"De-Escalation"

[Kansas_Jones 0]

07.10.07

USS Agincourt NCC-81762

“De-escalation”

 

Written by: Ensign Aidan Driscol and Lt. Cmdr. Kansas JoNs

 

Kansas was so annoyed that she had reverted to walking on all four paws, giving a stalking quality to her gait; crewmembers gave her a wide berth as she zoomed past the science offices.

 

After a good rest Aidan felt ready for work, although he would take it easy for now. He exited the TL near science and saw Lieutenant Commander JoNs. Frowning he stopped in his tracks; she was on all fours. Nobody seemed to dare to approach her, so he walked up to her. "Lieutenant Commander?"

 

JoNs moved quickly to the side when the voice invaded her thoughts, startling her; her body movements were almost as if to circle prey. Her green eyes latched onto his, and just as quickly she relaxed and stood upright again. "Hello Ensign." She nodded in his direction. "What is up?"

 

Still startled, he resisted the urge to help her up. "Well, not you, obviously. Is anything the matter? Lost some jewelry, maybe?" His brain tried to make sense of it, while he noticed everybody still doing their best not to approach them.

 

Her right ear quirked back, and she placed both paws on her hips. "Jewelry? Ah, no. That is just a personal habit of mine, going to all fours at times."

 

"Ahh, I see. Then there wouldn't be a reason for people positively running away from you either?" His scientific curiosity was taking over now, he hoped he wasn't pushing it.

 

Scientist curiosity - Gods give her strength. A small smile quirked at her muzzle. "That usually happens when I go into stalk mode, as you just observed. Large feline, fangs, moving prey...tends to make beings nervous. I try not to do it around the crew."

 

Grinning he raised an eyebrow. "Lieutenant Commander, I'm a biologist, I know what a stalking feline looks like and trust me, I also realise that I should probably evacuate the whole deck. As a compromise, why don't you join me in science for a moment? I have a couple of questions anyway." He hoped he'd be able to distract her from whatever had obviously infuriated her enough to think of other crew members as prey.

 

"I think that is a good idea - lead on Mister Driscol."

 

He lead the way to science and over to his desk. "Not what you're probably used to, but please take a seat, can I offer you any kind of refreshment?" Standing next to her he looked around and was glad to see that not many people were around, he had a feeling the Caitian woman should avoid crowds at the moment.

 

"Nothing, thank you; I did just retire from the main mess." Her tail swished from side to side, and she took the seat facing the science officers desk. "Now, what is this all about?" Despite her dour mood, the feline officer was curious as to Aidans summons.

 

Aidan decided to pretend he had indeed wanted to talk to JoNs. This was only half true though, he had had no intention of consulting the chief of security. But he was good at improvising, he could indeed think of a couple of things he could ask her. "Well, I was just wondering what's going to happen to the Soltans now. I mean, we still don't have a cure. I know I must be getting on your nerves with this by now, but I just would like to know how things are going to proceed."

 

"For right now, the mortal remains of the Soltans are being held in stasis. My personal recommendation still stands, despite the now very dead Soltans - for them to be incinerated, and any ash remains be spaced. Why do you ask, and yes, I am getting rather tired of this line of questioning." She held a paw up. "Nothing personal against you, Ensign, you understand."

 

Aidan sat down and arranged some PADDs wishing he were not that chaotic. "I understand and I agree with you, actually. I mean, part of me wants to find a cure and wants to keep doing research and another part just wants this to be over with. I think it's been a big strain on the crew, the sooner we get rid of them the better. And if I may say so, They're far less of a problem for us dead than they were alive. The reason I'm asking is just that I'm an Ensign, to get information that's what you do, you ask."

 

“Well, even as a lieutenant commander I sometimes need to ask for information as well. And then, there is always the rumor mill - shipboard gossip can sometimes yield some pretty good results." Her green feline eyes watched as he tidied up the data padds.

 

He looked up and frowned. "Are you trying to tell me something, sir?" She probably was trying to tell him to finally stop pestering her.

 

The Caitian paused, choosing her words carefully. "I think you need to leave the whole Soltan situation in general go Ensign - and I believe we've been here before, you and I."

 

Diplomatically said but he understood. "Permission to speak freely, sir." He was not going to be the scapegoat again and shut up about it all, the Caitian had gotten herself into this situation and a few questions should be her least concern now.

 

It was on the tip if her tongue to say denied - but that was unfair. "Granted."

 

Aidan leaned in, because despite his anger he didn't want to get JoNs in trouble by letting others overhear what he had to say. His voice however had an edge to it. “It's no fun for me either to go into the whole Soltan thing. You were out there posing a threat to the crew in the eye of anybody who knows you or knows feline behaviour. And don't think I didn't see how everybody was positively fleeing from you; I asked you in to take you out of the line of fire and I shut up about it not to embarrass you. Answering a harmless question about the Soltans is the least you can do for me", he paused for a moment and then decided to add "Sir."

 

Kansas had gone stock still in her seat "Mister Driscol - I would never, ever, viciously attack anyone with my claws or fangs; and believe me, I could do some damage if I ever let myself go. However, I am a few thousand years removed from my pouncing forebears. Now, punching out a smart mouth? That is another matter entirely."

 

He looked into her decidedly feline eyes, his voice now barely above a whisper. "I know that, and that's the only reason why you're sitting in front of my desk now instead of Colonel Harper's. I like you Commander JoNs, I think you handle thing the way they ought to be handled, even if that's not always according to Starfleet regulations. But I'm not going to be yelled at for doing you a favour, even though I am only an Ensign."

 

JoNs waggled both paws and sighed.

 

"Fine. Mister Driscol, I meant no harm. Let's just say I am a bit on edge due to a minor confrontational issue I had a little while ago. Thank you for saving me from...myself. And, I also hope I answered your Soltan aftermath question to satisfaction?"

 

Aidan shoved a few PADDs to the side causing one of them to fall on the floor. "Honestly, I couldn't care less about the Soltans, they're dead, everybody else on the ship is healthy, I'd prefer to never see any of them again. And you are welcome. I just wish we wouldn't have to go through these little fights all the time."

 

"Well, as you said yourself - the whole issue had everyone pretty charged up. And, this meeting was merely a diversion to prevent me from pouncing unsuspecting crew members. So, you were dealing with an irate feline in the first place." JoNs winked and then moved with predatory quickness to pick up the fallen padd.

 

The young Ensign chuckled and shook his head. "Always at your service Lieutenant Commander. I hope I can let you leave now without you being tempted to do whatever your forebears would have done."

 

"Yes, I think the coast is clear in that regard. Now, if you don’t mind Ensign - Aidan - I do have some duties to wrap up. Thank you." JoNs remained standing and offered a paw

 

Aidan stood and shook the Caitian's paw. "I hope to see you around again some time soon." He watched her leave and made sure to take a look at her tail and ears as this would tell him more about her mood than words ever could. She seemed to be alright now.

Edited July 11, 2007 by Kansas_Jones