"This is a rather unusual request I'm making, I know," Morgan Bicardi said. "But I need someone who can look at the situation objectively--and given your previous history I think you might be able to help here."
"What's going on?" Ryan asked as he sat down across from Morgan's desk. The office decor was very austere. A bat'leth hung above a large replica of the squadron insignia, which was flanked on either side by mek'leth. The chair in the office may well have been used by Torquemada during the Inquisition. And everything was the same industrial gray that seemed to have been used by military organizations for the past 350 years. >From everything Ryan had read about the Klingons, Morgan's office was true to form. All we need is for the temperature to be 20 degrees hotter and the humidity to be about 30% higher, and we'd be on Qo'noS, he thought.
"Lieutenant West is being transferred to VMF 62, along the Romulan Neutral Zone. We're getting a new pilot," Bicardi said, handing Ryan a PADD. "First Lieutenant Jacob 'Surfer' McIlhenny."
Ryan looked over the PADD. "Looks like a good pilot. Seven confirmed kills, 3500 hours in both the Hammerhead I and Banshee fighters, Distinguished Flying Cross...wait. I see what you mean," Ryan said as he scrolled down to the new pilot's disciplinary record. "A bit of a hot dog. And insubordinate. But how's that different from our recently-departed CO?"
"On the surface, it's not. But there is a substantial history here," Morgan said as he rose and replicated himself a cup of raktajino. He offered Ryan a cup; Ryan refused. The strong Klingon concoction was a bit much for him.
"So what do you want me to do?"
"He's coming here in a few minutes. Tell me honestly what you think."
At that moment the door chirped. "Enter," Morgan said.
A tall, strong-built man with dirty-blond hair walked in. His uniform appeared as though he'd slept in it. "Lieutenant Jake McIlhenny reporting as ordered, sir," he said with a casual salute.
Morgan pretended not to notice Jake's dishevled appearance in a gesture Ryan recognized all too well as utter contempt. Oh, Lord, this is not going well! he thought.
"Have a seat, Lieutenant. This is Warrant Officer Ryan MacLeod, your new wingman." Ryan shook Jake's hand. "What can you tell us about your previous assignment?"
"I was assigned to the 5th Fighter Evaluator Squadron on Ceres, sir. I was one of the test pilots for the Yellowjacket Project. I was there for two years."
"And why are you here?" Morgan asked. The Briar Patch was considered back-of-beyond for someone who'd been a test pilot.
"The Yellowjacket is ready for deployment. I asked to be deployed to a squadron receiving the new fighters. Apparently VMF 58 is one of those squadrons."
"Hmmm..." Morgan said, noncommitally. It looks like the Colonel came through on that equipment requisition. "But why here?" Morgan asked. "We're not exactly what one would call a high-profile posting."
"High-profile isn't always the best thing. Ask any infantryman," Jake said. Even Ryan had to laugh at that one, although he was thinking to himself here's someone they're trying to bury.
At that moment the door chirped again. "Enter," Morgan said tersely.
As the door slid open once again, a young woman entered with her uniform in perfect order and her red hair pulled away from her face. Almost as soon as she entered Ryan and Jacob turned to look at her. Jacob immediately got to his feet.
"Talia?" he said, just above a whisper, looking at her with surprise.
Immediately her eyes opened wide and an excited grin crossed her face.
"Jakey!!!" She cried.
Any thought of formality went out the window as she immediately ran like a panther and jumped onto him, throwing her arms around his neck and her legs around his waist. His arms immediately went around him.
"Oh my god! Jakey!! It is so great to see you!!" she laughed, her eyes dancing.
Morgan sat there, silent and motionless as a stone. Ryan didn't need a comprehensive knowledge of Klingon body language to know that something was up. This is not going well! he thought to himself. "Do you two, ah, know each other well?" he asked Talia in a deadpan fashion. Ryan hadn't had a chance to know Lucas West well before West was transferred, but he dearly wished the man was still with the squadron at that moment.
Talia smiled and laughed as she untangled herself from Jake. She cleared her throat and looked at Ryan, then at Jacob. "Jake and I got way back . . . Don't we?" she asked with a sparkle in her eyes.
"Uhhh, you could say that," Jake said, still overwhelmed by Talia's warm reception.
Morgan cleared his throat. Ryan and Talia immediately gave him their attention; Jake was a little slower. "I suppose you'll work out well with our squadron, McIlhenny. But keep in mind that we do try to maintain strict discipline in this unit. Insubordination and rogue antics will not be tolerated!"
"Understood, sir," Jake said with only the slightest of smirks.
"Check in to the BOQ by 1500 today. You and MacLeod will fly at 0630 hours tomorrow morning; your plane is awaiting you."
With that, the three were dismissed. "Well, that went...somewhere," Ryan said.
Talia immediately went to Jake. "So what brings you to the Station?" she asked, though she could still feel he was overwhelmed by seeing her again.
"New assignment. It looks like West is out and Jake The Man is back!" he said with a grin. Ryan rolled his eyes.
Talia laughed and punched his shoulder. "Still the same ol' Jakey! We'll have to get together. There is so much to do on this station, it's hard to get bored!"
"Go have fun, kids. I've got a mission report to write and a family to go home to," Ryan said. "Just don't run afoul of Bicardi--he doesn't look none too happy about any of this!"
Talia stopped as something registered to her. "You know what, get in touch with me after you settle in. I need to take care of something, okay?" she said as she gazed into Jake's face.
"Sure, no problem!" Jake hurried off to take care of business.
With that Talia said her good-byes to Ryan and headed back to Morgan's office. She set off the sensor and was let back in. As she entered she saw Morgan stewing as she looked over some PADDs. She felt it as soon as the door had opened.
"Hey, Morgan," she said. "Do you want to talk? Because it feels to me, like you need a chat . . ."
"Why didn't you tell me?" he said tonelessly. "Why weren't you honest with me about this?"
"Honest about what?" Talia replied. "You knew I'd been with other people. You can't honestly think I was a virgin when we met . . ."
"That's not what I meant! It looked to me like you still desire him. Why weren't you honest wiht me about having someone else waiting for you?"
At that Talia laughed. "Is that what you think?!" She went to him and looked him straight in the eyes. "Morgan, Jakey and I were together. But it was over. He had his assignment and I had mine, which were in two different locations . . . But he was always a great person. Fun to be with! Someone I would hang out with whether I was seeing him or not . . . " Suddenly she got serious as she looked at him. "Besides, Morgan, he made a mistake . . . He got serious. And I told him, like I've told you, I can't get serious . . ."
"And apparently he's still making the same mistake. I saw the look in his eyes!"
"I think you saw too much of what you might be afraid of," Talia replied as she tenderly reached out to touch his cheek.
Morgan backed away from the touch. "I am afraid of nothing!" he stormed. "He had better be afraid if he wishes to challenge me!"
Talia sighed and stood up knowing she wasn't going to get anywhere with him like this. "I don't think he'll challenge you," she said, then stared at him with a hint of hardness in her eyes. "Besides, Morgan, I am my own woman . . . Please, don't you get serious on me like he did. I don't want to walk away . . ."
"And when do you plan on taking anyone but yourself seriously?" Morgan asked.
She gazed at him, the deep seriousness darkening her eyes. "I don't know . . ." she replied as she fought tears that misted her eyes. Feelings came to the surface she tried to fight back. "Maybe never. Anyway, I should go . . ." She turned to head out the door.
"Just tell 'Jakey' to stay clear of me if he knows what's good for him!" Morgan almost yelled, his Klingon half having all but completely taken over in this exchange. He had to admit to himself that resolving conflict peacefully was never his strong suit. And all he'd done was make matters even worse than they had been.
Without another word, Talia vanished out the door and into the hallway. She took several deep breaths to regain her composure, but the emotions broiling inside her were not buckling down. She was ready to break. She decided a hot shower was the thing . . . No one would hear if she cried.
Once Morgan calmed down, he regretted his words. Damn temper always getting the better of me! he thought. With that, he made up his mind to swallow his pride and apologize. But not tonight. That would be demeaning. Another night or two would suffice.