Trust

Posted on Sun Jan 19th, 2020 @ 11:56am by Patricia Crow & Lieutenant Aemilia "Millie" Stepanova

Mission: Side Stories
Location: Gym

Millie dropped the small duffle bag on one of the benches in the Mercutio's gym. After being cooped up in her quarters for 3 days straight, she was looking forward to a workout session--as much as one could look forward to working out with Patricia. No matter how much better she got, Millie knew that Trish would make her feel every strike and every fall to the mat. She gave a nod to a couple of the other crew members who had started to congregate in the far corner of the gym.

The counselor chuckled to herself. She half-suspected that the betting pool was just beginning.

Banks entered about three minutes later, already looking like she wasn't in a fantastic mood to begin with. She dropped her stuff next to Millie's and turned to face her. "How's freedom?"

"Still unsure of what to think. Nothing has ever been permanent before, so I'm not sure how I feel about staying in one place just yet." Millie paused, looking into the face of her friend. "Is everything okay?"

"Just work," Banks brushed it off. "I'm glad he listened though." She walked to the middle of a large mat. "Ready when you are."

Millie joined Banks in the middle of the mat. "What's going on with work? I don't usually see you out of sorts about it."

"Imagine if higher ups asked you to look over data or a patient and report to them your findings and then they ignore it." She took a defensive stance. "Alright, let's go."

Millie gave a slight smirk. "I think you already know what my response would be...and it's what got me confined to quarters for 3 days." She quickly closed the distance to Banks, making three quick strikes.

Banks parried all three moving to her right. "You can do better than that."

Millie made a quick pursuit, planting herself and striking out with her left foot. "So, what are they ignoring?"

Banks grabbed Millie's heel and flipped her onto her back. "I think there's something bad coming our way after matching a series of attacks on outer colonies. They think it's nothing."

Millie hit the mat with a grunt. She pushed the hair out of her face and pushed herself back up to standing. "Are there ships out in the area?"

"Yes, but there's no need to move them for a fool's errand." She motioned for Millie to stand.

"Common aspects of the attacks?" Millie reset herself briefly before moving on the offensive again.

Banks nodded. "They claim its random pirate raids." She moved to block before throwing Millie over her shoulder to the ground and keeping hold of her arm, twisting it.

The wind left Millie's lungs as she face-planted into the mat.

"That's two," stated a voice from the corner of the gym.

Millie's lungs wheezed in a breath as she braced her free hand against the mat. The muscles and tendons in her shoulder screamed out in protest. Another gasp and her lungs finally agreed to fill with air.

Banks released the hold putting distance between them. "Get up. I didn't hear any bell."

Millie caught her breath as she pulled herself into standing. She didn't waste any time, and quickly went back on the offense.

Banks continued to block and parry before stopping with a nod. "You"re improving."

Millie likewise paused, pushing the wisps of hair out of her face. "I would hope so. Otherwise that would make you a pretty lousy teacher." She gave her friend a wink.

Banks grinned. "I need a drink. Lounge in about thirty?"

Millie nodded, grabbing a towel and wiping the sweat from her face. "See you there."

Banks packed up her gear, casting an icy glare to the people in the corner who quickly found other places to be. She'd collect her winnings from the pool later.

*************************

Half an hour later, Millie had showered and changed and made her way to the Five & Dime. She glanced around the room, looking for Patricia.

Banks had a booth near the back of the room, already half done with the drink in her hand.

Millie grabbed her drink from the bar and made her way to the back of the room, slipping into the booth across from Patricia. "So, what's on your mind? It almost seems like you went a little easy on me today."

"You'd rather I hurt you?" Banks smirked a little.

There might have been a slight flush to Millie's cheeks. "No, it's just that when we're sparring with no safeties, I usually have to limp my way to sickbay for the bruises and sprains." She sipped her drink and smiled at her friend.

"Well that was before you were permanent here. I can't go about crippling our steady staff."

Millie laughed. "If anything, permanence just means I can't run away to another planet if you decide to break my arm."

"If I wanted you not to run away it'd be your knees." Banks retorted with just an undertone of seriousness. "So what did he say to you when he finally listened to reason?"

"He doesn't want to talk in a formal office setting. Only the holodeck during his morning routine. I agreed, as long as he would agree to allow me to approach him if I felt there was an urgent issue that needed discussed." Millie let out a deep breath. "We'll have to see how well this works, won't we?"

"It's a first step and more than I thought he'd give you off the bat."

Millie played with her glass between her fingers. "The only reason he is trusting me is because you trust me."

"So he'll learn. That's not a bad thing to get you foot in the door."

"I am glad that you trust me, Trish. I know that was not the easiest thing for you to do...especially since I am a counselor." Millie gave a gentle smile.

Banks gave a slight nod. "I learned too."

The counselor reached a hand out, placing it on Trish's arm. "I know there are things you still don't feel comfortable talking about, and that's okay. But I hope you know that I am here for you, whenever you need to talk."

Banks patted her hand. "I know. There's parts of my brain even Chance doesn't know about yet."

Millie nodded. "Whenever you're ready to unpack those memories, you just say the word."

Banks knew she meant it. "Thanks."

Millie gently removed her hand. "So, this series of attacks really has you bothered, doesn't it?"

Banks was quiet for a moment. "It's like they're looking for something."

Millie's brow furrowed. "Have you gotten to talk to the locals? See what the attackers said or did?"

"That's the thing, there are no more locals."

Millie furrowed her brow. "They killed everyone?"

Banks nodded slowly. "Execution style. Sounds real pirate-y, huh?"

"It sounds like your former employer."

"Possible but not sure. They're not the only ones who use those tactics."

Millie nodded in understanding. "How many colonies?"

"Officially five but I think incidents over the years means dozens that have been explained away."

"Years?" Millie looked concerned. "How many years?"

"I've seen what I think is a decade at least, maybe more. There were so many skirmishes and incidents during the Dominion War, it could mask them potentially even as far back as then."

"Maybe you should investigate further. In person." Millie took a sip of her drink. "Get a closer look at the colonies and what may have been left behind."

"I can neither confirm nor deny that may be in the works."

"Does Chance know?"

She shook her head. "I haven't told him yet. I may be able to cover it as just another job."

"I think we'd both feel much better if you went with some backup." For as good as Millie was at keeping a solid facade, concern was etched on her face.

"Backup is a liability. I need to be able to concentrate, not worry about others."

If only she knew how much we had her back... Millie gave a quiet sigh. "Makes me wish I was improving a bit faster."

"Why? You wanna come along with me?"

Millie looked surprised. "Wouldn't I be a ' liability'?"

Banks grinned. "Nothing I can't handle."

The counselor gave a single nod. "If you want me to go with you, then I'll come along."

"It won't be for a couple days, I need to analyze more information. Pack lightly."

"Everything I own still fits in a duffel bag. I don't think packing lightly will be a problem." Millie gave her friend a wink.

Banks smirked, having walked into that one.

"Thank you...for trusting me." The counselor gave a genuine smile.

"You're welcome, now I just hope you don't regret it."






Lieutenant JG Aemilia "Millie" Stepanova
Chief Counselor, USS Mercutio



Patricia Banks
Chief Intelligence Officer, USS Mercutio