On this ragged patch of earth called Plataea

Posted on Mon Mar 2nd, 2020 @ 5:44pm by Fleet Captain Torilla Yamaguchi

Mission: Mission 42: A House Divided
Location: Various Locations - USS Courageous
Timeline: 1300Hrs - October 1st, 2391

Captain Torilla Yamaguchi had just figured out how to look after two King Shepard dogs, both of them were lying down, curled up together underneath her desk as she was dozing lightly on her sofa.

She had turned the lights down very low as she could hear the sounds of their breathing, as she used it to lull her off to sleep, however it was not to last as the door beeped at her.

Grey Wind lifted his head as his eyes snapped open while Torilla simply said. "Enter." while she looked like she was asleep.

The second King Shepard slowly lifted her head as she looked out over the room as the doors opened, and in walked their visitor.

"Err..." Zara huffed uneasily as she noticed the dogs staring at her.

"Grey Wind. Nymeria.." Torilla said quietly, both dogs turned to her as she sat up. "Let her be."

Grey Wolf got up as he came out from under the table, he looked like your average German Shepard except he was much larger, he had patches of medium and dark brown but was mostly black as he regarded Zara.

His sibling came out and she was all black, she too regarded Zara with unblinking golden eyes.

"They won't harm you Zara. They are settling in.... and they are still getting to know me." Torilla explained with a gentle smile. "What can I do for you.... asides from introducing you to these guys... they go everywhere with me..." the more massive woman explained. "My bridge crew thinks they are a riot."

"Just thought I might visit... Not seen ya in a while," Zara answered as she looked a bit leery to the dogs.

The two dogs regarded Zara as the larger of the two sniffed at her before he sat down before her, then he lay down as he rolled over.

"I think he likes you... that's Grey Wind and the black one is Nymeria." she picked up a small bag of treats and almost instantly Grey Wind was back on his feet again as both he and his sibling crowded Torilla.

"I got these two from Duval... I must thank him for them... How did you guys end up with quite the zoo... Elizabeth won't tell me.. I asked and she lost her temper.... any ideas why my eldest crushed a glass down to the size of a pea at lunch... I've not often seen Elizabeth get that angry..."

"Necheyav had quite the menagerie of animals and people on her ship," Zara answered a bit darkly at that memory.

"I see." Yamaguchi responded. "Duval mentioned something about several dozen animals being held in a lab..." she paused, clearly fishing for more information as she fed Grey Wind a bone and a matching one for his sibling, now both placated, both dogs retreated to enjoy their bones. "Here you go guys.." she said it the way one would say it to a pair of toddlers.

"Don't mind them, they've clearly been neglected... Which is why I don't leave them anywhere... I go somewhere, they come with me..." she then shrugged. "My crew likes them... and these two love the attention... unless I leave the ship... then they remain on the bridge with Javier." Yamaguchi explained for Zara's benefit.

"I'm glad you got to keep you command," Zara smiled to her friend. "You been through and put up with a lot. You deserved it."

Torilla smiled. "Thank you... Yes... Admiral Turner was the one who got to talk to me about it... Though I had to wonder why he was the one..." as she regarded Zara with her brown eyes. "You're still not telling me what happened..." she added.

Grey Wind looked to be enjoying himself as he was mowing down on the bone while Nymeria was more restrained on the matter.

"I haven't really talked to anyone in general about it," Zara sighed. It was difficult for her. "...It's not a fun memory for me to relive."

"Considering how angry Elizabeth got and that quickly no less... I can imagine." Torilla explained. "Had Kameron not been there... I have to wonder if she might have come across the table at me..." she paused a moment. "As it was she crushed her dinner glass down to the size of a pea... I seldom ever see her get that angry... What happened Zara...?" Torilla asked softly. "I know things have not been well between us of late... but I had to have time to consider my past and my future... " she paused. "I was given the option of whatever Fleet I wanted assignment to... when Admiral Turner asked me what I wanted.... I requested an assignment to your battlegroup specifically."

"It's nothing to do with you and me," Zara insisted with water eyes. "It's just not a subject I'm ready to talk about - with anyone."

"Ahh." Torilla responded. "Have a seat... kick your boots off and make yourself comfortable... Let these two guys get to know you." as Grey Wind came over to Zara, he gently touched her hand with his nose as he looked up at her.

"I think he likes you." Yamaguchi commented.

"I like him... Not sure if Cleo will like that I'm petting him though," Zara laughed as she went all-in on letting herself relax with the dog. "So how do you feel about the Rowling's pilots being transferred here?"

Grey Wind regarded her with his golden eyes as Nymeria came over to join her brother. "They'll get to be about thirty percent bigger then your average German Shepard.. Yeah, feeding these guys will be a full time chore" she paused. "As for Rowlings Air Wing.... I'm leaving that for Thel Vadam'ee and Nicole Vollen to sort out... but they are decent pilots.. I Do not like the Commander of my Second Wing however.. he is... He hates Phoenix.. He said she was a traitor to my face, it took all of my will not to throttle him where he stood..." Torilla sighed. "I tell ya Zara. I don't know how Kwan dealt with that festering stinking shitpile I laughingly call a pilot."

"He's a good pilot, Torilla... A prick, but a good pilot," Zara told her. "Still.. He was brainwashed, in my opinion. So it's not like something we can fix overnight, in regards to how he views his sister."

"Yeah well... most of my family regards Phoenix as family.." Torilla responded evenly. "I won't fight them on that..."

"I don't think he's looking for a fight," Zara pointed out as she walked over to Torilla's desk and pulled up his file. "Never been in trouble. Has exemplary officer review reports. Loves his government, really... Real question here is, if you are the one that wants to make his personal life a matter of professional record."

Torilla regarded the smaller woman as she gently shifted her weight. "Mmm... Well... To be honest, I thought about it." she then let out a soft sigh. "I shouldn't, I know... It's never a wise plan but I can't help getting pissed off whenever he's in the room. How I feel about Phoenix isn't exactly a secret, considering her wife delivered the twins, Rachael and Saki... " Torilla sighed. "Phoenix herself delivered Tressa and Nix."

"I am not sticking up for that prat," Zara spoke sympathetically, "But we need good pilots and leadership. If he was on Roanoke's hangar, I have no doubt he would anger Phoenix enough to murder him."

"He keeps pissing me off... I might murder him." Yamaguchi responded. "Thats if I decide to put him to the sword otherwise I'll have him spaced."

Grey Wind came over to Torilla, as he whined at her. Yamaguchi gently ran her fingers over Grey Wind's face. "Its okay boy.. go on... go lie down... mommy needs to chat with her friend."

The dog was clearly protective of Torilla as he sat down before her, facing Zara. "Grey Wind... Your bone is over there... and relax... I'm fine, Zara means me no harm.... right?" she regarded Zara. "Jake has the twins and seven cats to look after while I get these two.." she raised an eyebrow in a mirthful expression.

"Let's hope you get to see them soon," Zara smiled brightly.

"Seems like half the crew all ended up with pets recently. I ran into Lieutenant Sheridan walking a dog he nicknamed Gyce...I'm not sure if thats good or bad... and Lasky had three Andean Mountain cats according to Elizabeth... she got two Capuchin's and you got the third. I see Elizabeth's claws in this one."

"Yeah... She thought it would be a funny inside joke," Zara remarked dryly. "I also was given a dog."

Nymeria regarded Zara with her golden eyes before she moved off after her brother as Torilla rubbed her eyes. "I just get these two settled... I should thank Duval properly.."

"He gave these guys to you?"

"He did... yes... he took four German Shepard's in and he gave these two to me... call it a gag gift."

"When I'm ready to talk about it, I will tell you," Zara promised very soberly. "...It's just right now, I feel weak. Stupid, really."

Yamaguchi regarded Tane with understanding eyes. "No more stupid then what I did to a certain pilot and almost flushed my career down the toilet?" as she regarded the smaller woman next to her. "Your friends are with you.. and I hear you have someone new in your life... I hear you and Tom Lasky?" as she gave Zara a pointed look, now clearly fishing for details.

"I really like him," Zara admitted with schoolgirl-like blush. "He inspires me to be better than I am."

Yamaguchi chuckled softly. "Thats good to hear.. Lets hope we can avoid any more insanity.." as she gave Zara a crooked grin. "Don't forget that he ended up sleeping with me and Elizabeth in less then six months.." he responded. "How do you think his unborn child came along." as she sighed. "I ..... I shouldn't have given up so easily..."
as she sighed a second time. "Now its too late... for me... but not too late for you..." Torilla regarded Tane. "Here is your chance... to be a mother.."

"I don't even know if he sees me like that," Zara spoke with a hint of guilt. "He knows I'm a recovering addict... I don't know if I've the right to ask him."

"Then you two should have that chat before your relationship deepens.." Yamaguchi admitted. "Don't make my mistake... turning my back on my own child."

"At least he's taking care of them," Zara spoke hopefully. "He's ready to be a dad."

"Alright..." Torilla said quietly. "I have... sinned... I have greatly sinned.." she paused. "but.. that is for me to deal with and I'm not asking for your pity, I am asking your understanding.."

"Torilla, I understand," Zara spoke with sympathy. "But despite what you think, the kid will be healthy and happy, because you made sure to give it a far better chance in Elizabeth."

Torilla nodded her head slowly. "I know... and I'm still working through what I did.." she paused. "Elizabeth was so determined... she almost demanded I give the child to her.. and she was right... I'm glad she fought me on it..."

"By your people's beliefs, you have not failed. The child lives," Zara explained with an encouraging smile.

Yamaguchi regarded Zara. "I know... but its still something I need to sort out for myself..." she slowly smiled as she added. "and I am..."

"I'll be here if you need me," Zara promised, then smiled to the dogs once last time before she waved in parting to her friend.

"Alright.." Yamaguchi responded. "Seeya next time." as she watched Zara Tane depart in silence.