Welcome to the Wolfpack - Part 2/4

Posted on Fri Jul 4th, 2025 @ 1:11am by Lieutenant JG Lovisa Montague & Petty Officer 1st Class Gabriel Stark & Lieutenant JG Riaothren (Ren) ch'Shaorhs & Lieutenant JG Amari

2,203 words; about a 11 minute read

Mission: To Boldly Go
Location: Messhall, Deck 4, USS Fenrir
Timeline: MD 13 - 2015

ON - CONTINUED:

While mixed clan meetings did happen amongst her people they usually were not the casual event Amari had been informed this event was to be. A chance to meet other members of the ship she wouldn't normally be interacting with, to talk and potentially partake of somewhat intoxicating beverages. It seemed like a good opportunity to do some research into the cultures of the different federation species, so she decided to attend. Dressed in an outfit similar to her white Lesran uniform but more plain and casual she headed inside.

"I'm sorry, I just have to say this..." Lovisa Montague spoke from a little behind her. She had a glass of blue drink clasped between her hands. Her long, dark hair had been pinned up and she wore a red, lightweight tea dress that wouldn't look out of place at a summer party. She reached out toward her arm to gain Amari's attention, but didn't quite touch it. "Your hair is beautiful, I hope you don't mind me saying," she smiled warmly, her dark eyes full of sincerity. Indeed, the pale hair paired with the blue hue of the other woman's skin was a striking combination.

"Thank you Miss." Amari replied, she didn't recognise the human woman as anyone she'd met before. "The colour is natural and quite common amongst my people."

"Lovisa," the other woman offered her name, smiling warmly as she relaxed with the relief of not being called weird for the compliment. She would rather be honest with a burning compliment and risk getting that 'okay weirdo' look, but it was always a relief when the moment passed without it. "And now I'm just jealous at knowing it's natural," she chuckled softly though, showing she didn't mean it. "I've...seen you around the ship, but I don't think you've been in a uniform..." it was more of a question than a statement, inviting her to fill in the gap if she wanted to.

"I'm not starfleet, nor a civilian. I'm here through your officer exchange program, it seems I get to wear my own peoples uniform." Amari told her.

"Oh...oh!" Lovisa's smile brightened as she stook a slight step toward her with curiosity. She wondered if she'd be brave enough to do an exchange. She'd like to think so, but she wasn't sure if she was being completely honest with herself. "Which fleet do you come from?"

"I'm a Lesrai, a small system just outside federation space in what you call the Beta quadrant." Amari replied. "Your federation ships came by every so often, I got chatting with an engineer from the Renown, he gave me a tour of the Sabre class he was assigned to. Then he mentioned the officer exchange program."

"Have you just arrived? Is this your first assignment with us?" Lovisa asked with awe, shaking her head gently at the prospect. It was one thing heading out into the uncertain tides of space, but to do it so far from home and amongst strangers? That was something else entirely.

"I've been here about seven days, spent a few days on a runabout, then 3 weeks on a transport to get to here." Amari replied ordering a drink from the bar before continuing. "Most of that time I was elbows deep in federation technology to get used to how things work here."

"Ah, so not much time for any fun, huh?" Lovisa chuckled weakly, shaking her head with a soft sigh. She leant closer so she could playfully lower her voice. "Don't worry, once we're underway and everyone calms down a bit, I'll introduce you to the holodeck and we can take a tour around some of the highlights of Federation space."

"I've already spent a little time on the holodeck but only in a training exercise." Amari replied. "The technology is fascinating, there's nothing like it on my planet.

"It's a nice diversion," Lovisa admitted with a soft smile, not too proud to admit it either. "Especially after a few weeks in space and you're just craving some 'fresh air'. It's not...perfect, but it's close enough. And it'll let you into a sneak peak of some of our tourist spots so you can figure out what you'd like to see while you're here."

"I'd like that," Amari told her with a genuine smile. "Other than reading a few things and seeing a few pictures I've not really seen anything of the federation."

"It would be my pleasure," Lovisa assured quickly, shaking her head with a gentle, almost playful smile. "And maybe one day you can show me some of your home beauty spots? If it would be welcome, of course."

"It took a lot of persuading my clan and my husbands clan to let me do this. We don't allow many.... outsiders onto the planet." Amari sipped her drink. "Maybe, one day."

"You're married?" Lovisa's smile brightened at that, and her gaze went to the woman's hand out of sheer instinct to look for a ring. She had never done anything to hide the fact she was a hopeless romantic. On the contrary, she was absolutely shameless about it. "Goodness, he must miss you so much out here."

"Maybe, I think I'm the first Lesrai to go more than about five light years away from our system, probably doesn't miss me just yet but I think he will eventually." Amari chuckled slightly. "His clan can be quite stubborn."

Lovisa's smile softened at the bittersweet nature of their separation, and she reached out to hook her arm through Amari's to lead her to the drink's table. "Well, we shall have to keep you busy to give you plenty to write home about..."



The doors opened...but then remained open for longer than they should have. Gabriel Stark had paused in the doorway, just soaking up the atmosphere, his palms facing forward at his side. The security officer lived for the high of hedonistic nights out. But with a lack of clubs and real bars on a starship, parties and lounges had to do. It never stopped him from making the best out of it, though. His black leather-like pants were matched with a deep red silk shirt. His eyes were accented with black liner, and his dark hair was carefully styled to look effortless. He headed straight for the table of drinks, catching one up to try. He used the few moments it took to sip to cast his gaze across the rim of his glass and around the room. His body had found the beat of the gentle music - not loud enough for his liking - and he moved unconsciously with it.

"That one's a little sweet for my tastes," Ren said as he walked up behind the other man. "Though you might like it. It matches your eyes' color, which could be a plus, I suppose."

"Ah, well, that would be why they're sweet then," Gabriel teased back as he looked at him, grinning at the warm introduction. He didn't offer his hand out at seeing he wasn't speaking to a human, and he wasn't sure of the traditional greeting for Andorians. So he picked up a shimmering blue violet drink instead, to offer across to him. "Gabriel Stark, security. Try a drink that suits you too..."

Ren gave the human, or at least human appearing man, a warm, disarming smile as he took the glass from him.

"Ren ch' Shaorhs, operations. Good to meet you."

He took a sip of his drink. "That's more like it. It's tart. I like that. And real from the taste of it."

"You look a little young, but that is not a bad thing. Is this your first assignment?"

"Young? Hell, you earned yourself a get-out-of-the-brig-free card for that," Gabriel laughed fondly, shaking his head before sipping his drink with appreciation. Not that he looked 'old', but he was shallow enough to enjoy hearing he still looked young. "No, I've been serving for a few years now. I'm enlisted, though, not an officer, so...I guess that's given me a couple of years extra out here."

"I've only been in a brig twice in my life. I try not to make a habit of it. So, why security if I can be so bold? That's kind of a thankless job. You're dealing with people who make bad life choices and try to blame everyone other than themselves for what they do.."

"Hm..." Gabriel watched him with a surprised smile at the thoughtful insight. And it actually made him stop and think about it. Why had he? "I've never thought about it like that before," he admitted softly, chuckling gently...because he couldn't deny he had a point. "Honestly? I was always sort of...hyper, you know? It got me into trouble more than once, so this Admiral at the Academy suggested I try boxing. Focus that energy. I say suggest...maybe order is a better way to put it. One thing led to another, and I had joined the fencing and taekwondo team too. And at that point? I just couldn't imagine doing a job where I had to sit at a console for hours a day."

"Hmm," the Andorian said after a brief pause, "That does make sense. I don't know if I want to become a department head. I mean, I'd enjoy the challenge, don't get me wrong. I'm just concerned that I'd get stuck behind a desk like you're talking about, shuffling PADDS around."

"By the way, did the admiral's advice work, or do you still consider yourself a badboy?"

"Oh, there's no 'consider' about it," Gabriel assured, but with a playful smile that softened the cocky response. "I honestly can't blame you on the chief thing. I mean, maybe it's different in operations, but so many of the security chiefs I've seen and worked with? Something happens when they get that chief seat. Instant curse. Instant misery."

Ren almost said he liked badboys. It was true enough, but highly inappropriate for any number of reasons. However,
he restrained himself, though he was unable to keep a small smirk off his face.

"I think it's probably that way for every department. Plus, I've never been good at telling other people what to do; I have a habit of trying to do things myself."

"Hm, yeah, that could get exhausting," Gabriel admitted with a half smile, but not having been in a position of importance to know if he'd be the same way. "Although, let's be honest, it'll probably mean you go far..." he added with a soft chuckle.

"That's assuming I do want to go far. Don't get me wrong, I have ambitions and want to be the best officer I can be, I'm just not sure... well, right now I want to make sure things run smoothly here and help accomplish our mission," the Andorian replied.

Gabriel's smile softened to something more sincere at that, and he nodded gently with understanding. "Makes sense to me. You can only be the best you can be if you're doing something you actually want to do, right?"

"Precisely," Ren agreed. I had a friend at the Academy who wanted to be a ship's captain since he was five or six. His mothers are both admirals, so I guess it runs in the family. It just was never something I desired, or desire.."

Gabriel laughed softly, impressed at the idea of having ambition for that long, of having so much certainty about their purpose in life. "Besides, from what I hear it's the First Officers that have all the fun..." he chuckled, using his glass to point over to where Commander Hanlon was.

Ren's eyes cut to where the XO was, his smile broadening. "He does look like he's enjoying himself. Have you met him? I have and I like him. He's a nice person, but there's no doubt that he's in charge."

"Haven't met him yet," Gabriel admitted, chuckling as he shook his head with an arched eyebrow, watching the man in question. "That's reassuring, that he's a nice person, I don't always have the best reps with First Officers," and considering one of his previous First Officers was now their new Captain, he was still slightly boggled as to how he'd ended up on the Fenrir. "He's kind of distracting to look at though," Gabriel admitted with a laugh, shaking his head.

That drew a smile from the Andorian. "I wouldn't argue with you there, but I don't think he would feel the same about you. Not saying you're not good looking. You are. Really good looking actually, but I don't think he's into guys."

"Takes one to know one," Gabriel grinned to him at the words, unable to help himself before shaking his head with a playfully wistful sigh, leaning languidly back against the sidebar. "Shame though, such a missed opportunity..."

TBC:


Lieutenant JG Amari
Engineering Officer
USS Fenrir
(PNPC - Masters)

Lieutenant JG Lovisa Montague
Science Officer
USS Fenrir
(PNPC - Blake)

PO1 Gabriel Stark
Security
USS Fenrir
(PNPC Blake)

Lieutenant JG Riaothren (Ren) ch'Shaorhs
Assistant Chief Operations Officer
USS Fenrir

 

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