Saving Vodka and Kidnapping a Russian

Posted on Saturday, 13 March 2021 - 6:09pm by Lieutenant JG Adrianna Eberhardt & Captain Barret Stillwater

Mission: Operation: Trail of Tears

Adrianna was uniformed and standing in the bay they'd be bringing Constantine into. The second that she'd given the order, a lot of alarm bells had started going off in her head.

Was it wise having an ex and a current meet? Was it wise having anyone from a past life in her new one? More importantly, would Constantine betray her trust?

She seemed to stare off into the distance as the thoughts grew from whisper to a scream.

Captain Stillwater approached the woman from behind. She always wore her pain and experience well, behind her eyes and with an iron curtain erected around the inner fragility. Anyone else aside from perhaps Lieutenant Vali would have likely dismissed Adrianna as being fine, but she was not fine.

There was a difference between fine and functional. Stillwater was functional, but he would more than likely never be fine. In Adrianna, he caught glimpses of himself. Now, she was lost in thought and he was approaching her from behind.

He knew better than to simply touch her shoulder comfortingly. "I'm behind you, Petty Officer," he said announcing his presence. It was then that he gently placed a hand on her shoulder, a paternal gesture of reassurance. "Concerned about our Russian 'friend?'" inquired the Captain.

Adrianna looked up to the captain, instantly snapping out of her haze. She smiled, "a little. He's far from a friend. We did grow up together though."

"I have my fair share of individuals like that," replied Stillwater. "If my recent brush with death is any indication. I don't always get along well with those I associate with." He did not want to pry, but he was genuinely interested in knowing more. "Is he a potential danger to have aboard? I can have Talarn increase security around crucial areas."

Adrianna shook her head, "the only danger he poses is to himself or to my reputation I have tried to positively restore since joining Starfleet." She sighed and for a change got personal, "he was my first everything. My father loved him and would always push for us to get married. We had chemistry, but our dreams were never the same. We parted ways, but he's just--," she paused, "he has this unique way of making me homesick for times gone by. That may be one way of putting it."

Her eyes looked out as the small ship started to enter the deck, "he's going to be super smooth. He's just finished a run, so anything in his ship is for personal use. It'll be under a floor panel in his quarters and under where his feet are by the pilot seat. If it's clean, give me two minutes and I'll kill his ship. He's not changed his rust bucket in years. It has a loose coil thing in the back. I'll make it disappear for now."

"If worse comes to worse," Stillwater said with a bit of a sigh. "I swing by Sickbay and grabbed a controlled substance we had for medical purposes. If we happen to find it aboard his ship, we would need to impound it for a bit."

"Excellent," she instantly stiffened up as the ship landed, "I apologise for anything unprofessional here on out."

"Affirmative," Stillwater echoed nodding his head. "Same goes for me. If anything happens to require some unprofessional intervention on my part, just look the other way. I don't typically like to get my hands dirty."

She couldn't help but chuckle a little, "getting dirty hands can be fun. I won't tell anyone, if you don't."

A ruggedly handsome man stepped out of the ship. His dark clothes were defined by muscles. He glared at Adrianna defensively barking in Russian, "really? A search? I wasn't going to leave."

Adrianna stepped over with a smile. When in front of him, she replied in standard for the sake of the captain, "yes, a search and yes, it's lively to see you again too. Welcome aboard the USS Standing Bear, Constantine. I'm sure you'd prefer to put your feet up and enjoy some nice hospitality untead of just being a taxi."

His form relaxed and he kissed Adrianna’s cheeks before looking to the captain, "it's a little old, but she's beautiful. She going to be safe in Fleeter hands?"

"Your ship looks younger than I do," Stillwater replied. "From one Captain to another, your ship is in safe hands. The Standing Bear is not large by any means, but we will get you settled in some guest quarters for the time being, and I've already requested that you have access to non-critical areas. Visit the lounge and have anything you want on the house."

Constantine nodded," thank you. Better than I expected. I was expecting her to, at the least, punch me."

Adrianna smirked a little," you've only been here two minutes and there is surveillance in here."

"Do I get protection from her?" He asked Stillwater, "I mean, I've seen what she can do without a gun, and I value my life."

"I am your protection," Stillwater said firmly. "She's in uniform is she not? She won't do anything that I don't order or instruct her to do. So, be on your best behavior while you are a guest aboard my starship, and I think you'll avoid getting punched."

Constantine looked Stillwater over. He then turned to Adrianna," I'll enjoy seeing you in a uniform that is a-"

Adrianna ran her fingers over a phaser that was on his body, and pulled it out quickly, though pretended to inspect it," finish that sentence and I may have to double check if your phaser works."

He raised his hands in defense," fine."

"Finish that sentence and your ship may make it to a Federation watch list," noted Stillwater. "Do try to behave yourself while aboard. I don't have a high tolerance for anyone harassing my crew."

"Yes, sir," he nodded, "I'll be catching up on some reading. I won't be causing trouble. I wouldn't try it on a federation ship. Just point me to the general direction of a place for me to stay and the bar and I'll be gone."

Stillwater looked around the bay. Then, spotted a young man with a PaDD inspecting a piece of equipment. Stillwater snapped his fingers. "Crewman Pataki," he said calling out to the man. "Show our guest to his quarters and to the lounge."

Stillwater took the man's PaDD pulled up the quarter assignment, and signed off on it. Then handed the PaDD back to Crewman Pataki. "Stick with Crewman Pataki. He will show you whether you need to go."

Constantine nodded. He looked over Adrianna one last time, a little lust behind his gaze before he left with the crewman. Adrianna watched him leave and the second the doors shit behind the Russian, she let out a breath she hadn't realised she'd been holding, cursing under her breath.

"Attractive man," commented Stillwater. "Definitely an asshole though" he quickly added. "You going to be fine on a trip with him to Ekos?"

"I don't need him to fly the ship," Adrianna darkly joked, "I just need the ship."

"True," Stillwater replied shrugging his shoulders. "Let's just hope he can keep things professional while taking you two to Ekos."

"If he doesn't," she replied, "Starfleet won't be around. He'll be fine though."

"Just remember that you are Starfleet, Petty Officer. Unofficial off duty on a leave, or what have you. Abide by the uniform. I came back to Starfleet begrudgingly with intentions of restoring it's good name."

"It will be kept, sir," she nodded honestly before ducking into the ship. A moment later she came out with a glass bottle, with Baciami branding on it, "a gift for putting up with this."

Stillwater accepted it. "I'll make sure to save it for the right occasion."

"Make sure you have a full stomach," she warned, "it even got a Vulcan drunk."

"I'll make sure to do so. Now, let's see about inspecting this ship." Stillwater looked at her and gave a nod of approval.

Adrianna chuckled and went to a few known hidey holes, opening up several things which needed to be confiscated. It felt like such sweet revenge.