Planting Seeds of Quiet Paranoia
Posted on Tue May 27th, 2025 @ 10:19pm by Petty Officer 1st Class Kaylara Loran & Gunnery Sergeant Tessia T'Lar
Edited on on Thu May 29th, 2025 @ 11:43pm
1,369 words; about a 7 minute read
Mission:
Episode 16 - Silent Cries
Location: Main Mess Hall - Deck 2 - USS Pioneer
Timeline: MD007 1300 hrs
Tessia had noticed the Petty Officer a few times now. Always in passing, nothing dramatic. Usually in the mess hall, quietly keeping to herself. But what caught Tessia’s attention wasn’t just her posture or her silence—it was the subtle features.
It wasn’t something you came across often, especially not in Starfleet. At first, Tessia let it go—just an observation. But after another quiet overlap in the mess, curiosity edged in. This woman reminded her of herself more than anyone else on the ship had. And that wasn’t a feeling Tessia was used to.
Recovery meant pushing limits, even the quiet ones. So, when she saw the woman again, alone, as usual, Tessia didn’t hesitate for long. She grabbed a coffee, steadied herself, and crossed the room.
“Mind if I join you?” she asked, voice steady, her expression open but guarded.
Kaylara looked up from her meal. When she saw Tessia, she raised an eyebrow. "Not at all. I'm Kaylara."
Tessia gave a small nod in return. “Tessia.” She said as she eased into the seat across from her, setting her coffee down.
For a moment, she didn’t say anything. Just studied Kaylara with a calm, observant gaze. Not invasive, but thoughtful.
“I’ve seen you around.” she said finally. “Didn’t expect to run into someone else with... similar roots.”
Kaylara gave her a second, more intense scrutiny. "There aren't many of us around. Where are you from?"
“Earth, originally." She said. “But I didn’t stay long. Spent most of my life on a desert world called Anekar.”
She took a sip of her coffee. “Not exactly a tourist destination. What about you?”
"I was born on Mars, but when things got a little...chaotic, we moved to Pallas IV. It's a small world, but it's been growing steadily for the past few decades. The best thing about it was its distance from Earth."
Tessia nodded. “I see. Can’t say I know much about Pallas IV.” She said. "But I do understand the appeal of being as far from Earth as possible.” She offered a small understanding smile from across the table.
Kaylara nodded. "Especially during the war. I liked being on a planet few heard of. There are always people who don't trust you if you're Romulan--even half Romulan, but I'm more able to deal with it now." She grinned. "And dressing a little Goth raises enough eyebrows by itself. It's my private rebellion."
“I get that. The Romulan blood’s enough to make people suspicious before you even say a word.” Tessia glanced down at her cup. “I don’t usually approach people like that, just so you know. But apparently, I’m supposed to stop being the strong, silent type.”
She looked up with a grin. “Maybe I should try your brand of rebellion. Though I’m not sure the goth look would land the same.” She tugged lightly at her blonde ponytail.
Kaylara laughed. "Maybe not, but I decided a long time ago that if my looks are going to scare people, I might as well make it on purpose." She grinned. "I have a guy who doesn't care what I look like. That, and working in intel, definitely helps."
“That’s one way to take control of the narrative." She said with an approving nod. “Make them stare for the reasons you choose.” Tessia took a slow sip of her coffee, watching Kaylara over the rim of her cup. She set it down and tilted her head slightly. “Intel, huh?” She asked. “What kind of work do you do in Intel?”
"Data analysis." Kaylara grinned. "It's not very glamorous, but I like it. What about you?"
"Doesn't have to be glamorous to matter." She said. "Data's what keeps the rest of us from walking into a trap." She took a sip of her coffee before adding, “Marine. Sniper.”
"That takes a lot of nerve and patience." She grinned. "And when you tell people, you don't have to care whether they're awed by your job or your heritage. Just tell 'em the green skin helps you blend in better. You could even put a green streak in your hair. Or a blue one, just to be different." She paused as a thought came to her. "Unless that would be considered out of uniform."
“Nerve and patience... that about sums it up.” Tessia said with a grin, leaning back slightly in her chair. “I’ve seen an Ensign wandering around with magenta streaks in her hair.” She added. “Makes me wonder if I could get away with a little green like you suggested. Might raise some eyebrows in formation, but I could always argue it’s tactical. Camouflage, right?”
"Right." Kaylara grinned. "Might as well have a little fun with it."
Tessia paused, turning the idea over in her mind. Blonde with green streaks… not exactly regulation, but in her head, it didn’t look half bad. Definitely different. Definitely bold. “Do you know anyone who does hair?” She asked.
"Yeah, but it's a holodeck program. Buffy's Boutique. They do goth as well." Kaylara chuckled. "You can't have piercings on the job, but a bit of color shouldn't be a problem. Tell whoever does your hair that you're a Marine and they'll be sure it's regulation." She cocked her head to one side. "If you can't, they can fix you up with a removable extension you can wear off-duty. So, either way, you're good."
Tessia raised an eyebrow, making a quiet mental note. Buffy’s Boutique. Got it.
“Might take a look.” She said, a hint of a grin tugging at her lips. “No promises on the green streak...but I’m not saying no, either.”
"Of course. Do what you feel is right for you. That's what it's all about. Be yourself--within regulations." Kaylara grinned. "And have fun while you're at it."
Tessia chuckled. “Within regulations....the Marine’s eternal disclaimer.”
She took a slow sip of her coffee. “I didn’t expect to run into another half-Romulan, half-human on this ship.” She admitted. “Figured we were a bit of a rarity.”
"We are. At least around here." Kaylara shrugged. "Until I met you, it's been my family. It's nice to know there are two of us on the ship who aren't related."
Tessia nodded, a small, genuine smile forming. “Yeah… it is nice.” She said. “It’s not often I meet someone who gets that part of me without needing the whole explanation.” She looked over at Kaylara. “If you’re up for it, I’d like to get to know you better. It’s good not feeling like the only one.”
"Sure. I think it would be fun to have two of us walking down a corridor somewhere, just to see the reaction on some people's faces." Kaylara grinned. "It's much better than growling at them." She didn't actually growl at people who were surprised to find a Romulan in a Starfleet uniform, but thinking about it always made her smile.
Tessia smirked. “Two half-Romulans walking down a corridor? Yeah… that’ll get a few heads turning. We won’t even have to say a word...just walk side by side and nod at anyone who stares. They’ll assume we’re scheming something.”
"We are. We're scheming to make people wonder what we're up to." Kaylara laughed. "But now, I need to get back to intel."
“Planting seeds of quiet paranoia." Tessia said.. She looked down at her empty cup and gave a small nod. “I should probably get back to it myself.” Getting up to her feet, she picked up the empty cup. “It was good talking with you. Let’s do it again sometime."
"Definitely." Kaylara smiled at her new friend. As she walked out, she wondered if Tessia liked wearing leather.
A Post By
Gunnery Sergeant Tessia T'Lar
Sniper, Team 1, The Cure
USS Pioneer
Petty Officer First Class Kaylara Loran
Data Systems Analyst, USS Pioneer
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