Crossing The Big Open

Posted on Thu Dec 17th, 2020 @ 1:54am by Major Tatiana Skobelova

Mission: S0E0: What Came Before
Location: USS Normandy
Timeline: Two Months Before Current Timeline

Tatiana Skobelova was told not to eat before the long jump because the aftereffects would cause her to throw up. She fasted for twenty four hours but puked anyways. The aftermath of the jump taken a lot out of her and Tatiana just wanted to wear something a bit more comfortable. She changed out her vomit covered uniform and was clad in a lilac tunic and a heather grey skirt.

Tatiana looked for a place to sit as she entered Normandy's canteen. She found a seat at the sparsely populated bar. She ordered a beer as the drink would be mild on her churning stomach. A few sips of beer had brought her appetite back. A sandwich was ordered and Tatiana devoured the food quickly. For the first time since she boarded the Normandy, Tatiana was finally relaxed. Another beer was ordered.

As Tatiana was enjoying her beverage a small group of marines entered the canteen. A female Andorian marine was being followed by a tall, bearded human marine. A short, dark haired marine flanked the bearded marine.

"Leave me alone." the Andorian snapped at the bearded one.

"You owe us some drinks. All I expect you to do is pay up." The bearded one calmly told the blue female. Tatiana took note of the sergeant's chevrons on the bearded man's collar.

"I do not owe you penis." the Andorian shot back, now becoming visibly agitated. "You should buy your own alcohol."

"The term is: I don't owe you dick." The Sergeant corrected her. "And the ship's security chief banned us from buying real booze. Just buy us some beer and we'll go away."

The Andorian's skin turned a deep blue as her anger grew. She pulled an ushaan-tor from under her jacket and put the ice knife under the Sergeant's chin. "Leave my presence now or I will cut you open like a snow eel."

The bearded sergeant was a bit taken back by the Andorian's move at first but his mode changed quickly to amusement. Tatiana, who had been observing this exchange now became more alert.

"She's getting feisty, Fender." The shorter marine finally spoke up. Tatiana observed the shorter man wore corporal's rank.

Fender gave the Corporal a quick smile before returning his attention to the Andorian. "You had better put that eating utensil away before you cut yourself, little girl."

The Andorian became incensed at Fender's words. She slashed at Fender's throat. Fender backed away as the blade missed his throat by centimeters. The Andorian slashed again. This time, Fender grappled the Andorian's arm. Fender twisted her arm and the Andorian dropped the ushaan-tor. He then kicked the knife away. The knife slid over by Tatiana and she retrieved the blade.

Fender twisted the Andorian's arm into her back, forcing her to the deck. He then grabbed her antennae and pushed her face into the canteen's floor as the Andorian cried out in pain. "This could have been so easy. You chose to make this hard and now you'll pay."

"Enough!" Tatiana shouted in a stern but calm voice.

She walked over to where Fender had the Andorian pinned. "You've had your fun. Now let her go." She told him in a quieter voice.

Fender stood up slowly as he released the girl. Fender gave Tatiana an up and down look as he sized her up. Meanwhile, the Andorian sheepishly crawled away on all fours.

"And why is it any of your business, Missy?" Fender punctuated his last word.

"You conduct is unbecoming a marine." Tatiana replied, the rising anger in her voice becoming obvious.

"Oh, isn't that cute? Missy here is going to lecture me on the proper conduct of a marine." Fender told the Corporal while still keeping his eyes on Tatiana. "That little mark on your face, did you get that in a fight?"

Tatiana stood silent so Fender continued. "What are you, Missy? Are you a journo? You took one wound in a fight so you think that gives you credibility? That it gives you the right to judge my behavior?"

"It makes it easier on any guy that would bang her." The Corporal smiled at Fender. "He only has to put one eye hole in the bag he would put over her head."

Fender gave a quick smile at the corporal before returning his attention to Tatiana. "I'll tell you what, Missy. Anytime you want to be schooled on how to be a marine, just let my know. Anytime you fail, and that will be often, I'll put you across my knee and gave you a good spanking. Now you can write a story that you finally saw a real marine."

Then, half a dozen marines with MP brassards entered the canteen. Despite calls from a gunnery sergeant among the MPs to halt, Fender and his side kick quickly left the canteen.

Tatiana went over to the Andorian who was still on the deck. "Need help?" Tatiana offered the female a hand up.

"Stay away from me!" She screamed. Tatiana backed away, her hands up in a surrendering motion.

"Identify yourself?" The Gunnery Sergeant aggressively ordered Tatiana.

"Major Skobelova." responded with some authority.

"Oh, hello Major." The MPs demeanor changed to more courteous tone. "Did you see what happened?"

"Those two NCOs harassed this marine about getting some drinks." Tatiana motioned to the Andorian. "She lost her temper and pulled a knife on the one they call Fender. He took her down and mouthed off to me."

"Yes, we know all about Fender and Bug." The Gunnery Sergeant explained. "As much as I would like to, I can't throw them in the brig because she attacked Fender. I can put them on report, although I'm not sure that will do any good."

"Why not?"

"They aren't assigned to this ship. They're going to Canopus Station to be part of the marine detachment there. Their new CO probably won't care about a bar room fight on a ship." The MP explained.

Tatiana smiled. "We'll see about that."