The Beginning of The Fall.. pt. 2

Posted on Sat Dec 19, 2015 @ 10:01pm by Fleet Captain Rhea Kennit
Edited on on Sat Dec 19, 2015 @ 10:09pm

826 words; about a 4 minute read

Mission: The Fall
Location: USS Victory
Timeline: 0515 hours

Bridge

Captain Kennit erupted out of the turbolift as the doors parted with a soft hiss, startling the 3rd shift watch crew as she demanded sharply, "Status report!"

Turning towards his commanding officer, Lt. JG Marcus Davenport who had spent most of this duty shift lamenting the fact that he had to stand this watch cycle when he was most definitely used to being quite asleep during this part of the ship's 'night', gaped at her for a moment before answering. The Captain was never one to be late in the morning, but she usually wasn't here this early!

She looked tense, and oddly.. her hair was loose, left to fall in waves down over her shoulders and back when usually she wore it pulled back into a braid or some other style. "Uh.. all systems are nominal Captain." he answered, unable to keep a note of puzzled confusion from his voice.

"What about on the sensors?" Kennit demanded, the XO walking towards the center dais while the Captain stalked (and there was no other way to describe how she walked than 'stalked') towards the sensor console even as Ens. Jardin answered, "Sensors are clear Captain, no activity in the area."

"Are you sure?" the Captain questioned sharply. "Scan again.. look for evidence of tetryon radiation or tachyon pulses.."

Alec slid up beside her, "Captain, we've done that." Alec said softly. "There's nothing there. The area is clear."

She looked at him, "Run the scans. That's an order." For a moment it almost appeared she was listening for something, then she turned towards the tactical console and brought up a tactical display of the system and surrounding sector though just what it was she was looking for wasn't readily apparent.

Alec stiffened imperceptibly at Rhea's tone but he didn't argue. "Aye Captain." he answered smoothly. Turning to the Ensign he spoke, "Run the scans again please Ensign." As Jardin began the scans Alec moved to Rhea's side. "It might help if you explain what you're looking for." He said softly.

Her expression was calm, but her eyes were intense with some deep, controlled emotion and when she spoke her voice was odd somehow. "I thought I made that clear. I need to know if there are any detectable levels of tetryon radiation, or any indications of recent tachyon pulses within sensor range." A new thought clearly struck, and she said "Mr. Jardin, I want you to also run a sweep for any random subspace energy fluctuations .. anything that doesn't match prior scans we took for this area when we arrived.."

Alec looked at Rhea, it was obvious something was on her mind and she was like a dog with a bone. she wouldn't let go until she had answers. "Yes, you need to know. Now how about sharing why? What do you know or suspect Captain?"

She could still hear them. Though not as clearly, once more reduced to little more than whispers though the darkness which lay permanently embedded in the back of her mind. But they were there.. that was enough.

She looked at him, the war she fought with herself whether or not to answer clear in her eyes. Before she could decide one way or another, Jardin said "No indications of tetryon radiation or tachyon pulses but we are detecting an odd energy fluctuation in subspace Captain. It's faint, but it's there."

"Show me!" Kennit said, nodding towards the console by her side as she did so. She looked closely at the data on the display, jaw tight. Then, "We're getting out of here now. Begin preparations to break orbit and set course to rendezvous with the nearest Federation ship identified by the navcomputer so we can get the survivors on their way home."

Alec saw and heard the emotion in Rhea;s voice. "Yes Captain." Alec answered, "Mr. Sextant, begin preparations to find the break orbit. Find the closest Federation and send a message we will be rendezvousing with them.'' That turned he turned to Rhea, "What is it? What aren't you telling me?"

"Get us out of here," she ordered. "As soon as it is safe to do so, take the ship to warp. Set course to rendezvous.. warp 6 as soon as you have a ship able to take the survivors off our hands identified." Turning, she walked towards the Ready Room, saying unnecessarily "I'll be in the Ready Room. Continue to monitor sensors.. at the first indications of tetryon or tachyon readings I want to know.."

Alec was about to protest, wondering what had Rhea so worked up. She clearly wasn't telling him everything. However rather than get into an argument here on the bridge he would confront her later. He slid into the command chair. " Yes Captain. "Turning to Sextant, "You have your orders Mr. Sextant. Carry them out. Break orbit. Go to warp once we're clear. Continue to monitor all sensors."

TBC

 

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