Power Returned

Posted on Sun Jul 5th, 2026 @ 8:54am by Cassandra Lennox & Lola ‘Myth’ McDowell & Maureen Lennox & Nathan Crawford

2,037 words; about a 10 minute read

Mission: The Light House
Location: Cassandra's Cottage
Timeline: 20 December 2012, 0700 hours (7am)

Cassandra sighed in happiness as the hot water hit her hard. She had woken up to soft snoring, but to the bedroom light being on, which meant that power had been restored to the village overnight from the Europa. She had quickly turned the light off and dived into the bathroom next to her and set about having the first hot shower in months. Cold showers boosted alertness, but they also caused a temporary increase in blood pressure, which she did not really need when she was stressed enough sometimes.

A soft knock came from the door. Nathan's voice softly emanating from the barely open door. "You mind if I, uh, you know. I promise not to flush until you're done."

"I do not mind," Cassandra assured, laughing a little. She was going to be a while, she had not felt this clean nor warm in a long time and she was not getting out any time soon if she could help it.

Nathan entered, took care of his business and put the seat back down. He looked at her silhouette through the translucent shower door. "You know. We could do what we do aboard the Europa. You know, to conserve water and all."

"You share showers on the Europa?" She wondered, raising an eyebrow as she opened the small cubicle and tugged him inside.

Nathan smiled as he was pulled into the shower. His arms embracing her as he gave her a long, deep kiss. He broke the kiss to take the soap and washcloth from her and began washing her body thoroughly from neck to thighs. "Only when a certain Thistledrift citizen decides to spend the night after meetings with Europa's officers regarding matters of importance."

"I was clean. Smooth covering up." She laughed at him. "I would not be worried if Gema joined you. She hates men." She teased him. It was well known that Meloro only liked women and was one of the few women that Cassandra had met who seemed unaffected by the power play that had shifted roles.

Nathan frowned. "Petty Officer Melero isn't my type and I know I'm definitely not her type." He ran the bar of soap along his torso. "Well, if you're clean, I suppose I should get that way too." He paused and waggled the bar of soap between them. "Though, if you want to help me. I wouldn't say no."

"But saving water, Nath," She laughed and took the soap from him, lathering up her hands. She quickly set about cleaning him up in the small space, relieved that she had her own little bathroom.

Nathan shrugged, a grin from ear to ear adorning his face. "Okay, okay. Perhaps saving water wasn't my primary motivation." His hands caressed her body. "You going to hold that against me?"

"No... I'll just hold myself against you." She pressed against him for a moment before turning the water slightly cooler to get them both to hurry up. "Come on. We still need to face everyone, and we need to think about how to sort out all of this mess." She turned away to rinse her hair and sighed happily. Why couldn't every morning be like that?

Nathan was pretty much thinking the same thing. He could get very accustomed to spending his nights with Cassandra. He finally got around to shutting off the water completely as the finished cleaning up. He reached out passed the shower curtain and grabbed both towels. He handed one to Cassandra and started drying himself. He appeared rather thoughtful as he towel dried off.

Cassandra smiled at the man and happily went back out to the bedroom and found another towel to twirl her hair up out of the way. She quickly dried her self off and threw on a clean pair of jeans and a very old hoodie and band t shirt. She went back into the bathroom and brushed her teeth and sorted out her hair up into a pony tail.

Nathan slipped passed Cassandra and went to the bedroom. He sighed as he gathered his uniform up and got dressed. He was just buttoning up his tunic when Cassandra emerged. He looked at her. "I was thinking. We should find a means of Thistledrift having sustainable power. The few solar panels in town can't generate enough except for the radios and the clinic."

“I actually have thought of that.” Cassandra declared smugly. As she leaned out and ran a hand through his hair making it stick up for a moment before she flattened it down. “Some of the things I asked for you to get were to help build a wind turbine.” She admitted. “Whilst you have been getting a tan I have been reading up thanks to… “ Oh fuck she realised to late to stop the conversation now.

Nathan took a seat on the bed to pull on and lace up his boots. "That should be doable. I think we have enough parts to build one or two wind turbines. We could possibly scrounge more parts from some offshore wind farms. I can check archives references to other wind farms on the Continent too." He looked up at Cassandra. "Sounds like a good idea."

“Thank you.” Cassandra said turning back from the mirror she had been avoiding his gaze to avoid talking more for a moment. He did not seem to notice her drifting off mid sentence. She did want to bring up Oxford again as it was a sore point.

Nathan stood up and embraced Cassandra, giving her a gentle and lingering kiss. "Shall we head downstairs? See how Lola and the Frenchman, René are doing?"

“Better do before people come looking. You know you do not always need uniform here right?” She teased him a little as she headed for the door.

Nathan nodded and gave Cassandra a wry grin. "Well, perhaps I will bring some personal belongings from the ship over this morning. If you don't mind sharing some space for clothes and perhaps my own toothbrush. We won't be sailing out again for at least eight to ten weeks depending on weather conditions."

Cassandra just grinned and headed down the stairs straight into the kitchen. She was surprised to see just Maureen and Lola there. Neither looked awake properly but Cassandra smiled and headed to make coffee with the coffee machine as the power way back.

“Morning, Lass. Morning, Commander.” Maureen called grinned as she was not even facing the door.

Nathan looked at Maureen. His cheeks took on a little color. "Good morning to you as well Mrs. Lennox." He glanced at Lola sitting quietly. "How are you doing this morning Lola? Were you able to get some rest at least?"

"No, Rene?" Cassandra asked as she realised the man was not there. Lola looked up and shrugged.

"He got pissy in the night and left." She muttered, rolling her eyes as the smell of coffee filled the air. Maureen laughed a little as she looked at Nathan, whilst Cassandra narrowed her eyes a little at her mother.

Nathan took a moment to process Lola's words. "I could talk to him. Explain that things are on a need to know at the moment."

“No need to.” Lola said stirring her porridge a few times before she started to eat it.

“There is enough for everyone.” Maureen said brightly rising to get bowls for everyone.

“He thinks it is Smith related.” Lola shrugged as Cassandra passed over a coffee to Nathan. Cassandra made a face not sure she had ever mentioned about Smith and the trouble he had caused.

Nathan was thoroughly confused. "Duncan Smith? Our new Electrical Division Officer? I wasn't aware the two gentlemen had ever met one another."

“They have not.” Cassandra started but Lola frowned.

“You made that wannabe rapist an officer?” Lola demanded. “You men really do stick together.” She muttered standing up to leave as Maureen opened her mouth shocked.

Nathan sputtered coffee on his wrist. He set down his cup and used a cloth napkin to wipe his wrist. "That is a very serious accusation Lola." He looked at Cassandra and Maureen. "Did either one of you know about this?"

“Yes. Why I asked the Electrical Division Department Head to keep him on the ship.” Cassandra said quietly.

“It’s not an accusation. It’s a fact and I am not the only one.” Lola said angry as she slammed the door on her way out. Cassandra frowned a little as the door slamming which was not like the quiet girl at all.

Nathan shook his head and sighed. "Captain Skye is going to want to speak with Lola on this matter. Smith came to us the day after we set sail at the beginning of November. He told us that he went to give Lola a hug and a kiss and she kneed him in the groin. It's why he volunteered to be the in-port engineering officer of the watch for our first night in port."

“Course he did.” Cassandra rolled her eyes and disappeared off to the living area where she returned with a thin file. “Other women who have as spoken up. It was going to wait to our meeting later on but you can have it now.” Maureen stayed quiet as she eat her breakfast, she knew her daughter could more than handle anything that came her way.

Nathan read through the statements of three other women who had been sexually harassed by Duncan Smith. Every accusation appeared to be some sort of quid pro quo incident. Fixing some electrical issue in a home or work space. He looked up at Cassandra and Maureen. "I'll take this to Captain Skye. The matter will be fully investigated, but all four women will need to be available for questioning. Will that be a problem?"

“Yes it will be.” Maureen said quietly. “The women are not going to be questioned by you and your Captain. I have seen how he speaks to Cassandra. I am not having young woman spoken to like that whe I bet he will have report injuries around the same time. One woman said she scratched his face purposely.” Maureen said firmly. She knew about military worked, her brothers had all done their military service. Cassandra inclined her head.

“He can come ashore but he has a buddy or he will be escorted back to the ship and he does not a weapon as an officer whilst he is ashore.” Cassandra said quietly.

"Agreed. Though I will recommend Smith remain restricted to the ship. At least until the matter is sorted." Nathan was not one to take chances with peoples safety. He glanced at Cassandra. "Perhaps she should consider staying here for a few days. She shouldn't be alone until we conclude the investigation."

“She has René.” Maureen shrugged. The boy seemed devoted but the offer was there to anyone if they wanted the spare room. Once upon a time she had many people sleep on her floor for safety.

Nathan glanced at Maureen and gave a nod of his head after a moment. He picked up his coffee mug and finished it off. Turning to Cassandra. "I will head back to Europa. Get things started for everything."

"Okay," Cassandra said, coolly. They would talk more later, she was sure of it, but for now she was happy that her mother was there to alleviate the tension that more of them were obviously.

Nathan let out a quiet sigh. He gathered up the folder and headed for the door. The next few hours, probably days, were going to be a shit show. He wasn't even sure there would be any real consequences for Duncan, even if he was guilty. He was the only person with the knowledge and skills to keep the electricity going for the Europa and Thistledrift. "Have a safe day, ladies. I will see you both later."

Maureen watched the man leave before she looked at Cassandra. "That did not go well, lass did it?" The woman sighed, making Cassandra sigh and nod. No it did not go well, but what could she do? Smith was trouble and deserved punishment.

 

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