A wolf in sheep’s clothing Part 12

Posted on Thu May 23rd, 2024 @ 8:04pm by Lieutenant Evelyn Steele & Lieutenant Commander Wyatt Steele

Mission: The missions never over.
Location: Steele Quarters

With recent events Eve had headed straight home, her dream of serving aboard ship with her uncle was in tatters, as was the chance of ever finding out what happened to her mother. Brown had promised her that if she took up her position aboard the ship, and evaluated her uncle, she would have what information he had on her mother’s disappearance.

She was sitting on the floor of their quarters staring at the PADD she’d brought home, along with all the rest of the PADDs from her office when Wyatt arrived home.

Wyatt entered his and Eve's quarters. The ship was its way back to Base One Jara was in the brig, Karadis was in a cryo chamber, the captain was who knew where and Kilbane was on the bridge. As he came through the door, he saw Eve sitting on the floor. A PaDD in her hand and others on the coffee table. "Eve?" He asked concern in his voice as he moved to her. "Eve? Are you alright? What is it?"

Eve looked up at Wyatt, he was the only thing that meant a damn right now and here she was considering writing her resignation, which would take her away from him. “I don’t know what to do!” She gave him a teary eyed look before taking a deep breath and wiping her eyes. “My so-called uncle just told me exactly what he thinks of me, so I told him that I quit!” She looked at the currently empty PADD. “I’ll lose you Wyatt! Once I resign they won’t let me stay here, we’ll be separated again!”

Wyatt sat down next to her. Eve was his world, nothing else mattered but her. He took her hand in his and gave it a soft squeeze. "You aren't going to lose me ever. Now, tell me what happened with your uncle." Wyatt refused to refer to the man as captain. "Tell me what he said." His voice calm but he was building up a good anger inside at her uncle's complete lack of understanding on how to treat people.

Eve nodded. “He was drunk! Alcohol bottles everywhere!” She shook her head. “He’s practically smashed everything he owns. I tried to shock him out of it, but instead he flew off the handle called us both crew drones! He’s completely destroyed what respect I had left for not just him, but for my father as well.” She moved to cuddle up closer to Wyatt. “When I came here I was hoping to get to know my uncle better, to actually have a relationship like family should, now all I want is to put as much distance between him and us as I can.”

Wyatt wrapped his arms around Eve and held her softly, close to him. "He's drunk?" Wyatt asked. "Mister stiff upper lip is drunk? That's rich. This isn't your fault Eve darling, it's your uncle's. I'm sorry he's hurting over Karadis death but it’s no reason for him to lash out at you. He doesn't know how to talk to people, He threatens them. You aren't a drone, Eve. Don’t let him get to you, you just said he was drunk." Wyatt reached a hand up and turned Eve's face to his. he wiped her tears away. "Now, do you really want to resign? Throw everything you worked so hard for away?"

Eve shook her head. Wyatt was right she’d worked damn hard to get where she was, she wasn’t even sure if Admiral Brown would let her quit anyway. “He tried to kill himself! I heard a shot, and a thump and I...” She paused. “I didn’t want to go back, and I didn’t care, so I just called for an emergency transport instead. He’s alright though, I saw him in the corridor on the way here.”

Wyatt rubbed her back softly. "Eve, this is all on him. He's a marionette. You see how he talks to Kilbane and Karadis, us. He has no respect for anyone, but he demands respect from everyone and he gets it only because of his rank, not by his actions or attitude. You know you get what you give and I think your uncle is getting it in buckets."

Eve nodded. “I just wanted to know what happened to my mother Wyatt! Admiral Brown sent me here to evaluate my uncle, but he didn’t tell me that no matter what I found it wouldn’t make any difference! Finchley has written proof that no matter what he’s the boss here, what he says goes. Now we’re stuck here come hell or high water!”

Wyatt hugged his wife tight to him. "Eve sweetie, I don't know what your uncle has but whatever it is, is worthless. Do you honestly believe Command would give a captain absolute authority and make him unanswerable for his actions? To verbally and physically assault his officers. To commit murder if the mood struck him?" Wyatt shook his head, "No, I think Admiral Brown is lying to your uncle and you as well."

Eve nodded as she lifted her head and wiped away a few tears. “One way or another I’m going to find out what happened to my mother! If that means being onboard this ship to do it, then I’ll be here. If my uncle wants an officer that’s tough as nails then that’s what he’ll get.”