Attempted Apology

Posted on Thu Sep 15th, 2022 @ 9:28am by Petty Officer 1st Class Tia Smithy(Kosugi) & Sergeant Trent Busby (Kosugi)

Mission: The Goddess
Location: The Canteen
1156 words - 2.3 OF Standard Post Measure

After getting his quarters settled, Sergeant Trent Busby decided to explore the ship he had just signed on. First off he went to check out the various areas the marines liked to relax in . On the padd there was something called the 'Canteen' otherwise known as the Marine Messhall and that was where he went. On one side there was a full bar set up. There wasn't a bartender behind it. Several marines were there eating, and chatting , locked in some intense conversation. Several of them looked up, pausing in their conversation giving him a once over.

The broad shouldered sergeant was pretty tall and built solid and had a presence that garnered attention. He didn't interrupt them

"Hello Sergeant." he was greeted by those there.

" Go back to your conversation " he replied with a nod and a quick smile then went to get some chow.

Settling down at a table he picked up his fork to dig into he plate of food when he noticed a lull in conversation, when there was a sudden silence it made him nervous. He looked in the direction towards the door of the Canteen seeing a dark haired woman standing there, not coming inside.

One of the marines left their table to head where the woman stood. "You know you aren't supposed to be here."

Tia aka Spitfire speared the marine with a glowering look, "I am just looking for someone, looks like he's not here."

Trent's eyebrow raised at this exchange. She was easy on the eye, despite the smudge on her cheek. What was the marine's beef where this woman was concerned.

Tia caught the glances of the others, them not looking too friendly. She recognized one of them as the one she fought and he was glaring daggers at her. She glowered back at him, them locking gazes.

The Marine who stopped her at the door, said, "Hey no starting any trouble." catching her attention. "You best leave and I am asking you nicely."

"I just wanted to apologize to that guy." Tia responded.

"Look you just need to-" he looked over his shoulder feeling a presence which towered over him. It was the new Sergeant.

"Is there a problem, Corporal and Petty Officer?" Busby asked, his voice rumbling a little bit.

Tia's eyes widened, she was somewhat tall but this guy was heads taller than she was. "Um, I wanted to er apologize to that marine for something I did?"

"I don't think my marine is wanting to talk to you, Petty Officer-" He stopped to see if she'd offer her name.

"Er Petty Officer Tia Smithy." She replied.

"I don't know what the problem is between you and my men but, I'll find out, then we'll see about you doing an apology. In the meantime my men to unwind and not be disturbed. How about you and I grab a coffee later, sound good?" giving a rather charming smile. She was cute and heck if he can get a date out of this, all the better.

"Er, sure. I can go with that." Tia replied, decidedly glad she wasn't going to get into any other trouble. "Uh let me know when you want to get that coffee?"

Tia turned to leave and looked over her shoulder towards the big man. "Say what's your name?"

"Sergreant Trent Busby." he stated giving her a wink. "I'll be seeing you, Petty Officer Smithy."

Then watched as she walked down the corridor with an appreciative eye. One arm casually leaning up against the door. When she disappeared from sight, Trent gave out a low whistle. "Beneath that smudge of dirt she was cute."

"Uh Sergeant? Are you sure you want to mess with her?" the marine who stood next to Busby, and watched maneuvers of Busby.

"What's wrong with that? She's attractive, I'd like to see what she looks like scrubbed clean." Busby remarked.

"You don't know what or who you are dealing with." the corporal insisted.

"Corporal Matthews care to enlighten me?" Busby asked.

"Those at that table they can tell you a bit more than I can , even though i was there when she tore the place apart." Matthews exclaimed.

"Okay you've got my curiosity up, let me grab my food and I'd like to hear about that lady who was there." the Sergeant responded.

He retrieved his tray of food and the men moved over for Busby to sit down.

"Thanks, now tell me the scuttlebutt of that lady, Miss Tia Smithy." Trent requested.

And the Marines told the tale, of Hayter and Tia getting drunk and causing trouble. And how she fought dirty, and rather painfully. The one telling the tale told the whole situation. And Trent listened.

"You're telling me that little lady, managed to take down two of you? And grabbing a drink from her when she was drinking. You didn't study your enemy, learn who they were. Bad strategy."

"She was hitting on the Colonel and he's already got a lady. Whereever she maybe"

"And you thought he needed rescuing?" Trent growled out.

"No, well maybe. And I wanted to get to know her, you know, she's cute." was the remark from the other marine.

Trent just stared down the marine, "And you got slammed into the bar because of stupidity." he glared at the other Marine, "And you got yourself planted on the floor, by her. You weren't prepared for the unknown. If she were an enemy you would have been dead. You need to up your game otherwise you're going to strike out wit the ladies."

At the marine who had gotten nailed where it hurt, "That girl was wanting to apologize for what she did, damn you missed out on a chance to get a date with her. Or was your pride too wounded to even try? You are a fool, you couldn't swallow your pride." Trent continued.

"Look she's protected by Colonel Hayter. Just don't want to mess with her." the Marine remarked.

Trent scowled, "You put your hand on her first, without an invite. Rule one, don't touch unless invited to. How stupid are you?"

"Hey." the marine was getting defensive.

A hand was placed on his shoulder. "Chill" was the word from his friend. Noting a certain gleam in the Sergeant's eyes.

"Now that I have heard what happened, maybe you can bend a little bit and let her apologize. It was a shared fault of everyone involved. I'm of a mind of making you do extra duty. But with what she did to you, and you did to her. Call it even now. Do I make myself clear? When you meet her in the hall be polite, don't engage in any combative mode."

"Yes sir" they responded.

"I can't hear you!" Busby barked out.

"YES SIR" their voices rang out.

"Okay now lets eat i am starving." Busby said simply and began to eat.