A Confidante's Thoughts

Posted on Wed Jul 29th, 2020 @ 5:12am by Captain Gary Alexander & Karina Tell

2,028 words; about a 10 minute read

Mission: Mission 2 - Encounters of a First Kind
Location: Captain's Quarters
Timeline: 2168/07/28 0630

Gary woke up and stretched. His naked body emerged from his covers and he walked over to his private privvy to flush the night's toxins from his body.

Any moment now, KAT would be coming into his quarters. Perhaps they would take advantage of their short time together. Perhaps they would not. But what Gary needed now, more than anything was her listening ear. KAT always listened. She never judged. If she did, perhaps he would not be able to have the numerous lovers that he had. She never got jealous.

Gary never inquired into whether she had other lovers. He suspected that she did not. If she did, he wondered how he would react. Perhaps he never questioned it before because he always knew that KAT was his. But now, they were somewhere else and she might want something different. Would she?

Shaking the thought from his mind, he waited for KAT to come in and to his arms. He could not wait to feel her comfort and hear what she really thought of their guests. They had to trust them but being in someone else's hands made him more than a little uncomfortable. Perhaps KAT could cure it.

Morning felt like it had come earlier today. Her insomnia was a little troubling, but nothing she couldn’t self-medicate with caffeine and a good pain killer. She could shed the discomfort in the privacy of her shower as she began to feel the human aspects of her break through the morning fog.

She dressed as she did every morning, hair in place, makeup on but simple and not overly obvious. Her uniform was pressed and as she slipped it on, she felt her professional demeanor descend. Picking up her PADD and stylus, she took one last look at her appearance, looking every bit the Captain’s yeoman.

Briskly, she walked through the corridor to the Captain’s quarters, feeling more awake and ready for the day with each step. Regardless of the fact that she had no idea where they were, what might happen to them all and if they would ever get home. She took one last review of the day’s schedule and pressed the chime with KAT’s distinctive rhythm.

"Come in, KAT," rang Gary's voice from the other side of the door, as it did nearly every single day.

Smiling, KAT entered the Captain’s quarters, left hand squeezing the PADD as she held it before her. She didn’t relax until the door slid firmly closed behind her. “Good morning, Sir,” she said, placing his standing order for a breakfast tray. As she considered the order, she wondered how long she might be able to do so.

Expectantly, he was on his bed and motioned for KAT to join him. "I need your counsel, KAT," he told her in a soft, concerned voice. "And, as usual, you are the only person that I can turn to."

Nodding, she placed the PADD on his side table and sat down. Smiling, she said, “Anything I can do to help, Captain.”

"In here, I'm Gary, KAT." He sighed and placed the breakfast tray to the side. He then took the cup of coffee, took a large gulp and put it down.

"KAT, I'm an Engineer by trade, as you know. I love this ship but I also know its capabilities. Home, barring another anomaly like we found, is not going to happen. The crew may know this subconsciously, but they hold on to grips of home. At some point, the dismal reality will set in. I don't know how to handle that with them. Worse, this ship is not meant for more than five year missions. Radiation will build or the anti-matter reactors will need replacing. We're going to need solutions to all of these things."

He moved closer to her and held her in his arms. "And I don't know how far we can trust our new guests. And assuming we're the only humans out here, that leads to questions about viability of our species, too. The problems keep coming, KAT. I might have the solutions but I guarantee that nobody is going to like them."

KAT leaned in carefully, not able or willing to cross the emotional barrier of familiarity. It was a brief reaction and she focused on the Captain’s words and concerns. She may not be an Engineer, but having worked on a starship for so long, she knew the inner workings of every department.

Nodding, she murmured, “We would also need a shipyard for any repairs...” that meant allies. In a place where none were known. Except two aliens that wanted to salvage their ship.

Taking a deep breath and letting it out in a short sigh, she said, “Our crew will need something I’m not sure we’re equipped to provide.” She looked at Gary. “Medical might have to also treat depression, anxiety... concerns of the crew for home.” She thought for a moment. “If hope isn’t kept alive, a lot more than the crew’s morale will break down.”

She tapped her shirt, “Command structure, Starfleet...” her eyes were clear, her face darkened by her concerns. “There’s a lot more to consider than just the basics, Captain.” Her cheeks reddened slightly and she said softly, “Gary.”

She didn’t dwell on the intimacy she allowed herself. Instead KAT considered their tenuous allies, Fornen and Kense. “Trust is a delicate thing.” A whisper of a painful smile crossed her face. “It’s extended until it’s challenged or broken.” Closing her eyes, she removed her personal feelings from the equation.

“Trust is not just given, it’s taken.” She tapped her PADD that held everything current about the aliens. “They could have taken us to a base where we could have become the salvage they were expecting.” Her voice was conversational. “They could have given us false readings, or no assistance with mapping this area of space.”

She picked up a small pastry and bit into it, savoring its delicacy. “They could let us starve to death, or any number of things. We’re alone here.” The starship that could rely on the reputation of Starfleet now had to walk their talk in a place they’d have no back up. No cavalry. Nothing.

“There’s no guarantee, Captain,” she said gravely. “But we didn’t climb aboard the Horizon for any, did we?” Viability of the human species. “Like our own survival.” Her eyebrows raised. “What concerns you about our viability?” After all, perhaps they should concern themselves with resources before wondering about perpetuating their species.

"Trust is delicate," Gary agreed, bringing KAT into himself. "That is why I have always valued you above anyone else, KAT. I know that I can trust you implicitly. The fact that we can have these talks and I can leave my doubts here, has always been an amazing gift."

He stared into KAT's eyes, debating whether to say more. An uncomfortable silence passed before he continued, "Yes, we're alone here. No, there are no guarantees. As to our viability, I have many concerns, KAT. "How long can we keep our own food and water here? How do we replace parts? Can we find trustworthy allies? We're fumbling in the dark. You say that we need to keep hope alive but at some point reality will sink in. I am more than a little concerned for those who have families back home. As you said we may not be able to give everyone everything they need, but that's my duty, as Captain. I'm responsible for everyone here, KAT. Including you. And I need your help figuring this out because you're the person that I trust more than anyone."

“Reality?” KAT asked softly. “What I see is a Starfleet Vessel continuing its mission to explore.” She smiled a small, self-conscious smile. “We’re in a place no other human being has ever been. We expected challenges when we signed up. I think you’ll find that hope is a strong thing.” It was too early to convince the crew to accept their fate. The galaxy was a huge place with a great deal of unexplored quadrants. Anything could be out here.

“We never expected to be transported somehow to another galaxy.” KAT’s voice gained strength as she spoke. “Who knows what wonders are here?” Getting acquainted with things here would be imperative. More than that, they needed common ground. Food. Water. Air. Fuel. Would they find equivalents that would be suited to their physiology? Could they stumble upon a similar anomaly that might take them back home?

“Let’s focus on what we have, what we can do, and keep an eye on each other.” KAT looked slowly at Gary, a small slip of the inner woman peeking out. “We’re not just a crew anymore.” There was no one else from their part of the Galaxy anywhere close. “We’re a community. So we might have to consider that additional dynamic on board.”

Gary sighed and pulled KAT into himself and kissed her lightly on the forehead. "I will always keep an eye on you," he told her with a smile in his voice. "And I am lucky to have you." He then signed again. "We've always been a community of sorts but we were not trained to build one, KAT. What do you suggest?"

KAT blushed, still trying to process the Captain’s trust and her cheeks felt hot. At least she could consider the question fully, gathering herself together in a safe, professional place.

“We might want to consider giving people some responsibilities to crew members or Departments regarding food, water, fuel, personal supplies... rationing...” She shrugged self-consciously. “It was only a thought.”

"These are good thoughts," he told her kissing KAT on the forehead. "Why don't you get together a list of these things and crew members that might be uniquely satisfied to these tasks. I do not want to upset people about this, so we'll have to gradually start giving some rationale for these tasks. I don't want us scrambling when things are breaking down."

KAT was surprised that he had considered her thoughts good. But she wouldn’t squander such an opportunity. Especially to help the ship. “Of course,” she said, stopping just short of Captain, or Sir or Gary. They were discussing work. So she leaned forward to her PADD and made a brief note to remind her. “I’ll get right on that, Captain.”

"We're not in front of the crew, KAT. You know better." He smiled at KAT and then leaned in and kissed her. He then whispered, "How much time do we have before we both must leave?"

She did know better. But still... never being too familiar... it kept her comfortable. At least for now. And time was indeed pressing on this morning. “About 10 minutes...”

Gary sighed. Even if they had a quickie, there would not be enough time, to shower, shit, shave, and get dressed, as well. "Damn it!" he exclaimed to KAT. "Perhaps we can find some time together later," he told her.

Sweeping up the PADD KAT easily swiped through to the schedule. “How much time did you want to set aside?” Her hand hovered, awaiting the answer. Time was a precious thing aboard. Later... “unless you wished to not keep this evening open for...”

She coughed delicately and let the question linger.

"Let's block off everything from 2000 on, KAT. I want to be able to show all of my appreciation for you this evening."

The heat started at the base of her neck and crept slowly up into her hair. Her stylus plunked squarely into the center of the block of time on the Captain’s schedule. “Done,” KAT said softly. It wasn’t often that she blocked his evening off for her. Sliding off his bed, she straightened her uniform and retouched her lipstick.

“Go ahead and get ready...” She stood before the door as it slid open. “I’ll see you on the Bridge, Captain.”

"Indeed you will. Thank you, KAT."

 

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