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His customary sneer so intense it looks like he's constantly smelling fresh sh*t, Ageera barks, "Get us under way for Vega as soon as possible. I'll be in my quarters." Pulling his uniform down vigorously, he strides from the room at a clip muttering inaudible curses.
"No uncle, I think that will be all Sir." He says through a tightly clenched jaw. "Would you like me to show you to the teleporters?"
The captain nods to Horus, and reaches down to his comm badge. "Crew, this is your Captain speaking. All hands please return to quarters immediately, the ship is about to be repaired." Switching it off with a tap, he says to his Uncle "Give them a few moments to get back please."
"Of course uncle. Hightower, Gotrum, Kimefe you're with me. Rest of you can come oogle if you want, if not go make yourselves useful. Knowing my dear uncle we should be flightworthy shortly." the Captain stands, and walking over to the door, motions everyone through. "Right this way sir."
After a couple minutes of waiting the Captain says, "These f*ckers are so melodramatic. Can't even tell us how their coming, then have the gaul to be late? My uncle is the worst of the bunch, that bast..." Ageera's eyes momentarily go wide as they shoot to the door of the conference room. "Uncle!?" He exclaims, one eyebrow shooting up. A middle aged man has suddenly appeared just inside the door. His family resemblance with the captain is clear. His salt and pepper hair is cropped short, and he has the piercing black eyes of a hawk. He's dressed in the red robes of an Astromage, the strange cap on his head undoubtedly signifying some rank within the arcane order. "Uncle!" The captain begins again, swiftly pasting a smile onto his face. "What an unexpected pleasure!"
"Not yet lieutenant. Remember this was essentially a trial run for the Excelsior. We had a minimal crew to begin with. I'm guessing we'll have some downtime while they put together a full crew. But hey, what the hell do I know? I've been in the FEF for less time than you. Though I'm starting to feel like I never left the Guild. Alright folks, get some shut eye. We'll get out of here ASAP. The Astromage is scheduled to arrive at 14:00 tomorrow, there will be a mandatory meet and greet in this room. I'll see you then." With that, the captain pulls out one of his cigarillos and begins to puff on it, over the objections of the ship's AI coming through the comm. He simply looks up at the speaker, and then flicks his ash onto the floor.
"We've completed our mission parameters, the pirate threat is eliminated and the arcanicite will flow. I can't say that I'm overly surprised. Things always seem to work out for the Guild. Somehow they've ended up in control of the planet, and with the pirates gone. Yet we paid for it with the blood of a good chunk of our crew and the rightful leader of the planet missing and presumed dead." The captain has the same bitter expression on his face that was there after the battle. "Auriel has informed me that the Astromage will arrive tomorrow. Anyone with that title can fix up this ship in a few minutes. We'll head back to Vega after that for our next assignment. Any questions?"
"Not much chance of that. You've got our only shuttle down there on the surface. I'll try to disable their ship, but with guns this big. Stand by." The Comm clicks off, and the elevator begins its descent. A few moments later the Captain comms back through. "We hit their thrusters, but then the shuttle self destructed. Guess Mr. Cinderbeard wasn't going to be taken alive. Why don't you liason with Auriel and try to confirm that the Headman was on the shuttle. If he can't be found, the Guild will likely have to take over control of Cygnuss IV."
"We did just detect a shuttle launch. Scans show two lifeforms. We'll handle it. Did you make contact with the Headman?"
An hour and a half later, the Captain's voice comes across the comm. "Anyone who wishes, please joins us in the torpedo bay for the funeral." ===================
Once everyone is gathered in the torpedo bay, the Captain standing in his full dress uniform moves to stand in front of the ten coffins draped with the FEF Flag. He looks at the crowd for a moment before beginning to speak. "None of us have known each other for long. We've been thrown together by circumstance, by duty. These brave souls," He says gesturing to the coffins behind him. "Embraced their duty. They strode without complaint into the jaws of doom, against a superior foe. They died as heroes, protecting the Federation that we all love. They died as our brothers and sisters, protecting us. Their sacrifice was not in vain. We will remember them, we will make their gift of life mean something." "Look around the room at the men and women here. Know that should you ever fall, you too will be remembered. You too will be honored. Let us take a moment of silence to remember the fallen." He pauses, his head down for a long minute. When he looks back up there is fire and steel in his gaze. "We return now these lost brethren to the stars. Those great cradles of creation from whence everything sprang. Ashes to ashes, dust to dust." He signals with his hand and taps begins to play over the comm. The great white burning orb of Cygnuss can be seen through viewscreen behind him. The coffins slowly move forward along the feed belt one by one into the torpedo tubes. They are fired one by one slowly into the vastness of space, dirfting in a line directly towards the star. Silence reigns in the bay until the last of the small missiles fades from view in the brightness of the corona. People begin to slowly leave the room, many of them have their heads down and tears in their eyes.
"I believe the FEF has a standard procedure, but if you'd like to write something personal I won't stop you. As XO you can appoint your own new CWO. I've had little interaction with the crew, I trust your judgement."
"Well, in any case we are heading back. We will need the headman's assistance to make repairs this extensive. They will also take quite some time. Though we may not have exposed the mole, we've removed the threat for the foreseeable future. After we finish our repairs, we will offer to escort a shipment of Arcanicite to the Gate. If we can manage that, it should be enough to convince the FEF to send in some reinforcements and to satisfy the Headman that our work is done. Once we make it back to Vega, I am going to pull every string I can to make sure we are fully crewed and equipped before heading out on our main mission of exploration. You've all done excellent work here. Catch some bunktime. When we near the star, we'll hold a funeral for the fallen." The Captain stands and nods, "Dismissed. Grimwold, stay after a moment please." Grimwold:
After everyone else clears out the Captain turns to the dwarf and says, "The idea of surveillance gear is a good one. If nothing turns up on its own, I'm putting you in charge of executing that plan. You'll have whatever money you need to get it done."
After hearing what everyone has to say, the Captain sighs heavily. "I'm sorry we lost so many. I should have never taken us in there. This ship was already undercrewed and under-armed." He pauses, shaking his head "Damn the Guild!" He exclaims, slamming his fist down on the table. "I never thought I'd say that, but I've lived inside their politics my whole life. I can't believe the situation they've put us in, just because we're FEF we're expendable." The Captain half-stands, leaning on his fingertips over the conference table. He appears to be enraged, but takes a few deep breaths and then sits back down. "I'm sorry. I'm also new to all this. Obviously what I just said can never leave this room. Lets go over the positives. We've destroyed several of their spike-ships, most of their drones and caused crippling damage to their Carrier. Stuck out in the middle of an asteroid belt, they won't have the parts needed to make repairs that extensive. Long as we leave them there, they'd eventually starve to death." "On the other hand, we don't know if they have other non-capital ships still in operation, or where their leader is. We also still don't know who the mole is. I'd like to open this up for suggestions, comments, or questions now. Please, let me know what you're thinking before I issue my orders."
"Meeting in the deck 1 conference room in 5 minutes. Make sure your crews are doing their jobs and then meet me there with a full damage and casualty report." The Captain's voice says through the officers' comm units.
"That'll work Ensign."
"Mordanna bring us in slow, Gromwold what've we got on sensors?"
"Well, OPS tells me that the asteroids in this system are laced with enough radium to make communication and sensors useless at distance. But that doesn't mean that this meeting has no expiration date. Our new Doctor makes a good point. The background radiation should mask us until we're right up on them. We're still a little damaged from our fight with those spikeships though. Lets get this bird underway at impulse speeds, and finish the repairs up on the way." He grins at the thought of combat, turning to Kimefe "Unfortunately there's no rest for the wicked. Hightower, you're on repairs. Na'tal go fly this thing. The rest of you get an hour of sack time, and then make sure the ship is combat ready. Unless I messed up my calculations, we should be there in around 10 hours. Questions?"
"If this crew doesn't stop going AWOL, we're all gonna get court martialed." the Captain says, closing his eyes and sighing. "Well, not much we can do about it. If any of you see him again, do me a favor and shoot the prick." The Captains stands up and rests his fingertips on the long conference table, leaning in slightly. "So we have the coordinates of their meeting place. Good work on that folks. I'd like to hear any suggestions you all have on how to approach this before I issue my orders. The floor is open."
"I see..." the Captain says, stroking his chin. "What about Bigfix?"
"Good, then you'll be needing these. The positions your filling are commissioned officer level, taking your past experience into consideration I think it's perfectly appropriate. You'll be needing these." He says, pulling two small black velvet jewelry cases from his pockets. He hands one to both Grimwold and Mordanna. Inside is the single hollow golden pip of an Ensign. "Welcome to the FEF, hope you work out better than our last people to fill your positions." He says with a smirk. "Now, on to the business at hand. Gotrum, debrief me!" He snaps suddenly all business. "Where the f*ck is my Chief of Operations? My Engineer?" he looks around angrily for the Tiefling and Orc.
"Large she may be, but she's quick and nimble for her size. You'll be flying her for the foreseeable future, yes. Well, since you've worked for the Guild already, I'm sure you understand hierarchy and chain of command. I grew up in the guild, so I know what it's like. 'Round here it's not much different, except that a big part of our job is kicking ass. Do you two swear to serve the Federation Exploratory Fleet until you are discharged by command or you meet your death?" The Captain asks the newbies.
Ageera nods to Leo, "Let me finish up with these new people first, and then we'll get to the debriefing Lt."
The captain was waiting in the bridge level conference room before any of you arrived. He simply nods to Kimefe when she comes in, respecting her apparent wish for silence. As the two new crew memembers enter, he stands and rebuttons his open uniform. Pulling it straight he walks over and offers his hand. "Greetings you two. I am Captain Alejandro Ageera, your new CO. I understand that you were previously Guild employees, correct?"
"Aknowledged. You'll need to use the Headman's teleporter to get back up here since those treasonous prigs stole the shuttle. See you soon XO. Ageera out."
Your comms crackle to life again, this time the Captain's charming voice comes through. "I just received a formal complaint filed by the Constable. Something about mass death and destruction at your hands. What's going on down there? Any updates for me?"
Shortly after everyone is reunited in the office, all their comm badges crackle to life together, "The shuttle with the two runaways has been....neutralized. We're gonna need a new pilot. Oh, I think that battle was a little too much for Baasira. She's resigned under dishonorable discharge. We're gonna need a new doctor too. See who you can find down there, maybe Auriel can help. The Guild trains good people. Ageera, over."
"You stay there and finish the mission. I'll handle those two, I've been bored off my ass up here waiting for the repairs to finish anyway." comes the Captain's reply.
"Ageera here. We just detected our shuttle launching, but only two people on board. What the f*ck's going on down there!?" Ageera's response comes through almost before Leo is finished talking.
"Crewmen will remain on board for now to continue repairs. I'll also be staying on board to keep things running here, and make sure the ship is safe. The rest of the bridge officers can take a shuttle down and see what's going on around here. There should be an Astro Guild representative down there, and the headman's bound to know something. We need to find out where the pirates are and who's behind their attacks."
"That's fine XO. Good work down there. That goes for all of you." the Captain replies.
"Yeah, I'd like you to check in with everyone who saw combat. A rookie crew like this was bound to be shaken up. Just make sure everyone's okay mentally. This isn't gonna get any easier." He replies to Syarha.
The Captain nods to Kimefe, appreciating her thoroughness. "Here on deck 1 we encountered two orcs and a couple of little goblins with bombs. We managed to take them down, but not before they got Rucla." He has a hard angry look in his eye when he says that. "Kimefe's right, we can't afford to sit around. Hightower, I want a full damage report and repair schedule on my desk within the hour. Bigfix, get to the bridge. I want you to try and raise Cygnuss IV and we need constant scans for more enemy vessels. Syarha, stand by to counsel any crew who need it. Gotrum, get me a personnel report did anyone else die, anyone missing? Tungsten, get this ship moving. The faster we get to Cygnuss IV, the better. Any questions?" He asks. "If not, get to work. Hourly reports by comm for everyone."
Once all the officers arrive in the conference room, the Captain says "Report. What happened down there?"
The Captain's voice comes crackling over your communicators, "Excelsior tells me the fighting's over. All unwounded officers report to the deck 1 conference room as soon as possible for debriefing."
After a couple seconds of chaotic action on the bridge the four security officers appear on the bridge armed with railgun carbines and gravity maces. The captain gestures to them to follow him, and leads them through the teleporter room towards the offices and conference room in the rear of deck one, he slaps the door lock behind him saying, "Seal access to the bridge from deck 1 Exclesior, officers only until I command." With that the the door slides shut and they are gone from view...
Round 3
"Kimefe, I'll take the four security officers and walter to deal with the threat here on deck 1. You, Gotrum, Bigfix and Hightower handle deck 6." The Captain orders, leaping to his feet and going to stand by the door to the teleporters/rest of deck 1. He snaps his fingers and a custom looking blaster pistol appears in his hand. Glancing back at the slower reacting crew he says, "What are you waiting for? Now go!"
Round 2
"Yes, that's it Walter. Just through that gap there!" the Captain shouts, pointing at the viewscreen.
Initiative:22
Captain Ageera grips the arms of his chair as the explosion rocks the Excelsior. "Damn!" His eyes take in the small ships sweeping out from behind the asteroids. "Spikeships..." he growls. "We can't allow them to reach us. Kimefe, Gotrum focus fire, clear the path ahead of us. Walter, get us moving!"
"Alright, Kimefe lets get her locked in. Fire grappling cables as soon as you're ready." The Captain says.
"No I don't think. If I thought that I wouldn't have asked you to keep taking us in." Captain Ageera says, his voice dangerously edged. "We need to know what's happened to the crew of that vessel, and recover it if possible. Bring us into grappling distance, we'll pull her in and get her docked. Then find some answers." He stares hard at Walter, his look daring him to say something.
"I don't know of any way to take down shields without destroying them. Tungsten, keep bringing us in, we may need to take our chief of security's suggestion. We need to know what happened here, there may be survivors on that ship." The Captain says.
"Bring us in slowly Tungsten. Bigfix, keep trying to hail them. Put that ship on main viewscreen, maximum magnification." The Captain commands. "If we get into trouble, the CWO for ops can handle communications, and Bigfix can man the torpedo tube."
"Why don't you go take care of the aft blaster cannon? You're the only one here with combat experience besides me. It might be nothing but better safe than sorry..." The captain replies, stroking his chin.
The Captain doesn't react for a moment, and then he says "Something isn't right here. Bigfix, hail that escort ship and get me a full sensor readout. Kimefe get the blaster cannons and torpedoes manned, I've got a bad feeling about this. Ship bring us up to yellow alert." As he finishes talking yellow lights come on throughout the ship and an alarm sounds a single call, signaling crew to ready stations.
The captain punches the shipwide button on his chair and says over the intercom, "All crew brace for gating." The intercom clicks off and he says to Walter, "Alright Tungsten, take us through."
"Yaha!" the Captain exclaims with childlike glee once Grunk comes out of the teleporter. "Ensign Bigfix, glad you could join us. If you'll get us cleared with FEF Command, we can be on our way." he says motioning to the Ops console.
Grunk quickly contacts the FEF Command and puts in the proper codes. Once the Excelsior is cleared to leave orbit the Captain says, "Alright Tungsten, take her away. We're headed for the gate at the edge of the system." He punches a few buttons, and a 3d indicator appears on the viewscreen, projecting an image of a red line for the pilot to follow off towards the edge of the system. "Full speed ahead!"
Location:Bridge (Ageera, Gotrum, Kimefe, Hightower, Tungsten) "Woah there! I appreciate your enthusiasm but if we don't get clearance from FEF Command before leaving orbit the system's defense system will annihilate us. We gotta wait for Bigfix to get his furry green rear up here." the Captain says, tapping his fingers on the arm of his chair impatiently. Just as he says this the teleporter doors open and Horus walks onto the bridge. The Captain begins to say, "Finally! There yo...oh. It's you. Make yourself comfortable." He finishes with a dismissive wave.
The Captain sits down in his chair, before saying. "This is your Captain speaking. We've got a mission that I'm eager to complete. All crew to stations, we will be departing shortly. Ensign Bigfix, Kimefe report to the bridge immediately. Any other officers are also welcome." he punches a button on the arm of his chair and the intercom cuts off. "Tungsten, get you ass to the helm." he says pointing to the foremost console. At that moment Kimefe comes striding out of one of the teleporters. The Captain nods at her in acknowledgement and points to the security console. "Once Bigfix shows himself we can be underway."
As the Captain strides out of the teleporter, Seddyn says "Captain on deck!" and all the crewman currently tending to the bridge snap to a salute. Cpt. Ageera strides over to what is to to be his new seat, and looks around. A small smile creases his lips before he says "Everyone who's not an officer is dismissed! Clear my bridge!" All the crewman instantly hustle to the teleporters and port out. "Ship, give me shipwide."
The Captain releases Leo's shoulders before they reach the group of crewmen waiting for them. He stands slightly behind Leo, his arms crossed over his chest while Leo introduces him. His face is painted with a glaring sneer, as if he had just caught the aides stealing from the cookie jar. He allows the Oread man to take Leo's hand, and get out "Hello sir, my name is Seddyn..." before he rudely interrupts him. "That's enough Seddyn. You three," he says pointing at the goblins and gnome, "Go fetch my and the XO's luggage from the shuttle and place it in our quarters. Seddyn lead us to the bridge. Now. We've got a journay to get underway." He snaps his fingers three times and points at the teleporters, before walking towards them, not really allowing Seddyn to lead him. "Gotrum, with me. I want you on the bridge for this." The three smaller crewmen look momentarily stunned, before scrambling off to do the Captain's bidding. Seddyn gives Leo and apologetic smile before hustling off after Captain Ageera, his hands clasped firmly in front of him.
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