Compounding the Problem
Posted on Mon Feb 4th, 2013 @ 4:38pm by Commander Alexandra Vance & Lieutenant Khalpek & Lieutenant JG Elizabeth Jackson
1,104 words; about a 6 minute read
Mission:
A Pirate's Life
Location: Main Bridge/Shuttle Cooper
ON
Lizzie left Engineering and headed for the bridge. She was more than a little nervous about using the turbolift to get past the "missing" decks, but figured if she got stuck at least she was 20 decks closer to the bridge.
To her surprise and relief she emerged, unscathed, on the bridge and went in search of Commander Vance.
[Shuttle Cooper]
"Shuttlecraft Cooper to Calypso. I am attempting to dock and the shuttle bay computers are refusing to respond. Please advise."
[USS Calypso Main Bridge]
Alexandra looked over to the operations officer. "Lieutenant, would you please open the door?" Her tone was not polite but instead sarcastically cold.
Patsy hit the button again. "I'm trying but the stupid thing won't open. I think it's stuck." She ran a quick diagnostic. "Umm...we don't have any shuttle bays."
Alexandra turned and smiled at the young woman. "Lieutenant, I may not be a Starfleet Engineer but I am certain Galaxy-Class Starships come with TWO SHUTTLEBAYS! Would you like to rethink your answer?"
Patsy squeaked. It was more of a squeak/yelp/eep sort of sound, but it was most unprofessional. "The computer says we have no shuttlebays. Ask it yourself. Better yet, I will. Computer, why are the shuttlebay doors locked?"
"There are no shuttlebays on the Calypso."
"Is that so? Well then Lieutenant I want you to go down to deck's eight and thirteen and confirm if there are indeed no shuttlebays."
The science officer raised his hand. "I'll go, ma'am" Before she could answer he practically ran off the bridge.
[Shuttle Cooper]
"Still looking at a closed door. Permission to arm phasers.?" Khalpek said with a light chuckle.
[Main Bridge]
Alexandra rose abruptly from the chair. "If you so much a think about charging your weapons systems I will ensure you resemble the particles that surround you." she replied angrily raising her voice at the person on the other end of the transmission.
Khalpek smiled. "Seeing as how I have already thought the thought, thus the preceding request that would be a problem if not for the fact that we are all made up of particles and I, you, and in fact the Calypso itself already do resemble the particles that surround me."
[Main Bridge]
"Lieutenant arm rear torpedoes and lock onto the enemy vessel." she smiled. "Shuttlecraft, I am not so sure, allow me to rectify the situation."
"Commander, are you really sure you want to shoot them?" Lizzie squeaked.
Vance muted the comm channel. "Lieutenant, please refrain from asking questions you do not wish the answer to."
Lizzie folded her arms, half wanting to comment and half afraid she'd be shot if she did. She danced back and forth from one foot the to the other and said nothing. She needed to tell the XO about the problems with the ship, but the timing was really bad right now.
[Shuttle Cooper]
The shuttle's computer registered the target lock and went to red alert. The shields energized and the phaser array powered up. Khalpek swore loudly in Klingon "What the Gre'Thor do you think you're doing?!" she shouted into the comms.
[Main Bridge]
"You have threatened the structural integrity of this vessel and it is my duty to protect it at all costs. Lower your shield and prepare...." Vance stopped as her heart rate rose realizing what she is about to say.
Patsy was in a full panic. "Commander!" She wasn't sure what she wanted to say to her. She just knew that she did NOT want to explain why the Calypso declared war on a Federation shuttle.
"I gave you an order Lieutenant, if you are unable to comply please step aside." she growled.
Patsy squeaked again. "You open the shuttle doors then."
Vance strode slowly over to the woman stopping only inches in front of her towering above. "So now you want to give the orders do you?" she asked softly staring down deep into the young woman's eyes.
Patsy bent backwards, trying to get as far away from Vance as possible. "No," she squeaked.
"Very good.....Prepare the transporters." she replied coldly scowling at the Lieutenant.
Patsy hurried to do as the Commander ordered. "Transporters ready."
Vance unmuted the channel that had been on hold for several minutes.
"Shuttle craft, lower your shields and prepare for transport." she instructed the woman in the craft.
"I seem to be unable to lower the shields due to an active target lock, ma'am. My skills do not extend into reprogramming a shuttle's protective systems."
"Lieutenant RIP, what part of PREPARE for transport did you not comprehend? This would entail dropping any active target locks. You cannot expect me to believe as a bridge officer you could exhibit such incompetence. Do I need to place my orders on a PADD for you?" she asked her face reddened and her voice raised.
"You said prepare the transporters, not drop the target... Never mind. Dropping the whatchamacallits now, ma'am."
Only 20 minutes on the bridge and she was already looking forward to her shift ending. "Lieutenant? Exactly which Academy did you attend because the one I attended required Cadets to have a little quality known as common sense. It seems for you this is not so common..."
"Do you want to do it yourself?" Patsy asked.
Vance gritted her teeth and grabbed the woman by her collar. "I NEVER want to see you on this bridge again Lieutenant am I clear? Because if I do, I promise I will make what will happen to you look like an accident." she whispered into the woman's ear.
[Shuttle Cooper]
"This is fun and all, but this shuttle is starting to feel like a sardine can and I would kind of like to get aboard, one way or another, so maybe we can stop trying to shoot me and just let me land?"
[Main Bridge]
Alexandra released Patsy shoving her away from the console. "Shuttle Cooper, prepare for transport." She tapped the console locking onto the inhabitant of the shuttle and beamed them directly to the bridge.
The blue beam of light filled the bridge followed by a silouette and eventually a Klingon in teals.
You have got to be kidding me... Vance said looking awestruck by the sight before her. "You, accompany me to the ready room." Vance ordered quickly making her way to the Captain's office.
"As you wish." Khalpek answered with a slight bow, then fell in step.
OFF:
A Joint Post By:
Commander Alexandra Vance
Executive Officer
&
Lieutenant Khalpek
Chief Science Officer
&
Lieutenant(JG) Patsy Rip(NPC)
Operations Officer
Played by: Commodore Samantha York
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