A short trip

Posted on Tue Nov 12, 2024 @ 2:39pm by 2nd Lieutenant Duffy MacBain
Edited on on Tue Nov 12, 2024 @ 2:39pm

2,140 words; about a 11 minute read

Mission: Second Chances
Location: shuttle bay

ON:

Duffy had been in the shuttle bay dropping off some parts for one of the Techs. He had heard the order placed and offered as it was on his way. While there he saw the board for flights requesting volunteers. He saw a familiar name on the board for tomorrow morning and decided to surprise her. It had been a while since their date. They had met a few times for lunch but he had felt maybe the moment had passed. His duty hours had significantly increased once his baseline medical had been approved. he had flown missions almost every day for a while and when not flying they were preparing for the rest of the fighter group to arrive.

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He was at the shuttle bay at 0800hrs and had the preflight finished and was just sitting in the pilot seat waiting for her to arrive. he was hoping this would not get awkward as it was a couple hours in each direction. This was a diplomatic courier gig. he would fly her out to a passing transport. Land in their shuttle bay. he would be her armed escort to collect the diplomatic pouch from their passenger. Than fly her back to the base. A milk run. He was hoping to see if her feelings for him had evaporated. He suspected her experiment had ended since he had not had any real time to spend with her after their date.

Duffy heard her board and waved for her to come forward. "Say Pretty Lady, want to go for a spin with me?"

Zemi heard a familiar voice, a broad smile now graced her face. "Lieutenant, how delightful. And yes I would love to go for, what did you call it? A spin with you, after I have met with the vessel from my home world". She felt a stirring within her, but after their last meeting she thought this being uninterested in her.

"Well buckle into the seat here next to me." He had requested it be replaced with something better adapted for her comfort. "I just have to get launch permission and we will be away." He waited for her to get situated before requesting the deck boss a launch window. As he waited for his turn to launch he touched her hand. "I am sorry I have not been around. I know you can see my mind, I have honestly been busy. I have not been social with anyone else, just no time." he smiled meekly "I hope your still interested in your experiment? I would enjoy being your test subject if the position is still open."

Duffy's comment caught Zemi by surprise, "Oh, I was under the impression you did not wish to continue that experiment". She looked out of the window, "My people place much on the personal relationship between male and female, once entered into it is rarely abandoned". She turned to face him, "When on the vessel we are going to meet, you will see my people at close quarters. I suggest you wait and observe them closely, before volunteering for what maybe a one way mission".

Duffy laughed as he got the launch permission and lifted the shuttle gently from the deck. He made a slow steady acceleration, ensuring his passenger was comfortable. He was too professional with his piloting skill to show off without some good reason anyway. "I think you are trying to scare me Zemi? You should know I like a challenge." The shuttle made the transition from the lit deck to the black of space. He flew through the traffic patterns with care. Once clear of the station he sped up toward the clear zone where he could safely move to warp speed.

As they left everyone else behind he slipped a hand into her's. "You have permission to look inside my head Zemi, I did miss you. I would like a kiss if you feel you can handle it? I mean you did get rather worked up when we kissed before." He was teasing her , but it was his way to break the ice. he honestly felt bad about not spending real time with her since their date. He had honestly been extremely busy. He had even been in his first combat, that was just a few days ago. There were many thoughts of work, he had not had any social life since he had gone out with her soon after his arrival.

Blushing, Zemi squirmed on her seat. "My arousal came from my innocence in regards of sexual matters, and the effect it would have upon my body". She swallowed and then looked at Duffy, "I do not need to join minds with you, I have empathic abilities which serve just as well". Zemi leaned over and kissed Duffy full on the lips, "I can forgive you this time, but the next occasion will result in removal of body parts" She was returning his teasing, so he would know she to was being honest.

Leaning forwards, Zemi scanned for her people's freighter. Her uniform jacket fell open exposing a small amount of breast, a sudden thought informed her that the pilot wasn't watching where they were going. "The freighter is 1.6 light years away, course 225.72". She didn't stop her companion looking, but simply moved back in her seat closing her jacket by gravity. "Are you really that interested in female anatomy, or simply curious to see the differences between Human and Ojnas?" She stared straight at Duffy when asking the question, she wanted to see and hear his response.

He was still savoring the kiss and he got an eyeful when she leaned forward. Than she leaned back and he had to wonder if she had been teasing him. "Course 225.72 locked and auto pilot engaged." He turned facing her full on. He pulled her hand to his lips and kissed her fingers. "I admit my eyes often reveal my curiosity in the beauty of the female form."

He laughed "Yes Zemi, even with the threat of loosing a limb I find looking at women enjoyable. I sort of figure a woman wants to be seen if she wears clothing where exposure is a possibility. Under most circumstances I would just enjoy the flash of skin and let it go at that." He raised an eyebrow tilting his head "in your case however? I have to consider the concept your ready to experiment more on the issue of what aroused you before. Perhaps that flash was an invitation, reminding me you offered that I could touch you in all places save one."

"No worries Zemi, I would not have you disheveled or distracted in front of your own kind. I will behave for now. Although if you keep exposing yourself I might feel it a challenge for me to act upon my desires to touch you again."

She traced a finger down his cheek, and continued down the front of his chest. It stopped at his belt, "This is a limit, one which I will not cross. Nor will I allow anyone else, to cross it in regards to me". Her jacket fell forwards again, "This is my body, I say who has access to it or even touches it". Zemi now closed the top of her jacket, "I trust you for now Duffy, please remember that. But if I feel that trust is being abused, I will react accordingly".

She turned back to the front and checked the instruments, "The freighter is now point 5 of a light year away, but its speed seems to have increased. New course, 227.36. That should have us intercept in 5 minuets, I would suggest contacting the freighter and getting landing instructions". She turned her head towards Duffy, "Once this pick up is complete, I would politely suggest a slower return trip. Ojnas responses can take a little time, but I have been told they are extremely intense".

Duffy faced forward "I would not take advantage of you. I also remember your limits. I will behave Zemi of that you can be sure of." He corrected the course as she suggested "Free Trader Santhia this is Langley Station shuttle 51-T11-43 and we are expected for a courier drop. Our ETA is expected to be sero-five-minutes. Please advice as to how you wish us to dock?"

A disconnected voice replied, "Freighter Santhia, our landing bay is unable to receive you at this time. Please dock on our port side airlock, shuttle 51-T11-43 respond". Zemi glanced at Duffy, "That is not an Ojnas, perhaps this freighter has a mixed crew". She moved forwards and scanned the freighter as it came into sight, "As I suspected, a mixed crew of Ojnas and Andorians. Our two people seem to have a bond, though I fail to see it myself".

"Freighter Santhia copy your message will be making a orbit to match speed and course before docking. Will proceed to standard docking procedure alongside your port side airlock. Green is go and i should be prepared to dock in 06.3 minutes. Thank you for your courtesy." Duffy spoke to the voice from the freighter.

"Andorians, They normally seem pretty stern to me. So my orders are to escort you as like a body guard. Anything I need to know before we go aboard?"

Zemi looked at Duffy, "Do not anger any Ojnas warriors, they are both larger and stronger than you. They also move extremely fast, and their weapons are razor sharp". She then watched as the shuttle moved along side the freighter, "My contact will meet us ae we arrive, please be aware that some Ojnas have never met a Human".

"I am merely here as your escort Zemi. I have no reason to start a fight?" He did not say he cared little as to how fast they were or how strong they were. He had taken on stronger and faster opponents at the Academy and had seldom lost in any sort of match. In fact he rather hoped they were confident in their skills as that meant they were fallible.

He piloted with a natural skill pulling alongside the freighter and docking without incident. He shut down the engines once docked and did a systems check. Docking is sealed and pressure stabilized." he hopped up and opened the airlock on their side to pass through the tube to the freighter side. "Would you wish to make first contact?" He stepped aside to allow her to lead the way. After all these were her people.

Zemi bow in response, and led the way into the freighter. A rather tall Andorian met them, "Sha Rathshu N'Orgun, follow me". The sharp clipped statement caught Zemi by surprise, "Do you not show respect to those who have earned it?" The Andorian simply walked away, she now looked at Duffy. "Are you sure this is the right vessel?"

Duffy fell in behind her and shrugged "fraid so. I would think diplomats would be more courteous? Than what do I know, I am the shoot first and ask questions never type." He was trying to be funny, hoping to ease her anxiety.

Zemi simply shook her head, "Duffy, you sometimes make me wonder why we Ojnas wish to talk to Humans. Your lack of respect is beyond anything I have ever encountered, but I would have it no other way with you".

Duffy simply smiled. He kept up at a polite distance. He was tempted to brush his fingers against her hand but he would not. he would not risk breaking her attention on duty like this. he was curious why the Andorian was so abrupt. They were noted for being surly but this felt like it was aimed somehow. it had felt more than simple matter of an abrupt personality. He hoped she had not somehow annoyed her superiors?

She seemed professional to him, but than that was not much of an endorsement. he was about as far as one could get from being a diplomat. He was observant, being a pilot meant he had to process visual information swiftly and little got past him. He had Zemi's back, Duffy just wished he knew what the score was here.

Zemi followed behind the Andorian, but the sharpness of his response to her bow made her think there was a problem. She quickened her pace and stopped in front of the Andorian, "You will answer my questions, why have you insulted me by your tone and actions?"

The Androian simply looked at her, "I was ordered simply to meet you and bring you to the Captain as quickly as possible, no talking or wasting time. I obey my orders, I suggest you do the same". He then side stepped her and continued on, pointing in the direction of travel.

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