ABOUT ALEXIS
Name: Alexis Davidson
FC: Megan Fox
Character 1dp
Snapshots: This character is a bootlegger who specializes in making “starshine” an illicit substance onboard the Orion. While they started their life with limited access to the ship they have numerous special privileges thanks to the relationships that they’ve developed over the years including one with the captain who looks the other way as the starshine is distributed.
AGE: 26
PERSONALITY TRAITS: Confident, Ambitious, Deviant, Provocative, Mischievous, Spontaneous
ESTABLISHED RELATIONSHIPS: Cpt. Octavia Benjamin | Luca Fisher
INTERESTS Cyrus | Ryan | Daniel
Stardate060721: Party Favors ~ Extra for the night: Ryan
(this is the time AFTER the party is broken up, not claiming his time during the party; everyone has access to him during the party)
Stardate061221: Next stop cargo bay 7 (the mini mystery) ~ Extra : Daniel
(some of the early evening time - okay to divvy up the time)
Stardate061521: Game Night presented by The Orion Missionaries ~ Extra for the night: Cyrus
(this is the time AFTER the party. Not claiming his time during the party; everyone has access to him during the party)
THE LOOKS - DONE
GEMMA'S PARTY | TRANSPORT MALFUNCTION
GAME NIGHT | MISSING PERSON'S
THE EVENTS - DONE
Stardate060721: Party Favors - DONE
***************(Gemma)
The murmurs start the moment I step into the room. A thrill, a chill, a pulse that had absolutely nothing to do with the thumping music and glinting lights. I could feel the excitement, salivating hunger from some, piqued curiosity from others. Oh sure, there were the one-offs… the ones that secretly hated my existence and envied my drive… loathed my success. But the haters, oh yes, those green-eyed betas, they fed me motivation. I loved it, all of it. The attention, the glamour, the power and most especially the jealousy.
“Alexis Davidson, I just knew you would make it around at some point…”
Of course, she was lying, but it wasn’t likely that anyone at the party would dare call her out on it. I certainly had no intention of doing so. Not out of any sort of fear of retaliation or of embarrassing the snobby princess, but simply because there was no advantage from me doing so. And everything I did, I did to my own advantage.
“Gemma…” I muttered, the sultry twang of my voice barely traveling more than a few steps around us as the taller pale haired woman leaned in with two swift air-kisses for each of my cheeks. Pretense, I knew, but it suited me as much as it suited her. I smiled charmingly. “How could I miss your, what is? Another birthday this year… You’re aging far more rapidly than the rest of us…”
The rub definitely added a little spark to her eyes but her fabricated smile was firmly in place.
“Oh, you know, just celebrating life between slumbers… I’m sure you’d understand, well… if you bothered to indulge in such luxuries…”
“Oh, with a life like mine why would I want to miss a minute of it?” I chuckled softly, pointedly.
Once again, that little saccharin filled smile shot my way. The woman was a snob, but she wasn’t stupid. And despite my more humble beginnings… she knew better than to snub me. Her slumbers, as she put it, were just another way for someone such as her to escape our so-called reality… I controlled the only other method available. Which is exactly why, despite her outwardly pompous welcome, she was more likely secretly elated that I had bothered to pop up at her little shindig. I had received the invitation and had most assuredly determined to avoid it, until Oct made it more than worth my while.
I took the liberty to glance around while Gemma spoke briefly of the celebration, the guests, the gifts… mostly unimpressed with the majority of the sly to the downright eye-bulging looks that peeped back at me from the sea of adoring minions that Gemma tended to surround herself with. They were guppies. But… not all, I thought silently about a select few that stood out in the crowd. Perhaps I would end up with more out of the evening that just those new perks…
“Well don’t let me keep you my dear…” I blurted in on whatever jibberish she was blathering on about, giving her my own artificially kind grin. “Your fans are surely anticipating some of your attention and I can certainly find some tiny thing here to entertain myself I am sure…”
And just because I was in such a good mood, considering what the little appearance earned me, I slipped a tiny capsule from my bag and pressed it into the socialite’s slender grasp. Her eyes lit up, genuine elation now as she secured her ‘gift’ and all too eagerly encouraged me to enjoy myself.
Without invitation or suggestion, I confidently made my way to the VIP area, having little doubt that anyone would try to stop me. Absolutely not, my presence meant big things to the crowd gathered. Direct, unsanctioned access to the source of the one and only synthetic vice available in this old junker… Starshine. Everyone on board knew me… most wanted to indulge in what I had to offer, some wanted to use it to their own advantage. Whatever the reason for their interest… mostly everyone sought my favor. And with the Captain herself turning a blind eye to my activities, there seemed to be no end in sight to my ‘little’ business’ exponential growth.
It didn’t take long for folks to become bolder once I seemed to settle in at one corner of the sectioned off area, a tiny portion of Gemma’s minions switching allegiance to fawn over me, at least when she was paying the least amount of attention towards them. Because, despite everything, even I knew that having Gemma Drake in your pocket wasn’t the stupidest move to make. Her wealth alone made her one of the most advantageous associates one could get but she was also super resourceful and connected. So, while I wouldn’t exactly call us friends, we each knew the other’s worth and respected it. With that thought in my head, I did my best to kind of stay back, avoiding as much attention as possible, letting the other woman bask in her celebratory glory.
***************(Luca)
“Hey gorgeous…”
Having Luca Fisher clamor into the booth I was sitting in with a wicked grin on his face wasn’t exactly unwelcome. The man still had one of the hottest bodies I had ever had the pleasure of personally inspecting. The shapely brunette that had been there speaking with me received an overtly flirty glance from him before set two cocktail glasses on the table between us then brushed up against my side making it more than apparent that we were at least on more familiar terms than mostly everyone else that I had spoken to thus far that evening.
“Luca…” I said with a quick grin, “you know Kai? She works in medical…” I motioned to the girl who seemed to smile shyly at him when he instantly nodded…
“Yeah of course, met when I was working on that research project with her moth… I mean… well” an awkward cough hissed out of him and we all knew why. The woman in question seemed to take it in stride though, shaking her head and assuring him that it was fine.
“Not your fault she’s gone…” the soft voice consoled him… as if he were the one to have hurt feelings over what had happened. If I wasn’t mistaken, and I rarely was… I would wager that there was more to her effort in doing so than mere pleasantries. Did she have a bit of a crush on the handsome flirt? I smirked lightly. She could do far worse… I thought as I peeped back to the man in question. Dark, tall and gorgeous didn’t at all adequately sum up the vision beside me. And he wasn’t at all hesitant to use his good looks to his advantage. I certainly would never stop him. Assets were meant to be used, in my opinion. And one of the reasons I had ever gotten involved with the man was because he was most definitely not a moron. Kai seemed to hang on Luca’s words though as he continued explaining their connection, speaking a little more about the girl’s mother, the ex-medical chief. As if I wouldn’t know exactly who it was that I was chatting with for an extended period of time.
So, for a time, we sat there flirting and laughing over some shared antic between either of us and Luca while sipping on our fruity fabricated drinks. All the taste with none of the potency. I couldn’t even begin to imagine what the ship might be like if alcohol were actually on board… that mixed with Starshine would likely have everyone so wired that the rust bucket might just veer so far off course that we might never be seen again.
Luca was not at all ashamed to be the center of our trip down memory lane although my memories of the man were far more… intimate, than it seemed with Kai. To give her credit though, she never once seemed to look at him any different with all the sexual innuendo passing between us. Oddly enough, that made me like her even more. Eventually though, Luca made mention of needing to speak privately with me to which Kai quickly rose, excusing herself as she did so.
“Everything is set for Friday, right?” I asked softly before she was able to slip away, her eyes widening slightly as she shifted an awkward glance to Luca before looking back to me and nodding briskly before she managed to actually leave us alone.
“Hot date with the junior med officer hmmm?” he teased with a more than wicked grin as his eyes followed the swaying hips of the departing woman.
“You totally want in…” I purr tauntingly, completely avoiding the question as his own thoughts filled with imagines of some tawdry encounter he must be dreaming up.
“Definitely!” he muttered as he brought his gaze back to me, shifting position so that one of his arms was draped against the back of the booth while his gaze trailed down my body “you, me and her wrapped up together… it would be one hellova night”
“Ummhmm in your dreams…”
“Awee… don’t be a tease Alex…” he moaned but leaned closer, tucking a strand of hair behind my opposite ear before slowly brushing the back of his thumb across my bare shoulder. “Why the hell did we stop hookin’ up again?”
I wasn’t sure he really meant to ask the question out loud. There hadn’t really been any actual reason, I shrugged softly, my eyes doing their own exploration of his fit frame, “no reason I suppose… we got busy with other things… “
“you mean you did!” he laughed softly as did I. It wasn’t as if he was at a loss for female companionship. The man was one of the biggest flirts onboard. I have absolutely no doubt that he could and had more than his fair share of eager partners in the time since we had been together.
“You said you had something you needed to talk to me about?” If it were possible to believe I thought the man pouted but then he frowned slightly, concern etching on his face.
In my wildest dreams I could not have imagined what he shared with me at that point. Information. It was as hot a commodity as the shine on a ship such as this. And according to Luca, there seemed to be something fishy going on at the planet that we were set for. Anomalous readings… messages actually he said. But the research team had yet to figure out what was happening or what any of it actually meant. And no one seemed to be willing to talk about it publicly. It was all hush hush at the moment. Of course… when someone had the magic of euphoria at their fingertips, information tended to find its way into your possession.
“You’ll be sure to let me know what you find out?” I murmured softly while slyly slipping a whole gram of product into the palm of Luca’s hand. I knew from the rapid pulse along his collarbone that he had already partook of the sampling Gemma had offered in the VIP section, but his eyes still lit up at his score… before they darkened slightly.
He leaned in again, and I admit my pulse raced slightly when his warm breath teased against my ear. He knew it was one of my most sensitive spots, the bastard… “you know I will babe…” he also knew that being called babe would trigger me. My nostrils flared and I opened my mouth to chastise him just before his lips connected and he nibbled lightly on the lobe making me grit my teeth at how rapidly my body rejected my minds annoyance. He knew that too, based on the soft chuckle well pronounced by his closeness.
“Fucking rotter…” I hissed but was saved, supposedly, from giving in to the seductive pull by the sudden shadow that towered over the table.
***************(Cyrus)
“Don’t mind me, I can wait…”
The tone certainly belied the words. I turned to look up and shamefully my pulse raced a bit faster. Of course, he would have no idea why… well neither of them would actually… and I had absolutely no intention of letting on. Luca would think my elevated hormones had everything to do with his whispered invitation to go back to his unit to see if the old magic was still there. He pulled back and glanced up at the heavily tattooed man that hovered before us. My focus ahead, I missed the smug grin lifting the corners of Luca’s mouth but did not fail to notice that his fingers lingered and brushed delicately across my bare shoulder.
“Pardon?” My response, thank goodness, sounded more curious than piqued. The man was entirely too sexy and devilish looking. Too bad he always seemed to be filled with barely veiled disdain. If it wasn’t for my product, he would likely not bother to acknowledge I even existed. Which was both amusing and frustrating all at the same time.
“Do you mind?” Cyrus finally stated, giving my companion a pointed glance expecting him to take off I suppose. Luca made absolutely no effort to disengage or even appear to be interested in leaving.
“Not at all…” was the actual response, lazy and casual, as if he had no cares in the world. Which, knowing Luca, he probably didn’t. Cyrus then turned that pointed look on me, obviously whatever he wanted to discuss he preferred to do privately. And while Cyrus was sometimes a bit of an asshole, he also came from wealth and power, two things I always made time for.
“Give us a moment…” I murmured softly to Luca caressing him softly across his thigh. He paused, looking as if he might say something but then just shook his head.
“All good, I’m gonna speak to a few people then head out… you know where you can find me…”
Seconds of silence passed as Luca slipped out of the booth, my gaze back on Cyrus again with an obvious expression of expectation waiting for him to get to the point of this needed solitude. Once again, I missed the look that crossed Luca's face... but the dismissive look in Cyrus' was plain as day.
“Considering how good your shit is, I’m surprised by your standards…” An arched brow popped up in response to the condescending remark.
“And I’m surprised you’re spending time considering what my standards are…”
He scoffed and waved a hand. “Hardly… I am just surprised to see you dating the help… it was unexpected… but I suppose that is my fault for assuming more…”
“I don’t date…” I smirked loftily but did finally glance past Cyrus to see that Luca had found some pretty little blond to flirt with a distance away before I turned back to Cyrus... “and as far as I am concerned, every person I deal with on this ship is help…”
The grin he flashed me was both dark and egotistical. Maybe even dangerous. Crudely, it made my core contract. Luckily, that was one place he was sure never to see… or feel as it were…
“I’ve come to the decision that you should offer me some of your stash tonight…”
“Oh, did you now?” I actually chuckled. The arrogance on him was almost too much for even me to handle. “And what did you plan on offering me in this decision making process?”
“Nothing” If I wasn’t watching him, seeing the steady look in his eyes I would have known he must be joking, but he seemed perfectly serious. I laughed softly again.
“Well that doesn’t seem like the sort of deal I would make… perhaps you meant to have this discussion with Gemma…”
“Not at all, as unrealistic as it is to believe… you have the goods and why would I go to a distributer when I have the source right here...?” Asshole. “You know it’s my family that funded this whole mission…” he remarked unnecessarily, as if that alone would earn him what he wanted in that moment.
“Congratulations?” I murmured as I stood up. His eyes narrowed on me, and again I felt that little shiver race down my spine. Why the hell was I even attracted to this narcissistic brat? He was totally not my type… ok, that was a lie. He was totally my type, but he was too arrogant and stuck up to consider the sparks that could fly in a room alone together. I could have so much fun with that body of his… Unfortunately, he was currently totally looking down his nose at me even though he wasn’t being overtly degrading. He wanted something I had… so he was playing ‘semi’-nice.
“You know who I am… what power I have around here…” he reiterated stepping closer. His voice lowered, one hand shot out and gripped my elbow keeping me still as he spoke. God, he smelled good. Spicy, sweet and exotic. I was tempted to lick him right then and there and found myself chuckling again imagining the shock and outrage he might feel if I did so.
“I know who you are Cyrus Lawson” Half-hooded eyes gazed at him as I purred softly, inching closer so that my right side was pressed against him. In that moment his own gaze narrowed and maybe, just maybe… he was starting to pick up on the simmering lust, or at least on the fact that he did not intimidate me. “But I’m not without my own power and I know that you know that…” His jaw flexed and nostrils flared. He knew it and he didn’t like it. Not one bit. I grinned wickedly. Why did that excite me? But he chuckled, letting go and stepping back with a shake of his head.
“One day you might not have the protection afforded to you at the moment.”
“Perhaps, but I’m resourceful… and until then, you’ll have to come with something better than nothing if you want to get anything out of me…”
And with that I strolled away, leaving the arrogant wetdream standing alone in the shadowy corner I had claimed.
***************(Priya)
“Did you drop it all off, or you might have some left?”
Caught off guard I drew up, unfamiliar with the pretty brown woman that suddenly materialized directly in my path as I slipped out of the VIP area, not even daring to glance back to see what sort of outraged expression Cyrus might be shooting towards my backside. I knew he wouldn’t be happy about being denied what he wanted. A part of me secretly thrilled at the potential consequences of his ill-humor. But I turned my focus on the subject planted by me in that moment.
“Do I know you?”
The girl seemed to fluster a bit, not really uncomfortable but maybe more like a forgetfulness kind of thing. “Priya…” her charming voice announced then smug little grin spread across her lips, “been a while since the last time we met… had some napping to attend to.”
“Priya…” Shifting through memories it didn’t take long for me to put the name with the information I knew. The rumors. I arched a brow slightly and let my gaze shift down her body. So, she was the one…? That is, if the rumors were true. Considering the girl had been sentenced and cryo-ed almost immediately after the incident occurred, I had to expect at least part, if not all, of it were true. “Kapil?”
Her eyes registered surprise at my guess followed by a curt nod and an extension of that grin. Interesting. “So, any shine for the likes of me?”
“Depends… I don’t really run a charity…” The girl likely had nothing of value to offer. She had literally just come out of the pod I assumed. Certainly, she had been missing for a number of months. It was likely that most of her wares had been confiscated when she had been arrested those months ago. I suppose the look I gave her implied my doubt that she had anything worthwhile.
‘Well, I’m not completely lacking. Let me see, future favors perhaps…?” she muttered softly as she moved in closer, her small hand running down the low neckline of her top while she smirked suggestively, “it would be a pleasure… or, perhaps something shiny for some shine” I almost chuckled when she dipped her fingers lower and tugged out a sparkling bracelet that glinted when one of the strobe lights in the room caught a cut of one of the translucent gems.
I smirked instead, eyeing both offerings with serious consideration. Admittedly I was both surprised and impressed with the girl’s ambition and assertiveness. “Whatever I want hmmm?”
“Have your pick of the litter”
My eyes glinted darkly as I again smirked while moving even closer. Carefully I brushed my fingers across the edge of the woman’s dress, caressing between her cleavage and tugging the garment another centimeter to the side admiring the supple caramel toned curves. “Sexy, smart… resourceful… I don’t doubt that we can work something out between a couple of clever women like ourselves…”
"You'll let me know what you desire?"
She was a fireball, daring little chit. My eyes glinted as I stepped back continuing to assess her and consider my options. She obviously wasn't scared to do whatever it takes to get what she wanted. I could totally appreciate that sort of motivation. Without comment I slipped a hand into my bag, tugging out a few strips of the glittery blue strips and cuffed them into the girls hand. The palm was small and slight calloused, proving that she was also someone who wasn't afraid of getting her hands dirty either.
"My desires could lead you down a very dangerous path... if you're willing to take the risk, we can call this an advance... to be called in at a later date..."
To give her credit the girl didn't at all seemed phased by the near threat. She tucked the strips away quickly before tilting her head towards me "I'm... somewhat leashed these days, not that it would be a hindrance, but it means I'm easy to find."
I smirked and nodded my head briefly at her concern. "Don't you worry about that, I have my ways of getting people in the places I need them to be in for me... I will be needing your communicator code though..."
Without hesitation she provided the code needed then made a bee-line in the opposite direction. I watched her briefly shift through the crowd before she disappeared completely from sight.
***************(Daniel/Ryan)
“Ohh shit, I … I mean sorry… sorry about that”
If it wasn’t for the man’s quick reflexes I might have gone stumbling backwards and crashed into the wall directly behind me. As it were, I stood in his embrace as he sought to ensure that I remained upright after he unceremoniously bumped me in his obvious distracted state.
“It’s quite alright…” I chuckled glancing up and noticed immediately the moment he realized whom he had gripped in both hands. It was only moments after he lifted his gaze from checking out the body packed in the tight little dress. The undeniable interest was quickly censored as his eyes widened then snatched his hands away as if he had suddenly been singed by fire. Is it wrong that it sent a spark slithering down my spine?
“Alexis…”
“Ryan” I nod taking a step backwards, more for his peace of mind than my own. He looked around cautiously, maybe nervously but I didn’t bother. I could assume quite easily what, or rather whom he was searching for. “I doubt she’s here… I’m surprised you are…”
Sharply, he gazed back at me. I lifted my hands up defensively…
“hey… no judgement. Just an observation”
He brushed his hand through his dark hair, mussing the strands into a choppy disarray before releasing a breath and gave me a hesitant smile. Not for the first time I considered his handsomeness. There was no denying that he was a seductive beast, alluring. I also knew I was not the only woman on board to harbor some sort of illicit imaging with the sexy hunk. But up until a few short months ago, I had thought him the dedicated, loyal… borderline boring… husband. That was until the rumors started floating around. “I’m just here to blow off some steam, relax, unwind… not a big deal”
I smirked softly unable to stop myself, “most people on board use me to find their personal escape…”
I was surprised by the soft chuckle that countered my statement, “if only I were fool enough to try it…” my eyes darkened and met his, seconds ticked by and I knew his eyes shifted lower for the briefest moment before he cleared his throat, “the starshine… if I would try… it…”
“Of course, what else would I think you meant?” There was no doubt in my mind that I definitely drifted to a far more sinister idea. “Besides… I’m certain it’s no big deal. I’m that kinda person that goes with what feels good as being the right thing… in most cases…”
He looked at me skeptically and I shrugged. I had slipped into another shadowy corner after escaping Cyrus and my little run in with the pretty thief, just doing my best to watch the partiers from a distance, cautiously optimistic that no one would over-indulge or act a fool while splurging on Gemma’s party favors. It was what Octavia had asked me to do afterall… and while there was literally nothing I could do if someone did overdo it, I still tried to keep an eye out for those on the edge. Running into Ryan was literally just s spoof despite that fact that I had spied him only seconds after arriving while speaking with Gemma. Him being here only seemed to speak more volumes into the whispers about him.
“I take it she doesn’t know you’re here…”
Once again, Ryan’s head snapped to me, his eyes seeming to try and decipher what I might be thinking. Did he think I was trying to set him up? Octavia and I had never discussed her marriage, I got the feeling that the woman liked to pretend that things were going well in all aspects of her life. Whenever I had seen them together, they, or at least Octavia, made every effort to be jovial and accommodating. Their marriage looked… normal. As far as I could assume a marriage would be. Having never felt any sort of motivation for marriage myself I could not begin to fathom what sort of relationship fostered that outcome. Perhaps if I hadn’t been so close to his wife, or hadn’t be more interested in securing his wife’s favor… I might have noticed the signs before now instead of just writing him off as just some dutiful husband and father. I wasn’t fool enough to believe that all of the rumors floating around about him at this point were a flat out lie. But to what extent were they true? And… if the darkest of them were… well, that would make Ryan Benjamin a very bad boy. Just my sort of kryptonite.
“I came here straight from my shift so probably not. Doubt she would mind…”
I didn’t believe that for a moment. Not the part about him coming straight from work, who was I to say if he had been working or not. But him suggesting that Oct wouldn’t care about impressions? Bold face, flat out lie. The woman cared deeply about those.
“Well, she’s a busy woman and I’m sure what she doesn’t know can’t possibly be on her mind at the least…”
Again, the uncertainty was obvious in his eyes, but he played it off, nodding and agreeing about Octavia’s constantly full itinerary, but not rest I noted. He was saved from having to deal with any further inquiry on my part when his friend slipped over with a broad smile and clap on his back, enthusiastically spilling the beans about some girl he was ‘making arrangements’ with. Until his gaze cast over to me.
“Oh damn… Alexis Davidson…”
I smiled as he shifted his gaze between Ryan and myself, curiosity obvious in those keen eyes. Quickly, Ryan made introductions, making a very obvious point of informing his friend Daniel that I was a friend of his wife’s. Offering my hand, he gripped it delicately while stepping closer so that he ended standing at my side, still holding my fingers in his.
“That’s some dress you wrapped yourself into tonight…”
I chuckled, “it was an effort for sure, but I couldn’t very well let this dress sit home all alone, now could I?”
“If you were trying to conjure an image of you… NOT in that dress… then the effort was definitely worth it…”
Obviously, Daniel was the bold outlandish one in the friendship. I was almost certain that Ryan made a grumble under his breath, but I did not glance at him to figure out what it was. He was obviously uncomfortable in my presence and I wasn’t sure yet if that was a good thing to keep between us or not. The truth was, that even if I didn’t consider Octavia to be one of the few people that I felt a closeness too on board, she was still directly responsible for my continued freedom and distribution control. Should she suddenly decide to stop turning a blind eye… my whole operation could come crashing down around me. And I definitely did not think Ryan was worth that sort of risk.
And so, I pushed the budding thoughts about Ryan to the back of my mind and flirted shamelessly with his friend. Not that chatting with Daniel was any sort of hardship on me. The man was more than good looking and witty and daringly suggestive. Ryan continued to chat with us, with less caution when my attention seemed to be completely focused on his friend.
“I thought you had some chick you were about to head out with when you came over…” I finally said on the end of another round of giggles. The man’s eyes widened, and he actually peeped around the room.
“Oh damn… I forgot” then he chuckled shaking his head.
“Well that says a lot” The teasing lead to yet another head shake before he shrugged lightly..
“I mean, what can anyone expect when I’m presented with the second hottest person in the room…”
The drop of my jaw and rounded eyes were probably his biggest clues to my shock, and confusion… “second hottest? You must not be talking about me… “
“Well… yeah” he nodded seriously, “I mean come on… you’re no match for Ryan here…” I burst out laughing, Ryan sputtered out the drink he had been sipping on and rolled his eyes at his friend.
“Come on man…” Ryan hissed as his friend teased him a little more before the first glitch occurred. The three of us frowned slightly, confused but were already getting back to chatting assuming that whatever it was it had worked itself out until the loud crash and following scream bellowed out into the crowd.
Ryan and Daniel immediately jumped into action, finding their way to the center of whatever was going on, I trailed behind, curious but not really planning to take part in any sort of brawl that might be occurring. My only thought was that I hoped it wasn’t some fools going at each other high on the shine. But then the holograms shifted and fizzed again, fluctuating and phasing haphazardly and it became obvious that something was going haywire with the program. So not drug-related… that was a short lived relief.
Almost immediately, my brain started assessing the situation, realizing what sort of trouble could still mount for me based on what was going on here. Just because whatever malfunction was occurring wasn’t directly related to Starshine did not mean that it couldn’t be linked somehow… having all of these people in this crowded unauthorized space, partying and ‘partaking’ only could lead to questions I had no interest in answering.
The holodeck’s arch finally came into view and a lot of the squeals of concern turned to relief at the sight but seconds later in walked a security detail. My pulse raced knowing I had no intention of being caught up in this crowd or allow myself to get collared by the way-too-professional and stickler for protocol security chief. Not in this lifetime. Digging into my bag I pulled out my brand new, freshly polished com while others tried to rush past the guards crowding the arched entrance. Luckily for me… I could head the in the opposite direction. I spied Daniel moving towards the security chief, but it was the shadows I headed to, literally bumping into Ryan while he tapped at a com in his hand repeatedly and with obvious frustration.
Adrenalin was pumping through me, fear and excitement. It had been a long time since I tried to weasel my way out of a tight spot. I had grown lax and complacent in my belief that nothing could touch me. But this little jolt of danger made me feel nostalgic and reckless. I hesitated, watching Ryan peep back towards Saru, obviously in the same mindset as me… no desire to be swept up in this illicit activity.
“I can get you out of here…”
Confusion and doubt poured from his eyes until I lifted the small badge, twisting it while understanding, then relief trickled through him. Without a word he moved towards me, gripping my elbow in one hand as I tapped the small device.
“Home…” I hissed seeing that almost every other person in the room had formed a barrier between the arch and the security team before Ryan and I disappeared and manifested in the center of my unit.
***************(Ryan)
“Thanks…”
Ryan’s lowly spoken gratitude had absolutely no connection to the jubilant surge of excitement pulsing through me. I grinned, then smiled, then giggled out loud before spinning around like some silly schoolgirl.
“Fuckkk…” I hissed thrilled with what had just happened. “That was amazing…”
When I finally looked at him, I realized that he still wore his cautious expression but there was something else… curiosity maybe? Amusement? I continued to grin.
“I’m not so sure what is amazing about a holodeck malfunction…” he scoffed while he glanced around my quarters that were quite immaculate and minimalistic.
“Not that part silly… the running from security… escaping without notice. You can’t tell me your pulse wasn’t going ballistic when you thought you were going to get caught…”
Slowly, he ran his fingers through his hair… the second time I noticed that. He looked just as anxious in this room as he had in the holosuite.
“I doubt this is a better place for me to get caught than there… I didn’t even know you had a transporter…”
I laughed softly, “who’s going to catch you? And… no one knows I don’t think, except… the Captain. I’m pretty sure it’s meant to stay that way.”
“And so, you brought me to your quarters? Are you trying to set me up?” The accusation stood between us, my excitement dwindling down a bit as I narrowed my gaze on him.
“What? Set you up?” I frowned and glanced around realizing what he must be assuming and began to shake my head. Of course, if I were in his shoes. I would likely think the same thing. But that wasn’t my way. I sighed softly and went to sit on the mustard toned sofa, tugging an oversized pillow into my lap. My earlier excitement simmering down completely as I gazed over at him and shook my head again. “I swear I’m not… I don’t have access to every little crevice of the ship… I could have taken you to the main promenade… and have us manifest in front who knows how many people… the holosuites… which we were already trying to escape… a transporter bay… again, any number of crew or arriving passengers could have seen us… or… Octavia’s office. I figured, in my hurried assessment of the situation that this place was likely the only one that assured no witnesses…”
Ryan remained standing, an array of emotions flinted across his face before finally he released a breath and seemed to gather his senses. Seconds later he sat at the chair next to the sofa.
“Sorry… you saved my neck and the first thing I do is accuse you of being underhanded…”
“You don’t really know me or what I am capable of…” Purposefully I waited, letting the words sink in. “And I’m starting to think that I don’t really know you, or what you are capable of…”
He chuckled softly, “who me? I’m just your average guy…”
“Ha…” I spit out mockingly, “If we’re telling tales then I’m just some two-bit low-level junk pusher”
“You’re saying I can’t be a good guy?”
“I’m saying you aren’t average… never said shit about your merit… you tell me, are you a good guy?”
“Absolutely… I’m very good”
There was so much innuendo I wanted to infer from his comment, my eyes lingering longer than they should on his lips, trailing down his body, imagining just how good he could get. But I had to take his words at face value… didn’t I? He couldn’t possibly imply anything more, not with me. I took a deep breath and leaned back against the sofa. Neither of us was a good idea for the other. He obviously already understood this, which accounted for his obvious precaution and wariness. I was usually a smart bird, knowing which troubles to avoid… but then sometimes, some temptations were just so damned enticing that my brain just farts and recklessness takes hold. I’d be best to take his lead on this particular situation and not even let the wicked thoughts manifest. He wasn’t about that sort of life anyway.
“I would have assumed the worst about you, you know… if the tables had been reversed. Assumed that you were trying to get me into hot water with your wife, ruin my business operation…”
“And why would I do that?” The sound of his amusement brought a grin to my face but I didn’t glance back to him, continued staring up at the ceiling then turned and gazed at the stars shining brightly in the obsidian sky outside my rooms windows.
“Who the hell knows why people do the things that they do, I stopped trying to figure people out a long time ago. When you’ve been alone as long as I have you learn who you can count on quick…” I finally turn back to face him, “and who you can use to get ahead…”
“And you’re thinking that you could use me somehow?”
I couldn’t tell if he were offended or just curious but I was impressed that he came straight out and asked instead of hinting around or just clamming up defensively.
“That’s the thing, I cannot think of one logical reason or way that you can be useful to, or enhance my goals, if anything you would be a hinderance.”
“Ouch!” he chuckled. “Awe… sounds like you’re saying we can’t be friends…”
“Honestly…” I respond, locking gazes with him, “I got the impression that I was the last person on board you wanted to even speak too let alone be friends…”
“True.” The simple reply made me laugh. Honesty was a rare commodity. I continued to grin as I looked away again while he continued. “Perhaps I made a rash judgement
“Perhaps you didn’t?” A bit of silence followed my words. I had no idea what he was thinking… perhaps confirming to himself that he had been right about me to begin with, and I was thinking he was probably right as well. I rose, walking away from the seating arrangement before speaking again. “I’m a bad girl Ryan… not the sort a good guy should befriend. I’m wicked and wanton… I get off on things like escaping the authorities and antagonizing dangerous men… I’m deceitful and arrogant and perverse. And I think it’s probably time for you to leave…”
He didn’t make a sound as I spoke, but I did notice a little shock by my sudden suggestion at the end there. I got the feeling he was looking for something to say, perhaps trying to ease the tension that I was building up in the room. Things had seemed to be going easily before my little speech. He was a good guy, like he said… and I was not the sort that a good guy should be around.
“If you stay any longer… I’m liable to strip… to walk over to you… try to put my mouth and hands all over you, try to seduce you, my friend’s husband. And… I wouldn’t regret a minute of it… would likely revel in the depravity of it all. So, good guy Ryan, it’s best you leave… to avoid my embarrassing myself by throwing myself at you and to save you from awkwardly having to refuse my advances…”
I chuckled trying to make light of the situation, but I was being dead serious. He tugged his shirt straight as he rose and walked over, his eyes on me. Shamefully my pulse raced when he was close enough for me to just reach out and touch. I wanted to. Would have if he were any other man. I wasn’t used to denying myself the things that I wanted.
“We could try for a coffee in the promenade… friends do stuff like that…”
“And I would be thinking about running my tongue over every inch of your body the entire time…” I purred without hesitation. Something flashed in his eyes… disappointment? Interest? Surely not the second. “I’m bad news Ryan… you don’t want me corrupting a good guy like you…”
He looked again like he might say something. I could have let him say his peace… likely something to contradict my ability to be corruptive or something about how he wouldn’t let it come to that. Or maybe he would have told me I was right and that it was best that we avoid each other. I would literally make assumptions about that space of time for hours another time, but in that moment… before allowing him to say a word I pressed the control on the wall beside me and the door to my quarters slid open with a loud swoosh, exposing us both to the hallway. Ryan was given little choice in the matter. Anyone could have strolled by, seen us standing there inside my quarters alone.
“Thanks for the rescue Alexis…” the softly spoken words sent another shiver down my spine, for no good reason. Simply because he said them, so close that his arm brushed up against me as he stepped past. Was that a little smirk at the corner of his lips I spied in that last second before the door closed between us. I trembled, feeling achy as I released a pent-up breath and fell back against the door panel.
It did not take me long to make a decision, considering the adrenalin that continued to surge through me.
“Did you make it out okay?” I asked after tapping and calling him up on the communicator. The fact that he had and wasn’t alone was a bit of a disappointment, but I wasn’t deterred. Without pause I suggested he swing by when he got done with whichever entertainment he had taken home from the party.
Less than thirty minutes later there was a tap at my door. Nothing had changed in that time, not with me as I replayed the events of the evening. Too many opportunities for devilment had left me feeling completely rash and dare I say desperate. My eyes lit up when the door slid open and without a word I gripped the tall man by the collar, yanking him in and pressing my body against his without a by-your-leave. He was not shy nor disappointed by my greeting. In fact, he scooped me up, gripping my ass tightly as he carried me into the unit and dropped me on the nearby sofa. Feverishly I began yanking at my clothes as did he and seconds later, we were slamming together, limbs wrapped together while growls and grunts filled the room.
Who knows exactly how long we tore at each other? Scrapes and bites decorated his flesh when I was done with him, laying exhausted and sated draped over his panting body. The only thing I knew for certain was that his was not the only face I envisioned during that hot and lusty roll around my quarters that night.
Stardate061221: Next stop cargo bay 7 (the mini mystery) - DONE
“Well I’m glad you got out of there before Tabitha caught a hold of you. You know she is can be a bit zealous at times… without the proper directives.”
I muttered something affirmative as I sipped on the ice coffee and twirled a strand of dark hair between two fingers while listening to Octavia and pretending that what the woman knew of that night was not of the upmost curiosity to me. We sat at a bench in the promenade, a horde of shopping bags planted around my feet while we caught up.
“No one saw you use it… right?”
“Hmm? The transporter?” Her clipped nod was curious. “No one that would blab about it…” I admit honestly knowing for a certainty that Ryan would never admit to seeing it or me or how he knew I had it. But that drew a creased brow from my companion. “Someone is bound to see me use it eventually you know…”
“I, yes of course I know that. I just,” she glanced around, and I could tell she was feeling a little anxious. Over what was what I really wanted to know. “I, just hope you will be discreet about using it”
I nibbled on my lower lip and swirled the contents of my mug, mixing the components that looked to be separating back together again. “Aren’t I always discreet Oct?” The question was low, taunting and when I peeped back at her she shifted in her seat but nodded. “Is there someone in particular you want this information kept from?” No point in beating around the bush, was it? Of course, Octavia would continue to do so though…
“I just don’t need unnecessary questions from certain passengers right now, not while all these… well… I just need things to be low-key. You can do that for me…?”
I smirked, quite easily imagining which passenger might be giving her the blues about transporters. His arrogant lips curled into some sort of smirk or snarl depending on his mood.
“Alex…”
My eyes widened as I glanced back towards Octavia, hers expecting… “huh? Oh, yeah sure I will use it sparingly and carefully. No worries…”
“Thanks… um… could I ask you something else?” I simply lifted a brow. She cleared her throat… “I wondered… did you happen to witness Ryan, doing anything or with anyone at the party the other night?”
Other than with me? I thought hesitantly. My pulse started to race, wondering what she knew and more still how she might know whatever it was that she knew… or thought she knew. It was completely out of character for Octavia to bring Ryan up in conversation.
“No” I sought to keep the frown from showing on my face. She, on the other hand, looked disappointed and… confused, I think.
“Oh… weird…” was her exact reply and I couldn’t seem to stop my bewilderment from showing. She waved her hand at me, “Sorry, it’s nothing. I … I was just sure he was there.” Then she chuckled, sounding more awkward than I had ever heard before. “But he wasn’t rounded up and without his transporter he wouldn’t have been able to…” she shrugged again and chuckled. “Anyway, thanks…”
She stood while mentioning something about needing to get back to work and all I could do is nod. That whole last bit of conversation was incredibly curious, and almost incriminating. How had Octavia known that his equipment had malfunctioned during that little insanity that erupted at the party that night? I really should find out what sort of readings the crew can get from the transporters… where we go? How long, how many people go along for the ride? I just needed to figure out which of the crewmembers held that sort of information and figure out how I gain access to it.
In the meantime, I rose as well, leaving my half-done coffee and gathered my shopping bags. No time like the present to ‘discreetly’ avoid using my personal transporter I supposed.
Except that I was highly annoyed that I did moments later when I arrived in Cargo Bay 7 instead of the bay on deck 10 where my quarters were located. I even went to reach into my bag to pull out my personal com, which in hindsight wouldn’t have mattered much since I was in a cargo bay and not one of the locations that my little badge worked in. But before I even made an attempt to use it a deep voice cleared behind me and a devilish grin greeted me when I turned.
“Daniel…” I frowned glancing around then looked back to him skeptically. “Did you do this?”
His confusion seemed genuine, “Did I do what?”
“Brought me here… somehow?” My tone had changed, I think… became guarded and troubled. What was going on here? But his grin reappeared and he even took a step closer, nearly brushing his big sexy body up against me in the process but just then another person randomly materialized directly beside us and he took a step back, keeping a more professional distance between us. I noticed then that he was dressed in his uniform so he must be on duty. But this was most definitely not engineering.
He cleared his throat again, addressing both of us, explaining that the transporters had been acting screwy all day. A third person came over and confirmed Daniel’s words, reporting the malfunctions and that we were kind of stuck there while they continued to try and figure things out.
Me being me, I started looking for the exit, figuring I would just walk instead of feeling trapped in a place that held me captive. Disappointingly, I was informed that there was no direct or easy access back to the ship. Basically, we were isolated, buried deep in the bowels of the ship and getting out of there without transport access would be an effort in futility. Wandering around the darkened endless corridors to TRY and find the right doorway that would access some normal part of the ship did not sound like a fun endeavor.
Daniel, on the other hand seemed elated about the disruption to his day and even more pleased with my magical appearance. The young lady, a passenger that arrived moments after I did, started speaking to him and I started looking around while he was busily answering her questions.
I’d been in a cargo bay or two during my rise to power, conducted some underhanded deals and plotted some strategies but this one was strange. Somewhat dimly lit there just seemed to be stuff everywhere. Not the typical organized mess one might find in another ‘working’ bay, but the type of haphazard disarray from heaping useless shit on top of each other. I wandered over to one of the incomplete houses existing in that space and kind of just peeped around a little. I rubbed a hand across one of the dusty windows and pressed my face closer to the panel, trying to glimpse inside. Why were these even here, I wondered. Were these supposed to be the houses that would be erected once we arrived on the planet we traveled too? Were they relics of a time gone by?
Sudden footsteps drew my attention and when I glanced back, I noticed that Daniel was kind of doing the same thing. Glancing backwards as he made his way towards me, as if double checking to ensure that no one was watching him. Moments later he gripped my hand and tugged me quickly inside the shadowy entrance of the shabby build.
“What are you doi…” words were cut off when he snatched me closer, his hands inching down to cup my ass while his mouth latched on. My stomach coiled and goosebumps spread down my limbs. I made absolutely no effort to resist, to the contrary I dropped my bags and caressed my hands up the mans chest as his tongue slid between my lips.
“Fuckkk…” he hissed pulling back. “I’ve thought about doing that for a whole damn week… you forgot to give me your codes…” the accusation was brushed against my flesh as he started pressing soft kisses down my throat and across my cleavage. His hands hooked my dress and was inching it higher so that he could rub his fingers against bare skin.
I groaned softly instead of responding to his comment. Of course I hadn’t forgotten to give him my codes. I knew for a fact that I hadn’t done so, not because I didn’t like him or anything but simply because I liked my privacy and not being interrupted unnecessarily. I am not sure what I would have done, whether I would have given them to him or avoided if he had asked when I took his codes at the party that night. Continuing to evade a conversation about it I slipped my hand under his shirt, stroking his flesh and tugging slowly at the waist of his pants. A low growl of excitement hissed from him as he scooped me up and dumped me, almost identically as he had that night in my quarters, on a sofa in the junkie room.
“Owww…” I hissed after he came down over me, a deep frown etching my brow as he pulled back in alarm. Shifting and squirming, I slid my hand underneath us and pulled an object that had dug viciously into my backside. Only adding more to my confused state when I realized it was some sort of vidpod. “What the hell…”
Daniel had already dismissed the object, his lips pressing against my neck while he wedged himself between my legs. I squirmed but continued to fiddle with the pod finding that it was locked. “Where do you think this came from?” I asked curiously making Daniel grunt. Once again, he pulled back, taking a better look at the item and frowning slightly.
“No clue, looks like one of the ones we make down in engineering…”
“Can it be unlocked do you think?”
But again, he had only a marginal amount of interest for the equipment. He tugged it from my fingers and gently set it on the floor beside us and muttered softly as he went back to kissing me again, “I’ll try out the override function later…”
I grinned, pressing a hand against his chest and shifting so that he rolled back against the sofa and I maneuvered to straddle his lap. “Aren’t you resourceful…” I purred as I slithered and pulled my dress up, tugging it over my head and tossing it aside. His eyes greedily feasted on the sight before him and almost as quickly as he ended up underneath me, he was back on top, flipping me around and stripping himself.
"You're about to find out..."
All thought about the pod were pushed out of my mind.
Stardate061521: Game Night presented by The Orion Missionaries - DONE
I had never attended a game night before, so wasn’t exactly sure what I should have expected walking through the doors of that once-upon-a-time chapel. I preferred the games I played to be more lucrative and dangerous. But, meh… I was feeling sociable lately. The event as far as I was aware had already been going on for a couple hours before I arrived. Surprisingly, I wasn’t super surprised to find four of the very things making me feel like venturing into public forays gathered together at one large table exchanging jabs and barbs as they attempted to play the odds at the poker table in the back.
The first set of eyes that caught sight of me were full of mirth, that was until he spied me entering the area. Then they became more guarded… cautious. Of course, they did. I couldn’t blame him. I had been lewdly blunt the last time we spoke, clearly making him feel even more awkward in my presence than before he knew. How was he supposed to act when his wife’s friend made a pass at him? I almost laughed. The next glance was warmer, welcoming and the third more lustful as they shifted down my long bare legs then back up again probably remembering how they felt wrapped around him just days ago.
I grinned as I moved closer, stepping up to the table and gaining my fourth and final look from card table. A mocking little sneer inched across his face as the tattooed man’s eyes did almost the same assessment as the third man, fully checking me out and coming away thinking… who the hell knew what. Something sinister apparently based on the gleam in those dark eyes of his. Any of the four glances could account for the tingles that surged through me.
They weren’t the only ones in the room to notice me, but they certainly were the ones that gained my attention. As did that bold little firecracker Priya, shifting around the room appearing as if she were about to get up to something. Admittedly, I was curious what that might be, she intrigued me with her initiative and daring. But I knew where I planned to be.
“So… what’s a girl gotta do to get a seat at this table?”
“What is it with some people…?” Cyrus smirked then laughed at the people surrounding the table “everyone thinks they’re a player…”
“Yeah right… good thing when a coach shows up to set the playa’s straight…” I murmur softly and slip out several packets of starshine and setting them on the table one by one. A few people snickered but all took interest. Even if there were a few at the table that I knew for a fact never indulged, there wasn’t one person on the ship that wouldn’t take advantage of the opportunity to get their hands on some of my product. The trading power was as profitable as its usefulness.
“Well shit… I’ll be glad to relieve you of your bounty…” I smirk as he rose and patted the shoulders of the blond sitting beside him obviously indicating that she should get up. His date? The female’s jaw dropped open at how easily he was willing to oust her, she glared at me earning nothing but a raised brow before she huffed and spun out the seat then away from the table. Cyrus held the chair and waved a hand in offering.
“How gallant…” I mocked slipping my jacket off my shoulders before I slid into the chair.
The fact that he leaned down as he pushed my chair in and hissed against my ear sent chills down my spine. Both by the action and the actual words he whispered… “Everyone knows I’m no gentleman…”
Shamefully, my pulse raced, and I wasn’t sure whether my legs would have shook if I had still been standing. How utterly dumb to be so attracted to such a louse. Luckily, I was highly skilled and concealing my emotions when I wanted to. I peeped around the table and noticed more than a couple of the males, and a handful of females oogling the very low-cut gold blouse that barely concealed my curves. Planning to use every advantage in my arsenal I pulled long dark strands behind my shoulder and tucked the tressed behind one ear.
Seconds later Cyrus was back in his seat and dealing the round but I noticed that even he took a peak at my cleavage when cards landed directly in front of me. “You know how to play right? Or do you need an education?”
“What… are you supposed to be the teacher here?” I chuckled, as did a couple others at the table.
“Please… Cyrus is too blunt to be the big winner… you gotta look to the quiet ones, never know what they are thinking… or doing…” Daniel chimed up with a laugh directing my attention to the big pile of winnings that sat in front of his bestie, Ryan. Indeed, the man looked completely unreadable, guarded, as usual. The hand completed with Cyrus taking the pot.
“I’m always a winner, even when it looks like I might not be…” the arrogant bastard belatedly stated with a confident smirk lifting the corners of his mouth obviously enjoying the slip of shine he popped from his first winning of the stuff I had provided. In all honesty, even though his stash wasn’t as big as Ryan’s it wasn’t inconsequential. He could buy several of the players out of their place at the table and not blink an eye.
“I think I can manage, but if lady luck isn’t with me tonight, que sera sera…”
Daniel chuckled, and with him sitting on my opposite side it was quite easy for him to lean closer to make a comment or two somewhat privately as the hand proceeded. I did not hold back from flirting with him but I was not overtly sexual despite the intimacy that existed between us. I focused my attention instead on trying to read the crowd, to figure out who were the weaker players… the stronger.
Jewelry and collectibles littered the table, a few electronics, nothing that would draw too much unnecessary attention but with the caliber of people surrounding the table, there had to have been information, or other more fruitful advantages to be had should the right person lose a hand to you. But by that time in the night, the occupants in the chairs had dwindled down and only the bravest… or richest players remained.
“Poker is all about making other people believe your lies…” Ryan suddenly spoke as he completed the flop on his first set as dealer since my arrival. Since everyone else that was still left at the table appeared to be ‘usuals’ I assumed this little summary might have been for my benefit. I could have been completely wrong of course, why would he be talking about how you have to be a good liar to succeed at poker… was he trying to imply that there were other things he was good about lying about? Maybe that was wishful thinking on my part. I lowered my eyes, checking out the cards I had been dealt only gave him a half-hooded glance when Cyrus made the initial bet beside me.
Ryan was reading his own hand, not glancing towards me or anyone else for that matter so I knew I had to be reading way too much into his words. I simply knew it. Foolishly. He was schooling me, no I mean us… about how win at poker, he was of course coming out ahead of everyone at the table since his pile continued to only grow the entire time we played. But still, I think I really wanted his words to mean more.
“In or out Diva…” I heard from my right earning Cyrus a strange look, but I kind of ignored it, of course I was in. It didn’t matter that all I had were a pair of nines. With the pair of queens in the community cards, two pair could be a winning hand. The turn revealed the nine of spades and my stomach coiled into a knot. I had this. A full house would win… only one more card to turn and it was doubtful anyone at the table would beat me. But I maintained my cool as I raised the bid a bit. I barely considered the jack that was flipped over last, my fingers itched to turn over my winning hand and rub it in these guys faces. Bidding commenced on that final turn, and it went around twice, with multiple raises. I knew the others had to be bluffing… I mean what were the odds that anyone would have a straight or royal flush… next to nothing really. I had this.
“A good guy…” Ryan chuckled lightly but the hairs on the back of my neck had risen, “sorry ladies… a good player…” he corrected as if apologizing for excluding the female players. But my eyes were on him. Was he referencing our conversation from the night of the party? Impossible, again I was reading shit that was so farfetched it was almost laughable. He continued, only making me tingle a little more with each word. “… knows how to be subtle and make their move when it’s least expected…” then he looked directly at me, still unreadable. I knew I was being silly. “I believe we paid to see your hand Alexis…”
Indeed, they had all matched my bids until the end. But I was so in my head at that moment making up insane assumptions about the mans words that I hesitated. It didn’t help that I hated flipping first but I knew I was holding the winning hand. I grinned triumphantly, shoving the strange thoughts down deep, as I showed my nines, getting a low whistle from a couple people at the table. Ryan’s eyes glinted and I felt my heart drop, or race frantically, when he flipped two queens… four of a kind. A burst of excited murmurs filled the vicinity around us…
“And sometimes…” Cyrus spoke smoothly, drawing both of our attention as he slowly flipped his two cards over, spades the both of them… king and ten… “you just have to play the hand you’re dealt” A fucking royal flush for the cocky jerk. He smirked and actually winked at me. And oddly enough, I laughed, joining in with the chorus of it that had erupted from the table at his reveal.
The next dealer retrieved the cards and began shuffling just as the strangest message popped up on the huge vid screens surrounding the room. Several people frowned and began commenting. Luca rose, excusing himself but Cyrus tapped the table… insisting that the dealer proceed with the game.
What the hell was going on now? It seemed the equipment here was going bonkers now like the holosuite and the transporters. It couldn’t be that much of a coincidence could it? But the hand was dealt and I turned my attention back to it.
We were half-way though it when a second message spread across the screen, bigger, bolder. Daniel frowned, rising and hit his com repeatedly attempting to get in touch with Lt. Col. Saru… to no avail. It seemed the communications devices were out. Someone called out, anxious over the fact that the room was sealed… shouting that we couldn’t get out, we were trapped.
That got my attention. I never liked the feeling of being trapped. Both Daniel and Ryan moved towards the entrance, appearing to try and unseal the door. Again, to no avail. My nostrils flared as I stood suddenly and began glancing around, looking for another exit. Needing to find another exit. I pressed my hand to my chest as I gaze began turning back and forth frantically, there had to be another way out…
“You okay?” Wildly my eyes landed on Cyrus, but he turned away before I could think of anything to answer as the sound went completely silent. Not the people… just all of the ambient noise. The vid’s, the music, the games… everything just stopped moving. Murmurs filled the room, questions, concerns… then the lights flickered, causing some squeals before they went completely black. I gasped and felt like something was collapsing against my torso, squeezing every ounce of air out of me. My hand clawed at the body beside me and I felt myself being shaken but I was tossing my head blindly, sucking in huge gulps that never seemed to reach my lungs. Then a scream ripped through the room.
Suddenly, brilliantly bright lights flooded the room again, Octavia’s voice following suit, announcing that transporters were back online and suddenly people were being beamed to the closest room. I trembled harshly the moment I landed in the crowded room, air finally filling into my quivering body. I didn’t even realize when hands gripped my arms, I didn’t hear the voice, any of the questions asked of me... or even register when I was being ushered away from the crowd and led towards the passenger quarters.
Stardate061621: Missing Person’s pt.1 - DONE
“Alexis… Alex…”
Shakily, my head lifted, eyes gazing up at the man towering over me. I frowned. Suddenly a glass of clear fluid was thrust into my hands and without thinking I gulped it down my parched throat.
“What…” I choked out, took another sip then frowned again, narrowing my gaze on him after gathering my wits and barring. Taking only a few seconds to realize we were in my quarters. Although, I couldn’t rightly say just how long we had been there already. “What are you doing here?”
I stood and almost tipped over. The fact that he caught me and held me up drew a startled breath from me. Snatching away I moved to the dining table to set the glass down.
“Well shit, a thanks would have been more appropriate.”
Again, my gazed narrowed as I stared expectedly at Cyrus. Why the hell was he in my quarters? I didn’t even recall getting there. Did I black out? What the hell…
“I’m pretty sure you had a panic attack”
I scoffed. No possible way. “Did you drug me or something?”
He did the same, snorting even louder than me. “Why the fuck would I need to do that?”
I tried to remember what happened but the last I remembered was being at that stupid game night, someone saying something about the exits. I rubbed my temple and the memories started to return. Locked in, the sounds, the lights… I started to shake a little.
“For fucks sake…” I heard him growl and suddenly I was being led back to the sofa, “sit the hell down would you before you fall on your face”
I wrinkled my nose and glared up at him. “I’m fine” I lied. What the hell happened to me. Was he serious? I glanced at him and saw that he was watching me closely, unlikely concern on his face. I remembered the tightness, could still feel some discomfort in my abdominal area and up under my ribcage. “Did I black out?”
“Yes… a few steps from the door” I hadn’t meant to ask that out loud, but his confirmation made me shiver. I pressed my lips together.
“I don’t faint” I insisted arrogantly and stood up once more, this time without stumbling.
“Okay then” He spit out and shrugged his shoulders before he turned away and started walking to the door.
“Where are you going?” Why the hell did I sound alarmed. He spun back around looking at me as if I was mad as a hatter.
“You’re obviously fine and back to your normal bratty self…”
“Me? You’re the one always with the horrid attitude and snooty ways” He rolled his eyes and once again turned to leave. “Wait… please” I choked out earning a disgruntled moan when he turned to face me once more obviously displeased. “please…”
He sighed and stepped back towards me. “Why?”
“I… I’m sorry okay.” I spit out unhappily. “I don’t understand what happened… and… I’m not exactly thrilled that it’s you that witnessed whatever the hell this was, or that you of all people helped me out…”
“If that’s supposed to be an apology…” he left the rest unsaid, and he was right. I sounded like an obnoxious brat. That was supposed to be his role here. I sighed heavily.
“Sorry… I, I don’t think I want to be alone right now”
“Don’t you have some of your stash here? Should just pop a strip…”
“I don’t”
He frowned now, glancing around. “You don’t have it in your quarters? Where do you keep it?”
“I mean, I don’t use…” his brow shot up. It was only then that he suddenly took a seat beside me.
“Why the hell not. Especially right now, you’re obviously on edge… you sure as fuck are bringing down my high… it could soothe out whatever this anxiety is you’re feeling…”
How could I have had a panic attack. I could not ever remember having one before. I mean, I knew I didn’t like feeling trapped in places. But this was ridiculous.
“I don’t know, I just don’t. Never have.”
He looked dumbfounded. “You’ve never even tried it?” I shook my head glancing around the room and spotting my bag on the table beside the glass I sipped from moments before. Without considering it, I got up once more to retrieve the bag. After sitting back beside him I dug into the pouch and slipped a couple packets out and unfolded them in my palm, offering the stash to him.
“A thank you…”
He looked down at the little pile but then shrugged. “It’s cool…” making me frown deeply.
“I insist…” which made him smirk. “I know you want it… just take it…”
“Why…?”
“Because I don’t want to be indebted to you!”
That only earned me a more sinister grin. My nostrils flared once more. “Hmmm… good idea. I like the idea of you owing me” I growled softly and he leaned back, placing his hands behind his head while stretching his legs out and crossing them on the top of my coffee table. I shoved his legs unceremoniously making them fall away. He laughed.
“Asshole” I bit out, “just take the damn drugs”
“No”
“Yes, dammit!” I ordered and even tried to reach over to shove one of the packets into the pocket of his pants. He grabbed my wrist. I snarled and did the same with the other hand, reaching around only to have that hand caught in his grip as well. We were nose-to-nose at that point, my chest heaving as I leaned up against him. “goddamn you take the fucking drugs…”
“No” I was raging but his softly uttered word sent a completely different fire searing through me, igniting everything but rage. I trembled as I gazed into his eyes and he pulled both my wrists together, clamping them in one of his fists while using the other to stroke delicately down my spine.
“Stop!” I ordered on a whimper, my nipples puckered so tightly that they ached and immediately he froze, his fingers lifted from my back, but he continued to hold my wrists as his eyes locked with mine.
“Are you sure?”
Confusion filled me, a hateful bewilderment over what the hell I was doing. Why was I in his embrace... and why the hell was I asking him to stop when every inch of me was tingling, aching, desperate. I didn’t do shine… but I sure as hell used sex as a release. Often.
“Either tell me to stop or tell me to continue… you have to pick one… you can’t have it both ways…”
He was taunting me. I knew it. He would stop… he would let go. I could see that he would. But my hesitation told him the truth without him actually needing hear my admission. But he dared me to say it… demanded that I say the words that would easily release me from this precarious position I suddenly found myself in. Or to admit that I wanted him… this… and let him continue. If I had just kept my mouth shut, I could have pretended that I wasn’t thinking straight, blamed everything on some fabricated reason why I lay with him. But now, he would force me to make a rational decision, refuse him or ask for it.
I wanted to do neither. So, I tried to be clever, tried to circumvent his ultimatum. I leaned into him, my breasts mashing against his and tried to kiss him. He smirked, wickedly… sadistically and stretched me out on the sofa until he had me pinned down.
“Say the words or I’ll make the decision for us and leave…”
“You wouldn’t” I hissed as my body slithered against him. I could feel his arousal. He wanted this too.
“Say the words Alexis…” I pressed my lips together mulishly. The glint in his eyes was dangerous, it made my core contract harshly. With a growl he pulled back and shifted as if he would rise. A whimper of frustration hissed out of me. I could see his arousal thick in his pants, but he would still deny this. He was being stupidly stubborn. 'Just like you' the thought charged back.
“Don’t stop…” I blurt out, his eyes locked with mine.
“You want this…?”
“Yes dammit… fucking hell… goddamn you I want it… you”
His grin was back, sick demented… triumphant. And I shook, in anger, annoyance… too fucking much excitement as he stretched back out, covering me, wedging his body between my legs. Then his tongue was on me, stroking slowly over my burning flesh.
“Good girl” he hissed against my ear and I swear he did it just to antagonize me... to make me balk up against him but then his lips were on me, softly, tenderly, his tongue slipping between my lips and I whimpered again, shaking savagely as the kiss deepened. I swear I saw black… or red… must have been the rage… then a brilliant bright white before that night would come to an end.
***************LOCKDOWN
Gasping I bolted up in bed, clutching the sheet to my chest and squinted into the darkness. Slowly, my heart racing slowed, and I was able to take stock of my location… and situation. I gazed towards the window, stars trailing as the ship continued to move on course, having no clue of the time or location. The room was mostly silent, almost… a soft grunt and blow of air hissed from him as I turned to spy him laid out across my bed, on top of the covers, in all his naked glory. One leg hung off the side of the bed, his perfectly shaped ass sunny side up, his arm draped across my lap. Looking dead to the world. Shivers raced down my back and I shook my head. How could I have slept with Cyrus Lawson? Not just slept with him… I fucking begged him. Repeatedly, throughout the night. Of course, I got in a few licks myself… dragging many desperate pleas from his sexy mouth but… still. I sighed deeply. Foolish, reckless, idiotic. The man couldn’t be trusted… he was the biggest jerk on the whole damn ship.
I rolled my eyes at myself as I wiggled and squirmed to slip off the bed, easing the sheet out from under him slowly as to not wake him. I wasn’t yet fully prepared to face the man the following morning. I wish we were at his quarters so that I could slip out all together without having to speak to him at all. Why the hell hadn’t he just left when we finished up last night. I did not like that he slept the night in my bed. Not one bit.
Gently I slid the door closed to my bedroom while wondering why I didn’t just shake him awake and send his ass on home. Instead I padded barefoot to the replicator.
“Coffee… black”
Seconds later I curled up on the sofa, tucking the sheet under my feet and cuffing the warm mug between both hands as I blew across the steamy top. But the peace I usually found in my morning brew was elusive that morning. The smell of him lingered… teased me… antagonized me. It was on the sheet… on me. I gritted my teeth and then hissed in frustration. Moments later I had ditched both coffee and sheet and thrown myself into the shower, trying to scrub off the intoxicating scent.
If the luxurious soap I owned had been more abrasive I may have rubbed some skin off with the vigor of my scrubbing. Wrapped in a vintage designer towel I stared at my reflection in the mirror for several minutes, again, taking stock and trying to calm my nerves. I was going to have to face him unfortunately. Suddenly a rumble and what sounded like a thud of something hitting the floor drew my attention.
“What are you doing?”
Cyrus froze only for a second before he continued to replace a decorative orb that typically sat atop the dresser in my room. It was one of a set of three.
“This fell, I was just putting it back…” I crossed my arms over my chest and immediately feeling exposed when he glanced over and assessed what I was wearing. A wicked grin spread across his face. I pressed my lips together. “Good morning”
“Is it morning? I mean I suppose it is. I wasn’t expecting to see you here by the that it arrived though…”
He continued to grin, moving towards then past me into the living area. I gritted my teeth as I glanced to the orbs then turned to follow his progress. “You can put your clothes back on you know…” walking around naked was not what I needed to see of Cyrus this morning. “And how did that orb fall? It’s sat there perfectly fine for as long as it’s been there…”
“I must have stumbled into it when I was moving about… you know… new location, unfamiliar placements…” he waved his hand dismissively and walked to the replicator. “Rippleberry tea”
I frowned as the pale purple brew materialized and Cyrus plucked then guzzled it down.
“Can you please put some clothes on” I hissed, and his eyebrows shot up but I could tell he was toying with me. Why the hell was he being so aggravating? Never mind, it’s Cyrus, why was I expecting anything better? I sighed but at least the man did gather his clothes in his arms before he muttered something about a shower. “Can’t you do that at your place!?” I growled but he completely ignored me and disappeared into he bathroom instead. I wanted to throw something.
Suddenly a chime sounded from the communicator followed by a flashing red light. Frowning harder I stepped over, pressing place to see what the message was. However, horror contorted my face when I read… then re-read the message. I didn’t even hesitate, sending out the codes and waiting impatiently until Octavia finally answered.
“You can’t be fucking serious?” Admittedly, she had no clue what the level of my outrage stemmed from.
“It’s only 24 hours Alex, I’m sure you don’t die of cabin fever… besides you usually like staying in your space not being bothered by people…”
“Exactly!” I hissed and suddenly a loud whistled tune erupted into he room catching Octavia’s curiosity.
“You have a guest? This early?” Her curiosity turned to amusement. I groaned.
“Can’t you fucking do something? Can I use my porter to get the person to their unit??”
“Who is it?” I mashed my lips together so tight I wondered if they turned white. That only made the woman more curious.
“I can’t be here for 24 hours! You have to be kidding… I’m going to use my porter… “
“You can’t Alex… no one can. Gemma is missing, everything is on lockdown. No in or out. The doors to your quarters are sealed. Sorry girl but you are stuck. But… surely you can find a way to entertain yourself. I mean… he’s … it’s a he right? Is it a she? No, it’s a he… he’s been there all night, slept in your bed…oh wow… I have to know who…” I shut the damn communicator off. Damn her. I won’t hear the end of this. I shouldn’t have called her but… 24 hours? What the hell was I going to do with Cyrus for a whole 24 hours?
My horror must have still be evident when he strolled out the bathroom,, steam pouring out behind him, a plain white towel wrapped around his waist, hair wet and hanging limply framing his face and all those sexy damn tattoos on display. ,
“What’s wrong?” He asked curiously, amused still. What the hell was wrong with him today. Shouldn’t he back to his hateful self so I can just go back to remembering how much I hate him? I gritted my teeth and swung the message around so that he could see…
“Gemma’s missing?” I was surprised that was the part that stood out to him, I mean, it was an important part certainly. But the rest was the aggravating part.
“Apparently…”
“I didn’t realize the two of you were so close…”
I frowned, “We aren’t… why would you think that?”
“You seem unusually upset.”
I looked at him pointedly. Slowly, he seemed to grasp the rest of the missive. “You should be in your quarters in lockdown. I don’t understand why you stayed!”
He laughed, literally bold-faced laughed and walked over to flop down on the sofa beside me both of us dressed only in towels, I realized belatedly. Why the hell hadn’t I changed? Suddenly he leaned closer and nibbled on my earlobe. I gasped and pulled away.
“Stop” I hissed. But he did it again and goosebumps spread on my arms but I persisted, hissing stop once again. He sighed dramatically.
“Okay fine… then what are you going to do to entertain me then?”
I glared at him. “Why the hell would I entertain you?”
“I’m your guest! That’s what good hostess do…”
“I didn’t invite your ass to spend the night!”
“And at which point did you expect me to get up and leave… when you were so prettily begging me to fill you or when you were wantonly making me growl for you?”
“Shush…” I mutter, both embarrassed and turned on by the memory. Shamefully, my gaze seemed drawn to his crotch and I rolled my eyes seeing that he was not immune to the memory of last night either. He had no shame. And part of me wondered why I was acting so bothered by it. The man was a good… no great lay. So what if he was an asshole? I glanced at him.
“We’re stuck together for a whole day…” His words were annoying, but true. I rolled my eyes again but there was no use in fighting against it. At least not for the next hours.
“Fine…” I whispered and stood up. He gave me a curious look but didn’t say anything when I strolled to the cabinet, tugging it open and pulling out a small crate. I didn’t bother to be secretive about it, it wasn’t like it was all the supply I had. Cyrus was watching intently though. Using the bioprint lock I pulled out a pack of shine and moved back to Cyrus, waiting patiently on the sofa. His gaze was on the pack but it wasn’t the only thing I had planned in that moment.
Unwrapping the towel from my body, I crawled over and straddled his lap. A look of surprise crossed his face briefly before his wicked grin was back. His hands slid up, cupping my ass as I pulled the towel he wore away. Then slowly I pressed one of the strips against his lips. His eyes locked on me as he parted them, taking the shine… “after today I go back to hating your ass”
“Deal” he replied letting the drug dissolve then leaning in, his lips finding and wrapping over one pert nipple. I trembled while he lifted me and quite easy set me firmly over him making my legs quiver.
Little did I know that I would not be the only thing the bastard dug through before he left my unit the following day.
ROUND 1 DONE
Last edited by BambiFoxx (01/10/2020 at 15:19)