What am I doing here?

Posted on Thu Jul 21st, 2016 @ 12:09pm by 1st Lieutenant Leroy Mangalia & Lieutenant JG Teenah Spartacus

1,896 words; about a 9 minute read

Mission: Shadow Dance
Location: Office of Spatacus
Timeline: Back Post/ After Sickbay check

ON:

Leroy wanted to kick himself as he stared at the office door for the ships shrink, seeing an actual sign that they were with a patient. Hitting the control panel, he found the patient registration form and quickly filled it out. Much to his chagrin, the appointment was for two days later. Shrugging he went back to his office, since he wasn't going to sleep he might as well get the after action report done.

-Two days later-

Leroy was once again standing outside of the door, across the hall. Arms and legs crossed as he leaned against the bulkhead, eyes closed and his head down. He almost looked like he was sleeping. In his mouth a white stick appeared to be a fixation with him. It was a throw back to when he had smoked during flight training, and he had taken up the habit once again.

The echo of heels preceeded Spartacus as she made her way to her office; she made sure to have more fitting attire today; the usual skirted option in her uniform, shory cropped hair with dangling ear rings and the black hose to cover her now Grecian Skin. Her steps were well balanced and she strode with the grace her Orion heritgae had blessed her with.

"It is rare that I get someone waiting for me Master Sergent Mangalia." Spartacus said in her pleasent tone, noting the mixing of the colors in hi aura; the fact he was here almost under protest was obvious in his aura but he had a noble coloring to it as well . "PLease step into my office, the door is unlocked, I have an open door policy." SHe smiled to him as she looedat the cigarette. "I prefer cigars myself epecially the Earth Cubans are said to be among the best."

"Wouldn't know anything about them Ma'am," Leroy said as he placed the cigarette in a silver case that had several more in them. A quick check told him fifteen, which concerned him just a bit. "Never been one to touch a cigar, that was my grandfathers province."

Spartacus entered the office, the lights automatically iluminated the space as she movd towards a small bar. Can I get you something Mr. Mangalia?" She asked with a smile. "I have tea brewing as well as a fine coffee blend; all from ground beans and dried tea leaves, I hate the taste from a replicator?"

"Thank you but I'll pass. I heard about the last time a Mangalia had tea on this ship." Standing he looked around, and seemed confused. "Look, I'm not sure how this goes, I've never come to a head shrinker before. To be honest the Corps doesn't always like to think that we're humanoid in any way. Let alone think that someone could be damaged."

"We have a nice chat." Spartacus said as she made herself some green tea with honey. "That is really what it boils down to; you and I talk and if we are lucky I am blessed with the wisdom to help." She smiled as she glance his way. "I can offer you black coffee, I am told it will put hair on your chest?"

"Again, no. I'm a little hesitant to take drinks from crew members." Reaching down he picked up a canteen that was kept at his hip before getting a clear glass. Pouring the clear liquid into the glass he placed it on her desk. "It's just water, and that's all I drink. So what do we talk about?"

That is usually my line." Spartacus noted that this would be a most interesting chat. "You could start by telling me something; nothing classified or such, that you would not normally wat me to know about you?" She asked simply. "Just a little secret between us?"

"I'll give you two if you'll give me your honest opinion," Leroy said as he took a sip from his canteen. Swilling the water around in his mouth, he swallowed and smiled. "During my SERE evaluation to be a pilot, I told my instructors to do their worst. When they caught me two days before evac, they did that and so much more. Also, when working on a weapon at my forge in my quarters, I do not wear any protective clothing. "

"Did you change the sensory systems so not notice the heat of the forge and such?" SHe winked. "I might like to see one or two of those weapons; I am a great enthusiist of hand made items." She sat back a little to look at the man. "WHat is the so much more by the way, I like to have a gauge to form my opinions?"

"When you start SERE class, they give you information. Simulate either you being shot down or you are the only surviving member of your squad depending on where your going. It's your job to keep that information from your captives." Leroy took another swig of water, then replaced the canteen. "They normally just resort to psychological torture, maybe some light contact. It still hurts but they're not trying to break bones. With me they did break bones because I kept laughing off their weak psych torture.* Now with the forge, it's hot, and the sparks will burn you if they touch your skin. It just doesn't bother me as much as it should I guess."

His aura was swirling a bit more than most; it was a reflex of sorts and mostly due to the training and the fall out from it. The defenses were a type of dark slow moving shade that was moving over the other more majestic colors were passed over by the darker shade in a protective manner.

"It is common in martial arts to toughen the mind body and soul; do you think you have achieved a sort of balance at the moment or is there a part that seems slightly out of phase with the others?" Spartacus asked. "I can tell by your demeanor you have found ways to cope but is there a place that seems harder to bring around to balance?"

"Balance is always difficult to maintain due to any outside force," Leroy said with a small huff of a laugh. "And the part that seems out of balance is that I am able to ignore the heat and glowing metal sparks coming at me with some speed. Even when they're not glowing they're extremely hot. The hardest place for me to be balanced is when I'm with a young officer aboard this ship."

Spartacus sat for a second looking at the man across from her; she could tell things were a bit of turmoil; his body language alone stated that not to mention his emotional projections that all humanoids put off.

"WHat is tipping your balance with this young officer?" SHe would not make any guesses as everyone is diffrent and it may not be so obvious a point.

"I'm not exactly used to someone giving me so much attention. In the Corps a superior officer that's interested in you usually means you've done something wrong. And that's the other thing that concerns me,' Leroy took another drink from his Canteen. "There are guidelines for such things in Starfleet."

"SO what guidelines are you so close to violating?" Spartacus could sense his aura and she had to let him give her what he wanted her to know? "Have you been doing something wrong that would warrent such attention?" SHe was impressed he was really forthright considering Marines and such. "I am wondering if you are accurately accessing the situation and may be too harsh upon yourself?"

"I doubt I'm being too rough on myself Ma'am," Leroy said shaking his head. "The guideline I'm close to breaking is the part in the Starfleet code of conduct that does not allow Enlisted men to romantically see Officers. Thankfully its not someone that's beneath my command..."

Spartacus sat back and smiled as she spoke." The captain's policy upon the romances that are occasional happening on the ship dictate that no direct chain of command that would affect your duty is the binding point. So long as the Officer and enlisted are NOT in the same department it is not frowned upon nor held in violation." Spartacus nod. "I have some confidences with the Commodore, I know this policy as I have nterests in a gentleman of lower rank, and since he is not in medical there is not even a question." SHe look him in the eyes. "Your wing reports to the Commodore so no conflict of interests.. I presume she is NOT in you flight of fighters?"

"No, if she were I wouldn't entertain the idea in the least." Leroy shook his head, then took another sip of water. "I don't know how I would feel if something were to happen, I've never lost a pilot in my time as command, and I've always been removed from the general ship when one of theirs falls. Sometimes I had never even met the person, spit wasn't emotional for me. How does someone keep from going crazy thinking about all the dangers?"

"Acceptance of the facts, we are all going to die at some point. It is said that to live as we do is to look at death and the possibility and do it anyway." Spartacus said. "ANd if you care for someone you can use that worry as another reason to protect them or the ship that they are on?" She said. "It is a simple answer to your question; don't look at the negitive end but it is not easyprocess. If you can enjoy the life as you go you are living; fretting over the ways you can die does not allow you to live really." SHe nod. "Going crazy sometimes is an escape or running away. The brave soul faces the fear and it loses power over them."

"I'm not looking for an escape," Leroy said shaking his head. "I'm not really looking for anything. I was just wondering if I was doing the right thing..." Shaking his head again, Leroy stood and moved towards the door. "I'm sorry to have bothered you Lieutenant."

"If she accepts what you are doing consider it the right thing." Spartacus added. "It is okay to care it is a humanoid trait to want to care for someone. If that is what you want to know then it is the right thing to make swomeone else happy and enjoy it yourself." She added. "That is human nature."

"Human nature isn't exactly something that the Marines bestow upon us," Leroy said next to the door. "How do I keep her happy?"

"Give her attention and have fun when you are with her." Spartacus said with a smile. "Treat her like a lady and if you make her feel special to you it will go far in your favor." SHe suggested with a thumbs up gesgure.

"Thanks Councilor. I'll try to make the appointment better fitting for both of us next time." Turning he left the office looking a little distressed, but calmed his features as he came closer to his home away from home.


*(Think when Picard was captured by the Cardassians and tortured)

OFF:

Master Sergeant Leroy Mangalia
Flight Leader

Ensign Teena Spartacus
Counselor

 

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