Chains and Ladders - Part One

Posted on Thu Jun 30th, 2022 @ 4:40am by Commander Ethan "Hardcase" Duval & Commander Brigette Hanson

Mission: Mission 115: The Pale-Fac'd Moon looks Bloody on the Earth
Location: Various Locations - USS Gaarni
Timeline: 0900Hrs - November 10th, 2393

Commander Ethan Duval was sitting in his command chair, he held a PADD in his hands. He handed the PADD back to the ship's Chief of the Boat. "Thank you very much, Chief. Proceed with your plan," he commented with a nod of his head. "Keep me informed of the matter as it develops, please and thanks."

"Consider it arranged, skipper." the other man answered with a nod of his head. He smiled as he moved off, heading for his office where he would attend to matters. The matter was in regards to a brawl that had taken place in the lounge two nights earlier. All of the offenders had been held in the brig of the ship. Waiting for the Captain's justice which Duval would tend to, soon enough. Once the Gaarni was heading back to Vanguard, he would tend to the matter at hand.

The ship's communications officer turned her head. "Skipper. I'm receiving some traffic on several frequencies. Most of it is in Halanan military frequencies."

"Anything special?" Duval inquired.

"Most of it is heavily encrypted." the young woman answered as she worked her pannel. "It's a lot more encrypted than normal. Which in itself is unusual." she frowned. "I'm gathering it all and sending it to the intel guys for cracking," she added.

"Grand," Duval answered in a soft tone of voice, while he nodded his head in approval.

"Captain. I'm reading a second Halanan frigate approaching us. It's heading to join up with the first ship." the Operations officer commented.

"Mmmm..." Lieutenant Commander Brigette Hanson frowned as she regarded the display before her. "These two frigates are no match for us skipper. But they are most certainly shadowing us," she reported.

"Yes." Duval agreed. "I wonder why," he added. "Send them a standard query.?" he asked of his communications officer.

"Sending it now." the communications officer answered. "No answer," she added.

Duval frowned as he regarded the display. "Something isn't right here," he commented. "Helm. Are either of those ships trying to herd us or box us in?"

"Negative Captain." came the answer from the young man seated at the conn station. "They are maintaining their distance."

"I'll bet they are," Duval answered softly. "How long before we transit out of Halanan space?"

"Twenty-six minutes skipper." Ensign Smith, seated at Conn, answered.

"That's why," Duval muttered softly. "Someone pissed these guys off." Duval then tapped his combadge. "Duval to Fredrickson. Anything?"

"We're still working on the translation skipper. I'll let you know the soonest we get anything." came the response over the com system.

Hanson turned to Duval. "You ever get the feeling you are not welcome?" she asked.

"Oh yes. I know that feeling all too well. I'm getting that feeling now." Duval commented with a soft sigh. "Hannah Mueller's family are having issues with me because Hannah and I are not married yet."

Hanson smiled quickly. "That's easy to explain away, skipper," she commented. "They are concerned you are going to run out on her," he commented. "Leaving her to raise your child alone."

"That's actually what Hanna said. I said she had nothing to be worried about. Her family are unconvinced." Duval then let out a long sigh. "Hannah and I. We're still working things out and discussing matters."

Hanson smiled. "Always a wise plan skipper. Trust me, the ladies like to talk. The fellas like to charge in headfirst." she explained. "Why not just ask Admiral Duval to handle it. or Admiral Lasky to officiate. Either would be happy to do it, I'm sure."

"Perhaps. Hannah is more worried about her pregnancy. Our first if either of us has our way." Duval smiled. "Hannah is an exercise nut and she isn't shy about it either," he explained. "Hannah-" was as far as he got before the com system beeped. "Fredrickson to Duval. "Captain. We finished with those translations you requested. I'm going to run them up to you now."

"Grand. I'll be in the ready room when you get here. Don't knock, just come in." he commented as he rose to his feet. He turned to his first officer. "Brigette. The bridge is yours."

She nodded her head as Duval turned and went into the ready room. Lieutenant William Fredrickson appeared from a turbolift and went into the ready room without knocking. Duval was waiting within. "Skipper. The translations you wanted."

"Did you read them El-Tee.?" Duval commented.

"Only to translate them, skipper," Fredrickson answered. "I didn't read them recreationally," he added.

"Grand," Duval answered as he accepted the PADD from the other man. "It's all there, sir," he added.

"Thank you, Lieutenant," Duval commented. "Stay concerned, please. I have a feeling this isn't over."

"Of course sir," Fredrickson answered. "I have four more to finish translating," he commented. "You got two there."

"On your way El-Tee," Duval answered. He went over to his desk before sitting down and he began to read the messages.