Tantum non sanus confractus in carcerem

Posted on Thu Nov 1, 2018 @ 9:21pm by Fleet Captain Rhea Kennit & Lieutenant Samantha Raylen & Lieutenant Commander Miguel Torres & Major Victor Crowe & Lieutenant Penelope Naroot & Lieutenant Arashi Tanaka Mr. & Lieutenant Cassandra Kennings & Lieutenant Nicole Anderson & Senior Chief Petty Officer Samantha Summers

2,354 words; about a 12 minute read

Mission: Plaga Navis
Location: Heuoron V

USS Victory - Shuttlebay Flight Deck

Two hours prior to departure


Arriving on the flight deck, the first member of the away team to board the RASCAL was Captain Kennit. Dressed in civilian attire, she looked nothing like a Starfleet Captain and very much the part of a smuggler/freighter Captain. Snug fit dark brown breeches hugged her legs, boots of deep brown leather (almost black) rose to just below the knee. A loose fitting top worn beneath a worn black leather jacket, earrings and a black lace choker style necklace completely the look. Her short-trimmed nails had been painted black, and she’d left her long hair loose to fall across her shoulders.

Stowing her gear bag, she adjusted the weapons neatly tucked away about her person and then moved forward to begin running the pre-flight checks on the ship. Up in the cockpit, Cmdr. Torres was there, finishing up the last few tweaks to the ship’s systems following the repairs and modifications he’d made over the past few days. “You look like you’re having fun..” Kennit drawled as she entered. Swinging her leg up and over the pilots chair, she settled in with what was.. for her once upon a time.. very characteristic lack of giving a shit and began to run the first series of preflight checks on the computer. “I hope those marines remembered to bathe before they board..” she added.

"I second that," Nicole said, stepping inside and taking a seat. She was dressed in a form-fitting woven combat suit from her old life, and she rested her black bag in her lap. At the Captain's inquiring look, she said, "I had the impression you could use a medic in case things go south."

“I suspect it isn’t a matter of ‘if’ and more of a ‘when’.” The Captain answered.

The flight deck doors hissed open admitting Major Crowe and his chosen squad of Marines, each man freshly groomed, each woman properly showered Crowe stopped the squad short of the ship and pulled them to attention. Unlike the squad, he was decked out in a long black coat with an eyepatch over his left eye and a three-day beard on his jaw. He faced his men and inhaled sharply. "Ladies and gentlemen, you have all been briefed on the mission at hand. While I am with the landing party, Gunny Woodard will be in command. You are Marines, and I expect nothing less than perfection during this operation. Am I clear?"

"Yessir!" was the loud, unified reply.

Woodard spokeupm his voice raised to a shout. "Bullshit, you sound like Starfleet cadet pukes! The major asked if you were ready to do your duty and help this fine Starfleet crew accomplish their mission, now sound off like you got a pair!"

"WE ARE READY, TO DO OUR DUTY, FOR GOD, THE FEDERATION, AND THE CAPTAIN OF THIS SHIP! HOOAH!" was the unified shout of the squad.

"That's more like it! Now fall out and begin stowing gear!" Woodard ordered, then turned to Vic. "There's the captain, sir. Better check in!" he said with a half-grin.

"Fuck you, gunny!" Vic smiled before approaching the captain. "My squad's ready, captain."

Looking him over, after a moment she said simply “The eye patch is a nice touch..”

Then aFter another moment, Kennit muttered. “Definitely need some music in here..” and few seconds later the sounds of an old 20th century band called “Lynyrd Skynyrd” began to pulse through the entire ship as a song titled “Sweet Home Alabama.” blasted out at considerable volume through the vessel’s internal comm systems.

Nicole put her hands over her ears and immediately regretted her decision.

Vic nodded at the selection. "Turn it up!" he said in time with the music.

Alec arrived next. He looked for all the world as a scruffy smuggler or perhaps a bum. He had on boots, black slacks an open neck brightly colored shirt, his old and well worn flight jacket. A pair of sunglasses sticking out of one pocket. Inside one boot he had a knife, in his waistband another weapon. His jacket contained a few more all hidden neatly with it's design. His hair was uncombed and he hadn't shaved. He plopped down on a seat behind Rhea and Torres. "Why don't you put on real music? You know the Beatles." He teased Rhea.

“I dislike insects..” Kennit responded.

"50,000 unemployed comedians and I get you for free. Okay how about some Rolling Stones or Bob Seegar?" He fired back at her.

“Rob Zombie or Motley Crue..” she retorted.

"What are you on about?" Nicole said, her frames of reference gone.

Miguel finished his work and stowed the equipment back into his bag. He was shaking his head as he witnessed the back and forth between the CO and XO. When he was done cleaning up he looked at the Captain. "Everything is as we discussed earlier." he reported.

"Bruce Springsteen." Alec countered.

“Alice Cooper or Iron Maiden.” Kennit answered. Then to Torres she said, “That’s good news Miguel. Though I hope I don’t need any of it..”

Alec sighed, Jethro Tull or Queen." Alec offered.

"Shovel. Tourniquet. Baseball,' Nicole said, showing she could say random words as well.

She turned to look at him. “Judas Priest.”

He met her gaze, "Godsmack."

“Marilyn Manson” came her reply.

He shook his head, "Ozzy Osborne."

Torres nodded "As do I, but it's better to have them and not need them." he told her. He then picked up his tool kit as she and the XO continued their discussion. He just shook his head. "This is why I'm staying behind." he muttered to himself.

"I may go with you," Nicole said under her breath.

“You’re staying because I already told you you’re not currently allowed to follow through and break Nathan’s legs..”. Kennit muttered. Then, to Alec she said “Aerosmith.”

*No.* Alec thought to himself. *I'll break his legs and more.* To Rhea he answered, "Guns and Roses."

“Hollywood Vampires,” came her reply.

Nicole let out a growl.

"AC/DC" Was his reply. Ignoring Nicole and her growl.

"What in the bloody hell are you two discussing?" Nicole finally shouted, exasperated.

Alec turned his head to look at her, "Really Doctor? Do try to control yourself." He answered before looking back at Rhea, "Your turn."

“Metallica.” Came the instant reply.

Alec groaned, "Fleetwood Mac."

Staring him down, she said “phish”

Alec grinned at her, "What kind of reply is phish?"

“Hah!” She barked out. “It’s the name of a band..I win!”

Vic piped up. "No band was greater than Rush, except maybe Zeppelin."

He shook his head, "I want a rematch. No one other than you ever heard of this so called band." He teased. He looked over at Vic and nodded in approval of the Major's suggestions.

"Phish: An American rock band formed in the early 1980s, known for blending genres of music and improvisation in their instrumentals," Penny said, stepping inside. Like the others, she'd changed out of her uniform for nondescript clothing. "They're great."

Alec scowled at her. "You aren't helping Penny."

"Terrans," Nicole said, rolling her eyes.

“You lost. Deal with it.” The Captain advised him.

"Always pulling rank." He grumbled, a grin on his face.

Penny stepped up to the pilot's chair and looked at the Captain. "If I may?" she said.

Kennit rose, “knock yourself out..”

Penny dropped into the vacant pilot's chair and her fingers flew over the controls. The computer wasn't as charming as the ship's main computer, but it was giving her a good rundown of the modifications and changes Torres had put into it. She instantly absorbed the changes and began rearranging the panel to her liking. By the time the computer had finished the pre-flight checks the Captain had started, she'd finished her own. "We're ready when you like, Captain," she said.

Turning, Kennit looked at those present and said “What are you all looking at? Get your gear stowed and prep for departure. I’d prefer to actually get going on time for once..”

Arashi had just arrived and stowed his gear. "Tanaka reporting for duty!" he said and took a seat. he was nervous and was shaking a bit but for the moment he was relaxed as he could be. "Pop culture of Earth, huh? Music was especially good during the nineteen-eighties and nineties." He had heard the tail end of the conversation but wasn't privy to what had happened earlier so he had assumed it was just a discussion about Earth culture. He started singing a song that was a hit in the nineteen-seventies. "Country road, take me home, to the place I belong. West Virginia, Mountain mama, take home country road." He sang quietly while checking out his gear. He made sure to look enough like a merc without being garish like he did in the previous mission.

Bridge

Cassandra sat in the center chair, waiting for Commander Torres to return. She hadn't had much time on the bridge in the center chair, but she wasn't finding it to be an unpleasant experience. Then again, she was merely the babysitter, not the one really in charge, unless something went drastically wrong.

"Lieutenant," Ensign T'kel said from the helm, "we're approaching the coordinates the Captain provided."

"Understood," Cassandra said, checking their location and tapping the communications button on the chair console. "Sanders to Kennit: You should be go for launch in two minutes."

“Acknowledged. Rascal ready for launch in 2 minutes.”

[Rascal]

SCPO Summers hurried into the ship, clothed in brown coveralls and sweater, carrying a gray duffle bag which she deposited on the nearest available seat. "Summers, reporting for duty," she said to the Captain. She then grinned slightly. "Nice music, my I also contribute?" Summers started playing a digital recording. 'Ladies & Gentlemen...*Jerry Reed!!!* " East bound and down loaded up an truckin', we're gonna do what they say can't be done...we've got a long way to go and a short time to get there....we're East bound just watch old Bandit run.....'

Nicole kept her hands over her ears and for just a moment contemplated whether she'd actually not survived her attack and if this might be Punishment. She grabbed the device Summers had pulled out of her bag and shoved it deep back in the bag, muffling the sound.

Summers looked at Nicole. " Again with the negative waves, ehh? " And winked and slightly smiled. "Tis ok, we advance into the breech as comrades in arms, ready to strike a blow against our enemy."

Nicole's eyes flared red as she stared at 'the enemy'. She started to growl, ready to rip that winking eye out, until a stern, "Doctor," from Commander Hunter made her reign it in. Vulcans, Rigellians and Romulans may all be cousins, but that didn't engender much love between them. Rigellians thought Vulcans and Romulans shared an arrogant streak, but at least the Vulcans were pleasant most times. Romulans were the cousins no one wanted to speak of. Add to that the fact that she was staring at the particular Romulan who tried to not only kill her Captain, but also her head nurse, and Nicole was about ready to advance and breach a few vital organs. "Do not speak for the remainder of this flight; that is a direct order," she said, sternly. She didn't pull rank often but she was in no mood for ambiguity. *Or, by Providence, I will lock you away till you rot,* her mind finished.

Summers' head snapped back and she looked at Nicole with a mixture of puzzlement and dread. She quickly moved to another seat, as far away as she could.

Watching Summers scurry to a seat, the Captains eyes met her Chief Engineers gaze as he prepared to disembark the Rascal. “Still time to change your mind and tag along...” she told him.

"Well you won't let me kill, or break any part of Nathan's body. So I think it's best that I stay behind. Better to not tempt me until after you get the information we need," he told her.

From his seat Alec listened to Rhea and Miguel, he silently thought, *No, but I will and I won't ask permission.*

She just shook her head slightly, placed a hand on his shoulder and gave him a quick squeeze. “Well then...get the hell off my ship..” she told him with a wry smile.

"Two minutes are ticking away," Nicole warned them.

Penny brought the engines online and let the vibration in the deck get everyone's attention. "We are ready, willing and able, just say the word and we can fly," she said.

Miguel smiled and then left the Rascal.

Summers scrunched into her seat and tried to mold into it. Which was fine until she bopped her head and yiped.

"Please make sure your work stations are in their stowed position and grab onto anything bolted down," Penny said. She kicked up the engines and surged ahead, the ship flying out of the bay and curving hard, taking on a path away from the ship so it would appear to come in from a different angle. As she righted them and set course for the planet, she glanced back. "Everyone get comfy, we'll be there in just a few minutes."

[Bridge]

Miguel arrived on the bridge just in time to watch the Rascal leaving the shuttlebay. Now all he had to do is survive not going crazy and hoping that he wasn't needed to save the day.

Cassandra turned as the turbolift doors opened and breathed a sigh of relief. "Welcome back, Commander," she said, standing up and vacating the Captain's chair. "Rascal is away and taking a circuitous route away from the ship. We're just outside of the sensor range of the facility and holding steady."

Miguel nodded as he took the seat.

Cassandra nodded and stepped back around to the First Officer's seat, sitting down and placing her communication earpiece in her ear.


*End*

 

RSS Feed