Post 470: Battle of the Sexes

Stardate: 90730.2330
Title: Battle of the Sexes
Authors: Lt. Grace and Lt. Reece
Scene: Bridge/Sickbay USS Alchemy
Time: A while after "Help is on the way"
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On the bridge of the USS Alchemy, everything was quiet. Simon and February waited without speaking, providing all needed support to the other just by being in the same room, the way that only good friends can.

[Salvek to Biggs, prepare for transport. How many are currently on the bridge?]

"Three of us. Myself, Grace and Reece."

Salvek's voice remained level but his words conveyed his concern. [Maak did not return?]

"No, Sir, we haven't seen him since he left with that environmental suit."

[Understood. We are beaming you directly to Sickbay.]

"Thank goodness." February breathed a sigh of relief.

[Energizing.]

A moment later the three of them rematerialized in Sickbay, and they found Lair Kellyn standing next to a biobed, her hands in the air, talking to a masked figure.

"I really wish you'd give that back." Kellyn was saying, indicating the communicator that the figure held in its hand. "I need it to contact our leader, if you wish to speak with him."

"I do not wish to speak to any male leaders you may have aboard this ship." The figure replied. "Who are your senior female officers?"

"Well, that would be me, and. . .her. . .hey," Kellyn realized that she wasn't alone with the figure any longer. Biggs moved to make a run at this figure that held Kellyn at knife point, but she waved him off. "As you were, Ensign."

The figure's eyes shifted over to Simon, and those eyes registered surprise when Biggs did as he was told. "He takes orders from you? Explain."

"I outrank him." Lair explained plainly. "He reports to me if his immediate supervisor is not here. His supervisor back on our home ship is female also,
you might find it interesting to note."

"I'm female too and I hate to break up this coffee klatch," Grace said, approaching, "But Reece is hurt and he requires treatment. Where is the EMH?"

"Our friend here made me deactivate him. Because he's a him." Kellyn explained.

"Well your gender phobia is your own business, lady, but my boyfriend needs medical help and he's going to get it, understand?" Suddenly February Grace felt the fire of the determination of every one of her previous hosts bolstering her courage. "Step aside, sister."

Grace moved swiftly past the figure, and catching her off guard, wrestled the knife out of her hands with one swift motion.

"No more pointy things." She warned, and she handed the knife to Lair.

"Who are you?" Simon asked the figure softly, approaching the trio of females now with Reece slung over his shoulder.

He set Dabin down on the biobed and waited for the EMH to reappear.The figure, realizing she was outnumbered, slowly removed the hood and scarf from her head, revealing her face.

She was beautiful- tall, with platinum blonde hair and piercing violet eyes.
She had very pale skin, and red, orange, and purple streaked markings on the side of her face, from just at eye level down to her jaw line.

She was very beautiful, Biggs thought.

"I am Andara Tybelle Maffe, leader of the Order. The ruling council of Yensul V."

"Yensul V?" Kellyn was confused. "I thought this was a moon."

"That is exactly what they wanted you to think it was."

"They?"

"Yes, they, the ones who sent us here to die," the woman said sadly. "The males in charge of everything on our former home, Yensul IV."

"Computer activate the EMH." Grace called out.

"Please state the nature... oh never mind I found the medical emergency." The EMH set to work on Dabin Reece.

"What do you mean they sent you here to die?" Kellyn asked indignantly. "Are you some sort of criminals?"

"Worse. Criminals can be rehabilitated. We are here because we simply outlived our purpose and usefulness to society."

"How can a person ever outlive their usefulness?" Simon asked. "Every person has something to offer in some way."

Maffe shot Biggs a distrusting glance. "Perhaps I have said too much already."

"Ow." Came a very small voice from Dabin Reece.

"Dabin! He's waking up!" Grace exclaimed to the Doctor.

"Please leave the medical diagnoses to me, Lieutenant." The EMH replied sarcastically. "I have repaired his punctured lung and treated his pain for now. I will work on his ribs next. Mister. . .Dabin, is it? Would you prefer to be sedated?"

"It's Reece, and not just yet."

Andara Maffe watched Grace stroke Reece's hair. She had never seen anything quite like it, actual affection between a male and a female. She had known nothing in her lifetime except that staying as far away from males as possible was the only way to truly be safe.

"What's going on anyway?" Reece asked. "Did anyone get the license number on that science console?"

"We have a visitor. Apparently this is not a moon." Grace said.

"What?" Asked Reece. "How can that be? The sensors are stupid but they aren't THAT stupid. Whoa hey! You're getting a little friendly there dude, my ribs are up here! Stay above the equator!"

Reece grabbed the wrist of the EMH and guided his bone-healing tool North."

Relax Mr. Reece, I'm merely checking for any injury to your pelvic area that may affect your symbiont."

"Dabin, your guess is as good as mine. I don't know how the sensors messed that up." February responded out loud. *That woman knows exactly why we thought this was a moon.* She added, speaking telepathically to Reece.

"Like I said the sensors aren't that stupid. There must be some kind of holographic projection or cloaking technology enveloping this planet. Most likely a combination of the two to project the false moon image and hide the real planet below." Dabin spoke.Andara Maffe reluctantly nodded to February.

"The male is correct, more or less."

The room hung silent for a few moments. Biggs, sensing the tension in the room, decided to try and get everyone to relax.

"Would you care for something to eat Ms. Maffe?"She stared at him, her stomach saying yes, but years of pain and misery telling her not to trust any male."Look."

Biggs stepped to the replicator, which had come online with the rest of Sickbay when Salvek diverted power there. "Computer, one roast turkey plate, with mashed potatoes, stuffing, green beans and gravy. And a glass of water." The replicator whirred to life and produced the meal.

Maffe's mouth fell open, shocked at what she had witnessed, as the amount of food she typically ate in a month appeared effortlessly before her very eyes.

"Good old fashioned comfort food, guaranteed for anyone to enjoy."

Biggs set the tray on the table near Maffe and stepped away. Cautiously she sampled a bit of the meat with her fingers. It was like nothing she had ever had in her life. She took a small sampling of each course, and then took a canvas bag and began placing the remaining food inside it.

"What are you doing?" Simon asked.

"I have many mouths to feed. May I please take the rest to them?"

"Well of course, but I could always just replicate more for you if you like."

"But how... How can you do this? It takes days for me to find this much food."

"It's just technology we have. Watch." Simon ordered another plate of food, identical to the first. He offered it to Maffe once again, her eyes widening as she took it into her hands.

"Thank you. My people, they are so very hungry." She said, and for the first time, a smile escaped her lips.
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Lt. Grace
Helm/Flight Controller
USS Independence/USS Alchemy

and

Lt. Reece
Science Officer
USS Independence/USS Alchemy