Assignment: Scutt Work

Posted on Tue Jun 4th, 2019 @ 1:19am by The Narrator

855 words; about a 4 minute read

Mission: S1:4: A Murder Of Crows
Location: Canopus Station, Station Operations, Carpathia System, messier 4
Timeline: MD63 12.30PM

Depending on just how deep you were, when summoned to the office of Benjamin Ingram, there were some key indicators to watch out for. For instance, how he was addressed. Doctor Ingram, the scientists and academic, was much less likely to have you flayed alive and your skin turned into some sort of wall tapestry. Captain Ingram, on the other hand, would want your input on where the tapestry should hang.

He stood with his back to the door to his office as it opened, looking out over the glass-fronted expanse of the starbase's operation centre. Here he could see the Messier 4 mission in all its glory, from the colony coordination efforts directed at Carpathia to the engineering challenge of Phase 3 of the Long Jump Project.

"Commander Arlidd," Ingram said without turning. "You arrived two days ago onboard the USS Please Read The instructions along with my own XO, and the Starfleet Corp Of Engineers. But unlike those two, who have tasks that need accomplishing that benefit this station and its overall mission...you do not."

He held up a hand to forestall comment.

"I do not know why the desk warmers at the Admiralty sent you out here to man a ship currently 'missing in action'. A waste of resources. And do you know what I despise Commander Arlidd?"

"Wasted resources" the Commander called out and came to attention "sir" she added quickly. It seemed like the Captain ran a tight ship so to speak.

"Huum," Ingram turned slightly, appraising the Bolian. "You are at least a quick study. A pity, you'd have done better on my staff than to be saddled to the forlorn prospects of playing the second chair to a missing ship. And one captained by a Rish no less. Have you let the Rish? They have an enclave on the station. I'm sure you've seen them, cluttering up the spaceports of the Alpha Quadrant with their busking and pickpocketing."

He made a gesture with one hand, and the glass walls of his office darkened and the rooms holoprojectors hummed to life. A map of the Carpathia System appeared, with the gas giant Tangerine Dream and its moon Carpathia were highlighted. Around the gas giant in swirling spirals and blocky drifts, were the projected placement of minefields.

"A single fort, above a wounded colony, 8500 light years from home...not the most optimistic of tactical problems to solve," he said, and then gestured a hand to her. "I am farming your opinion and insight. You have training as an Engineer, tell me what you see?"

"A whole lot of trouble" Zelea commented focusing on the holographic images. The Commander needed more information but she added "it might be possible to disable them, if I had more data" she turned her head and made eye contact with her superior officer.

"Here's a data point for you," Ingram clicked his fingers, a timed gesture as the minefields flicked on with Starfleet IFF codes. Similar codes began to appear over the moons orbiting around Tangerine Dream. "The SCE's are working on implacing torpedo launching sites on the outer moons as shore batteries. And once that is completed I will be placing them upon the path to the expansion of this facility and the beginning of our journey to a producer of commodities."

A spidery shipyard appeared in a trailing orbit of Canopus Station, as well as a trio of doughnut-shaped farming satellites.

"And to gaurd it all, and police it, are four Wallace class ships. Light corvettes, little more than overpowered Runabouts. Until such time as your 'command' arrives in port, I'm cutting you new orders. I need someone in command of our guard fleet. And I am lacking in officers of suitable tenure," Ingram mused thoughtfully. "Or maybe you'd like to police the Medina? Chase off some Rish beggers from the civilian areas? Get to know the society of your new captain before he arrives. If he does, in fact, do so...what say you to that?"

"Where ever you feel I would be most needed, sir" Zelea thought for a second and before the Captain said anything she thought it would be best to at least give her opinion. "If we have the people, I would suggest having security handle things on the ground sir" with a slight smile she added "I think my skill's would be best suited helping set up the torpedo launchers and if need be I could assist with security issues as they arise."

"Splendid. Then I will assign you to the Corvette, USS Ballio Delta. Take it on a tour of the moons of Tangerine Dream, look over the works and give them a thorough accounting. The sooner the shore batteries are up and running, and the minefield active, the easier I will find sleep," Ingram then stepped to his desk and made a shooing gesture to the air. The Holographic display vanished, leaving him with the desk display pane. After a moment he looked up and made the same gesture to Arlidd.

Giving a nod the Bolian Commander turned and made her exit.

 

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