Carpathia V: Episode 11 - El Gato Uno
NCCS Shadowdancer
Several hours passed, and with few shakedown issues, Ivy retired to her ready room, leaving Teren on the bridge. After a thrilling launch, the ship quickly slipped into a mundane routine, with much of the interest confined to the retro controls and accommodations. Though the atrium dome was half the size of the Chrono Blade's, it was still spacious and one of the few ships in the fleet that had one. Nobody complained.
As the Shadowdancer crew settled and familiarized themselves with the functions of the ship at speed, Riku stepped onto the bridge and approached Teren, rather more timid than his usual self.
Riku: Commander?
Teren looked up and flashed a toothy grin at Riku.
Teren: Ah, Riku. You piloted well when we departed Andrast.
Riku: Thank you, Commander. I've always wanted to do that.
Teren: I'm surprised to see you here considering your shift ended a half hour ago. Is there something wrong?
Riku didn't answer right away, but wrung his hands together while Teren caught a glimpse of someone else out of the corner of his eye, to the side of Riku and looking even more distressed. Half human, half elf, by his reckoning, for it was only human genes that could produce an elf with brown skin. None of this was a problem, however. The problem was that he wasn't a member of the Shadowdancer crew.
Now, Teren's full attention was on the stranger, eyes narrowed menacingly.
Teren: Hello, person I don't know.
Zaos: I am Lieutenant JG Zaos Abernathy, Sir.
Teren covered his face with his paw while Riku attempted an explanation.
Riku: You see, Commander...
Holding out his paw, Teren shut down Riku immediately.
Teren: Let me guess. You invited Zaos to your quarters, maybe last night, wrung him dry, and he overslept until just a bit ago. How close am I?
Zaos: Correct, Sir.
Teren: And now the biggest question is where you belong.
Zaos: NCCS Tengu, Sir.
Teren let his head flop back onto his headrest, clearly annoyed.
Teren: And they just departed Andrast to patrol the border. Kau, contact the Tengu.
Kau: Yes, Commander.
Teren turned back to Zaos, this time glowering at him.
Teren: I'll get the whole story from both of you eventually, but you're the one who is responsible for being where you're supposed to be. We're not turning around entire ships just because one person can't wake up in time and you might be here for awhile.
Kau: I have Captain Lucero, Commander.
Teren: On viewer.
Teren stood as he gave the order and was straight and tall at the moment that Captain Lucero appeared on the viewer, his intense eyes peering down upon all of them.
Guillermo: It is good to see you again, el gato uno.
Guillermo's deep, resonant voice boomed out all over the bridge, gentle, yet terrifying all at the same time.
Teren: Apologies for disturbing you, Captain. I'm afraid we have a situation to discuss.
Guillermo's eyes drifted to the side, toward Zaos, who had his hands clasped tight in front of his body and began developing a rather impressive flop sweat.
Guillermo: Ah, I see you have my missing tactical officer. This must be what you wish to discuss.
Teren: Correct, Captain. Obviously, neither of us are going to turn our ships around, but I thought I should give you a heads up so that you know where your officer is. We can arrange transport later.
Guillermo paused as he looked away for a moment, twirling the end of his moustache.
Guillermo: Espera, espera, gato uno. I have an idea. I know that the fleet is short on tactical officers and I hear that you are also bereft, sí?
Teren: That is true, Captain.
Guillermo: As it happens, I have two tactical officers. If your captain wishes, I can leave Zaos on your ship.
Teren folded his arms across his chest, unconvinced, but ultimately, it was not his decision to make.
Teren: I shall have to consult with Captain Tyler.
Guillermo: Understandable. No hard feelings if you reject my offer. Under the circumstances, I am not sure I would say yes either. Now, Lieutenant Abernathy. Step forward.
Zaos hesitated with a look of fear on his face. After wiping his brow, he meekly shuffled forward.
Guillermo, dissatisfied with Zaos's haste, leaned closer to the viewer himself until his entire face filled the screen.
Guillermo: Closer, closer, chaval mío.
Zaos shuffled faster, now with eyes fixed at the floor until Guillermo decided that he was close enough.
Guillermo: If Captain Tyler accepts my offer, your punishment will no longer be mine to give, but know this. You have inconvenienced hundreds of people. Do not expect a lighter sentence from Captain Tyler.
Zaos nodded in little spurts.
Zaos: Yes, Captain.
Guillermo: I bid you adios, el gato uno. I look forward to our next encounter.
Teren: I will take your proposal to the captain right away. Teren out.
Teren turned his attention to Zaos as the screen went dark. With a distinct look that he might have just wet himself, Zaos finally looked up for the first time in awhile.
Teren: Both of you, with me, to the ready room.
Ready Room, NCCS Shadowdancer
Tension filled the ready room, mostly wrapped in a Zaos-shaped bundle standing at full attention in front of Captain Tyler's desk. Teren and Riku were granted seats when they walked in, but Zaos was left to flounder in the open, back straight, feet together, and hands glued firmly to his side for a full half hour while Ivy grilled him on his story and got the details on Guillermo's proposal.
Ivy: Riku, I cannot find any wrongdoing on your part. You woke him and told him to get dressed and leave before you started your shift, correct?
Riku: Yes, Captain.
Ivy: Next time, I would suggest that you ensure that your non-crew guests actually leave your quarters with you. Bear that in mind for the future. Dismissed.
Riku stood immediately, straight and firm.
Riku: Understood, Captain!
Without another word, Riku turned and exited the ready room with Ivy noticing every eyeball on the bridge attempting to peer inside in the brief moments that the doors were parted. When they closed again, she directed her attention to Zaos.
Ivy: Sit.
Zaos, as though he had been waiting for this moment for an eternity, practically jumped into the chair that Riku once occupied.
Ivy: It seems I have some time to think because we won't be likely to encounter another transport ship until we get to Tokkastra. That said, I'm inclined to accept Captain Lucero's offer. What do you think, Teren?
Teren: Reluctantly, I have to agree. You have much to prove, Lieutenant. Not many wind up in a posting as ignominiously as you have.
Zaos: I'm very sorry. I take full responsibility.
Ivy: Oh, you're going to do more than that. In addition to proving yourself, you're going to have two jobs on this ship. First, you need to be certified on Shadowdancer-class tactical systems. That will begin immediately. When you're not doing that, you're going to be doing the daily cleaning of the galley kitchen. I think our chefs down there could use a break, don't you, Teren?
Teren: Absolutely, Captain.
Ivy: This shall continue until I say otherwise. I will let you know in 24 hours if you'll stay here or go back to Captain Lucero. Understood?
Zaos: Crystal clear, Captain.
Teren raised an eyebrow, just enough for Ivy to take notice out of the corner of her eye, and she filed it away for later.
Ivy: Wait on the bridge for further instructions. Teren and I are going to chat first. Dismissed.
Zaos stood up straight and answered forcefully.
Zaos: Yes, Captain!
As with Riku before, Zaos hurried from the ready room, with the same crew attempting to get a glance at the room while the doors were open.
Ivy: Something caught your attention a moment ago.
Teren: True. He called you "Captain" just then. Before, he only addressed me as "Sir." Very formal, as expected of Captain Lucero's crew, but it appears that he has already observed that we address each other by rank instead of the more formal, impersonal "Sir."
Ivy nodded along as Teren spoke.
Ivy: So observant and a quick learner. That's at least one positive for now. I'd like to spend a little time with you taking a quick look at his service record.
Teren was already scooting his chair closer to Ivy's desk as he answered.
Teren: I'm curious too.
Teren leaned on the desk while Ivy called up Zaos's personnel file.
Commissioned art in Carpathia from:
AvareonArt
Zelbunnii
Less_End
Colourbrand
Falke2009
Nalaxa Art
