Little Friend

Posted on Sun Jul 28th, 2024 @ 8:05am by Ensign Ilan Ocara & Private 1st Class Cedrik Feng & Ensign Mika Petrova

Mission: S1 Episode 8: Resolutions
Location: Gamma Eridine II
Timeline: Date 2371-12-27 at 1315
4148 words - 8.3 OF Standard Post Measure

ON

After two and a half months on Gamma Eridine II, things were finally starting to feel somewhat normal. The pain of loss that everyone had been feeling had become obviously less sharp, and an almost content routine had taken form. Some people had given up on ever getting off the planet, but Mika wasn’t one of them.

She spent her days working long hours to find a cure, but sometimes it seemed to her that their little science team wasn’t getting any closer. She refused to give in, and a certain fire had been stoked in her that no one would have known was there. She focused her beautiful brown eyes on the samples in the microscope and then groaned. Looking quickly at the other women in the room, she grabbed her denim jacket and pulled it on over her yellow tank top.

“I’m going to step out and get some air.” She said, and then walked out of the research building and onto the soft grass of the clearing without another word.

The weather had been changing in the last few weeks and rain had been more frequent than before. The temperature had only dropped a few degrees, however, and it was still quite comfortable with a light jacket. Mika leaned against the building and closed her eyes, ignoring the other colonists milling about and doing their various jobs.

“You okay?” Ilan asked a moment later after following Mika out. Ilan hadn’t given up on finding a cure either, but she had not allowed the process to more or less completely consume her as Mika had. She had explored the surrounding area, relaxed, pursued other hobbies, and even learned a few new skills while being stuck in this place. Her biggest irritation really stemmed from lack of variety in her sex life, but she’d been dealing. She had been the one most consistent in working with Mika on finding the cure during the past months, and they had become friendly enough with each other despite their differences in philosophy.

“I’m fine, I’m just fighting off discouragement again.” Mika answered to Ilan with a frown. She had enjoyed getting to know the scientist better, and though they were quite different in their personalities, she had been a tremendous help in their mission. “It feels like we’re not getting anywhere.”

“Yeah, I understand.” Ilan agreed and moved to stand by Mika while looking out at the forest surrounding them. It was a beautiful place, but it was often hard to see the beauty in what surrounded them because of their circumstances. Maybe in time, but certainly not now. “We have though; we did soundly rule out that this is fungal or bacterial.”

“That’s true. At least there’s that, and it only took us almost three months of collective work.” Mika said, her tone gentle, but clearly depressed. She looked at the trees and admired the way the light shined through them for a moment. “I don’t know what to do next, Ilan.”

Ilan frowned. She didn’t really know either. “Well, we just need to keep hoping we catch the right bug in one of the traps at this point. I’m starting to think we should use human blood as bait.”

She chuckled, not really even joking anymore. “Why don’t we go take a walk down by the river?”

Mika smiled at the suggestion to use the substance the insects seemed to love so much and nodded.

“That sounds really nice, actually.” She said, and the two women started off together toward a well-walked gap in the tree line. “I go down there about seven times a day at this point.”

“Half of those to meet your boyfriend.” Ilan teased harmlessly. She knew better than to get too raunchy with Mika now, she had done it once, and the girl had reacted like she wanted to melt into the floor, so Ilan tamed her humor significantly for Mika’s benefit.

“We don’t meet in private, Ilan. That’s how mistakes happen.” Mika said with a smile. “That doesn’t mean I haven’t happened upon him a few times when fortune put us both down there.”

“Fortune, right.” Ilan grinned and shook her head. “You definitely don’t go down there seven times a day just to help fortune out.”

They walked down the now well maintained path toward the water and Ilan gave a soft, satisfied sigh as they came into view of the river. “We are really lucky this turned out to be fresh water.”

“It’s nice, and better than coming up with a desalination system.” Mika said with a grin. Her eyes turned to Ilan as they came to a stop by the lazy river. “So, when are you and Corvin getting married?”

“Gross. I’m not the marrying type.” Ilan smirked and shook her head. “Never really had an interest. Maybe in the future, or maybe not considering… well…” She waved her hands out in front of her indicating the general area as a metaphor for their predicament.

“Still, I’ve seen a few men looking at you. Will too. He’s handsome, at least.” Mika said, not pushing the marriage issue. She was hardly worried about that. “Some might say our only chance of surviving is to start having babies. And considering our contraceptive just ran out, it’s only a matter of time really with all those visits, isn’t it?”

Mika had made a concerted effort to meet Ilan half way, and though she had no aptitude for dirty jokes, she wanted to try to speak as brazenly as her companion often did. Sometimes it came off as sharp and a bit judgemental from her mouth. At first she didn’t hear it, but she was starting to be able to tell.

“Not that That’s bad…do what you want.”

“I mean, I have plenty left. That’s where my rations go to.” Ilan chuckled and shook her head. “I don’t know, Mika. I couldn’t imagine having babies here. It would be cruel, so I won’t have them.”

“Can life be cruel?” Mika asked as she watched a fluttering school of fish move in the river in front of them. Her eyes indicated she was pensive and lost in the natural beauty around her as well as the idea Ilan had presented. “I always thought that life was wonderful.”

“It can be cruel, it can be wonderful. What kind of life would a child have here though? They would be just as trapped as we are and they’d have to watch us waste away and die then do the same themselves. If we don’t get out of here, there’s no point in having babies - it would just be selfish.” Ilan shrugged, looking down at the fish.

“People always watch their parents die. And that’s better than the alternative.” Mika said, but shook her head. “It doesn't matter anyway. We’re getting out of here as soon as we find a cure.”

“Of course they do, that’s not really the bad part. It would be that in the end they too die alone here. Eventually just one person would be left, and I could not imagine how soul crushing it would be to be alone here surrounded by memories and the dead.” Ilan sighed and rubbed her face. “But yeah, we are going to get the fuck out of here, then you and Cedrik can have a little army of babies like I’m sure you’d love to have.”

“Every doctor’s dream.” Mika said ironically, but clearly didn’t mean much by the response. She disagreed with Ilan, she was fairly certain, and had a feeling life was good even when it wasn’t fun. Yet, still, she wouldn’t want her child to be left all alone.

“I don’t know about that, but you definitely seem like the type who wants a big family.” Ilan noted and looked over to Mika. “Am I wrong?”

Mika lifted her brow, but silence was her only response for a few seconds. Eventually, however, she shrugged.

“Life was easier when nobody asked me what I wanted. I was happier then.” she remarked with a shrug. “And I wasn’t stuck on a lovely planet in the Delta Quadrant. In other words, I have no idea really. It seems like what I should do…I’d be good at it.”

“Who cares what you should do, really? Do what you want to do, Mika. You’re in charge of your own life, you know.” Ilan sighed. “If you don’t want to be a mom, then don’t be one. There are plenty of men out there who have no interest in being fathers - if you even want a man. Maybe you want a woman or maybe you don’t want any of it at all. There’s nothing wrong with any of that.”

“I don’t think I’d like a world where everyone behaved that way.” Mika said, pensively. “People have told me that for the last five years…and maybe its good advice for some people.”

She leaned down and put her hand in the cool water, allowing it to flow over her hand with a sigh.

“We all have responsibilities to one another. We all owe the Empire something. I think we do ourselves and everyone we love a disservice by only thinking to do whatever we want.”

“Then do what you’re supposed to and try to find happiness in it. No one is going to stop you either way, but I find people who do things they actively don’t want to do just because they are supposed to end up being the most miserable people and they inevitably pass that same misery on to future generations.” Ilan watched Mika and shrugged. “I know it’s different for you nobles, though. I think being a miserable, sad sack about life is more of a disservice to others.”

Mika looked at Ilan, her hand still in the water.

“Do I seem miserable to you?” she asked, seeming almost worried about the concept.

“Not yet.” Ilan smiled in a strange but kind way, “You haven’t made the decision of if you’re going to do what you’re told, or if you’re going to do what you want yet, though.” She looked away and back out into the woods.

“It doesn’t have to be all or nothing you know, you can choose some things you want, some things you should. We live in a world of grey.”

“What is truth?” Mika said under her breath, and then stood. She looked at Ilan and shook her head. “Just something I heard as a kid.”

A tussling of the trees produced the impression some animal was nearby. On any other world that would have been a surprise, but on Gamma Eridine II, animals large enough to rustle the trees was a rarity.

“What was that?” Mika asked, and looked in that direction. “Who’s there?”

Ilan frowned and righted herself, looking in the direction of the sound, but unlike Mika was certainly used to, she made no move to protect the other young woman. She looked into the trees with her above average vision, and then relaxed as she saw what it was. “It’s one of those monkeys.”

Mika angled her body and squinted until she could see the creature. It sat in the shade of a tree staring at them.

“Remember what we said..those cute little creatures have to have a way of combating the virus.”

“Yeah I remember. They are also basically impossible to catch alive and they haven’t been any use to us dead for whatever reason.” Ilan pointed out while watching the animal carefully from where they were standing.

“We could try and tag it so that we can use the transporter on the shuttle to get it later.” Mika said. “Do you have anything on you that gives off a signal?”

“Uhhh yeah I still have my commbadge.” Ilan said and put her hand in her pocket to produce the device. “How do you propose we even get near it though to do that?”

“We could stun it… but that seems so mean, and it’s so adorable.” Mika said, frowning sadly as she thought.

“Too adorable to try and find a cure?” Ilan challenged mildly and turned her head to look at Mika finally.

Mika actively pouted at the prompting. She loved animals more than the next Terran, but she knew Ilan was right.

“Okay, but just one problem: I didn’t bring a phaser.”

“Well neither did I. Why don’t you go back and get one and I’ll stay here and watch the little biter to make sure it doesn’t run off.” Ilan prompted and ignored Mika’s pouting.

“What are you going to do if he runs?” Mika asked, confused how Ilan thought her plan was actually going to work.

“I’ll follow it or something. Look, you’re wasting time, go get a phaser.” Ilan pressed a bit more tersely.

“Fine.” Mika said with a sigh and then started quickly back the way she had come with a sprint.

Back at the camp, it was Cedrik who found himself in the main armory doing checks on the weapons. They were checked way more often than necessary, but it was good busy work for when one of the men was feeling a bit adrift or unsure of what to do with himself. Everything was neatly laid out on the tables and he was focusing on the rifles, humming a bit to himself as his skilled hands moved over the components and started piecing everything back together again.

The door opened and Mika jogged in, slightly out of breath. She slowed when she saw someone was in there and smiled immediately when she saw it was Cedrik.

“Cedrik, quick! I need a phaser!”

“Mika? What’s going on?” Cedrik frowned and immediately put what he was doing down to go to her. He placed his strong hands on her shoulders. “What’s wrong? Why do you need a phaser?”

“We found another one of those primates and we need to stun it to bring it back with us.” Mika said, realizing as she said it that they won’t actually need to put a combadge on it if they could successfully shoot the poor creature. “I know, it sounds awful, but we think it can help us find a cure.”

Cedrik looked dubious to say the least, but after a beat he nodded and reached out to pick up one of the phasers. “Best let me come with you. I imagine I’m a bit of a better shot than you are given my job.”

“Okay.” She said, sweetly smiling and grabbing his hand. She showed no sign of being offended by the offer, and every sign that she was very happy to have him come along. “But we have to hurry. It’s down by the river.”

Cedrik returned her smile and allowed her to lead the way without any protest and easily kept up with her. “So did it just appear or were you looking for it?”

“We were taking a break from our research and talking as usual, and we heard a tussling in the trees.” Mika answered as they ran together. Her eyes moved to his fit body as he moved beside her. “Did they have you polishing guns again?”

“I volunteered.” He replied and glanced over at her, but wisely kept his eyes forward and off of her bouncing assets. As they drew closer, he slowed down. “Who were you with down here?”

“Just Ilan.” Mika answered as they cleared the trees and approached the river. “Ilan?” She called out, looking for the dark-haired scientist.

“Over here.” Ilan called, having moved about fifteen yards away from where Mika had left her last. “It’s still there in the trees. It’s having a snack.”

“I brought a marksman.” Mika said with a smile as they closed the distance to Ilan. She looked at the monkey and smiled. “Gods, I just want to keep it in my room with me.”

“It would probably tear your face off. Most primates are vicious.” Ilan pointed out and stood up, glancing at Mika and then at Cedrik. “Hey, Ced.”

“Hey.” He greeted Ilan easily then looked out to the tree to try and get his eyes on their prey. “So you just want me to stun it right?”

“Well our little monkey friend is so cute, he can do whatever he wants.” Mika said in a baby voice, joking, but then seemed immediately ashamed of herself. She turned to Cedrik, her eyes cast down. “We need it alive, Cedrik, so yes just stun him, please.”

Ilan side-eyed Mika when she used the baby voice and wondered if the girl was seriously trying to deny she didn’t actively want to play mommy to an army of babies herself.

“No problem.” Cedrik nodded, self assured, and lifted the phaser. He took aim, fired, and the monkey fell from the tree on the other side of the river immediately after.

“Look at you, good job.” Ilan grinned and thumped him on the back.

Mika watched as Cedrik leveled the weapon and shot the monkey at a distance. As sad as it was, and as much as she frowned, she found herself reaching out and grabbing his other strong arm.

“Wow, impressive.” She said, looking at him and almost smiling, meekly.

“Thanks.” Cedrik grinned, looking at Ilan first though only briefly but his dark eyes settled on Mika and lingered there. “He’ll be alright, he’s just stunned and I turned off the agonizer setting so he didn’t really feel much.”

Mika gave his arm a squeeze before turning her gaze to Ilan.

“Let’s go get him.”

The two women walked together past the first three, their eyes focused on the monkey observantly.

“Hey woah wait a second.” Cedrik blinked and reached out to grab each by the shoulder. “Why don’t you let me go get the thing. You two don’t need to be crossing the river.”

Mika smiled again and blushed at his touch. Regardless of whatever Ilan did, she stopped walking and looked to him, her gaze much more unmixed both in its affection and longing.

“Okay..” she said sweetly, the capable Starfleet officer in her vanished under the happily compliant woman.

“Whatever.” Ilan shrugged and crossed her arms. She didn’t seem thrilled about it, but for whatever reason she agreed - maybe she was just letting Cedrik play the gallant role for his girlfriend. When Cedrik handed her the phaser, she took it in her hand and then immediately folded her arms again.

Cedrik carefully moved down the bank into the water. He was tall enough that he didn’t really have to swim at all until he hit the middle of the water where it was finally up near his shoulders. He moved easily given the current wasn’t too bad where they were and only moved about six feet away from where he had been aiming on the opposite bank. He pulled himself out of the water, collected the monkey, and headed back.

“Hope it doesn’t tear his face off.” Ilan joked.

“That’s not going to happen because he stunned it.” Mika said in a hurt voice, clearly missing that it had been a joke and then looking on worried as Cedrik returned.

“You never know with things. It could wear off quick.” Ilan pointed out, this time less joking in the face of facts. She watched intently as Cedrik moved through the water with a bit more difficulty now given his arms were full, but he eventually hauled himself back up on their side of the river and walked back up the banks toward the two women with the creature in his arms.

“So where do you want this?”

“Come on. There’s a cage in the lab waiting for him.” Mika said, placing a hand on Cedrik’s wet arm and starting them toward the path again. “And be careful with him. We don’t know how long he’s going to be out.”

“Yeah, sure.” Cedrik nodded and followed Mika along since she knew where she was going. “Now you be careful handling this though. These things are stronger than they look and I don’t want you to get hurt.”

“I’ll be careful.” Mika said, knowing that they wouldn’t have a problem keeping the creature under control. “We should be able to get our samples without being in danger of getting hurt.”

“Mm… yeah well just be careful. If you need help you can come find me and ask, alright?” He pressed Mika slightly as they walked.

Ilan wandered behind them, a mildly amused expression on her face; but she said nothing.

Mika arranged herself so that her fingers could easily remain in his arm as they walked. She nearly melted into his side, but they were busy walking and such a thing would probably make one of them fall. As they came into the science building through the lab entrance, Luna and Riley looked up from their work stations.

“What is that?” Riley asked, her large eyes growing larger at the sight of something furry in Cedrik’s arms.

“One of the monkeys.” Ilan supplied as they got closer. “We were finally able to catch one so we can keep working on the cure and explore some new avenues.”

“Is it dead?” Riley asked, looking flabbergasted at the animal as it was placed inside the cage and the door was closed behind it. “It looks dead.”

“It’s passed out, shit for brains.” Luna said, rolling her eyes on the other side of the room.

“Just the way you like your boyfriends, Luna.” Ilan quipped easily and gave a teasing wink to the other woman.

Cedrik ignored the hens and walked over to the cage, putting the creature inside once Mika had opened it for him. He took a step back then and folded his arms. “Well, need anything else?”

“She needs a good fuck, Cedrik. Your girlfriend is far too high strung about our work.” Luna said, looking at Cedrik with a joking tone but no smile. “When are you going to be a man and show our little Mika the face of the gods?”

Riley giggled, seeming unbothered by the insult earlier, and her hand went to her mouth. Mika blushed, wide eyed, and looked at Luna in disbelief.

Cedrik didn’t even look over at Luna when she spoke and was clearly unbothered. He found women who were that uncouth and blatant about such things to be extremely unattractive. He wasn’t a prude, but he appreciated subtlety. His complete focus remained on Mika, and his intense dark eyes rested on her beautiful face.

“Mika?” He prompted her with gentleness.

Mika spent a lot of time with these girls, so very little of what happened in that room surprised her. Still blushing, she threw her arms over Cedrik’s shoulders and leaned up to kiss his chin. Smiling at him, she shook her head.

“That’s it. Thank you for all your help. Go polish your weapons.”

Cedrik wrapped one strong arm around her body and pulled her close, then kissed her forehead sweetly. He held her for just a moment, then let her go. “Just call if you need any more help.”

With that, he turned and left without another word and only the briefest of nods to Ilan likely because she had been involved in their little project and nothing more.

Mika watched as he left, still smiling, and when the door was closed behind him, she turned to Luna and shook her head.

“I should inject you with some other incurable disease for that.”

“Girl, I was only speaking up for you. I know you have needs, and you look at him like he’s made of diamond.” Luna said, stepping up to the cage. “We should start with a blood sample.“

“Careful, Luna. It might eat your face off.” Ilan half-cautioned with a smirk. She stretched a bit and rolled her shoulders. “Well, ladies. Back to work for us then, hm?”

“He couldn’t touch me. Too quick.” Luna said, and turned back to her station. Ilan, Mika, and Riley did the same. Actually getting their hands on this primate could break a breakthrough that could save them from this planet.

END