Chains and Ladders - Part Two

Posted on Thu Jun 30th, 2022 @ 5:17am 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: 1000Hrs - November 10th, 2393

Commander Ethan Duval regarded the PADD in his hands. "Wow. Someone's in a bad mood." he mused aloud while he gently tapped his combadge. "Duval to the bridge. Number one, could you step in here please?" he commented as he let out a long soft sigh.

The doors opened and in walked Lieutenant Commander Bridgette Hanson. She had a concerned look in her eyes while she regarded him. Duval lightly tapped his combadge as he indicated a chair across from him. "We have a problem, Commander." he began without any preamble.

Hanson had seen Duval in various mental states but this was something completely new. "What's going on?" she paused. "It must be something serious," she added.

"That ain't the half of it." With that, he handed her the PADD in his hand. "Have a read," he commented as if he was ordering lunch from the menu in the ship messhall.

Hanson's eyes skimmed over the contents on the PADD. she then reread it slowly. "What... Are they serious about this?" she asked softly.

"As serious as they needed to be to put that in communications to their own fleet," Duval answered. "I somehow doubt this is a red herring." he paused. "But if it is, then it's a dammned good one."

"Maybe I'm just being paranoid skipper," Hanson answered. "But why this ploy?" she inquired. "Sending this kind of a document to their fleet is just stupid and they had to know we'd intercept it so easily," she explained. "No, we're missing something here," Hanson added.

"Or maybe they think we are just that stupid and would somehow miss it." Duval rumbled. "You know what I hate most, Bridgitte?" he asked of his first officer. She was supposed to be his most treasured officer and trusted right hand. She had proven her worth which meant giving her up to command the USS Calenz in a couple of days was going to really piss him off.

"That I'm leaving skipper?" Hanson regarded him with a gentle grin on her face.

"That too," Duval answered, the joke had done its job and he was really going to miss this woman before him. "But all joking aside. I hate people who think I'm stupid." he rumbled. "I hate it when people think I'm either too old, too feeble or too stupid." Duval sighed. "Or some of the above or all of the above." he let out a soft sigh. "Either way, this is a red herring and we're about to look really stupid or someone else got really stupid and we're about to capitalize on the matter."

Hanson nodded, she was going to miss the company of the big man before her. "We are presently heading back to Starbase Vanguard. Since this patrol won't be policed anymore, considering recent events. I expect the fallout to be sudden, swift and stupid."

"Yes. That makes two of us." Duval rumbled. "Did you have us go via warp or slipstream?" he inquired of his first officer.

"Slipstream," Hanson answered. "I wanted to disappear for a while and since we aren't allowed to use cloaks for whatever reason. I figured to have us beat a hasty retreat and get out of the area before those fools started shooting at us." Hanson let out a sigh before she raised a hand to stop Duval from asking. "I know what you're gonna ask and it really seemed like those two frigates were getting very pushy with their intentions. Even if they refused all hails and queries."

"That's something I'm going to discuss with Admiral Lasky," Duval commented. "Also, you'll be happy to know that I found your successor. But there's one little problem." Duval rumbled. He took a second to make himself comfortable in his chair as he sighed at her.

"Oh?" Hanson asked. "Who?"

"Captain Ouros Yamaguchi. She's in the marines." Duval answered. "If I had my pick of anyone in this universe to succeed you. It would be her."

Hanson raised an eyebrow. "You've mentioned her to me before. Wasn't she like your finest student, at one point?"

"She was." Duval slowly sat back in his chair as he regarded her. "What do you think?" he inquired of Hanson.

"If you think she's capable, then do it. Chase her and court her until she says yes. But I will warn you. Getting someone to transfer out of the marines is going to be a massive chore. But I think I can do it." Duval rumbled. "I expect the paperwork to be something utterly fucking stupid, however."

"Indeed," Hanson answered in agreement. "Still. I reviewed her file and she is skilled. I think she could make a good command officer. Provided she doesn't do anything stupid. Like deciding to start offing a bunch of people."

"That's why I want her," Duval answered. "That green uniform is a prison to her, much as it was to me," he explained. "She is a good marine, but deep down. She hates it, almost as much as I did." he sighed.

"Alright. I won't argue in protest. If asked, I'll support you. She has merits that can be harnessed and moulded." Hanson then smiled. "but, if I may be so bold. That document needs to end up on Admiral Lasky's desk soonest." she added.

"It will," Duval answered with a nod. "When we get back to Vanguard. I'll take care of matters." he breathed out and then back in again. "With this and with Ouros." he then settled back into his chair again.