"And People are always saying Starships are so Big"

Posted on Wed Jan 12th, 2011 @ 11:15am by Captain Elsie Halliwell & Captain T'mpest Michaels

1,062 words; about a 5 minute read

Mission: Looking for the Future in all the Wrong Places
Location: Transporter Room, USS Ranger
Timeline: Current

ON:

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As Elsie materialised in her own transporter room back on the Ranger, she had to admit to herself (at least silently) that the more spacious, light and airy surroundings of her own Intrepid class starship comforted her greatly in comparison. She was proud of commanding the Ranger, its crew and its relevant and familiar specifications. But, as the form of Ms. Teegan Mar came into view of the corridor, Elsie rolled her eyes and thought that perhaps she should have put in for something a little bigger… like a Galaxy class.

"So, Captain, now you see why I was so concerned about the artifact," Teegan said smugly. "I do know what I'm talking about. That Kerr person didn't listen and look what happened to him." She shook her head. "At least you're being careful. We can't afford to damage the artifact. Once you get it safely on board we can leave for DS5 and let the Fairfax deal with these pirates."

Halliwell rolled her eyes, already spread too thin amongst the personalities conjoined to her for this mission. Her mission. She stopped for a brief moment, connected her eyesight with the intruder and outwardly and audibly sighed. “I don’t have time for you right now, Teegan,†she said curtly, now striding out ahead of her down the corridor and to the turbolift.

Teegan followed her. "Not until you promise me you'll find the artifact and take it to DS5. Immediately, Captain! The longer these people have the artifact, the longer they have to find a way to use it."

Halliwell stopped in her tracks, turned and glared at the woman chasing after her. “How dare you dictate terms to me,†she bellowed. “You are an authorised guest on board this ship... Authorised by me!†She paused, heard her own words, and then sighed. “I don’t want to fight you on every turn,†she then said, quietly. “Rest assured that I am doing everything I can for the recovery of this piece of technology.â€

"Captain, rest assured, if the QAR were the ones trying to keep the artifact safe the Federation would never know about it," Teegan replied, her tone low and intense. "I don't think you're taking this seriously enough. The QAR isn't some little group that will tremble in fear because the big, bad Federation has sent two starships after it. They're dangerous and they have the technology to destroy you."

Halliwell narrowed her eyes and began to visibly shake as the anger she felt bubbled up and out beyond her control. “How much do you know of the QAR, Teegan?†she asked, her teeth clenched with such ferociousness that she, herself, could feel the muscles hinging her jaw immediately thud with a dull ache. “Because if you’re just going off Intelligence reports then you are very much mistaken as to their capabilities.†She moved up towards her, planting both feet squarely in front of Teegan, her own toes lined up with the archaeologist’s. “These aren’t an enemy that I know nothing about! I nearly lost my entire ship to them and their goals a few months back so don’t think you can lecture me on their abilities. I know what they are capable of. We know. We survived them!â€

"I know what the Archimedes faced and I read the information on them in your computer. The part that isn't classified." Teegan wasn't fazed by Halliwell's anger. In fact, she could use it to her advantage. "So, Captain, since you are intimately acquainted with the QAR you are in a unique position to appreciate how vital it is to find the artifact immediately and take it to DS5. We cannot afford to give them any more time with it than they've already had."

Incensed, Halliwell struck out again. Perhaps it was the smug arrogance of Teegan that seemed to fan the flames of her embittered anger, but as she stood inches from her, the catalyst of conflict ignited between them.

Not one to swear or lose her own control, the captain bellowed, “Don’t you think I’m aware of that? We haven’t exactly been sitting on our arses out here sifting through sensor data.†She took a step back, a breath and lined herself up again. “Command has made it quite clear that the artifact is our priority. And don’t you worry, you’ll get your little trinket back. But you we have to find the vessel first. I can’t just go swanning off into the dust looking for such a calculated and capable adversary. These missions take time to plan and execute, and in case you have forgotten, lives are at stake. Lives of my crew and the others.â€

"It's not a trinket," Teegan hissed. "It may be the single greatest find of this century. It will revolutionize how we explore the galaxy. It is far more valuable than a few lives. You would do well to remember that." She wouldn't yell. Let the Captain lose her cool. Teegan would be the one in control. "I also know we can't rush into an unknown situation. Letting this ship be destroyed would only give the QAR more time to learn how the artifact works. However," she continued, her voice dropping, "You can't wait too long. You can't be too cautious. If you do, we'll all die anyway and they will still have the artifact." She brushed past the Captain and stepped onto the turbolift. "You would be wise to remember that."

And you’d be wise to remember who assigns your quarters whilst you’re onboard my ship, Ms Mar, Elsie thought, but casually stood back and allowed the woman to pass. She raised an eyebrow in a disconcerted, angered way that matched her exhale. “This isn’t over,†she said quietly as she rejoined her original path to the turbolift. “Not by a long shot.â€

OFF:


Elsie Halliwell,
Commanding Officer, USS Ranger


AND

Teegan Mar,
Resident Archaeologist, USS Archimedes

 

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