Mind the Console

Posted on Tue Jul 1, 2025 @ 12:37am by Lieutenant Liam Blackwood & Lieutenant JG Jali Andloch
Edited on on Tue Jul 1, 2025 @ 12:56am

1,502 words; about a 8 minute read

Mission: Time After Time
Location: DS5 - Off Limits Science Lab
Timeline: MD09 Evening

Liam had only been aboard Deep Space Five for a few hours when everything changed. What was supposed to be a straightforward assignment as Assistant Chief Science Officer quickly shifted—thanks to the recent chaos on the station—into a full promotion. Now, as the new Chief Science Officer, he found himself trying to play catch-up in a role he hadn’t expected so soon.

Determined to get up to speed, Liam had been making his rounds through the station’s science facilities, checking on labs, inventories, and equipment under his jurisdiction. He approached one of the labs he hadn’t yet visited—its door locked behind a security code. He keyed in his authorization, but the panel flashed red. Denied.

Odd. But then he noticed the door was slightly ajar likely left that way during the recent turmoil, and the repair teams hadn’t gotten around to it yet.

"Well... when in doubt." He muttered under his breath, and slipped through the narrow opening.

What Liam didn’t realize, however, was that forcing entry however subtle triggered a silent alarm. Somewhere else on the station, security had just been notified.

She was on patrol, Jali getting to know the station and her assigned area was on Deck 61. When the alarm sounded, Jali answered the call." I am near there, deactivate the alarm, Andloch out."

Arriving at the area where the alarm was heard, Jali motioned for her team to stay back as she took lead. She opened the door just a little bit further, quietly entering. There was the taint of air of a room not been used, then there was the fresh scent of someone, having entered. Her approach was soft, Jali glancing from left to right, at the moment she didn't want the others with their varied scents to cloud the air. And following her nose.

Liam lay on his back beneath the open console, a dim wash of emergency lighting barely illuminating the room. He’d tried to get the overheads working when he first slipped in, but the system was dead....like most of the lab. He muttered something under his breath as he adjusted a power coupling. He gave the side of the console a light tap...not exactly regulation procedure, but sometimes a bit of coaxing went a long way.

“Come on… just give me something.” He said, half to the console, half to himself.

Stepping around the corner to where the scent was stronger, a scent that Jali liked something earthy with some spice to it. There she saw a pair of legs with someone half inside a console. She tapped one of the boots with her own boot. "Hey what're you doing? Come out of there, slowly." Jali stepping back her phaser being set on stun, just in case.

Liam hadn’t expected anyone else in the lab, so the sudden voice caught him completely off guard. He jerked upright on reflex, only to slam his forehead into the underside of the console with a solid thud. "Ow.....dammit." He muttered, wincing as he clutched his head and scooted out from under the console.

Jali was struck by the man's looks, he was rather handsome, and had those eyes of blue. Mentally she shook her head getting herself to focus. "Who are you? And what are you doing here?" having a slight growl to her voice, punctuated by her light Russian accent.

Liam stayed there for a moment, one hand pressed to his forehead as he let the sting fade and gathered what was left of his dignity. “Okay… that could’ve gone smoother.” He muttered, more to himself than anyone else.

He took a steadying breath, then looked up at the woman now standing over him. “Lieutenant Liam Blackwood.” He said. “Chief Science Officer.”

He extended a hand toward her with a faint, self-deprecating smile. “Mind giving me a hand up before I embarrass myself any further?”

Lieutenant? Jali was quick to put away her phaser and extended her hand to Liam, pulling him up. "I am sorry for startling you, there had been an alarm that was triggered. Come have a seat and I'll look at your wound." guiding Liam to a nearby chair. She spotted a medkit upon the wall and went to retrieve it. She also called her team to head on there way, "Its a malfunction, of the alarm nothing to worry about." her team nodding and went their way. "Now lets have a look." Jali opening up the kit, and getting a good look at where his head banged against the console.

Liam blinked up at her, still rubbing the spot on his forehead. "I’m fine, really....just a bump." He started to say, but as Jali firmly guided him toward the chair, he gave in with a quiet sigh.

"Alright, alright… sitting." He muttered, easing into the seat. He glanced up at her as she moved for the medkit, catching the distinctive mix of features in her expression. "Mind if I ask your name?"

"I am Lieutenant Jali Andloch, of Security. I am newly arrived." finding the hypospray to take away the pain, Jali then retrieved the dermal regenerator to tend to the bump. She was efficient in tending to his wound, "Once again I am sorry to have startled you." a small smile appearing. "With what has happened on this station, one can't be too careful."

Liam gave a slight nod as she worked, the tension in his shoulders easing as the hypospray took effect.

"Lieutenant Andloch." He repeated, committing the name to memory. "Well, that makes two of us who are new. I guess this place likes to throw people in the deep end fast." He smiled. "No hard feelings. Honestly, it’s good to know someone’s paying attention."

Jali finished the healing and put away the medkit, marking it down to have it get resupplied, there were some empty slots. "Yes, I've had that happen before. On the last station I served on. I was Assistant Chief of Security. Here though, I am doing something I like, and that is being an investigation officer, no extra paperwork."

A pause as Jali looked around at the Science department, then back to Liam. "I probably should be going, I have more ground to cover, but-do you want to have dinner after shift is over? I'd like to make it up to you for my causing you to bang your head."

Liam rubbed the now healed spot on his forehead, already feeling better. The invite to dinner caught him off guard, but he wasn’t about to turn it down. Another solo meal wasn’t exactly appealing… and she wasn’t hard to look at, either.

He smiled and nodded. "Sure, dinner sounds good. You pick the place, and I’ll show up a little less dusty."

A smile from Jali as she gave a nod. "I do have a place that I found. Do you like steak and seafood?" she was in the mood for steak then again when was she not in the mood for that. "And I will be wearing civilian clothing." feeling it was necessary to mention that.

"Steak and seafood sound great." He said with a nod. For a brief second, he considered messing with her....pretending he was vegetarian just to see her reaction but decided against it. Probably not the best move when they’d just met. Instead, he smiled and added. "Civilian clothing it is."

"It is called the Glamdring, sort of a Tolkien name for a sword. I found the atmosphere pleasing and comfortable. Nothing black tie or formal wear." Jali smiled, pleased that she'd have someone to share a meal with, in this brandnew place. She wasn't in the mood to go eat with K'doc and Khylara.

Liam raised an eyebrow in pleasant surprise at the mention of the restaurant’s name. "Glamdring? Now that’s a deep cut. I’m definitely intrigued." He said, clearly familiar with Tolkien’s work. The idea of sharing a meal with someone new in a place with that kind of name made the prospect even more appealing. "What time should I meet you?"

"1900, I'll be there waiting outside, so we can go inside together." Jali was thrilled about this, and could hardly wait for dinner tonight. His eyes reminded her of the blue sky in Mongolia, when she went riding horses upon the tundra. "I will see you then." turning around to head out of Science. Eager to get her shift finished. She paused at the door, to look back at Liam, feeling her heart flutter. Gosh he was so handsome!

Liam nodded, and smiled.. “1900 it is. I’ll be there.” He said, watching her with quiet amusement as she turned to go.He caught the glance she tossed back at him and gave a small wave.

Lieutenant Liam Blackwood
Chief Science Officer
Deep Space Five

LTjg Jali Andloch
Security
Deep Space Five

 

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