Fireblossoms: Depart With Honour and Lead With Grace (Part II)

Posted on Mon Mar 31st, 2025 @ 9:50am by Commander Grace Vetur & Lieutenant Percival Bálor Ph.D
Edited on on Mon Mar 31st, 2025 @ 9:53am

1,442 words; about a 7 minute read

Mission: Standing By
Location: USS Ontario | Deck 02 | Captain's Dining Room

[PREVIOUSLY]

"Unfortunately, I can't say I have as much confidence in Doctor Marcus as you do, but I won't assassinate the man's character," Percy countered. "I don't intend to unsettle you or anyone. Sometimes people disagree on a lot of things, but find common ground in other matters. Respect, Captain. Counselor Rose is the Ship's Chief Counselor, going to LuAnn or anyone else would have been expected of me, to belittle her yet again."

[CONTINUED]

Percy shook his head. "I do not want this war...this 'bickering siblings' sort of conflict to be what defines me. If I need to stop and think about her feelings in order to resolve this then that's what I need to do. Apologizing and peace offerings never got me anywhere with her. She cleared me for duty, but clearly something is wrong with me. I broke during that away mission, not to the extent where I felt I was irrational or a danger to anyone. If anything, I think relieving myself of command was a prudent course of action, but still... I should have been able to push everything aside and lead. I couldn't."

Grace considered his words for a long moment. "I am not saying you're wrong, and I'm not saying that any of this is your fault. But from what I've observed, Amanda tends to fall for men a little too easily. She fell for Captain Michaels when he asked her out--or before, I haven't asked. As you are aware, the captain flirted with half the female crew and went out with any woman who would say yes. I was one of them, but I knew of his--predilections. I told him I wasn't going to rush into any sort of relationship. He didn't like it, and tried several times to encourage me to change my mind. I did not and I would not. I also thought that if he was focusing his attention on me, he would leave the other women alone. Unfortunately, Amanda believes I stole him from her." She and the counselor would have to have a talk about that at some point. "She also went out with Yiv before the two of you became a couple, and believes you stole him from her as well. Time may persuade her otherwise, but right now, she sees us both as the villains who have prevented her from finding true love. She is very good at her job, which is why she's still here. But she does have her issues, as do we all."

If Grace were honest, she wasn't sure she and Amanda would ever be friends, but friendship wasn't necessary to work with someone. And, in spite of his tendency to go hog wild with his plants, she did consider Percy a friend, and so felt he deserved to know some of what went into Amanda's dislike of him. "As for the doctor, I don't know him well, but I do know that he is an excellent diagnostician and he knows the regulations." Even if he was a curmudgeon. "The Ontario seems to be a harbor for misfits." She sighed, not sure she was making her point, or if she lost it along the way. "Suffice it to say, they are both good at their jobs, but not the best when it comes to people skills. As are you and I. So, look at their behavior with that in mind. It will help you take any harshness less personally. And it will better inform your choices."

She paused for a moment before continuing. "I can't tell you what you need to do, but I will say that I will miss you if you leave. You've grown a lot in recent months. Everyone faces times when they need to step back. You recognized that and you turned the team over to another scientist. I don't fault you for that. However, if you do need to take a mental health break, I will support you in your decision."

"Believe me, I know where Amanda's dislike of me stemmed from as well as her dislike of you. Her heart is fragile and she gives it too easily and willingly. I'm not sure she could separate dating from relationship. Nevertheless, I have done my best to let bygones be bygones. I asked Yiv to marry me and I asked Amanda to be... I think I asked her to be my best man."

Percy knew all of this must have seemed so sudden and completely bonkers. "I do not know what Amanda will decide, but Yivliph Ra-Gruvloveii did say yes to me, and I have a lot of planning to do when I return from this leave of absence if you'd have me back, but one thing I really wanted to ask you Grace is would you please walk me down the aisle? I know it's not exactly traditional, but I'm unorthodox."

She stood and hugged him. "Of course I will. I'm happy for both of you. Congratulations." It was the best news after finding only one scientist alive--and it would help raise morale. "We can throw a ship-wide party either for your betrothal or to celebrate your wedding."

"Thank you, Captain," he said reaching for one of the hyposprays and pressing it gently against his flesh. The small hiss of the device releasing the contents soon to be entering his bloodstream. "I was carefully thorough. I may be a bit of a mad scientist, but I was not going to risk either of our lives. This Klingon tea ceremony will be as safe as can be once this kicks in."

Percy smiled. "I hope you have some good poetry to share. This food looks wonderful, the company is top notch, and alien bears aren't trying to rip through a shuttle."

"Nothing Klingon, I'm afraid. Most of the poetry I have revolves around nature. I've become quite fond of several ancient Terran poets. So, if that is acceptable, then I'm ready to feast on good food and good poetry--and celebrate your good fortune."

"Believe me, I don't want to even attempt Klingon. It's a beautiful language that I would absolutely butcher in my attempts. Just don't forget to hypo yourself before drinking the tea, otherwise Doctor Marcus will be very cross with me" stated Percy. Already would be knowing I cooked up a toxic tea and an antidote Percy noted to himself.

"Doctor Marcus is cross about many things, but he would definitely not like this." Fortunately, he didn't have to know. Grace never went along with one of Percy's schemes--until now. But this was a special occasion for him and hopefully a catharsis. Still, she hoped he was right. She injected herself with the hypospray and held up her glass to toast the happy groom. "May you and Yiv have a happy and prosperous life together."

Percy smiled and looked charmingly at Grace. He would recite a stanza from a poem by his namesake.
"The fountains mingle with the river
And the rivers with the ocean,
The winds of heaven mix for ever
With a sweet emotion;
Nothing in the world is single;
All things by a law divine
In one spirit meet and mingle.
Why not I with thine?"

"I have not read much Shelley. That was lovely. I will add Shakespeare to that. Sonnet 116, in honor of you and Yiv.

Let me not to the marriage of true minds
Admit impediments. Love is not love
Which alters when it alteration finds,
Or bends with the remover to remove:
O, no! it is an ever-fixed mark,
That looks on tempests and is never shaken;
It is the star to every wandering bark,
Whose worth’s unknown, although his height be taken.
Love’s not Time’s fool, though rosy lips and cheeks
Within his bending sickle’s compass come;
Love alters not with his brief hours and weeks,
But bears it out even to the edge of doom.
If this be error and upon me proved,
I never writ, nor no man ever loved."

"Beautiful," Percy commented as he poured them both and cup of tea that he had made. Toxic to most non-Klingons, but both had taken an antidote for precaution. Percy raised his tea cup "To the Ontario and her brave crew" he toasted.

"To the Ontario and her crew," Grace echoed, raising her cup. Then she took a sip and paused at the...interesting flavor. Well, at least she could say that she'd tried Fireblossom tea. Once.

A Post By

Lieutenant Percival Bálor
Chief Science Officer
USS Ontario

Commander Grace Vetur
Commanding Officer
USS Ontario

 

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