On The Edge Chapter 3
Admiral West POV
After I heard the message from High Command, I was wondering what the fuck was going on. Whatever this thing is, it's not good and from what I understand it wants to cause harm. We need to get there. We need to get there like now. Let's see what potential this engine has, as it is the newest and I was told it is supposed to be the fastest. Before I do anything, Lee needs to shower and we both need to get dressed.
"Lee, come on. We need to shower and get dressed." I say as I push him off of me, kissing him.
"Do we have to? I'm comfortable just like this though."
"I know, I am too, but there are more pressing matters. Matter that I must attend to. Now get your ass in the shower."
"Okay. Okay. I'm going." He kisses me. "Are you going to join me?"
"No. I'll be on the bridge. I need to assess what is happening with that thing we are headed towards. Don't be too long now." I kiss him and slap his ass while he heads into the bathroom. I get dressed and get my hair straightened out so it doesn't look like I have that fresh sex look.
"Helm, set a course to the new coordinates that were given to you in that message, and increase speed. Fasten your seat belts ladies and gentlemen, we are about to do something that has not been attempted before. Our engine that was installed while we were being retrofitted with upgrades, is only experimental and highly dangerous." At that point, Lee walks onto the bridge. "Lee, make a ship-wide statement for nonessential personnel to report to barracks, and fasten their seat belts. We are about to jump to transphaesic speed 3."
"Yes sir." He goes over to the console on the Captain's and pushes the ship wide communications button. "Attention all nonessential personnel and crew members, please report to barracks and buckle up. I repeat, all nonessential personnel and crew members, report to barracks and buckle up. We are about to increase speed to transphaesic speed 3. Thank you."
I walk over to the Captain's chair, and buckle up. Lee finds a chair and buckles up too. I look around to make sure everyone has strapped in, so to speak. "Ensign, input new coordinates and increase speed to transphaesic speed 3. Let's hope we end up at the right place. Punch it." The next thing you know, everything is twisting and turning. That's all I remember before blacking out. I wake up to someone shouting my name and shaking me, and all I hear is this loud alarm going off in the background. The sound is familiar, but I can't place it.
"Admiral West! Are you ok? Admiral!" says an unknown voice.
"Who the fuck are you and what do you want?"
"Admiral, I'm Dr. Wessen. I'm your Chief Holographic Doctor (CHD). Nice to make your acquaintance sir." I try sitting up, but the CHD gently pushes me back down. "Don't try sitting up just yet. You've gotten a concussion after we arrived at the destination. The bridge crew suffered some minor injuries. You, on the other hand, were thrown across the bridge. From what I can tell, your seat belt malfunctioned right before we increased speed."
"Thank you Doctor. Lee, I want a damage report. Did we end up in the right place at least?"
"Hull breach on decks 5-6, sections 29Aplha to 54Omega. The nacelles have been badly damaged from enemy fire. Engineering reports the engine is offline. The computer won't do an auto restart. The Chief Engineer says we need to do a manual reboot of the computer for the engine to come back online. The breaches have been sealed and work and medical crews are there assessing the damage and are treating the wounded. We did end up at the right place sir, but the fleet that was here trying to contain the entity has been destroyed. It would have destroyed us, but something happened to our ship while it was firing on us, it just stopped. Nobody knows why it stopped, but it's just sitting out there, doing nothing."
"I know why it stopped, and all I can say is that, it's also an experimental technology that High Command is having us try out, but that's all I can say about it until I get clearance from the Director. Can I sit up now Doctor?"
"You may Admiral. I give you a clean bill of health. Just keep a watch on the bruise on your head. If you get any bad headaches, come see me immediately."
"Thank you Doctor. You may go. Lee, tell the Chief Engineer to move us out of firing range from the entity to do a full manual computer reboot. Just as a precautionary measure."
"Yes Admiral." The ship slowly moves out of range. "Admiral, he says we are out of range and are ready to do the reboot."
"How long to do the reboot?"
"Approximately 3 minutes."
"Good. Let's do it. Tactical, keep an eye on that thing. Make sure he doesn't move an inch toward us, because we won't be able to do anything for three minutes." The lights go to the emergency blue lights as everything goes dark. The only thing that the computer doesn't really effect is the view screen and life support systems.
"Admiral?.."
"Aahh. Mr. Gaeda. I was wondering when you were going to show up. Security, take Mr. Gaeda here into custody. Mr. Gaeda, you are being taken into custody for mutiny against the U.S.S Burdge. Strap him and gag him. Take him to HoloSuite 2, I'll be there in a few minutes."
"Yes Admiral."
"Admiral, I'm afraid I don't know what you're talking about." Says Mr. Gaeda
"Oh, but I believe you do. See, we aren't in any actual trouble or aren't really on the bridge. In fact, we are in the holobay. Computer, end program. Gaeda, I just had a funny feeling when I first met you, so I did some digging on you. Turns out, I found this holofile hidden deep within the system. You also have quite a few reprimands for insubordination as well. It's a wonder why the Captain asked you to be his first officer. Makes me think that he plays a part in this as well. I guess we will find out. Bring the Captain here."
"Yes sir."
"Lee, I noticed, when I was going through your file that you've had torture training along with many other things that I require from you. I have created a program that I think may suit your needs with everything that you need for this assignment."
"Sir?"
"I want you to torture Mr. Gaeda here, in front of the Captain." The Comm chirps.
"Yes?"
"Admiral, the Emperor is on Emergency Channel 1, and is requesting that you speak with him immediately."
"Patch it through to my quarters. Lee, here's the program," I hand him a computer chip with the program details. "This is what I want you to run. You should find the necessary tools needed. If you want or need more, you know how to create them. Call me if you need me."
"Yes sir." I faintly heard as the doors closed behind me. I wonder what the Emperor needs from me. I'm too busy for this! Next thing I know, I'm being thrown across the corridor and the alarm klaxon is blaring: "Alert Alert." What the hell is going on? The ship rumbles. I must get to the bridge to find out what's going on. The Emperor can wait. My personal handheld terminal beeps. It's the Emperor.
"Sir, I'm going to have to call you back. My ship is under attack, and I must find out what is going on."
"That's why I'm calling. There is a new humanoid species that was just discovered a few months ago. We sent Ambassador Dunham, but we haven't heard from him in three days. And I'm assuming that whoever is attacking you, is this new species. Be careful Admiral." The transmission ends.