"Visitors and Guilty Consciences"

[Guest Laarell]

Laarell lounged on her bed, reading through some of the summaries of the recent misadventures that she'd "missed" while she was self-confined to quarters. Goddess, what a mess they'd gotten themselves into. Then again, Corizon couldn't avoid a firefight when he was on a humanitarian aid mission; she didn't know why she thought he could avoid it on a covert, unsanctioned, and interstellarly illegal... she didn't know what to call it. Mission certainly didn't work. Fiasco, maybe.

 

She rolled her eyes at the Dameon's antics for about the fortieth time since they'd pulled out an -- also illegal -- cloak, flopping onto he side and studying one of the lists of recent communiques with half interest. It wasn't like she was going to get anything good out of it, anyway, and it irritated her that Corizon's current run of cowboy incompetance had essentially relegated her for quarters for... gods knew how long until he was done flitting around the Neutral Zone.

 

Cloud took a deep breath and pressed the button.

 

With half of a glare, she looked out towards the living area, pushing off the bed with a sigh. "Come," she called, wondering who exactly was bothering her now.

 

Cloud entered the room, with lopsided smile. "Afternoon."

 

"Oh," she said, looking and sounding slightly surprised. "It's you." Then she frowned. "What do you want?"

 

"I can't come down to say hello," he said, feigning hurt. "I mean, I haven't seen you since the mission started."

 

"I've been busy," she said, archly, as if "busy" didn't mean that she'd been laying around in her quarters since Corizon went rogue on them.

 

"Uhuh," he said. "I am sure all this pouting has just tuckered you out."

 

The Orion's face fell flat, and she rolled her eyes. "I'm not pouting, Major. I'm protecting my career - and taking a stand against breaking interstellar treaty. I'm sorry if that's pouting to you."

 

"I like the order you put that in," he said. "Your career."

 

"I'm a practical woman," she pointed out. "I haven't worked for over a decade to have Corizon ruin everything for me because he can't do things the damned right way."

 

"Nevermind the security of the Federation then?"

 

"There's a proper way to do things. Captain Corizon hasn't learned that. And he might never, if he keeps up this foolishness." She crossed her arms. "If you're here to tell me that I'm wrong, then you may as well save your breath. I won't have anything to do with this operation of his."

 

"Because you're the authority on how to go about things the right way," he said, rolling his eyes. "Listen I am not going to lecture you. I just came to see if you wanted to help us with this Romulan database. Engineering and science couldn't make any real headway beyond the first level."

 

She bit back a retort, instead taking a seat on her couch, curling her legs beneath herself. "What Romulan database?" she asked, curious despite herself.

 

Cloud smiled and waved a PADD. "The one we hacked into in the base we just left."

 

She gestured for it, then stopped. "Oh, hell no. I'm not touching it. Corizon sent you down here, didn't he." Laarell huffed, crossing her arms. "I'm going to kill that man."

 

"He didn't."

 

"Do you want me to get dragged down in flames when the rest of the department heads do?" She gave him an almost hurt look. "Is that the thanks I get for saving your life?"

 

"No," he said, sobering. "I want you to help the crew. Listen, we're a team here and when the ###### does hit the fan, Corizon's going to take the fall for it. We're just following his orders."

 

"People have faced firing squads after making that excuse," she said, equally seriously. "Here, can I get you something to drink?" she offered, feeling a little bad for snapping at him as if he was responsible. "Or are you on duty?"

 

"No thanks. I guess coming down here was a waste of time. I'd hoped you'd see that there are more important things than your career; like saving the Federation from another terrible war."

 

Cloud turned to walk towards the door.

 

That hurt look flashed again, and she resisted the hundred things she wanted to say to that. "I couldn't exactly do anything anyway, Makisu. Even if I was sitting on the Bridge. Besides," she added, as an afterthought, "why does it matter to you whether or not I'm some... self-centered, selfish bitch? It's not like engineering won't piece it together eventually."

 

"Because I care, okay? Besides, the quicker we figure it out, the quicker we can get the hell out of the Neutral Zone."

 

"What, I thought you liked being on special 'missions' to save the Federation," she said, with the slightest hint of tease. She sighed. "Here, bring me the information. I'll see what I can do." She looked back up at him. "Are you sure I can't get you something to drink?"

 

He sighed and walked back over handing her the PADD. "Not right now, I've got to get down to the brig. We've got a... visitor. Maybe later, when I am off shift."

 

"Visitor?" Now she actually did pout. "Major, I outrank you, you owe me quite a lot, you won't even stay and have a drink after tearing into me like it's your primary occupation... and you won't even tell me who it is?"

 

"If I knew, I'd tell you. Besides, you're not on duty."

 

She waved the padd. "I am now, aren't I?" The Orion smirked. "Just because I'm not clocked in..." She shook her head slightly. "Tell me later. When are you off?"

 

"Thanks," he said. "I'll give you a ring"

 

"Later." She nodded, activating the padd and starting to go through the contents.