The graveyard shift, a shift that had minimal crew on the bridge operating the required essential systems. Senior staff were mostly present at Alpha or Beta shifts, but not at this shift, as they were required to get their mandatory rest. The silence at the bridge, that was most of the time a place for rumors to start, was so quiet that a pin could be heard if it dropped. It tells chapters, the crew was on edge, afraid that something would happen, something would occur without the wisdom and courage of the senior staff to take the right path. The memories of their last mission still echo throughout the bridge.

But, Keeyiro, a person that was usually present at Alpha and Beta shifts, was taking some longer overtime. She might be assigned to Operations, but her nature is and always be intelligence. She was on the Mariner, a cocky intelligence officer that took the wrong bet after the events of the lost fleet. Keeyiro paid that price heavy by being stuck on Ensign and roulette the different departments to understand the crew, the operational working of everything and ending up in operations.

Her reason to stay at the bridge, was to understand… no learn or perhaps break the complicated puzzle of sensor glitches and communication dead ends. While her spirit wanted to crack this so badly, her body was showing fatigue, and she had a hard time to concentrate on her work. Keeyiro was checking her own work a few times, not because she didn’t do a good job, but the doubt that she might overlook something was growing on her.

Suddenly she felt a hand on her shoulder, Keeyiro looked at her side seeing Drata standing there “Lieutenant Taritt, what can I do for you sir? Are you not supposed to be resting?”

The Bolian softly smiled at her, “I can ask you the same Ensign” He had left the bridge a few hours ago when Beta shift had come to an end. He had seen Keeyiro working on something and asked her to move it to the next shift. But she pleads to him to continue the work a little longer, “Your duty has been done for already five hours. Whatever you are doing, will have to wait until the next shift”.

Keeyiro felt frustrated, she looked at her work and knew that whatever she had checked had no promising results of an acceptable answer. Her tiring eyes were looking desperately for any data that could prove her time was worth. “I….need some more…” She shrugs, trying to find an excuse.

“No Ensign, you are dismissed of your duties and are required to get your rest until Beta shift” Drata was not using his authority and care of his staff. He knew what she was doing, but in these times, Captain Ruslanovna would need anyone at their best and sharpest mind.

Looking immediately at Drata “Wait, Beta shift sir?!” Keeyiro couldn’t believe what she was hearing right now, “That means that I will be…”

“Off duty for another ten hours, you will not participate in the Alpha shift, with you’re barely able to stand on your own two feet. My decision stands, you are off duty and don’t let me repeat that again” Drata had to play the hard and strict chief now, even if it was against his own liking. He didn’t want to be hated by his staff, but from what he had learned from Commander Valerio, be nice when possible, be strict when required.

She froze up with that direct order, Keeyiro slowly nodded to Drata “Yes sir… I apologize for my rude behavior” Giving a half bow in respect to Drata “I will be off” Without making eye contact, she left the bridge per the order of her chief.

Feeling horrible for doing this, Drata took a deep breath and looked over his shoulder, seeing Keeyiro disappear from sight. This was for her own health in both body and mind. There was no other choice, Drata looked at the console as he sees the amount of work Keeyiro had done in those few hours, “This girl…” He mutters softly.

Ensign Cho – Quarters

Getting into her dim lit room, Keeyiro shrugs and throws the jacket of her uniform on the couch. “Shit… shit…” She cusses under her breath. For a brief moment she looked at the personal computer at her desk, she could potentially gain access to the main operational system from here and continue her work. But shook her head as Keeyiro moved to her bed and sat down.

This was utterly frustrating for her, the feeling of being useless crawls up her spine. For months, she had been trying to prove her loyalty to Starfleet. She knows so well what she did was wrong. Keeyiro had regret for the mutiny attempt on Mariner, blinded by an empty promise. The tears rolling over her cheeks, she was not a fighter, but she just wanted to be useful and help.

Rubbing her head, she let herself fall onto the bed and shrugs. “Captain Ruslanovna is going to skin me alive, maybe I should just quit Starfleet as I keep failing them” Without much to resist, her sleep caught up to her as she closed her eyes welled up with tears and falls asleep.