welcome back! thanks for reading this far. Im trying to get back to my thing of updating at least one thing maybe two things a week scedule. so stingray wise next week I'm updating Christmas Cards for definate, maybe the next chapter of this if not be back here in a fortnight.
It wasn't as though they were locked together in a store cupboard at least. Of all the places to be trapped in; The stand-by lounge was not one Atlanta would have considered so incredibly dangerous. Even if it was only a few corridors down from the same functions lounge where the dang stepladder incident had happened in the first place. Atlanta didn't normally NEED to be in there. Normally she wouldn't be there most days even, bar the odd break when her hours matched her friends.
Annoyingly Atlanta was only there this time of the day, (the same time Marina was there), because Troy had asked her to meet him there earlier…
"Atlanta! Boy am I glad to see you." He'd said as she clocked in at the Tower's front doors. It was the day after her day off. Two days after her fight and talking with her father about Marina.
Atlanta was surprised to see Troy waiting for her there. Especially when he pressed a fresh cup of coffee to her hands.
"Morning Troy. Oh. Thank you that's real sweet but-"
"It's decaf I'm afraid. Commander's orders. He's banned you from the auto-serves too." Troy said apologetically, walking in with her. Atlanta sighed. She should have known her father would be serious in his threats to look after her. Decaf or not the coffee was warm and welcome.
They stood in slice while Troy pressed the button and summoned the lift.
"I hope you're feeling better. How are you?" He asked as the doors pinged and opened. The elevator music today was a bland attempt at something perky in jazz.
"I'm fine, thank you Troy."
She didn't need to be a mind reader to see he didn't believe her. But Troy didn't pester her at least like he had of late and continued.
"We missed you yesterday." He said. Then grinned like a shark as he said in a sing-song voice, "I meant to tell you last night. Guess which Corporal was covering launch stations and radio for you?"
"Oh no…Not Mags Mackrell?"
"Worse. And besides Mackrell M's on Waveskimmer ships, remember?"
"Travis!?"
"Bingo! Score one for Miss Atlanta Shore."
"Oh Neptune, gee I am sorry Troy." Atlanta frowned, "Why him?! If I'd known-!"
"I think the Tracking station director sent him solely to mess with everyone. Or to get rid of him for the day." Troy shrugged. "and Don't be sorry honey. You needed a break by the sound of it?"
"What's that meant to mean?" Atlanta snapped suddenly, swivelling to face him.
"Oh well Nothing!" Troy stumbled. Then steered the conversation about.
"Mackrell the younger was really cocky in the control tower for the briefing. Even had the cheek to bring up that game of pool from weeks ago. But then he made a right hash up of Stingray's protocols, even with Fisher's help. I thought the Commander was ready to ram him out the room." Troy said. "It was hilarious. And shows the higher ups just how valuable you lieutenants are!"
"Well, thanks I suppose. I wondered why father came home in such a foul mood." Atlanta huffed. Then sighed. "And, I am sorry for missing our date by the way Troy. I completely mixed my days up. I hope you weren't waiting too long before father called you."
Troy waved that off. But He side eyed her Critically.
"Easily done. You seem Better though, Atlanta, if you don't mind me saying so? You've been more than a little blue for a while now. Like, not quite yourself."
Well it wasn't untrue. Atlanta hesitated then agreed. She'd felt a little better after talking to her father.
"I'm alright Troy. I mean it but no you're right though. I've- I've not been sleeping well." She finally admitted as they stepped out the lift. He didn't offer her his arm but their fingers brushed.
"Hence the decaf?"
Atlanta nodded.
"Anything the matter? Or anything I can help with?" Troy asked.
"Not with me. Or at home. Or with my father." Atlanta said vaguely as she could stand. "Just some real crazy dreams that's all."
"Crazy as mine?" Troy asked. It got a chuckle out of her. There was a running joke amongst their friends and co-workers about Troy's 'most dangerous missions'.
"Just as crazy as some of yours." Atlanta agreed. But she felt her smile slide right off her face. "But, not pleasant…."
Last night's nightmare hadn't been as bad as some. Not as scary. But it still left her shaken and bothered. It had been more… uncanny if anything. One of those dreams that feel like a normal day; until something weird happens.
Atlanta couldn't remember all of it in exact detail.
A meeting had been called in the tower room. Battle stations had sounded suddenly and she'd run through the drill perfectly. But as Marineville lowered into the ground, rather than its bunker, the town had instead sunk into the deep and the dark water of the ocean. The sea level rose up the windows, tinting the room a dark murky emerald. Then water had started to rise inside the control room again as it often had in these dreams. Likewise, red fabric streamers had caught about her feet like weeds. Her father's chair was empty suddenly, bobbing on the waves; swept away from her one way and her friends washed away in another.
But then her father shook her awake once more. Before things could get much worse. He must have had an ear out, now that he knew what had been keeping her awake.
She'd been so worried about Marina drowning, she remembered. Which was ridiculous when Atlanta thought about it.
"Marineville to Atlanta?"
Atlanta blinked, pulled out of her thoughts. He'd walked her nearly all the way to the Control Room doors and she'd barely registered any of the time.
"Huh? Oh. Sorry Troy I was miles away. What did you say?"
"Nothing. Nothing important. But…"
Troy turned and slipped into a tone she wasn't used to hearing, or at least not used to having directed at herself. Not an angry tone as such. But Firm and no nonsense. More suited to being captain directing Stingray rather than chatting with her.
"Remember you said you'd tell me if there was something wrong going on with my crew?"
"Is Marina alright?" Atlanta asked sharply, Stopping in her tracks.
And then a split second too late realised she'd Gave herself away.
"Marina was…" Troy paused. "She's 'fine' too. Atlanta, you said you'd tell me-?"
"Troy I can't-!" Troy held his hands up. Softer repeated herself; "I wish I could Troy. I really do."
"I get it. And when you can come find me. But, listen, Atlanta? Honey?" He said, and hesitantly took one of her hands in his two. "When I said that; you are included in there. You know that, right?"
Atlanta looked up at him. Really looked at him. There was not a note of insincerity in his voice. Or in those blue blue eyes. This was normally the part where Troy put his foot in it regarding talking about affection. Today however when it counted he did not mess up.
"You might not be a crew member as is on board Stingray." He continued. "But you're still part of our team. And like yesterday proved we couldn't do a thing without you in the tower. We rely on you. And more importantly you're our friend. And my- well. You're our friend and we care about you. I care about you."
Here he squeezed her hand.
"If something is 'on your mind' to the point you're not okay then you know we're all here to help right? We've all been really worried about you too. Especially if you're worried about someone else…. Someone else on the team?"
"I know." Atlanta Swallowed and squeezed his hand back. "I know Troy. Thank you."
"You're on a split shift today, aren't you?" He then asked.
"Yes?" Atlanta replied, the sudden change of subject throwing her. "Unless you run into something."
Troy nodded. "Meet me in the standby lounge After your first one. Let me drive you home." He leant forward and Kissed her forehead like he had that night when he'd dropped her off.
"Shoot I better run, see you later." Then Troy literally ran, shooting off to the standby lounge as the first peels of stations rang out.
By rights Atlanta was now breezing into work two minutes late with a takeout cup of coffee. But instead Atlanta stood rooted to the spot. She raised her hand and brushed her fingers through her fringe where his kiss had landed. Still distracted by the Stolen moment in uniform.
And then she heard the commander fuming so quickly breezed into work two- and three-quarter minutes late with a takeout cup of coffee.
Next time: Marina is back. for real this time I promise. Why am I procrastinating writing and getting to the confrentation with Marina you ask? no reason none at all its not that i hate writing the two gals upset at all no nope shut up and drink your coffee.
thanks again for reading.