Huzzah

Posted on Tue Sep 18th, 2018 @ 5:09pm by Hak & Commodore Jane Saulitis

Mission: A Majestic Affair
Location: Captain's Quarters
Timeline: MD 14 20:00 Hours
960 words - 1.9 OF Standard Post Measure

Jane shivered and pulled a throw around her shoulders. The key she'd been examining fell into her lap and she picked it back up. It's long body was topped by a rather intricate celtic knot that had a bit of amber expertly molded to the center. Having found it on Cairn Prime she had been startled to see it was Human in origin and old. A noise brought her attention to the screen and she smiled. "How long have you been sitting there watching me?"

"Long enough that it was starting to get awkward, even for me." Hak admitted lightly; his features came into clearer view as he sidled up closer to the display. In those moments before, he'd felt a slight pang of guilt but that had been surpassed by what he could only classify as happiness at catching her in an unguarded, candid moment.

She set the key down on the side table. "I wasn't expecting you." She turned her head slightly, trying to read why he might be calling her. This was impossible of course except for learning to understand his facial expressions which didn't often give away much. She was human.

"Yet, you're still happy to see me, right?"

Jane wanted to answer that it depended on why he was calling but that would be a lie. "I'm always happy to see you and you know it. Why the ego boost?" Jane teased. "Some pretty girl turn you down?"

"There was that one time," Hak recounted as he shook his head. "The one that got away. My mother still brings it up every time she talks to me, you know that?"

"Yes, we keep in touch actually. I may have promised I'd marry you before she died. But as she plans to live forever I might not have to follow through on that, we shall see." Jane pulled a small box out of her pocket. "Okay, this is why you're calling, I know." Hak would probably notice that she had not pinned it to her collar yet though she was in uniform at the moment.

He chuckled, "If anyone will live forever, it will be her." He mock-gasped at the revelation of the box. "What is that? Would could it be? Why are you not wearing it yet? You had me worried that you hadn't gotten it yet and I didn't want to spill the beans. Let me see, let me see."

"Fine, I'll put it on." She resisted the urge to roll her eyes. Taking the pip out of the box she took off one pip and added the other, glancing at him as she did so. "Look better? Does it bring out my eyes?"

"Aye, aye, Commander." Hak beamed proudly. "It looks really, really good on you, Jas. You've earned it."

"Thanks," she smiled slightly. "Just have to get used to it. Is it my imagination or does this one feel a lot heavier?" Technically there wasn't that much more responsibility that came with the new rank, it was the position. "You're going to come rescue me if I start to droop right"

Hak laughed and shook his head. "All that weight is just in your head. You'll get used to it in no time."

"Maybe so." She pulled her hair back and sat up facing him fully. "Were you just checking on me or did you have another reason for calling?" It wasn't as if Jane expected Hak to really tell her what he was up to or anything about his work day.

"Mostly just to see that bling on your collar," Hak's smile lingered for a second. Mostly, he'd said. So there was something else. He drew in a deep breath. She was right to think that he didn't normally talk about his work, so when he did elude to it, it was usually for some noteworthy reason. "So, I'm leaving for an assignment. I don't know how long I'll be unreachable."

"Ah, an ulterior motive. Knew it. Okay," Jane said simply. She absolutely hated saying goodbye, not knowing if someday it might the last time she said it. "Just be careful. And . . . call me when you get back."

"Always," Hak agreed easily. He didn't want to dominate the conversation. "So, what's new on the good ship?"

"We're just about to leave Earth. I need to go meet the Ambassador in the morning, welcome him on board, maybe give him a tour. Then we head out on our first mission with me as Captain . . ." She left a lot unsaid in that last statement. "You are going to wish me luck right? Before you leave?"

"I wish I could be there to tell you in person, before you leave," Hak replied as he folded his arms across his chest.

"Well one of these days you will be." She smiled, knowing the gesture, his frustrated stance that he couldn't just hug her. "Plenty of other missions to send me off on. I should let you go, I know you're busy and I have a new pip to go flash around at people."

Hak grinned. "Yeah, go celebrate with someone. You've earned it. I'll talk to you as soon as I get back to a comm station, scout's honor." He held up three fingers like a Scout's salute. "And." He drew a breath. "Even though you don't need it: Good Luck, Jas." He didn't have to tell her to be careful because he already covered that in his last comm, and he knew she didn't need reminding, but the sentiment was still in his eyes.

Jane put her hand against the screen. "Thanks."

"Until next week, then. Hak out."


Commander Jane Saulitis
Commanding Officer
USS Majestic

"Hak"
Guest Star
PNPC Murphy