Introductions

Posted on 14 Oct 2025 @ 12:57pm by 1st Lieutenant Jasmine Allen & Ensign Barrett Carruthers

2,619 words; about a 13 minute read

Mission: S04 Episode 02 The Hackers Backdoor (Incidentals)
Location: USS Tomcat Various
Timeline: After meeting MCO

[ON]

Allen was in the ships gym on the treadmill her hair was in a ponytail, as she was running she put two finger to her neck and looked at her time piece, then she nearly had an accident as someone approached her from behind, shaking a little she stopped the treadmill panting as she picked up her towel and looked at the new arrival as she took a sip of her water.

"Hello, so I know you, Ensign?" She begun.

The gym’s a hum of noise—treadmills whirring, weights clanking, air thick with the tang of sweat and filtered starship air. Carruthers halts a step behind Allen’s treadmill, hands up like he’s been caught sneaking. Barrett's security uniform sleeves rolled up from a session at the resistance coils.

“Whoa. Sorry. Ensign, didn’t mean to startle you.” Barrett said in a voice low but warm, carrying that easy confidence of someone who spends their days breaking up bar fights and scanning for intruders... “Ensign Carruthers, security. Don’t think we’ve properly met, but I’ve seen you around. It's hard to miss someone tearing up the treadmill like that.” Carruthers flashes a half-grin.

She looks at him, picking up a towel to wipe the sweat away "It is Lieutenant Jasmine Allen Ensign, I know I have no rank on my at this moment, so let's try that again," she said, holding her hand out "Hello I am First Lieutenant Jasmine Allen, Rifle Officer, pleased to meet you Ensign Carruthers, Security" she said with a playful smile on her lips.

Ensign Barrett Carruthers. Caught slightly off guard by Jasmine’s playful formality, breaks into a warm grin. He took Jasmine's outstretched hand, giving it a firm but friendly shake.

“Well. First Lieutenant Jasmine Allen, Rifle Officer, it’s a genuine pleasure to meet you, too,” he says, his tone light and cordial, matching her energy.

He releases her hand and grabs his towel, slinging it over his shoulder as he chuckles. “You know, after a session like this, I think we’ve earned a break. How about we hit the lounge after we clean up? Grab a drink. Maybe we can swap a few stories? What do you say, Lieutenant?” Barrett’s eyes held a good-natured camaraderie, inviting Jasmine to unwind and maintain the friendly vibe.

Jasmine looked at the Ensign, "Why, ensign, you are flirting!" She playfully exclaimed," and finished wiping her sweat away as she left the treadmill "Let me grab a shower first and dress, I will meet you again outside the gym", Allen responded with a smile.

Barrett grinned at Jasmine’s playful jab, shaking his head as he called after her... “Flirting? Nah, just trying to keep up with you, Lieutenant!” He chuckled, adjusting the towel on his shoulder as he headed toward the locker room. Inside, Carruthers tossed the towel onto a bench, grabbed his shower kit, and quickly rinsed off the sweat from their intense workout. As he lathered up, he hummed a light tune, feeling the camaraderie of the moment linger.

After drying off, he pulled on a clean uniform, ran a hand through his damp hair, and checked his reflection in the mirror. “Alright, Carruthers,” he muttered to himself. “Time to keep the vibe going.” With a quick spritz of cologne and a confident nod, he grabbed his jacket and headed out to meet Jasmine outside the gym.

In the female changing room, Allen finished showering and put on some vintage civilian attire. Playing to her nature, she put on some short blue denim shorts, a form-fitting white crop top, and some ankle socks, followed by some sneakers. With this ensemble complete, she put her soft red hair up into a soft-styled ponytail with a ribbon bow, blue to match her shorts, and she put on light makeup, which for her was eyeliner, Mascara and bubblegum pink lipstick. She put in some medium-sized hoop earrings and finished it off with a small squirt of perfume. With her blue eyes, she thought she looked a little innocent. Putting her makeup bag back into her gym bag, she left the changing room. As she exited it, she saw the flirty young Ensign waiting, and she put on a shy smile.

Barrett leaned casually against the wall outside the gym, his jacket slung over one shoulder, when Jasmine stepped out of the changing room. His eyes flicked up, and he did a quick double-take, his usual confident grin faltering for a split second as he took her in. The denim shorts, the snug crop top, the soft red ponytail with that blue ribbon—it was a look that hit like a perfectly timed jab. Her blue eyes sparkled under the light makeup, and that shy smile she flashed made his pulse kick up a notch.

"Whoa! Allen." Barrett said, straightening up and letting out a low whistle before catching himself with a playful smirk. "You’re making civilian life look way too good. Gotta say... you’re rocking the vibe. Cute and trouble in one package!" He tilted his head, his grin widening as Carruthers met Allen's gaze. "Ready to roll, or you planning to keep me staring a bit longer?"

Strolling down the hall, Barrett asked. "So. Jasmine, what do you do on the Tomcat?" He thought it was an innocent enough question for an innocent-looking female.

"I am a Rifle Officer of the 95th Rifles, and there is not much else to it than that, you?

"Whoa! Allen." Barrett said, straightening up and letting out a low whistle before catching himself with a playful smirk. "You’re making civilian life look way too good. Gotta say... you’re rocking the vibe. Cute and trouble in one package!" He tilted his head, his grin widening as Carruthers met Allen's gaze. "Ready to roll, or you planning to keep me staring a bit longer?"

Strolling down the hall, Barrett asked. "So. Jasmine, what do you do on the Tomcat?" He thought it was an innocent enough question for an innocent-looking female.

"I am a Rifle Officer of the 95th Rifles, and there is not much else to it than that, you?

Walking in with Jasmine, Barrett looked to her. “I have not had any luck with these replimats. What are you getting?” He wasn’t that hungry, but he should eat since he had a shift in a few hours.

Remembering what he said, "thank you, I am cute and trouble in one package, you have no idea", she looked puzzled at another thing he said, "what makes you think I was looking at you in such a way!" She exclaimed oO dammit, get a hold of yourself, Jasmine! Oo, she thought to herself, "Let's go to the Tomcat Lounge and get a drink, as the Tomcat does not have a replimat", she said, smiling.

Barrett looked at Jasmine and nodded in agreement. "That sounds, honestly, a lot better."

- Tomcat Lounge -

Entering, Carruthers led the way to one of his favourite tables, which was closest to the observation windows in the quaint lounge.

The conversations in the room were lively, and relaxing music played in the background. This was the afternoon turnaround shift crew that had just gotten off and were now sitting down to have a drink or cocktail with a friend or two.

Waiting for Jasmine to step up to the table, Barrett then withdrew the seat for the 1st Lieutenant.

Taking a seat himself now on the other side of the white-lit tabletop, Barrett relaxed.

"I apologise, you asked me what I did. I fly." He gestured to himself. "I am a support pilot and a secondary CFO." He stated.

Nodding her thanks and giving him a coy smile, she sat down and looked at him as she responded to what he said "CFO! Is that not Chief Flight Officer? I was unaware that the Tomcat had one of those even a secondary one, as a pilot that says a lot about how you walk and hold yourself" she said and looked at the server "Bourbon two fingers, the real stuff, not that synthetic crap" she said mildly.

The Server nodded and looked at the Ensign "And you, Ensign?" the server asked.

The Ensign chuckled, catching the playful jab about his CFO title. "Chief Flight Officer? Nah. I am just the guy keeping the numbers flying straight," Barrett said with a grin, leaning back in his lounge chair. He glanced at the server, matching Jasmine's casual confidence.

"I'll take a whiskey, neat. Something from the top shelf—surprise me. But make it quick." He winked. Carruthers focused his attention back on his new friend. Narrowing his eyes at the 1st Lieutenant, Allen, Barrett asked, “Ok. I must ask. As a 95th Rifles Officer, have you ever had to shoot someone yet?” He didn’t assume every Rifle officer was trigger-happy, and that Jasmine was so young. At least, she looked young and fresh-eyed.

She looked at him, "Yes, I have. Long before you came aboard, this ship took part in the Hydaransz incident. I did not like taking a life, but duty is duty. Thankfully, the moments when the Rifles are needed are few and far between, giving a girl time to enjoy herself," Jasmine said, "gives a girl time to keep her looks presentable", she added.

After the server returned and set down their drinks, Barrett smiled, lifting his right hand to his drink... "To new friends!"
Barrett swirled his whiskey, eyeing Jasmine with intrigue. Although he wasn't looking at her like a friend would.

“Hydaransz Incident, Lieutenant? Tell me about leading the 95th Rifles in Marine country—and damn, you own that gym with style... you’re clearly a natural.”

*Blushes* "I never led the Rifles in that I was one of the officers during leapfrog operations. We went to one base, secured it, then moved on to the next one. The first one was more intense than the second operation. You should take a visit down to Marine Country at some point, Ensign. It is the same corridors as other levels, you will see more Rifles than Fleet, and even the occasional Klingon. Thank you for the comment" oO What the hell is going on, I am the one usually teasing, but hot damn I am failing Oo She thought to herself.

Barrett raised his glass in a casual salute, gently clinking it against hers before taking a slow sip of the whiskey. The burn was smooth, just like the way this conversation was unfolding unexpectedly but intriguingly. He set the glass down, leaning forward slightly on the table, his eyes locking onto hers with that same mix of curiosity and something a bit more electric.

"Leapfrog ops, huh? Sounds like a crazy way to spend a deployment. Jumping from one hot zone to the next. How did you survive that?”

Smiling, her playful teasing side was activated "When I said leap frog, it was not Ops, it was like what the US did in the Pacific War of the 1940s, where they island hop, we did something similar but in space", she said, breaking eye contact and putting on a demure blush

Carruthers agreed; he smiled easily. “Maybe you could give me the grand tour? Show me where the real action happens below decks." He grinned, his tone light but genuinely interested. "And hey!” Barrett had noticed. “No need to blush, Lieutenant. It makes a guy wonder what else you're a natural at."

He paused, swirling his drink again slowly, letting the moment linger just a little. oO Damn, she's got layers. Tough as nails in the field, but there's this spark... I need to peel back a few more layers. Oo.

"Speaking of which, aside from duty, what's your escape when you're not drilling Rifles or hitting the weights? Holodeck adventures? Some secret hobby like painting starscapes or collecting ancient Earth vinyl? I'm all ears, and we've got time before the next shift ruins the fun."

*Looks teasingly at both ears* "Yes, they are a little big!" She said, smiling, "So the all ears comment is applicable" She said, "I like to read, and that is the safest of my hobbies. I also do a little Rock Climbing when I have a chance. I enjoy doing Orbital Skydiving, but haven't had much of a chance to do that lately. For the added rush, I also try bungee jumping, but not after having a drink," she said as she knocked back her drink and ordered another to hide things.

Ensign Barrett Carruthers grinned, eyes sparking with a bit of mischief. “Big ears? Yeah, mate, these things pick up all the good stuff,” he said, tilting his head to flash his ears with a cheeky wink, voice low and warm as he leaned in a bit. He fiddled with his drink, fingers tapping the glass.

“Reading’s my go-to when I need a break—wanna guess what’s on my shelf? Tactics or… maybe some spicy stuff?”

oO Jasmine Allen... Allen... Her hair is red. Blue piercing eyes.. I'm....Oo .... “Rock climbing, orbital skydiving, bungee jumping—I’m hooked on the thrill too. Haven’t jumped in a while, though. Mixin’ booze and bungees? Yeah, that’s askin’ for trouble.” Taking a quick swig, eyes lingering with a teasing glint.

“What keeps me steady? Those quiet nights—just me, a book, and the ship’s hum—total calm. Don’t go spreadin’ that, though; gotta keep my wild side up. Lt. Allen. Would you do me the honour of a walkabout?" Carruthers felt antsy; he wanted to leave these rigid tables.

Jasmine still had her glass to her lips as the Ensign asked about the walkabout, "she slightly smiled behind her glass as she raised an eyebrow oO well might have a man after me own heart, talk about flirting Oo she thought to herself, giving her time to compose herself before answering.

"Yes", she simply said and downed the remains of her drink "You want now or later?" She asked.

"Why don't we take that walk another time. I should get ready for my night shift." He paused and leaned forward. "Not that I wouldn't mind a walk right now... How about tomorrow if you are free? I will contact you, 1st Lieutenant Allen." He smiled kindly, with no sense of flirtation this time. Just sincere and friendly. Barrett did not want to come off as a creeper.

*Looking extremely saddened by the response* putting on a stoic expression, "Tomorrow is fine, make it 1700 hours, I finish my shift then," Allen responded. oO Is this how others feel when I do something similar to them? Oo, she asked herself

Barrett's smile softened at the shadow in her eyes, unwilling to let it linger. He leaned in slightly, his voice warm with easy humour. "1700 sharp it is, then. And if you're up for it, we'll swing by hydroponics—those Andorian blueberries are tough enough to crack a smile through a hull breach."

He held her gaze a beat longer, reassuring. No goodbyes on a down note. Rising, he pocketed his PADD. "Looking forward to it, Lieutenant. Rest up—you've earned it." This time, a smile with a wink.

Looking up at the Ensign, "Count on it, Ensign," she said with a smile, and watched him leave the room. She sighed heavily, ordering another drink — a real one this time.

[OFF]

 

RSS Feed