Reaching the Core

Posted on Mon Oct 13th, 2014 @ 10:33pm by Lieutenant Colonel Jillian "Phoenix" Sullivan

1,348 words; about a 7 minute read

Mission: Mission 86 - Discovery
Location: Sullivan Quarters - Starbase 400
Timeline: An hour after 'Clash of Destiny'

"Reaching the Core"

Major Jillian 'Phoenix' Sullivan
Lieutenant Siaxx 'Echo' Dvald

Introducing
Commander T'Nae Duval
Executive Officer
USS Shield of Vega

Music Soundtrack: Reaching the Core from Halo 4 OST

***** Near Phoenix's Quarters - Starbase 400 *****

Lieutenant Siaxx Dvald was returning from Phoenix's quarters, she was just up the hall from her destination when another woman came around the corner and came towards her, the Vulcan woman smiled. "Lieutenant."

Siaxx blinked as she was not accustomed to a Vulcan woman with anything other then a bored look on their faces, this for her was unusual, the Vulcan's smile widened. "I tend to have that effect on people.... I was here because I wanted to visit Phoenix..."

"Oh.. I'm sure she's around somewhere Commander.."

"T'Nae Duval. You know my husband.." the shorter Vulcan responded in a dry tone. "He's mentioned your name to me before."

"Ahh.. Jeff." Siaxx realized. "Oh you're that T'Nae.... Okay, its all coming clear to me now."

The Vulcan chuckled softly as she regarded the Bolian woman before her. "Yes.. you won' a hefty chunk of money from Jeff and his troops."

"They were foolish enough to bet against me when I knew I'd win..." Siaxx responded as she heard footfalls behind her as they came to a sudden halt. T'Nae regarded the new arrival. "Phoenix.... I was just thinking of you."

"Pointy," Phoenix greeted in an ambiguous tone. It was unsure if Phoenix was pleased, annoyed, or maybe a bit of both.

"Well you have called me worse back in the day." T'Nae commented. "But that feels like a lifetime ago... don't you agree?" and with that the Vulcan smiled.

Phoenix shrugged to that. "I suppose... Don' explain why you're here."

"I am here because the Shield of Vega is patrolling this area, she put in for supplies and I decided to come visit my husband... " her smile widened into a grin. "I saw your name was here on the roster so I thought I'd come bug you too." her grin suddenly disappeared. "What's the matter.... you unhappy to see me?" she inquired.

Siaxx raised an eyebrow. "Somebody want to let me in on what I'm missing?"

T'Nae regarded Phoenix as if to say 'you tell her.'

"I was part of a fighter element that gave 'er ship support, ironically, during two separate engagements. " Phoenix shrugged. "When I went EV after cutting my arm off, she was part of the rescue crew that pulled me in... And I saved her ship's ass with my fighter element during the Malar II Crisis."

T'Nae's smile widened into a grin. "Indeed... the first time I was on recovery detail." she nodded. "The second was when the Major's fighter squadron demolished a Mogai class Warbird that was shooting at the Liberator."

"T'Nae wouldn' shut up when we first met. Afraid I'd die or somethin' from blood loss," Phoenix explained, and then gave an semi-frown. "An' ever since she don' stop talkin'."

"Why would I want to be silent... considering you don't say anything at all," T'Nae commented as she regarded the younger woman. "Besides... I prefer to be much more then silent as a statue..... I am more then just your average Vulcan." T'Nae's left hand moved to her abdomen as she sighed.

Siaxx instantly noticed. "Are you well Commander?"

"I'm pregnant Siaxx... with twins... the little ones are being themselves... by abusing my insides." T'Nae commented.

"Don' name 'em after me, Pointy," Phoenix warned darkly. "I aint someone they need ta live up ta in name."

T'Nae looked at Phoenix. "You honestly think I'd name them after you.... now I know you've gone mad with delusions of godhood." she scowled as the turned to the Bolian. "Tell me you don't have to deal with this clown?"

Siaxx raised an eyebrow. "That's complicated."

"I feel for you Lieutenant." she turned back to Phoenix as if to keep an eye on her. "Major... I see you still have no control at all. How the hell do you wear the uniform.." T'Nae's control then totally melted down. "You are a total disgrace."

Siaxx blinked, she had never seen a truly enraged Vulcan before so this experience was something new. "Commander... calm down."

"If I gave a damn about the uniform, I might be hurt," Phoenix shrugged. "Goddess is right, though. You don' wanna get upset when knocked up."

T'Nae turned to Siaxx as she raised an eyebrow, clearly keeping an eye on Phoenix. "I feel sorry for you if this is what you deal with on a daily basis Lieutenant.... You're better off finding decent company."

Siaxx looked at the Commander. " Possibly Commander.... Possibly." she responded as T'Nae nodded in return. "Logical, I'm going to go and find my husband... Lieutenant." and with that she started off down the hallway while almost totally ignoring Phoenix.

"Who's her hubby?" Phoenix asked with confusion on her face.

Siaxx looked at Phoenix. "Master Sergeant Duval." she responded. "The guy who brought you in after that mishap you had with your hand while in the gym. You spent an hour serenading my nurses and me with that concert." she explained.

"I do remember that," Phoenix sighed happily. "I meant it then too... You're a lovely woman."

"I recall you saying he was a bit of a wild one.... something about his temper."

"Me thinks Pointy takes the cake in 'at family," Phoenix laughed genuinely. It felt good too.

Siaxx looked at Phoenix. "Calling her pointy was never wise Jill... come on you know better. Pissing off the average Vulcan is never wise.... and T'Nae is unusual.."

"She's also not average," Phoenix point out simply. "Besides... I've no idea why she wants to see me. Not like we drink together."

"Maybe T'Nae wanted something else from you." Siaxx explained.

"I only give that part of myself to my family," Phoenix spoke quietly, and looked Siaxx lovingly in the eye as if to imply she too, counted as family.

"Jill... you do tend to want to keep others at arms length.... and I don't think T'Nae is the type to see others behind her husbands back..."

"I don' bed telepaths," Phoenix gently reminded Siaxx. "...So why'd she come here?"

"She came here to see her husband." Siaxx commented. "Why else would she bother coming here?" The graceful Bolian inquired.

"No... I meant, why'd she come lookin' fer me," Phoenix corrected gently.

Dvald raised an eyebrow. "Maybe she wanted to say hello." she responded. "Why do you always go out of your way to antagonize people anyway?"

"In war, the less friends ya have, the better off you are when they die," Phoenix explained for what might of been the hundredth time to folks. "Pilots can' afford ta be soft. We're killers of wolves everone else can' fight."

Siaxx growled, her temper finally fusing white hot. "We are not always going to be at war... and your at war with everyone on this base, including yourself." she finally exploded. "You proved that when you beat the shit out of me." before she curled her right hand into a fist and then pointed at the Major. "You're not a Wolf.... you're just a loose cannon who can't turn herself off and let it go." The Bolian snarled at the Major.

One might of expected Phoenix to strike back, but she did not. Her eyes watered as Siaxx's words harshly hit home. Her only response was turning around and walking back dully to her quarters in silence.

Siaxx sighed softly as she quickly realized the full force of what she had said as she could feel her heart breaking but before she could break down, she turned and walked back to her own quarters.

She would not cry, not here and not in front of people who didn't appreciate it, she reached her destination and before she had even realized what she was doing, she had replicated a bottle of booze, she plucked it off of the replicator shelf, pulled off the cap and then had downed half the bottle.

***** Here's where the fun begins - Anakin Skywalker *****

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