Stella, My Star

8

The following day is much more pleasing. Despite you leaving for the highlights of Concordia to discuss missions with other I.S.F. captains, I make positive progress in your absence. I greet 20 new crew members, all women, all wearing respectable, modest uniforms in the mandated silver, and see that they settle in comfortably and receive a welcoming tour of the ship. They bring with them a range of age and experience, not to mention a balance for me onboard. It took some clever gameplay with Lynch, but my actions, and your approval, will ensure improved morale.

Lunch and rec time is spent impressing the crew with my snooker and hoverboard skills. I manage to win smiles despite my straightfaced attitude to competition, and even score a couple of sneaky beers and pats on the back for my trouble. Gelding watches the camaraderie in front of him for as long as he can stand it, and disappears.

When I eventually leave the rec room, he stands indiscreetly, no more than 5 metres away,  chatting up one of our new female staff members, rubbing her arm up and down with THAT pokey finger.

I know he wants to get a rise out of me. So, after I have walked away and turned a corner, I key into the system and communicate with Rosetta.

"Rosetta, it's Stella. I need a 28 check on corridor 6 please."

"Immediately, Lieutenant? "

"Yes, thankyou, Rosetta." 

I disconnect, and start to walk to my afternoon duty, as I clearly hear the sprinkler system activate outside the rec room, the squeal of a naive young girl, and Gelding swearing.

My second assignment is to brief the staff in the transferral bay about the new security measures. Since my unexpected arrival, I have installed a more up-to-date camera, an arrival system that sounds a simple alert throughout the lower floor of the ship, and a stock-standard C13 droid to watch the grid at all times.

As I am demonstrating the required communication protocol, your shuttle arrives back in the station. When I choose to look up to the respectful, friendly greetings you receive from your crew, you are standing, in full magnificent captains' uniform, in front of me with your men. You have a subtle smile on your face, as you stare into my eyes.

Rosetta comes online.

"Captain Rafferty, there are several new messages coming through from Commanders Lynch and Oakes."

You look down to concentrate.  "Thankyou, Rosetta. I will be in my office shortly." Your eyes return to me. "Excellent job, Lieutenant Wood. Sorry for my interruption." You wink and move out. I manage a quick smile to myself.

When I have completed my set assignments for the day, I have to prevent myself from wanting to locate you, to show appreciation for the acknowledgement you gave me, but I simply return to my room. A fingerprint is all I need to gain access, and I slip off my boots and strip down to my underwear before noticing the bed is already visible, risen from the floor. On the pristine sheet lies a single long stemmed rose, and a pair of replacement fishnet stockings.