Feb Challenge post - Nightly counsel

Posted on 16 Feb 2020 @ 6:15am by Captain Jonathan Reynolds & Lieutenant Commander True Keading
Edited on on 17 Feb 2020 @ 3:17am

Mission: Mission 3 - Whom gods destroy ...
Location: Keading's quarters
Timeline: MD3 00.14
1491 words - 3 OF Standard Post Measure

ON:

The code 47 had certainly brought Jons mind to it was probably the time to let more of the senior crew into the loop about the "alternate Fox". He couldn't get back to sleep and really didn't like sitting on this by himself right now. True was still firmly in his head from the dream that had been interrupted.

Setting the computer to alert him if Eddie awoke, he pulled on some civvie clothes and wandered not very far down the corridor to Trues quarters.

The door opened for him, a shared privilege between them both now their relationship was where it was and he stepped into the dark room. "Lights," Jon said softly. He spotted the Kitten before it spotted him and wasn't able to get close enough to attempt to calm it before it hissed at him and leap in his direction taking a swipe.

"Hey ….. now come on ….." he placed his finger out for him to sniff and hopefully realise he was a friend not foe and once satisfied it wasn't going to attack again he wandered into Trues bedroom while he continued to eye him cautiously. He clearly had a lot more work on getting this kitten to fully accept him.

"True," he said sitting down on her bed next to her sleeping form and putting a hand on her shoulder. "True,"

She jerked awake groggily, "Wha?"

"Hey love. I'm really sorry to wake you but something came up. A code 47," he said.

He could have used the comm system but he wanted to no needed to see her. Seek her thoughts.

That got her attention. "You're not supposed to talk about those." She said as she sat up and glanced around. "Where's Atlas?"

“Actually that’s down to captains discretion,” Jon said, “And he’s in the main room. Do you want me to get him?”

"No, just wanted to make sure he hadn't escaped. He'd probably take over the ship." True patted the bed for him to sit down. "What's wrong?" She finally asked.

Jon sighed as he sat down and pulled his arm round her. "We have an intruder onboard," he told her. "Fox, Syvar and I suspected something strange was going on after we saw that Laemia's reaction to Fox on the bridge before going to see the Don and rescuing Aidan. Then Syvar found some of Fox's DNA on the device the slavers put in Aidan. The DNA was slightly different. Almost identical. We hypothesised a clone or mirror version.

So Fox and I put a plan in motion to identify the real one if we were on the money and that situation occurred. It seems that her duplicate is now onboard and our Fox is I assume still on the planet. A switch has been made," he told her. "We need to figure out why but not let her knew we are on to her yet. The 47 was another CO who knows Fox really well. They talk by subspace. She realised and contacted me to warn me."

"Oh, well that makes a lot of sense actually. I didn't want to upset you, but Syvar came to me requesting your psychological profile which was really unusual and I never would have released it to him . . . except he was absolutely terrified. I knew something serious had to be wrong."

"You would never upset me," Jon said simply. "What do you think he needs it for? Syvar has no need for it. I bet …. For her …. oh …. she wants to find a weakness or see how I think maybe. Thats not going to help her."

He sighed. "Do you think Syvar will be okay? Can you keep a good eye on him? Our Fox and I created a fake command code. If and when she uses it we know and it will lock her out of certain functions but make her think the computer has done what she wants. We need to know what her aim is and I would rather hear back from our Fox that shes safe before attempting to … well unmask her just yet. Theres a bigger connection here with the Cetea and the orions down there."

"I certainly hope so and I intend to." True hadn't had much contact with Fox since she supoosedly returned from the away mission so she quietly mused about what that connection might be. "Have you slept at all?" She suddenly asked Jon?

"A little .. I was having a lovely dream until the code 47 woke me up," he admitted. "Yeah you were in it."

"Oh?" True grinned. "What were you dreaming about?" She snuggled up to him happily. "You could stay and get some more sleep if you like."

"I like that idea but its my night with Eddie …" he said with an air of regret. He had to be responsible. "I think I can spare some a little time. Hes fast out at present." He touched his head.

"Well you had less clothing on and there was a beach. I definitely have to take you to a beach one day," he said cuddling up to her.

"How's Atlas settling in?" he asked as he could hear the kitten up to something in the other room. He hoped it wasn't her furniture getting it.

"Fine, I mean he's a handful but I've had cats before so I know what mischief they get up to. And honestly Jon, I love how responsible you are. It's very sexy." She decided to tease him a bit. "It means you won't be leaving our kids to go visit your next girlfriend."

He knew she was teasing, so he teased back and ignored the next girlfriend comment. "I wonder what our kids will look like. Hopefully your beauty and calmness and not my nose," he smiled at her.

"They would be beautiful because they would be an extension of us. And there's nothing wrong with your nose." As if to prove a point she kissed the tip of it. "I don't think we should jump right into that yet. We've just figured out who we are to each other."

"I agree," Jon said although secretly the idea of a happy family life and a couple of kids with True was wonderful to him. He would do everything in his power to make any second chance at that go perfectly.

"I have two to already keep me busy at the moment and their teenagers," he shuddered.

"But one day. You will be such an amazing mother. Though right now I really want to enjoy having some time with you, my imzadi … " he smiled at her lovingly, "first and foremost before nappy duty and loss of sleep starts all over again.

Right now you and Eddie and well yeah now Atlas …." he looked over at the door to her lounge "are my priorities."

"It's really nice to be taken care of but you don't need to worry about me Jon. I've been talking care of myself for a long time now. I appreciate the gesture though. If you suddenly get busy or something though, I'll understand." True kissed him again.

It was at this minute they heard a crash from the living room. "Atlas," True said with a small sigh.

"Oh I know you can look after yourself," Jon grinned getting up. "Thats one of the things I like about you but I'll put my share in you know …. when it happens.

Atlas is going to be the trial run you know," he winked at her. "And If we tame that cat, we can conquer anything."

He bent down and kissed her. "I'll go sort it. You go back to bed love and I better head back to Eddie. Would you like to do breakfast with us both in the morning?"

"I don't think he's meant to be tamed. I think he will try to take over the universe and I don't think our kids will be quite that ambitious. Sure, I'd love to have breakfast with you." True wasn't sure she would be able to go back to sleep, but she guessed she could try.

"Well if hes not meant to be tamed lets work on coexist. If he takes over the universe I would rather be on his good side," Jon quipped. "And our kids …. good thing. We don't want them taking on Atlas," he actually found himself laughing.

True grinned. "If you don't get out of here I'll never get back to sleep." She kissed him one more time and flopped back down on the bed and covered herself up with the comforter. "I love you," she said.

"I love you imzadi," Jon smiled. "Sleep well."

"Now Atlas …. I don't want any trouble ………" he disappeared into the other room.

OFF:

●●●● Captain Jonathan Reynolds
Captain
USS Andromeda


●● Lieutenant True Keading
Chief Counselor
USS Andromeda