Redemption Begins

Posted on Tue Nov 27th, 2018 @ 12:49pm by Lieutenant JG Casshan Kincaid & Captain M'Mira & Major Michael Tritter
Edited on on Mon Dec 24th, 2018 @ 8:00am

2,644 words; about a 13 minute read

Mission: Mission 2: Into The Breach
Location: Approaching Faltan III - On Faltan III, Starfleet Base
Timeline: MD03 - 2100 Hours

ON

Lieutenant Junior Grade Casshan Kincaid sat at the window seat on the supply transport, a few other ships were in a convoy with it, headed for Faltan III, as he gazed out the window he smiled for he was happy to be back in the field. The smothering emotional fog Starfleet Medical had hovering over him was getting to a suffocating level.

He was tired of having to constantly reassure his commitment to professionalism, he didn't care about the demotion. It was a small price to pay when he was put in front of the Board of Inquiry and finally received an assignment. Although his primary role would be Chief Diplomatic Officer, he would be allowed to offer limited counseling to the crew and guests at Faltan Station. While facing the Board of Inquiry his empathic abilities did allow him to see that the assignment was going to be a difficult one testing his devotion to professionalism as a counselor.

Though it was not all bad, Casshan remembered as he watched the stars had met a few good people that he clicked with. Some were counselors and other medical staff while others he encountered during his usual routine where his was living. He did go on many dates and hookups during his 'jail time' as he liked to call it at Starfleet Medical so he was beginning to miss those friends and acquaintances he made. However, it was time to get back into the thick of it and rebuild his career.

The convoy dropped out of warp a few hours outside the system, and they headed in on full impulse. "This is your captain speaking," the com system announced. "We have arrived at the Faltan system, we will be landing in a few hours, please see about collecting your belongings and the last service of the flight will begin momentarily. Thank you for your patience and cooperation, any issues please approach any crew member." The system beeped which indicated it had deactivated.

Since there was just space to look at Casshan closed the window blind and retrieved his padd from his duffle. Several letters had been added to the main directory, he smirked. "That's why Jeh'na wanted it." Casshan muttered and opened the first one. It was from Jeh'na, one of his new friends and a total bad influence while off duty. She had set him up on nearly all of his dates as she fancied herself as a matchmaker, he rolled his eyes as he began reading.

"What!" He exclaimed as he finished. "That bitch," he growled but smiled moments later as he noticed the Trill man glance at him. "Sorry, my friend stole some of my things before I left."

The Trill smirked back, "I have a friend like that," he said his smirk turning into a sympathetic smile. "I know we have been next to each other most of the trip here but never talked. I'm Malec Bane," he offered his hand.

"Casshan." The two shook hands and Casshan's smile remained. "Why you on the transport?"

"Business," Malec replied. "I own one of the cafes in Kolrhia."

"Kolrhia?" Casshan asked.

"A major city on Faltan III," Malec replied with a wink. "And you?"

"I'm Chief Diplomatic Officer for the Starfleet base on Faltan III," Casshan said leaving out the counselor as no one wanted to know they could be analysed. He also found that friendships do not start well should they know they are chatting up a counselor. Yet when they found out later it ruined whatever relationship was there to begin with so he sighed. "Please don't be mad, I'm also a part time counselor." He physically cringed like he was expecting to be punched.

He felt his hands be lowered by another set of hands, firm ones, and he could sense no hostility or judgement so he opened his eyes having realised he shut them without meaning to. He meant to to protect himself from rejection so when Casshan looked back at Malec saw concern and curiosity staring back.

"Are you okay?" Malec asked still holding Casshan's hands.

After a gulp and a brief glance down at their hands, Casshan made eye contact again with Malec. "I'm sorry it's just too many people have rejected me once they know I'm a counselor and fear my analysing them."

"Understandable, you care about people's wellbeing and sometimes can't stop being that." Malec said calmly, but Casshan could sense apprehension, some.

Casshan glanced away, "you do too," he said softly.

"Hey," Malec said and Casshan could feel one hand release then two fingers came up to his jaw before forcing him to look back at Malec. Once the eye contact was made Malec smiled again. "Betazoids," he muttered softly. "Now I know you can't help but pick up on everything but what people feel and how they act on those feelings are two different things, just because someone feels something doesn't mean they will act on it, you of all should know that."

"Now who is the counselor," Casshan joked and leaned into Malec's touch, only slightly.

Malec chuckled, "I have been a bartender and many open up to their bartenders," he said.

Casshan smiled and started to learn forward.

"This is your captain, please return to your seats and prepare for landing." The com system announced. Casshan froze only a centimeter away from his lips touching Malec's and he could feel the anticipation from Malec then a twinge of disappointment.

Casshan leaned back into his chair. "Malec, we will be seeing each other more, we are on the same planet now," he grinned and went about packing up his stuff around him into his duffle.

"My cafe is called Lightwoods, please come by when you get time Casshan." Malec said a little too pleadingly.

"I will and you can call me 'Cash'," Casshan said as he smiled at Malec before looking back and opening the window shade to see the planet Faltan III rushing up to meet the transport.

"Cash," Malec said testing the nickname and smiled when Casshan glanced back, grinned then watching the landing from the window.

[Landing Pad]

Casshan followed Malec out of the airlock, many people had come on the transport convoy so there were just as many there as he looked around. Casshan and Malec had swapped personal com frequencies so if they had become separated it wasn't something he should panic about. He found a Caitian woman looking at him. Must be my welcome committee, he thought as he made his way over.

Though not wearing a Starfleet uniform, since the transport was civilian, Casshan wondered than realised someone at Starfleet Medical must have informed the base of his assignment there. He approached the Caitian woman and smiled before snapping to attention. "Lieutenant Junior Grade Casshan Kincaid reporting in ma'am." He greeted.

The Major had been sent to the shuttle landing pads due to some... potential security issues. They were used a supplement to assist the Station's own Security Forces. Many hands made for light work if you will. The Major was patrolling the area with a few other Marines when he noticed the new comer. Not much of the type for introductions, but he'd figure he'd at least wander over and check out the situation.

He than split off from the Marines and proceeded to approach the new arrival. The large man approached shortly after the new arrival saluted and greeted the Caitian. He remained silent, but he had slung the rifle across his back for the time being.

At the moment Casshan wore a low cut purple vest, which was out of his usual colour theme, no shirt so his tattoos were visible. Probably why Malec had taken an instant liking to him as he was dressed seductively but respectful. His black pants were fitting and was slightly shiny, he had no idea how they made it like that and didn't care when he bought it.

When the large human come up beside the Caitian, Casshan could sense the confidence and for lack of a better word power emanating from the man. It was kind of a turn on but muscly men weren't really his type but for the occasional fling sure why not. Casshan noticed the rank and saluted again. "Major."

The Major found their newcomers choice of attire interesting to say the least. He however, returned the salute and greeting.

M'Mira had rushed away from the party to take this late individual. She had been surprisingly enjoying her time. It did not hurt that she just met a Caitian Lieutenant that was from a wealthy merchant family who was darn cute. Yes, she had to work on him but why did she have to be interrupted?! And for what? Someone to be late? She just hoped that she could disperse with the diplomatic officer diplomatically.

Unusually flustered and her whiskers standing out straight, the Caitian Lieutenant Commander told Casshan, "Welcome to Faltan Station. You arrre late. The parrrty is nearrrrly overrrr. Would you prrreferrrr to attend the remainderrrr of the parrrty? I could have yourrr belongings taken to your quarrrterrrrs." It was then that she noticed that a marine was there and she questioned him curtly, "Is therrre a rrreason that you arrre herrrre, Majorrr? This is not a marrrine matterrrr."

The Major's focus than shifted the Second Officer, his tone confident as he addressed her with the following, "The Captain requested our assistance with keeping the Station safe Lieutenant Commander", which was laden with a heavy German accent. Technicially, he didn't care if it was a Marine matter, he could be wherever on the base within reason.

"Party? What party?" Casshan started then shook his head. "No thank you ma'am, I will meet with medical once I have checked in with Admin," he then sensed her annoyance even though he could see she had rushed here, she could have sent a subordinate to greet him. "I'm sorry I am late, I only just managed to get a transport when I did after receiving my new assignment."

Casshan then frowned. "Can't Marines be sociable too ma'am? Unless I am under arrest?" He looked over at the Major.

"New assignment?" M'Mira wondered. "Who arrre you and what is yourrr specific assignment?" M'Mira asked. "The parrrty is for the official rrrre-opening of the station," M'Mira purred. "So, unless you arrrre not supposed to be herrre, you arrre not underrr arrrrrest and therrrre is no rrreason for the marrrines to be herrrre. We will wait forrr yourrrr clearrrance. Is that alrrrright?" The words came out more and more quickly. M'Mira was anxious to get back to the party and her interesting Caitian lieutenant.

The Major shifted his focus to the Lieutenant Commander, he than stated, "As we are aiding in the Security of the Station, there is plenty of reason for us to be here" He spoke with an assertive yet confident tone in his heavily accented voice. He found it interesting how she was trying to boss him around.

She must have forgotten his name already, Casshan thought amused as he could sense that she was distracted and blushed a little when he realised why. He smiled. "Chief Diplomatic Officer Lieutenant Junior Grade Casshan Kincaid, and part time counselor. So I guess that means my transfer orders haven't been received yet," he nodded. "Of course because of the opening ceremony. Sure, I'm not officially part of the crew yet so the waiting game begins. Shall we do it at the party? By any chance can we find out my quarters on the way there?"

The Major made a mental note that they were a counselor and added them to their mental list of people to avoid, as he wasn't a fan of the shrink types.

M'Mira answered, "Yourrr quarrrters would not be on the way. Howeverrr, I would be pleased to take you to the parrrty," M'Mira replied, her hopes rising. "I could intrrroduce you to the Commanderrr and Captain."

"Oh okay, so you know where my quarters are? Yeah I'm always up for a party," Casshan said picking up his duffle and slung it over one shoulder before turning to the Major. "And you are?" Casshan offered his hand to the Marine.

The Major then turned to Casshan, he then took a moment, before he stated, "Major Tritter, 93rd Marine Battalion Commander and Fourth MEU Executive Officer", he then looked at their hand, they looked... Fragile. The large man made sure to not crush their hand as he accepted the hand shake from the other man.

Casshan made sure to put a firm grip into the shake as it went up then down twice before releasing. He hoped the Marine felt it as a response to sensing the sparkle of concern. Instantly Casshan knew the Marine didn't like him and that was okay, many instantly disliked a counselor but he knew that eventually people couldn't hold onto their negative emotions for long as it required too much energy.

The Major appreciate that the man didn't have a weak hand shake, but he didn't indicate as such.

"First off thank you for performing your duty in any battles you were in Major and protecting the Federation. I know your leadership probably don't show gratitude but I will." Casshan smiled.

M'Mira tried not to cough up a furrball when she watched the new diplomatic officer give his hand to the major. She had developed a healthy disregard for the marines on this station. For this new officer to sidle up to them was a definite strike against him.

Casshan shot a glance at M'Mira which he held for a few moments when he sensed the hostility from her to see if she knew he is a Betazoid or not, the black eyes would have given it away and the usual diplomatic and counseling positions that his people hold but he wasn't sure. He faced Tritter for his reply.

He would than nodded slightly to their new arrival once they finished speaking, he side glanced M'Mira for a moment before shifting his focus back on the new arrival. He would add, "It depends on who you talk to, but thank you" as a reply.

M'Mira caught the glance of Casshan and nearly laughed. If he thought that he was intimidating her, he had never seen the glare of a Caitian mother. Just thinking about that put shivers down M'Mira's spine. "So, we arrre almost at the parrrty. Is therrre something morrre that I can do? You seem to be well enough escorrrted."

"Is there an end time?" Casshan asked with a semi grin though he was tired from the long trip and needed some sleep, but he wanted to at least introduce himself to a few of the senior staff. He turned to Tritter, "are you staying?" He asked.

M'Mira answered, "No end time, specifically but clean up crrrews will starrrt arrrrrriving at midnight."

Tritter pondered over the request of Casshan, he than stated, "Perhaps", he wasn't much of the social type, but perhaps he would grace the event with his presence just to irritate the Caitian.

Casshan smiled at them both and knew that if they weren't careful as he had seen before, or heard about from friends and acquaintances that enemies given enough time are drawn to each other. "Thank you for showing me to the party Lieutenant Commander, I wouldn't have found it quite so quickly if on my own," he chuckled, "I'll see you two around, play nice or there will be a reckoning." He said cheerfully as he walked away towards a corner to put down his duffle so he didn't have to carry it all night.

OFF

Lieutenant JG Casshan Kincaid, Chief Diplomatic Officer/Counselor
Lieutenant Commander M'Mira, Chief Operations Officer
Major Michael Tritter, 93rd Marine Battalion Commander

 

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