Star Buddies

Posted on Wed Oct 23rd, 2024 @ 4:15pm by Lieutenant Adrianna Baciami & Lieutenant Fang Lee

1,290 words; about a 6 minute read

Mission: Stars Around the Well
Location: Various - Via Letter Message
Timeline: Current

ON:

Having spoken with Jason, Adrianna was a bit more at ease about her situation. The pair had agreed to just casually date and take things slow-- build up their friendship before pursuing anything further. She needed time to heal and Jason had agreed to be patient. He'd been falling hard for her and he was willing to do whatever it took to have her back.

Adrianna was just relaxing for the evening in her quarters, having just got back from dinner with Jason. It had actually gone better than she had thought. It was laid back and informal and exactly what she had needed-- light flirting with a lot of banter. She would have been happy for her evening to have ended there, but Jason had messaged her not long after, thanking her for the meal and hoping to do it again sometime.

As she was about to reply, something stopped her. How could she do this to Vance? But Vance didn't know her-- not really. She sighed and left the message, not replying just yet, not wanting to seem too eager. She had, after all, asked it all to slow down a bit.

The ship had just left the station the day before. Vance was going through his to do list. The last day had been oddly productive. He knew that it was to keep from thinking about the kiss. Finally with things slowing down it was all he could think about.

He reached out via message.

Vance: Are you all still docked at Strabase 2

Her eyes lit up and her heart pounded when she saw his name flash up on her screen.

Adrianna: We are, still waiting on an away mission to return. They're due any day though. You doing ok?

Vance: Define okay. Bored out of my mind entering data. I swear if the whole world knew what Fleeters did they would not take us so seriously. We'd be the galaxy pencil pushers. If I have to enter another manifold percent update I will wake up with nightmares involving numbers.

Adrianna: Speak for yourself. That said, the job is admittedly a lot more boring on a ship than being undercover. Still, its fun being mean to lowerdeckers and being the subject of horror stories. You just have to find your thing-- our engineers make hooch! Try thinking of something other than numbers before bed.

Vance: You can't see it but I'm smiling. When did you develop such a dirty mind woman...or has it always been so if so then I know why I fell for you the first time. As for Hooch we make it here too although I hear Zai's is the stuff of legends. So...I do have to swipe a bottle next time our ships meet.

Adrianna: I don't know what you are talking about, Amore mio! I meant it in all innocence... ;) Perhaps your journals will tell you the truth-- we were very good friends that flirted. Either way -- I'll save you a bottle. We exchange family grappa for hooch. It's not too bad-- bit fruity.

Vance: Ohhhh Just got the stink eye from my Andrian co worker...apparently it's a crime to smile while working...er pretending to work.

Adrianna: Not smiling! Heaven forbid. That's a corp marshal. Careful. You do have a really cheeky smile though. I'd imagine that it is unnerving to see someone happy whilst working.

Vance: Damn it! You just made me laugh. :) So how are things on your end?

Adrianna: I think I heard you laugh! That is an offense that may require a malfunctioning airlock as punishment! I'm good. It's been a bit weird, but I'm getting there. It's strange having you back. Well, not back back, but you know what I mean. My department is a bit chaotic, but I'm sure it's not as chaotic as an engineering department before departure, so I shouldn't complain really.

Vance: All departments are chaos just before we unplug from dock. It's the rush of getting out in the stars. The unknown. Actually this little conversation brought something back. Zai...didn't he always threaten to airlock people?

Adrianna: You were always keen to ship out. You always seemed more relaxed on a ship than anywhere else. It's why I was surprised when you told me that you wanted to retire on a colony world. Still that was the old you. As for Zai, I only met him for the first time when I boarded this ship. I don't know him otherwise really. He's in love with my pseudo brother though. Refuses to say anything though. I might threaten him with an airlock until he tells Fang the truth.

There was a long pause.

Vance: I remember there was something about him in my journals. I may re read that. He seems complex.

Adrianna couldn't help but agree there. She couldn't remember much about Zai from the journals, although to be fair, she'd not looked.

Adrianna: Warn me if he's a secret serial killer or something ok? There can't be two on board one ship. And I don't like to share.

Vance threw his head back and laughed.

Vance: You just made me laugh, loud...I think part of the coffee went up my nose

Adrianna caught herself grinning at her PaDD. Suddenly a sadness came over her. What was she doing? He wasn't hers anymore. Still, their friendship meant more than anything else. She took a breath and continued as if nothing was wrong.

Adrianna: Amore mio-- don't waste coffee!

Vance: This is nice, having a star buddy.

There was a long pause as Adrianna processed being referred to as just a friend. It hit in a way that she hadn't quite braced for. "Careful, Ade," she said aloud to herself.

Adrianna: I told you I'd be around. I'm sure you have other friends though. You were always charismatic.

Vance: I think that whatever happened has made me anti-social.

Adrianna: Si, I understand that seances aren't as popular in this day and age, so you're probably out of practice. I won't complain-- means I get you to myself.

Vance: This naughty side is quite familiar now. I'm liking this. But I better go. The Chief just walked in and she don't look happy. Oh by the way. There is a name that's been popping up in my head a lot. Thought you could shed some light. I was going to look it up in the journals you gave me. But I remember it was important Maybe you know of it.

Adrianna actually felt herself blush. She smiled and tried to push the feelings down. She knew she was playing with fire.

Adrianna: Good luck! Name wise: I can try and shed some light. But not promises.

Vance: Lee Fang.

In less than a second, there was a response, simply reading: When you get off shift, I need you to find what ever you can regarding that name. No questions, until I know the reason why you know that name, ok? Consider it a personal favour. Until then, usual fight rules, ok? No biting, no scratching, no airlock accidents and for, the love of any god that may listen, if you find yourself on Freecloud, sat in Bernie's: don't eat the chicken and if you do-- 15 minutes is 15 minutes.

He laughed and sent back. Deal. I have three hours on shift will send you what I can.

 

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