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Post by LucianG on Mar 30, 2007 21:51:41 GMT -6
Brie
Brie led Stadia into a small room and closed the door behind them. She motioned for Stadia to sit down. Stadia grimaced slightly as she did so. "It doesn't make much sense, does it," Brie stated.
"What, Major?"
"Just Brie," she quickly corrected. "This is nothing official. Life, death, none of it makes any sense."
Stadia turned away. "You've heard. So what happens now?"
"There will be an investigation," Brie explained, "and then the shooting will be ruled 'justifiable.' And you'll feel like felgercarb until you come to terms with it. I know about that part, because I still have a hard time dealing with the fact that I killed a man."
"You?" Stadia asked, looking towards her again. "I mean, I've heard bits and pieces..."
"It was on the Frodar Epsilon mission, down on the planet," Brie told her. "They didn't trust me then anymore than they trusted you today. It was either kill a man named Dexter or be killed myself. I'm still alive, but.....I've often wondered since who gave me the right to make such a decision. Where do I get off thinking that my life was more important than his? But I've been told by everyone from Commander Sheba on down that I did the only thing that I could have done, that I did the right thing. But still I wonder."
"So how do you handle it?" Stadia asked.
"Talking helps," Brie suggested. "Or not talking, but realizing that you're not alone, that someone understands. That's what I'm offering now, an ear to listen or a shoulder to cry on. I know exactly what you're going through. If you want me to leave you alone, just say so, and no hard feelings. But if you need to talk, I'm right here."
* * *
Amy81
I started walking with Major Lucian, heading in the direction of the security office.
"I'm not sure, Major, that there is anything to report" I said as I dabbed absently at my lip, which still felt pretty huge to me. I really needed a mirror to check. It'd bug me until I could see for sure that it wasn't sticking out a foot or so.
"How do you mean, Lieutenant?" Lucian asked.
"Well, something did happen, obviously. But I'm not sure a black shirt was even there. I only caught a glimpse. Plus it's mostly only a feeling I have that maybe I was set up. It could have been nothing more than just a dumb thing that had to happen."
"Do you really believe that?" Lucian asked.
"I'm not sure. I talked to the woman who lost the child. Kovia was her name. She seemed reluctant to talk, but that seems to be the nature of woman in their culture." I smiled, feeling my lip swell. At least it felt that way. "I know she enjoyed the little buttkicking session I had with their superior males."
I sighed. "I'll report it if you feel I should, but I'm really at a loss as to if I should or not, without something more firm than a feeling."
* * *
Stadia
Stadia tries to focus on what she ia saying but cant get the image of the man lying all crumpled up on the floor. The words of lady still ringing in her ears.
"Respectfully Major I had a choice. I had skills that would have kept that man alive and I didnt use them. Instead I took the easy way out and it cost the life of a civilain. I cant and wont forgive myself."
Major Brie studies the Lt. closely. She can see that the Lt. is ripping herself apart. She remembers how ripped up she was after the incident on Frodar Epsilon.
"No investigation or being cleared of any wrong doing is going to change that."
Stadia just stares at the wall, not really wanting to be here but not wanting to deal with it at all. Takes a slow breath in and lets it out slowly. Stands and moves to door....
"Right now I just want to get back to work."
* * *
Brie
Stadia just stares at the wall, not really wanting to be here but not wanting to deal with it at all. Takes a slow breath in and lets it out slowly. Stands and moves to door....
"Right now I just want to get back to work."
"Okay," Brie said, knowing how Stadia was feeling. "But if you need something, come and find me."
Stadia nodded and left. Brie waited for a micron, hoping that Stadia wouldn't be relieved of her duties while the investigation was going on. She also hoped that Amy hadn't been able to talk Lucian out of reporting what had happened earlier. She knew that Amy would try.
* * *
Lucian
"Amy, I don't know all about what happened to you a while back, but I do know that Captain Urdea was doing his best to try to figure it out. If this is related--well, he needs to know just in case," said Lucian, knowing that probably the last thing Amy wanted to do at the moment was to go back to Security.
"Major, please. I'd rather forget about--"
"Lieutenant, that doesn't solve the problem; however, we might be able to do something else that will make it a little more comfortable for you." Activating the portable comm, he punched a number and said, "Callisto Control, please locate Captain Urdea and ask him to meet me in the Black Squadron Office. Priority Alpha. Major Lucian, out."
"Neutral ground...and no wandering eyes or ears wearing black shirts," he said to Amy. "Let's go or he'll beat us there."
* * *
Stadia
It didnt help her to feel any better to know that she wasnt alone. It ripped a whole in her heart that she deprived a family of their father, husband ..... It brought back the feeling she had watching her family murdered by the cylons.
Heads down the hallway to the officers club. She just wants to drink something to numb the feelings. She wants to forget what happened.
She slips into the Officers club and finds a dark corner near the window. She ignores the looks and the whispers as she sits her tired body down. She looks up as the servitor approaches her.
"Please get me some grog" she asks
The servitor turns and walks away to get her grog. Stadia turns toward the window and stares into deep space
* * *
Charybdis
I was in my quarters sitting at my desk. I had received permission from Cmdr. Sheba to skip the reception, I didn't really feel in the mood to party and she figured that I could use a little time to myself. Besides, I had work to do that had been sitting for quite awhile. Not much action had occurred at least outside the ship while we were in the jump to the next system. On the inside, however, that's another story.
I studied the readout on the computer screen at my desk and read through the various listings. A couple of new ones had popped up in the last centon. Security was already dealing with the investigation of Lt. Stadia shooting the Frodarian man. Great...another investigation. I hadn't spoken personally to the Lieutenant about the incident, just picked up pieces from the reports that had been sent in. I would have to ask her squadron leader whether or not they wanted Stadia to continue her duties during the investigation, but it seemed like a no-brainer. She should be cleared without any problem from what I have read.
After issuing the needed daily orders for the next cycle through the system and having sent them for Cmdr. Sheba to look over when she got the time, I stood up and walked over to my viewport. The swirling colors outside were incredibly beautiful, yet so mysterious. No stars were really visible, at least, not in their normal form. Streaks of light were present throughout the jump, light from stars that made its way into the warp. I didn't know exactly how it all happened, I wasn't into the science of things all that much, but what was behind those colors, what was at the end of each and every jump was what mattered the most now. What was out there? We'd find out soon enough. It wasn't too much longer before we would come out of the jump in the next system. Perhaps just one more jump before we would make it to the fleet. Perhaps just one more...
* * *
Stadia
Stadia looked up as her tankard of grog is lowered before her. The servitor pauses to look at her and then turns and walks away.
Stadia wraps her fingers around the tankard and raises it to her lips. She swallows as she takes a long drink. She pauses and sets the tankard down. She looks out the window.
Stadia is concentrating on the window so hard she doesnt hear someone approach her table. She jumps all of sudden as a hand reaches up and touches her shoulder. She turns quickly to look who it is.
She looks up into the eyes of Lt. Nylah. Stadia quickly turns her eyes to look around the room. She sees a number of the warriors present shift their positions so their backs to them. Shakes her head and turns her head back to the window.
Lt. Nylah sits down at the table in front of her. She looks into Stadia's face. She studies the emotion filled face.
"How are you doing Stadia?"
Stadia shrugs her shoulders. "I am surviving."
"Everyone is saying that you will be cleared of the charges. They say you werent given a choice. Alot of the warriors are saying that they are there for you."
"You have to forgive me for not being socialable. I dont care about the investigation. All I can see is that man crumpled on the floor. It brings back some painful memories. I watched my family get killed out the hands of the Cylons. All I can see now, when I dont see the man on the floor, I see my family ....." Stadia falls silent and takes a drink of her grog finishing it off. She signals for another to be brought to her.
Lt. Nylah takes one moment to look at her and then gets up and leaves.
* * * Lucian
As the party was still going, in a dark compartment near the end of the ship, the Noman was speaking with one of his cohorts.
“Yes, I was there a short time ago. It is all arranged. We will see him tonight; however, while I was there, there was a problem with that Warrior, Lieutenant Amy. She was there, causing problems with the Frodarians,” said the man.
“You were not seen?” the Noman demanded.
“No, and none of our Frodarian allies will say anything.”
“What about those who are not our allies?” he asked. “Are they controlled?”
“He assures me that they are; however, I am increasingly concerned that she may mess up our plans. Should we arrange an accident?”
“NO!” the Noman said. “Not yet! Do nothing about her for now. With his help and that of his people, our time is coming. We will deal with her once and for always then.” He turned away, cracking his knuckles in his powerful grip. “Remember, when you bring him here, he is to be blindfolded and confused. We cannot let anyone else know of this place.”
“Yes, Sir,” said the human. He turned the squelcher off and silently went on his way.
* * *
Back at the party, Captain Jorlan looked at the group of Warriors around him. Stifling a yawn, he said, “Gentlemen, ladies, it’s been a very long day, and I’m very tired. I fear I must go. Please do not disturb me this evening unless there is an emergency.” He waved to a number of those around him, shook a few hands, and then moved toward the exit, leaving only a couple of centons after Captain Lazant had made his exit.
“Strange it is seeing Jorlan-sa going to bed so early,” said one of the Frodarians. “It is unlike him.”
“Truth you speak,” said another. “But, friend, fatigue slips up on a Warrior like a cat at times. Sleep his friend please be this eve. A toast, to Captain Jorlan!” The Frodarians and the other Warriors nearby who heard the toast raised their glasses in his honor.
* * *
“Lieutenant Amy, are you sure it was a Fleet Security officer you saw there?” asked Urdea.
“No Captain. I thought so, but I’m just not sure. There were too many very hostile people much closer to me than that unknown person. You might check with Lieutenant Stadia. She came in after I was already involved, so she might have seen something, or might be able to give you some more information.”
Urdea pulled up his hand-held computer. Using the stylus, he ran through several files over the next centon, while asking her additional questions about how she had gotten to the Frodarian area where the encounter had occurred. Listening carefully to her questions (as well as recording them, just in case he missed anything), he finally stopped the search and said, “If you will excuse me for just a moment, I’ll be back to ask just a couple more questions.”
Lucian said, “Take your time, Captain. We’ll wait…won’t we Lieutenant?” Amy nodded, with obvious reluctance.
Urdea contacted Sergeant Winnie who was with Officer Hawke. “Check the record for C-3. I’m transmitting the location. Proteus installed several cameras in that area just in case something like this happened. Find out who is on that tape and let me know as soon as is humanly possible.”
“Yes Captain. Winculas, out,” said Sergeant Winnie as she closed the comm. “Well Hawke, I hope you weren’t expected sleep anytime soon,” she said as they started walking toward the Frodarians’ main community quarters.
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Post by LucianG on Mar 30, 2007 21:52:49 GMT -6
Stadia
Stadia looks out the window. She finds her thoughts drifting to what happened with Lt. Amy. What was the fleet personal doing in that area? He didnt look like any other fleet security. She couldnt place him and it was driving her nuts.
She shivered as the thought of something bigger going on. She had to find out She rises up and turns to the door. she walks out and head to the security office to find Urdea. She knows she has seen the guy before but cant remember where.
On the way to the security office she bumps into a man wearing a black shirt. Looking up to apologize, a hint of recognition crosses her mind. Not letting on she recognizes the guy, she apologizes and heads onward.
She gets a distance away from him and takes a deep breath in and lets it out slowly.
* * *
Capt_Skyler
Skyler and Mara decided to skip the party. It didn't feel right to be at a party. Hoping to run into some of their squadron mates, they went to the O-Club. As they were walking in a worried looking Lt Stadia brushed by Skyler.
Taking a table close to the bar, Skyler ordered Milk for himself and Mara and some Mushies. Not knowing what would be coming down next with Gastronovians he decided not to consume anything that would impare his reaction times. Besides, he had Mara, who's beauty was more intoxicating than the strongest Grog.
* * *
Lucian
The Fleet Security officer breathed harshly after passing still more Warriors. The problem with his little group was just that: it was far too small. At one time, the main group could count on being able to influence almost a third of the Fleet Security force, but now, due to the efforts of their "illustrious" and completely short-sighted Captain, mere words were no longer enough to start trouble with most of those not directly involved. The Frodarians' presences were a great asset to be exploited...if one was very, very careful. When the Leader replaced Urdea, Sheba, Brie, and the other "leaders" of the Callisto, it would be a wonderful thing. They would have power in the form of one of the most powerful warships in the galaxy and in the form of a leader who wasn't afraid to use it.
Anytime he was on a mission, he was cognizant of the fact that he could be followed, so, upon reaching the critical point in his travel, he suddenly began using a complicated series of twists, turns, stops, starts, and detours as he had been instructed to do by the Leader. It took a little longer that way, but it insured him of getting to his meeting without being followed. With all those fracking Warriors all over the place...
He arrived at the designated meeting point about three centons early, so he continued on and doubled back a short time later, arriving precisely on time. The other man was late. He stopped, pulling a small pad from his shirt pocket, and flipped pages for a few moments as if searching for something. His contact arrived a few moments later, coming down the corridor toward him. The Black Shirt pulled the last page of the pad free, walked toward the other man, and brushed him as they passed.
"Scuze me," he said, sounding insincere. The other man just nodded without speaking and continued on without stopping. The Black Shirt continued on his way, since his job was done. The other man carefully palmed the small paper that had been passed to him in the encounter, and a few centons later, when he'd reached a location where he could do so without being seen, he read it, shreaded it into bits, and tossed about half in a recycle chute. He reached another recycle chute a couple of centons later, and he spat the other half he had been chewing into that chute.
He continued on without being followed.
* * *
Amy81
I sat waiting until Urdea returned from whatever it was he went to do. I fidgeted, resisting the urge to poke at my lip, which still felt twice as big as normal. Lucian seemed to pick up on my unease.
"It's not that bad" he said, leaning over toward me. I wasn't sure what he was referring to. "The lip", he clarified, "you can hardly see it."
"Are you talking a guy's 'not that bad', or a girl's 'not that bad'?" I asked. "Guys tend to look good with a fat lip. Girls not so good."
"Trying to stare crosseyed at it down your face definately is not so good" he replied with a laugh. I smiled at that. "I'd kill for a mirror" I responded.
Just then Urdea returned and sat down at his desk. I took the opportunity to plead my case to get out of here. My stomach was beginning to talk to me.
"Look Urdea" I began, "I don't really think there's enough to go on here. It's probably a lot of fuss for nothing. The more I think about it, it was probably just a dumb thing that just happened."
"Go on" he urged, sitting back in his chair.
Having free reign to speak my thoughts suddenly made me self-conscious for some reason. "Well, it could all be innocent. I took a lost child to an area of the ship ripe with tensions. My presense alone was enough to start something. It didn't have to be a planned thing. I don't think I'm that big a fish to go through so much trouble for."
"And your gut instinct that you spoke of before. That told you..." he said, trailing off so I could complete the sentence.
I sighed, brushing loose hair back from my face. "I had a sense that I might have been set up. Tricked into walking into that situation. If I didn't come back out, I'd be just a casualty of rioting. But now that I think about that..."
Urdea stopped me with a wave of his hand. "I've always had the greatest faith in gut instinct, lieutenant. You may be right: it may be nothing. But I've made a career out of digging into the causes of what occurs, and looking at the back history of the incidents you have been involved in, well, I don't believe in coincidence here."
I made a face though I tried not too, and sat back in my chair. Urdea looked at me strangely, like he was seeing something else entirely. "A streak of stubbornness runs in your family" he said at last.
I didn't know what to say to that. He seemed to snap out of whatever it was, and said "You can go get something to eat if you wish. As long as you don't mind a security man coming along. As I don't believe in coincidence, I also don't believe in taking chances."
I held my gaze tight on him to avoid rolling my eyes. I was more than capable of protecting myself. But maybe he was right. I just hoped he picked a black shirt with a little personality, although for the most part that was a contradiction in terms.
* * *
Stadia
Grabs her back. She curses.
"Dam back muscles. I wish the stupid sprained muscles would stop hurting." she says under her breath.
She heads back to the black squad barracks. She enter and moves the the com. panel. She keys in a message to Urdea.
"The man Amy saw today with the Frodarians was a fleet security officer. I couldnt place him until now. He was one of the officers who responded to the explosions that killed the security officer and injured Amy. He was talking with another black shirt and seemed highly agitated.
I saw him again today."
Keyed the message to be sent to Urdea with utmost haste.
Grabbed her shower stuff, and a clean uniform and made her way to the shower. _______________________________________________________
Stadia slid her uniform off her tired body. It had been on so long it was sticking to her. She stepped into the shower and turned it on. She closed her eyes as the hot water covered her tired and aching body. She reached up and massaged the water thru her hair. Stadia
Stadia leans her head against the wall of the shower. Her shoulders quake as she lets go of all the emotions she has held in. She slides down the wall until she is squatting on the floor. She cries for all those she has lost. Her family, her friends and that man. She hides her face in her arms.
"Lords of Kobol, why me? I cant handle this."
Continues sobbing.
After what seems an eternity, she struggles to get up. Pain etched across her face as she climbs out of the shower and into her clean uniform. She combs thru her hair and collects her stuff together.
She dumps her stuff onto her bed in the barracks and leaves to find Major Brie. She walked thru the corridors on her way to Major Bries office.
* * *
Lucian
The three of them sat in the Black Squadron office. Captain Urdea had ordered Officer Saul to come quickly over Amy and Lucian's objections; however, all three had finally agreed that Lucian would escort Amy to her quarters across the ship and that Officer Saul could come along for good measure. Urdea had explained that Saul had worked with Brie a while back, but Amy was still reluctant to rely on anyone from Fleet Security.
Captain Urdea received a message just as Saul arrived. He scanned it quickly, and said, "We may have a positive ID on one of our instigators. Lieutenant Stadia sent word that he has information--"
"She, Captain," Lucian said, smiling, as he pulled a spare laser pistol from the Black Squadron weapons locker.
"Sorry, Major. I've not met her and I don't remember her file at this time in the evening," said Urdea. "I'm going to meet Lieutenant Proteus and see if we can get a visual record as soon as a couple of my other officers arrive with something. Saul, please escort them to Lieutenant Amy's quarters. Do not let anything happen to her."
"Yes, Sir. I'll protect her with my life, sir," he replied with sincerity in his voice.
"Saul, hopefully it won't come anywhere close to that." Urdea said goodbye and was on his way.
Lucian passed the laser pistol over to Amy and said, "It's a loaner, Lieutenant. You're to return it personally in the morning after you've signed out a new one from your squadron."
"Personally?" she asked.
"Yes, Lieutenant, so I'll know you made it safely through the night. Well, folks, if you're ready, let's do it."
* * *
A few centons later, they arrived safely at Brie's quarters, Amy's temporary residence. Amy paused, listening intently for a moment, and then said, "I think we may have company." Amy and Lucian drew their laser pistols, adjusted the blast as low as it would go, and Amy activated the door as Saul pulled his stunner...
* * *
Brie and Stadia were speaking in the room when the door abruptly opened. At first glance, seeing a black shirted security officer, both Warriors grabbed for their laser pistols...
* * *
Stadia
Stadia caught her breath as she realized she didnt have her laser pistol. She instinctively closed her fist. Looked up to see a black shirt security officer holding his stunner, and Lt. Amy and Major Lucian staring down the barrel of their laser pistols.
"What's going on Lucian?"
"Sorry Major. We have reason to believe Lt. Amy's life may still be in danger. We were escorting her to her quarters."
Major Lucian looked at Stadia. He wanted to ask her how she was doing but couldnt bring himself to do it. He didnt want to seem pushy. He didnt want to break his rules.
Stadia rises up. " I was just leaving." She walks to the door.
"Stadia come back later and we will finish our conversation."
Stadia pauses only long enough to nod at the major. She walks out the door.
Brie walks upto Lucian. "Lets step outside for a moment. We need to talk." Brie and Lucian step outside the room and begin talking in quiet tones.
"Lt. Stadia is not doing good. She is so overwhelmed by everything that is going on. SHe doesnt know which way to turn. She came to me and asked how I was able to keep the emotions from overwhelming her. I told her that I didnt."
"I wish I knew how to help her. She doesnt seem to want to open up to anyone. I get the feeling that she is hiding something. I fear it will take her."
They both stared at each other for a moment and then turned to reenter Brie and Amy's quarters.
Amy had changed into something more comfortable. Amy looked up when they came back in.
"Brie is Lt. Stadia going to be ok. She saved my butt today, despite what she is going thru."
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Post by LucianG on Mar 30, 2007 21:53:55 GMT -6
Lucian
By being paranoid, they'd almost had a disaster on their hands. Saul apologized profusely, and was quickly on his way, no doubt reporting the incident to Urdea. When people were afraid of their own shadows, or that of their roommates, danger was always present, and people sometimes got hurt...or killed.
Amy and Brie spoke for a few moments just after Stadia and Saul had left. Lucian, feeling embarrassed about the situation, apologized as well when they finished their little discussion. He glanced at his chrono. It was already 12:40, and he had to get up at 15:50 to make his breakfast appointment with BatGal, Phlandor, RaycerX, and whomever else they had been able to invite to discuss Phase II of their training operation that was about to start. Operating on less than 300 centons of sleep wasn't smart under the best of circumstances, especially under the strained conditions of the past cycle. Three and a half to four centars of sleep would be greatly welcomed.
"Major. Lieutenant. Please excuse me. I must let you get some sleep and I must do the same myself, " he said. "And Amy, be careful. I'm sure Urdea is going to put a stop to this mess, but you need to watch out until then. Goodnight."
A few centons later, he was back in his quarters, sound asleep.
* * *
Amy81
As the door shut I got up off the chair I had flopped into, and just slapped the sides of my legs in disgust. "Of the stupid, fracking, chrome-plated, fracking daggit-brained..." I stopped and turned toward Brie. "I could have shot you! I'm acting so stupid I swear I've grown a set."
"You were just being cautious" Brie began.
"Being an idiot, you mean. Like it wouldn't just be possible that you were in here. Duh! These are your quarters!" I whacked the side of my head. "Idiot!"
"No harm done" Brie replied. "Relax, will you?"
"Maybe tomorrow I'll just check out a landram instead of a blaster. Then I'll really feel safe."
I muttered all the way back to the bathroom to check out my lip again. "Fracking idiot" I said to my reflection as I poked at my lip.
I came back out, still driven by my nervous energy. "Got anything to eat? I was aiming for the mess hall before the armed troops convoyed me here." I spotted a tray of mushies on Brie's desk. I wolfed two, then picked up a third. I had forgotten all about mushies, and how good they were.
"So" I said with a full mouth, "aside from having friends burst in on you and stick a blaster up your nose, how's your day been?"
* * *
Brie
"So" Amy said with a full mouth, "aside from having friends burst in on you and stick a blaster up your nose, how's your day been?"
"Wonderful," Brie replied sarcastically. "One of those days that makes me tempted to actually TAKE a position on the bridge." Amy waited for Brie to elaborate, but Brie didn't. "You can trust Officer Saul," Brie said at last. "He's a good man."
"If there is such a thing," Amy mumbled just loud enough for Brie to hear.
Brie paused for a moment. "One of the few things I remember about my mother," she said at last, "is that she used to always say 'Don't talk with your mouth full.' She said that ALL the time." She smiled at her friend. "I'm going to go take a turbowash. Let me know if anything important happens."
* * *
JustinB
As he could not find Lt Rose, JustinB decided he would go back the barracks for some sleep. After slipping into something more comfortable he headed toward his bunk.
As he drifted of to sleep, he hoped there would be more training on this jump.
* * *
Stadia
Stadia return to the barracks There was something about the man she saw today when all the felgercarb was happening with the Frodarians.
Stadia lays on her bunk. Her mind racing a mile a minute.
"Someone is inciting the Frodarians to revolt and it isnt the magistrate or whatever his title is. Who on the ship would benefit the most by the Frodarians revolting? How is this connected to Amy?
I can't help but wonder if I know this guy."
Stadia thinks back to her days as a fleet security officer. She tries to remember the faces of her friends aboard the Galactica. A germ of a thought passing thru her head. She struggles to her feet, the pain slowly shooting thru her body. She hoped it would go away soon.
She kneeled down to the floor and pulled a trunk out from under her bunk. She opened it up and searched thru its contents. She smiles as she finds the info sphere and wraps her fingers around it. she struggles to her feet and slams the trunk closed. She carefully pushed it back under her bed.
Presses her fingers in on the sphere. A recording appears. Stadia watches and remembers the pain that she went thru having to testify against her friend. She wondered, if it was him, why he didnt recognize her. Closes her hands around the sphere, shutting off the recording.
She had cared for him. They had even talked about taking the seal. Then came the ultimate betrayal. She caught him trying to sell brain crystals. They were an incredibly powerful hallucinaginic drug that swept through the fleet about seven or eight yahrens ago. People finally stopped using them when users started dropping dead from uncontrolled bleeding in the brain. His betrayal had devastated her but she had known what was right. She turned him in. She had to help gather evidence against the man she had loved.
She stopped a moment. She felt slightly woozey from something. She grabs the back of the chair. She shakes her head, buzzes a sleeping Urdea, and asks him to meet her. She heads out the Security office to find see him.
A short time later she steps into the security office and ask the person if she could talk to Urdea. He nodded and rose to his feet.
I watched as he entered Urdeas office. He came back and motioned for me to enter. I stepped in and noticed the Urdea, dressed in his nightclothes, was there going over some paper work.
"We may have a serious problem on board if the guy I saw today is who I think he was. He used to be someone I was involved with when I was serving in fleet security aboard the galactica. I found out he was selling brain crystal."
Stadia holds the information sphere up and lets it play.
"Stelgen, you have been charged with willingly selling brain crystal, how do you plea?...." It went on to outline the evidence against him and the eventual outcome of the case.
Urdea sits there as the sphere plays listening to every detail. "Captain, that is Lieutenant Selgin. I'd never forget that face, no matter the disguise."
Urdea turned a monitor toward he so she could see Stelgen's image. Then, an image of Selgin appeared, and Urdea overlaid it with the first. Although their outward appearances were different, the computer program showed that the facial and bone structures were the same. A DNA check from the records showed that they were the same within 99.8%, and that the variation appeared to have been modified on the original file.
"Lt. Stadia, this has been enlightening. I am glad you brought this to my attention. I will look into. Now, get some rest."
Stadia hands him the sphere and stands to walk out the door.
"Oh, Lt. Stadia, I heard about......"
Stadia doesn't hear him. The room is spinning around. She crumples to the floor.
* * *
Amy81
Brie headed for the turbowash, and I headed back to the plate of mushies. Last one. Frack! I'd kill for something real to eat. I popped the last mushie, and sat by Brie's desk. I drummed by fingers on the desktop absent-mindedly, mulling over my looming starvation.
The turbowash fired up, and I stood up, heading for the door. I really was hungry. I could make it down to the mess hall and back before Brie knew I was gone. I didn't really buy into all this conspiracy stuff anyway. Way too paranoid for me. Urdea meant well, a little too well if you ask me. Must be some kind of guy thing.
I was out the door quickly, and down the hall before it dawned on me that my borrowed blaster was under my uniform back in Brie's quarters, where I had left it when I changed clothes. I held up for a brief second, but knew that the clock was ticking. I kept going, moving a little quicker if I still wanted to be back before Brie got out of the shower.
I descended to the mess hall level. It was dark, the one time of the cycle when it was shut for a brief time. Well, I could still rustle up something and get back.
It was a little spooky. Deserted and silent, with an occasional fridge unit kicking on to break the deathly quiet. Shadows and dark areas were everywhere. I shook it off. Now I am getting jumpy, I thought. Just get the grub and go.
I opened a storage locker, and found what I wanted. My stomach growled just at the site of the food in there. Supplies were thin and good food was scarce, but I didn't care that this thinned out gruel-like crap was enough to make most people gag. I was starved!
I was sthingying out some into a container when I heard a noise. I froze, my blood chilling in my veins. I stood absolutely still, staring straight ahead, listening. After a moment, I heard it again. It wasn't much, but someone was moving in the darkness of the mess hall eating area.
I slowly put down the food, and glanced around in the dark for something I could use as a weapon. In the dim glow of a power panel, I could make out some cooking equipment. I reached over, and grabbed hold of a frying pan. I crept in between two large ovens, and waited, listening.
Who ever it was, he was getting nearer to me. I could hear his clothes rustling as he crept nearer, and I could even hear him breathing. I held my own breath, my heart beating crazily in my chest. I raised the skillet up, ready to strike.
And then I heard the voice.
"Lieutenant Amy? Are you there?"
It was Saul! I came out of my hiding spot, ready to blast him one anyway. He jumped back with a start, his expression alone worth the price of admission. "You frackin idiot" I shouted, pressing the pan to his chest, "I was THIS CLOSE to braining you!" I leaned in on him, briefly wondering if I should have anyway. "What in hades are you doing, anyway?" I didn't let go of the pan, just in case I needed it.
"Ur-Urdea's orders" he stammered comicly. "He said to stand guard, but stay out of sight. I-I didn't know... Well, he never said what to do if you left the quarters."
I rolled my eyes and chucked the skillet onto the stove. "Well, it would have served him right, me whacking you. You are all a little paranoid if you ask me." I turned back to my food, filling the bowl. I turned back toward him, offering him some before I put the bowl away.
"Uh-uh" he shook his head. "I'd have to be starving first before I eat that feldgercarb."
"Well, guess what?" I replied. "I am". I put the remainder back into the fridge, and picked up my container. "I'm heading back to Brie's quarters now" I said in a sarcastic tone. "You are welcome to tag along, but walk four or five paces behind me, if you don't mind." He looked blankly back at me, not understanding. I'd just let him think about it, if his brain had the capacity.
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Post by LucianG on Mar 30, 2007 21:54:53 GMT -6
Lucian
Three security officers wheeled Stadia into the Med Lab on the makeshift cart they'd pulled from the Security Office. Leucia asked the clerk on duty to wake someone to have her checked. She'd fainted in Urdea's office, and they had been afraid to do more than wipe her face with a cool wet cloth and throw a blanket over her in case she was going into shock.
Leucia asked if they could let Captain Urdea know Stadia's condition as soon as they knew. She was sure he'd want to know. Then, she told her two helpers to stand watch outside the Med Lab. She headed off to let the Black Squadron Second Shift Officer know about Stadia's collapse.
* * *
Charybdis
Something had been bothering me. It was now way too long since the last asteroid mission had returned and we began our jump. That seemed eons ago, and Amy had said nothing.
The only time I had spoken with her since was our very brief encounter in the corridor and she didn't say anything even then. Had something happened? I had to check for myself.
I made my way to the launch bay where the Gold squadron vipers were being kept at the ready. I searched and found the launch tube where Lt. Amy's ship was. I asked her ship tech if Amy had been by at anytime since she returned from the last mission. Records indicated that she had not.
I climbed up on the ramp and popped open her cockpit. I leaned in and slid open the small compartment door located just under the front instrument panel. It was a standard holding area for small keepsakes that Warriors would take with them on their missions, usually for good luck.
As I opened it, I saw that the small box was still there. I pulled it out and saw that it had not been touched. I opened the box and there it was. The sealing jewel that I had given to Amy back when we became engaged and with it, the note I had written and placed there before she left on her mission. I looked down the launch tube and all I could see at the end were those swirling colors. She hadn't seen the box. I guess she had been too busy during the mission that she didn't even check the small compartment. Or had she seen it and ignored it and purposefully left it there?
The note included in the box had said something about how much I loved her and how much I wanted to spend the rest of my life with her and that I would wait forever, if I had to, for her. I put the necklace in my pocket and as I climbed down the ramp I wondered if I WOULD have to wait forever...
* * *
Hawke14
Seeing that my meeting with Holodoc didn't go as planned I started doing a little digging of my own. I had found a "tape" disk on my desk. There was a note attatched to it "Hawke, be careful. Nobody knows these cameras exist. They were installed when this rogue Black Shirt business started. Look at the person to the right of you as you come on for your shift in the northeastern quadrant of the frame. Signed,A friend." It was the tape disk of my cycle guarding the Froderans. I put the disk in the player. The disk shows 4 cycles. I was the 3rd cycle. I fast forward to my shift. I go to the assigned spot. I recognize the officer the note said about. But his face is fuzzy. "Computer, enhance grid 21 Beta by 40 percent." The computer does the action. It clears it up. I don't know his name. I access the personell roster. I find his name. Lieutenant Selgin. I remember him now! He was sitting with Skon when Skon was telling them how he baited me about killing Brie. Ok. I had a person to tie this in with. But that still doesn't explain what happened to my memory.
* * *
Lucian
Despite the fact that he felt on the verge of collapse himself, Lucian had agreed to meet BatGal, Phlandor, and RaycerX for breakfast, so he was there. He’d told them to bring along whomever else they could find that wished to come along. Nylah and Aliana were sitting at the table with them when he arrived.
“Good morning, Major,” they said as he approached. He put his tray down and greeted them. All of them ate with apparent disinterest; bland beans and unseasoned grain cakes were the only items on the morning menu. He quickly filled them in about Stadia’s condition. The cute Security Officer—whose name he couldn’t remember—had awoken him in the barracks and told him her collapse, so he’d headed over to the Med Lab in a near sleep-deprived stupor. Doc and Holodoc were still examining her when he arrived, so Nurse Phoebe—or something like that—he felt embarrassed that he couldn’t remember her name either—had told him that someone would contact him as soon as they knew more.
After a round of discussion of the previous cycle’s activities in which everyone sympathized about Lieutenant Stadia’s situation and condition, they moved on to discussing the start of Phase II of the ground warfare training. There was going to be a continuation of the strength and endurance training, but new features would include an interactive assault/target range, and group planning sessions. The teams would consist of four, or in some cases six, person teams chosen at random from all Trainees, regardless of their squadron affiliation. Sergeant Brinfort would once again be in charge, which brought groans from the male Warriors as well as the females.
“Somebody better tell Rose in advance,” laughed Lieutenant Nylah. “She might blow a gasket if she walks in tomorrow and sees him without hearing that beforehand.”
“Lieutenant, you’re elected,” said Lucian. “Just remind her—”
The door to the O-Club slid open and Lieutenant Regis, one of the more senior members of Black Squadron ran in, looked around, and then quickly headed for their table. Most of the eyes in the O-Club were on him, since something appeared to be wrong. “Major! Have you heard the news?” he asked with excitement as he arrived. “One of the Frodarians is dead!”
“Yes, Lieutenant, we know. Those of us at the reception,” said Lucian since Regis had missed it, “heard about it last evening. His heart just wouldn’t ke—”
“No Sir! Not that one. There’s another one dead, and this one was cold-blooded murder!
* * *
After an evening of significant progress but no appreciable sleep, something like this was bound to happen. Captain Urdea, the head of Fleet Security on the Callisto, arrived at the scene of the crime within ten centons of being notified. Five Security Officers were already on the scene, including Lieutenant Proteus, who was directing the investigation. Urdea saw a boot and part of a leg protruding from behind a crate. Blood splatters littered the floor, the crate, and the boot.
“Captain, it’s pretty bad,” said Proteus, who looked a tiny bit pale. “Sir, you know I investigated a couple of murders several yahrens back before I hooked up with you and came to the Callisto, but they were nothing like this. This looks like the murderer was in a real fury. From the amount of blood and the splash pattern, he had to have been stabbed a number of times, very quickly, while his heart was still beating.”
“Do we have any idea what the weapon was?” asked Urdea.
“Yes, Sir. We’ve got the murder weapon all right, or at least, we will have it. It’s like a really big knife, and right now it’s still sticking out of his back.”
“Small favors,” Urdea said shaking his head. “Do we know who the victim is?”
“Not yet, Sir. The victim appears to be male, and is wearing one of those black full-body Frodarian coveralls, but we haven’t disturbed anything to get an ID. I’ve instructed our folks to document everything, but touch nothing until you were here. I’ve moved around the scene and the body a little bit trying to see what I can without contaminating it too much, but everyone else has pretty much stayed back. We hope to know who it is before that magistrate guy, Yvarran gets here and starts raising a ruckus. Whitch should be here with a crime scene kit any—”
“Here it is, Lieutenant Proteus,” said Sergeant Whitcher, breathing hard from the effort of carrying the large bundle and the speed with which he’d brought it to the scene. Proteus broke the seal, and started to remove the contents.
“Captain,” said Whitcher, “I sure am sorry about last night. I never even thought about sending that Warrior Lieutenant into danger.”
“Whitch, that Warrior Lieutenant is not just any Warrior Lieutenant. She may be the key to this whole mess we’ve been facing. If she ever needs anything, you’re to contact me personally, whether it’s First or Second Shift, and you’re not to let her out of your sight until I arrive. Understood?” When Whitcher nodded, Urdea continued, “All is forgiven. Just don’t let it happen again. Now, get back to HQ and keep everybody in line. It sounds like we’re going to be here a while.”
* * *
Commander Sheba heard about the crime just as Urdea was arriving on the scene. To Lieutenant Aegina, she said, “Make sure that crime scene is secure just in case the victim really is a Frodarian. We don’t want our Magistrate friend showing up to instigate another riot, so let’s get a few extra Warriors on the bridge as well. We’re having a…let’s see…hmm…a special Bridge Orientation course today. Get six Warriors from Black and from Gold. Have the squadron leaders get them here quickly. Class should already be in session.”
* * *
Major Lucian got the call and immediately dispatched a group headed by Lieutenant Merak, who had some experience with security related issues. Since he could knew where to find them, he stepped back into the O-Club and dispatched Phlandor, RaycerX, Nylah, Aliana. JustinB was coming into the room as they were leaving, so Lucian told him to grab something to go and head to the Bridge for the second cycle in a row.
* * *
“Vile, despicable murder, it was, I tell you!” said the sobbing Frodarian woman who had discovered the body. She’d run away screaming, mostly from fear and surprise, but partly to cover up for the fact that she’d been searching for food and clothing to steal for her two children. It was only after she’d reached the Frodarian community “quarters” in the main rec hall and was questioned by some of her people did she even think about the outfit that the victim had been wearing. On hearing that the victim might have been one of their fellow Gastonovians, a couple of Frodarian teens were sent to find the Magistrate in his private quarters nearby.
As they waited for the Magistrate, which seemed to now be an almost regular occurrence, a couple of his top aides were trying to get all of the Frodarians to report so they could determine whether the victim was indeed one of their own.
Fallel, the leader of the Outlanders who had been rescued on the Cylon moon, was constantly amazed at the rigid organization of the people who had lived in the colony on Frodar Epsilon. To him, it was an amazing feat that they'd never allowed themselves to be annihilated by the Cylons. While they were still organizing and counting people, he contacted Science Officer Solon and told him he might be a little late to work, where he was helping Solon crack the Cylon code. Seeing no one watching him, he slipped out, and then walked to the scene of the crime.
* * *
Stadia
Stadia begins to flail her arms around. She mumbles, "no don't..." Holodoc and Jarryn grab her arms and hold them down as Stadia begins to seize.
Her body arches up against Holodoc. Her muscles contracting in almost complete tetany. Her tongue swells as her teeth bite into it.
Holodoc grabs a syringe off the tray and injects its contents into her neck. Stadia's seizure begins to subside.
Holodoc had run some tests on Stadia's blood and an aide brought her the results. She takes the clipboard in hand and studies the results.
"Damn! She took Brain Crystal. We have to neutralizes the crystal. Get me some Norcan."
* * *
Capt_Skyler
News of the murder spread through the ship quick. Not knowing what to expect, Skyler checked the power packs on his blaster to make sure they were at full charge. He pulled on his battle jacket and made his way out of the Barracks and down to the briefing room. If they needed to hand out assignments, he would be easier to find there than anywhere.......
* * *
Lucian
The group of Frodarians, numbering about 30, including mostly women, had marched toward the scene of the crime, but had been met by a group of Security Officers. The one in front had explained that if they were to rush in on the area, they'd destroy all of the evidence, and the perp would never be caught. This started an argument among the two leading Frodarians. Since Yvarran still hadn't arrived, and since no one had located Captain Jorlan, most of the group headed toward the Bridge to demand a meeting with "that lady commander or her lap-daggit." Several stayed behind and promptly started to hinder the investigators. Urdea called up some additional officers to help. He also contacted the Bridge and told them to be on guard. Trouble appeared to be on the way.
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Post by LucianG on Mar 30, 2007 21:55:51 GMT -6
Amy81
I returned to Major Brie's quarters, deciding after all to walk side-by-side with Security Officer Saul. Somehow it seemed like bad tactics to let a black shirt walk behind me. I entered the quarters, Saul remaining outside. His comlink activated, and he began to get a message as the door slid shut.
The turbowash was off again, but there was no sign of Brie. I flopped down onto a chair and began to eat my food. I looked up as Brie entered from the other room. She was in the process of getting into her uniform.
"Wassup?" I tried to say with a full mouth. She glanced at me, and I swallowed a big lump of grub before asking again. "What's up?"
"Tons" Brie replied. "Where were you?"
"Got some food. I figured it wouldn't be too cool dying of starvation while in protective custody. Saul scared the hades out of me, the jerk. You know, B.S. doesn't just stand for black shirt."
Brie just grunted in reply, as if she really wasn't listening. "Get dressed" was all she said.
"What is going on?"
"There's been a murder in the Frodarian sector."
"Jeez!" I groaned.
"And Stadia is in medlab. A seizure or something."
I set down my bowl of food and got up. "By the lords..." I started to say, heading for the other room to change. Brie followed, snapping her belt on and checking her blaster. "We might have another riot on our hands" she said worriedly.
I nodded, pulling off my top and replacing it with my battle tunic. I pulled back my hair, and got busy with my shoes. "Any word on Stadia?" I asked.
"Nothing further. She's really been under a strain. I pray the meds got to her in time."
"Yeah." I said a silent prayer as I got the rest of my uniform on, then slid into my jacket.
"I also got a call from Charybdis" Brie announced, leaning against the doorway.
I froze for the briefest of microns, then reached for my blaster, sliding it into the holster. "Yeah?" I asked, trying not to let edginess into my voice.
"He's concerned about you. He read the report on your incident." Brie paused a micron. "You know, Amy, you can't hide from the situation forever."
I looked up at Brie, my mood souring from all that she had laid on me. "I know, Brie. I know" I said softly as I brushed past her, and she fell into step behind me as we headed out of the quarters.
* * *
JustinB
JustinB awoke after a good nights sleep. 'I hope something interesting happens this cycle' he thought to himself. After getting into his combat uniform, he decided to go and have some breakfast. As he made his way to the O'Club, JustinB sensed that something was going on. This was confirmed by Phlandor, RaycerX, Nylah and Aliana leaving the O'club in a hurry.
As he walked in, Major Lucian told him to grab something to go and head to the Bridge for the second cycle in a row. He managed to scrounge a piece of fruit and a juice packet. With all haste, he made his way to the bridge. There he joined Phlandor, RaycerX, Nylah and Aliana. As he arived, they were joined by Lieutenant Merak.
* * *
Brie
Brie decided to grab the first six Gold Squadron members that she saw. She already had Amy (and her security shadow), they found Skyler in the Briefing room with Thunderhawk and Brik, and just happened to run into SiressEden and Kellynn in the hallway. She now had her six warriors as requested, and silently they went to the bridge. Brie would have filled them in, but she didn't know too much about what was going on herself.
* * *
Lucian
The larger group was heading down the last corridor toward the Bridge. They were chanting, demanding to see Commander Sheba.
"Do you want to kill us all?" shouted one.
"Why didn't you leave us to the tin ones if all you were going to do was let them kill us?" yelled another.
They paused, a short distance from the entrance to the Bridge, awaiting the arrival of Magistrate Yvarran.
* * *
Urdea had moved in with Proteus. They were recording everything and taking samples of anything that might aid their investigation.
“Based on the width of the flat of that knife blade—see where it’s projecting out of the victim’s back, what? Eight or nine centimeters maybe?—I’d guess the blade was probably 30 to 35 centimeters in length. It looks like it could be a fighting dagger,” said Proteus.
“Hmm, I remember seeing one of those just recently,” said Urdea. “Their pretty dangerous in the right hands.”
“Or in the back,” said Proteus.
“Captain, one of the Frodarians is here. He’d like to find out if it is one of their people, Sir,” said an Officer. “He says that some of those folks are trying to get the Magistrate to start another march, and if possible, he’d like to head it off.”
“We’re not quite to the point of moving the body, but he’s got a point. If we can head them off…”
They brought Fallel forward after warning him about the gruesome scene. On seeing the body, he almost vomited despite the warning. Proteus used a gloved hand to grasp the body and roll it gently back part way while Fallel and Urdea watched and one of the other Officers snapped pictures. “Do you recognize him, Sir?” asked Proteus.
“I think so,” said Urdea.
Fallel, the Frodarian Outlander, shook his head and said, “No worries have we about Magistrate Yvarran leading a march—”
“Whew! That’s good news,” said Proteus. “If it’s not Frodarian, then who in Hades is it?” he asked.
“No, Lieutenant, you missed the point,” said Urdea, signaling for Proteus to lower the body. “He’s Frodarian, all right. It’s Magistrate Yvarran. Looks like he won’t EVER be leading ANY more marches.”
He turned away to contact Commander Sheba to let her know.
* * *
Amy81
Following Brie and the others, I arrived on the bridge and took up a position, ready for I-wasn't-sure-what. My security shadow Saul had left somewhere along the way, called to some other hot spot I guess. Or maybe he just didn't like nearly getting slugged with a frying pan during the performance of his duties.
I glanced around the bridge, seeing if I could catch sight of Charybdis, but I couldn't see him. I wasn't sure where on the ship he was. Fine time to be wondering about that. Turning my concentration back to the situation at hand, I stood ready as I could be for what may come.
My mind flickered back to what Brie had told me. I couldn't hide from the situation with Charybdis and Najinn forever. Sooner or later, I'd have to face my troubles. If I only knew how.
* * *
Charybdis
The buzzer sounded and awakened me from my sleep. The call for general quarters had sounded and all personnel were to be on alert.
"Frack!" I muttered. I went over to my comm unit and checked the status of orders coming over the system. All Warriors were to be on alert, a man had been murdered, and security and Warriors were to be called to defend the bridge.
I quickly got dressed. I felt that I would definitely be needed. This time, I disregarded Sheba's earlier request to not carry weapons, so I grabbed my weapons belt and strapped on my blaster.
As I approached the bridge, I could start seeing some Frodarians milling about as if waiting to see what would happen. I heard bits and pieces about the man murdered: it was Yvarran, the Frodarian Magistrate. I thought to myself that it could not be getting any worse than this. What the frack was happening aboard this ship?
As I got near, a tall, thin man walked up to me and pointing a finger at me yelled so the others could hear, "You! Ranking male on this ship are you! Murder us, why? Bring us here, why?" he lunged at me and made the mistake of grabbing me by the front of my tunic in an aggressive manouver.
Instinctively, my hand reached up and grasped his offending limb by the wrist. I twisted it so he could no longer grab me and he fell down to his knees as the pain shot into his arm. As I saw others looking on, I quickly released him and he fell to the floor clutching his wrist.
"We are all in this together!" I yelled. "It's not you against us. We are all in this together to escape the Cylons. They are our enemy. NOt each other! THis madness has to stop and we are going to find out who is doing this and take appropriate action." I wanted to calm them down as much as possible but also speak the truth. Problem was, not many people knew what the truth was, if any actually did.
I quickly made my way onto the bridge where I saw at least 12 Warriors from the two squadrons. Brie was there, and I caught sight of Amy as well. She darted a quick glance but didn't make any facial movement.
I went in to Sheba's command room to confer with her...
* * *
Stadia
Stadia slowly opened her eyes letting in rays of light thru her tiny peep holes. She grimaced slightly as the light hit her brain.
After a while, she opened her eyes to see Holodoc standing above her. She blinked and tried to turn her head. "Ooooww!" She felt like she had been hit by a viper.
"Ah! Your awake. You put us thru our paces. Do you remember what happened?"
Stadia tried to focus in on the voice but found the pain shooting thru her head to much to deal with. She laid her head back and closed her eyes. She let her mind wonder back to a happier time. A time with her family together eating dinner. Soon she was sleeping.
Holodoc left her to sleep. She turned to her communication console and tapped in a message for Major Lucian telling him Stadia was beginning to regain consciousness. She outlined to him the cause of her condition. Someone has brought brain crystal aboard the Callisto. We started her on drugs to neutralize the drug but they will take time. It will be sometime before we know the complete effect it will have on her. I dont know is she will be able to fly a viper again. Keyed the send button and went to preparing supplies in case of injuries.
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Post by LucianG on Mar 30, 2007 21:57:04 GMT -6
Lucian
“Charybdis, I don’t like this at all,” said Sheba. “We’ve been away from the fleet for far longer than we planned, and we’ve faced dangers we could have only imagined. We’ve added almost four hundred people to our complement as our supplies have dwindled, and we face an internal danger we can’t quite put our fingers on. We must make these people realize that they are part of us, that we’re all in it together, and that we’re going to reach the fleet as soon as we can.”
“We’re still at least two sectars from the fleet, if we’re lucky, and little chance of resupply,” said Charybdis. “We still have adequate staple food supplies for that amount of time and more, but we’re running out of the specialty items. The ‘tasteless’ diet is really getting to some of the people, particularly those who didn’t go through the situation right after the Exodus when everyone was actually hungry. To make matters worse, our manufacturing efforts are largely stalled. We can’t seem to manufacture spare parts for the Vipers, parts that according to the records we should have in adequate supply. It’s like someone has been pulling the strings, and we’re the poor marionette.”
“We’ve been investigating the ‘string pulling,’ but so far, have little evidence; however, I’m concerned enough that I think we need to go to extraordinary measures to rejoin the fleet as soon as possible.” She pulled a star chart and said, “We arrive in the Axcian system in a few sectons. As of a couple of cycles ago, the plan was a jump here from Axcess,” pointing, “and then to here,” pointing again, “where we should be able to either meet them or at least verify that they’d been through the system on the originally planned course. We’ve had the computers humming and we think we’ve found a new route, assuming the gravity well at the jump point is strong enough, so we can do a direct jump from Axcess to here. We’ve got to catch the fleet and restock our supplies, or we could be facing open rebellion on board this ship.”
* * *
It had taken a little time, but Captain Jorlan was finally located in the turbo wash. He said he’d slept a few centons late after a rough night’s sleep. He quickly dressed and hurried to the Bridge to try to help calm the situation.
* * *
The Frodarian ‘mob’ moved toward the main entrance to the Bridge. A number of the women were wailing at the news of the murder of Yvarran. A woman with tears in her eyes stepped forward and said, “Commander Sheba’s representative we must see. The legitimate Commander, if indeed she is, must have her representative tell us the truth: why…were…we brought here if only…you let us die?” Tears streamed down her face as she sobbed.
* * *
After doing a scan on the handle of the murder weapon, Lieutenant Proteus dusted it, and then carefully lifted four legible prints. Captain Urdea took the strips and inserted them, one at a time, onto the reader bed. A few moments later after seeing the results, he whistled and said, “I thought that looked familiar. I’m not sure who’s going to like this less, Commander Sheba or the Frodarians.” Showing Proteus the result, he said, “Get some of the guys and bring him to the office for questioning. Don’t mention the second one to anyone for now. I’m contacting the Commander.”
* * *
After a late night, Nat and Kris had fallen asleep together on the observation deck, with Nat sitting on a bench and Kris curled sideways on the bench into his arms. Nat’s chrono alarm had gone off next to Kris’ ear, and both had jumped in surprise at being awaken in a strange place. On seeing their circumstances, Kris’ bare feet on the bench, Nat laughed and pulled her closer in his arms. “I don’t know about you, my love, but I’m very sore. Time flies when you’re having fun…especially when you’re exhausted.” She stretched, nodding. “According to this chrono, I’ve got class in a few centons. Will you walk with me?”
A few centons later, the entered the simulator Control Room, and were surprised to find Captain Lazant checking a readout on a monitor. “Good morning, sleepyheads. Did you sleep in your clothes, or are you trying to make a statement?” he laughed.
Nat apologized, but Lazant waved him off and said, “I’ll take the first few centons of your class. Go get a wash and fresh clothes, and get back here as quick as you—”
A Security Officer in a black uniform stepped into the room and said, “Captain Lazant, will you please come with me. We have some questions for you in the Security Office.”
“Really, Officer, I don’t have time at the moment,” he said.
“Sir, I must insist,” the Officer said, looking intent on doing whatever it would take to have Lazant accompany him.
“Well, Nat, sorry about this, but it looks like you get to skip the turbo wash after all. Maybe Lieutenant Kris would like to help you with the class. She has shown surprising skill in recent sectons and might teach these Cadets a thing or two.
* * *
Charybdis
"Commander, given the food situation, we are going to have to stop in the next system and conduct a complete search of the planets or whatever we find there for available food sources. THe early optimistic reports are now outdated. New signs indicate that with the extra people onboard, we might run out of food shortly before we can get back to the fleet." I didn't like the possibility. Hundreds of people starving to death aboard one of the most magnificent battleships ever to be constructed. NOt a fun thing to think about, especially since I was one of those onboard!!!
Sheba mulled it over and pretty much ruled that that's what we were going to have to do.
"Colonel, begin selection of those pilots with impeccable search and rescue credentials to go on the mission. We can't miss a single oppurtunity to find any sources of food." Sheba ordered.
"I'll get on it." I replied.
* * *
Lucian
Sheba knew that Charybdis was probably right. She'd debated the issue of foraging for food in an unknown system, but if the latest reports were correct, not doing something could be a disaster. The problem was that the vast majority of planets have little or nothing edible for humans. Hopefully they'd get lucky.
The comm buzzed, bringing her back to the situation at hand.
"Commander," said Captain Urdea, "I'd like to bring Captain Jorlan in for questioning in the murder of Magistrate Yvarran. There is at least some circumstantial evidence that may indicate his involvement. To make the situation go as easily as possible, can we please get some Warriors to escort him to the Security Office? Considering the situation, I don't want to make things worse."
"Major Brie is here on the Bridge at the moment. I'll ask her to send some of her Warriors to find him as soon as possible. Captain, please solve this as soon as you can. We can't allow our ship to be torn apart over something like this."
"Understood, Commander. Urdea out."
Sheba looked at log. The Callisto was still a very long way from Axcess and any food the system might have hidden in its reaches.
* * *
Amy81
From my position on the bridge I could see Commander Sheba and Charybdis conferring by the starmaps. I could hear them pretty plainly dispite the usual background noises and chatter of the bridge, plus the building commotion just outside in the corridor.
Sheba had ordered Charybdis to assemble a team of pilots for a food search mission that would proceed after we concluded our jump. I immediately knew that my credentials would place me under high consideration, and I also knew of one other offhand that also should be picked. I wondered if Charybdis was strong enough to make that kind of decision.
I looked over at Brie, who was standing nearby. I could see in her face that she was thinking the same thing. I looked back at Charybdis, feeling my heart ache at what the burden of command might force him to do. For the first time in a long time, I wanted to reach out...
I took a step toward him, but Brie seemed to sense my changing mood and put up a hand. Perhaps it might be better coming from her.
* * *
Lucian
The Frodarians were tired of waiting. They marched toward the entrance to the Bridge as a group. The shouted until one raised a hand for quiet. She said, "We must have news! You must tell us why this happened and what you are doing to prevent it from happening again. Or maybe, you just want us all to die! If you can't starve us to death, just shoot us with your weapons or knock us over the head. Is that your plan? Commander Sheba! Charybdis! Someone! Tell us the truth!"
A group of twelve Warriors stood in the corridor, now standing just outside the entrance, standing guard, hoping that calm could be restored. One of the Warriors in the back slipped back onto the Bridge and spoke to Charybdis.
* * *
"Captain, do you recognize it?"
"Yes, Sergeant, unfortunately I do recognize it. It's my Tauran practice dagger. My question, why is it there instead of in my practice bag where it's supposed to be," said Captain Lazant. "Poor person! Who was it?"
"I'll ask the questions, Captain. Now, why do you think it should be in your bag?"
* * *
Charybdis
I glanced around the bridge and spotted Amy and Brie standing on the far side near the entrance corridor. Things were heating up outside from the noise of various Frodarians.
"Major Brie," I called out. She immediately came up onto the rotating bridge. "Yes, Colonel?" she replied formally.
"Brie, as soon as we come out of the jump, we are going to need 4 vipers to search out and scan the system for ANY signs of edible material. The food situation is getting far worse than any of us have imagined. Hand pick your best from Gold squadron at search techniques and have them ready. If they need to study up on things, have them go see Solon or Curemode. Maybe they have something that will help identify food sources. THey'll have a little bit of time. We don't come out of the jump for awhile, but they need to be very thorough in their search. The battlestar's people depend on it..."
She nodded her assent to the order and quickly jumped back down off the bridge. THe Frodarians were getting louder and were trying to make their way onto the bridge. As senior officer of the Warrior contingent, Brie had to take command to make sure nothing bad happened...again...
* * *
Brie
As senior officer of the Warrior contingent, Brie had to take command to make sure nothing bad happened...again...
* * * In the eariler riot Brie had been told to stay out of sight. She wondered now if that had been a good idea. She was one of a very few people who had been on the planet that these people called home, she knew what they had left behind. She had also managed, against all odds, to gain the trust of the man who had been their leader, Commander Tolar. She hated speaking before any group, before an angry mob was even worse. But something told her that it had to be done. "People of Gastonovia," she said in a loud, but semi-compassionate voice, "I am Major Brie. I can understand the frustrations that you're feeling. Believe me, we're doing everything we can to make your situation more comfortable."
"What you mean, comfortable?" a woman cried out. "How think we of comfort when our people you kill?"
"I know very little about the murder, but I can assure you that everything is being done to find out what happened," Brie said, trying to remain calm. "The person who committed the crime will not get away with it."
"How can we believe you?"
"Commander Tolar trusted me," she tried to explain. There was a murmur in the crowd at the mention of his name. "He would want you to do the same. We're in this together. The Cylons are our enemies, not each other." Brie saw the young man who had almost threatened her standing in the middle of the group. She stared right at him. She could have reported what had happened and caused the man a lot of trouble, but she hadn't. She hoped that he would realize from that incident that she was on their side. "We mean you no harm. Now, if you want us to be able to do something about the food situation, you'll have to let me and my squadron pass. We're working on a plan. And if there is any news about Magistrate Yvarran's murder, I will share it with you personally. Do we have a deal?" There was some whispering, Brie noticed the young man speaking with several of the women, and then a hole was made in the crowd big enough to allow Brie and her companions to pass through. They passed, and then Brie turned back around to face them again. "You have my word," she said.
"Do you think it will do any good?" Amy asked as they walked away.
"I don't know," Brie admitted. "They didn't leave like I was hoping they would. Skyler, you take Thunderhawk and Brik and find Captain Jorlan. Escort him to Captain Urdea for questioning. SiressEden, Amy and Kellynn, stick close by here. If the crowd gets worse again, notify me immediately."
"Where will you be?" SiressEden asked.
"I need to go talk with Lt. Holodoc," Brie replied. "I need to fill the upcoming mission, and I need her help."
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Post by LucianG on Mar 30, 2007 21:58:07 GMT -6
Capt_Skyler
Skyker looked at Brie for a micron. He was young when the colonies were destroyed, but he still remembered it all. Life on that cramped freighter was hell. If a few of these poor Frodarians had been thrown into those conditions, then they would have something to complain about. .
"Skyler, you take Thunderhawk and Brik and find Captain Jorlan. Escort him to Captain Urdea for questioning." "Yes ma'am!" Skyler turned to Brik and Thunderhawk. "Come with me. We will start with the Frodarian Warriors. They should know where he is." Skyler, Brik and Thunderhawk raced off down the corridor. Would they be too late?
* * *
ThunderHawk
As ThunderHawk followed Skyler through the crowd, the tension was so close to exploding. After the order from Major Brie to find Capt. Jordan was given, Skyler led Brik and ThunderHawk through the passageways. Everyone they passed, no matter who, seemed to be on guard and nervous. "Won't be long before this whole thing gets out of hand and we're going to be right in the middle of it," ThunderHawk mentioned to Brik. Brik kept walking and looking forward as he replied, "Isn't that why we joined up, to be right in the middle of it, no matter what 'it' is ?
* * *
Stadia
Meanwhile, in the medbay, Stadia's eye begin to flutter open. She looked up to the ceiling and tried to take a deep breath in. Pain shoots thru her like a laser bolt. Her body feels like she had been hit by a viper
Holodoc enters the cubicle where Stadia is laying. She checks the outputs on the moniter and looks down.
"Youre awake. Was wondering if you would ever wake up. That brain crystal you took almost did you in."
"I didnt take that stuff." Stadia manages to croak out. " A viper and brain crystal dont mix." Her throat feeling like a desert. Her mind was just as fuzzy. She raises her hand to her head.
Holodoc looks at her strangely as she gives Stadia a few ice chips to suck on. "Then how did you get it into your system? That some nasty peice of work. We were lucky we got the counteracting agent into your system when we did. Can you think of anyone who would want to get rid of you?" She asked as she gave Stadia something to help with the pain.
Stadia leans her head back onto the pillow. "I cant think of any right now. My brain feels like daggitt pooh" Her eyes close as she murmurs Lt. Amy's name.
Holodoc turns to leave but upon hearing Amys name, she pauses. She turns and walks out of the cubicle.
She walks upto her desk and keys in her report to Major Lucian. It reads: Lt. Stadia has regained consciousness. She claims that she did not take any brain crystals. I dont like to doubt anyone but I am concerned. Concerned that she may taking this stuff or that someone maybe out there slipping it to unsuspecting people. Also when she drifted back to sleep, she murmured something strange. She murmured Lt. Amys name. Holodoc finished the report and edited it. She hesitated to push the send button. She didnt want to cause Lt. Stadia anymore problems then she had. She pushed the send button.
* * *
Holodoc noticed a flashing button her comm. panel. She reached down and pushed the button in. It was Major Brie informing her of the trouble with the Frodarians and of the mission.
She turned it off when the door to medbay hissed open and a black shirt security officer entered carrying a child. She directed him to carry the child into the empty exam room.
She pushed the security officer aside and set about finding out what was wrong with the child.
* * *
Holodoc2000
Holodoc was working on checking over the child in trying to figure out what was going on with the child & wondering why the child was brought in by the Security Officer instead of the child's parents. While she was working with the child, Holodoc would ask the Security Officer questions, but didn't get much by way of answers from him at all as to what was going on with the child as to why he brought the child in & where the parents were currently.
Holodoc was constantly thinking about the drug that had effected Hawke & a couple others with their short term memory & had an idea she needed to check out now while she was thinking about it. She takes off out of the exam room in the middle of the examination of the child. "Phoebe," Holodoc calls out, "I need you to finish up the examination & treatment of the Freodian child that was just brought in moments ago. I have something else that I need to check out now while I have it on my mind."
Holodoc heads on over to the shelfs of books & pulls down the ones that she had out earlier when she did the searching about the drug Wype & opened the books up to the information about it & started reading over portions of what was printed & then reaches up & pulls down a couple more books in looking up references about other items mentioned in one of the books to see about being able to come up with a cure for retreaving short term memory that had been lost. After finding what she was looking for, Holodoc goes over to the commlink & sends a message to Capt Urdea that she has some information that may be of some interest to him & asks that he come by Medbay when he got the chance so that she could discuss things with him.
* * *
Lucian
For Jorlan:
On learning their location, Captain Skyler's team soon arrived in the training area where the Frodarian Warriors were involved in a vigorous workout. Although they were temporarily assigned to Silver Spar Squadron, Captain Jorlan had his Warriors doing some extra training to stay in top physical form. Based on their look and the level of intensity they were exerting, it looked very doubtful that they were aware of Yvarran's murder.
Thunderhawk said, "I don't see him, Captain." Moments later, Brik came running back over to report no luck on the other side either.
Rather than disturb the entire group, Skyler asked one of the Frodarians on the end to help them. The young man was quite friendly, reporting that Jorlan had probably overslept since he'd not been feeling well the evening before. No one had bothered him for that reason.
Skyler thanked the young Ensign, and started to turn away, but as he did, he realized that the Frodarians would probably be learning of Yvarran's murder within the next centar or so anyway, so he decided to try to increase the level of trust between Frodarian Warriors and the Colonial Warriors. "Listen, there's something you should know. Your magistrate, Yvarran, was murdered last night. Some of your fellows were causing some trouble near the bridge about it just a few centons ago, although it looks like they're calm again...for now."
The Frodarian shook his head. "Not surprised am I that someone would finally be rid of that troublemaker. A thorn in Commander Tolar's side was he for many yahrens. Not unhappy will our Warriors be to hear this news, though a leader he was to our people. Captain Jorlan the void will fill. Tell the others I will. Thank you."
Their heads swimming from the fractured Frodarian syntax, the Colonials headed toward Jorlan's quarters.
* * *
For Truth:
Captain Urdea had left the scene of the crime, leaving Proteus in charge to complete the gathering of evidence. He headed to the Security Office to participate in the questioning of Captain Lazant. To Urdea, Lazant was an ass, but he didn't believe him to be a murderous ass. Proteus had assigned his aide, Sergeant Atropas as the primary questioner. She had training as a counselor, and had had a very good reputation as an investigator even before coming to the Callisto. She had grilled Lazant, but so far, he had maintained his innocence, sticking to the same story throughout. She'd questioned him about his statement that he'd left his bag in the hall, and had even had Sergeant Whitcher verify the fact that an injured Frodarian had been taken to the Med Lab two nights before. Lorna, the Med Clerk, had verified that a young man had been brought in, but there was no record of the party who helped him. Urdea let Atropas run Lazant through the story a second time, and then, in a moment of weakness, let her do it again. When Lazant's story was the same for the third time, Urdea signalled to Atropas. Outside the interview room, Urdea confirmed that that part of Lazant's story was true. He'd seen the bag, filled with weapons, including a dagger that looked almost very similar if not identical to the murder weapon. Atropas thanked him, then returned to the room and the questioning.
A couple of centons later, Nurse Holodoc called. Urdea told Whitcher that he was going to follow up on something else. He took a portable comm link, just in case, and headed toward the Med Lab.
* * *
For Answers:
Lucian got a message as well. Fuming and almost seeing red, he had Lieutenant ShebaApollo stand by in the Black Squadron Office to coordinate any efforts with the Frodarians. Lucian headed to the Med Lab to try to get to the bottom of the situation.
* * *
Stadia
A couple of centons later, Nurse Holodoc called. Urdea told Whitcher that he was going to follow up on something else. He took a portable comm link, just in case, and headed toward the Med Lab.
* * *
Stadia sat up in the bed. Her head spinning, she fights to stay up right. she grabs her head with both hands. "Boy, whatever I was slipped sure does a number on the head." she thinks outloud.
At the moment she says that she hears Major Lucian and Urdea enter the medlab. She looks up at them as they enter and head towards nurse Holodoc. She hears Major Lucian say
Stadia lays back down on the bed as the spinning of the room becomes to much. She closes her eyes. Her head pounding despite the medication holodoc had given her.
Major Lucian enters the cubicle where Stadia is laying down. He looks at her intensely. He hoped what Holodoc said wasnt true. He didnt want to believe that one of his squadron would take drugs.
He cleared his throat hoping she was awake. She jumps and slowly turns to face him.
* * *
Brie
As Brie entered the med lab she saw Major Lucian was heading towards one of the cubicles. She had heard that Lt. Stadia was there, he was probably visiting her. Brie would make the time later to see how she was feeling. She was there to see either Holodoc or Doc Bkj. She needed have Najin officially released and returned to active duty. He was VITAL to the upcoming mission.
Having been informed by Phoebe that Holodoc was busy, Brie took a seat. She wasn't going anywhere until she had made her case.
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Post by LucianG on Mar 30, 2007 21:59:08 GMT -6
Stadia
She looked deep into his eyes and knew what he was thinking. Her heart sank. If he thought she had taken the stuff, how was she going to convince the others she hadnt.
"I didnt take any of it sir. I value my career to much to try and mix the two." she grimaces as she tries to talk. Her head still feeling like it had been hit by a viper.
Major Lucian looks at her with the eyes of a father urgently wanting to believe her. "If you didnt take it then who would have reason to slip the stuff to you?" he asked as he moved to the side of the bed.
At that moment Urdea enters the cubicle. He nods to Lucian and looks at Lt. Stadia.
"Glad to see you awake. After you crumpled up in my office and after hearing about the seizure, I wasnt sure you would be here to talk to us."
Stadia nods and continues to answer the Major's question.
"I have reason to believe it was related to that incident involving Amy and me. I recognized the black shirt that was there. Selgin was his name, I think. Brain is a bit foggy. Anyways I had gone to Urdea's office to tell him about the guy and what I knew about him."
"And you think this is the guy that did this to you?" asked Urdea, jotting notes down.
"Its quite possible. I turned him in and testified against him. He went to the prison barge for a long time. I think in his mind, I betrayed him. I just cant figure out, if its him, what his connection to Amy is."
Stadia grabs her fore head. The pain is immense.She wishes she could connect Lt. Amy to the whole mess. Major Lucian seeing her discomfort, motions to Urdea.
"Lets give her time to get some rest." He turns to Stadia and says, "Feel better soon Lt. We will talk more about everything that has happened." He turns and walks into the main room.
Stadia lays down and closes her eyes. She feels tears roll down her cheek, partly from the pain and partly due to how screwed up her life is.
Meanwhile in the main part of medbay, Major Lucian, and Urdea are talking. Brie tells Holodoc that she wants to talk to Major Lucian and Captain Urdea and will be back
"I havent had a chance to checkout what she has told me. She showed me a series of courtroom scenes but that is about all she told me."
Major Lucian listens and nods. Brie cant believe what whe hears or thinks. She doesnt want to believe that a Colonial warrior would take drugs.
"If what she says is true, we could have a major problem on our hands."
Major Lucian takes a deep breath in and slowly lets it out. "Well look into it and let me know what you find. I feel there is more to this story then meets the eye."
Brie asks, "Do you really think she took the drugs, Lucian? I just dont want to believe that she would."
"I dont know what to believe. She has been torn up and distraught over shooting that Frodarian. Who knows what frame of mind she was in."
Captain Urdea asks, "What brings you to medbay Major Brie?"
* * *
Lucian
Brie replied, "We'll be coming out of the jump in a few sectons, and I want to be sure that one of my Warriors is back in form...."
Lucian turned away, concentrating on Stadia's situation. He couldn't imagine that she would take such a drug, but from what he'd heard, it was difficult to take something like brain crystals involuntarily without knowing it. That is, he thought, unless someone had developed a new delivery system.
He clasped his hands behind his head and stared down at the deck. Nurse Phoebe came over and asked, "Major, are you okay?"
Surprised at the attention, Lucian looked at her and said, "No Nurse, I'm not. I've got a Warrior over there who almost died under the effects of an outlaw drug. If, by some chance, she took that stuff herself, I have to ask myself why I didn't see it coming and didn't do something about it. I knew she was having a rough time, but I never dreamed she'd drop to the point of going for outlaw drugs. I guess the good news is that I don't think she took them herself; however, that makes me wonder how it got in her system, which is another worry all in itself. Now, I'm not sure if she'll ever fly again. Someone's really done a disservice to her and to the fleet, which gives our enemies an advantage. When that happens, things aren't okay, so Nurse--Phoebe--that's why I might look at least a little bit stressed."
Phoebe stood wide-eyed for a moment, looking at Lucian as if wondering if he was going to continue. He shook his head in disgust at the situation and left the Med Lab.
* * *
Captain Jorlan stood in the door to his quarters, appearing as if he was somewhat ill. He was "Yes? What do you want?"
* * *
Urdea received the call via his com link. Skyler's group had located Jorlan in his quarters. They would be bringing him in for questioning. "Please excuse me. Duty calls. Please keep me informed of Lieutenant Stadia's status. As a precautionary matter, I'm going to keep a couple of guards outside the Med Lab."
As he was walking back toward the Security Office, he thought, "Guards outside the Med Lab. That's becoming an almost permanent post!"
* * *
Stadia
Stadia stared at the wall. She felt so alone. She didnt have anyone to count on and the one person who had shown her kindness thinks she used outlaw drugs. She reached her hand up and wiped the tears away.
At that moment, she heard someone enter the cubicle. She carefully rolled over to face firing end of a laser pistol. Her eyes follow the barrel of the laser to it owner, Stelgen.
"How did you get past the security guards?" Stadia aslked thru pain filled eyes.
Stelgen eyed her with a lecerous eye, " I swore one day I would exact my revenge. When I saw you with Lt. Amy. I discovered my chance to take care of business and get soem personal stuff out of the way. Whatch your back." he said as he backed out of the cubicle.
* * *
Stadia tries to get out of bed. She stands on her wobbly knees and goes to take a step. A searing pain shoots thru her skull as she crumples to the floor.
Holodoc runs into the room and up on seeing Stadia on the floor, rushes into the cubicle. She turns to see Stadia laying on the floor.
Rushing to her side, she rolls Stadia over onto her back and checks her pulse. Finding a pulse she pulls back her eyelids to check for pupil reactivity. She calls to them other nurses and has them help her put STadia back into her bed.
A short time later the doctor comes out of the cubicle shaking her head. She heads to her desk and sits down. she places her head in her hands.
__________________________________________________________
Meanwhile in another part of the shihp, Major Lucian was in his office trying to get his paperwork done.
Tossing the papers down on his desk, he turns toward the painting on the wall. "Lords!", he hollars pounding his fist into his desk. He couldnt imagine her taking the outlaw drug. Where was it coming from? How long had it been aboard the Callisto.
His thoughts interrupted by a buzzer on his comm. panel buzzing. He flick a button only to hear Holodoc's voice.
"Its bad. Stadia had apparently tried to get out of bad and had another seizure. She is unconscious and on life support. I am worried she may not be around much longer. I'll let you know when we have more."
Major Lucian knew that this was the last straw. He had to find out who was doing this and why.
* * *
Amy81
The bridge situation was still chaotic, but nothing that would errupt into a violent mob scene like what had happened earlier. I watched Charybdis use his diplomatic skills to difuse the situation. He was pretty good at this.
No longer needed, I had hoped for maybe a moment of his time, but it wasn't going to happen now. I stood nearby, occasionally getting a quick glance from him, complete with raised eyebrows and an eye roll to go with it. He was stuck, so as I passed by to leave I gave him a discreet pinch on the butt. Noone saw, but he did stand up rather straight for a moment. He looked my way, but I kept on going, acting as innocent as I could.
I was heading for the Gold briefing room, the makeshift headquarters for my squadron during these difficult times on board. As I turned one corridor I caught a glimpse of an old friend of mine. I moved quicker, trying to catch up to him before he could spot me. He turned suddenly, and began to move quicker too, but it was too late. I grabbed him by the collar and spun him around, pushing him up against the wall.
"Well, well" I said with mock friendliness, "my old buddy Skuzzy! What's new?"
The black shirt squirmed but tried to keep what little cool he possessed inside his naturally squirmy body. "Lt. Amy" he acknowledged, but said nothing more.
"I said 'what's new'" I replied, pushing on him again to prod him along.
"Don't know nothing about nothing" he said.
"Oh no?" I said. "Well let me start things off. I nearly got ambushed by a bunch of Frodarians a while ago. I had to pound on a couple before I got some help from Stadia, but who do I see in the background? A black shirt. Who suggested I go there in the first place? A black shirt." I paused and let my grip on him loosen a little. "Now your turn."
"I don't know" he replied. "Honest, I don't. I'm not in the loop anymore. Honestly."
"Loop?" I asked. "What loop?"
"Lieutenant, I've got family. Don't make me..."
"Listen, Skuzball. I've got a long life ahead of me and plan to be around for all of it. If you know something, I want to hear it. Is somebody still after me?"
He sighed. I loosened my grip a little more. "Look" he said. "I don't know much, honest. Off the record..." he looked up at me. "Off the record?" he asked. I nodded. "Off the record, it was Adrian that started the whole mess with you."
"Too convienent, Skuz" I replied. "Dump it on the dead guy. Try again."
"It's true. And I know he's gone. But that whole thing was started by him. My guess is, and I'm only guessing now. MY guess is that somebody has picked up what he started. Wants too see it finished. That's what I think."
"But why?"
"Maybe you remember things? Maybe you're a danger to someone."
"But I don't remember much of anything" I replied, referring to the whole nasty incident involving Adrian, a black shirt who held a misguided grudge against me. I had nearly been killed, but ironicly it was Adrian who had saved me in the end.
"Look" he said. "Who knows with these blood hunts..."
I reacted instictively, slamming him back up against the wall hard. "Blood hunt! Do you mean there's a Noman on board?"
"I-it was just a-a figure of speech" he sputtered. "Jeez, are y-you jumpy or what?"
I leaned on him hard. "I get this way when people are trying to kill me!" I got real close. "I'm going to keep an eye on you, Skuz. If you step out of line for the smallest micron, I'll be right there."
"Join the list" he replied bitterly. I released him, smoothing out his shirt. I stepped back, and he slithered off while he had the opportunity. I could have taken him in, but what was the use? He would have clammed right up. I would have to keep half an eye on him, though. I walked on toward the briefing room, mulling over the conversation.
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Post by LucianG on Mar 30, 2007 22:00:55 GMT -6
Capt_Skyler
Urdea received the call via his com link. Skyler's group had located Jorlan in his quarters. They would be bringing him in for questioning.
Leading Jorlan through the corridors to the Security Office was easy. Almost to easy. They met a few crewmembers, and stray Security Officers, but nothing had happened. In fact Jorlan was walking like nothing had happened. He almost didn't care that one of his people had died this morning. He was too calm. Come to think of it, the Warriors in the Gym didn't seem to worried about it either. This was one erie assignment. Looking over his shoulder at Thunderhawk and Brik, he could tell they would be glad when it was over also.
* * *
Hawk14
I was going down to report for duty to Captain Urdea when I ran into Rose. "Hey stranger where have you been?" I asked. I gave her a very deep kiss. "Hey babe. I've been really busy checking out what you asked me to. Here's what I found from Holodoc." She hands me a piece of paper. I look at it and read it very carefully. So THIS is why I can't remember anything! "But this drug was illegal in the Colonies. Where could someone get this stuff?" I ask. "Search me. That's what I found out. Oh! I almost forgot. The person you asked me to check out,Lieutenant Selgin? It turns out that his record is pretty undistinguished. Although he did save a couple of families when the Cylons attacked the colonies. Pretty much a nobody. But he did object very loudly about certain labor policies in the fleet." Rose said. "Where does Skon come in on this?" I asked. "He met Skon when Selgin came into the Security corps. He came to Skon's aide when Skon got into a pub fight on Sagitaria. Something about Skon oweing 80 cubits to a socialator. I guess Skon and Selgin and about six other people were pretty cliquish since then. They hang around together and do almost EVERYTHING together." Rose said. "Ok. Thanks sweetie. See you tonight?" "You bet,lover." she replied. Her and I kissed very deeply and I went to Casptain Urdea to report my findings.
* * *
I get to where Captain Urdea is and he seems very busy. "Captain?" I ask. "Not now Hawke. I'm VERY busy. If you want to help start interviewing witnesses to the murder. If not get the hell out of here." "But Captain, I have some information that you might find interseting." I said. "Does it hasve to do with the murder investigation?" He asks. "No,not really." I asy. "Then it's going to have to wait. Goodbye OFFICER." "Yes sir." I mumble.
I go to the gym to workout. I go into an empty locker room to change. There I see Lieutenant Selgin standing by my locker. "Hawke you might want to improve your lot in life by meeting me at storage locker Beta in Alpha Launch Bay at 13:15 at Second Shift."he says. "Why would it improve my lot in life?" I ask. "You want that Major Breezy out of the way,right? Well,my boss is prepared to talk to you about it. Come alone and when you get there you will be searched. Don't tell anyone about where you're going. So no tricks if you know what's good for the sexy little peach of yours.. And you." I look at my chronometer and it's 06:36 of First Shift. Ok. I have 7 centars until I have to meet him. He goes to leve and I take a step toward him and he draws a blaster on me. "Stay right where you are." he says. He leaves without incident.
* * *
BSGRose
Rose wasn't sure what to do next now that she had talked with Hawke a little and given him the information he was looking for about a couple of things he had asked about earlier. Maybe she could go back to MedLab and talk with Holodoc some more about things. Holodoc was becoming a good friend to her, espicially since Rose didn't seem to have all that many with her hanging around Hawke, at least that is what she thought.
While she was walking along thinking some, Rose thought back to the party that took place not that long ago. She had planned on meeting up with Lt JustinB to have a drink with him, but she had arrived to the party after he had left and she wasn't in the mood to stay all that long since she had no one to really hang out with and talk with some about different things, so she had left the party after only staying a few centons.
Rose continued to walk along and came up on the observation area and decided to go inside for a little while before heading back to MedLab to chat with Holodoc some. She wanted a little time to think about things and where she should go next.
* * *
Brie
Major Brie was still waiting to talk to Holodoc when she saw someone else walk in. Brie knew who it was, Lt. Rose from Black Squadron. They had never met, and Brie decided to change that. She walked over to her and held out her hand. "I'm Major Brie. You're Lt. Rose, right?"
* * *
Lucian
“I can’t break him, Sir,” said Lieutenant Lawton. “He claims he felt sick and very tired during the Warriors’ reception, that he left early, and then had a hard time sleeping. Finally, sometime in the late hours of Second Shift, he dozed off after turning off his chrono alarm. His story’s been consistent, Sir, but it’s almost like it’s been rehearsed. I think he could be hiding something.”
“Of course he COULD be hiding something, Lieutenant. Your job is to determine whether he actually is!” said a perturbed Captain Urdea. Lawton hadn’t been his first or even second choice to lead Jorlan’s interrogation, but he’d won the job based on circumstances. Lieutenant Proteus was his first choice, but the volume of evidence being collected at the crime scene needed his full attention since he was by far the best investigator on the ship. Sergeant Leucia, with her psychological training was an easy second choice except for one major point: she wasn’t yet a commissioned officer, a situation that Urdea hoped would be corrected very soon. When she’d come aboard the Callisto just about 15 sectars before, Urdea had watched her closely, and within a short time, she’d earned his trust, a promotion to Sergeant, and private officer training sessions with Urdea or sometimes Proteus. Based on her performance under his command, Urdea suspected that she’d run into an illegal glass ceiling in her previous assignment, but she’d never admitted it to him. Rather than complain and risk making enemies she couldn’t defeat at the time, he guessed that was the reason she’d requested and, fortunately for the Callisto, been granted a transfer. Now, she was one of his most trusted officers, so he’d teamed her with Lieutenant Lawton. Based on what he’d heard of Jorlan, he had expected him to object to the presence of a woman in the interrogation room, but to his surprise, Jorlan had not even commented on it.
Lawton stepped out to visit the turboflush and get a drink, so Jorlan took a moment to speak with Leucia. “Sergeant, your assessment?”
“Sir, he hated the man, and had publicly stated that he’d do whatever it took to stop him from causing trouble,” said Sergeant Leucia. “Based on his body language and his voice tone and inflection, I think he’s sort of relieved that Yvarran’s dead, but I’m not sure if he had anything to do with it. I’d say it’s 50/50; however, I don’t think he’ll ever admit it. Considering who he is, we better have some really, really solid evidence if we’re going to prosecute. The level of proof required for a conviction will probably be much higher than usual.”
“Sergeant, take a more active role during this next session. Push him. If he’s as proud as I’ve heard, maybe he’ll be boastful and give himself away if you play your cards right. IF, of course, he’s the guilty one….”
* * *
Major Lucian had serious doubts that Stadia would do anything so stupid to herself, to her squadron, and to her ship, but the evidence that she’d taken the outlaw drug was compelling. Taking a detour, he’d visited the Science Lab for a while, and spent some time in the databases. On seeing something interesting on the screen, he’d occasionally locate a text in the library. It had taken close to a centar, but he finally found a suitable reference that had the information, including fairly recent updates, he was seeking.
“Ah, ha!” he said to himself. “There ‘tis!” He began to read.
‘xixicand cerebrum rapturus, also known by a number of common names, including Brain Crystals, Rapture, and XCR, is a highly potent hallucinogenic drug developed by the Colonial Military approximately 30 yahrens prior to the fall of the Colonies. It’s purpose was originally meant to be a more powerful truth serum, but tests showed that it was ineffective for its purpose in the prescribed amounts, so the research was abandoned; however, it is believed that one of the researchers on the project provided the formula for the drug to a crime syndicate, which experimented with doses between 3 and 5 times higher than that which had previously proven unsuccessful. At this dosage, it had a mild effect, but the drug taken in its oral form left a very bad aftertaste in the mouths of most users, so it was soon abandoned again. About fifteen yahrens after the Exodus, a group of criminals in the fleet experimented with the drug again, this time doubling the dosage again. The hallucinogenic effects at this dosage were reportedly incredible, but the side effects include uncontrolled brain hemorrhages. Resulting brain damage can lead to some or all of the following: loss of intelligence, loss of motor skills, paralysis, and even death.’
“Bad taste, eh? How can someone take this trash without knowing it?” Lucian asked aloud but quietly. It took him a while to find the paragraph on means of delivery. “Hmm. Crystalline powder in its natural state, mixed with food or drink, but bad taste usually follows…tablets, which are large due to necessary dosage generally used for maximum effect...fluid suspension, which leaves a bitter foul taste…and the injectable form which burns like crazy when it is injected. Great! None of the standard methods are possible due to the fact that the victim would realize something was happening…wait! Standard methods! What about any non-standard ones?”
Ten centons later he’d found it in another reference. “The crime syndicate group distributing XCR were reportedly experimenting with other means of delivery when XCR’s status as the new recreational drug of choice was suddenly destroyed with the start of the “hemorrhage epidemic.” The reportedly leading candidate was a clear, tasteless suspension that could be taken in water without aftertaste; however, no information is known about the outcome of the experiments, IF they were ever even conducted.”
Lucian printed a copy, put it in his pocket, and then headed to the Med Lab.
* * *
“Hawke, I don’t know if I should even give this to you, but Captain Urdea instructed me to do so. Therefore, I am. This little packet contains three tabs. If taken up to one centar prior to exposure to Wype, it will act as a neutralizing agent. The Wype simply doesn’t work.” She handed him the packet with three small tabs, which he promptly placed in his pocket.
“Holodoc, I’ve got a question for you,” said Hawke. “How does someone act if they’ve just been hit with Wype?”
* * *
It was getting late in First Shift when Lucian arrived in Med Lab. Seeing someone with Holodoc, he slipped quietly into Stadia’s area to find her sleeping quietly. He took her hand in his as he sat down, hoping that she'd pull through and that they'd be able to catch the bastard who would do such a thing. He'd be there to ask her a couple of questions when she finally awoke.
* * *
Stadia
“Holodoc, I’ve got a question for you,” said Hawke. “How does someone act if they’ve just been hit with Wype?”
It was getting late in First Shift when Lucian arrived in Med Lab. Seeing someone with Holodoc, he slipped quietly into Stadia’s area to find her sleeping quietly. He took her hand in his as he sat down, hoping that she'd pull through and that they'd be able to catch the bastard who would do such a thing. He'd be there to ask her a couple of questions when she finally awoke.
Stadia fights the darkness. She feels jabs of pain coming at her from all sides. She darts from one side to the other. Out of the corner of her eye she sees red eyes sliding back and forth. She starts running to get away from the red eyes. She runs into what feels like a wall. She turned to look at what she hit to find it was a cylon. Her eyes fly open, as her body arches up off the table. She looks around in absolute terror. She tries to swallow but finds something impeding her swallowing. She starts to panic struggling to lift her arms up… to get it out. Major Lucian, noticing her struggling, stands up where she can see him.
He leans over her to press the call button for Holodoc
“Shhhh. Your ok. You had another seizure and they put you on life support.” Hearing his calming voice, she relaxed back onto the table, her eyes closing once more.
Holodoc steps back into the room and checks the monitors. She looks at Major Lucian and motions him to join her outside. He follows her out the door. She turns to him and says:
“Lucian there is nothing you can do for her now. The trauma to her body is severe. WE have done all we can do. Its up to her and her will to live. You should go get some rest.”
Lucian leans against a desk as he contemplates her words.
“I cant. I somehow feel responsible for all of this. I found out some information that might help you and doc find a solution to this. I just hope its in time for Stadia” he pulls out the printout and hands it to Holodoc. She takes it from him.
Slipping back into the cubicle, he sits beside her bed. He takes her hand back into his. He stares at her, the anger boiling just at the surface. It all seemed so senseless.
* * *
Stadia
Stadia's eyelids begin to flutter as she claws her way out of the darkness she has been in. She grimaces as the light hits her brain. she reaches up her hand
.....to her forehead. "It feels like there are five base drums in my head", she mutters. she turns her head gently to the side.
She is taken a back by seeing Major Lucian asleep in the chair with a blanket tucked in around his neck. She stared at his fine chiseled features. She studies him awhile before Holodoc enters the room to check her vitals. Seeing Stadia awake, she smiles.
Holodoc carefully checks the tubing that helps Stadia breath. Holodoc runs her hand all the way down the tubing checking for blockages. She looks down and whispers, "He has been here since the first shift late. We tried to get him to go back to his quarters but he wont go." She smiles as checks the ivs.
Holodoc turns to Major Lucian and carefully shakes his shoulder to wake him up. He jumps out of the chair and starts to grab his laser pistol before realizing where he is. "Sorry Holodoc. Is she awake?" he ask as he turns back to look at Stadia. A smile creeps over his face as he notices that Stadia is listening and following along.
Lucian moves to her side and looks down at her. He takes her hand in his and squeezes it tightly. He hoped that would be the end of the seizures.
* * *
Lucian
Holodoc had stepped out, so Lucian tried to take advantage of the break. Stadia still appeared to be awake so Lucian moved close, and held her hand, giving what little comfort he could.
"Stadia, if you can, please tell me what this is about. We've got to put a stop to it, but I can't do anything without what you know. Please, talk to me if you can," he whispered. "I don't know you as well as I probably should, but I know you would know the risks and that you wouldn't intentionally do something like this to yourself. Talk to me."
"Major, Urdea...talk to Urdea. He knows. I don't know how but he did it--"
"Major! You aren't questioning her are you?" asked Holodoc who'd just stepped back into the area. "She's weak at the moment, and questioning her could cause her even more trouble!"
"Sorry, Holodoc, but we have to stop this from happening to anyone else. Take good care of her. I'll be back later to check on her."
As he started walking away, Stadia raised her voice slightly and rasped, "Get Urdea. He knows!"
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Post by LucianG on Mar 30, 2007 22:01:51 GMT -6
Stadia Stadia ...."Major," she gasped out,"He is after..." coughs,"He is after Amy too. he said soemthing about her. Something about taking care of business and personal." Stadia laid her body back on the bed. The quietness of the room broken only by her pain filled coughing.
Major Lucian paused in the doorway as he heard Stadias words. THis was what it had been all about. Someone had hired someone to go after Amy. The same person who had gone after Stadia. He walks out of the door and exits from the medbay.
Holodoc checked Stadia's vitals. "How do you feel Stadia?" she asked as she checked the tubing.
"I feel like I got hit by a viper on full thrust." Stadia grimaces as taking in air hurts.
Stadia closes her eyes once more and dreams of her family.
Stadia
"I feel like I got hit by a viper on full thrust." Stadia grimaces as taking in air hurts.
Stadia closes her eyes once more and dreams of her family. ___________________________________________________
Stadia woke up a few hours later. The pain in her head had gone away. She looked up at the ceiling of the medbay. She rubbed her eyes thinking the last week had to have been a nightmare. At least she thought it was a nightmare.
She turned her head to see Holodoc enter the cubicle. she smiled seeing Stadia was awake. "You are one lucky warrior, Stadia. Its not everyone who gets Major Lucian sitting by their bed side every moment they can."
Stadia blushes. She knows Holodoc is just giving her a bad time. She knows nothing could ever exist between them. He was the man in charge... She was just a warrior. The two shall never mix.
"How about we get you sitting up for a bit." she says as she raises the bed up so she is sitting up. Stadia's face whitens as she changes her angle. Holodoc says, "That should change after sometime. Your body has to orientate itself to the changes."
_______________________________________________________
Meanwhile Lucian heads toward Urdea's office to question him about what Stadia had said. He knew that Stadia had told him and Urdea about this guy Stelgen but what did she mean when she said he did it?
He ask himself why this incident was driving him past the point of exhaustion? Why was he sitting next to a warrior he barely knows when his own code of conduct prevents him from becoming involved with a warrior under his command.
Lucian enters Urdea's office to find him out. He leaves a note and decided to head back to his quarters to get much needed rest. _______________________________________________________
Stadia takes in a deep breath. The pain wasnt as deep as it had been. "I think I am on the road to recovery."
* * *
Hawke14
I go to the SOQ to get changed. I'm glad Holodoc gave me that neutralizing agent. I get there and notice a note underneath my pillow on my bunk. It says: ----------------------------------------------------------- Remember what I told you. And bring 10kg of Hyperion explosives. You're in too deep now to pull out. And if you do,we know where your girlfriend is. Don't tell ANYONE. This note will self destruct in 5 seconds.
S -----------------------------------------------------------
I toss it in the waste basked as it starts flaming. Great! Where in hades am I going to get 10kg of Hyperion exploives? And what was it going to be used for? Then I remembered that we have a storage locker for explosives. But it was all inventoried. I'm sure that they wouldn't miss only 10 kg. 100 or 1000 MAYBE. I put on a clean uniform and bring my sidearm. I make sure I have the tablets. I check my chronometer. 07:35 First Shift. Great. 2 more centars to go until Second Shift comes on. I'm running out of time. I make my way down to the explosives locker. The Officer On Duty greets me. I give him a cheerful "How ya doin?" We shoot the breeze for a bit. I tell him Urdea told me to inventory the explosives. He says "They were inventoried last Sectar." "I know,but seeing that there was a murder he wants me to inventory the explosives in case any of it comes up missing in the aftermath." I say. He shrugs and lets me in. I grab an inventory workpad and set to work. He goes back to what he was doin. After about 10 centons of actually inventorying the explosives I go to the Hyperion explosives. I take a mental note of how much is actually here. 90kg. This is going to be tough. I take the 10kg and stuff it into a pouch that I found nearby. I put it into my tunic.I mark down 80kg for that explosive. It's going to take Urdea a while to find the discrepency seeing he's busy with the murder investigation.. I finish inventorying the rest of them and I drop off the workpad. I leave. As soon as I'm down the hall a bit I let out a sigh of relief. I look at my chronometer. 12:35 Second Shift. I pop one of the tablets into my mouth and swallow it.
* * *
I dump the envelope with the other two pills into a storage locker. I'm waiting around the appointed area for approximately 45 centons when Selgin,Gosshen,and someone I haven't met before. "Ok, let's get this over with." I say. I hold my hands up. Selgin says "Officer Skaaran, will you do the duties?" So that's the unknown's name. "With pleasure." he says. Skaaran takes my sidearm and proceeds to search me. He finds the pouch of explosives. I feel something hit me in the back hard. I drop to one knee. I glare at Skaaran. "You idiot, the boss wants to talk to him in person not from a Med Bay bed!" Gosshen says. "Hey. Ease up. I'm just letting him know who's in charge!" Skaaran says. "You do that again and the boss will have your head up on a staff. Got it?" Gosshen says. "Give me the pouch." Gosshen commands. Skaaran throws the pouch to Gosshen. I cringe. I think everyone else does too. Fortunately Gosshen catches it. Everyone lets out a sigh of relief. Gosshen and Selgin walk over and summarily give him the beating he deserves. Not that I don't mind seeing it but I have to break it up. "Don't do that. Hey stop that." I say so low nobody hears me. "Hey guys, remember why we're here?" I say louder. "Don't EVER be that stupid again! This pouch is full of explosives!" Gosshen says. He racks Skaaran one more time accross the face. He says to me as he passes by "Morons.I got morons working for me. It's getting to be that there's no fun in being mischeivious anymore." And then to Gosshen says to Selgin, "Pick him up. make sure he can walk. We'll deal with him later." After we go from the meeting place I am escorted to a room and placed there. I'm told to sit down. There's a table and a chair in the room. I do as I'm told. About 5 centons later I see a gas coming out of the ventilation system. I pretend to pass out after 30 microns. The door opens and Gosshen and Skaaran pick me up and drag me what seems like around the ship. But in reality it was only 3 centons away. I could find my way back easily!! "Lords he's heavy! Hey Hawke,lose some weight will ya?" Skaaran says. "He's out,right?" Gosshen asks. "We put enough Wype in that room to knock out a grizzly bear. There's no way he's waking up." Skaaran says. "Good. As soon as we get to the room put a hood on him." We get to the room. I recognize where we are. I'm put down in a chair and then the hood goes on. I feel my hands tied to the chair. "Wake him." I hear a voice say. Something is sprayed in my face. I cough and raise my head. "Where am I?" I ask. "Don't worry about it Hawke. We'll conduct this interview not you." That voice! The gravelly sound to it. Could it be a Nomen? "Seeing that our implication of Jorlan killing Yvarran isn't working out, we have decided that we need more competent help. We want you to join our cause. And if you don't I will slit your throat personally. Right here. Are you in?" "Yes. As if I have a choice. What do I have to do?" I say. "Take his binds off but leave the hood." he says. I feel my binds being loosened. "As your initiation to our group,we need you to take care of a matter that you've brought to our attention as well as a seperate botched matter. We want you to kill Major Brie and Lieutenant Amy secretly. Preferable all in one fatal swoop. But if you need to do it seperately...So be it." "And how's that going to be accomplished?" I ask. "You will use these explosive devices. The first one will be in case you get the Major but miss the Lieutenant. You know what the second one is for. You need to get this done QUICKLY. And remember secrecy is the ultimate. Don't fail us Officer." he says. "I understand." I say as I put the devices in the pouch that had the explosives.. "Get him out of here." I'm sprayed one more time. I pretend to pass out. I am escorted out of the room. But it feels like we're going a different way. The hood is removed and Gosshen and Skaaran leave.
* * *
Lucian
Knowing that he was probably being observed, possibly by persons or things unknown, Hawke stood up and shook himself as if trying to throw off the effects of the drug. He gently felt the pouch at his side, and feeling the explosives "safe" inside, he headed off to check on Lieutenant Rose. As he did, he felt as if he was being watched, but as he walked, no one was in sight.
* * *
It was so late that Urdea had finally had the questioning of Jorlan ended for the cycle. His story wasn't changing, but Leucia still felt that he was probably hiding something. Urdea spoke with Commander Sheba, and on giving her the brief outline of the evidence, recommended that Jorlan continue to be held for additional questioning and allow additional tests to be run.
Sheba said, "Hold him, Captain, but sort it out quickly. For every centar he's held, the level of rage in our Frodarian friends grows. Some hate him because they think he killed their leader, and others hate us for us thinking that he killed their leader. Either way, we lose. Good night, Captain."
She went back to bed, but troubled thoughts kept her awake....
* * *
Brie
Brie made light conversation for a centon or two with Lt. Rose, but it wasn't a comfortable situation. Brie knew that Rose was seeing Hawke, and Hawke blamed Brie for his demotion. Brie still didn't understand why he thought it was her fault, she hadn't forced him to disobey orders or to deck her in the jaw. It was too bad, because Hawke was a darn good pilot.
Realizing that Holodoc wouldn't be free anytime soon, Brie excused herself and went to talk to Najin. He was back in the MedLab, since he had never been released in the first place. "Hey, Boss," Najin said with a smile. "Am I in trouble again?"
"We all might be," Brie said. Noticing the puzzled look on his face, she explained the food situation. "I'm trying to staff the mission, and if I can get them to spring you, I want you on it. You'll have to work hard to get back into top shape, just in case you've gotten a little soft in here."
"I can do it," Najin assured her.
Brie hesitated. "One thing. Because of her knowledge of agriculture, Amy's on the mission as well. Are you going to have a problem with that?" She hated asking that question, but the survival of everyone on the Callisto depended on the success of this mission.
"We'll be fine," Najin said.
Brie didn't doubt it, he was sometimes reckless but he was a warrior through and through. "Okay, then I'll do what I can. Get your strength back, okay?"
Najin smiled again and Brie went back to waiting. She still needed to talk to Holodoc or Doc Bkj.
* * *
Major Brie was growing restless. She knew how busy the medical staff was and wasn't upset that no one yet had the time to talk to her, but she couldn't stay much longer. She had promised the Frodians that she would keep them updated on Yvarran's murder, and the situation was very delicate at the moment so she had to tell them something, even if it was that there was nothing to yet report. She sat down and wrote the following note, making a copy for Holodoc and another for Doc Bkj:
Greetings. I realize how busy you both are, and I can understand why there wasn't time to talk to me. Let me tell you what is happening. I need for Lt. Najin to be released officially from the Med Lab and returned to full active duty as soon as possible. I've spoken with him, and he is willing to put in the extra work to return to his previous physical capacity.
As you know, there is a food shortage aboard the Callisto. In the next system Gold Squadron is sending out a patrol to try to find food, since we will most likely run out before we rejoin the fleet. Najin is CRUCIAL to the mission, he's probably more qualified than most of us due to his experiences on and off the Aggi. He is needed for this mission.
And so I ask, unless it would be detrimental to his health, release him. We have enough time before the mission to prepare him for it. Please let me know ASAP. The future of everyone aboard the Callisto depends on this.
Thank you.
Major Brie Gold Squadron
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