[USS Charon – Eris Deck]
Brent nodded at her reply. All the well, he probably wouldn't have understood much of what she had said if she had gone into detail. He stopped chewing on a bit of his pasta as she mentioned children. He finished eating before he finally spoke up. "Well I remember what they told me in high school ma'am. I raised a few puppies, but other than that..." he let it trail off, hoping that she would get the hint that he didn't have the first clue about what to do with children. Save for how to go to the doctor to get the shot that meant that he didn't make any.
"Puppies." Shiarrael vaguely recalled seeing the little creatures once. Menacing things, sharp teeth, terrible hygiene, and had an awful odor. She smiled at the Marine "ah good, so you have some experience." She looked at Nnoil who had finished his plate and was playing with the ball again "Ensign Lindstrom who normally watches the children during her off hours is changing shifts in three weeks. The children have grown beyond the ability of a holographic nanny to monitor them therefore they need a physical presence. They have become quite clever things. Since you seem to do well with them please begin watching them for me during my shifts starting in three weeks." Nnoil bounced the blue ball of Warren's forehead and giggled along with Ael "they already seem quite fond of you."
"Uh. Wouldn't the counselors be better than this ma'am? I'm sure they have actual training in dealing with kids," Brent asked suddenly thinking that he should have a few shots. More duties? With children? "Besides don't my shifts coincide with yours?" Brent leaned down and picked up the ball, keeping it on his side of the table.
"It'll be fine Lieutenant." Shiarrael smiled but her eyes narrowed slightly. Next to her Ael was picking up food pieces and tossing them onto the floor "khoi" she said to the girl and peeled her hand off the plate sliding it to the center of the table out of reach. "It is also not a simple matter. I need more then a caretaker Lieutenant; I need someone who can protect them. Before your arrival" she reached over and slid the knuckle of her finger across Nnoil's cheek "they were almost killed by a mad man."
Brent frowned at that. So that's why she was interested in having him help out taking care of his children. "Um. Ma'am," he said clearing his throat. "I noticed that you've been talking to them exclusively in Romulan. Do they have universal communicators? And if they don't can they speak Federation Standard," he asked. "Was this madman someone else who was annoyed at your position as captain here of this vessel?"
"They can speak standard well enough, when they choose to." She glanced at them "but I believe they should also know my native tongue. " Shiarrael turned her attention back to Warren "he was Marine, Marine Captain Joseph Bosque. He killed two security personnel posted outside my quarters and used my children as hostages." Her lips quivered but was it rage or sadness? "I managed to kill him but not before he injured Nnoil with my honor blade. Ah" she could see the look of realization in the first Lieutenant's eyes "now you see why the Marines were marooned. The following mutiny was an insult- they received better then they deserved."
"Just so long as I can tell them not to touch the electrical plugs or hot items and they can understand me," Brent said with a smirk before she brought up the idea of the marooned marines. It was his turn for his eyes to narrow. "Ah. So that's why they were marooned? They were all apart of the conspiracy?" Brent asked. He had heard rumors about it, but had never heard things totally.
"They were marooned for mutiny." Shiarrael said, she didn't know for sure, but felt, certainly felt that they had something to do with the crime against her children. Their response to being detained during the investigation into the incident solidified her opinion of them. "It is something that is now passed" 'for the most part at least' Shiarrael regretted that they had disappeared but there was little that could be done now "I will be able to carry on with my duties easier now that I know someone able is watching the twins."
Brent didn't press the issue. He figured it was a terrible burden for the Captain. "Of course. I apologize for bringing it up," he said relaxing a little bit. "It must be taking you quite a bit to trust a Marine with your children," Brent said slowly as he realized it. "Thank you for your trust."
"You do your job well." Shiarrael said standing up. Grabbing Ael's hand she pulled the girl out of the chair "I should take them home. Thank you Lieutenant." She reached out and took Nnoil's hand with her other "I'm sure the children will enjoy your company while I am away." With that said she led them out.
Brent stood up as she did. "Yes ma'am," Brent said. "Thank you," he replied as he watched them. As the captain turned to lead them out he caught Ael's eyes looking back at him. He stared back at her and pointed with his eyes then pointed towards her. Telling her that he was watching her.
[End]
Captain Shiarrael Rehu
Commanding Officer
USS Charon
1st Lieutenant Brent Warren
Acting Marine Commander
USS Charon
