Darned Smile

Posted on Wed Jun 12th, 2024 @ 12:15pm by Lieutenant Narin Valen & Ensign Millicent Ambrose
Edited on on Wed Jun 12th, 2024 @ 8:20pm

0 words; about a 1 minute read

Mission: Episode 15 - The Evil That Lies Beneath
Location: Science Lab 6 - Deck 6 - USS Pioneer
Timeline: MD005 1300 hrs

After the first initial meeting with Connor taking up the reins of being acting Chief Engineer, Millie found herself heading towards the science area. This was at the behest of Connor assigning her this task. She was a little bit nervous not having met anyone in science yet, but this was necessary. Taking a deep breath to steady her nerves, Millie stepped forward to activate the doors which led into the Science department.

"Uh excuse me, could someone help me out here, someone who is currently in charge?"

Narin looked up from his console as the doors to the science department opened, revealing a somewhat nervous looking woman. "Hello there," he greeted with a smile, stepping forward. "I'm Lieutenant Narin Valen, the Assistant Chief Science Officer. How can I help you?"

Millie's eyes went wide and her heart started beating rapidly barely managing to look the lieutenant in the eyes. Part of her wanted to bolt out of the science department, as he was handsome but no she had a job to do. Nervously she licked her lips, then stammered out.

"Y-you see uh, er, Ensign Connor Turner wished me to see if there is anything wrong due to the nebula and uh, are there any people missing from this department?"

Narin tilted his head slightly, sensing her nervous energy. He wondered what might be causing her reaction. Hearing the name, his expression shifted to one of contemplation. “Ensign Connor Turner…” he repeated, trying to recall the crew manifest. “Engineering, right?” he said, piecing it together.

"Uh oh yes Engineering, I am one of the engineers I am Ensign Millie Ambrose. And yes Ensign Connor Turner is one." Her right hand found its way to the hem of her tunic grasping it as if that was keeping her still. " So, we've just found out that Elen the chief engineer is not on the ship and so... Uh... Trying to figure out why and tracking down who else is missing, sir. "

Narin nodded. “Nice to meet you, Ensign Ambrose,” he said. “I’ve only been aboard for a few days, and I’m still working on remembering all the names and faces,” he explained, maintaining a professional demeanor but he couldn't help but notice the streaks of dyed hair in her light brown hair, and her overall appearance caught his attention; there was something about her that he found quite attractive. “We’re aware of a number of senior crewmembers disappearing, including Commander Maren, our Chief Science Officer. So, you can say I’m in charge of the Science department for the time being,” he continued.

Millie slowly nodded, "T-then it will be you that I will be consulting with. Uh- do you believe in ghosts? And are things here okay for the most part or are things starting to malfunction here." the ensign trying to focus on things at hand.

Narin raised an eyebrow slightly at the mention of ghosts. “Can’t say that I do believe in ghosts. I tend to lean towards scientific explanations for most phenomena,” he paused, noticing that they were standing almost in the doorway. “Let’s have a seat,” he stepped aside motioning towards a station he was working at. There was an extra chair there.

Millie blinked, giving a nod. She hadn't noticed that they were just barely beyond the door sensors, but still there in the way of anyone coming into Science. "Uh sure." obediently walking over to where his station was at and taking a seat. She relaxed for a moment, not being under the scrutiny of his beautiful Betazed eyes. And they were, she's seen other betazeds and had at one time compared them to the luxuriant color of Obsidian. or some other stones that had some other hidden colors in the darkness of the stone. She can't allow herself to just look at him, it made her nervous. Maybe she can, I need to talk to Vura. Its been a little while since I have spoken with her. Wait didn't Connor say that all of the department heads are gone? "Oh dear... does this mean all of the Department heads are gone?"

“Yes, it appears that way,” he confirmed, taking his own seat across from her. “The situation is quite unprecedented.” His attention turned to the PADDs on his desk. He picked up a few before finding the one he was looking for. He handed it to her, displaying a list of names: Lieutenant Ja'sol H'ros (Chief Security & Tactical Officer), Lieutenant Commander Alyssa Maren (Chief Science Officer), Lieutenant Commander Hermia O'Rourke (Chief Medical Officer), Lieutenant Vura (Chief Counselor), and Lieutenant Junior Grade Thex sh'Zoarhi (Chief Operations Officer).

Narin leaned back in his seat, watching her review the list without staring too long. He glanced at the tricorder he had retrieved from Medical, debating whether to mention it. For now, he decided against it. He wanted to know about Diari's disappearance. “Do you happen to know when and where Lieutenant Elen Diari disappeared?” he asked, his tone calm.

As she read over the list of those having gone missing, one hand rose to her mouth pressed up against her lips. Her eyes went large as saucers, her hand started to tremble then she lowered it, drawing in a shaky breath looking up from the PADD to look at Narin. "There is an estimation about um her disappearing a few hours ago but how she disappeared and where she was at, I-I don't know. We're trying to gather the facts." her voice cracked, "Just so many gone, what is happening?"

Narin's expression softened as he saw her distress. He leaned forward slightly, trying to offer some comfort. "I understand how unsettling this is, Ensign Ambrose," he said gently. "We're all trying to make sense of it. The best thing we can do right now is gather as much information as possible and work together to figure out what's happening."

"Connor er that is, Ensign Turner wanted to go talk with Commander McGowan and I well objected to that. I have seen her and she doesn't seem quite right, I felt creeped out. I haven't truly met her yet but there is just that oh I don't know sense of my wanting to be wary. I'm not anyone who is empathic or telepathic but at times things just seem to scream out at me. Or I come across some weird stuff, that is unexplainable." she gave a little bit of a shrug. "Maybe I just have an overactive imagination. And I probably should go find a counselor and talk about a walking nightmare I had, which was disturbing." she gave a shudder.

Narin listened attentively, nodding in understanding. “It’s important to trust your instincts, Ensign Ambrose,” he said, glancing briefly at the tricorder he had retrieved from medical. He debated whether to tell her what he had discovered during his visit to sickbay. Noticing her distress, he wasn’t sure how she would handle the additional information.

There was a significant pause before he finally decided to share with her, hoping it would help her see that she wasn’t overreacting or just having an overactive imagination. “I don’t think you are wrong about Commander McGowan. When I spoke with the medical staff about the disappearance of Doctor O'Rourke, they mentioned that the last person seen with her was Commander McGowan.”

"Wait what?" Millie exclaimed, "Oh dear that is terrible, and also I feel relieved as well. I mean...this is helping me trust my instincts more." blushing, embarrassed that she was thinking just of herself at that moment however she rectified that. " Just though it is terrible. With that happening, could-could the Commander have been with Elen or the others that have vanished? I wonder if security has any images of that, maybe someone in intelligence has answers but wait, Commander McGowan is in intelligence. Oh gosh what a mess!"

Narin nodded, acknowledging the mess they were in. "We definitely need to investigate the circumstances surrounding Lieutenant Diari's disappearance," he said, standing up from his seat. He walked over to the replicator a few meters away and ordered two cups of Jestral tea. Returning to Millie, he handed her one of the cups. "This is Jestral tea, a Betazoid tea similar to chamomile. Be careful, it's warm."

He knew Jestral tea was known for its calming properties, helpful in times of anxiety or stress. Personally, he drank it for its taste, not necessarily for its calming effects. Taking his seat again across from her, he took a sip of his tea.

With a grateful smile, Millie took the offered tea, taking in the scent of it then an exploratory sip. She was quiet for a moment, savoring the warmth of the mug in her hands, realizing that her hands were feeling cold. "Thank you, this is helping." beginning to relax leaning against the back of the chair. "My mother has told me that, a cup of tea does help, I've forgotten to put that into practice."

Narin smiled, recalling his own mother's fondness for Jestral tea. She would always say that a cup a day could make a world of difference. “Your mother was right,” he said, taking another sip. “If you’d like, I can send you a daily reminder to drink tea.” He placed his cup on the table, then leaned back in his chair. “We’ll get through this. Trust your instincts, and don’t hesitate to reach out if you need support.”

"Okay I would like that." a bright smile revealing itself. Millie was definitely feeling her tension ease away, and finding it easier to match his gaze. Perhaps it was his demeanor as well as the tea that was helping her nerves settle down.

Narin returned her smile, then grabbed a PADD from his desk and made a note for the daily reminders they had agreed upon. After taking another sip of his tea, he shifted the conversation back to work. "You mentioned malfunctions earlier – what kind of issues are you experiencing in engineering?"

Millie had caught his smile over the brim of her cup, as she was sipping her tea. Oh gosh he smiled, smiled more than the other one he gave, she wasn't as focused on him then, but now. Oh crud... reminded her of- she almost dropped her cup of tea, some of it spilling though. "Oh how clumsy of me." looking down at the splotches of liquid upon her uniform. "Uh er, um... we are looking into possible problems was wondering if you were finding problems with your equipment. I think I asked that but we went down another direction. M-maybe once I finish what is left of the tea I had better be going."

“Are you okay?” Narin quickly got up and retrieved a couple of napkins. “Hopefully, you didn’t burn yourself,” he said with concern. “And don’t worry, it happens to all of us,” he reassured her.

"No, I am fine. Its just er. uh never mind." carefully taking the napkins from Narin and dabbing at her uniform. "It will wash out." avoiding looking at him now. Her cheeks going rather warm and turning a dark pink. She quickly drank the rest of the tea, "Uh thank you once again for the tea. I'll uh. well make certain you contact Ensign Turner and let us-him know if there is something wrong with your equipment." She carefully placed the mug upon the desk and moved to get out of the chair. Why did he have to smile that smile, Killer smile. Oh gosh I need to get out of here. I'd talk to Vura but can't. Don't look Millie, Don't look at him. Maybe just his shoulder. her eyes drifting up to his shoulder and that is about it.

He intended to be helpful in handing her the napkins, but it seemed to fluster her even more. Tilting his head slightly, he observed as she quickly finished her tea and moved to leave. Narin stepped back, giving her the space she needed. “I’ll stop by engineering later and introduce myself to Ensign Turner,” he said. “Maybe I’ll see you there.” He extended his hand. “It was nice to meet you, Ensign Ambrose.”

She had to be polite can't leave his hand hanging in the air can she? He was a higher ranking officer. Oh gosh I can't be impolite, Mama would be mortified if I were. carefully, gingerly, she reached out and briefly shook Narin's hand then moved her hand as if she had touched a hot metal pan. "uh er, maybe you will see me, maybe not. Uh, uh bye now" Millie stammered out and almost dashed towards the doors, nearly bumping into them, the doors barely having time to open.

“Take care,” Narin said, watching as she rushed out the door. He glanced around the room and then down at his hand, reflecting on the encounter. It was an interesting interaction, to say the least. Making a mental note to stop by Engineering later, he returned to his seat and resumed his work.

A Joint Post By

Lieutenant Junior Grade Narin Valen
Assistant Chief Science Officer, USS Pioneer

Ensign Millicent Ambrose
Engineering Officer, USS Pioneer

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