ILLUMINARRPG: (-80- 1330)- Lieutenant Able Breckinridge

[Charles Gatling]

Mission:  Death in the Shadows
Day: -80
Stardate: 2445.11.10

(Altair IV- Orbit - Defensive Station 7 -  Operations Center- Lieutenant
Able Breckinridge- 1330)

The day was passing uneventfully and the perimeter was secure. Ships coming
through the Altair system invariably were there for the purpose of supply
and restock of the stations and were monitored closely at all times. Very
few interlopers ever approached due to the warning buoys set outside the
system announcing the existence of a code red zone. Any ships straying into
Altair space were warned to expect aggressive action. Fighters on the
stations were sent out to meet them and the stations were armed and
shielded in case of attack. The picket line of defensive fortifications in
Orbit or stationed around the system could easily fend off a small fleet
and had overlapping fields of fire for support. This was how important the
Federation considered the planet to be as well as how determined it was to
guard its secrets. Those ships coming in for supply drops were identified
both by transponder and special access codes. A couple of ships many
decades ago had strayed in then attempted to run, chunks of them still
orbited the sun just within the systems outer reaches. Able continually
monitored communications to warn off any straying too close, if something
else came up he would turn the duty over to someone else for as long as it
took to rectify the matter.

A flashing light on his board denoted an incoming call. He pressed it in
reply.

"Operations control we have a problem with a command/control board in bay
5. It may be linked with an earlier repair. Could you send someone to look
into it please? It's on the same circuit as the isolinear chip that was
recently replaced."

"This is Breckinridge in Ops control, I'll be right down." He turned.
"Simmons take over here."

The junior officer jumped out of his chair and took the board as Able
hurried out.

(Altair IV- Orbit - Defensive Station 7 -  Cargo Bay 5- Lieutenant Able
Breckinridge- 1340)

The station wasn't large and it didn't take him long to key himself
through. Andrews motioned him toward his work room as soon as he came in.
Able glanced around and noted several people looking in his direction
expectantly as he neared the door. Andrews went in first and he followed
him closely. Once the door had shut he spoke.

"Good news?

Andrews turned to him with a guarded look, his hands were moving nervously.
"We are having some issues."

"What issues?" Able snapped. "You were only supposed to pull me down here
when it was time to move the plan forward. I can't be jumping away from my
post for every little detail. People will start asking questions."

He heard the door open behind him and turned his head to see Commander
Hardy enter. He bit back a curse, this was why they had protocols in place!

"Breckinridge what are you doing in here? You left your post to make a
repair not stand around gabbing with the scientists. You have duties to
attend to. If you won't do them I will replace you with someone who will."

"Now sir..." Able wavered between stepping back or forward. The CO's tone
wasn't friendly.

Hardy interrupted him. "Furthermore I've been watching what's going on down
here and I'm not impressed. This station is here for a purpose and it's not
being met. This has grown beyond my intent. I understand there's a lot of
boredom that comes with a station posting so I gave the staff something to
do but these specialists are eating up valuable time and are a distraction
from the true purpose of protecting this system. It is our duty, our only
duty and I can't let this continue. Forget the repair. I'm going to order
the immediate dismantling of this enterprise and ship non-essential
personnel out."

"But sir." Able's voice was rising. They were so close but they weren't
ready yet. He couldn't make a move that would trigger repercussions. It
would cause the dominoes of their discovery to start falling but he
couldn't just let him shut their project down! His fists were balled as he
stepped forward. The CO noted it and scowled.

"Stand down Brekinridge."

Able felt his face grow hot. Why in hell had that stupid genius called him
down now. One foolish call and everything was falling apart.

"Cease Outrider." The voice was that of Dr. Andrews.

Commander Hardy relaxed and his face went neutral. His hands lowered to
hang at his sides.

Able looked on agog for a moment as the wheels in his brain first spun then
gained traction. He looked from Hardy to the scientist. "You didn't just do
what it looks like you did!"

Andrews was smiling now. "You wanted to be sure and we had to be sure so I
set up a test. Your direction was he was to be able to stand up to a close
inspection. You have seen him now in action. What is your conclusion?"

Able walked around the android with mouth agape. "He had me completely
fooled. I thought you had brought the roof down on top of us. Voice, manner
and presentation were perfect." He stopped and looked at the scientist over
the androids shoulder. "I'm impressed. It looks like our plan can continue
forward."

Andrews nodded. "I figured you would say that." Then he chuckled.

(Reply: None)

(Posted by Charles G)






Charles Gatling
Commanding Officer
USS Illuminar
NCC 61240


"The light shines brightest amidst the deepest darkness."
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