Ship Shape Ship - 2

Posted on Mon Sep 9th, 2019 @ 12:51pm by Lieutenant Kevin Chambers

599 words; about a 3 minute read

Mission: Mission 2 - Love ORION Mistaken
Location: Jeffreys Tube 1, Section 3A

'Odd things were afoot aboard this ship', Chambers thought as he climbed upwards and through to the specified junction. He had chosen to remain in the bowels of the Legacy, making sure she was running well, correctly, and without a hitch. He owed that much to his Captain and his Crew. Even if he hadn't managed to have more than a cursory meeting with the Captain he could hardly remember and only knew his Engineering Staff.

Yes, he needed to get out, but from what he had been seeing and hearing from his group, it was much better to stay out of the way. The Orion, a green-skinned beauty... Viv.. ian? yra? isection? He chuckled inwardly from his little joke as his thoughts roamed free while he climbed.

"Wait a second..." Kevin said under his breath, a small whistle escaping his lips. "Nothing... nothing's wrong here." He was even more confused as he leaned on one elbow and spoke. "Computer." He almost asked it, "What the fuck?" but it had reprimanded him on more than one occasion for profanity. Ok, it suggested he keep a jar that every time he swore he should put in a particularly disgusting task that he was willing to do and weekly, one person was nominated to pull out the offending penance.

So yes, even a Lieutenant of Star Fleet could have his colorful language redecorated.

"Yes, Lieutenant Chambers," came the response. Simple. Concise. No drama. No bullshit. What a damned amazing piece of programming.

"Please confirm the location specified on the request." He waited a moment, partially doubting his eyes. It wasn't like the computer to steer him wrong.

"Jeffreys Tube 1, Section 3A." Her voice sounded hollow. Odd almost. Like the Computer, but...

"But there's nothing here, Computer."

"Are you aboard the Odyssey, Sir?"

It was a voice off his shoulder. He almost lost his footing and plunged downward towards a rather nasty fall or perhaps, if the angle was just right, death.

"Repeat, Computer." His voice was strong, demanding and specific.

"Time indice?" came the neutral request.

Kevin blinked his eyes in rising confusion. "Time indice?" he repeated incredulously. "Just now, Computer."

There was a brief pause. "I have no record of any communication with you until now, Lieutenant."

He put his head in his hand, pulling his palm downward and finally pinching the bridge of his nose as though the pain would give him some solace about his reality. He opened his mouth as if to ask another question but thought better of it. Quite obviously he had been removed from the Crew for far too long.

"Confirm that repairs are completed on Jeffreys Tube 1, Section 3A, Computer and that I'm heading topside for some chow."

"Acknowledged, Lieutenant."

Like nothing had happened. Like nothing was wrong.

There was the briefest whisper of a breeze by his ear and then nothing. Yeah, it might be time to get in a check-up in Sick Bay too while he was at it.

Weird stuff was happening above and personal hallucinations were happening below. Which was the lesser evil?

Packing up his tools and doing up his uniform jacket he shook his head. His stomach, grumbling wickedly he thought it would be the best thing to determine his next move.

'I must have imagined the whole damned thing,' he rationalized. 'Lack of food can do all kinds of things to a person.'

Putting his tools away, he headed towards the turbolift. And civilization.

Tags (if anyone feels inclined to chat in the mess or even be there since my guy's been... preoccupied lol)

RSS Feed