A familiar face

Posted on 12/09/2023 @ 10:45pm by Captain Cara Letsul & Civilian Mathias McPhee & Civilian David Scarlet
Edited on on 05/17/2024 @ 4:46pm

2,059 words; about a 10 minute read

Mission: Pages...
Location: SB 50
Timeline: After Aer's and Jack's Wedding

A ship had just arrived depositing passengers onto the station and getting resupplied. One of the passengers, adjusted the green duffel bag that he had upon his shoulders like a backpack, when he disembarked. He had gained passage on the ship by working as part of the crew. Now he was here on Poseidon Station. He wore a dark blue coat which hit the upper thigh, the lining of the coat was red in coloration. He had well worn boots, dark tan cargo pants and a greyish blue longsleeved shirt.

Giving a bit of a sigh, the man scratched at the dark red full beard for a moment, then brushed back his unruly reddish hair, which touched the upper portion of his shoulders. He let his feet do the guiding taking him to where he needed to go. The man was tall, with a trim build but that was sort of hidden by the coat he wore. His feet led him to where there were security standing guard of a holodeck keeping curious onlookers at bay while a party seemed to be going on. From the look of it, it seemed that someone had gotten married. He didn't quite know why he was led here, but he stood where he could watch, having the feeling that something momentous was about to happen. There, his eyes widening he saw a familiar face, that of David Scarlet stepping out of the holodeck with some dark haired woman.

"Well I'll be damned" he intoned quietly. "Never thought I'd see him again." The man speaking softly was none other than Mathias McPhee. He kept sort of out of sight, not wanting to draw attention but wanted to follow at a discreet distance.

"Shall I escort you back to your quarters or do you want to wander around first? It's been a fun but hectic evening." David Scarlet offered Cara. "I don't think I've been to such a huge celebration before."

"This wedding was something a long time coming and I am glad we were able to attend." Cara remarked. "Also what with the dancing that had been done, and you dance rather well; perhaps though it would be prudent to go back to my quarters." Giving him a soft smile. Cara had slipped her arm through his offered crooked elbow when she caught the sense of someone watching them, actually, someone showing a rather keen interest towards--David.

Cara's hand tightened briefly upon David's arm, and she whispered, "I do believe that someone is following us, and I am getting the sense that said person is keenly interested in -you." Cara acting like she'd not noticed their follower.

David resisted the urge to tense his body. Instead simply patting her hand with his own. "I am a rather interesting guy." He replied coyly. "Can your feet manage the scenic route?" His mind was already working on what areas of the station would work best to lay an ambush.

They'd already encountered a strangely helpful Mirae, so he wasn't sure who else would be interested in him on the station. "Can you tell our third wheel's intentions?"

"I will be able to manage going the scenic route." Cara answered blithely, then in a quieter voice. "I do not detect any insidious intentions where you are concerned. in fact, I am sensing a sort of fondness towards you, like that of an old friend."

Mathias continued to follow after David and the mysterious dark haired woman, he was with. In fact he had caught the sight of a smile upon David's face which was great to see. Whoever this woman was, she certainly must be someone special to get David to smile.

"There are some... old friends that should remain in the past." David said with a chuckle. He accepted Cara's abilities and senses were more keen than his own, but he didn't live this long by not trusting his gut.

The pair walked an aimless route along the open promenade until David spotted a sharp corner. Gently he nudged Cara to get her attention and they began moving in that direction. Old friend or not, he didn't appreciate being tailed and he was going to get to the bottom of it in his usual blunt fashion.

Cara was quick to follow his nudge and saw the corner they were heading for, this was definitely turning into a shadowing game straight from the books of security, and intelligence and also Marines. She slipped around the corner with Scarlet she going on the other side to where she was out of the way just in case.

Mathias had a huge grin on his face as he watched David and this woman seem to be very much involved with each other. He almost lost sight of them when others had gone between him and the two. He relocated them though then they disappeared around a corner, "Drats." he muttered quietly then moved to get to the corner to see where they had gone.

As Mathias moved to the corner, a hand reached around and violentely yanked him around to press him against the wall. David Scarlet pressed his forearm against the man's throat and glared at him.

"Why are yo-" Recognition flashed across David's face as he recognized the man through the scruffy beard. "Mathias?!"

Mathias was rather surprised to be yanked around the corner and slammed up against the wall. His second thought was that he should have remembered Scarlet's skills as well. Mathias opened his mouth to speak, finding it hard to do so with the forearm across his throat. He though managed to croak out, "Hi." a pained smile also surfacing.

Scarlet studied the man throughly; a changling? A clone? A time displaced copy? He finally took his forearm away from Mathias and looked the man up and down. "What happened? You look like shit."

He glanced back at Cara and motioned to Mathias. "A.... friend from my old life." Scarlet shook his head. "Things weren't left in a good place... so I know you didn't come here just to look for me."

Mathias adjusted his coat, then gave a wry smile. "Well, I just felt I needed to come here. Don't know why but perhaps it was to find out where you went to. Though there is that Rift out there as well. And yes I am the Mathias you knew in that one place. I saw how carefully you examined my face."

He took a look towards Cara then back to David. " I am no longer married, and I am now wondering if that part was just a dream or a nightmare. However i do know I have the divorce papers, in my records. Guess it wasn't a dream. " he dry washed his face, giving a sigh then leaned against the wall.

Rubbing his chin, Mathias spoke quietly. "According what my parents and other family members, it is done it is over and to never go in search of the person who I had been married to. In fact, I was told to never speak of her again. " He paused then shook his head. "There I go again oversharing."

Cara raised an eyebrow towards this Mathias. "Perhaps you need to speak to a counselor?"

Mathias shook his head emphatically. "Nope, unlike you Miss, you seem to not radiate banality, I won't speak to counselors, they just seem to drain my energy. My er ex was a counselor."

Cara's eyes widened at that, giving David look. She was a counselor but did Mathias know? Cara felt that she wasn't the typical sort of Counselor.

"Counselors can be a sore point for anyone who served on that ship." Scarlet grumbled to Cara before looking back to Mathias. "Do you have quarters yet? At least a plan for tomorrow?"

Cara nodded. "I see." then went quiet.

Mathias looked over towards the attractive Betazed woman, then turned his gaze back to Scarlet.

"I've not gotten any quarters as of yet, hadn't really looked for something since I just got here and my feet led me to you." Mathias giving a bit of a wry smile. "Since you seem to be on a date, David, I can set off to get myself a place to stay. There is probably some place that a traveller such as myself, can find someplace affordable. "

Scarlet shook his head. and looked to Cara, holding her hand for a moment and giving it a squeeze. "If it's ok with you... when a friend needs help..."

Cara smiled warmly giving a squeeze of the hand back to David. "Go and see to your friend, Mathias was it?" taking a look at the tall redhead.

Mathias gave a nod, having a curious look in his eyes, as he regarded her for a moment then turned his gaze back to David.

Cara released David's hand, "I've got things I need to do as well. The illustrious Jackson Porter, I need to check on him."

"I have heard of the man, and have read his books." Mathias remarked, "Are you his aide? Or the coordinator for events here?"

There was a sparkle in Cara's eyes, and playful smile dancing upon her lips. "You could say I am the coordinator for events here. And I must be going now. Both of you have a wonderful evening doing some catching up."

David nodded and offered a weak smile. He mouthed the words Thank You. He'd make this interruption up to her later.

Cara was delighted to not have been thought to be part of the command staff. Sure, Cara could have mentioned she was part of the command staff, but what would be the fun in that? Cara treasured the moments of not being noticed that she was an upper ranking officer from time to time.

Cara gave David a kiss on the cheek, "Have fun." giving another warm smile. With a graceful turn, the skirt of her dress swirling around her legs, the dark haired woman made her way from the two men, disappearing around the corner.

Mathias just watched in amazement as the woman disappeared around the corner. "David, just who was that enchanting woman? She's rather enigmatic, there is more to her than meets the eyes. I could see it in the way she carried herself."

"She's a good friend." David said wistfully as he watched her depart for a moment. "A better one than either of us have been to the other." He glanced back at Mathias. "Let's fix that. I've got a small couch in my quarters that'll due for tonight. And then we can talk about why you're here on the far side of nowhere."

Mathias gave a nod, casting one more glance in the direction that David's date went. "That sounds lovely, I accept. You know, I didn't catch your date's name, and neither did she introduce herself. Most intriguing." as he walked alongside David to his quarters.

"Cara." David said firmly. "She works on the station." He knew how she valued her privacy and didn't want to give more than he had to. Even to Mathias.

Walking through the corridors, they arrived at the civilian quarters and David tapped in the code to open the door. Inside was smaller than either of them had on a ship because of their rank. Little more than a sitting area and kitchenette with a separate bedroom and washroom off to the side. But, for now it was home.

Mathias looked about with approval, "This is a nice place, David. Thank you for inviting me to stay for the night." He pulled off his backpack and placed it in a corner out of the way. "Once again, I do apologize for interrupting your date." He removed his coat as well, folding it up and placed it upon the top of the backpack. He caught sight of his scruffy looking self in a mirror. "I truly look quite the sight." he chuckled slightly. "Would it be alright if I freshened up a bit before we chat? Or do you wish to talk over things in the morning?" Mathias trying to hide a yawn.

"Long day." David replied. "We'll continue this in the morning."

"That sounds lovely to me." was the answer from Mathias.


Mathias McPhee
written by Cara Letsul
Poseidon Station

David Scarlet
Civilan
Poseidon Station

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