= I =
"I do not need some sniveling twit to look after me!" Mira heard through her door as she woke up. 'Who's a sniveling twit?' She questioned mentally. As Mira lifted herself up and into a seated position on her bed, she looked to the side and found Puffins still fast asleep beside her. "I told you yesterday, you will deal with it and so help me God; if you lay a single finger on her. All of them, do you hear me! All of them!" Mira heard the distinct, if not slightly muffled, voice of Admiral Marcus and then nothing.
She guessed that the conversation was now over. Mira knew eavesdropping wasn't the greatest way to start a partnership but it's not like she couldn't stop hearing them, specially considering they were both talking rather loudly, close to a shout really but not quite. Stretching for a couple of seconds, Mira got up and started towards the door, grabbing her bathroom kit as she went. Once her door had opened completely, she saw Harrison seething. He was glaring at the communicator in his hand before his eyes shifted, going directly to her and that same intense glare now directed at her. Trying to bare it with some grace, Mira simply smiled at him. "Good morning" she said, trying to be nice and cheery but it would seem the good Commander was having none of it.
He quickly got up from his seat on the couch and left their quarters without a single word to her. Raising a brow, Mira shook her head not understanding any of it. She pondered what Marcus had meant by 'all of them'. Mira's mind raced with possibilities, figuring that it may have been people because of the 'them' he had used but who were they…. Mira sighed and dropped it as she went into the restroom, getting herself ready for the day.
Dressed in her blues, Mira left their quarters and went right to the lab that was given to Commander Harrison for him to work in. Mira was -according to the information Marcus had given her yesterday- allowed access to the lab that was across from Harrison's. So if Mira desired, she could work and keep her eye on him but today she figured that she would simply get to know him better for the sake of her assignment. Since they didn't go on their tour like she had thought they would yesterday, she went back into her own room and began to put away her belongings.
That, of course, didn't take long and she was left with nothing to do. So she figured why not read? On the way to her new home, she had pulled out her personal PADD and bought a few books on how to connect with people suffering from PTSD and so on. The books had been an interesting read and if she weren't well… her, Mira could see herself actually wanting a degree in the field. Before Mira had left she of course, had a little trouble with deciding on what to wear but figured maybe putting on a professional air might help him feel more comfortable around her, knowing -from her personal experience- that when some people try to be too familiar it can simply push the person away.
So squaring her shoulders and taking a deep breath in, she entered his lab, smiling at him but was ignored. Standing there for just a few short moments, Mira took a step towards the empty stool that sat at the table he was currently working at, well reading at was more like it. "What are you reading?" Mira asked once she was seated but was met with silence again… Mira let her expression fall for a second before she smiled again. "Admiral Marcus said that I would have to reacquaint you with some technology" she said stopping mid sentence as he gave her no acknowledgement that he was even listening but after a moments pause she continued on. "uh…um. The world you were on… while you were un..undercover…." Mira stopped again noting the tension she felt suddenly fill the air but started up again. "Umm the file said it wasn't advanced… technology wise… so if you need anything explained or if you need material you don't have…just ask…." Mira finished finally, her smile completely gone and her tone flat as she stared at him with a weary expression.
He said nothing, did nothing to say he had heard her at all; he only kept reading what was in front of him and Mira just sat there looking at him and so the day carried on, just like that. Mira occasionally trying to start a conversation and getting nothing in return for her efforts.
And so a week had gone by, everyday the same; he would leave as soon as she woke up, she would enter his lab and while she tried for conversation the first two days and received nothing in return; Mira had begun to try less and less to make conversation with him. After the third day she stopped completely, simply watching him when she wasn't reading.
However, she did notice everyday she walked into the lab he would have moved the stool she had been sitting on to the corner of the room. Mira simply gave a bored expression and moved the stool back to its original location -in a very nosy and ungraceful fashion-, ignoring the message he clearly sent her way. On the eighth day, Mira didn't feel like sitting and doing nothing, so she went into her lab and began the work she had left untouched for a week. Charles, the other senior medical officer, had been kind enough to send her his notes on his further progress or lack thereof. Currently, they were trying to synthesize a cure for a Klingon poison. They seemed to be using the poison to coat their blades. Mira, of course, was spared on the details but she filled in the holes.
Mira was also supposed to find a cure for a poisonous plant found on some new planet they had discovered recently. As she worked Mira, of course, would look over and check up on Harrison but saw no indication that he wanted or needed help and continued working on her writing board. Writing up solutions and scrapping them just as quickly, Mira sighed and put down her marker and left her lab, sparring Harrison a quick glance before heading down to the Chief securities office. This was where Mira was told that if she needed or wanted anything brought to the labs she would need to fill out the forms there. Once there, she did just that, if she wanted to get any real work done finding an anti-serum for those poisons she would need access to the sample they had received to run tests.
Of course the CO had looked at the forms and then at her and raised a brow, giving her a clear look but sent the order through anyway. Mira looked at him with a raised eyebrow seeing clearly he wanted to say something and thankfully he hadn't. She knew that basing her opinions on looks was wrong but she was only human, so not entirely her fault she didn't like the man one tiny little bit.
Mira stopped in the mess hall to grab a drink and headed back to her lab, stopping just outside her door, she gave a quick look at Harrison, his back turned to her and with a sigh she took a step to his lab. The door hissing open and she poked her head in. "Umm do you want anything from the mess hall? I know you don't normally eat while you work but I thought I'd offer…" Mira said, unsure of her self just a little. She knew she was going to get nothing but silence but her polite nature would have scalded her if she hadn't of at least offered.
She prepped herself to turn and leave with no response. "No" And with that deep baritone, Mira looked up to his back in shock. That was the first time in a week he had said anything to her. Not entirely sure what to do, Mira said a quick okay and walked back into her lab, going straight to her board and going over her ideas, or at least appearing to. All thoughts currently on the man who sat in the lab across from her, she knew that it was only one word but it's the most she's gotten in a week and that was honestly rather surprising. Mira had figured that this assignment would go on with her asking and/or talking and receiving radio silence in return.
It really was like talking to a brick wall at times and even though all she had received was a small simple word; it had made her hopeful that maybe he would actually start acknowledging her to some extent. That this assignment wouldn't be as horrible as she thought it might be. That maybe they could be more civil to one another… well more him being civil to her, Mira wasn't foolish enough to hope for any sort of friendship but civility was always a nice place to stand in with someone.
And so it had gone on exactly like that for five more weeks, once in awhile Mira would receive a no but that was about the only word he would speak to her, unless he actually needed something. He had sent her on three errands to find material on certain things and when she had returned with what he had requested, he would simply take it and carry on with what he was doing, no thanks or nods… absolutely nothing.
So when Mira had woken up to yelling that morning she wasn't sure if she was dreaming or not but then she remembered the day after she had come to this facility, he had been yelling at Marcus about her. "She is bothersome, she does nothing but pester me, she is inadequate at best to assist me and you call this woman a Doctor? How very laughable. Either find me someone more suitable or leave me to work in peace" Mira heard Harrison seethe out. She wasn't going to lie and say that she wasn't a little annoyed and a tiny bit hurt. She didn't think she had been bothering him and she had earned her title; pouting slightly as she listened in on the conversation much like she had done the first time she had woken up to them talking… well shouting.
Admiral Marcus's voice came through. "You will deal with it. She is the one I assigned and she is not going to be replaced, do you hear me? I don't care if you hate her guts and want to kill her, you will do what I say or I will make you watch." Marcus's fury was loud and clear. She could tell even without hearing it. Marcus had, of course, included in a note that she would need to send him weekly evaluations on Harrison and his responses were becoming more and more displeased with the situation. "If you do not keep your word I swear…" "You will do nothing! I have all of them and because of that you will do nothing!" And then there was nothing, neither speaking after that; though she did hear the distinct sound of something being thrown and smashed.
Mira frowned slightly remembering before that Marcus had said 'all of them'. She wondered who the them were exactly and what it had to do with the situation at hand but Mira didn't last long on those thoughts as she recalled Marcus saying Harrison wanted her dead.
A trickle of fear rolling down her spine at those words. She hadn't thought of herself as one of those people you just wished harm to because of who they were or how they acted. Mira never having met anyone like that, disliked at first sure but never wished harm to someone, but apparently she was one of those people to Harrison.
After getting ready, today Mira didn't feel like wearing her normal blues, planning to spend the day in Harrisons lab, much to her growing fear and displeasure. Mira grabbed her long black leggings and long form fitting white button up shirt that stopped mid thigh and of course wearing her usual boots. Again, much like the first time she stepped foot into this lab, she squared her shoulders, held her head high and walked in further. She tried very hard not to show she had heard some of their conversation this morning and the effects it had on her.
At first she contemplated either sitting down and then start her tirade of questions but decided maybe standing would be a good idea. The larger the distance the better for her in the long run. And so, with a quick intake of breath, Mira let the first question roll of her tongue. "Good morning Commander Harrison, did you have a pleasant rest?" The question was a nice polite one, giving respect where it was due and such things. Harrison paused for a second, moving his head slightly towards her and then back down to his work.
"I do hope it was well… umm the Admiral wanted some questions answered but I didn't really know how to answer them… so I hope you don't mind the intrusion today" Mira, ever the polite person, said and again Harrison paused and then simply nodded his head solemnly. Mira took that invitation quickly and launched into the questionnaire she had complied the night before for Marcus. She was surprised that he gave her an answer to one, even if it was clipped. He never answered more then he had to, some he only gave a single word to, however she didn't question it and kept them coming. After she was done, Mira simply nodded with a smile, happy and hoping this would satisfy the Admiral for a while. Mira was about to leave when she thought of this morning and frowned, eyebrows pinching together slightly as she formed the question in her mind but was hesitant to ask it. Harrison annoyed that she was still present in his lab let her know it in his tone "Did you forget a question?" he asked sharply and Mira simply shook her head but turned around to face him.
"No… sorta… I mean… I have a question but it's not on the list… it's a personal question… I mean that it's meant for me not Marcus." she said, biting her lower lip for a few seconds in thought before she released it and looked at him. "This morning… I heard you and the Admiral… what does he mean by all of them?" Mira knew it wasn't just a simple question but she had no idea that this would be the answer she would receive.
In quick succession, Harrison rounded his work station and lunged at her, grabbing her by the throat and lifting her up into the air a few feet above his head. Instantly, Mira dropped the folder and PADD that was being held in her arms and grabbed onto his wrist and hand, trying to pry it off "You know." it was slow and deliberate, voice deep and words soaked with venom. "Tell me where they are! Where. Is. My. Crew?!" he said with such force, each word emphasized. Mira, having trouble breathing, tried to shake her head.
"I don't know who you're talking about" she squeezed the words out, pretty sure her face was turning blue as she smacked her hand against his wrist repeatedly. "Please… I don't know… I can't… I can't breathe please." Mira said as she heard the door hiss open behind them. She was dropped in a second and Harrison was taking several steps back from her. As soon as Mira landed on the floor, she was gasping for air, hand on her throat and coughing between her large gulps of air.
Looking up slowly to Harrison, she saw him looking down at her with narrowed eyes but not with the usual hate or seething rage behind them, well not a lot. No, what she saw was contemplation, a curiousness but mostly sheathed rage. The CO of the facility knelt down to her and put a hand on her shoulder "Are you alright Doctor?" he asked and she simply nodded continuing her coughing spree. "I'll take you to sickbay and report Harrison to the Admiral" he said but Mira shook her head no. "I'm okay, I can treat myself," she said not at all surprised with how horrible her voice sounded. She looked towards the CO and again shook her head, "Don't report him, I provoked him, it wasn't his fault. I was trying to get a reaction and I got one. He's been ignoring me and I was just fed up with it. My fault." Mira said, lying to the man's face with absolutely no problem, she however wasn't a skilled liar and so she hoped that he was buying what she was dishing out. He looked at her for a long moment and gave her a scrupulous look. "You mean to tell me, you pissed this guy off because he has been ignoring you… you pissed him off for no reason?" he asked sounding annoyed and Mira simply nodded her head, hand still at her throat not really wanting to say anything.
He stood quickly, looking at her with disgust but hid it after a few moments again. "You may be an Admirals daughter but do that shit again and we wont help you next time, we'll let him strangle you to death." And with that they walked out, not bothering to lend her a hand.
"Admirals daughter?" Harrison said, asked in a sort of way Mira wasn't entirely sure she got but nodded her head while pushing herself to her feet. "My father is Admiral Jay Sullivan" Mira stated once again placing her hand on her throat, not ever wanting to talk again while she was in that state. Mira looked at Harrison for a moment, wondering what had just happened. 'What did he mean his crew? What the hell… just what the hell?' Shaking her head again Mira looked away from him and walked out of the lab, ignoring the dropped folders and Data PADD and to the on site sickbay, she may be able to treat herself but she still needed supplies to do so.
In all it was mostly going to the sickbay and being treated by someone that she didn't want to happen but the second part was what Harrison had said. If that incident got reported she would have to tell Marcus and right now she didn't feel like sharing, specially since he was apparently keeping things from her. Things that clearly and very importantly mattered. Mira's thoughts raced with what had happened. Harrison's crew… 'Was that the 'them'?' she remembered the tone Marcus had used, the threatening tone he used against Harrison. He had said Harrison was dangerous… maybe he hadn't wanted to be extracted… but then there was something else.
When he had picked her up effortlessly by her throat and kept her hanging from his limb that he rose above his head, she saw absolutely no struggle or strain in Harrison. Nothing marring his features to say he was having a difficult time keeping her where she was; he didn't even seem to realize she was trying to fight him off at all.
'That was not human' Mira thought, maybe he had been experimented on… that would explain a few things but Mira wasn't sure, there was something off about the entire situation -obviously- there was something about him that was off. Mira had thought that maybe there was something else Marcus wanted from Mira when he assigned her to this, that her skill set was needed as much as her other skill set, that if it was solely that Marcus had ways to procure something like her, possibly more powerful. Finally arriving at sickbay, Mira was relieved as she sat herself down and got to work. It was easy and required no thought as she fixed herself up.
