Act IV

Captain's Log
Stardate 43233.1

We have completed towing the disable Tristnor vessel back to the Kasui fortress, where it has been accepted with open arms by the Kasui Prime Barris.  In exchange for the prize of war, Barris has gifted us with the Tristnor Alpha device we sought from the Tristnor facility.  Additionally, Barris has declared a day-long celebration of this victory in their struggle against their oppressors.

Meanwhile, Lieutenant Bartlet is overseeing Mister Saleb's sanctioned installation of the Alpha device into our navigational deflector systems.  I'm certain that she will be keeping a close eye on him, considering the last time he made such a dramatic alteration to our deflector dish without authorization.  It is my sincere hope that we might be able to deliver this device intact following our return, for Starfleet to use as an alternate means of propulsion.

I've authorized the crew to utilize the fortress facilities for the day.  I hope to get underway for home, tomorrow morning.

"Half of me wishes we didn't have to go back," admitted Wilson.  He sat at one of the tables closest to the viewport within the ship's lounge, sitting over a drink he barely touched.  His right hand ran through his shaggy brown hair; the strands of his hair even more disheveled than usual.

To his left, Ariel frowned.  Her hand ran up his arm slowly as she told him, "You don't mean that."

He looked at her with one of his eyebrows cocked up.  "Of course, I don't."

"You don't want to have to leave the ship."

"Yeah."

She sighed, dropping her hand to the table gently.  Wilson's intent to become a part of Farragut's senior staff was cut short by Krystine's inexplicable decision to go with another officer.  "Do you want me to talk to her for you?"

Wilson shook his head.  "No..."

"Okay-"

"Yes?" he said quickly.  "I don't know."

Ariel half-smiled.  "Make up your mind, Willie."

"I don't want you to talk to her, if you think she's going to think that I asked you to.  The last thing I want to do is cause her trouble.  On the other hand..."

She nodded.  "I know.  And I doubt it would be much trouble to her if I pulled her aside and slapped some sense into her.  I still don't know what she was thinking when she passed you over."

Wilson waved her off.  "She was thinking about the needs of the ship."

"She told me she didn't want you tied to her career."

"But you're here."

She threw her hands up in the air.  "That's what I said!"

Neither of them said anything further for a moment, sharing nothing more than a grin as they fell back into their old conversational pattern on the Potemkin.  Wilson broke the silence between them with a simple, "It's up to her."

"Yeah," she agreed.

"Don't get me wrong... I think she's a brilliant CO.  Born to the captain's chair unlike any officer I've served with."

Ariel snorted, "In some ways, that's literally true."

Wilson gave her a sidelong glance.  "I know she was born with a golden commbadge in her mouth, but she doesn't act like it.  I've always liked her a great deal.  All I wanted was to make sure I'd be there to see her make history."

"Me, too," she said quietly; her eyes drifted down to the table.

He reached out to cover her hand with his.  He felt like a heel for having tread on sensitive territory.  "You never told her?"

Ariel shook her head and gave him a slight shrug.  "What's the point?"

Wilson squeezed her hand.  "I've always admired your courage.  But, at the same time, I wish you'd find your happiness."

"I will, Willie."  When he doubted her with a look, she placed her other hand over his.  "I promise you.  Don't worry about me."

"I can't help it.  You're a friend."

"And you're mine."

He smiled, unable to meet her gaze as she looked at him.  "Thank you."

"And as my friend, I'll speak to Krys about finding you a place, here.  I think you've proven yourself more than enough these past few days."  Ariel patted his hand, but released her gentle grip on him to reach for her drink.

"What about you?"

"What about me?"

"You should be the new XO.  Not acting."

"Here, here," said a newcomer, standing over them.

Gregory Aspinall gave them a large grin as he had apparently overheard the last part of their conversation.  Off their looks of surprise, he dropped his grin.  "Sorry.  Should I leave?"

Wilson deferred to Ariel with a glance.  She smiled.  "No... no, grab a chair."

The lounge was mostly empty, due to the celebration on the fortress at full throttle.  With a majority of the crew enjoying themselves, the darkened lounge would have been party central, but not that night.

Greg slipped into a chair, placing his drink on the table.  "Thank you, sirs."

"Hey," said Ariel sharply.  "There's no rank in this room.  You know the rules.  You're lucky there's hardly anyone here or else we'd make you buy everyone a round."

"Right, right... sorry."

"I don't know," said Wilson, "I think we should make him buy us a round, at least."

Ariel chuckled.  She gestured with her nearly full glass.  "He can buy you one, but I'm still nursing this."

"I'll consider it a rain check, then," replied Greg.  "Anyway, you guys were discussing permanent assignments?"

Wilson eyed Greg through the bottom of his glass as he tilted it back to drain the contents.  "I was just mentioning that our captain should consider removing the word 'acting' from her title."

"I couldn't agree more."

"Aw, boys, you're making a girl blush over here, now," said Ariel, taking on a demure expression by bringing her chin in to her chest.  Her raven hair fell over her cheeks to obscure her face, but not her eyes.

That drew a snort from Wilson.  "Hah!  I'm sure you could tell us stories that would make a Risian blush."

Greg could only nod slowly; his eyes never left the lieutenant commander as she worked her natural beauty before him.

Wilson shook quietly with laughter.  "Greg?"

"Yeah?"

"Put your tongue back in your mouth, son."

"What?"  Greg leaned back and looked down, while his hand moved up.  "Oh... right.  Sorry, Commander."  He looked like he just committed an egregious sin against her.

Ariel smiled warmly at the young helmsman.  "It's quite all right, Greg.  Believe it or not, I'm flattered."

"No seducing the help, now," said Wilson, his voice also wavering a bit.  For all the chastising he might've given Greg, he empathized with the lieutenant.

With a guilty look, she gritted her teeth.  "My apologies, gentlemen, for inadvertently attacking your Academy-instilled sense of discipline.  Perhaps I should take my leave you both, and let you drink in peace?"

"No!" said Greg quickly, and a bit louder than he intended.  He cleared his throat.  "I mean, no... don't let us chase you away from the table."

"Yeah, Ariel.  You leave, now, and all I have to look at it his ugly mug," Wilson said, gesturing with his hand toward Greg.

The helmsman rolled his eyes.  "You're no prize, yourself."

"All kidding aside," she told them, "I should probably see to the paperwork I've been letting go.  We're heading back tomorrow, and no doubt, Starfleet's going to want all their reports in a nice tidy packet to transmit the minute we show up on their sensors."

"About that..." started Wilson.

Ariel tilted her head.  "Yes?"

"Do you think... I mean, is it possible that Starfleet might relieve the captain for what she's done?"

She looked at Greg briefly, before giving Wilson a smile.  "I doubt it.  Too many people want her to succeed to let a little something like a three day trip to the Beta Quadrant stand in their way."

Wilson released a held breath and nodded.  "Good to know."

"Even if they did send out someone from the Inspector General's office, I doubt they'd get too far the moment Admiral T'Cirya found out about it."

"If they do," said Wilson softly, "you have to keep that temper of yours in check."

Ariel drew her lips together sourly.  "Do I have to?"

"I'm sure it would help her cause if you did.  No telling what happens, if you try to shove an IG agent out the nearest airlock."

She pouted.  "I guess you're right."

Wilson eyed her.  "This is one of those times, Ariel, when I can't tell if you're joking or not."

Ariel showed off all her teeth in a large smile.  "With any luck, neither will they.  Good night, you two.  Don't stay up too late."

Both officers watched her leave, and then shared a worried look.

Greg asked with a scoff, "She has a temper?"

Wilson grinned.  "You think I'm joking?"

"Maybe."

"If you think I'm lying, I could arrange a demonstration for you."

"Really?"

"Of course.  I've been looking for an excuse to make popcorn."