A Run In with the Devil

[NinjaPanda127]

Location: Private Quarters
Stardate: 53839.29
Real Time: Sun Feb 20 2377 22:41:00
Present: Lylliana Skytower, Ja'nell Gerhardson

Lylliana lay upon her bottom bunk, nestled in the shadows cast by the above bunk. The cabin she shared with three other room mates dimly lit, providing just enough light so she didn't strain her eyes whilst fiddling with her PADD. Without warning, one of her room mates, another ensign like herself, Ja'nell walked in, stretching with her uniform jacket off. Lylliana looked over mildly at the noise of the door hissing opening and then closing behind the foot falls of her room mate.

"At it again are we? " Ja'nell giggled, referring to Lylliana almost always having her nose stuck in her PADD, especially as of late. "You know, you'll never get a hot guy that way." Ja'nell turned about, facing her bunk, removing her clothes to dress down for the evening as she continued to speak, Lylliana obviously not keeping a tabs on the conversation. "You should really go out to the Lounge more often. Did you know how many single, and should I mention gorgeous Flight crewmen there are!?" Ja'nell's voice fluttered on, fanning herself, "You could surely find yourself a date or two there... " Ja'nell hopped into her bunk, legs hanging over, gently swinging in the air.

Ja'nell looked down at Lylliana just laying there beneath the soft glow of her PADD and furrowed her brow, "LYLLI!" Lylliana jumped, almost hitting her head on the top bunk as she went to sit up, "WHAT!?" she turned, rolling on her side to face Ja'nell and pay attention to her conversation so she would stop bugging her. "Did you not hear me? You need to get out there!" Ja'nell skoffed, aggravated as she bent over, resting her chin in the palm of her hand as her elbow came to rest on her knee, a dreamy look coming over her face. Lylliana knew that look well, and tried to keep the grimace off her face, as Ja'nell let out an audible sigh, "I mean, if you don't get out there, how are you going to get noticed. Like me? " Ja'nell looked down at Lylliana, "Commander Bonham was so dreamy today. Can you believe he handed me a tray today!?" Ja'nell swooned, falling back on her bunk, "He turned to me in the lounge, and offered it to me, allowing me to get something to eat first. " Ja'nell giggled, "He must have been going out to the Flight Deck or something.. "

Lylliana looked at her roommate and shook her head, "really Ja'nell. He is the CAG on the Flight Deck... I'm sure he's out there everyday. And you do look like you are starving. He was probably thinking," does her best mimic of Commander Bonham, "Better let this chick eat, she might waste away, shes so thin.. " Ja'nell rolled over and scowled at Lylliana, "Don't make fun of my future husband like that!" Lylliana rolled her eyes, rolling her feet to the floor and standing up adjusting her clothes. Ja'nell sat up, "Where are you going? "

Lylliana sighed, grabbing her PADD, "Going to find your future husband and ask him to stuff a sock in your mouth" Ja'nell huffed and was about to protest, but Lylliana escaped before she could say a word.

"Computer, Locate Commander Bonham please. "
The computer chimed and the electronic voice came on, "Commander Bonham can be found in the Flight Locker Room, Located on Deck 13. "

Lylliana took a deep breath and head in the direction of Deck 13 to find the Commander. She had been browsing through some of the computer logs and personnel files. She had found that Commander Bonham had actually been part of a band that had played here on the USS Thunderchild and thought that perhaps he could be useful for the Ice Cream Social event Lt. Jr. Noonia and her had been working on. She had most of the particulars done, and had told Noonia to leave it to her. Perhaps he could sing some songs, or they could sit and pre-record some tunes to set the mood and have them playing during the event. She sighed, running her hand through her hair, lost in her own little world as she passed some other crew members that nodded or waved to her in passing. She had even passed Ensign Townsend who gave her a half smile and a friendly wave. He tried to keep pace with her for a bit as it seemed he was done with his shift for the day. "Ensign Townsend, I do apologize, but I have a meeting with Commander Bonham to discuss some particulars of a mission and I really need to get there and think on these matters without distraction. "

She had tried to be short and discreet with him, seeing that he had taken it roughly and her delivery was less than kind. Lylliana shook her head. She couldn't think on the matter, not right now anyways. One thing Commander Bonham had said to her that day in the Lounge had stuck with her, He had her assignment changed to the Thunderchild. Why? She couldn't wrap her head around it, and of all places, why as a Recreations officer? Of all the things that she knew she could be capable of. She would find out those answers.

She arrived at the locker room, facing a rather large door with bold letters claiming Authorized Personnel Only Lylliana lifted her hand to knock and as soon as she had, two deck hands stepped out in a jovial manner, discussing something funny almost running into her.

"Oh well hello there cutie... " the brown haired male addressed her. Lylliana couldn't help herself, her eyes narrowing in annoyance, "I am looking for Commander Bonham... " she said flatly, and in a somewhat demanding tone that clearly communicated that she didn't care for whatever philandering he had in mind. The other male, also dark haired, leaned over jabbing his friend in his side with his elbow whispering into his ear with a chuckle, the two of them nodding to each other. Lylliana raised an eyebrow, watching the two of them converse for a moment before turning to her, "Yeah, sure. Commander Bonham is just inside around the corner or so. You can't miss him. Just go past the row of lockers and he's in his office.... " the brown haired deck hand smiled, almost too nicely. Lylliana nodded, "Thanks... " she rolled her eyes. Perverts...

Lylliana sighed walking into the locker room, walking past the row of lockers and coming upon a squadron of men and women naked in the showers. Lylliana froze where she stood for a moment, before she tried to back up slowly hitting a something firm behind her, "LADIES AND GENTS! IT LOOKS LIKE WE'VE GOT OURSELVES A LOST LITTLE MOUSE!" one of the flight crewmen was behind her, shouting to the rest of the crew drawing attention to a flush faced Lylliana. 'Oh gods why?'

[Akirapryde]

There was laugher filled the area at Lieutenant Pander's comment. The level of the sound told Ensign Skytower that the number of people here was more than what she saw. Without warning Lieutenant Pander moved up behind Ensign Skytower to block any hope of retreat. Laughing at her own comment Pander coiled her towel around Skytower's waist playfully as she added, "oh I caught the little mouse."

Before Ensign Skytower realized it a long tail snaked its way over Skytower's shoulder almost as if tapping her shoulder to get her attention. At the same time, it's owner, Lt Etxeharria, got Skytower's attention from the opposite side as she ran her hand in Skytower's hair. Purring as she spoke from the other side, "I love little lost mice."

It was clear that the two had playful thoughts in their minds. But what ever those thoughts were, they were cut short by a ruthless towel snap on Lt Etxeharria's rear. The unexpected attack that caused the Caitian to leap up from the surprise came from Ensign Noguerra. She called out almost laughing to the pair of mischief makers, "leave her be, you two". Ensign Noguerra readied her towel for the next attack while the pair of lieutenants prepared to defend themselves. All three were naked except for their towels. None of them made any attempt to hide their bodies. In eyes sight were two other males finishing up their own showers. Both of them were paying attention and taking beats over who would win in the towel battle that was about to take place.

Someone just out of sight made the comment, "Hey the CAG got the Rec Officer to pay us a visit. How about a song and dance!?" The joke broke up the playful fight as everyone started to laugh. Ensign Skytower could easily see the large half color and half black tattoo on Lieutenant Pander's back. Also each of them had matching tattoos on their right shoulder. Ensign Skytower noted that only those assigned to the Jolly Rogers had the matching tattoo.

The three females continued as they started to make their way for the exit. However it was Ensign Noguerra who caused the group to pause once more, "Hey you are..." she said as she got closer to Ensign Skytower. Within a moment she added, "Lylliana Skytower. From Edinburgh, right?" It was clear that the two had met before. "Remember me? I am Etain" she added, "we were on the same shuttle for San Francisco to Utopia. I seat next to you the whole trip. I didn't know you were coming here."

---

Narrator's Note: I edited this after the fact to clean up some details and make some minor corrections to the scene. If NinjaPanda127 would like to react to these changes she may feel free to do so.

[NinjaPanda127]

Lylliana stood there frozen. Her eyes somewhat wide, as they scanned about the room. She tried to avert her eyes, but with all the naked bodies around, she really had no where to turn. She heard the country bumpkin voice of Pander and the playful puff from Lt. Etxeharria in hear ear. She tried to cover her eyes, as a shiver ran down her spine, feeling very uncomforatable around the ladies.

Lylliana jumped at the sound of the towel snapping, and cracking the air like a whip. She loked up to see and hear a familiar sound, a voice from home as Ensign Noguerra came up. Of course she would be naked too. Lylliana brought her PADD out and kept her attention locked on to it, even while Noguerra spoke to her. "... Ye... yeah.... that's... " Lylliana cleared her throat a bit, trying to gain her composure, keeping her eyes from looking up, lest she see something more, "Yes, well.. uhm. Neither did I. " Lylliana's eyes would dart up here and there. She would look from her PADD, to her shoes, to the floor, to the corners where the walls met the floor and so on. She tried to keep looking away, shifting uneasily on her feet, "But, uh... Ensign Skytower here to see Commander Bonham... " her eyes would dark to Noquerra's face, clearing her throat once more, "He.. is uh...he is here. Isn't he..? "

[Akirapryde]

There was laugher as Lieutenant Pander and Lt Etxeharria started to walk past Ensign Skytower tower while Ensign Noguerra held back for a moment. Both the lieutenants gave a playful nod to the Ensign as they continued to walk pass. However it was Lt Etxeharria that had to say, "if our little mouse would like to come play, we are going to the Halo Deck for drinks." She was referring to the Flight Ops own make shift lounge. The Halo Deck was normally a place only used by Flight Ops. It was the only place on the entire ship where normal Alcoholic drinks could be gotten. Rumors had it that even the Captain had already taken to throwing a few back on the Halo Deck.

However it was the stern voice of Lt Ferrer that brought that idea to a close. He walked in with a towel over his shoulder and spoke with a deep harsh voice. "I don't think so ladies" he said. Ensign Skytower knew the second in command of Flight Operations well and now she knew more of him than she had ever wished for. "Sixteen hours in a training mission and you two still want to go out and party?" he said waking up as he took his towel to dry his hair. "No!" he commanded, "we have a Oh Five Hundred preflight mission briefing for tomorrow's training flight" he explained. "Reaper wants to make sure that everyone is up to speed before we are wheels up" he added.

Lt Etxeharria's face was over come by this look of pout as she tilted her head to the side. "All training and briefings makes for a sad kitty" she said while trying to hold back a smile. Right behind her was Lt Pander to lend moral support to her wingman in distress. To add to the image, poor little Etxeharria was patted by her roommate as an attempt to comfort the poor Lieutenant as her nighttime plans were dashed.

Lt Ferrer wasn't having any of it, "Pander you are a bad influence on her. Both of you, get on now" he ordered pointing for the exit. "And don't be let tomorrow morning" he warned. The two pilots laughed as they made their departure for the locker room. But not before sticking out their tongues playfully at Lieutenant Ferrer, he only smiled as he rolled his eyes.

As the scene played out, Ensign Noguerra smiled back to Skytower, "don't worry about all of this. It is a lot but you get used to it" she said with a nod and turned to walk away. There was something that Skytower couldn't help but notice. It was the fresh tattoo on her right shoulder. In the center of the tattoo was a black skull and under it was a pair of crossed bones. Above the tattoo were the letters of VF-84 and under the symbol was the name 'Styx'. Ensign Skytower could only assume that that was her call sign in the unit. Ensign Noguerra rushed to catch up with her two friends.

Lt Ferrer turned to the rest of the showers, "Ok Ladies and Gentlemen, seeing how we all have time to make jokes. Lets get on with our night" he bellowed out loudly. He turned to give his back to Skytower, "Lets move it! come get your selves washed up and clear this area." Within moment pilots started rushing out of the shower area. Like the the rest each had no problem about their current nakedness. Lt Ferrer motioned down the showers "Commander Bonham is down there, get moving Ensign. Don't keep the man waiting."

---

Narrator's Note: I edited this after the fact to clean up some details and make some minor corrections to the scene. If NinjaPanda127 would like to react to these changes she may feel free to do so.

[NinjaPanda127]

Lylliana blinked a few times, having more naked bodies run past her than she had seen in.... well pretty much ever. She tried to keep to herself, holding her PADD to her face now, trying to block out the images of everything she just saw, thinking to herself that she is going to need some serious therapy. She heard Lt. Ferret's words, and gave a quiet nod as she walked down the corridor.

She sighed, feeling completely miserable now. She brought her PADD down from her face, and looked up to the ceiling as she walked down a ways. She stopped before coming around the corner. She fixed her appearance, straightening her jacket and her pants, pushing her hair from her face and composing herself. Once she felt more confident and composed she put a smile on her face and turned around the corner, "Commander Bonham, I needed to speak with you about... " as she came around the corner she saw that he too was naked in the shower. Her eyes widened once more, and it became painfully obvious she was not in her element.

[Akirapryde]

Commander Bonham stood at a shower station seemingly enjoying a long hot shower. Steam rose up around him as he worked soap in to his short cut high and tight hair cut. His blond hair was filled with soap while soapy water ran down his body. Despite attempting to look away, she couldn't help but notice the number of wounds across his body. She had heard the rumors about the wounds he wore proudly but this was her opportunity to first hand witness these wounds.

The next thing that stood out, and almost caused her to stare, was his well conditioned body. Ensign Skytower knew that Flight Ops ran their own physical fitness program separate from the rest of the ship. This was largely due to the fact that most of the Deck Hands were Marines who wanted to move up from infantry. Those marines brought with them a more intense physical training program. Some of Security even conducted physical training with Flight Ops as did all of the Marines. Based of what she saw as she gazed on Commander Bonham's body, the results were impressive.

"Is that Ensign Skytower" he asked as he started to rinse the soap out of his hair. She noticed the same tattoo on his right arm as the other members of the Jolly Rogers. His nickname on his tattoo was 'Reaper'. There was something about his body that kept drawing her attention. For some reason she kept thinking of some leather and armored clad Scandinavian deity when she looked at him. Luckily for Skytower, the center post of the shower station allowed just enough to the imagination. He added, "what can I do for you ensign" as the soapy water washed down his body.

---

Narrator's Note: I edited this after the fact to clean up some details and make some minor corrections to the scene. If NinjaPanda127 would like to react to these changes she may feel free to do so.

[NinjaPanda127]

Lylliana stood there, mouth slightly agape, as her eyes scanned over his figure. Not once, well at least ever since early science biology days, had she ever seen the human figure naked. Even then, it was only in pictures and nothing with his physic. She kinda got lost staring until his question shook her from her stupor. She blinked a few times, coming back to reality having to shake her head a bit to clear her thoughts. She tried to look down at her PADD, to remembered, 'What did i come here for?' she brought her hand up to pinch the bridge of her nose and gently apply pressure as though she was trying to push the images of the naked Commander from her minds eye. She cleared her throat.

"Uhm, yes... well.. " her hand covered half her face at this point, eyes shut at this point, shaking her head, "I was told you were in your office.. " she spoke up, now realizing what the two deck hands were chuckling about when they directed her in. She opened her eyes once more to look at him, as he continued to wash. Okay, she could see what Ja'nell was getting at, he was sort of dreamy. A smile came to her lips as she stood there silently, before the Commander made a noise clearing his throat. Lylliana jumped a little, getting out of her little day dream trance and turned around finding him way to distracting to concentrate. 'Curse you Ja'nell!'

She lifted her PADD up, opening a simple personnel file on Commander Bonham, "Uhm, anyways. I had seen on your personnel file and on some other ship records that you sang in a band. " she tapped through a few more files, multiple images and video recordings opening and closing as she busied away to pull up the information on the ice cream social event, "I was hoping I could talk to you about that and a few other things if you had a moment to spare... "

[Akirapryde]

Commander Bonham smiled as he noticed the young Ensign blushing. His heart belonged to someone else and he knew it, but he still enjoyed the simple fact that woman found him desirable. He didn't bother trying to interrupt her as she clearly was struggling to keep her thoughts about what she was doing here.

'you old dog, she could be your younger sister' he chastised himself getting the thoughts out of his mind. But still she was an attractive woman and the way the steam of the showers seem to give her that slippery when wet look only tempted his imagination more. But this could never be after all. His heart was spoken for and all of the Dominion couldn't keep them apart. Not now anymore. Once this crisis was over they would be together.

He finally had the heart to save her. "Time, Ensign" he said softly as he ran a sponge over his chest. "You have great timing Ensign. But it would appear that you caught me with no room to escape. So for the time being I am all yours" he said as he added some soap to his sponge.

[NinjaPanda127]

"Ah yes...lucky me... " she mumbled half to herself. She turned about holding up her PADD with his file on it, "Well yes, it says here you played a concert for the crew members before. Lt. Jr. Noonia has brought it to my attention that we are in need to rally the troops, so to speak.. " she brought her PADD down and flicked through a few things and opened another file, "It is my hopes.. " she continued to speak, while she looked for a particular image, "To bring a sense of community and comradery back to the crew Sir.. " she looked up and held up an image of a snowy scene and people ice skating. "I was thinking perhaps, " she pulled the PADD down and looked up to him, catching his gaze and holding her own in that moment, "Sir, I am requesting that you help to lighten the mood. If you would play or prehaps pre-record so we can play some music at the event. I would greatly appreciate your assistance. "

Her posture had somewhat shifted, as she stood a little more taller, and more confident, holding his gaze with hues of blue, honest and endearing. "And one more request. " she moved to find a bench to sit upon, crossing her legs as she got comfortable, unzipping her jacket a touch as the room was fairly warm with the steam. She was careful not to do it too low, as she felt that was way too personal. 'Come on Skytower, you're on a roll... don't loose confidence now.. '

She returned her gaze to his face, and she tried to harden her face to keep her thoughts focused, "Sir, I am not questioning your decision or your actions. However, I have found it rather odd that I have been brought aboard the Thunderchild and as a recreations officer. " she tried to appear calm, and collective, but her nerves were beginning to show through, "Why did you have me stationed here? I have an excellent knowledge and grasp in the field of mathematics, far better suited to other duties than a rec officer. I was meant for the Mars Utopia station under Captain Jurnell, supposedly to help in the development of some new program or another. " she waved her hand in the air, as though she were dismissing something, "I don't know the finer details, but to be pulled from such a project to be a recreations officer. " she brought her arms down, crossing them over her knee, and her eyes narrowed to his own, "Well, you can understand my curiosity. I'm not a simpleton Commander, so I would greatly appreciate it if you'd fill me in on why I was brought aboard. " She rested her elbow on her knee, and brought her chin to rest in her hand as she awaited his response...

[Akirapryde]

Commander Bonham smiled as she spoke. There was so much of her cousin in her mannerisms. But unlike him, her confidence was only so deep. He could see her nerves just barely holding on. Something her cousin had over come through surviving hours of intense combat.

Finally as she drew her statement to a close he turned around to allow the water to rinse his back off. "Ah Captain Jurnell. Good officer but doesn't know how to hold ones liquor or cards. Lost one he'll of a beat with me. I imagine, the results of that single card game and a pair of mischievous pilots at their best are biting Utopia now." He joked as he scrubbed his back with the sponge.

The plan was brilliant but he couldn't take the credit for it. He only played his part in it. He couldn't convince Starfleet that Skytower needed to be assigned to the Thunderchild, so he turned to his best agents of chaos. He didn't tell them the reasons why it was important, but just it needed to be done. Not knowing wasn't important to those two anyway. Any opportunity to cause chaos was more than enough for them.

"Well I can tell you, Ensign, the reason why you are the Rec Officer. This is because our science department was already filled up and I could secure another slot for you. So I searched the slots aboard and found a hand full open. Most were in the galley but I noticed we needed a Rec Officer and your experience at the Academy would fill the bill nicely."

He reached up and grabbed his body wash bottle and added more to his sponge. "Captain Jurnell wasn't happy about losing you. But with the right motivation, he quickly suggested that your assignment here was best for all parties involved."

He turned to face her and smiled, "there loss is clearly our gain" he said with a nod. "Look at you already planning a event for the crew. I knew you would fit right in."

He noticed that her eyes kept drifting down towards the center of the shower station. He smiled as their eyes met again and she realized that he caught her staring. "As for your event. When is this planned for?" He asked not sure if it would work within the current crisis.