Interruptions

Posted on Thu Sep 20th, 2012 @ 11:21am by Captain Alexsa Kendrick & Lieutenant JG Marcus Augusta PHD

1,413 words; about a 7 minute read

Mission: Sowing the Seeds
Location: Holodeck One
Timeline: Mission Day 1, 1900 hrs.

The cool breeze washed over her scarred features and waved through her hair as Alex silently sat on the precipice of the Agordan temple stairwell, once the largest and most revered structures, or so she was told, on the Emarryn home world--this cheap holodeck recreation of her home world. Her eyes were closed but her mind was very much active filling in what she could not see, and thinking, almost meditating about this mission, her role, her conversation which held little information with the Dubai's commanding officer, once a friend or at the very least an acquaintance, and this sector in general. This sector that was once the place her people called home, a long, long time ago.

Ever since they began on their journey, and more so since they started travelling through the outskirts of the Calamai sector on their way to the rendezvous, she'd felt nervous. It was something she could not equate to anything, could not explain to another soul, and couldn't rationalise--which was one of the most unsettling feelings she'd had in a long time. It almost seemed engrained into her very being that there was something about this place that she didn't know whether she should be here, or should get away from here.

She slowly opened her eyes and looked out across the fertile green landscape, the orange tint of the sky as the sun continued its rising burning into her valid eye making her squint slightly. Even though she'd never set foot on her homeland, as no-one had in the last ten generations, she found she missed this place.

Being out here alone, her thoughts turned to her solitude. Given her rank and position, it virtually came with the territory. But thinking to other situations and other crews, even the greats like Picard and Sisko, had someone to turn to, someone to confide in, someone to just plain talk to. It dawned on Kendrick that she had no-one, or at least no-one left. And for the first time in her life, that bothered her. Before now she had no need or want for any kind of friendship, or companionship, but now... now she was as alone as she seemed on this cut-rate imitation of her planet.

That was about to change.

*********

Marc's day had been productive. He had met more of the security and intelligence staff and his personal ritual of inspecting all of the weapons lockers on the ship had proceeded very quickly.

To date his experience's aboard the Ranger had been very satisfying, both professionally and privately. Tiberius was settling in and had, as yet, failed to break many major system with his over developed sense of "curiosity".
Although never contented, Marc we feeling more relaxed then he normally would, a blessing that age had taught him to embrace when it rarely occurred.

Following his shift Marc had decided to take the time to indulge in one of his favorite holo-programs. Although a keen sportsman, Augusta had always enjoyed fencing above all else. The fact that he could indulge his hobby in either a relaxed singles duel to the backdrop of the 17th century champagne region of France using a beautifully crafted 4ft 9inch Rapier, or to the sound of plasma bombs falling onto the surface of battle scared rock face with nothing but a hulking Bat-leth to protect him from charging Klingon warriors.

Marc's preoccupation with the immediate future led him to disregard the present and without checking with the computer Marc inadvertently walked directly onto the holodeck without permission from the individual who was already using it.

Kendrick heard the activation of the arch and the swish of the doors signifying that someone was entering, or rather had already barged in on her personal time, and her personal program. No-one had seen this program before, no-one was allowed to, no-one ever should. She stood quickly ordering forcefully, "Computer, shut down the grid!" Before Augusta took more than a few steps in, Kendrick was onto him, "Lieutenant, what the hell do think you're doing? This holodeck's in use."

Marc stopped abruptly in his tracks. Any intrusion on his personal time would have been met with the same degree of anger. "I... I'm sorry... Captain." Marc took a few seconds to notice her pips on her collar. "I wasn't concentrating. Please forgive the intrusion; I'll leave." Marc bowed his head out of respect and turned on the stop to leave the holodeck and its original user in peace.

"Stand fast Lieutenant Augusta," Kendrick started, recalling the intruder's name from the manifest of new crew, and stopping Marc in his tracks heading back toward the still open holodeck doors. "I'm not sure what kind of lax procedures existed on your previous posting, but I'm pretty sure it's considered bad manners and in some constituents quite illegal to walk in on someone else's program when the space is currently occupied."

Marc stopped where he stood and turned to face the captain and stood to attention. "No lax procedures Sir. I have no excuse other than lack of attention. I once again apologise ma'am."

Ignoring the Lieutenant's apology for the moment, Alex added in a slightly softer, curious and questioning tone, "Hang on a second... I know for a fact I locked the door when I arrived. What did you do to gain access?"

The question was an intriguing one. Marc's position as a former intelligence officer granted him access far beyond that of his rank. Additionally, his current position granted him security override privileges. In his preoccupation however he had no idea which he had used.

"My position aboard ship grants me automatic security override sir. When I entered my entry request the computer automatically granted me access despite the lockout. I once again apologise sir, such a lapse in concentration is most unlike me."

"Yes it is, but that's still a poor answer." Alex rebutted, mentally scanning the main points of the man's service record. "Your position as Assistant Chief of Security would only grant you lockout override clearance after a vocal identity scan was confirmed with a valid code, usually only authorised in the case of an emergency, or if ordered to do so by a superior officer. Which of these situations fit, Lieutenant?"

"None ma'am." Marc gave the short answer knowing that to continue to labour his apology would likely irritate the already angry captain. He couldn't reveal his additional credentials, on an authority higher than that of the Captain in question and he hoped that her line of questioning wouldn't go much further.

There was a long pregnant pause before either spoke again. Kendrick burrowed her eye deep into Augusta's face, his own eyes taking on the militaristic stance of straight ahead. She didn't have to be a telepath or lay a finger on him to know there was something different about him. Alex sighed lightly, "If true, it would appear my security access has still not been reviewed by Halliwell. A matter that I'll be sure to bring to her attention... as well as your department head, Lieutenant Shepherd."

Marc remained rigidly at attention. He made an attempt to voice his understanding of the captains plans but was cut off with a sharp word from Kendrick.

"I suggest not another word." Alex said before the sound could escape Marc's lips. "In fact I'll make this easy for the both of us... continue your program Lieutenant; if you'll excuse me."

As Kendrick thundered out of the room Marc relaxed his stance. Once he was certain she was out of earshot he swore crudely and threw his training sword down to the floor beside him, and brought his newly free hand up to his brow. He wasn't so much upset about the consequences of his actions but over the prospect of having angered and visibly upset the captain. He stood in silence with nothing but his thoughts for a few moments, pondering his next move, if there was even one to be made. After many frustrating minutes Marc snatched up his weapon harshly and barked at the computer.

"Computer, initiate program Augusta 9-0-1-1 and set the difficulty to maximum. Seal this holodeck, authorization Augusta Pi 0-2-3. Using an old marine code he had retained he could be reasonably sure he wouldn't be interrupted in this, his most dangerous program. Channeling all his anger, humiliation and failure, he turned to face his incoming Jem'Hadar adversaries.

 

RSS Feed