Home Is Where The Shelters Are

Posted on 03 Jan 2024 @ 4:13pm by Petty Officer 2nd Class Alizabeth Omari & Ensign Orion Belmont

2,126 words; about a 11 minute read

Mission: Miranda
Location: Planetside, Camping Site 1

As he re-materialized upon the planet he couldn't stop the involuntary shudder that rippled through him and he shook his head, his feet stepping this way and that way slightly as if you subconsciously check that they were still there and functional. His eyes scanned around him and he noted there were several camping ground being laid out, though only one seemed to have any amount of serious activity about it at the moment. That was wise, getting the heart of one area set up first before moving resource to the next. He nodded and then his chest was hit with the sudden realisation that it was getting a little less fresh air than it was used to and a sudden wave of panic came before he closed his eyes, shoved it aside and then embraced the fact he'd have tog et used to it. He had had tog et used to worse after all, this would be a picnic compared to some places he had slept. He cast his gaze about and saw Aliza, which was surprisingly comforting, and he reached out to tap her shoulder and pointed toward the main hustle and bustle.

"Looks like that's the main place to be, shall we go and get some shelter before we get set upon by the monsters, lethal weather or whatever else?" he grinned, slightly strained from the lesser air quality, but still chipper. As he walked he thought of what she had said before transporting down, musing and wondering.

Aliza materialized beside him, the instant she was solid she tipped her head back to let the feel of the world was over her.she was glad that this was not a mission where they would be met by others that weren’t their people because she really needed a break from the ship’s atmosphere after being confined. That is how it truly felt to her, she had been imprisoned, it was not fair and she would not accuse others for keeping her safe, but feelings were not always rational.

His touch drew her back to the moment, she looked where he was and nodded, “The logistics make sense. Likely the ranking officers should be in the center so if there is a threat they have time to organize though I bet there will be a bit of shifting around so friends can bond and help each other with what happened.” Looking about them, “Where do you want to set up? Care for a neighbor? I might not be the most social as I expect to work a but more than some. I hear that pilots don’t even have set duties.” Gold tattoos caught the natural light and sparkled on her face as she teased him.

"Have to always be on call for when you all can't hit something and start losing a battle. Could happen any time after all. The fact that a lot of pilots can be seen with their feet up in other hours is a terrible slur...never find me doing that," he returned with amusement, he was used to the old jests and pilots were admittedly work shy at times, "as for the neighbour, are you sure you can bear to be near someone as work shy as a pilot? Might be catching, you know"

He watched those already at work curiously as he spoke, their feet setting a relaxed pace toward the hustle and bustle, which was for the best given the new atmosphere. It didn't seem to be bothering most of those at work though, which suggested they'd adapt quick enough, which was a small comfort. Tents were in short supply, instead it looked like very simple yet ergonomic prefabs were in abundance. He couldn't tell how many it was per shelter but by the sizes it looked to be a small number - some even looked to be individual sizes. It had a very ramshackle feel even if they were serviceable and clean - he liked it. Rough around the edges never hurt anyone.

"If you have to work I'd say somewhere in the centre of the first camp, perhaps off to the side somewhere so you can actually have a break...you know, if the concept appeals. Never know when you'll need a reasonably quiet place"

It felt to Aliza that the two com pals had taken up an easy friendship and she was glad for it. Moving in step with him to circle the main encampment she pulled out her PADD, it was her closest companion after all, and pulled up the details on where the captain’s quarters would be an bit her lips gently. “I suppose that really depends on how close you feel like being to the captain, I should be nearby if needed. Main camp, though not in the center ring, I could set up a little away from the officers’ area where it might be less busy so I can do my research in quiet. And truthfully I would like some time not so close to others after being packed in tight in sick bay.”

For once her smile dimmed and she lowered her chin down slightly, but then she covered it up by teasing him again, “Are you sure I won’t be detrimental your reputation? What with me working so much? People might even think I am a bad influence on a man that has to keep ready at all times for battle.”

"I think it might be the other way around, I've never really gotten on with officers. Still, with enough busy work and the fact that there' more downtime than tasks at present I doubt it'll be an issue. Besides, I can make myself scarce if needed...well as scarce as can be. Who knows, perhaps being in close proximity will rub off on me. I bet that'd make some old commander's laugh...bastards. Sorry, I mean upstanding gents," he said, his flash of a smile slightly dimmed from usual, he had noted she had had a flicker of sadness too. Events were having a way of wearing on most of the crew he suspected, in ways that may take some time to fully heal from, "and I'm not really going to be piloting down here anyway. Should probably make myself useful somehow before I'm given a use. Might as well start with setting up shelters. You;re the lass with the PADD, where's the magic map say is space enough?"

The dark skinned woman laughed softly, “I am unsure most people would believe I was a good influence on someone, let’s not let many people hear about that.” She drew the PADD up and entered some information then pulled up the plans. “Well we can set up to the right up here, will keep us slightly off the main pathway, me close enough if the captain needs me, but far enough that you do not have to rub shoulders with too many officers. I do hope some of them get to relax for these couple of days too, I know there is a lot going on with the security threat and bringing the ship back in-line for when we return to it.” Drawing up her hand to indicate where a smaller group of shelters was clustering together. “Not sure who else will be setting up here. We have ideas of where people were loosely assigned, but they have made it clear those are loose plans.”

"Seems fair enough to me," he said as he looked over what she was suggesting, "might as well get it set up quick and easy. That way get to spend more time putting feet up and enjoying the...delightful atmosphere of this little place" he said with a snort of amusement. "I'll be sure to keep the suggestion of relaxation in mind, though in your case might have to take the PADD away for that" he noted with a small grin for himself.

It was a short walk to the spot Aliza has indicated and letting his pack and carried items to the floor in a smallish pile it was clear from basic observation and the general orders being barked about that the smaller crates dotted about were the more compact pop up shelters. He noted there were a lot more of them than the larger ones - presumably the larger ones were for group areas like mess centres and medical shelter. Truthfully he wasn't sure but it made sense to his Ensign mind. He knew the pilots were grouping together but, truth be told he only knew Kat and she was way on mission. He'd find them and relax a while but he wasn't sure he was ready to party hard as pilots usually did...just yet at least. It had a tendency of going wrong and he was new.

"Let's grab a crate or two and we'll get one done at a time. I suppose you'll be wanting to work after and I'll have to go make myself useful somewhere, but at least for now looks like we're on our own time. Is this what you dreamed serving would be all about?" he asked, curious but it was done in a jocular tone.

Picking up a crate before answering him. Aliza had all manner of verbal and emotional training to make her suited for her job, and likely promotions if she was so inclined, one of those was employed now in humor that bordered on flirtation, “Depends on who I might be serving.” Letting her eyes alight then crinkling at the edges and toned that down so fast it might have been missed by most people, or an assumption that it was misunderstood, “Or what. Tea? No carrying crates would not be some thing I would expect for that. In Starfleet? Possible but unexpected. On the Odin? I discount nothing, it has a very interesting past, I thought this might be an exciting tour.”

"Oh? Well I'm sure we can find you someone with gravitas," he said with a small smirk and a chuckle as he grabbed a crate and carried to to the spot, setting it down and opening it, "and you know, I never dreamed of it but I did want an interesting life. Probably too late to take it back, no? Ah well, at least the view is a good one" he started taking things out and set about the task of setting up the first of their shelters. "Exciting is word I'd use...yeah. Better than not going anywhere though"

“Maybe you get in trouble because things are too boring for you?” Golden eyes slid sideways to him, “My brothers used to play pranks until my mother found them tasks they were suited to because they were just flat out bored. I know I do better when my mind is busy, I wonder if my physical nature would calm some if there were always exciting things going on. I need about a month of activity to make up for the illness though, that was way too much time in my own head.”

"You're saying that being on an interesting ship will be good for me?" he said, raising an eyebrow at her in amusement but still thinking upon her words, he wasn't sure it was that but he nodded slightly before returning to work, "sounds like we'll have to keep you active then. Mentally, physically and all the rest. Can't have a member of the crew going mental now can we?" he grinned, the idea still attractively entertaining to him regardless.

She wrinkled up her nose at him slightly. “Isn’t going mental what we, or at least I, was doing in sick bay? Maybe this is all a dream? Pretty sure if it was just a hallucination they would have sedated me by now. And yes, maybe an interesting ship will be good for you. Luckily the holodeck and gym can keep the physical taken care of once I recover a little more, until then we have a couple days planetside with crates to maneuver and shelters to build.”

"Who know? Though if it were a hallucination I could think of better things to go for than setting up shelters with a Jester. But you are right, let's get this done. And then...party, no?" he said, setting about the task they had at hand.

“I have to see if there is work for me, but yes, a bonfire tonight for sure. If nothing else it will be better than sitting around camp with people just staring at one another.” With that Aliza began to focus on her shelter, already ticking off things to be done on a mental checklist.

 

RSS Feed