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"Minor Intrigue"
[Previous Post: "Universal Constant"]
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<<You've got to play the cards life deals you. Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose. But at least you're in the game >>
- Vic Fountaine

Setting: Cargo Vessel XANTUL, Command Deck
Stardate: 63075.0215

"So," the scruffy looking Andorian Captain began as he pried his attention away from the small screen that had been displaying a lengthy sequence of Risian dancers, "how long before we get there?"

"10 hours," the Ferengi pilot sighed, obviously that same question having been asked several times before.

"Fez!" The Captain called out in a rather annoyed tone after he had opened a channel to the ship's engineering section.  "Can you get us a little more speed?  At this rate we'll be late for our own funerals."

=/\= Listen, =/\= a clearly male Klingon voice replied in a less than happy manner.  =/\= You want us to go faster?  You can go out the nearest airlock and push.  I already have this bucket of bolts rigged beyond what it can handle.  If I push this junk of an engine any more it will likely blow up in our faces. =/\=

"Rule of acquisition number 62; the riskier the road, the greater the profit," Glast, the Ferengi pilot muttered sarcastically knowing all too well that their current cargo had been neither risky nor profitable.

"I just want to get this run done and over with," the Andorian growled to no one in particular.  "36 cases of expired Cardassian Yamok sauce, 12 barrels of Klingon blood wine that has already turned into vinegar, 17 outdated computer cores, 22 liters of unusable biomimetic gel and one beaten sealed box slated for personal delivery," Captain Malk listed with distinct loathing.  "This has to be the worst run we have ever had."

"Go down and see Fezar," a Flaxian woman jumped in with as she turned away from her instruments.  "I'm sure he will be more than happy to make this trip more interesting by making you one with the nearest bulkhead."

"I just want to get into a nice sonic shower and forget that this entire trip ever happened," the Andorian offered as she shot a playful glance in the direction of the Flaxian woman.

"In your dreams," Alaa quickly countered knowing what Malk had been thinking about.  "I'll blow up this ship long before I let you get anywhere close to me."

--==(/\)==--
Setting: NEW ALEXANDRIA, Section A, Level 1, Communications and Operations Control
Stardate: 63075.1235

One of the responsibilities of the Officer in charge of the NEW ALEXANDRIA's operations had been to keep track of various details that related to the day-to-day transfer of information as well as special goods to a from the secret base.  Lt. Commander Argus O'Dell had long ago accepted the fact that problems could arise regardless of how insignificant any specific transfer could be.  That had been one of the downsides of working in the shadows of the Intel world.

"Commander," one of the junior officers called out as a signal appeared on his console.  "We have just intercepted a report claiming that the XANTUL exploded as it was docking at the VALLA ROYAL orbital station.  No survivors."

"Great," the Irish descendant sighed.  "Admiral Koniki is not going to be pleased with this."

--==(/\)==--
Setting: USS ANUBIS, Main Engineering, Upper level
Stardate: 63075.1245

The Native American leaned over the guard rail and gazed at the inactive core and the officers below working to rectify the situation.  It was actually interesting to observe the Chief of Operations and Chief Engineering Officer working together, the two men having very distinct styles and methods but obviously working towards the same goal.

Just as Erik had been ready to join the two men in their work, the voice of the NEW ALEXANDRIA's Commanding Officer came over his comm badge. =/\= Koniki to Morningstar, report to my office immediately and bring Ensign Dalziel with you. =/\=

:: Things are never boring around here, :: Erik noted to himself as he wondered why the sudden urgency in the Admiral's voice and the fact that he had wanted to see both Dalziel and Morningstar.

--==(/\)==--
Francois Charette

Lieutenant Elan Talak Fairborn
Chief Engineering Officer
USS ANUBIS

AND

Robotics Engineering Officer
NEW ALEXANDRIA

Also

Captain Erik Morningstar
Commanding Officer
USS PARADOX