Processing

Posted on Sun Jan 13th, 2019 @ 8:52pm by Commander Caressa Melanick & Commander Vox Templar

Mission: To Boldly Go
Location: Deck 4 - Dr. Melanick's Quarters
Timeline: Current mission, after the staff meeting

The doors to her quarters opened with the familiar swoosh. She walked over to the replicator, "Hot chocolate, extra whipped cream." After the steaming beverage appeared, she placed it on the side table and then flopped into the over-sized fluffy chair. She took the ponytail holder out of her hair and let her tresses fall. This had to be one of the worst missions she had been on in a very long time. So many dead bodies, all shot execution style. The good thing was the autopsies were not taking as long since they were all the same, but she insisted on perfection, no mistakes could be made. She left Chance in charge for the rest of the shift. 24 hours with no sleep was not good for anyone. She picked up the warm mug and sipped at the silky chocolate beverage. "Just what the doctor ordered."

She contemplated the happenings over the past few weeks. The reaction in ten-forward to her flirting with Vox was not something she expected. Even more so the comments at the staff meeting confirmed her thoughts. She smiled to herself, evidently he was a ladies man, not that she expected anything else. He was smart, attractive and fun to be around. Getting back into a love triangle was not something that she even remotely wanted to engage in. Best to leave well enough alone. In fact, she had already decided to not get involved. Not saying anything to anyone and playing ignorant of the situation would prove to be the prudent thing. She did not want to repeat her past. Wrapping her fingers around the warm cup and sipping once again.

Vox Templar pressed the chime her quarters. He had just returned from sickbay and had the perfect excuse to talk to her in his hand. This mission had increased the tension on the ship and he wanted to find a way to lower that.

She turned her head with the door chime. She wasn't expecting anyone. Being so tired she really didn't care, whoever it was was just going to have to deal with her messy hair and poor posture. "Come." She took a warm swallow of the soothing cocoa, leaning her head back against the back of the chair.

Vox stepped through the doors and let them slide shut behind him. He instantly saw the high level of exhaustion on her face as he held up a PADD. "I just came from sickbay and Doctor Crow had just completed the first autopsy. I figured that I'd bring the findings to you personally." He lowered his hand and gently set the PADD on the desk near where he stood. "I'll see you tomorrow morning, then?"

"Well, I know I look like hell, but you shouldn't let that scare you." She smiled through her obvious exhaustion. "I would think you would be interested in seeing what is on the PADD. Although I am not expecting it to be anything out of the ordinary." She motioned to the seat next to her. "Hot chocolate?"

He grabbed the PADD and brought it over to her coffee table as he sat down opposite her. "Eh, call me crazy but I'm going to assume they were killed by Dominion distruptor fire." He offered her a smirk.

She picked up the PADD and looked at him and stuck her tongue out at him. "Smart ass." She touched the buttons on the PADD with precision moving between screens. She let out a big sigh. "Yes, typical Jem'Haddar weapon. Distruptor fire with the wonderful anti-coagulation that goes on after you are hit. Not a great way to go if you know what I mean." She rubbed her head. "It's been a long day."

"Tell me about it," he said, propping up his feet on her coffee table gently. "The woman we saw... I'm curious how she managed to have Jem'Hadar soldiers with her. I didn't know the Dominion sold them off as mercenaries."

"I swear if Banks wasn't on board I would think it would be her. Maybe she would have some idea of her identity. She could be the supplier of the Ketracel." She swung her legs over the side of the chair using the arm rest as a back, taking another sip of her cocoa.

Vox smirked widely at the absurdity of that possibility. He let out a deep sigh and said, "Yeah, I bet it was... She probably has the Jem'Hadar aboard in a storage closet or something." He curled an eyebrow and looked over at her to see her reaction.

She rolled her eyes back at him. "It was just a thought, my brain is operating on no sleep in over twenty-four hours, give me a break. So any news on the video footage?" She rose from the chair and strolled over to the replication unit to deposit her cup. She turned and took off her jacket top and plopped back down in the chair.

"Nothing yet. We're still running an analysis in engineering."

"I am so sorry, would you like something to drink? My manners are lacking." She stood and went back to the replicator. "Tequila, two double shots please." She turned to Vox, "I really need to relax." Grabbing the shots, she took them back and handed him one.

Vox sat up as she returned, grasping the drink from her. "You know how to speak my language." He upended the glass and downed the drink in two quick gulps before setting the glass down on the coffee table. He felt the familiar burn as the intoxicant made it's way down his throat.

She did the same, the clear liquid making its way down her throat warming all the way to her stomach. "Well, this brings back memories," she said, grinning from ear to ear.

He let out an amused chuckle as he was reminded of their time at the party on Earth. He curled one eyebrow at her and waggled his feet. "Yeah, that was fun. We don't get back to the core worlds very often. Sometimes we forget how to let loose."

"Personally I think we need to let go more often don't you?" She was looking rather seductive, but not actually trying.

He pursed his lips as he thought about that question. His lips curled into a smile as he nodded. "Is that your professional opinion, doctor?"

"Yes and no. It is more of my personal opinion. I have made a decision to have more fun, my work is such that I need it. I am sure that you can relate to that can't you? She looked up over her shot glass at him, smiling ever so sweetly.

Vox set his glass down and slowly stood up from the couch and walked around the table to where she sat. Leaning close to her ear, he pointedly whispered, "I can definitely relate, Caressa..." Then he casually left the seating area and disappeared into the corridor to leave her with her thou

Lt. Cmdr. Vox Templar
Chief Intelligence Officer
USS Mercutio

Lt. Cmdr Caressa Melanick
Chief Medical Officer
USS Mercutio