Catching up...

Posted on Thu May 1st, 2025 @ 11:12pm by Lieutenant Betaras K'ner

392 words; about a 2 minute read

Mission: Starbase 364
Location: Spacedock One
Timeline: Current

[ Spacedock One, Lower Holds ]

K'ner smiled at the holo. "That good to hear Peke. Not sure how long we'll all be here, either the S-dock or down-planet, but I'll get you all some downtime coming."

Peke laughed. "Yeah, yeah, yeah. You always say that... and you're always good for it. We made do. We've updated our map and traces for your review. The refit went mostly without a hitch. 'Course, if nothing had happened, we'd all be wondering what is wrong, cuz it's gonna come up when we're in the stink fer sure!"

K'ner watched the others over Peke's shoulder. "And that little matter we discussed earlier?"

He nodded. "All ready. We'll get all your gear aboard and stowed spit-spat."

Chbet shouldered Peke to the side. "Come on chief. No hints eh?"

K'ner shook her head. "Not this time. It's a surprise. Plus a few items the Captain provided on our travels, you know the others didn't take anything until y'all get here."

"Really? Nice! Ship is ready for shake down... not like they just did, but the Captain's kind of shakedown... or shake up is more like it!" Chbet laughed that bubbly, wet cadence that only an Aquelian can do.

K'ner cut the feed, shaking her head, then looking around the relatively quiet deck, quantifying the hissing of gases, the tick of temperature changes in some metal pieces somewhere. There was something slithering along a chase near the side of the walkway, standard fare for a space station. Decided lack of vermin of the normal headcount here, she would have to check into the station's maint logs and see what they do to keep that under control.

She cycled through a suite of specially-chosen scans, letting each run in turn until she was satisfied she was alone and unmonitored. She settled into a semi-squat, arms akimbo, relaxing, breathing more shallow with each exhale, pausing longer to the next inhale. She never knew just how long it took, or would take, nor how long it lasted, but she'd learned she would always come out of it clear-headed and alert should something come along.

Allowing herself to be receptive, she just floated, or seemingly so, waiting... maybe it would come... maybe not... but she was always open to it. . .




OFF:

Lt Betaras K'ner
Hazard Team Combat Medic TL-B / CMO
USS Chuck Norris

:o)

 

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