Back with the updates - have bought a new laptop and lacked any form of publishing software - now fixed and back to writing. Enjoy
The noise on the bridge was unbearable. The sirens sounding red alert had broken and had been sounding now for over an hour. Shouting above it was nearly everyone who had something to say. Orders were barked back and forth, updates were cried out and to make matters worse, the clanging of the equipment to fix the broken alert were the loudest Jim had ever heard. This was by far the noisiest he had ever heard the crew and until Scotty worked his magic there wasn't a single thing he could do about it. He rubbed the bridge of his nose with his fore-finger and thumb and sighed. It wasn't the fault of the crew he told himself, they had to work in these uncomfortable circumstances as well. Uhura's eyes looked strained and Chekov looked pale. Jim took a deep breath and tried to imagine he was on the observation deck, alone, with no noise to distract him. He'd always thought silence was a nuisance but now he could appreciate the lack of sound on a new level. Scotty clanked away and Jim let out another sigh through his nose. He watched as his chief engineer cranked away at something under Spock's console. There was a clunk followed by a thud and a curse. The siren ceased. Jim let a tentative smile back onto his face. The silence held, only the comforting sound of the scanner penetrated the bridge. Scotty sat up. "All done sir."
There was a cheer, which Jim participated in, "Brilliant job Mr. Scott," he said meaning every word. Maybe now they could continue with the rest of the day in relative peace.