Carpathia V: Episode 9 - Getting Dirty
Andrast
There was no rush. Admiral Yoshida said so himself. The former Chrono Blade crew, now Shadowdancer crew, had a week to settle in and prepare for their first mission, a simple ferry run to Tokkastra and back. Captain Tyler decided that she wanted to let the crew have more rest, especially those who were visiting family or friends on Andrast. A deserved respite indeed from the stress of war.
With that in mind, Ivy decided to keep the new ship a secret, at least for a few days, so as to let the crew rest without worry for just a little while longer. Naturally, everyone found out within hours. A few remained on break for a few more days, but the rest abandoned their relaxation and flooded on board at an alarming rate. Before the end of the day, the ship was half full, giving Teren and the other department heads quite the headache assigning quarters on the fly.
Amongst the crew returning the fastest were the engineering team, with Sauron beating them all. Atrium? Boring. Quarters? Who cares. Every last one of them beelined straight to the engines and got to work punching buttons, examining schematics, and studying nominal operation charts.
Even when the engineers did get their quarters, they didn't do much sleeping. A few hours down and then back to studying. Everybody but Sauron, and for the last few days, Atsuo noticed her standing in front of the engine core with her eyes shut many times. He had his own work to do, so he didn't bother her, but finally, he just had to know and carefully sidled up beside her.
Atsuo: Is there anything you need, Comm...
Sauron: Shh. Just listen.
Flustered by the abrupt cutoff, Atsuo didn't speak, expecting there to be more. Just listen to... something? But no specifics came, so he stood where he was, letting the hum of the engines do their thing. After a solid five minutes, she opened her eyes and turned her head toward him.
Sauron: The Peregrine engines in the Chrono Blade are great, but they're so quiet. Too quiet, if you ask me. You can't beat the growl of these old Merlin engines.
Now, with understanding, Atsuo only nodded, keeping his mouth shut, and absorbed the sound and feel of the engine himself.
Sauron: I hear that the second gen Shadowdancer line will be using Merlin II engines. I hope the feel is the same, especially if one of those will be our next ship. You can't know an engine until you understand how it feels and sounds. I will teach you everything I know.
Atsuo smiled and took two steps away from Sauron, ending in a little bow, with his arms straight and hands planted tight to his sides.
Atsuo: Sensei.
Sauron responded with a grin and a side eye, culminating in a playful backhand to Atsuo's chest.
Sauron: Hope you don't mind getting dirty, because you and I are going to crawl all through these maintenance tubes and listen up close!
Sauron turned, facing the engineering team, and clapped her hands above her head. All immediately stopped what they were doing, dead silent now, making the engine hum even more pronounced.
Sauron: Atsuo and I will be wriggling through the maintenance tubes for the next few hours, so keep doing what you're doing! Don't call me unless something or someone is on fire! We'll deal with it after we get back!
After a chorus of acknowledgement from the crew, Sauron returned her attention back to Atsuo.
Sauron: Alright, let's go.
Atsuo looked down at himself, giving a quick brush of his uniform with his hands.
Atsuo: Now? Shouldn't I change my...
Before he could finish, Sauron was already shaking her head.
Atsuo: Right, getting dirty is the point. Lead the way.
Ready Room, NCCS Shadowdancer
With books on their shelves, wet bar fully stocked, and the little squeak in her chair properly oiled, Ivy finally started to feel comfortable in her new, albeit temporary, ready room. It wasn't easy, for the constant demands on her time gave her precious few moments to arrange everything.
Beyond her ready room, the ship teemed with activity and Ivy felt it was a fitting conclusion to the Shadowdancer's career. To have the ship alive one last time with a real crew before it became a dusty relic festooned with "Do Not Touch" signs, velvet ropes, and grumpy attendants ensuring that all the rules were followed. It was fitting, not just for the ship, but for the crew who once served on her, most of whom now missing after the successor, the Shadowdancer-A, disappeared into a wormhole.
Now, sitting directly before her, was Teren, one of the few who served with that crew, the Shadowdancer's former Chief of Security, now First Officer.
Teren: All quarters have been assigned. Most of the crew have returned. Regular duty schedules are still in progress. I have instructed the department heads to have that finished by the end of the day.
Ivy tapped at her tablet, checkmarking the completed items one by one and putting a hash mark on the ones not finished.
Ivy: Looks like we'll be ready to go with time to spare. Now, Teren, I haven't had a chance to ask you yet, but how do you feel being on your old ship again?
Teren sighed and lowered his own tablet into his lap.
Teren: I'm delighted to see the Shadowdancer alive again, but I also can't help but see ghosts in the halls. Amenaru with his underwear collection. Ramei sleep-eating in the cafeteria at 0300. I still have the hairbrush set that Kit gave me...
Teren's voice trailed off while Ivy flashed him a knowing smile.
Ivy: I still have hope that they're okay and that we'll see them all again.
Teren: No offense, Captain, but I feel like I should be with them.
Ivy gave an understanding nod when her communication chime sounded. She hovered her finger over the answer button, but did not touch it until she said one more thing.
Ivy: I understand that, but I'm glad you're here. I don't think we would have survived the Battle of Cytosia without your quick thinking.
Ivy lowered her finger onto the comm button and Kau's voice came through.
Kau: Admiral Yoshida and Captain Minas here to see you, Captain.
Ivy: Send them in, Kau.
In the short time that she had before the ready room doors would open, Ivy leaned forward and took Teren's paw in her hand. Her eyes met his as she gave it an affectionate squeeze. A quick moment, for the door slid open soon after, sending both Ivy and Teren out of their chairs, standing straight and tall.
Ivy: Good afternoon, Admiral.
As Admiral Yoshida entered, Alka, as expected, followed, but so did two more. One was Kerith, who resurrected the Chrono Blade computer core from the dead, and another, an aptaran, who she did not know.
Admiral Yoshida: As you were, Ivy. Teren. I won't be staying long. I understand that you are searching for a new Stellar Cartography officer. I would like you to meet Tris.
Tris slipped his way around the Admiral and made an extravagant bow in Ivy's direction.
Tris: Enchanté, Madame Capitaine.
Ivy, slightly bemused, paused for just a moment before responding.
Ivy: It is a pleasure to meet you, Tris.
Admiral Yoshida: Tris was part of the team that calibrated the Chrono Blade's stellar cartography instruments and he's been serving on my ship since then. Since I no longer have a need for a stellar cartography department, I'd like to recommend him to you.
Ivy paused again, this time longer, as she scoped out Tris from top to bottom, an act that didn't take very long since he was only four feet tall.
Ivy: You're right, and I haven't even had the chance to start looking. How about this? A trial period during our time on the Shadowdancer. After that, we'll have an evaluation. Sound good?
Tris's wings unfurled and produced a delighted wiggle.
Tris: Oh, I'm game! I'll do my best, Captain!
Teren: We should still have some quarters openings on Deck 4. I'll find him one after our meeting.
Admiral Yoshida: If the Captain is amenable to what Alka has to say, then you may be looking for two. In the meantime, since you're busy and I'm very familiar with this ship's layout, shall I go ahead and take Tris to his station?
Ivy: That would be very helpful, Admiral. Thank you. I think we're almost done here, so I'll meet you on the bridge soon.
With a simple nod, Admiral Yoshida put his hand on Tris's shoulder and steered him out of the ready room, a look that struck Ivy as a bit comical, for they appeared more like father and son rather than ensign and commanding officer. Now her attention was free to give to Alka.
Ivy: I have a feeling I know why you're here, but I'll let you do the talking.
Alka: Indeed, I have come to recommend Kerith for a position on your ship. He's very capable, but if I may offer up a weakness, he's not very good at keeping secrets. He told me everything that you said the second I saw him again.
Alka smiled while Kerith started nervously glancing around at everything in the room that wasn't a living being.
Ivy: A point in his favor that he's not a liar. I would love to have him and I think he'd be very useful on this ship. I highly doubt that the Shadowdancer has undergone any sort of efficiency or optimization procedures since the rebuild.
Kerith: I can absolutely help you with that!
Ivy: However, we'll need to start with an intense battery of training on Carpathian computer security protocols. Of course, with your expertise, you might have suggestions to make for us, but nevertheless, we need to ensure that our goals are in alignment.
Kerith: I understand. I'll study hard, Captain.
Teren buried his face into his notepad once again.
Teren: I will ensure that training and quarters are arranged, Captain.
Ivy: Very good. Alka, would you care to accompany me on my rounds? If you're interested in a tour of the ship, of course.
Alka: I would like that, Captain.
Ivy: Excellent. Teren, you have the bridge.
Teren: Yes, Captain.
Commissioned art in Carpathia from:
AvareonArt
Zelbunnii
Less_End
Colourbrand
Falke2009
Nalaxa Art
