Dead or Alive

Posted on Mon May 28th, 2018 @ 9:43pm by Captain Charybdis MacGregor & Commander Yuna Raza
Edited on on Mon May 28th, 2018 @ 9:43pm

0 words; about a 1 minute read

Mission: Operation: Risa!
Location: USS Bonne Chance, Deck Eight, Security Office
Timeline: 2265

Sitting at her desk back in the Security Shack, as it was referred to for some archaic reason even aboard a Constitution-class starship, Lieutenant Commander Yuna Celes was back to doing what she liked least about her job- paperwork. It wasn't quite as bad these days, now that she had a bit of a better grasp on it, but she still hated it with a passion. She'd much prefer being out there doing her job than sitting behind a desk.

As she looked up the doors hissed open, and the curvaceous Commander Charybdis stood squarely in the center of the doorway, hands behind her back, posture erect and a gentle smile on her face.

"May I come in, Lieutenant Commander Celes?" she asked politely. As the first officer, ideally she didn't need to ask permission, and as Yuna had left the door unlocked, obviously she was open to visitors. But Charybdis was often sensitive about treading into the other department heads domains, and preferred to show deference in their arenas out of professional respect.

"Of course, Commander," Yuna looked up from the padd she was working in, keeping her thumb on the spot where she was reading. "Business or pleasure?"

"I've actually come on business... there is a matter that has come up which bears investigation, I believe, and it may be somewhat sensitive in nature. May I?" she indicated the seat opposite Celes' own and slid her rather amply rounded rear into it.

"Lieutenant Junior Grade Rebian Reveran... Risian native, with a service record as long as your arm," Charybdis began, tossing a yellow data card on the security chief's desk. "He's a prankster and a lothario and insubordinate as they come... but he's also a brilliant fire control technician, and one of the best navigators in the fleet."

"Entered Starfleet Academy at age 21 and he's 35 now... he's been up and down the rank ladder so many times he should have a uniform collection, everything from a commander back down to an ensign. Frankly I was planning to bust him back down to ensign myself if he kept up his shenanigans on the bridge, but it's hard because he's so damned charming you really want to like him. And it's like he means well..."

"Where is this heading?" Yuna asked, plugging the data card into her computer console and pulling up the data contained within. She ran her eyes over the scrolling pages of information, her eyebrows raising a few times as she came to interesting tidbits regarding this young chap's career... or lack thereof at times.

"The issue at hand is that he has disappeared. Shore leave he disembarked for on his own world, then he didn't report back for duty when he was assigned. There is no chief navigator at the moment- Captain O'Conner isn't sure about any of the candidates so I'm handling their duty rosters for now, so I'm positive that he knew when he was scheduled to be back and that it wasn't a traded shift or some similar snafu." The efficient executive sighed as she pressed onward. "I know he is a scoundrel, but I don't think he would just go AWOL on his own home planet without a reason. So I'm ordering you to find him and bring him back. There is some hint of possible shadiness in his family background... it's all there in the file. So don't work alone... bring a partner, someone smart but dangerous you can rely on."

"Are you thinking foul play?" Yuna asked, her gut clenching a little at the thought of tracking down a wayward crewman who may or may not have run into trouble.

"I'm hoping not," the commander admitted. "I'd like to think that he has just gotten himself into a situation that is just a bit more than he can handle... how does the phrase go, 'bit off more than he can chew'? But there is the possibility that things may be grimmer than that... either way, take no chances. You know there is a criminal element down there and you know that they are armed and dangerous."

The first officer stood up. "Find him, Yuna, And bring him back home... one way or the other."

"I'll track him down Commander," Yuna started, before realizing what exactly she was promising. After all, Risa was a big planet. "And I will bring him... or what's left of him... home." She'd seen more than enough dead bodies to last her a lifetime already, and the thought of possibly having to bring home a fellow crewman so soon after... her mind trailed off.

"I know I can count on you. Do you have anyone in mind for whom to back you up?" Charybdis asked, trailing her finger along the desktop then poking it a few times. Obviously she had an idea, but wanted to hear what the security chief had to say.

"Depends... you keen for a little planet time... one that doesn't involve car chases and ripped dresses?" Yuna raised an eyebrow. Despite the adventures of their leave, she had enjoyed the company of her friends immensely.

"Never make a promise you can't keep, Yuna," Chary replied with a merry grin. "I'd love to go with you, but I'm in command this week while Patrick is planetside. So I was actually thinking your Master At Arms... Petty Officer Zarath. According to her service record she's really rather something, and a bit of a workaholic to boot... so with that in mind she looks like the ideal candidate. What do you say...?"

"Sounds like plan to me," Yuna said with a smile, as she mentally recalled the Petty Officer's service record. A sound, hard-working crewman with the ability to think on her feet, proficient in an amazing assortment of weapons and weaponry. Perfect.

At least, as long as she didn't bear the prejudicial attitudes of most Andorians toward 'pink skins'. But she was a member of Starfleet. Surely she got along just fine with her shipmates...

 

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