A Change of Venue - Part One

Posted on Sun Jun 30th, 2024 @ 8:40pm by Fleet Captain Heather Walking Bear & Colonel James "Gryphon" McTaggert

Mission: Mission 120: All Along the Watchtowers - Part Two
Location: Various Locations - USS Pembo / Starbase Vanguard
Timeline: 1000Hrs - January 26th, 2394

The USS Pembo had returned to Starbase Vanguard. Now Captain Heather Walking Bear was carrying her duffel bag over her shoulder while wearing her usual duty uniform. She looked every inch the part of a Starfleet officer returning home after a long deployment, even though she had only been away for a week. B'Elanna followed her, clad all in black clothing, from boots to jeans to a black sweatshirt. She had opted to skip any makeup today. B'Elanna had only bothered with her unusual female grooming as she had decided she was not here to impress. She was here to be ignored, and that was how she wished it to be. She had explained as much with Captain Walking Bear at dinner the previous evening.

B'Elanna was following Captain Walking Bear, and she had her documentation in hand, should it be required of her.

The airlock opened, and she went into the hallway. Meeting her was a man who wore matching attire as Walking Bear, but his colour was a shade of emerald green. B'Elanna recognized it as Marine green. B'Elanna smiled despite her mood.

B'Elanna stopped several feet shy of the couple as they greeted each other in the manner that married couples usually did. Walking Bear and her spouse shared a kiss before their lips parted. "Hey, James. I love these little reunions. You always leave me breathless and wanting more." she grinned at him. She then turned. "James. Meet B'Elanna."

James nodded before the two shook hands. B'Elanna recalled the human custom from the previous evening. "Hello B'Elanna. I'm James McTaggert. It's good to meet you. I wish it were under better circumstances." he explained without smiling.

"Likewise. James." B'Elanna answered quietly. "You are aware of my situation?" she asked the men before her.

"I am," James commented. "Thus. I will be giving you some combat training. I take the safety of those in my care very seriously. As you will soon find out." he explained with a gentle smile. "You'll also hear the others who live in my home gripe about it, as they often do," he added. "We have a few things we need to share, but they can wait until you have gotten back to our place and have settled in." McTaggert paused. "How did you sleep last night?"

B'Elanna regarded the man before her as the three went towards the end of the hallway, where a turbolift door awaited them. "Umm... To be honest. Not well." she admitted, rather than fight with it as he had been expecting and dreading.

"I can tell. So we won't bombard you with everything at once. We will inform you slowly of what we have planned for your protection detail." McTaggert looked concerned as he regarded her. "Somehow, this scumbag found your mother, who was in Starfleet. He also found her assignment and was somehow able to contact her. He also found out about you." he explained. "I find this all deeply concerning. Hence my precautions," he added. "Which I will explain soon enough."

B'Elanna nodded her head as she listened to McTaggert in silence.

Walking Bear regarded her husband. "Is all prepared?"

"Yep. Everyone has been informed of B'Elanna's arrival. I'm also glad you arrived when everyone was at school rather than this evening, morning or overnight." he added. "So B'Elanna can settle in without being pestered or bothered by anyone. Marie will be home first." he paused. "How did you get here at this time anyway.?"

Walking Bear slowly grinned. "Working out the calculations in my head was fun. I don't often get to do complex math issues anymore." she paused. "I feel I'm getting rusty. Must work on that issue."

"I will do what I can to sharpen your skills." B'Elanna turned to face her. "I wanna learn how to fly. Sam tells me you are an experianced pilot, as well as a certified instructor." B'Elanna paused. "She said I should make it a challenge, but I am too tired to come up with the words. So, I will simply ask instead. Would you be willing to teach me how to fly?"

"Oh, fuck yes." Walking Bear answered bluntly. "But not today. I will teach you all I know if you wish it."

"I do. Sam said many things but honestly. I kinda turned most of it out. It was praise but I was not sure of what to make of it. I assumed it was because she was your sibling." she then sighed.

Walking Bear traded a look with her husband. "I see Sam has been telling tales out of school." she smiled as the three entered the turbolift. McTaggert gave his destination while B'Elanna and Walking Bear both held their silence. "Hanger Eleven," he commented.

The three of them fell into a soft silence as the turbolift hurtled to its destination.