Post by Lieutenant JG Alerio Zhal on Apr 28, 2023 18:08:32 GMT -5
Alerio stood on a balcony overlooking the Citadel’s main promenade behind him was a viewport looking out to the vastness of space. In his hand he held a glass of a blueish-green liquid, he really wasn’t sure what it was. He had just asked for something strong at the bar before he walked off on his own. He closed his eyes and listened to the sounds of the station for a moment. His heart was pounding as he relived the moments on that ship, the electricity arcing through his body the screams, his screams, the smells and he forced himself out of the memory and back to the present. He glanced down at his tremoring hand and flexed it so that the tremors would stop. He knew he should be down with the crew getting ready for the memorial but he was still running the entire incident through his mind. He blamed himself, he should have seen that damn ship they were face to face with twitch. He should have reacted faster, he should have been able to get the helm controls back online. If he had been in his quarters he would have thrown the glass against the wall, but instead. He just brought the glass to his lips and downed it one try. The liquid burned going down and caused his eyes to water but that was just to mask his own tears.
The rage burning in his chest was hot and all-consuming for the briefest of moments. He wanted to last out to take the disruptor that rested under his console and… He let out a long sigh and stopped himself from finishing the thought that didn’t belong to him. He glanced up and saw the rough hands of Valkier Zhal.
“You should feed that kid. Makes life more interesting, more fun.” The mercenary leaned against the railing and faced him. “Let’s be honest, those two dancers didn’t do much to help you, but I could.”
Alerio rolled his eyes and glanced down at the people walking beneath him. “As I recall you suck in bed so I really don’t want or need your assistance, but you had to take that little shot of stim to get it up.”
“No idea what you are talking about I am a great lay.” Valkier smirked and leaned towards Alerio and blew at his ear.
The young Trill rolled his eyes and stepped towards the window and looked out it as he leaned against it. “You can’t keep blaming yourself, kid.” Valk walked up beside him and slapped his back.
“Oh like you are some moral comfort and authority. I take advice from my crew, not some psychopathic mercenary living rent-free in my head, and who is about to be served with an eviction notice.” Alerio shot back in a harsh tone.
“You know that isn’t going to work. We are stuck together, you may be able to get those doctors to shackle me in your brain, but I am always with you. How do you think you pulled off shooting that sniper from fifteen ya-“ Valk’s voice was sing-song until he was abruptly cut off.
“Stow it, I pulled that shot off because of my Starfleet training, and our combined skill with a disruptor not because you are some great shot. After all, you did lose you to Trill authorities in a shootout missing every officer and guardian and they took you out with a phaser set to stun. So I really don’t want to hear how YOU were some great shot.” Alerio was annoyed but kept it in check. “I am getting checked out by my doctor and her referral here on the Citadel, and then I am locking you in the box and never letting you out again.”
Valk chuckled. “You forget kid. You have the Zhian’tara coming and I will get out then, and you’ll have to face facts that Zhal and its sterling reputation has a dark mark.” Valk stepped close and kissed Alerio on the cheek. Which made the young Trill startle as if he had been slapped. “Gonna be a fun ride.”
The older Trill vanished and Zhal stood alone on the balcony. “Asshole…” He turned back to the window and continued to look out to space. “I have to take responsibility for my screw-ups, I fucked up more than once… and everyone we lost. I’ll choose to fight for them.” He pulled a small coin out of his pocket and held it up. “I’m sorry Mickien… you were a good pilot. I just wish we had been able to pull off that Starship Grand Prix…” He put the coin in a slit in his uniform collar and pinched it shut.
Alerio turned and started the walk back to his quarters to change for the memorial service.
The rage burning in his chest was hot and all-consuming for the briefest of moments. He wanted to last out to take the disruptor that rested under his console and… He let out a long sigh and stopped himself from finishing the thought that didn’t belong to him. He glanced up and saw the rough hands of Valkier Zhal.
“You should feed that kid. Makes life more interesting, more fun.” The mercenary leaned against the railing and faced him. “Let’s be honest, those two dancers didn’t do much to help you, but I could.”
Alerio rolled his eyes and glanced down at the people walking beneath him. “As I recall you suck in bed so I really don’t want or need your assistance, but you had to take that little shot of stim to get it up.”
“No idea what you are talking about I am a great lay.” Valkier smirked and leaned towards Alerio and blew at his ear.
The young Trill rolled his eyes and stepped towards the window and looked out it as he leaned against it. “You can’t keep blaming yourself, kid.” Valk walked up beside him and slapped his back.
“Oh like you are some moral comfort and authority. I take advice from my crew, not some psychopathic mercenary living rent-free in my head, and who is about to be served with an eviction notice.” Alerio shot back in a harsh tone.
“You know that isn’t going to work. We are stuck together, you may be able to get those doctors to shackle me in your brain, but I am always with you. How do you think you pulled off shooting that sniper from fifteen ya-“ Valk’s voice was sing-song until he was abruptly cut off.
“Stow it, I pulled that shot off because of my Starfleet training, and our combined skill with a disruptor not because you are some great shot. After all, you did lose you to Trill authorities in a shootout missing every officer and guardian and they took you out with a phaser set to stun. So I really don’t want to hear how YOU were some great shot.” Alerio was annoyed but kept it in check. “I am getting checked out by my doctor and her referral here on the Citadel, and then I am locking you in the box and never letting you out again.”
Valk chuckled. “You forget kid. You have the Zhian’tara coming and I will get out then, and you’ll have to face facts that Zhal and its sterling reputation has a dark mark.” Valk stepped close and kissed Alerio on the cheek. Which made the young Trill startle as if he had been slapped. “Gonna be a fun ride.”
The older Trill vanished and Zhal stood alone on the balcony. “Asshole…” He turned back to the window and continued to look out to space. “I have to take responsibility for my screw-ups, I fucked up more than once… and everyone we lost. I’ll choose to fight for them.” He pulled a small coin out of his pocket and held it up. “I’m sorry Mickien… you were a good pilot. I just wish we had been able to pull off that Starship Grand Prix…” He put the coin in a slit in his uniform collar and pinched it shut.
Alerio turned and started the walk back to his quarters to change for the memorial service.