[OM] LtCmdr Sky Blake, "Light-hearted."

[Deliera Jay]

((Officer's Mess))

Blake:::She crossed her arms, looking at Kelrod:: Do you trust me? I know that the circumstances behind my commission are rocky at best, but Carrero wouldn't have given me this rank if she didn't believe I deserved it. The impression you gave me on the Astraeus seemed as though you didn't believe I'd follow your lead, even after I told you I would. If you or the rest of the senior staff can't trust my judgement, then I need to seriously reconsider my role as a ranger attached to the Veritas.

::If her duties as a ranger were causing a conflict with her duty as a crew member aboard the Veritas, then she either needed to find a different position to fulfill whilst onboard, retrain as an officer (again), or return to Shadow's Edge. Blake had a unique distaste for the nomadic lifestyle, simply because her constantly moving was a bitter reminder that she still had no real place to belong yet. Ornara barely accepted her, her saving grace being the lack of physical Brekkian identifiers; she knew nothing about Betazed and it's culture or lifestyles; and Starfleet . . . if there was one constant, it was this, but she was still fighting for her position here. Her rank was one thing - once she'd spent a year under Carrero's gaze, it'd been a non-issue. But now that the Veritas was venturing out of the Bajak Laut sector, and the Brekkian cartels near-ceased to exist, she no longer had a real purpose here either.

::She'd not intended on bringing her son into her own little world of existential crisis, given how badly it had ended for him the first time, but here she was again. Here she was, re-evaluating her place in the universe.::

Kelrod: Let me answer you part by part. Do I trust you? Yes, I believe that I made it clear in our last personal conversation, despite your remark that you weren’t the Sky Blake that I knew years ago. It’s okay, I think I still beat you on that front.

::Sky scoffed, a cheeky smile spreading on her face as she glanced back out towards the stars.::

Kelrod: Second, don’t tell me about rocky commision into service. You should have dealt with Washington when he told me his ultimatum about revealing myself... Man, I respect that man, but he certainly had no clue of what being tactful and allow someone time to do things their way. It was Washington’s way, or get out! On the bright side, that decision allowed me so much freedom, but I still have him on my list.

::Her smile remained, but she couldn't help the frown across her eyebrows. She'd heard of Washington during her time on the Syracuse when he was in command of the Invicta, chasing after Vassily, but she'd only met him properly once the Veritas had docked with Astrofori One. He'd been a personal friend of Captain Carrero, and didn't seem nearly as uptight as what Kelrod was making him out to be - actually, he seemed significantly more settled and easy-going than Carrero had been. Hell, he'd provided her with hefty training manuals to get caught up on Starfleet operations outside the Shoals - a relief compared to the sink or swim tactic Carrero had used to get Blake on her feet in the first place.

::If this was Kelrod's reaction to Washington, she could hardly imagine how he would have coped under Carrero.::

Kelrod: What was third...? :: He played a bit with his beard until he caught up his line of answers :: About the impression that I gave to you, I’m sorry if I gave you that impression, I just wanted to be sure that we were on the same line after your initial statement that you’ll arrest him on sight. If I didn’t trust that you’ll follow my lead, I wouldn’t have asked you to come to the bridge to talk with the FO about Yeager. In fact, I wanted you to come with me to show you that I won’t let him go away as if nothing happened, but as I understood it, the responsibility was mine in that regard and finally, of the Astraeus First Officer.

Blake: Given that this sector's borders are *my* responsibility, I respectfully disagree.

Kelrod: :: sighing :: I know... I must be sincere with you, until I got you here as a ranger I barely knew the corps, least the Colonial Marshals. As I see it, maybe I need an informative session from you about the Rangers and the Coalition Marshalls, their rules and boundaries. I’d say it wouldn’t hurt if we have this conversation with the captain and Lieutenant Tuk. This way we can avoid future misunderstandings and build a stronger confidence between us.

Blake: Well, because I'm not part of the corps or platoon structure, the Veritas objective is not that different from my purpose as a regional support ranger. Except Veritas has to consider large-scale, whereas I have to look at the smaller pictures. ::She shook her head at herself.:: The Rangers have gotten so mixed up in their own politics, everyone on the outside needs clarification as to what each division actually does.

Kelrod: This way I’ll also have a chance to know a bit better this new Sky Blake.

::She turned back to Kelrod, amber stained lips curling up in the corner as her eyes narrowed, if only a little suggestive.::

Blake: Only at a public meeting?

Kelrod: That doesn’t mean that I won’t like the idea of a meeting with drinks arranged by you. :: He offered a smile while sipping from his glass::

::For many reserved people, when it came to romantic advances, Blake perhaps pushed the line of what Humans generally considered appropriate - because she was comfortable with herself in that regard, easy-going and happy with casual relationships (such as her friendship with Zhou, of which extended just past the typical lines of just 'friends'). She was open to a point of fault, thanks to her upbringing, caring little about her or others state of undress. A most amusing example of her nonchalant attitude towards such things was her walking in on Cormac and Elis one afternoon. For the two blokes, it had been the most awkward day of their entire lives. For Blake, it had been a Friday.::

::There *were*, however, some lines she did not cross. Disruptive whilst on duty? No. Target of her light-hearted flirting tells her to tone it down? She'd always abide by such request.

::Humanoid committed to a relationship and expecting? Cue Blake backing off significantly. Blake wasn't good with interpersonal conflicts.::

Blake: Should make it an event. Crew wind-down after repairs are completed.

Kelrod: Response?

Blake: In the meantime, I'll forward you my ranger's manual. It's not overly comprehensive, though, since the rangers are still fairly new and trying to work out exactly what they are. Mind you, mine's peppered with notes and complaints. Remind me to send you the original.

Kelrod: Response?

::Blake was overly ambitious. There was a plan - for her, at least - where this time next year, she'll have the Rangers here in the Shoals in proper shape. In her own humble opinion, they were an uncoordinated mess - while taking orders from the marshals was fine, there came a point where she had to question why her objective arrived three weeks *after* she'd be sent somewhere.

::Assuming another opportunity didn't open for her here on the Veritas, she'd intended to step into bigger boots. When weak leadership wasn't doing the job, it was time for a change. And right now, as they struggled to find their identity among the tight resources of Starfleet today, that change was needed.::

::Ayden stirred in the chair behind them, brown eyes opening for a moment before immediately shutting them again, apparently intending to hide that he was actually awake.

::Cheeky one, he was, trying to con his mother into carrying him home. She turned back to Kelrod.::

Blake: Sounds like a conversation I'd like to have over a friendly dinner. In the meantime, I'll be sure to set up that meeting with Rahman and Tuk, though. Mei'konda, too.

Kelrod: Response?

Blake: Off topic, I've been meaning to check on you.

Kelrod: Response?

Blake: You're expecting, Kelrod. It's no big thing yet, but it's no small thing either. How are you doing?

Kelrod: Response?


Tbc . . .

LtCmdr Sky Blake
Ranger
USS Veritas

C238803SB0