Gemstone

Posted on Tue Feb 14th, 2012 @ 11:49am by Charlotte Ashcroft

721 words; about a 4 minute read

Mission: Session 6: Take 5
Location: ISS Endevour
Timeline: Current

At twenty six Charlotte Ashcroft stared at her reflection in the grubby mirror with a slight pout. Her raven colour hair had recently become the victim of some bodged hair styling by the ship's captain in an attempt to pass her off as male following a boarding from bounty hunters.

It had been her choice, and aware of the previous delicious figure upon his crewmen's head Captain Mosley had been complied without question just as he had done for the nine times before. She'd teased him later that his styling had improved with practice; he scoffed and waved her aside once the coast was clear.

It seemed having faked her death the price upon her head had been dropped and the search called off. She could breath clearly now, and with all things considered it was a blessed relief.

The freighter ISS Endeavour knew how to toe the line, and unlike the Warden she held a clean bill of health able to trade freely without fear of entrapment or imprisonment and so she docked routinely at Federation outposts. Mostly those upon the edge of society where the crew, though in the folds of the Starfleet morals and legislations wouldn't say no to a cheap, quick thrill or some work upon the side.

That was how Lottie ended up the position she was now. Gazing upon her near naked reflection stroking her abdomen slowly as if attempting to stir something from beneath, truthfully it was too soon to see or feel anything upon the surface. It didn't however hide the facts, the weight gain had already started and much to her displeasure an accompany of spots had broken out across her face.

Hormones where wreaking havoc across the young pregnant woman's body, a domain in which the ships physician had to quickly become an expert in. The only catch - Lottie was the only female aboard hence the earlier disguise.

"You remind me of my Ruth," Mosley had said when she broke the news to him. "You have that same look on your face as if you're world has just come crashing down around you. Chin up love you'll be alright. We'll look after you, though we'll not your typical nursery there's not a man onboard that would hurt you or the little one. And if you want to leave when it's due I understand."

"What happened you Ruth?" Lottie asked fearing the answer.

"Oh she's well, here I have picture of her and the tribe," Mosley rummaged through his overcoat for a second before bringing forth a crumpled image.

Lottie took it from him and smiled at the faded photograph of himself, a rosy face woman with ginger hair and three children clinging to her dress hem with beaming smiles. "They'll wonderful," she said returning the image.

"Aye, they are. I try to see them as after as I can, but truthfully it's not nearly enough. Still," he sighed. "I chose my life, gotta live with the choices I've made."

With his straight talk and sheltered kindness Lottie was reminded of the Warden's former Captain, Walter Jones who'd promised would be in touch once the bounty upon them had been lifted. That was weeks ago and still nothing. Maybe he didn't know yet, or simply couldn't find her.

She sighed, dressed and moved out into the creaking ship as she nosed around some kind of supernova with strange gravity affects, oddly it was the fastest route according to the Keith at helm. Lottie doubted it having a strong feeling it was just his way of trying to show off to her.

Being the only female on board did have a few perks.

"Ah, there you are Ashcroft I was about to come and find you," Captain Mosley greeted her as she arrived upon the bridge. "We've received a message, a recorded message for you. I've already taken the liberty of inputting the coordinates into the helm, Keith's not overly happy but I've told him to button it or he'll become aquinted with the air lock."

Lottie stole a look at the helmsman sour face before turning back to Mosley with a beaming smile. "Thank you,"

Mosley nodded, his eyes shining with mixed emotions and turned away saddened that the Endeavour in a few short hours would lose her gemstone for good.

 

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