Rayner

First chat

The events of the day are whirling within Commander Rayner. The meeting with President Rillak to discuss the next steps into Nysa Tyler’s damning report of corruption at the heart of the United Federation of Planets was a complete sham. Clearly, President Rillak had already made up her mind about the approach she wanted to take, choosing caution and politics over right and wrong. He could never be a politician. Too often had he spoken his mind to his superiors, leading to his position now, as a First Officer rather than Captain. He told himself once again, though it stung, he didn’t regret his words of warning. He would do anything if it meant saving the Federarion and Starfleet, including offering his station as a sacrifice to say what needed to be said. But what he couldn’t remove from his mind was the look on Nysa Tyler’s face. Shock, disgust… rage. He had heard stories of the warrior woman and half expected her to leap the table to get at the politicians and force their hand. Slavery.. in the Federation. To a point, it made sense. When catastrophes strike, the first casualty was civilization. He was a survivor too. He understood her and that sent warning klaxons off in his mind. Yet he still found himself making his way to the mess, now fondly called The Cantina by the crew. He couldn’t really think about it, he needed to see her, see if she was okay. He wouldn’t be. There was something about her that drew him in. Her eyes and smile… but there was something else too…

*Rayner reluctantly steps forward, activating the automatic doors to The Cantina. The soft swishing noise they made as they opened revealed a nearly empty dining hall. He hardly recognized it! It felt inviting. It was a place he actively avoided. Generally speaking, he didn’t feel welcome or wanted in group settings. He sees her behind the counter and adjusts his uniform* Miss Tyler? … Wow, this place is unrecognizable.