“You need to promote someone to executive officer to help out with all this.”
“What I need is a squadron. Seriously, I have to fill the squadrons and finish promotions before I can assign a second in command.” She stopped and rubbed her eyes.
“Phoenix, I have no intention of telling you your job, but couldn’t anyone finish all this for you while you get some sleep? I’m sure Major Traighton is more than qualified to step in for a while After all he filled in for you two yahrens ago when you were on medical…. Er, I mean bereavement leave. He can do it again, I’m sure.”
“Traighton is Virgon, Majel.” She scowled at the doctor. “I think you get my point, and the answer is no.”
“I don’t see the problem. Getting laid might do you some good.”
The door sounded and Azriel entered the room just in time to see fire flash in the commander’s eyes as anger spread across her face.
“That is your cue to leave, doctor! Now!”
The Major’s jaw dropped.
Majal paused before the newcomer. “This is another one I have yet to sink my fangs into.”
“Doctor, any time you can catch me sitting still for five centons you can have all the blood your little heart desires.”
“I’ll remember that during your sleep period, Major. Good day.”
Azriel felt the tension in the room drop significantly as the door slid closed behind the doctor. Phoenix seemed to deflate like a feline whose arched back lowered and the bushy tail contracted to normal when the threat was gone.
“What was all that about?”
“She threatened me with Traighton,” came the sharp reply.
“Oh. So what’s the problem there?”
“I will NOT have him as my EX O.”
“Yea,” Azriel agreed. “That would be a very bad idea. I mean., I like the guy and all, but you just can’t have a Virgon on the bridge with a bunch of Sagittarans. Nothing would get done.”
“Nothing except him anyway.”
Azriel snickered at her commander’s unintentional joke.
Major Traighton was a perfect specimen of Virgonan manhood with his fair hair, blue eyes and handsome features, but the one racial traight Virgons were most known for was the pheromones they gave off that the other tribes of Kobol found distractingly enticing. Typically, while everyone else was attracted immediately to the children of Virgo, the hormonal attraction held no sway over their own. Sagittarans being the uninhibited, free spirits that they were would eventually have difficulties being in close proximity to them for an extended period of time. For the short few months that the Major had filled in for Phoeinx when she was Eyjan;s second even her was aware of the effect his presence was having on the bridge crew. While it was egotistically flattering, it was also a distraction that the war ship could ill afford in the heat of battle.
“Still,” Azriel mused “a little one on one would do you some good.”
“Azriel!”
Phoenix shouldn’t have been so surprised that her best friend would even suggest such a thing. It’s not like they hadn’t been out hunting for a good time in the past or even shared a willing male or two between them. Still, it was all in the past and the fin had ended when Phoenix met the one man who could turn her life around.
“If you’re going to take her side you can leave, too,” Phoenix growled.
“Hey, you were the one who called me here, Phoenix. Why? Did you want me to save you from her?”
Yes, she had called the Major to her office and the reason for the visit came back to her. Ironically enough, it was about that very subject Phoenix had no wish to discuss.
“Sit down.”
A coldness started to creep up Azriel’s spine and she did as she was told without question this time.
“Why do I get the feeling I’m in trouble?”
“It’s been brought to my attention that you and Lieutenant Allas have been more than a little more obvious in your relationship than is socially acceptable for Colonial Officers to be in public. Knowing the Lieutenant’s reputation I feel it safe to presume that this is a rather recent development. In light of that I would very much appreciate it if you two would watch where you put your hands while outside of your private quarters. We have an Admiral in our community now and I’m sure your little escapades will not go over well in his eyes. Being officers you two have to hold yourselves to a little higher standard than most of the crew now. At this time I can’t condone your relationship but because of the deaths of so many of our people and the loss of our worlds I can’t condem it either. I want you two to tone it down until after I have a formal talk with the Admiral. After I get to know him better I’ll know what kind of things he will be expecting out of this ship and the crew. ”
“Just how long do you want us to ‘contain’ ourselves?”
“Just long enough for me to get rid of my headaches and assess our new superior officer. He’s Aquarian, so you know that they can sometimes be rules junkies. I’m hoping this man can be reasonable and flexible. I’m also not interested in making even more work for myself by reassigning either one of you. I know how hard it is breaking in a new wingman. Just stay out of trouble.”
Azriel have her commander an understanding nod. “Agreed. Is that all?”
Phoenix nodded. “You know, in all this I never asked about your injury. How is it?”
The Tauran held up the arm in question and flexed it all around.
“Good as new thanks to Majel and her mystic arts. It’s like the bone was never broken.”
“Isn’t science grand?”
“Yes. Yes it is.”
A centon of silence passed between the two as if they had run out of things to say. It was then that Phoenix saw the Major staring at her with a look that said she should be able to read her best friend’s mind.
“What?”
Phoenix was starting to feel uncomfortable. There was something her friend was not saying. And it must be something serious because Azriel was not known for keeping things to herself for long.
“You know what.”
“No. I don’t.”
“Yes you do. Sometime soon we’re going to have to have… that talk. You know. The real serious one.”
“No. We don’t.”
Silence. The blonde was assessing just how far she should push the issue.
“I wish you’d just cry and get it over with. Mourn.”
“I can’t. Not now.”
Azriel reached across the desk and caught her friend by the hand.
“Tolen… Eyjan… Your parents... You’re going to have to talk about it some time.”
“Not now. I can’t. There’s too much at stake right now. Later. Maybe. Much later.”
“I’m your best friend. Talk to me. Let me help.”
“Az. There’s too much going on right now. I can’t afford to let my guard down at this time.”
“It hurts me to see you like this. All rigid and proper on the outside all the while you’re dying on the inside. You’re growing old before my eyes, Phoenix. Older than what’s normal. You’ve literally aged in the last two yahrens and these past few sectons it’s only gotten worse. You’re slowly killing yourself and I don’t know how to stop it.”
Sisters by gender, sisters by cerimonial blood bond, Azriel and Phoenix knew each other better than they knew themselves at times. When one hurt the other hurt. Some called it mystic. Some called it empathic. The only thing the women knew was that the ceremony only confirmed for them that which many had professed seeking: a soul mate. Not in any sexual terms, but a person who completed something that was missing in one’s own soul. A friend. A life long companion. Another spirit that meshed so completely with your own that you knew without a doubt that you had found your other half.
no subject
“What I need is a squadron. Seriously, I have to fill the squadrons and finish promotions before I can assign a second in command.” She stopped and rubbed her eyes.
“Phoenix, I have no intention of telling you your job, but couldn’t anyone finish all this for you while you get some sleep? I’m sure Major Traighton is more than qualified to step in for a while After all he filled in for you two yahrens ago when you were on medical…. Er, I mean bereavement leave. He can do it again, I’m sure.”
“Traighton is Virgon, Majel.” She scowled at the doctor. “I think you get my point, and the answer is no.”
“I don’t see the problem. Getting laid might do you some good.”
The door sounded and Azriel entered the room just in time to see fire flash in the commander’s eyes as anger spread across her face.
“That is your cue to leave, doctor! Now!”
The Major’s jaw dropped.
Majal paused before the newcomer. “This is another one I have yet to sink my fangs into.”
“Doctor, any time you can catch me sitting still for five centons you can have all the blood your little heart desires.”
“I’ll remember that during your sleep period, Major. Good day.”
Azriel felt the tension in the room drop significantly as the door slid closed behind the doctor. Phoenix seemed to deflate like a feline whose arched back lowered and the bushy tail contracted to normal when the threat was gone.
“What was all that about?”
“She threatened me with Traighton,” came the sharp reply.
“Oh. So what’s the problem there?”
“I will NOT have him as my EX O.”
“Yea,” Azriel agreed. “That would be a very bad idea. I mean., I like the guy and all, but you just can’t have a Virgon on the bridge with a bunch of Sagittarans. Nothing would get done.”
“Nothing except him anyway.”
Azriel snickered at her commander’s unintentional joke.
Major Traighton was a perfect specimen of Virgonan manhood with his fair hair, blue eyes and handsome features, but the one racial traight Virgons were most known for was the pheromones they gave off that the other tribes of Kobol found distractingly enticing. Typically, while everyone else was attracted immediately to the children of Virgo, the hormonal attraction held no sway over their own. Sagittarans being the uninhibited, free spirits that they were would eventually have difficulties being in close proximity to them for an extended period of time. For the short few months that the Major had filled in for Phoeinx when she was Eyjan;s second even her was aware of the effect his presence was having on the bridge crew. While it was egotistically flattering, it was also a distraction that the war ship could ill afford in the heat of battle.
“Still,” Azriel mused “a little one on one would do you some good.”
“Azriel!”
Phoenix shouldn’t have been so surprised that her best friend would even suggest such a thing. It’s not like they hadn’t been out hunting for a good time in the past or even shared a willing male or two between them. Still, it was all in the past and the fin had ended when Phoenix met the one man who could turn her life around.
“If you’re going to take her side you can leave, too,” Phoenix growled.
“Hey, you were the one who called me here, Phoenix. Why? Did you want me to save you from her?”
Yes, she had called the Major to her office and the reason for the visit came back to her. Ironically enough, it was about that very subject Phoenix had no wish to discuss.
“Sit down.”
A coldness started to creep up Azriel’s spine and she did as she was told without question this time.
“Why do I get the feeling I’m in trouble?”
“It’s been brought to my attention that you and Lieutenant Allas have been more than a little more obvious in your relationship than is socially acceptable for Colonial Officers to be in public. Knowing the Lieutenant’s reputation I feel it safe to presume that this is a rather recent development. In light of that I would very much appreciate it if you two would watch where you put your hands while outside of your private quarters. We have an Admiral in our community now and I’m sure your little escapades will not go over well in his eyes. Being officers you two have to hold yourselves to a little higher standard than most of the crew now. At this time I can’t condone your relationship but because of the deaths of so many of our people and the loss of our worlds I can’t condem it either. I want you two to tone it down until after I have a formal talk with the Admiral. After I get to know him better I’ll know what kind of things he will be expecting out of this ship and the crew. ”
“Just how long do you want us to ‘contain’ ourselves?”
“Just long enough for me to get rid of my headaches and assess our new superior officer. He’s Aquarian, so you know that they can sometimes be rules junkies. I’m hoping this man can be reasonable and flexible. I’m also not interested in making even more work for myself by reassigning either one of you. I know how hard it is breaking in a new wingman. Just stay out of trouble.”
Azriel have her commander an understanding nod. “Agreed. Is that all?”
Phoenix nodded. “You know, in all this I never asked about your injury. How is it?”
The Tauran held up the arm in question and flexed it all around.
“Good as new thanks to Majel and her mystic arts. It’s like the bone was never broken.”
“Isn’t science grand?”
“Yes. Yes it is.”
A centon of silence passed between the two as if they had run out of things to say. It was then that Phoenix saw the Major staring at her with a look that said she should be able to read her best friend’s mind.
“What?”
Phoenix was starting to feel uncomfortable. There was something her friend was not saying. And it must be something serious because Azriel was not known for keeping things to herself for long.
“You know what.”
“No. I don’t.”
“Yes you do. Sometime soon we’re going to have to have… that talk. You know. The real serious one.”
“No. We don’t.”
Silence. The blonde was assessing just how far she should push the issue.
“I wish you’d just cry and get it over with. Mourn.”
“I can’t. Not now.”
Azriel reached across the desk and caught her friend by the hand.
“Tolen… Eyjan… Your parents... You’re going to have to talk about it some time.”
“Not now. I can’t. There’s too much at stake right now. Later. Maybe. Much later.”
“I’m your best friend. Talk to me. Let me help.”
“Az. There’s too much going on right now. I can’t afford to let my guard down at this time.”
“It hurts me to see you like this. All rigid and proper on the outside all the while you’re dying on the inside. You’re growing old before my eyes, Phoenix. Older than what’s normal. You’ve literally aged in the last two yahrens and these past few sectons it’s only gotten worse. You’re slowly killing yourself and I don’t know how to stop it.”
Sisters by gender, sisters by cerimonial blood bond, Azriel and Phoenix knew each other better than they knew themselves at times. When one hurt the other hurt. Some called it mystic. Some called it empathic. The only thing the women knew was that the ceremony only confirmed for them that which many had professed seeking: a soul mate. Not in any sexual terms, but a person who completed something that was missing in one’s own soul. A friend. A life long companion. Another spirit that meshed so completely with your own that you knew without a doubt that you had found your other half.