JL | FADM Red, Com Jorgun - BQ CO, Sector CO | "Stray Cat Strut"

Posted on 241708.01 @ 12:54am by Fleet Admiral Blyx Red & Commodore Jorgun

Mission: Hush [BQ Plot]

0330 was a dark and chilly time of day, or was it night? Blyx couldn't be sure. Hours were running together and the Vindicator was due into port within the next couple hours. Sleep would elude her that night. Instead, she'd sat back in thought and work, deciding the future as it were. Rochelle had often joked that it was like witchcraft, the way she sat at that desk (or stood by her window) and conjured up plan after plan, detail after detail. That night would be no exception to that rule, especially as she depressed the commbadge at her chest, "Commodore Jorgun please report to my office." Her voice rang clear and free, holding all the power that the five sparkling pips at her neck afforded her. Poor bastard had probably been asleep, or at least trying to rest. He'd have plenty of time for that. Plenty indeed. It was time that he learned about her brand of magic and why what she did was so very important to the well-being of the Federation.

Jorgun was making his rounds through the station and had just finished up with an engineering inspection of new plasma conduits installed by a team from the Constance. He had long persisted in the habit of making off watch tours of his commands to ensure efficiency was as high on the midwatch as it was on any other. He required very little sleep after nearly two decades of maintaining the habit.

When his commbadge chirped and the Commander, Beta Quadrant piped out her order for him to report to her office, Jorgun thought to himself, old habits do die hard. She still calls it, "her office" even after all she waxed on about sharing it until her new operations area was complete. In truth, the office would be Jorguns within a matter of days. The engineering crew of the Constance had made major headway toward the completion of Cold Station Theta in the last week. Jorgun tapped his commbadge and replied, "Yes, Admiral. On my way."

He arrived only minutes later and crossed the threshold of their shared office. "Good morning, Admiral." Jorgun looked at the petite woman with respect and a modicum of fear wrapped up with a touch of desire. She was slightly older than he was but showed no sign of her true age in appearance or demeanor. Her body, in his opinion, was a study of poise and perfection even by Orion standards. "How can I be of service, Ma'am?"

Looking up from a PADD sat atop the rich mahogany wood desk, Blyx motioned for Jorgun to have a seat. "A couple ways, actually," She began, offering the big Orion a smile. "USS Vindicator arrives in a few hours, albeit it for a brief touch and go. I was thinking that it would be wise for you to accompany them on this shakedown cruise." Of course, letting him leave was a difficult prospect with so much to accomplish and so much training to be imparted. In the last little while, she'd grown to rather enjoy his presence and stoic nature. "It would be a great way to get to know the ship and her crew," she nodded in affirmation of her own words.

The chairs at the visiting end of the Admirals desk were made for standard size men and women and though Jorgun fit between the arms it was a bit like being wedged in a vice. Jorgun had come to understand that Blyx was able to see with a strategist's eye causalities that he himself could not. He wasn't sure if that was the few years of experience she had on him or some form of human sorcery. He was beginning to see that more often than not she was correct in her assumptions and actions but that she kept many details to herself and only fed him those she thought he needed to accomplish his tasks.

Jorgun raised his brows slightly as his analytical mind considered her statement. "Ma'am, there are still ongoing construction tasks here with the crew of the Constance. I have barely begun to scratch the surface with this new post and you're asking me to pack up and go back out? What is the real purpose here? I have never known Starfleet to send a Commodore out on a mission just for a meet and greet."

The awkwardness of the moment failed to sit well with the Admiral. She watched the Orion, peered at him really, through incredulous eyes as he more or less swallowed up the chair he'd chosen to take a seat in. It became more of a mental note to self-moment about the need for seating that better accommodated all species, even if Orion males were a rarity among Starfleet personnel. "Because this isn't a simple meet and greet and the Vindicator isn't a simple ship. Her crew isn't just a crew." Blyx replied, finding her tongue sharpened by the questioning of her motives. Pushing away from her desk, she found herself rising to make short work of the trip to the replicator. Tea became her chosen poison, something Rochelle seemed fascinated with and had imparted that fascination upon her like some sort of infection. There were worse things, she decided. "Tea?" She asked, her manners catching up with her as she formulated a better fitting response. Of course, she failed to mention that she was sorry it was simply replicated. Rochelle had the good stuff, a blend of Earth and Galactic teas all stashed away and carefully preserved for her own merriment and entertainment. Amelia Waterhouse had been the first one to play with teas. Now her mind was just rambling.

"Jorgun... Commodore... I ask that you go on this journey because this trip is taking us, the Federation, into an area that is of potential benefit to us. We know next to nothing and it's extremely close to Stenellis space. That said, you'll have a chance to watch this crew and their ship operate and, of course, report back to me about the functionality of the new class without bias." A spy, more or less, was the Orion to be. "I want to know that we have made the right decisions. That ship carries not only my niece, but my son and I need to know whether the Vindicator project is one worthy of production or if it should simply be allowed to fade away in its infancy as an experimental craft."

Jorgun smiled, "Tea would be appreciated, Admiral. Thank you." Jorgun knew that there was still more to the story than just spying on a new class of ship or checking up on relatives. He was beginning to get the feeling that something was or could be out there or that Blyx felt something was amiss with her niece or her son. "Admiral, I will make preparations for Commander Stinson to stay on for another week with his crew and have a travel bag packed before Vindicator arrives. On that note, the station construction has been moving along splendidly. I believe your new command deck will be completed by weeks end at the latest." Jorgun said as he watched the Admiral in the reflection of the office window. Even in the faded likeness of the reflection, she was spectacular to behold. Jorgun felt warm and ran one of his thick fingers around his collar.

He was awkward with attraction. Never certain without action on behalf of the other part if there was mutual interest. Blyx had offered some small tokens of interest in him though hadn't she. The lingering touch of her hand on his throat the first day they had met. Appraising views she had given him. He could discern sexuality even if he could not detect the pheromones that accompanied it on a sub conscience level. The only thing keeping him from asking her to dinner this far had been her rank and the fact that she was his commanding officer. Jorgun did his best to live by the regulations of Starfleet and they tended to frown upon fraternization.

"My pleasure," She nodded as she made the return trip to her desk with his piping hot cup in tow. The best the replicator could do was a relatively decent rendition of Earl Gray and it would have to do. It was only then that she caught him looking at her, regarding her with eyes that held a look she'd seen many times before. It spoke of curiosity, appreciation, and maybe even desire. "I look forward to the completion. You've been a dear as far as convincing Stinson to stay around and finish this place off." Blyx spoke as she set the man's tea down in front of him and made her way back towards the windows. The stars would always call to her, but these were punctuated by the constant coming and going of various ships and vessels... None of them the Vindicator, at least not yet. Her approach would be from an entirely different angle, anyway. Jorgun's, however, was one she wasn't quite sure of. Would he appreciate from afar? Be bold enough to try his hand? She didn't know him well enough to pick out his particular style or know just what exactly it was that boiled in his blood. "You won't need them, but I have your orders in a PADD. Top left drawer. If Commodore Ivanova raises an eyebrow, and she might, at least you'll be armed with something official." She sighed, stirring her tea in an attempt to help dissolve the sugar she'd added. Something sweet was well deserved, especially if she was going to pull yet another all nighter while waiting for the ship to arrive... And depart. It'd only be there for the briefest of moments before it disappeared out into the black. Like a ghost, she thought, nothing more than a ghost.

Jorgun took the tea and sipped carefully, it was hot. He nodded in acknowledgment of his orders and continued stealing looks at the Admiral. She looked worried, tired, stressed, and if Jorgun was lucky, hungry. "Admiral, I have been here over a week now. I have seen you going non-stop living off of tea and walking a hole in that deck there. You need to relax eat a hearty meal. I have become a recent fan of Terran cuisine. I also have a few full flavor recipes for the replicator I have been dying to try. How about we have dinner in your wardroom and sample a chicken francese I've been dying to sink my teeth into. I also have a very nice vintage of Conte Fini Pinot Grigio Alto Adige. It is young but I picked up a case while visiting Earth last time I was at Space Dock." Jorgun knew this was riding a fine line but if he didn't test the waters he would never learn to swim.

Blyx's lips formed a thin line at the mention of food. Just the night before her chance at a somewhat decent dinner had been dashed by a blast from the past. Sure. She'd had ice cream, but that hardly made up for the chicken and herbs that she'd worked so very hard to procure from various traders. Alek... Owed her. "I assure you, Commodore, I'm quite alright." She finally smiled at his offer, though her belly prodded at her to take him up on his hospitality. There was nothing wrong with doing so. "Chicken Francese is a very interesting dish. Last time I enjoyed it was back on Earth... You strike a hard bargain." She nodded, wondering just what it was that was running through the Orion bull's admittedly handsome head. "When?"

"The Vindicator is scheduled to arrive at 0230 hours tomorrow morning, correct? Shall we say, 1800 hours for dinner then? That gives me time to pack and grab a nap before I jump ship. Do you know if the Vindicator will be docking or will I be beaming over?" Jorgun's mind was working at breakneck speed now that she had said yes to his dinner offer. He was almost shocked by her acceptance. He vowed to make the most of his opportunity to impress and possibly woo her if she seemed as attached to him as he was growing to her.

"Give or take so 1800 should be fine," Blyx nodded, studying the fragrant tea in her cup as she spoke, "You'll be beaming over. They're only making the briefest of stops and it makes no sense to dock something that large for such a short period of time." She added, looking back over at him with a slightly raised brow. Was that sweat she saw beginning to bead over his forehead? "The one crew member they were meant to drop off has plead their case to remain aboard. That crew member is a Stenellis, Commodore, while we're friendly for the moment I ask that you keep a sharp eye on her. I don't want another incident."

Jorgun nodded as he took a large drink of his hot tea. "I will be sure things do not run awry, Ma'am. I'll see you at dinner." With that Jorgun pried himself from the vice like chair and carried his cup back over to the replicator and returned it to matter storage. He whistled an obscure Orion courting tune as he left their office feeling a little more on his game than he had in years.

Blyx, on the other hand, was left to her desk and her thoughts - prime among them the Orion's behavior and the obscure little song he was whistling as he practically did the stray cat strut on his way back out of that office.

---

Fleet Admiral Blyx O. Red
Commander, Beta Quadrant
Cold Station Theta

&

Comodore Jorgun
Commander, Cheydinhall Sector
Cold Station Theta