The next few weeks hadn’t been easy.

Whilst not outright against one another, Security and the teal shirts had been bubbling more and more hatred towards each other. Little by little, inch by inch, the situation was getting to a point where officers we’re basically refusing to work with each other.

“I just don’t understand it.” Jetta grumbled as she paced around the holo-deck, Plimmitt in tow. “I’ve done EVERYTHING, and I mean everything for this group.”

“Sometimes some people just seem to be like that, Captain.” Plimmitt shrugged as tapped along the panel. Today was the fourth day of Roller Derby practice–with the Morro Bay going up against a rival team in a few weeks, they had to work harder than ever to truly have a chance. “Sometimes people just don’t like each other.”

“But this isn’t just that. At some point, I just need to lock them all in a room together and not let them out till they’re all friends again.” Jetta crossed her arms, huffing. “Somethings up. Because none of them seem to want to be fighting. Hm…”

“You’re being paranoid, I think.” The head of engineering shrugged. Jetta and him had been getting a lot closer lately, because he was one of the few people who wasn’t throwing a major fit over the current situations. “Maybe not! But, I think perhaps this is something we ride out. Plus, er, Roller derby.”

“What? What about Roller Derby?”

“I just wanna play it.” He sighed, pressing onto the button near the side as a rink morphed into view. “Specifically without the bickering. It’s the only sport I like enough to play.” The rink was simple enough; stands, concessions, a large oval in the middle. A scoreboard and announcer panel rested above everyone else. The lighting was dim, and the AC was refreshing. A authentic roller derby rink, ready to be used.

“You just like taking out your frustrations on your fellow crew members.” Jetta smirked, grabbing her bag and getting ready to change into her outfit–making her way to the bathrooms.  It wasn’t a minute later there was already the sounds of bickering from outside.

“Aye, AYE!” Jetta called as she rolled in, trying to see the situation at hand. Ensign Prias and Ensign Ampere were staring one another down as Runt was ever so casually hanging back by the door, with a few other crew members already having of trickled in. “What the hell is going on?”

“This behemoth of a officer is running her mouth and refusing to close it.” Gigi sneered, crossing her arms.

“It’s not my fault you can’t speak like a basic person like the rest of us, Gigi!” Velau hissed.

“Uh, hello?” Amira looked at Sylvester. “Mikhailov. Are you going to get your Ensign, or…?”

“It’s not my fault yours picked a fight she couldn’t handle.” He scoffed, glaring right back at her. Almost instantly, more bickering started to form as Jetta and Plimmitt casted uneasy glances at one another. This level of bickering was getting ludicrous, even by argument means.

“Alright, break it up, BREAK IT UP!” Jetta screamed as she got in between the crew, shoving the two groups away. “I will cancel this whole practice, I swear to god. Everyone understand?” She waited as they all nodded. “Good. Today we’re going to be having Lieutenant Rraal and I pick the teams, because Rraal has actually played Derby in his life.”

The Caitian swerved up, smirking. For what it was worth, Lieutenant Junior Grade Sr’iia Rraal was a phenomenal captain. He knew everything to know about the game, and had only the best strategies when it came to playing. Yet he was an awful diehard Sylvester fan, and with that came it’s. . .issues.

“Well. Not Ampere…not Doctor Sullivan…oh, god, not M’Hark…”

“Uh, excuse me?” Runt sneered.

“..how about Commander Mikhailov?” He smiled, picking the first person of his team. Sylvester simply smirked and walked forward, standing next to him.

“Alright, Mazev.” Jetta crossed her arms. “You’re with me.”

The two eventually continued picking, and the teams eventually came into fruition. Jetta, Runt, Mazev, Gigi and Amira, and a few others on one team. Rraal, Sylvester, Velau, Hollis, and Plimmitt, and a few others on the opposing team.

“..Oh boy.” Amira took a breath as she looked up at the lineup: it was the main divide that the current conflict between her department and Security. Every time Jetta tried to de-escelate and choose someone new, Rraal chose someone else.

Rraal rolled his way over to in front of the crowd, clearing his throat. “Alright everyone, listen up! As you all know, we have three weeks until our first real game. Thanks to my efforts and sales pitch,”

“It’s not that impressive.” Runt whispered to Gigi, who snickered in response.

“We have a home game on Cait, and they’ll be wanting to watch. This is a chance to convince other teams and starships to join, so we could potentially have more crews viewing.” He motioned for Jetta to come up.

“This also means I expect us all on our best behavior.” her eyes narrow as she looks across the crowd. “And I mean EVERYONE. I know there’s been tension lately between you all–and despite me addressing it multiple times, it doesn’t seem to be quelling anytime soon.”

“It’s-”

“Not a word.” She held up a finger, shutting up whoever started to speak. “I’m serious, all of you; it’s getting a little ridiculous. Understood?” Everyone slowly, but surely, nodded. Glares were exchanged within the groups, and tensions were still high, but at the very least Jetta said something. “Alright, hit the showers and get ready for practice.”

As everyone started to make their ways to the locker room, Sylvester walked over to Jetta, smiling down at her.

“Jetta! Whats up? You look awfully stressed, my friend. Why not after this we grab a drink?” He put an arm around her shoulder, smiling. Jetta simply shrugged it off and glared at him with her arms crossed. “What?”

“You’re joking. Sylvester, you and Amira are both just—letting this happen! And don’t ‘what thing’, you know damn well.”

“Jetta-”

“I have families sending me screaming voice memos and blaming me for their child’s death, trying to keep up ship morale, and we STILL have repairs to be fully launched. People saying M’Hark is some feral animal, or claiming Ensign Hollis is some greedy scamsman is not something needed for this ship right now.” She groaned into her hands, rubbing her face.

“Listen, Jetta, it’s…complicated.” He also crossed his arms, frowning and looking to the side. “I sometimes don’t even know who’s saying things like that. I promise there’s attempts to be rekindling things. But ever since the infirmary checkup…”

Her head perked up as she glanced at him. “Infirmary checkup? With Doctor Sullivan?”

“Er, no. MT30. Amira took on half, MT30 took on the other half.” He shrugged. “Just–listen, it’s being dealt with. I swear.”

“I’ve tried, Sylvester. So lets hope what you guys are doing works.”

“It will. I promise.”