Trepidation

Posted on Fri Mar 8th, 2024 @ 9:45pm by Lieutenant Commander Kevin Lance & Captain Mira Rodale

Mission: Thunderdome
Location: USS Chuck Norris
Timeline: Current

on:
{Captain's Quarters, Deck 1}

The USS Chuck Norris was twelve hours away from making orbit around Paarth Elion Three when Kevin knock on the door of Mira's new quarters.

The physical transformations engendered by the gene therapy had taken hold. The team member now looked enough like Paartian's to pass close inspection. They had all studied the scientific reports enough to be able to respond in manners that were culturally appropriate enough that any faux-pas could be excused for being foreigner 'from the south'. However, there was still a matter that bother Kevin and he wanted to talk to Mira about it.

The transformation of his body had been stark. Paartian's did not have facial hair so he had lost his full and luxurious beard. The genetic treatment had shaved off nearly 20 pounds from his frame bringing his body fat down to a dangerously low level. The Starbase's medical officer expressed concern about the long term effect on Kevin's internal organs should the situation persist much beyond a month but there was nothing to be done other that an injection of nutrients that would stave off the detrimental effects a while longer.

Kevin's lean body had normally leant itself to good definition of his musculature but now he, and Kronnelti, were absolutely shredded. He might have described himself as stringy but the size of his muscles, devoid of any concealing fat, so dominated his frame that he looked like a bodybuilder from the era of Chuck Norris' films. His face looked gaunt without the beard to hide his usually angular features and the temple ridges only served to heighten the affect. He looked, if possible, even uglier as a Paarthian than he did as a human.

Mira was nearly unrecognizable with orange skin, temple ridges and no spots. She and the other females given gene therapy had gained weight and their muscles, in opposition to the males, were hidden by an almost doubling of their body fat. It didn't seem to affect their performance, aside from a slight change in balance, but the effect on Mira's appearance was as great as that on Kevin.

Her face was fuller with cheeks that lent themselves to cute dimples when she smiled. Her lips, as full as before therapy, were a less dominate feature. Her hair had more body than before and shined with a luxurious luminance. She had developed curves in areas that Kevin had not observed on her before that gave her an appealing hour-glass shape.

She was dressed black leggings and a large black male's tee shirt that hung past her hips.
Kevin was wearing his duty uniform but it hung on him in a most slovenly fashion, clean but ill-fitting.

Watching her for a moment, he reflected that didn't feel any differently towards her. He liked her as a lithe Trill as much as he liked her as a curvy Paarthian.

Mira smiled as Kevin came in "I feel like a pumpkin."

Kevin smiled back in a manner that he hoped didn't look like a death mask, "It looks good on you."

She shook her head. "I had a talk with the doctor, and he said the males will feel more aggressive feelings while the women will feel submissive feelings. " she moved closer to him for a hug. She wrapped her arms around him.

He encased her in his embrace, marveling how her new body yielded and conformed to the contures of his own. He had experienced increased feelings of aggression but irrational anger was something that he had been suppressing most of his life.

"So basically. when our group is approached, the women don't look at an unknown males in the eye. It's a considered challenge, " she laughed "Instead we hide behind our males." Mira thought it was funny, and a giggle slipped out. "Not sure how the other women are feeling about this, especially K'ner, but I don't mind hiding behind you,"

"Well, I am a pretty big target."

Vaytoc huffed in the corner of the room "Oh big guy, you know I expect you to be the big bad protector. " Vaytoc raised his head, looking proud. He had green scales running up his legs and sides with green fur at the top of his head and running along his back and tail.

"I will need to be careful how I treat you when he is around," Kevin replied cautiously, "He might not understand it's just an act." He eyed Vaytoc warily wondering if the increased aggression was affecting him as well.

Vaytoc made a funny little sound like he might be laughing at Kevin or the whole situation. Then, he rolled over on his back like he was scratching it. Mira smirked. "The skin change is driven him a little nuts, but he is settling down. He only hissed at me once today." Mira confessed, "he seems find with it all, as long as he gets to go outside. How are you doing with the new weapons and hand to hand combat training?"

"I have always been a brawler so unarmed combat comes naturally," Kevin said, "but I am better with a club than a blade. The recoil of the black powder guns was a surprise but I have become accustom to it."

"Anyways, I wanted to see if you were interested in one last 'sparring' session before we make planetfall," he subtly stressed the word sparring deliberately. Since departing Starbase 364, their sessions in the cargo bay had been little more than an excuse to embrace and steal kisses from each other. "But first, I need to talk to you as your XO."

He released Mira and took three steps back. Mustering as much bearing as his oversized uniform would allow, he spoke will a more serious voice, "Captain, I am concerned about my potential performance on this mission."

Mira felt a chill of anxiety that Kevin was weak. No, she told herself, that was the gene therapy talking. She gathered herself and replied, "Isn't it a little late for doubts of that sort?"

"Like you, I was bullied as a child. I have a great distaste for those who would abuse their power," Kevin paused a moment to consider his words, "Hatred is probably a better word. Now we are embarking on a mission to a planet where abuse of power is commonplace if not demanded. I am concerned, especially in light of increased aggression, that I might be forced to violate the Prime Directive."

Mira stepped back and nodded. " I can understand that that feeling. I can't imagine not stepping in and helping someone in need."

She took a seat on the desk, leaving room for him to choose the chair or sit on her bed if he wanted to. "I am wondering if the side-effects of the gene therapy or that very problem of why the scientist haven't contacted starfleet or was the whole compound over run with those green beings."

She shrugged, " The prime directive prohibits us from interfering with the natural development of alien civilizations. The reason is to protect unprepared civilizations from the danger of starship's crew values and advanced technology. This civilization had a set of values before it crashed. If we can find out what these values were and try to stay within them, I don't think we are breaking the rules behind the Prime Directive. They can't know who or what we are. That should be fine and we can't give them anything. Are you able to follow that?"

She continued, "Remember, your responsibility is to the crew and the scientists. If you were to run off to help someone else, that could endangered the crew and scientists. Our choices can be hard ones. Sometimes, they are hard to live with, but in the end, we have to be able to live with them."

"My running off won't be a concern Captain," Kevin smiled wryly, "I was more concerned with the Butterfly Effect. Causing an interaction or death that influences the society's development. Your point of acting in accord with the society's pre-crash values is well-made."

"I also have a personal issue, Captain," he averted his eyes from hers and studied the toe of his boot, "I anticipate having to go to a dark place to succed on this planet. I may have to do and say things that are inconsistent with who I want to be. And there is someone on the mission that I care deeply for and I am afraid of hurting her."

Mira slowly nodded her head. " I am not sure why you think you would do something that would hurt me to accomplish our mission. Are you thinking that violence would change my opinion of you? Because there are times violence is a necessity thing to survive. I would do whatever I have to keep this ship. My crew and loved ones safe. I hope that you will not change your opinion of me for doing what must be done." her eyes searched his. "I would blow up another ship to keep this one safe."

"Then we understand each other, Captain," Kevin replied.

They silently looked at each other until Vaytoc broke the mood by aggressively trying to scratch an icth on his back.

Kevin forced himself to brighten up. "Now, about that sparring match."

Mira nodded "Are we good?" She asked him

"We're good. I just needed to get that off my chest," he said as he pulled her in for a kiss.

:off

Lieutenant Commander Kevin Lance
Chief Flight Control Officer
USS Chuck Norris

and

Commander Mira Rodale
XO
USS Chuck Norris