Midnight Mania

Posted on Sunday, 24 April 2022 - 5:58pm by Lieutenant JG Hayashi Hamura & Ensign Oriana Skye Sety & Captain Pippa Whitley

Mission: Operation: Crimson Kaleidoscope
Timeline: 2395

ON:

Oriana stood outside Hamura’s quarters. The ship was gone, all was lost…and she hadn’t spoken to the engineer since this all went down. She’d tried but Hamura had been unreachable.

She sighed as she thought back to the desperation that had let her to wake the Captain to ask for help. She thought back to only days ago on their mad dash home after the ship was lost….


=/\= Many Days ago =/\=

Oriana paced in front of the captain's quarters. It was well past midnight and she had no right to but them yet here she was. She sighed as she stabbed the ringer. Her mind was made up, she needed help and Pippa Whitley was the only one who could do it. Ori stood there on pins and needles waiting for the captain to wake up.

The doors to the Captain's quarters opened, and the Captain did not look as polished and put together as they normally did when on duty. Instead, a grey tank top and red joggers. The Captain was also barefoot and clearly a bit groggy. "Ori," Pippa said addressing the ship's logistics officer. "I'm not going to bother the ship's chronometer. My internal clock tells me its is the middle of my night."

Oriana wrung her hands. "I'm sorry I ...you're the only one I could talk to."

"About what Ori?" asked Pippa. "This isn't exactly coffee hour at least not on my duty rotation. What is so pressing that you came to see me now? I mean, you are welcome to come to me anytime, but now?"

"Hamura...their...not doing to good. They refuse to leave engineering yet they look sick as hell."

"If it effecting their performance in Engineering, then I can order them to Sickbay or have the relieved of duty for the time being" noted Pippa. "I'd rather they went to Sickbay by their own wisdom."

Oriana sighed. "It's...complicated. They go to work, they go visit Soral, they barely sleep, barely eat...I was wondering would you talk to them?"

Pippa nodded. "I can talk to them, Oriana. Though that may not do you any good. I am their Captain and that is about the extent of where things are at this point. You are concerned about them and rightfully so. I appreciate that, and I will see what I can do, but working miracles is not exactly something I am known for."

Oriana smiled, "But you've worked so many since coming aboard."

"Random occurrences and good luck," Pippa replied. "A Captain tends to come with a good bit of luck. I will see what I can do, but how have you been holding up?"

Oriana sighed. "Exhausted. Not the work just figuring things out..." She smiled sheepishly. "I'm learning the complexities of relationships personal and work." She laughed. "Now I understand Commander Soral's comment about logical throttling."

Pippa smirked. "Well, that sounds like an interesting term. What have you come to understand about logical throttling?"

She sighed. "That sometimes ya just got to smack Hamura." She chuckled. "Okay...listen I'm sorry to have disturbed you." She studied the captain. I guess it will sort itself out. I kind of feel better just talking with you."

"Sometimes," Pippa replied with a small chuckle. "That is true for most people. They need that 'smack' and a swift kick in their ass at times. There were times where I needed one myself. I am glad that you are feeling a bit better," continued Captain Whitley. "If you need me, you know my routines and schedule."

She smiled. "I do!" She stood and walked to the door. "Thanks again Captain."

"You're welcome. Have a good rest of your night...morning "

She smiled as she headed out. There was one stop she was about to make, and seeing Pippa had given her the courage to do it.


=/\= Present moment =/\=

She’d left the captain that moment with something she hadn’t planned on. The courage seed that had grown all this time and that had brough her here in front of this door. She sighed. “Okay Ori, you can do this. You need to speak with them.”

She steeled herself, knowing that the conversation would be difficult and then she leaned over and rang the chime. She hadn’t realized she was holding her breath until the door opened and she exhaled. She stared at the face she’d memorized, the face that looked haunted beyond belief. The red eyes showing a river of tears that had flowed and the shaking hand that showed that the pain was far from over.

“Hamura…” Her voice came out raspier then she’d have liked. “Um… can I come in,” she continued after clearing her throat.

She watched as Hamura debated and then signed again with relief as Hamura stepped and allowed Ori entrance. It was a step and they would need to figure out how to help Hamura together. She squared her shoulders and stepped inside.


OFF: