Hardcase's Downfall: Dust and Echos

Posted on Sun Mar 8th, 2020 @ 11:54pm by Division Admiral Thomas Lasky & Commander Ethan "Hardcase" Duval & Lieutenant JG Rachael "Ripcord" Yamaguchi-Cullen

Mission: Mission 75: Through the Looking Glass
Location: Various Locations - USS Roanoke
Timeline: 1430Hrs - April 6th

Commander Tom Lasky entered the hanger first. Duval and Yamaguchi behind him, he made his way towards the hanger tower as he needed to speak with a few people. "Is Zarloos about?" Lasky inquired

The small being turned. "Yeah Commander. Whats up?" Zarloos inquired with a smile, his whiskers twitched as the small being regarded Lasky. "What can I do for you?"

"I need a shuttle, one you don't want back.." Lasky responded lightly.

Zarloos chuckled as he nodded. "Saving me the trouble of disposing of one of them... What do you want it for?" Zarloos inquired.

"I want it for a long distance trip to Deneva..." Lasky responded.

"Okay." Zarloos responded. "I'll need two hours to make the arrangements for you."

"Sounds good to me." Duval spoke for the first time, his tone was soft but he accepted his ticket out of this insanity that he had found himself in.

Zarloos nodded his small furry head before he gave the orders to get things moving on Shuttle Echo Four Nineteen. "Come back in two hours guys..." as he shifted his attention over to Rachael Yamaguchi. "Whats up Ripcord?" Zarloos asked of her.

"Oh I'm just here for moral support.." Rachael answered with a smile as she indicated Lasky with her right hand.

Zarloos nodded her head. "Alright.."

Lasky turned to Duval. "Go on back to your quarters, pack your stuff and come back here in two hours..." he paused. "And you can depart quietly."

Duval nodded his head before he took his leave. Rachael Yamaguchi raised an eyebrow as she held her silence until after Duval was gone. "Sir... May I speak freely?"

"Rachael.. You know my policy..." Lasky sighed softly at his once young protoge. "Its not changed."

"No... But this situation has." Rachael indicated the other personnel present. "I would not speak to you out of line before others... you know this.."

"I know... speak your mind..." Lasky responded quietly. "I have a feeling I know you are about to say.."

"Do you?" Rachael regarded Lasky with a rather dark look. "You could be setting loose that man.. that.. monster upon the galaxy.. How do we know he will make it to Deneva?" the young woman inquired softly. "He might look like Jeff Duval.. but he isn't not the sergeant major we both know so well.."

"You make excellent points Ripcord. I honestly don't know why I think he'll make it.. and you could be right.. But... I have faith he'll make the right choice."

Rachael was many things but she was a ruthless pragmatist. "Prehaps.." she responded. "Lets have a backup plan... Just in case."

"He's not a criminal Rachael. He's a man who needs help, rather specific help that we..-" he indicated everyone around them with both hands as he spread them wide. "-Can;t give him... So we should give him the benefit of the doubt... Maybe he will come back someday and be useful to us."

"I think he had you confused with the Lasky native to his reality.." Rachael responded. "Plataea has mentioned the alternate-Lasky's name to mom... Mom was horrified about it... But she didn't tell me what she had learned of the matter."

"Considering what Plataea has been through. I'm not sure I wish to know either." Lasky answered softly.

Meanwhile Duval went back to his quarters via way of an indirect route, he picked up the two duffels he had replicated upon arrival and he began recycling everything he owned, he had nothing of any permanence except his gear from the alternate reality he had once called home.

Once he had finished, he left the quarters with only the clothing he was wearing, his next stop was the quartermaster's office to turn the quarters back over to them. The he went off to the lounge for one last meal which he consumed quickly, after this his next stop was to the armory to retrieve his equipment and gear, once he had all of this in hand he was finally ready.

Then lastly his next and final destination was back to the hanger.

Zarloos and six techs were checking over the shuttle in question. "Skip nothing guys, if it needs fixing then fix it." Zarloos was saying as Duval approached. "Can I assist you guys?"

"Do you have any engineering skills?"

"I do actually."

"Good, Then we can use you.. Roll up your sleeves and give us a hand." Zarloos handed him a PADD and a toolkit. "We're just going over Four Nineteen and seeing what she needs for her flight... I assume you;'ll deliver her to the starfleet base on Deneva and that'll be the end of that?."

"Yes. Once I get where I am going... I'm sure I won't need her anymore.. So I'll look after her." Duval responded lightly.

"Okay." Zarloos answered.

A short time later. Duval was seated inside the shuttle as he got his clearance for departure. He activated the engines and within minutes, he was gone out of the hanger and into warp. Lasky watched him depart in silence and now he needed to go inform Lei Shen of the new student that Lasky was sending his way. "I hope you find what you seek Jeff Duval...Upon the astral winds."