Galaxy: Magdell/Malone "Holier Than Thou"

[Michal Johnston]

"Holier Than Thou"

Ensign Indira Magdell

Ensign Brian Malone

Location: Earth/Corridors of the USS Galaxy

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*Memory Chip Flash*

She appeared magically by his bed.  It had always been so for the fifteen years she had been in his service.  He called and she answered.  He desired, she pleased within the context of her programming.  

Blankly, she stood awaiting his request.

"It's close to the time Barb.  I must leave you."

"The human condition."  She responded.

His sigh escaped.  Motioning for her to draw near to him, he smiled.  His elderly and frail hand reached out to caress her face.  She was still so beautiful to him.  With credits at his disposal, he was fortunate to have her created after anyone he chose when he ordered her years ago.  He had chosen to model her exactly after a legend from ancient times that had fascinated him...Marilyn Monroe.  The android closed her eyelids at his touch.  Programed response.  Her blond hair gently touched his hand as he spoke.

"I've made arrangements for you my dear.  You are being given to Starfleet.  You shall have a new name and new identity."

Barbie cocked a single eyebrow.

"I feel it is the best way to utilize your 'talent' so to speak.  You also will inherit my vast fortune."

"Sir, I have no use for credits."  She softly retorted.

"Use them for upkeep Barb.  I want you to want for nothing."

"Sir, I do not have the capacity...."

"Yes, I know.  You, my dear, are frustrating at times."  He drew a ragged breath.

"I do not mean....."

He raised a hand, verbally stopping her.

"Master, what is your desire?"  

"Your freedom is my desire...."

=============Present Day=============

"Excuse me!  Your display is not appropriate and in violation of Starfleet regulation 43912-2."

"Just put him under arrest already Ensign!  He's scratching the living....OWWWW!!!!!!"  

The other security officer scowled openly at the overly calm android.

"Do you need a medic?"  She asked sweetly.

"I need you to do your damned job!!!  He's outta control!!!"

Cocking her head slightly to the side, the woman frowned.

"Well, no need to be so loud officer."  Indira stated sweetly.  

"OOOOWWWWW!!!!!"

"Please, please refrain from injuring Ensign Malone any further."  Magdell put her hands out gently in a pushing movement.

"SCREW YOU BITCH!!"

She smirked, stepped forward, drew back with her left arm and flew her clenched fist into the right side of his head.

Ignoring the shocked expression from her partner, Magdell straightened her posture and politely cleared her throat.

"Gentle beings don't swear Sir...."

The dazed newly minted brig occupant weakly responded.

"Ladies don't throw punches."  

Indira nodded, her doe shapped blue eyes scanned the swelling on his cheek.

"I'm an android, not a lady."

"Obviously."  Came the weary reply.

Enacting the force field, Malone entered the booking area with Indira on his heels.

"You know, you are rather unusual Indira."

"What clued you off first?"  She smartly retorted.

 

Indira looked over her shoulder, catching a fellow officer eyeing her.  She winked...programmed response.

Ensign Brian Malone just shook his head at the exchange he was a witness to.  He had been rather lucky as of late he thought as he repositioned his phaser.  The only one out of his class to get the Galaxy...and then, then to have his partner be...well...

Glancing quickly over at her, he wondered if her perfectly made up face was painted on, or what.

"You are giving me an inquisitive expression Malone."

"It's just..."  He thought a moment before he spoke.

"Is your face.  I mean...do you always look like...."  He made a circular gesture around his face.

"Like this?"  Indira mimicked his gesture.

"Yes....like that."

"No, I can look like this..."

In a millisecond, she unhinged her face, swung the fleshy part aside an revealed her mechanical appearing skull.

"Jesus Christ."  He muttered.

Indira made an adjustment to her jaw and responded.

"I don't understand the using of the name of a religious icon as a response.  What does Jesus Christ have to do with my skeletal appearance?"

"Can you put your face back on please?  I just ate."

"I apologize if I offended your delicate sensibilities."  She smiled before complying and placing her face back on....her face.

Brian chuckled.  "You did indeed and it's an expression."

"A bad expression to some beings.  It could be taken as offensive."  Indira volunteered her opinion.

"Well, what would you use instead?  What would be a more universally accepted response Indira."

"Holy shit."  She quipped. 

"Um, ok."  He grinned outright.  "Care to explain why?"

"A normal 'shit' would not inflect the shock of the response.  Placing 'holy' before shit elevates the phrase to adequately express the shock that is felt and does not offend most people."

"And, your expression is not offensive to most Indira?"

"No."  Indira stated with a matter of fact tone.

"Why not?"  He sipped his coffee as he waited for a response.

"Everyone expels waste."

As they patrolled the hollowed grounds of the USS Galaxy, the pause in the air was pregnant.  Then Indira's voice birthed through the silence.

"Even Jesus Christ."

"Hence another reason for the word 'holy'?"  Brian snickered.

Her eyes grew innocently wide.  "Exactly.  Ensign Malone, if I must say you are highly intelligent for a member of the Terran race."

TBC: