Pirates' Bay, Part 4

Posted on Sun Oct 23rd, 2016 @ 8:39pm by Ensign Leela Carter & Ensign Reva Madhava & Ensign Six of Ten & Niro

Mission: Further Challenges
Location: Alt. Universe

Niro led the way from his quarters and down two doors to Suresh’s quarters. There he rang the chime and waited. ”Riley and Reva are there.” He pointed to the next door over.

Leela gave Niro a concerned look. “They stayed with Europa.” Any other conversation was cut short as Suresh opened the door.

“Niro, Leela. Come in,” he stepped back to let them in.

Leela went to Six, “Are you okay?”

Six had emerged from the bedroom and brushed back her long hair. “Yes , I am.” She smiled briefly. What about you?” Leela didn’t seem to be panicked or enraged, which Six took as a good sign. She noted Leela wa still in her dinner clothes.

“I’m okay. I just wanted to check in on you.” Niro is concerned that Europa might demand a ransom for Reva.

Six looked from Niro to Suresh. “Do you mind if I talk to Leela for a few minutes alone?”

“No, Niro and I will step out,” Suresh answered. He didn’t give Niro the chance to countermand the statement; he opened the door and fairly well pushed Niro into the corridor.

Leela chuckled as the door closed. “You’ve got this one wrapped around your finger as well.”

Six sat down on the sofa before she answered. “You might say that. He and I made a deal. You aren’t going to like it.”

Sighing, she sat as well. “Better tell me, then.”

“I’m worried about Reva,” Six began. “I mean really worried. She was starting to show the same reactions she did right after she got back from Fisher’s ship. Riley seems determined to keep watch but this is all a little overwhelming, especially for her. Suresh is a little concerned over Europa and what she might want, especially for Reva, as am I. He wants...well, I...I promised him I would be a little more cooperative if he will help me keep Reva out of harm’s way. Better than fighting with him.”

“Niro asked me whether you two can handle this. I’m not so concerned about you - no offense, Six. But Reva... when she bolted, I was sure we’d never see her again. For once, I was thankful for a roomful of Orion thugs.” Leela rubbed her eyes. “Hopefully Europa will let her come back here tomorrow. Have you seen Marie?”

“Not yet, no. After we got back here, Suresh and I had the big peace talk and then we went to bed. I figured that if he and I stuck together, Europa can’t use us against each other. What about you? Niro? What’s he saying?”

“Pretty much the same: present a united front so that he can keep Europa at bay. He wants to help open the rift.” She held back Niro’s warming that they might not get home. “We can head back to the rift’s coordinates and try to open it there.”

“Do you believe him?” Six frowned. “I know he’s not our horrible Niro but even so, I’m having a hard time with him.You should be careful Leela, he’s really hung up on you too.”

“I know. I don’t think he’s over the Leela here, since she’s dead. Lots of people would kill to have a second chance with a deceased loved one,” she said. “This is all so awkward. Don’t do anything you don’t want to do.”

“It is awkward.” Six hesitated, then nodded. “He’s already all but asked me to stay, to be his, or to let him be my Suresh. I need to see Reva. I didn’t intend to tell her about this little bargain but she’ll know. If it keeps Europa at bay and gains us a protector, it’ll be worth it.”

“Let me rephrase: don’t do anything you’ll regret later. When we get home, you’ll want a clear conscience. We’ll see Reva in the morning.”

Six nodded. “I won’t.” She rose and went to the replicator. “Want some coffee while you’re here? We can keep the men out for a bit longer.”

“Yeah, better make it decaf, though, otherwise, I won’t sleep. Not that I necessarily will anyway.” As the ‘senior’ officer, Leela needed to keep it together and not express her worries, like her worry that Europa could just kill Niro and his crew and take Reva and Six, leaving her and Marie without a place in this world. And all of them without a way home.

“Try not to worry too much,” Six advised, then ordered two mugs of coffee. “Niro is worrying enough for the both of you, if that helps any.”

“He got us into this mess, he should worry,” Leela grumbled as she accepted a mug from Six.

*In the Corridor*

“And Marie? She’s off with her new ...friend?” Suresh glanced at the door, as if the women inside might have heard his question.

Niro snorted a laugh. “No. Well, he’s standing guard so technically he is with her I suppose. I’m taking no chances where she is concerned. She maybe the key to opening that rift. For now I’m not sure if I want her to figure it out or not.”

“I understand that. We all have a second chance here. Me? I’m all for getting as far away from Europa as possible. And to hell with the rift. They’ll come around, eventually. We are the men they love... well, Riley and I are. You... not so much, but you could win her affections.”

“I was until that nut case killed her,” Niro grumbled. “Speaking of the women though, what’s with you jumping to shoo me out of there? She just waves her hand and you give in now? What’s up?”

“I’m letting her know that I’m on her side; she can rely on me,” Suresh smiled rakishly. “All part of the greater plan.”

“Did it work?” Niro studied Suresh intently for an instant. “Wow... you’re serious? And she agreed?”

“She did. I warned her against roaming the station - that she, the native Six, has plenty of enemies. I think we’re safe from her trying to kill us in our sleep or from her running off on us.”

“Because you found her weakness,” Niro replied. “I didn’t think she’d go that far though. Well done. I guess I should say enjoy.”

“I will,” again he smiled. “What of you with Leela?”

Niro shrugged. “She’s still in that ‘I’m the senior officer so I have to take care of the kids’ frame of mind. I think one look at Ray here and she’ll be staying close to home. I’m hoping to avoid it but you know he always turns up when we arrive.”

“Yeah... likely for breakfast tomorrow,” Suresh joked.

The door behind Suresh opened to reveal Six standing there. “You boys done talking?”

“Yeah, are you ladies done?” Suresh turned toward her.

Six nodded. “Time to get back to bed. I am going to see Reva first thing in the morning.”

Niro looked her up and down then raised an eyebrow at Suresh.

Suresh looked doubtful. “Uh-huh. And you’ll find her how?”

“We’ll find her together,” Leela said. “We’re both going.”

“There you have it. That means you better get moving and get your woman to bed, Suresh.” Niro smiled. “Ready Leela?”

Leela nodded as she and Suresh changed places. “Six, I’ll see you early,” she said then she and Niro left Suresh and Six alone.

“You’re concerned,” Niro commented as they walked back to his quarters. “Why?”

“Why shouldn’t I be? Reva is in the home of a madwoman and Six, Marie and I... we’re not exactly in the safest place.”

Niro gave a low laugh. “Seems to me Six is pretty well covered. That man would walk in and shoot Europa right now if she asked him to. And make no mistake, Europa will do anything she must to get what she wants. You’re right to be worried, Lee. This isn’t your Fleet with civil laws and peaceful citizens. I think you and Six are the only ones who really get that. She’s doing what she has to do, isn’t she?”

“She is. I think Reva gets it, too, Niro. She was terrified earlier today. We’ll all do what’s necessary.”

He stopped her and pressed her back against the bulkhead. “That so? I want you armed when you go with Six in the morning. Ray will likely be sniffing around. Unless you want me to go with you? I’d rather I did but you two seemed to be hinting you were going alone.”

“We won’t stop you and Suresh from coming with us. You can deal with Europa while we see Reva. I want to find Marie and have her come with us, too.”

“I’ll see about rounding her up.” He stepped back and continued to his own door. “After you.”

She went in and wordlessly prepared for bed.

*****************