Once Jez made sure that all non-essential personnel had been evacuated, she made her way to the Bridge. When she entered, it was buzzing with activity. Clearly, something was brewing.
“Sorry, I’m late. I had to finish the evacuation of the civilians. A little girl lost her kitten,” Jez announced.
“However, Captain, all non-essential personnel have been safely evacuated,” said Jez.
The mood on the Bridge was tense. You could feel the tension in the air, but it wasn’t the kind of tension born from fear. It was more of a “let’s get this mission underway and do what must be done” type of tension.
Jez quickly took her station and began running the pre-flight security checks. She spotted Commander Talion and Commander Velaul talking, but thanks to Jez being half-Vulcan, she had excellent hearing. She heard Commander Velaul say, “Alex, I believe both of us would feel better if they were together. It would give all of us peace of mind knowing they are looking out for each other.”
Jez knew Beno had to be talking about Talion’s adorable but precocious little Reyna, and Jez assumed Beno was talking about her son Jason. Yes, Alex had his holographic maidens, but she wasn’t sure if they were allowed to operate off the Aquila.
Jez secured her station briefly and made her way within earshot of Alex and Beno. She considered them more than friends because Alex was more than a friend, and she really liked and admired Commander Velaul, especially after Beno had praised Jez’s performance during the recent holodeck evaluations.
“Excuse me. I couldn’t help but overhear your concerns,” said Jez, pushing her hair back over her ears, as if to say, " Yeah, I’m half-Vulcan. Not much gets by me. “If you want, I can ask Ted... I mean, Mike, to keep an eye on Reyna and Jason, if you wish. I’m sure he will be happy to offer any assistance you require, especially after all the wonderful things you two have done for me,” stated Jez, her tone friendly and respectful.
Jez couldn’t help but get the feeling that Alex didn’t like Mike very much, maybe because the two were both stubborn as Targs and saw their own worst qualities in each other. But Jez saw two men who were gallant and noble, handsome and intelligent, and fiercely loyal—like two Cane Corsos from Earth. Jez knew that breed of men and dogs very well.
The more Jez thought about it, the more perfect sense it made. Both Alex and Mike had an unmistakable presence about them. They were protective and watchful by nature, the kind of men who instinctively kept an eye on the people they loved and took their responsibility for family and home very seriously. They carried themselves with confidence and a certain assertiveness that could sometimes come across as dominant or even intimidating, especially when they felt challenged.
Yet with the people they considered their own, that tough exterior could disappear almost completely. They could be deeply affectionate, surprisingly gentle, and almost “Velcro-like,” always wanting to be close to the people they trusted. They were intelligent men who learned quickly, read a room exceptionally well, and needed something to challenge their minds. Without purpose or stimulation, that considerable energy could become restless. Around strangers, however, they tended to be reserved and observant rather than immediately friendly, carefully sizing people up before deciding whether they were worthy of their trust.
That explains a lot, Jez thought. Alex and Mike—fierce guardians without a doubt.
Jez knew that in men who possessed these Cane Corso-like qualities particularly strongly, there was often an even greater sense of physical and social dominance. They tended to occupy space without trying, their size, confidence, and presence making them difficult to overlook. They could be more territorial about the people and places they considered theirs, and they might instinctively test boundaries to determine who was actually in charge. That didn’t necessarily make them aggressive; rather, it meant they required a strong sense of direction, clear boundaries, and someone they respected enough to follow. Beneath all that muscle, confidence, and intimidating presence, though, could be an incredibly loyal and affectionate man who simply wanted to know that his people were safe. Once he had decided that you were one of his people, he might stay remarkably close to you, watching over you with the quiet devotion of a very large, very powerful dog who had decided you belonged to him.
Jez stood waiting for the commanders to reply to her offer. She couldn’t help but smile as she looked at Alex.
Great, Jez. You have two hyper-protective alpha males in your life; what more could a girl ask for?
Jez could just picture Alex and Mike destroying Devyyn, but she could also picture both of them rocking a baby to sleep and making goofy noises, saying things like, “Who’s a widdle baby? Yes you are! Yes you are!” Or, “Goo-goo, ga-ga! Who’s my handsome little baby?”
Devyyn Ukinix will get his, thought Jez, but for now, you have a mission to focus on.
As she waited, Jez couldn’t help but wonder what this new mission was. It certainly must be dangerous if all the civilians had to be removed, unless it was a rescue mission and they needed room for refugees. Jez tried to recall if there were any Security Bulletins about political hotspots that might have erupted into an aggressive situation.
== Tag Talion & Velaul. ==
“Sorry, I’m late. I had to finish the evacuation of the civilians. A little girl lost her kitten,” Jez announced.
“However, Captain, all non-essential personnel have been safely evacuated,” said Jez.
The mood on the Bridge was tense. You could feel the tension in the air, but it wasn’t the kind of tension born from fear. It was more of a “let’s get this mission underway and do what must be done” type of tension.
Jez quickly took her station and began running the pre-flight security checks. She spotted Commander Talion and Commander Velaul talking, but thanks to Jez being half-Vulcan, she had excellent hearing. She heard Commander Velaul say, “Alex, I believe both of us would feel better if they were together. It would give all of us peace of mind knowing they are looking out for each other.”
Jez knew Beno had to be talking about Talion’s adorable but precocious little Reyna, and Jez assumed Beno was talking about her son Jason. Yes, Alex had his holographic maidens, but she wasn’t sure if they were allowed to operate off the Aquila.
Jez secured her station briefly and made her way within earshot of Alex and Beno. She considered them more than friends because Alex was more than a friend, and she really liked and admired Commander Velaul, especially after Beno had praised Jez’s performance during the recent holodeck evaluations.
“Excuse me. I couldn’t help but overhear your concerns,” said Jez, pushing her hair back over her ears, as if to say, " Yeah, I’m half-Vulcan. Not much gets by me. “If you want, I can ask Ted... I mean, Mike, to keep an eye on Reyna and Jason, if you wish. I’m sure he will be happy to offer any assistance you require, especially after all the wonderful things you two have done for me,” stated Jez, her tone friendly and respectful.
Jez couldn’t help but get the feeling that Alex didn’t like Mike very much, maybe because the two were both stubborn as Targs and saw their own worst qualities in each other. But Jez saw two men who were gallant and noble, handsome and intelligent, and fiercely loyal—like two Cane Corsos from Earth. Jez knew that breed of men and dogs very well.
The more Jez thought about it, the more perfect sense it made. Both Alex and Mike had an unmistakable presence about them. They were protective and watchful by nature, the kind of men who instinctively kept an eye on the people they loved and took their responsibility for family and home very seriously. They carried themselves with confidence and a certain assertiveness that could sometimes come across as dominant or even intimidating, especially when they felt challenged.
Yet with the people they considered their own, that tough exterior could disappear almost completely. They could be deeply affectionate, surprisingly gentle, and almost “Velcro-like,” always wanting to be close to the people they trusted. They were intelligent men who learned quickly, read a room exceptionally well, and needed something to challenge their minds. Without purpose or stimulation, that considerable energy could become restless. Around strangers, however, they tended to be reserved and observant rather than immediately friendly, carefully sizing people up before deciding whether they were worthy of their trust.
That explains a lot, Jez thought. Alex and Mike—fierce guardians without a doubt.
Jez knew that in men who possessed these Cane Corso-like qualities particularly strongly, there was often an even greater sense of physical and social dominance. They tended to occupy space without trying, their size, confidence, and presence making them difficult to overlook. They could be more territorial about the people and places they considered theirs, and they might instinctively test boundaries to determine who was actually in charge. That didn’t necessarily make them aggressive; rather, it meant they required a strong sense of direction, clear boundaries, and someone they respected enough to follow. Beneath all that muscle, confidence, and intimidating presence, though, could be an incredibly loyal and affectionate man who simply wanted to know that his people were safe. Once he had decided that you were one of his people, he might stay remarkably close to you, watching over you with the quiet devotion of a very large, very powerful dog who had decided you belonged to him.
Jez stood waiting for the commanders to reply to her offer. She couldn’t help but smile as she looked at Alex.
Great, Jez. You have two hyper-protective alpha males in your life; what more could a girl ask for?
Jez could just picture Alex and Mike destroying Devyyn, but she could also picture both of them rocking a baby to sleep and making goofy noises, saying things like, “Who’s a widdle baby? Yes you are! Yes you are!” Or, “Goo-goo, ga-ga! Who’s my handsome little baby?”
Devyyn Ukinix will get his, thought Jez, but for now, you have a mission to focus on.
As she waited, Jez couldn’t help but wonder what this new mission was. It certainly must be dangerous if all the civilians had to be removed, unless it was a rescue mission and they needed room for refugees. Jez tried to recall if there were any Security Bulletins about political hotspots that might have erupted into an aggressive situation.
== Tag Talion & Velaul. ==