Stella, My Star

15

While Brock has taken the Berserker on a slow hunt for the Artiqewan ship, we have been on hold for forty-eight hours monitoring the last of the cleanup crews and restock deliveries for Blood Diamond. You personally visit the station with one of the rescued staff members, Officer Gormer, for a tour of the site and to seek any extra necessary information for your report back to the commanders. As we watch your shuttle returning, Gelding checks on me.

"Things getting easier? How's your head?"

"Pretty much right as rain again, thankyou."

"Good to hear."

He has definitely softened a little since our return from the Artiqewan encounter, and there is a clear air of politeness and, seemingly, mutual respect building. We spend the afternoon checking on various departments and assisting with some maintenance here and there.

"Coming to the rec room for a game or two?" I enquire of Gelding when we find ourselves passing in the corridor in the late afternoon.

Soon, I am swilling an icy beer at a pool table with Horricks and a few others, my competitive spirit ensuring an occasional whinge or two.

"Ease up, Wood. Not cool to be beaten by a chick," they joke.

When the other pair take the lead in the second round against Horricks and me, there is much banter and carousing. Gelding sits in the corner, directly facing me, drinking with some engineers. Some self-important ones. I catch a couple of them pointing or nodding in our direction on a couple of occasions. Tristan seems uninterested or oblivious.

By my fourth round of drinks, I am already feeling lightheaded and a little drunk. Not too drunk to wrap my mind around the new twist in conversation.

"Hey, Bill! Seen the captain around with that officer from Blood Diamond?  That cute little redhead?"

Horricks freezes and looks up from aiming his cue.

"Ha! Don't ever hear or see much as a technician in the environmental control department. What's this?"

"Yeah, it appears they have grown a little closer since we rescued her from BD. Been having dinner together in his quarters, giving her the full tour, hey?"

They all laugh. Then there is a resounding chorus of "Raffert-t-t-ty!" from your supportive fan club of five or six officers that surround me, and some high-fiving.

"That sly old dog!" One remarks.

I suddenly feel sick to the core. "I'm going, guys. Had enough. Thanks for the game."

"Wood. You can't leave now. What are you thinking?" Horricks is disappointed at losing me as his gaming partner. He'll just have to fucking survive without me.

I walk out, and start striding to my quarters. Soon, Gelding is flanking me.

"Stella. Let me escort you back to your room."

"No. I'm fine, thankyou. I don't need anyone's help to find my way."

On some quiet stairs, he latches on to my arm and turns me to face him. He kisses me quickly on the mouth and I slap him hard in shock. He then continues as if nothing has happened.

"Why did he give YOU the Redpunk? Why you and no-one else? You know he no longer has it. He lied to you. Gabriel NEVER recovered it."

"What?" My face is screwed up in disbelief.

"He lied to you. Maybe I've come to accept you being here, understand your drive, but in a lieutenant's role? This flirtation or whatever it is you have with each other, it's not healthy for him, for you, for anyone on this ship."

It takes my mind a few seconds to process this. I feel giddy, and sit. I look to Gelding, accusingly.

"Why would you say these things? Why would you tell me this?"

"You deserve to know how I feel. You're treated differently. It shouldn't be that way. No-one should have to undermine their sense of integrity to keep others happy and balanced."

"So you think I should just quit? Let go of everything I've worked hard for?"

He touches his bristly cheek where he feels the delayed sting of my hand.

"I'm sorry. I've had too much alcohol. I shouldn't have done that. I'm going to regret this tomorrow."

"Go to Louisa, Tristan. She's infatuated with you. Somehow."

He giggles like a child. "Yeah, how about that? She's not bad. See you on the job tomorrow, Lieutenant."

He turns and staggers off down the hall.

My head begins to throb again. At least he has been upfront with me. I can appreciate that much. I finally get an insight into Tristan Gelding and I now know that he will no longer be a problem. I can deal with his insecurities. But the Redpunk 12, this talk of you sleeping with Officer Gormer, can I let it go? I am feeling cheated.

I stand, but stop myself when I reach the next step. I need some answers. There will be no sleep until I have them. I tap the wall with decided determination, and turn around. I head for the command lift, and your quarters.

Within a few minutes, I arrive at your door. I allow for the new retinal scan that recognises me as a permitted staff member on this level. No alarm. But no access without permission, or without my turnling key that temporarily "fries" the system.

"Rosetta? Are you busy, Rosetta?"

"Lieutenant Wood. I am with you. What are you seeking?"

"Unannounced access to Captain Rafferty's quarters, please. I need you to trust me, Rosetta. It's a human thing."

"I will need to log this access."

"Yes, yes. Come on, Rosetta." I am already impatient.

The door automatically slides open. My eyes lift from staring at my polished leather boots, to the darkness inside.