Pleading for Mercy

Posted on Sun May 17th, 2015 @ 2:27am by Colonel S'er'in'e & Ensign Corrine Steiner
Edited on on Sun Jul 12th, 2015 @ 3:52pm

Mission: Blooming Friendships
Location: Marine decks, Starbase 332
Timeline: midday

[ON]

Ens. Steiner was hopeful that base security wouldn't notify the cadet command staff about the whole Choople-Jasmine incident. As long as she herself didn't report it, there was an even 50/50 chance that security would consider the matter now closed under her Ops umbrella. The Ferengi? They could rot in the brig for a good long time, after the trouble they'd caused. She would devise a very fitting vengeance upon them later. First, however, was a matter which couldn't be postponed.

Corrine visited Marine Section and asked to visit Captain S'er'in'e.

S'er'in'e after facing the Ferengi decided to vent his annoyance on the training floor on the marine section. It was a typical work out but did work in easing the frustrations placed upon him by others. "Captain, someone to see you." His ears caught.

"I will be right out." Expecting a ranking officer he made himself presentable though had his uniform jacket over his arm wearing the undershirt to help cool himself off. He was pointed in the direction of his visitor, seeing a female waiting for him. "Ma'am." He spoke giving her a slight bow of the head in greeting. "What may I do for you?" Unaware of who it was.

Corrie stepped closer and extended her hand, "Ensign Steiner, Ops Section." She searched his eyes for reactions. "If I could have a few minutes of your time, I have a couple of private matters needing mention."

Transferring his jacket to his other arm he took her hand gently in his right hand making sure to not touch her with his claws even in their retracted state. "It is a pleasure to meet you Ensign, again I wish to thank you for your assistance earlier." Now he began to wonder if his gift of flowers was too much especially in light of what others were doing behind the backs of them both.

Corrie stood close in front of him, "The first matter is, I would like to thank you for saving my life. I have a life threatening medical condition. The aromas exgassing from those blooms neutralizes the harmful effects on my body. You've give me a new lease on life. Thank you."

An unintentional and completely unexpected thing to say about what he saw as a bunch of flowers from his Homeworld. The confusion was clear to see but he curbed it. "I see......my pleasure." He responded. "If you wish then, I can have more shipped to the station when you require them it should not take long by freighter and the Homeworld exports a few things off world when transports are in orbit."

She tipped her head with raised brows and a tense smile, "Actually, I would deeply appreciate that. Again, thank you!" Corrie took a calming breath, then hooked into his arm to walk with him. "The second matter I need to discuss, I'm afraid, is much more difficult. It seems that my new assistant has caused us both grief by spreading rumors about us. She meant well and was trying to protect me. You know... stand in your shadow, so to speak. Unfortunately, she had never encountered Ferengi and their ability to grossly pervert good intentions." Corrie gave a pained smile, "I've come to beg for mercy on her part. She's Shokirian, a newly discovered species."

Considering the sudden change of subject and the personal nature of it S'er'in'e had a suggestion. "Perhaps you wish to discuss this in private, from prying ears." His office was not far. When they entered his office and the doors closed he'd thought about her explanation. Now he knew who it was, now to see if the Ferengi returned the same answer.

"That would explain a group of Ferengi who approached me earlier." S'er'in'e spoke. "May I get you something to eat, drink?" He offered trying to play the proper host.

Feeling a wave of relief, Corrie broke into a smile. "I would be delighted!" As they walked in, she told him, "I owe you a debt that I can never repay. If there is anything you ever need, anything, I'll do my level best to help you." She handed him a data card containing direct communication access codes and encryptions.

"What would you like?" S'er'in'e replied standing by the replicator. Then she handed him a card. it held the usual information. "May I ask what is on this?" He simply wanted to know so he was not left guessing. He saw this as a gift and one he wasn't planning to waste but something he would honour and respect in it's use.

"Direct communication paths to me. Layers of bureaucracy can make it difficult to reach me on a base this large. Also there are dynamic encryption codes you can use." She turned to the replicator, "Health smoothie like Samanthia serves in Warp Twelve... wild berry." As she took her first sip, impulse prevailed, "My assistant was right. You, Sir, are a beautiful creature!"

S'er'in'e smiled, this fur doing that which it did well, hiding the slight blush from the compliment. "Thank you, though I fear you have not caught me at my best, I was in the gym prior to your arrival and my appearance is not how it would be otherwise." S'er'in'e turned and walked to the chairs, offering her one then after coiling his tail about his waist sat himself. "Thank you for this." He tucked the data card into his pocket, he'd put that safe in his quarters later. "If I may ask, why did your assistant do as she did?"

"I catch a good deal of backstabbing from subordinates and civvies around me. She thought that if I stood in your favor that people would back off a bit." Corrie shrugged and then smiled, "You know, it's the exact kind of logic blunder that a Vulcan would make."

"Females should not be targets for the ill will of others." S'er'in'e remarked, though his training and since joining Starfleet he'd come to know that while backstabbing goes both ways, it was a shame that females were not treated the same as those on the Homeworld. "I am sorry to have compiled your discomfort, had I known it would cause you issue I would not have done what I had, I followed what the computer suggested." He was still on a mental high from the compliment she paid him, it had been a while since he'd been complimented for what he is and not the 'cute adorable kitty' many saw him to be.

Corrie's eyes widened, "Please don't regret sending the flowers! Like I said, you saved my life with them!" A bashful smile flickered, "From a woman's point of view, it also can be a touching romantic gesture."

S'er'in'e was not sure what to say to that. He was glad to help by all means but romance? He is a Caitian, tall and heavy the latter of which would pose a threat to her in some situations. "The computer had indicated that it may be viewed that way." He paused briefly. "In my experience many people do not look past what I am, instead seeing the threat that I am, the danger that I could be to others and the harm even an accident could inflict."

Corrie stared. Her voice was quiet, slightly raspy, "I don't see that. I don't see that at all. People can choose to either fear strength or else find comfort in it." Her eye stared off, remembering that people close to her were likely to become intel targets. She checked her wrist Padd. Tiny blinking lights indicated that messages were piling up. She sighed and made eye contact with him, "Occupational hazard of being a chief. Duty claws." Corrie closed her eyes in a moment of dread. It's how she genuinely felt, but in current company the phrase felt inappropriate. She wasn't sure what made her say that. "I'm sorry."

"It is quiet alright." S'er'in'e replied. "As Humans say it 'Duty before pleasure'" He hoped he was using the say in the correct context. "I hope our talk has put you at ease with the situation that formed out of our control?"

Corrine stood and reached with both her hands to clasp one of his, "Indeed it has, Captain! And I am truly glad to have met a man like you." She smiled, "I'm sure that our paths will be crossing many times!"

Watching her leave it left him with a feeling of ease. He found out who had been spreading the rumours and spoken with the other target of them himself. From what he saw she seemed satisfied with the outcome and he still felt content over the compliment given to him, at least she was different, seeing past the what and into the who.

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Marine Captain S'er'in'e
Ens. Corrine Steiner

Starbase 332
Pegasus Fleet