Dylan led the way down the corridors, with Rommie close behind. As the
hatch to command closed, she waited for Dylan to say - something. She
wasn't sure what to expect - Dylan usually only asked members of the crew
to 'walk' with him when they screwed up. Rommie had absolutely no idea what
she could have done wrong.
They kept walking down the halls of the Andromeda when Rommie decided to break the silence. "Dylan, you said there was a problem". Dylan stopped in his tracks, as he turned to face Rommie he noticed that she was standing right under a spot from the ceiling that seemed to set off her red hair perfectly.
The Captain was stuck for words, and after a short while he whispered: "You're that problem, Rommie.". Under different circumstances Rommie would have been rather hurt hearing something like that from Dylan. But the way he said it made it impossible for her. She answered in a soft voice "But Dylan, I am fully functional, PDLs are online, sensor drones, offensive missiles, they are all in perfect shape.". Dylan interrupted her, his voice still a mere whisper, "That's not what I mean", the truth was he had no clue how to tell Rommie what was on his mind.
Now Rommie was completely confused, "I don't understand.". Her words and the look on her face reminded him of a conversation they shared some time ago. Now he knew how to continue. "Rommie, I've been thinking about the last times you engaged that thing, and you just barely got away twice. And I care about you, not just as my ship, but as a person. I don't want to lose you, you're all that I have."
The last statement caught the Android completely off guard, of course she remembered that conversation as well. "Dylan, I can't promise I'll never die, but I promise you'll never lose me.". Dylan couldn't help but smile at that "No, but we can minimize those odds".
Rommie was somewhat flattered by Dylan's concern but she still tried to reason with her captain, she continued in the same soft voice as before, "Dylan. It's our duty as High Guard officers to fight with the fleet." "Not this time Rommie, you've done so much for the Commonwealth. and for me. I'd say the Universe owes you one." With that he leaned forward and kissed her on her cheek. Then he turned and strolled towards his quarters.
Rommie stood there right where he left her, still a bit confused but with a slight smile on her face.
TBC
They kept walking down the halls of the Andromeda when Rommie decided to break the silence. "Dylan, you said there was a problem". Dylan stopped in his tracks, as he turned to face Rommie he noticed that she was standing right under a spot from the ceiling that seemed to set off her red hair perfectly.
The Captain was stuck for words, and after a short while he whispered: "You're that problem, Rommie.". Under different circumstances Rommie would have been rather hurt hearing something like that from Dylan. But the way he said it made it impossible for her. She answered in a soft voice "But Dylan, I am fully functional, PDLs are online, sensor drones, offensive missiles, they are all in perfect shape.". Dylan interrupted her, his voice still a mere whisper, "That's not what I mean", the truth was he had no clue how to tell Rommie what was on his mind.
Now Rommie was completely confused, "I don't understand.". Her words and the look on her face reminded him of a conversation they shared some time ago. Now he knew how to continue. "Rommie, I've been thinking about the last times you engaged that thing, and you just barely got away twice. And I care about you, not just as my ship, but as a person. I don't want to lose you, you're all that I have."
The last statement caught the Android completely off guard, of course she remembered that conversation as well. "Dylan, I can't promise I'll never die, but I promise you'll never lose me.". Dylan couldn't help but smile at that "No, but we can minimize those odds".
Rommie was somewhat flattered by Dylan's concern but she still tried to reason with her captain, she continued in the same soft voice as before, "Dylan. It's our duty as High Guard officers to fight with the fleet." "Not this time Rommie, you've done so much for the Commonwealth. and for me. I'd say the Universe owes you one." With that he leaned forward and kissed her on her cheek. Then he turned and strolled towards his quarters.
Rommie stood there right where he left her, still a bit confused but with a slight smile on her face.
TBC