Bad News, Bud - Part 1

Posted on Sat Apr 23rd, 2016 @ 1:32am by Lieutenant Commander Daniel Divaro & Captain John Theisman
Edited on on Sat Apr 23rd, 2016 @ 1:44am

1,053 words; about a 5 minute read

Mission: Pathways
Location: Divaro's Quarters
Timeline: Current - After Notice of Impending Doom

ON:

John had walked around and delayed his upcoming meeting with his chief engineer for as long as he could. After finally deciding to just get the conversation over with, John had stopped by his quarters to check in on his wife Mara and grab an item that would most likely be needed before continuing on to Divaro's quarters. Fortunately, the chief engineer's quarters weren't too far from John's, which meant that the walk shouldn't have taken as long as it did. The Hyperion's captain finally found himself outside Divaro's quarters, and with a heavy sigh he reached out and tapped the door chime.

"Oh hell--I hope that's not Karen again..." Daniel muttered when he heard the door chime. "It's open..." he called out.

Hearing Divaro's invitation, John reached out and tapped the door controls, opening the door. Taking a step inside, he stopped. "Commander?" he asked.

When the door opened, it revealed not Karen Walker as he had feared, but Captain Theisman. "Come in..." Divaro said, standing quickly.

"You sound like you were expecting someone else," John said as he glanced around. It was an old habit, one that usually kept him out of trouble and embarrassing situations. Holding up the item he was carrying to reveal a 30 year old bottle of Crown Royal whiskey, real alcohol and not the synthohol crap from the replicator, he frowned. "Got a couple of glasses and a few minutes?" he asked.

"Yes sir..." Daniel said. He quickly grabbed two glasses and returned to his living area. "Have a seat, Captain..." he said, as he dropped back onto the sofa where he had been sitting before. "And no, I wasn't expecting someone else. Actually I was in fear that it was my ACEO. She was here last night and...well, let's just say that things didn't go as she had hoped." He studied his CO for a moment. "What can I do for you?"

John sat down in an armchair and poured two glasses of whiskey before he set the bottle on the table between them. Picking his glass up, he saluted with it. "To the Hyperion, may we never have a dull or boring moment. Do I want to ask what happened last night between you and your ACEO?"

"Well, as you know, Karen and I served together on the Morningstar for six months about ten years ago," he began. "I was married to Velah at the time and it turned out that Karen had a crush on me. Nothing ever came of it and in fact I had forgotten about it until I found out she was here. Anyway, she paid me a visit last night. She expressed an interest in the two of us, as she said 'having a little fun'. When I told her I was not interested because I was dating Lieutenant Val, she stood up, umbuttoned her blouse, and flashed me before buttoning back up and stalking out."

"Well, that makes my next question even more interesting," John said as he took a sip of the whiskey. He waited until Divaro had taken a sip and his glass was no where near to where it could spill or splash. "Lieutenant Commander Velah will be transferring to the Hyperion when we arrive at 171."

"The hell you say!" Divaro exclaimed. "Why is she transferring here?" This could be bad, Daniel realized. This could be EXTREMELY bad. With him dating Elan that could be a problem. Add the fact that Karen Walker was aboard and Velah literally hated her due to the situation ten years before, and things could get nasty indeed.

"That's twice you've said that about your ex wife," John said as he took a sip of his drink. He wondered if all exes were like this. Since Divaro had already been somewhat hostile about his ex wife before, John wondered if he should have brought a stronger drink. "There wasn't anything specific mentioned in the transfer request, but I think part of it has something to do with your daughter. I believe her name was Sassi?"

"I had petitioned for more time with my daughter but I figured Sassi would come here for a while. I never considered that Velah would leave 171 and transfer here." Divaro shook his head slowly. "This is not good..."

"I take it your marriage didn't end too well?" John asked. "I don't mean to pry, but if you want to talk about it, I'll listen."

"That would be an understatement," Daniel said after taking a large sip of his whiskey. "We had been on 171 about four years when I was offered the position of Chief Engineer on the Indianapolis. The position came with a promotion and Velah was definitely not happy about it. She didn't want me shipping out into deep space again, but she finally accepted it and we decided to try to make a long-distance relationship work. Well you know how those usually go, and that's the way ours went. After about a year, she petitioned for a divorce and, figuring to make things easier for her and Sassi, I didn't contest it. In hindsight, maybe I should have. She's been really good about letting me see Sassi when I could, but unfortunately I haven't seen her as much as I should have."

"I see," John said as he finished his whiskey and poured another glass. "Are there any women assigned to this ship that won't have an axe to grind in hopes of taking your head off?"

"I don't think so," Daniel answered. "I think Walker understands that nothing is going to happen between us, and this relationship with Elan seems to be starting off well. As for any other women aboard, the only one I've really met other than the ones in my department is Commander Grey."

"I'll certainly talk to Velah when she comes on board and make sure she understands that I won't tolerate anything hostile between you two," John said as he took a drink. "I understand the situation, but if we're going to all be assigned to this ship for seven years or more, then we'll have to find a way to get along. Without resorting to murder."

To be continued...

OFF:

Captain John Theisman
Commanding Officer
USS Hyperion

LtCommander Daniel Divaro
Chief Engineering Officer
USS Hyperion

 

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