All Out of Bubble Gum Part II
Posted on Sun Sep 29th, 2024 @ 1:55pm by Sergeant Major Lachlan Barr & Lieutenant Colonel Cornelius Tremble & Staff Warrant Officer Rommie
Edited on on Mon Sep 30th, 2024 @ 2:55am
1,278 words; about a 6 minute read
Mission:
Episode 15 - The Evil That Lies Beneath
Location: Bridge, USS Pioneer.
Timeline: MD008 1145 hrs.
"Sir, welcome back." Was all that Edmund could say, his emotions on lockdown. It was best for him to put them in the lockbox for now. He did know that Lachlan had put the ship into lockdown including keeping Tyler and Rowena out of things. "No questions at this time sir."
Jayna stood off to the side where she was out of the way. She was pleased to see the sergeant major and captain. They had more information on what was going on than she did. Between the two of them and Neil, everything would quickly get back to normal.
Neil waited a moment as the lift door’s opened and he surveyed the bridge. Things looked mostly normal, except that the primary stations were all manned by junior officers and there was a stink of something in the air that had nothing to do with the sense of smell. There was a tenseness among the officers there and he caught a few side glances as he, followed by Rommie, stepped out onto the bridge and he looked around.
He glanced at the two armored marines standing to either side of the lift entry, nodding to them then looked over to where Lachlan stood and said, "Morning Top. How do we fly?"
"As straight as we are going to, Major." Lachlan admitted as he turned to meet his superior and rose from the centre chair. "The ship notified me you were 'back'." he added. Lachlan had instructed the ship to update him on any changes to the senior staff disappearances. He got a lot when they all returned.
"According to the ship, I am still missing Neil told Lachlan. "Affectively, I am in Hack until we get this sorted so you have the center chair."
Looking back down at the chair Lachlan shook his head at the very thought he was stuck with this for a while longer. It was too much sitting down, too soft for him.
Gesturing toward the Captain’s ready room, Neil said, "Possible to get a word in private, Captain?".
Lachlan shivered, "Don't call me that." he with a fake seriousness as he moved towards the doors of the ready room. "You'll be calling me sir next and that simply wont do."
After the door had cycled closed behind them, Neil leaned against the near bulkhead and asked, "Ok Sergeant Major what’s the ships status and how did we get here?”
"Ships status, we are fully operation with no damage to systems aside from some minor damage to the shuttlebay. As to how we got here, with most of the senior staff unaccounted for junior officers took control of departments. Commodore Malbrooke and Lt. Commander McGowen were inhabited by a consciousness that we believe was linked with your disappearance. Both became dangers to the ship and I took control of the Pioneer under Starfleet Regulation 619 as Malbrooke had became emotionally compromised. McGowen was later captured and both taken to sickbay for treatment by Captain Mazumdar."
Neil's contact took in the Sergeant Major's bio signature and ran the friend/foe subroutine Neil had brought up.
Just because he was paranoid, didn't mean someone wasn't a good reason to be careful.
"Well done, Lachlan," Neil said, removing his beret and tossing it idly on the desk. Looking around, he said, "I'm glad the Junior's were able to stand up effectively. Get me a list of those you think deserve recognition and we'll get them Mentioned in Dispatches." Then he smiled to himself, "Or rather you can. You're acting CO so you don't need me to make unwanted suggestions."
"Not quite the accolade you think it is Neil." Lachlan chuckled. "I was quite happy scaring the rabble of enlisted we have on here. However, I do believe special mention should go to the likes of Ensigns Sinclair and Wren, Lieutenant Spencer and a few others." he nodded as if agreeing with himself. "This could have been a lot worse."
"What a drahk show. General Sobel is less than impressed." Meeting the senior enlisted eyes, he said, "Upon my return, I was a bit out of it and ordered Rommie to enact a protocol. We currently have four flights of Valkries and the drop ship Shadow Lasson an intercept course with a couple hundred marines kitted out for a boarding action. Call sign Backfill."
"We'll need to reassure the General things are in hand and with me in Hack, it's going to fall to you for the Official log entries and the like. Best I can do is serve as a Mission Advisor. If there's any possibility of Rowena...or the Entity...or both causing problems.. I suppose what I'm asking is do we need to fill the ship with Marines in kit?"
"At the moment we are secure. I don't see the need for marines to fill our corridors sir. It would imply we have fully lost control when that isn't the case. We have been able to confine the entity and Rowena is better off in sickbay at the moment. Doc needs to keep an eye on her." Lachlan replied. He could see Neil's frustration, his anger at what had happened but knee jerk reactions due to that led to errors, and it was Lachlan's job to keep his officers heads on the straight and narrow as best he could.
Nodding, Neil said, "It'll be your call then. I'll update the General. That's about all I can do." Then he grinned wolfishly, "You, Captain, can handle Fleet. Should they want to talk to me, I am of course at yours and their disposal."
"Very good sir." Lachlan nodded respectfully. "When do you think I can relinquish command? I am eager to return to my duties. They have somewhat fell to the wayside since all this started..."
"Honestly," Neil replied casting his eyes around the space, taking reassurance in the Sergeants steady demeanor and the updates his contact was feeding him. "While were away to...whatever or wherever. Or for that matter, whenever we were in relation to this reality, my contact didn't link." Shaking his head, Neil realized he'd wandered, "As far as you getting out of the hot seat, no idea. Fleet might decided to leave me in Limbo permanently and Tyler might need down time."
After a few beats, he said, "But, probably no more than a week. We'll be back to Empok and I'd imagine things will shake out by then. For now, any orders, Captain my Captain?"
Lachlan smirked. "Just take this time to rest Major. I have a feeling General Sobel will have quite the debrief for all of us... or you could check in on Malbrooke and McGowen." he leant forward. "I'd recommend rest, its easier." he chuckled.
A Joint Post By
Major Cornelius Tremble
Executive Officer, USS Pioneer
Commanding Officer, The Cure
Sergeant Major Lachlan Barr
Chief of The Boat, USS Pioneer
First Sergeant, The Cure
Staff Warrant Officer Rommie
Artificial Intelligence, The Cure
USS Pioneer
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