From Darrylwn@aol.com Wed May 27 08:10:05 1998 Date: Thu, 21 May 1998 19:38:19 -0600 From: Darrylwn To: INDIGO FLEET List Serve Subject: [INDIGO] USS PROMETHEUS: Two peas in a turbo pod ---OFFICIAL INDIGO FLEET TRANSMISSION--- Date: Thu, 21 May 1998 21:39:35 EDT From: Darrylwn Subject: [INDIGO] USS PROMETHEUS: Two peas in a turbo pod ************************************************************************** Scene: Fore Computer Core, USS PROMETHEUS FMD: 6.1636 Phoenix looked over the shoulder of his young quartermaster, John Ashby. The Lieutenant's face expressed an unhappy look. He was most displeased at what was being shown to him on the Navigational Systems Array. Phoenix looked at John Ashby, "Mr. Ashby this is no time for Navigation Database glitches, I want those systems at 100%. No excuses. Now run a full diagnostic. We can't have this sending us screwed up info in the heat of a Dalriada encounter." Phoenix desperately wanted to be on the bridge, but this important matter took precedence over his wishes. If the Navigational Database malfunctioned they would be unable to enter warp, or worse enter warp and run full speed into a star, comet, etc. Suddenly the Red Alert Klaxon blared. Phoenix pointed to Ashby, "Get that system working!" Phoenix bolted out the door into the hallway. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Scene: Corridor, USS PROMETHEUS FMD: 6.1638 [Sovak to Mister Talon. Report to the battle bridge.] Rand stood in the corridor he was walking through and for a brief second stood there staring blankly at his chest. Sovak, the XO, had instructed him to report to the battle bridge. That meant only one thing. Captain Slick had failed to beam back aboard the PROMETHEUS, and Talon, was now the second most senior officer aboard the warship. *Lovely*, he thought, *Not only am I the second most despised person aboard this ship, only because of lack of time aboard, I am now the second senior officer. Funny, the two most hated people aboard the starship have somehow become the top two dogs. According to Greek Mythology, a trio known as "The Fates" should be rolling on the floor of their cave, the shared eye between them lost in some corner as it fell from their shaking hands. To top it off, his own people were attacking his adopted family. There was no doubt in Rand's mind where he stood, he would perform his duties to the utmost of his abilities. Now however, was a time of truth. The proverbial dung was about to strike the fan, and Talon hoped that the splatter was kept to a minimum. There just was no telling how the crew would react to his orders. Noticing a crew member hurrying his way, he was about to stop him when the man slowed himself. It was LT. Phoenix, Rand noticed with a slight wince. The young officer did little to hide his disdain for the OPS officer, at times bordering on the point of insubordination, though Talon had allowed it to slide here in the early goings of his time aboard, in the interest of the most harmony possible amongst the senior staff. While Rand was in definition, an outcast, he still was in charge of the daily operations of the ship, and therefore was aware of many problems concerning the crew. The fact that Phoenix lost a loved one at the hands of Talon's own people wasn't lost on Rand, and he didn't want to excite the situation further. "What do you want?", Gabriel spoke, a mix of venom and contempt pouring off of every word. Pausing for a brief second, Rand composed his thoughts and spoke, "You will accompany me to the battle bridge, Mister Phoenix, where we and a select group of others will be stationed until the danger has passed or I assume command of this vessel." Phoenix stood there for a moment before replying. He didn't want to be anywhere near this bastard, however he was currently the second-most senior officer aboard... ...... and he hadn't asked him to go, which made it an order. Failing to do so would result in a court-martial hearing, pending the results of the battle, in which Gabriel could be found guilty of disobeying a lawful order in the face of an enemy. That was no good. "Alright," he managed, doing nothing to hide the utter loathing he felt at having to follow out this order. He hoped silently that Commander Sovak would call him to the bridge, relieving him of his obligation as an officer and a gentleman in Starfleet to follow the orders of a superior. Ignoring the snide way in which Phoenix spoke, there was no time for reprimands, Talon said, "Follow me.", and headed off towards a turbolift. There just wasn't much time. Tapping his commbadge, he spoke clearly and rapidly, "Talon to Commander Sovak. Mister Phoenix will accompany me to the battle bridge and act as my Navigator unless instructed otherwise." The sound of Sovak's voice could be clearly heard, [Understood, Commander. LT. Phoenix is at your disposal.] Gabriel's teeth could be heard grinding. That damned "Robo-Vulcan"! He wasn't so sure he was happy to serve aboard the PROMETHEUS any longer. Not after the pacifist Sovak took control and the treacherous, lying scumbag, Talon, slipped into the First Officer slot in the absence of the Captain. After all, it was just TOO convenient for the Dalariadan to get a much tighter stranglehold on the PROMETHEUS innards. Hell, he had the ability to transfer control of the ship to himself. In the time it took the rest of the crew to realize what had happened, Talon could have destroyed the PROMETHEUS, and thus a major offensive weapon of the conflict. Perhaps this was the best, Gabriel thought as he followed Commander Talon aboard the turbolift. This way, he would at least be able to keep an eye on the tricky son of a bitch. -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Scene: Turbolift, USS PROMETHEUS FMD: 6.1642 The turbolift began to move towards its destination when Talon's commbadge sounded again.. [This is acting Captain Sovak to Commander Talon.] "Here, sir" came the prompt response. [I trust you are on your way to the battle bridge, Commander, and will arrive there shortly.] "Yes, sir" [Sovak out.] Rand shook his head. Today of all days to be delayed by a petty disciplinary problem. If we get through this, he pondered wryly, I'll be willing to bet old "robo-Vulcan" won't let me live *this* down. On the other side of the turbolift, Phoenix could feel his resentment boiling over. His place was on the *bridge*, damn it! Not sequestered down in the bowels of the ship, sitting and watching just in case the worst happened. If it did, they were probably all dead anyway. At this moment, he wasn't sure if it was possible for him to ever hate someone as much as he hated Rand Talon at this moment. They both tried not to openly glare at each other, and studiously stared at opposite walls as the lift began to move. However, their minds were jolted back to something other than who happened to be in the lift with them when a loud voice rang out, obviously on a ship-wide channel this time: [This is acting Captain Sovak. Dalriadan missiles will reach this vessel in exactly forty-two seconds. Brace for impact. Sovak out.] Suddenly they were looking at each other, wishing the turbolift could just go faster. Talon and Phoenix knew their place was on the bridge when the ship was under attack, or at least watching the *real* action from the battle bridge, added Phoenix bitterly to himself. A loud thunderous boom could be heard clearly through the walls. The close call dimmed the lights in the turbolift, and it slowed for a moment. Rand rubbed the rabbit's foot in his pocket vigorously, hoping for the luck inside to spill over and take control of the PROMETHEUS. The turbolift slowed to a crawl and the lights flickered. Both men looked expectantly around, hoping that the lift would resume in a few moments. It didn't. The turbolift lights turned off; and the turbolift stopped it's ascent. "The attack must have shorted out the turbolift system," Talon deduced aloud. "Oh really..You think?", Gabriel replied his voiced laced with sarcasm. Phoenix looked above them, "Give me a boost, Talon. We can escape through the Emergency Hatch up here." Talon held Phoenix's foot, as Phoenix used the manual release to open the hatch above them. Phoenix climbed out and was about to offer Talon assistance when, the Lieutenant Commander leapt up to catch the hatch rim and pull himself through without any help. Phoenix looked at him and huffed, "showoff." They stood atop of the turbolift. Rand started to tap his commbadge so he could report their situation, then paused. If the ship was under attack, and enough had gotten through the shields this quickly so it blew out a turbolift, he had no doubt Sovak had far more important things on his mind than two trapped officers in a turbolift. They were on their own. Looking up, Rand saw Phoenix had already started climbing, as if anxious to distance himself from the Dalriadan Operations officer. "Wait up Lieutenant." "I've got a better idea. How about you get your sorry tail up here a little faster. We're needed up there." Phoenix replied. *Boom* Another explosion somewhere on the ship rocked the shaft, the ladder creaked, and both officer's had to hold on tight not to be thrown off the ladder. Carefully they continued their journey, wondering how much more pounding the ship could take. They were about to find out. Abruptly, Sovak's amplified voice rang throughout the shaft, echoing eerily: [Sovak to crew. Brace for impact.] They barely had time to exchange one startled look and quickly get the best grip they could on a ladder when a blast which dwarfed the others tore through the ship. *BOOM* Another explosion, sounding louder than the last, shook the ladder about it's fittings with even greater stress. Another rumble resonated within the shaft and an explosive force ripped through the ladder a few meters above Phoenix's head. The ladder was torn from its wall fittings and began to fall into the shaft taking Phoenix and Talon with it. The broken end became lodged against the far wall and the ladder lied parallel across the shaft like a bridge. Phoenix and Talon's hand strength was the only thing that kept them from plummeting down the shaft. Phoenix pulled himself through the rungs and stood on the on the makeshift bridge. Talon was obviously struggling to maintain his grip. Phoenix looked at him and saw one hand slip. Talon's face grimaced as he began to feel his second hand slipping, for a moment he almost cried out for Phoenix but figured the assistance would not come in time, if at all. Talon felt his hand loose grip only to find his wrist suddenly snatched by a hand from between the rungs. Looking up Talon saw Phoenix looking down at him. "Talon give me your other hand," said Phoenix as he slipped his other hand between the rungs. Talon grasped onto Phoenix's other outstretched hand and with great effort he gradually pulled Talon from beneath the ladder to the top of it. Before Talon even had a chance to thank him, Phoenix spoke, "Rand look we're in luck, there's a turbodoor to one of the decks a foot above us. If we open it up we can get on the connected deck and get back on track, albeit running into a small delay." *Rand?* Thought Talon. It was the first time he ever heard Phoenix acknowledge he had a first name. It wasn't quite as good as "sir", but hell, he was willing at this point to settle for the use of his first name. In the next few crucial hours, everyone was going to be working closely together and trust was of utmost importance. Phoenix pulled himself up to the door frame, and open the door. Talon followed him through the door, and they proceeded down the corridor. Another blast rocked the ship throwing the two officers about the corridor. "Are you alright Lieutenant?" With a deliberate nod of his head, "Yes Sir, It's really heating up out there, we'd better hurry!" Gabriel turned and rushed down the corridor, it's rhythmic red lights flickering off and on, announcing the red alert condition. Turning himself, Talon pressed through the various crew members who were scrambling about to get to their duty positions. A couple of moments later, he entered the battle bridge and slid into the waiting command chair. ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Scene: Battle Bridge, USS PROMETHEUS FMD: 6.1701 Phoenix practically jumped down to his station and sat down, his eyes giving his console a once over, eager to get an assessment on the goings on during his little delay with Talon. "Someone give me a report." Talon exclaimed taking his place on the Captain's chair. A sight that still did not sit very well with Phoenix. Lt. A'Vanya responded to Talon's inquiry. "Captain Slick has ordered the squadron back to Starbase Omega. AGAMEMNON and the PROMETHEUS were to stay behind to provide cover. Both ship's have been taking quite a beating, Wild Weasel/Silent Wave has been working to some effect but Mr. Phoenix's shuttle tactic failed. All shuttles were lost." Gabriel shook his head in disbelief. All those good pilots from his Department gone. He barely knew them all, but those he did know hurt the most. [Commander Talon, come in.] "Talon here" [We will be entering warp any moment now, activated from Engineering. Helm control is out on the bridge. I hereby transfer authority to you. Is Lieutenant Phoenix there?] "Yes, sir" answered Talon. "He and I were....." [No time, Commander,] cut in Sovak sharply. [The PROMETHEUS is now under your command, so let him take the helm. Get us out of here, and back to OMEGA if possible. I will be down to join you shortly.] "Aye, aye, sir" the Dalriadan OPS officer responded crisply. "Talon out." "Get us out of here Mr. Phoenix!" "Yes Sir." Phoenix quickly plotted the course to OMEGA into the console. The PROMETHEUS moved away from the AGAMEMNON at Warp 6. "Commander Talon what about the Captain?" Talon stood up, "Viewscreen On". On the viewscreen, the Battle Bridge Crew viewed the AGAMEMNON just sitting there. Valiantly shielding the PROMETHEUS' escape. "Come on! Come on! Get out of there Captain!", exclaimed an exasperated Phoenix who was virtually ready to jump through the viewscreen and magically pull the Captain aboard himself. Dalriada warships fired on the AGAMEMNON, causing it to erupt in a massive explosion. Lt. A'Vanya muttered under her breath as she took in the horrible sight, "Captain." Phoenix was not as composed. "NOOOOOOOOO!" He cried out in anguish. His face filled with anger and pain. He had just witnessed the death of his Captain; a man he knew for a very short time, but had the utmost respect for. His eyes shut tightly. *It's happening again!* Phoenix had already lost Heather to the Dalriada, now his Captain. How many more must he lose he wondered. Will his pain never end? Reopening his eyes he looked at his console. "Commander we are enroute to OMEGA." It was now that he remembered the problems he had earlier with the Database, and if Ashby didn't fix the problem this would be the shortest Warp trip in history. The eyes of all the crew members seated at their stations turned on the Dalriadan officer. Rand slowly looked to his left and then slowly back to his right, a dozen eyes fixed on him. There wasn't time for this, and Talon knew it. "Listen carefully people. You may not like me. You may not trust me. You may even fear me. I'm not the one you need to worry about. It's those battlecruisers out there. If you want to die and take the rest of your friends and crewmates with you, continue to disregard your duty and stare about like some hoot owls. I on the other hand am going to do my best to come out of this war the same way I went in.....alive. So what say we return to monitoring our consoles and start feeding me updates?" The eyes snapped off of the LCDR as if they were on a rubber band that had just snapped. Smiling for nearly the first time he had come aboard, he slowly allowed it to fade into the furrowed brow of someone deep in thought as he began to scan the various information of what they were truly up against. Phoenix resettled himself, as comfortably as possible under the conditions, into his NAV seat and once again took control of the large warship. Soon he was to do what nearly every navigator to walk the halls of Starfleet Academy dreamed of. Pilot a ship in combat. The ultimate challenge, which unfortunately carried with it a hell of a lot more stress than the young LT. had ever expected. Respectfully Submitted, LCDR Rand Talon LTjg Gabriel Phoenix OPS, USS PROMETHEUS NAV, USS PROMETHEUS Josh Young Dennis Dufour jyoung@nqks.com Darrylwn@aol.com --------------------------------------------------------------------------- FMD: 6.1636 "Whadda'ya mean 'glitch'" Dennis FMD: 6.1638 An unlikely Duo Dennis FMD: 6.1642 Delays Dennis FMD: 6.1701 Desperate Escape Dennis NRPG: Josh: All I can say is WOW! Did we do a job or what? Looking forward to working with you some more. (And with the scenarios between Phoenix and Talon I have planned you will. ) Tim: Congratulations Captain, I think? Thanks for checking for inconsistencies in the post and your own personal input. ***This message sent by an official member of Indigo Fleet*** Are you also posting your message to the newsgroup?!!! ---END TRANSMISSION---