Arrival Part I
Posted on Sun Jan 19th, 2025 @ 5:01am by Lieutenant JG Stefan Zamfir & Petty Officer 1st Class Kaylara Loran
Edited on on Sun Jan 19th, 2025 @ 6:16pm
2,055 words; about a 10 minute read
Mission:
Episode 16 - Silent Cries
Location: Various - Empok Nor & USS Pioneer
Timeline: MD002 1300 hrs
"Sir, we're arriving at Empok Nor, the pilot of the small ship called out, awakening the dark haired man who had been napping. Rubbing the sleep from his dark green eyes, Stefan leaned forward to see if he could catch sight of the USS Pioneer. There it was, his new assignment, the ship where Kaylara was hopefully still there. Stefan gave out a whispered exclamation. There she was, a rather beautiful ship.
It had been a few months since he last saw Kaylara, she was recalled back to the USS Pioneer to resume her duties there. Stefan also had been called away from SB 50, having been requested by his Aunt Tatiana Dragos, for a small undercover assignment to Akaza Station. When they got back to Poseidon Station, successful with their information gathering, both of them had a surprise. They both found out that transfers were being made. Stefan's assignment that was waiting for him was the news that he was to report to the USS Pioneer, as Assistant Chief of Intelligence.
Stefan had a little bit of a worry though, he had been messaging Kaylara for a little bit then, he had to discontinue them due to the assignment.
Kaylara was back on the Pioneer, but she would rather be on Poseidon Station. Not because they needed another non-com in data analyst, the department had more than enough personnel for that, but because she liked the station, and she especially liked being with Stefan.
It was far too quiet here. Especially with everyone on shore leave. It made her lonely.
Because most of the department wanted shore leave, so Kaylara volunteered to take extra shifts, hoping it would help pass the time. It didn't.
Stefan took the time to unpack his belongings in his new quarters, then checked on where Kaylara could possibly be. From what he could ascertain, she was taking a shift in the Belly of the Beast aka the Intelligence section. He had been stopped at the door by a marine who was posted there, Stefan showing his ID, designating that he was allowed inside. The Marine was there at the small desk in the foyer area, seated upon a chair but had stood at Stefan's entrance. Stefan took note as to the setup of the foyer. Besides the desk being manned by a marine, there were four lounge chairs as well.
After putting away his padd and combadge in the secure box provided by the marine, Stefan stepped inside to the second room. The setup he saw reminded him of what the Intelligence was like on Poseidon Station. even though it was smaller, still though impressive. There were workstations along the walls, leaving things a bit more open. Then in the center of the room, was a table which briefings could be held and situations could be played out.
As he gazed around the room, Stefan's eyes stopped on someone there, giving a quiet smile...
Kaylara heard the door open and close, but then whoever entered the room stopped, which was odd. She saved her data and turned around to see if whoever it was needed assistance. Then stopped. She had to be seeing things. Or one particular person.
"Hello." Stefan's smile broadening, as he gazed into her beautiful dark brown eyes. He wanted to sweep her into his arms and give her a rather warm embrace and a kiss in greeting. Not now though that will have to wait. They were at work and this wasn't the proper time or place to do so. "What time is your shift over, Petty Officer Loran. Have you had your meal break yet?"
"Umm..." Why had he addressed her as petty officer? Why was he even here? "About two hours." She glanced at the chronometer and nodded, seeing that she was correct. "I grabbed a snack from the replicator earlier." She was still trying to wrap her thoughts around seeing Stefan. "You're here. Why are you here?"
"I have been transferred to the ship, as Assistant Chief of Intelligence. When you are finished with your shift, I can fill you in on what has happened since you were on SB 50. If you would like." Stefan truly hoped that Kaylara would be willing to meet with him, after the shift.
A slow smile spread across her face. "You're staying?" She shook her head. Of course he was staying. He said as much. She checked to be sure no one else was in the room and hugged him. "I'd love to hear about it. It's slow right now as most are on shore leave."
Stefan allowed himself to wrap his arms around Kaylara pulling her close to him. "It is good to see you once more Kaylara." he softly spoke. Then released her a bit reluctantly. Still for the best though, as someone might just walk in on them. "Once your shift is done, let’s go have dinner, okay?"
"Okay." Concentrating on her work wasn't going to be easy. At least there wasn't anything important, just monitoring incoming data and making sure it was flagged properly. She wanted to log out and leave, but she couldn't leave the office unattended.
"I'll meet you outside when your shift is over, I don't want to be a distraction any more than what I am." Stefan giving a teasing smile towards Kaylara.
"Okay." She looked at her monitor. It was going to be a long two hours. "I will see you soon."
"Indeed, it will be soon." Stefan giving a nod, and a lingering glance at Kaylara before leaving the room.
Two hours later, Stefan was outside in the corridor waiting for Kaylara to step out of the Intelligence office. He was wearing a dark grey long sleeved dress shirt, the two top buttons undone, black slacks and a pair of black slip on shoes. He was leaning up against the wall, with his left shoulder and arms crossed, waiting.
It had been a very long two hours, but Kaylara managed to finish her work for the day. She was eager to get out and see Stefan. She was also eager to find out how he came to be on the Pioneer.
Because there was always a Marine on duty, she managed to walk calmly out of the data room, but she couldn't help grinning when she saw Stefan waiting for her. "Hi."
"Hello Beautiful. Where would you like to go get something to eat at? Anything you are in the mood for?" Stefan reaching out and taking Kaylara's hand, giving it a gentle squeeze. "I was thinking of going to the promenade to dine there or is there somewhere else you would like to go?"
"I have no preference. I really haven't spent any time on Empok Nor, so I don't know what's good." She shrugged. "If you have a preference, we'll go there. If not, we can see what catches our fancy." She was almost bouncy with happiness, which was not normal for her. But having Stefan on the Pioneer was better than she hoped for.
"I don't have preference, and wandering around to see what catches our fancy sounds great. I can give you a half an hour to get ready, I can wait outside until you are ready.” Stefan having a teasing smile. "I don't know if you have bunkmates or not." which was true. Stefan didn't know much about Kaylara's life aboard the Pioneer. This was going to be a journey of discovery for him.
"I do, but she's spending shore leave on Empok Nor, so you're welcome to come with me." She missed sharing a room with him, but this wasn't the Poseidon and there wasn't as much space. When they got to the non-com quarters, she opened her door and asked him to have a seat, then went into her room to get a change of clothes. She decided she should take a quick shower first as Stefan gave her half an hour to get ready.
Stefan could only but smile just being near Kaylara, this wasn't a dream. Who would have thought this would actually happen and him being put in as an Assistant Chief of Intelligence. Mind boggling to say the least. He closed his eyes for a moment or two, deciding to relax and meditate while he waited.
Whether he was meditating or napping, Kaylara didn't care. When she was ready, she woke her Prince Charming with a kiss.
When he felt her warm soft lips against his lips, Stefan opened his eyes sweeping Kaylara onto his lap giving her a fervent kiss. Something he'd been desiring to do for quite some time.
She wrapped her arms around his neck, enjoying the moment. She still wanted reassurance that he was really here and that he was staying. It would come, she knew, as the Pioneer left on its next assignment.
When their lips parted, Stefan leaned his forehead against Kaylara's. "I have been dreaming of you and your kisses ever since you left Poseidon." his words soft and low. "I am sorry I stopped messaging you."
"I wondered why you went silent." She'd been both curious and concerned in turn, wondering if he'd been busy with work or if it was a case of out of sight, out of mind. But she'd decided to go with the former until she had more information.
"I didn't want to, but it was necessary. Shall we go explore Empok Nor and see what we can find to eat? Then we can talk about what has happened since we parted." Stefan moving his arms from around Kaylara.
That wasn't really an answer, but she knew that when you worked in intel you sometimes had to go silent and she shouldn't push him. But she was curious. She stood. "Okay."
Stefan took time to admire the outfit that Kaylara wore, from her head to her toes. He felt that she had her own style of what she wore and it looked great on her. "You look wonderful, love the outfit." smiling, before he stood up.
She certainly did look good, Black skirt, dark red blouse. Ankle boots. Chain necklace. Kaylara certainly did look good.
"Thank you." She gave him a cheeky bow. "Do you know where you want to go on the station, or shall we wander around until we find something we like?"
"I do know there are a few places to eat, I just can't decide where to go. I think it all depends on what tantalizes our nose and we follow it." Stefan taking Kaylara's hand. Shall we?"
Kaylara gave him a wicked grin. "As long as we're following our noses we should be fine."
Proceeding out of the ship, Stefan stopped to have a look out towards the stars through the transparent aluminum tube which connected the ship to the station. "So beautiful just like you, Kaylara." Wrapping his arms around her waist for just gazing out there. "I do miss seeing Aquil but, not as much as i have missed you." placing a kiss upon the back of her neck.
"I've missed you, too." She leaned against him, still a little in shock that he was actually here. "I thought you were well entrenched on Pioneer Station. But I am glad you're here." She was both happy and sad about Jayna's transfer. Happy because she seemed to like working with the Marines, but sad because Jayna had been her only real friend in the department. Until now.
"I am glad that I am here as well." Stefan turning her around to gaze into her eyes one thumb running along her cheek then leaned in for a kiss, the two of them against the backdrop of the stars.
She wrapped her arms around his neck to prolong the kiss. When it finally ended, she laughed with happiness. "Enough of that or I'll lose my appetite for food." She took his hand so they could keep walking.
A Joint Post By
Lieutenant Stefan Zamfir
Assistant Chief Intelligence Officer, USS Pioneer
Petty Officer First Class Kaylara Loran
Data Systems Analyst, USS Pioneer
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