down there, I know you'll have a good reason for it.

T'Fearne: Response

Tess grabbed his pack and bomber jacket and, after a hasty final glance about his room, an outdated but serviceable compact camera unit.

[Tags / TBC, possibly as a JP]

--

Ensign Tess Evinrude (OOC: Lieutenant J.G.)

[he/him]

Operations Officer

USS Ronin

R240111TE1