Calling Old Friends - Part Two

Posted on Sun Jul 31st, 2022 @ 7:51am by Commander Ethan "Hardcase" Duval & Lieutenant Commander Ouros Yamaguchi & Brigadier General Jerris zh'Fegerro

Mission: Mission 115: The Pale-Fac'd Moon looks Bloody on the Earth
Location: Various Locations - Starbase Vanguard
Timeline: 1300Hrs - November 10th, 2393

Commander Ethan Duval stepped off of the shuttle he had borrowed for this little flight down to the surface of Utgarde IV and the Marine forces present on the planet's surface. He was met with Brigadier General Jerris zh'Fegerro who was waiting for him a dozen or so feet away from the back end of his shuttle. "Commander Duval. I am told you wish to poach one of my officers for service as your new Executive Officer." she rumbled. "Is any of that true?"

"Yes, General. Every word is true." Duval answered bluntly.

"Why can't you people get your own people." zh'Fegerro inquired.

Duval regarded the Andorian Zhen before him, he didn't like her hostility and he didn't like her tone either but she was in charge and this was her domain. Not his. "With respect ma'am. She was mine long before she was yours. She should never have gone to you guys in the first place... But she wanted to protect others and I respected that. I remember how she, along with her unit was left in the sands of Mesquite Station and left to roast to death." he explained. "You may consider yourself assured that I won't let the marines have a second chance to kill her." Duval growled angrily at the Andorian before him.

"How dare you!" the Andorian growled.

"Yeah... But am I wrong?" Duval asked quietly. "Considering what happened and how it went down. Her unit commander led his troops out into the desert and then abandoned them in some mad scheme worthy of many of the Generals from our home reality," he explained. "Oh. I know all about it General," he commented. "But I'm not here to cause issues. I am here to discuss life with one of your officers and offer her a job working with me."

"I see," zh'Fegerro answered quietly. "Alright then. I will let you meet with this officer. Which officer is it?"

"Captain Ouros Yamaguchi. She was my prize student at one point." Duval answered. "I feel I can offer her something different as my Executive Officer."

"She is presently in the gym." the Andorian responded. "What makes you so sure you can simply walk in poach one of my best and walk off with her like she's a prize catch.?"

Duval wanted to answer with 'because she IS a prize catch. But what he said instead was. "With all due respect General." Duval paused. "I know Ouros on a level that I suspect, nobody else on this base can truly appreciate or understand," he commented. "But you already asked me this General." Duval added in a quiet tone of voice. "Now, with all due respect. I'd like to see Ouros."

"Very well. This way." The Andorian zhen turned and led Duval over to the security checkpoint. Duval went through the usual sign-in procedures. He finished with the paperwork before he was handed a visitor's badge. "Thank you Commander but I'll be assigning a marine to accompany you at all times while you are on the base. Security procedures and such. I apologize for the inconveniences present but we have had some concerns of late."

"It's fine Major. I intend no trouble. I'm actually looking for the gym because I wish to visit an old friend. My reasons are personal." Duval explained himself and why he was here at this time and place.

"Of course, Commander." the major answered. Duval turned to the private. "Which way to the gym?"

"Right this way Commander." the man answered before the two set off, reaching their destination a short time later. There were several dozen marines, all working out as Duval smiled. He quickly located his quarry as she was running on a treadmill. Ouros's fist smashed into the large-stop button before she hopped off of the treadmill.

Yamaguchi then came over to Duval as she greeted him with a gentle hug, something unexpected by him and everyone else in the room. "Commander. You are the last person I ever expected to come and visit me today," she commented. A wide grin on her lips.

Duval regarded the woman before him. "Can I have ten minutes of your time?" he inquired. "I have a job offer I'd like to put in front of you and I'm gonna be unfair. I need an answer more or less right now."

"What's the offer?. I can think about it while I shower and change. I'll then meet you out front so you can explain the particulars." Yamaguchi regarded him.

"I'd like you to switch from the Marines back into Starfleet and I want you to take over as my new First Officer for the Gaarni," Duval explained.

"Okay. Let me shower and I'll meet you out front." Yamaguchi then turned as she picked up her bag, she then moved away as Duval turned and departed the gym. Ouros went into the ladies' locker room. She went about the usual routine of cleaning off and donning her uniform. She then went outside to meet with Duval. She knew that this was going to be interesting.