Public Displays of Unaffection
Posted on Wed Oct 27th, 2010 @ 1:15pm by Captain Elsie Halliwell & Captain T'mpest Michaels
1,287 words; about a 6 minute read
Mission:
Lost Friends
Location: Bridge, USS Archimedes
Timeline: Meanwhile...
MEANWHILE…
Captain Coltan Kerr stood on the small Archimedes’ bridge, running through the final checklist for orbital departure before he gave the final command to leave. Sonaata was already installed in the Observation deck, ready to drink in the view of the luscious Overton as the small Nova Class vessel slipped away and through the Ionasixal System to beyond its fringes. He stood centrally, more masterful and wiser than he had felt in years, an agreeable sense of peace having descended upon his now joined mind.
“Sir,� the young helmsman called over, spinning his chair fluidly around, “pre-flight sequence is now complete. Coordinates for Deep Space Five are locked in. Waiting for your orders.�
Kerr nodded, halting him without issuing a command, and then turned to sit back down in his central chair. A young, attractive man in his very early thirties was already sat to his left. An ambitious, youthful Lieutenant Commander who had risen the ranks with fury. “We’re ready, Captain,� he said, confirming the helmsman relay.
“Captain,� Lieutenant Oxley stated behind him at the Ops terminal, “there’s an incoming transmission from the surface. It’s your daughter.�
Kerr nodded as the image of Rory appeared on the screen before the entire bridge, and he found a gentle, warming smile cast over his face like a wide-thrown fishing net. She smiled back at him and waved feverishly with a beaming grin. “Bye, Daddy!� she called out, the gentle hand of Yvaine Gray resting protectively on her shoulder. She smiled, also, now speaking up over Rory’s joy.
“Coltan,� Mrs. Gray said, “Rory wanted to wish you a final goodbye and a safe journey.�
He smiled back and addressed his reply back to the young girl herself. “She knows that it’ll only be for a few weeks. Just to deliver this package.�
“She knows,� Yvaine smiled back. “But, there’s also someone else who wants to speak with you before you depart.� She winked, and a grave, unsatisfied look fell across her face, inviting Kerr into an unspoken conspiracy between them both.
He simply raised an eyebrow to convey his acknowledgment.
Teegan Mar stepped into view. "Captain, is the device properly shielded? I don't want any random signals or fluctuations casing problems. And I don't want it to prematurely activate. This is far too sensitive an artifact to be left on a shelf somewhere." She wanted to both stay on the planet and see what else could be discovered and accompany the Archimedes to be sure the device got there safely.
“You have your orders to remain on-site, Ms Mar,� Kerr replied dryly, clearly worn down by weeks of dealing with the wretched, over-bearing woman. “The security of the Archimedes and the competency of my crew, I assure you, is sufficient to ferry an item to Deep Space Five, where I am sure you shall be reunited with it in a matter of days.� Under his breath he added, “Should you have your way.� Now speaking up again, he continued. “There’s really no more that you can do, Ms Mar, so I advise that you concentrate on your work.�
"I always concentrate on my work. It's one of the reasons I was assigned here," she said primly. "I expect you to notify me the moment you arrive at Deep Space Five." She'd already made arrangements with one of the science officers to send her daily updates. "If you encounter anything unusual, I expect you to notify me immediately."
Kerr shot a surprised look at his Executive Officer, who returned it. Then, turning slowly to face her, his face remained stoic and grave. “You seem to expect a lot, Ms Mar. But I am quite capable of exacting this mission without provisos from non-command personnel.� The look of shock and anger flushed across Teegan’s face, and Kerr knew exactly what he was provoking. “Having said that, I’m sure you’ll be the first person I contact should anything untoward or unexpected happen on the simple journey to the station. Would you like me to inform you of what I’m eating along the way so that you can factor that into your calculations as well? Bowel movements? Indigestion? All perfectly horrendous situations that could affect the safe transport of this device…�
"Mock me all you want, Captain," she hissed. "You forget that this device is key to revolutionizing transporter technology. It will allow us to transport between galaxies. Can you comprehend what that means? That knowledge is vital to the future of the Federation and as such is more important than you and your petty little ego. It must be protected at all costs."
Kerr’s eyes flickered with an unusual (and unfamiliar) angered youth that seemed buried deep down within. A menacing smile tugged eagerly at the corners of his mouth as he flicked a look behind him and then back to the woman on the screen. “If the item is as important as you believe it to be, Ms Mar, then, as a precaution, I am now ordering communication silence en route to the station.� A fake and mocking frown now lined his face as he looked blankly into her eye. “It looks like your daily reports from Lieutenant Tallar will have to wait for the digest version once we arrive. Plus, I’ll have to have a word with Commander B’Allaty about ship security since Science Officers now feel free to distribute such sensitive information willy-nilly.�
"Your ego is going to get you in serious trouble, Captain," she replied coldly. "If anything happens to that device because you don't have the sense God gave a flea, it will be on your head, not mine."
Kerr turned to face Lieutenant Oxley at Ops fully and nodded strongly once, using a gesticular expression which sliced swiftly at his neck. He then faced forward, tilting his head to one side and smiled insincerely. “Unfortunately, Ms Mar, we seem to be experiencing a technical fault on our end of this communication!� As he spoke, Oxley worked quickly with his fingers, allowing them to dance effortlessly over the keys as the screen before them all began to flitter as a snow-storm of artificial static washed over the screen. “I didn’t quite catch any of the last you transmitted. Never mind, I’m sure it wasn’t important.�
Through the snow, Kerr could just make out the beaming face of Mrs. Gray (a troublemaker herself in her youth) and the adorable face of his growing daughter. The sour lemon that now seemed forced in Teegan Mar’s mouth was equally as evident. “Love to you both, Rory and Yvaine. I shall be in touch in a matter of weeks. Kerr out.�
On his last, Oxley severed the transmission and Kerr wildly rolled his eyes, relaxing noticeably. “Wretched woman,� he said under his breath, but just loud enough for the bridge staff to hear as he turned and strolled leisurely (and triumphantly) to command chair. “Take us out, Ensign,� he bellowed to the helmsman as the Nova class Archimedes turned with its thrusters. “I’ll be glad to deliver this consignment as soon as possible.�
Naturally, that was not to be the case.
OFF:
Familiar Faces brought to you by:
Coltan Kerr
Commanding Officer
USS Archimedes
(Played by Shaunanigans)
AND
Starfleet Senior Archaeologist
Teegan Mar
(Played by Charlie/T'mpest)
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