Part 3
Set before and during Promises
Lyssa found herself standing in front of Braca's desk. She wondered why she was there. He had never called her to his quarters before. "Lieutenant, I have a new mission for you. In order to speed up the search I am assigning you to head a detail that will gather intelligence on the planets we pass near. You will select a couple of commandos to escort you. This is to be a low profile mission. We don't want our quarry to learn we are tracking them."
"Sir, don't you think a commando would be a better choice to head this mission?"
"Commandos think along straight lines. This mission needs someone who can think on her feet. I believe you possess the creativity necessary to be successful."
"Yes, sir," she answered reluctantly. She suspected Grayza was behind this decision.
"Dismissed, Lieutenant." Braca didn't like giving that order. He would be surprised if she lasted past the fourth planet. Lyssa was smart and resourceful, but had been trained for duty aboard ship, not this type of mission. He would have preferred using a commando. They were easily replaceable. The level of knowledge and experience Lyssa possessed would not easily be replaced.
Lyssa was fuming the whole way to Lt. Derin's office. Crewmembers were jumping out of her way, not eager to be a victim of the Second's foul mood. She stormed in and began without preamble, "Lt. Derin, I need the names of half a dozen commandos suitable for undercover intelligence gathering. They will be at my disposal until further notice."
Derin looked a little confused, but given Lyssa's demeanor he elected not to get into a discussion about it. He agreed to get the names to her within the arn.
The first two systems and not provided any information on the Leviathan or the escaped prisoners. Braca was frustrated that they were apparently getting no closer to their quarry. That, coupled with the fact that Lyssa was still alive and uninjured, frustrated Grayza. This was not one of the most reputable sections of space. Grayza had hoped that Lyssa's attractiveness would draw unnecessary trouble. Obviously the commandos Lyssa had chosen were doing a good job fending off trouble, too good a job. Grayza would have to rectify that. Perhaps she had underestimated Lyssa.
The third system Grayza almost got her wish. Lyssa was in one of the bars finally getting some information when another patron took exception to the fact that Lyssa wouldn't pay him any attention. This naturally led to violence. He pulled out a knife and tried to jump past her guards. Unfortunately he had friends. They were outnumbered. Lyssa held her own for a little while. She was eventually kicked in the side of her left knee and had a knife stabbed into her ribs on her left side before her guards could drag her out of the bar. At some point on the way back to the transport she lost consciousness.
When she woke up she was back on the command carrier in med bay. "Ah, Lieutenant, good to see you awake. You're going to be fine, just a little sore for the next few days. You might have some trouble breathing. Your left lung was punctured. I think I can release you to recuperate in your quarters. I'm relieving you from duty for the next two solar days. After that it will be a weeken of light duty. No more shore excursions until I clear you." Lyssa started to protest. "Or I can keep you here for the next two or three solar days. Your choice."
"Very well, Doctor. I will rest in my quarters." With the assistance of a cane she hobbled back to her quarters. She had only promised the doctor she would rest in her quarters. She made no promises about not working. The first thing she did was checked the incoming messages. There was another one from High Command. Lyssa initialized her decryption program and set to work writing up her report while she waited. Once it was decrypted she knew she had to speak to Braca.
Braca was going over the report he had received from the sergeant that was on the guard detail. There weren't a lot of specifics. He was looking forward to reading Lyssa's report. She always included the proper level of detail. He hoped she could provide some clarity. He had received the medical report on her condition. She had been stabbed in the side and had suffered some knee damage. The doctor had removed her from duty for two solar days to recover. Grayza would not be pleased. His door chime sounded and he released the door lock. "Lt. Kain, I thought you were medically relieved from duty?"
"Yes, sir, I was. I thought you might want to see this though." She handed over her report.
He quickly read through it. "This is incomplete, Lieutenant."
"Yes, sir. I was attacked before I got any more information than that. It's the first information we've received in nearly a monen."
"I had expected more than this from you. You are normally very thorough."
That hurt. She had almost lost her life to get the information in that report. She ignored his comment and handed him another report, "We have received a second message from High Command ordering us to return. They are quite irate that we have not returned to our space."
"Where did you get this?"
She leaned forward to put her hands on his desk. "I never trusted Grayza. I believe that she is using you. I spent a considerable amount of time decoding these messages. She is falling under the same spell that infected Crais and Scorpius. I'm trying to save you, Captain. You survived twice, can you survive a third?"
Braca was barely holding his anger in check. "Lieutenant, you are on the verge of insubordination."
"Be that as it may, you are here because Grayza was unable to use her powers on Capt. Terk. She is manipulating you!" her voice was rising.
He rose and began shouting back, "You are out of line!"
Lyssa didn't back down. "So is she. I think the only reason I have been assigned to this [I]mission[/I] is so that she can get rid of me. Since I am female her [I]charms[/I] do not work on me. She wants me out of the way so that she is the only one influencing you! She wants you blinded to the destructive path you are going down." Lyssa was panting, there was a fire in her side. She was leaning on the desk for more than effect now.
He growled, "How dare you? I make my own decisions. I am captain here!"
"That may be but you needed to hear this from someone. As your Second I am supposed to advise you. I'm trying to do just that."
He spoke through gritted teeth, "If you wish to retain your current position I suggest you stop now. You can consider yourself lucky that I don't put you up for court-martial. Dismissed."
Lyssa would have stormed out of Braca's quarters but her injuries prevented it. Instead she tried to be as dignified as possible.
Braca could not believe what he had just heard. Who was she to question his decisions? She did not know everything that went into making the decisions he did. Once he calmed down he would have to have a discussion with her. He expected his Second to work with him, not against him. Braca ordered the bridge officer to proceed in the direction Lyssa had provided.
They were closing in on the Leviathan. Lyssa had gone down to one last planet and they now had fairly specific information on Moya's location. Reconnaissance Marauder's had been sent to locate her exact position. Braca and Grayza were in the weapons lab receiving a report on a new weapon.
Senior Technician Ponara was briefing them. "The missle carries a pulse charge... on impact, the pulse charge will destroy the biologics, killing the Leviathan."
Grayza stood silently at the window with her arms crossed, listening.
Braca asked, "And it doesn't affect any of the life forms on board?
"The passengers will be unaffected." Braca and Ponara examined a large cylindrical shape suspended in a harness.
"Good...very good. Then why don't we use it?"
One of the pilots, Senior Officer Rinlo approached, "Not yet. She wants a Prowler to carry it. A projectile with this much mass belongs on a Marauder."
Ponara got defensive, "A Marauder would be detected long before optimal targeting distance. Sir, only a Prowler can fly close enough for a guidance lock."
Rinlo continued to argue, "With that aboard, no Prowler can fly steady enough to get a lock, sir."
"My simulations indicate that a skilled pilot could manage it."
It was Rinlo's turn to go on the defensive, "I'm the best damn pilot there is... and I say you're dead wrong."
Braca decided to be the peacemaker, "There's no need to take rigid positions. Why not run another round of simulations and recheck stability. That should alleviate your concerns." He left them to squabble about the situation.
This last exchange visibly upset Grayza. She gestured for him to follow her. "What sort of leadership was that?"
"Ma'am, this weapon is an unproven prototype. It needs study."
"I don't want studies, Captain... I want Crichton." She stalks away from the weapons lab leaving Braca to carry out her wishes.
Lyssa was in command. She had been doing her best to avoid Braca since their confrontation. She was loyal to her captain, but he only seemed to assume her loyalty was insubordination. She was grateful that he had not informed Grayza of their 'discussion.' She received a signal from one of the Marauders and forwarded it to Grayza as she had been ordered.
Grayza entered the weapons lab. "Marauder recons have detected a Leviathan which might be Moya... any recommendations?"
Braca turned to look at Ponara, "Ponara..."
She looked up at her captain, "Sir."
"Is this missle operational?"
"Absolutely, sir," she assured.
"Then I recommend we use it. Ready the Prowler. I'll fly it myself."
Rinlo had a look of disbelief on his face, "You, sir?"
"You're convinced this mission will fail; you're obviously the wrong person for the job. Dismissed." Rinlo scowled but didn't move. Braca's voice took on a more authoritative tone, "Dismissed!" Still scowling Rinlo departed. Braca turned, nodding with a slight preen to Grayza before also departing.
While en route to Moya, Braca received a report from Ponara, ~Captain Braca... diagnostics verify the missile's fully operational.~
He replied, "If it delivers on its promise, Ponara, you've got a medal."
~You should be coming into range any microt now.~
"Missile reads armed and ready.Coming into targeting range. Scanning for Moya...now." He stared at his instruments in confusion. "I must have a system malfunction. I'm reading two Leviathans."
Grayza and Ponara stared at a command console. Ponara sounded nervous, ~No, no Captain, no malfunction. Marauder recons reading the same thing.~
Braca ordered, "Analyze the data. Which one's Moya?"
Ponara replied hesitantly, ~Uh, we're checking.~ Grayza was decidedly unhappy with the results she was getting. ~Captain, one of the Leviathans is dead. It has no energy readings at all. It must be a decoy.~
"Are you sure?"
~Positive, sir.~ Grayza still said nothing, but her expression made it clear to Ponara that she had better be correct. ~Transmitting proper coordinates now.~
"Received. Acquiring target." Braca fired, "Here's your rematch, Crichton." He grinned as the missile exploded, "Detonation." Suddenly he noticed Moya's nose cone extend, in preparation for Starburst. Blue light built up at the tips of her fins as they drew together. His grin dissipated rapidly. "Wait. Readings have changed."
Lyssa watched from command. She quickly tried to determine what happened. She knew the technician would be punished severely for her failure. The same fate that awaited Lyssa if she slipped up.
Grayza began fuming. Braca continued reporting what he was seeing, ~The dead Leviathan's moving.~
Grayza turned her head towards poor hapless Ponara who shook her head in denial, and continued examining readings like her life depended on it.
Braca watched the halo of Starburst form at Moya's tail and race up her hull. He squinted into the harsh blue light, throwing a hand up to shield his eyes. Starburst energy raced up Moya's hull to her nose and she disappeared inside the burst of energy that formed ahead of her. As the light winked out Braca rolled his head against the seat in peevish anger. "The dead decoy just went into Starburst!"
Ponara was practically sputtering her explanations to Grayza who, of course, wasn't interested in excuses. "It-it's not possible. I had the correct target, I'm sure."
Braca reported back over comms, ~You're relieved of duty immediately. Report to Detention Level Three.~
Grayza replied coldly, "I'll handle the postmortem, Captain." She turned to Ponara, "Report to the Aurora Chamber." Ponara tried to sputter a defense but failed. "Just take a seat. I'll be with you shortly." Ponara, realizing she was defeated, did as she was told.
Lyssa met Braca in the hangar. "Report, Lieutenant."
"Techs are still analyzing the sensor data. Preliminary report indicates the ship you fired on was not a Leviathan, but a ship equipped with some sort of complex holo-projection system. It was programmed to give the sensor data of a Leviathan. They then shut down Moya so she would appear lifeless. We have computed her starburst trajectory and are following that heading."
"Excellent work, Lieutenant. At least someone onboard is capable of doing their job. Bring the full report by when it is complete."
"Yes, sir."
"Where is Commandant Grayza?"
"I believe she is still in the Aurora Chamber with Ponara."
Braca departed for the Aurora Chamber.
Lyssa was left to wonder how much longer it would be until she suffered the same fate. At least she had made a favorable impression with the captain today.
Set before and during Promises
Lyssa found herself standing in front of Braca's desk. She wondered why she was there. He had never called her to his quarters before. "Lieutenant, I have a new mission for you. In order to speed up the search I am assigning you to head a detail that will gather intelligence on the planets we pass near. You will select a couple of commandos to escort you. This is to be a low profile mission. We don't want our quarry to learn we are tracking them."
"Sir, don't you think a commando would be a better choice to head this mission?"
"Commandos think along straight lines. This mission needs someone who can think on her feet. I believe you possess the creativity necessary to be successful."
"Yes, sir," she answered reluctantly. She suspected Grayza was behind this decision.
"Dismissed, Lieutenant." Braca didn't like giving that order. He would be surprised if she lasted past the fourth planet. Lyssa was smart and resourceful, but had been trained for duty aboard ship, not this type of mission. He would have preferred using a commando. They were easily replaceable. The level of knowledge and experience Lyssa possessed would not easily be replaced.
Lyssa was fuming the whole way to Lt. Derin's office. Crewmembers were jumping out of her way, not eager to be a victim of the Second's foul mood. She stormed in and began without preamble, "Lt. Derin, I need the names of half a dozen commandos suitable for undercover intelligence gathering. They will be at my disposal until further notice."
Derin looked a little confused, but given Lyssa's demeanor he elected not to get into a discussion about it. He agreed to get the names to her within the arn.
The first two systems and not provided any information on the Leviathan or the escaped prisoners. Braca was frustrated that they were apparently getting no closer to their quarry. That, coupled with the fact that Lyssa was still alive and uninjured, frustrated Grayza. This was not one of the most reputable sections of space. Grayza had hoped that Lyssa's attractiveness would draw unnecessary trouble. Obviously the commandos Lyssa had chosen were doing a good job fending off trouble, too good a job. Grayza would have to rectify that. Perhaps she had underestimated Lyssa.
The third system Grayza almost got her wish. Lyssa was in one of the bars finally getting some information when another patron took exception to the fact that Lyssa wouldn't pay him any attention. This naturally led to violence. He pulled out a knife and tried to jump past her guards. Unfortunately he had friends. They were outnumbered. Lyssa held her own for a little while. She was eventually kicked in the side of her left knee and had a knife stabbed into her ribs on her left side before her guards could drag her out of the bar. At some point on the way back to the transport she lost consciousness.
When she woke up she was back on the command carrier in med bay. "Ah, Lieutenant, good to see you awake. You're going to be fine, just a little sore for the next few days. You might have some trouble breathing. Your left lung was punctured. I think I can release you to recuperate in your quarters. I'm relieving you from duty for the next two solar days. After that it will be a weeken of light duty. No more shore excursions until I clear you." Lyssa started to protest. "Or I can keep you here for the next two or three solar days. Your choice."
"Very well, Doctor. I will rest in my quarters." With the assistance of a cane she hobbled back to her quarters. She had only promised the doctor she would rest in her quarters. She made no promises about not working. The first thing she did was checked the incoming messages. There was another one from High Command. Lyssa initialized her decryption program and set to work writing up her report while she waited. Once it was decrypted she knew she had to speak to Braca.
Braca was going over the report he had received from the sergeant that was on the guard detail. There weren't a lot of specifics. He was looking forward to reading Lyssa's report. She always included the proper level of detail. He hoped she could provide some clarity. He had received the medical report on her condition. She had been stabbed in the side and had suffered some knee damage. The doctor had removed her from duty for two solar days to recover. Grayza would not be pleased. His door chime sounded and he released the door lock. "Lt. Kain, I thought you were medically relieved from duty?"
"Yes, sir, I was. I thought you might want to see this though." She handed over her report.
He quickly read through it. "This is incomplete, Lieutenant."
"Yes, sir. I was attacked before I got any more information than that. It's the first information we've received in nearly a monen."
"I had expected more than this from you. You are normally very thorough."
That hurt. She had almost lost her life to get the information in that report. She ignored his comment and handed him another report, "We have received a second message from High Command ordering us to return. They are quite irate that we have not returned to our space."
"Where did you get this?"
She leaned forward to put her hands on his desk. "I never trusted Grayza. I believe that she is using you. I spent a considerable amount of time decoding these messages. She is falling under the same spell that infected Crais and Scorpius. I'm trying to save you, Captain. You survived twice, can you survive a third?"
Braca was barely holding his anger in check. "Lieutenant, you are on the verge of insubordination."
"Be that as it may, you are here because Grayza was unable to use her powers on Capt. Terk. She is manipulating you!" her voice was rising.
He rose and began shouting back, "You are out of line!"
Lyssa didn't back down. "So is she. I think the only reason I have been assigned to this [I]mission[/I] is so that she can get rid of me. Since I am female her [I]charms[/I] do not work on me. She wants me out of the way so that she is the only one influencing you! She wants you blinded to the destructive path you are going down." Lyssa was panting, there was a fire in her side. She was leaning on the desk for more than effect now.
He growled, "How dare you? I make my own decisions. I am captain here!"
"That may be but you needed to hear this from someone. As your Second I am supposed to advise you. I'm trying to do just that."
He spoke through gritted teeth, "If you wish to retain your current position I suggest you stop now. You can consider yourself lucky that I don't put you up for court-martial. Dismissed."
Lyssa would have stormed out of Braca's quarters but her injuries prevented it. Instead she tried to be as dignified as possible.
Braca could not believe what he had just heard. Who was she to question his decisions? She did not know everything that went into making the decisions he did. Once he calmed down he would have to have a discussion with her. He expected his Second to work with him, not against him. Braca ordered the bridge officer to proceed in the direction Lyssa had provided.
They were closing in on the Leviathan. Lyssa had gone down to one last planet and they now had fairly specific information on Moya's location. Reconnaissance Marauder's had been sent to locate her exact position. Braca and Grayza were in the weapons lab receiving a report on a new weapon.
Senior Technician Ponara was briefing them. "The missle carries a pulse charge... on impact, the pulse charge will destroy the biologics, killing the Leviathan."
Grayza stood silently at the window with her arms crossed, listening.
Braca asked, "And it doesn't affect any of the life forms on board?
"The passengers will be unaffected." Braca and Ponara examined a large cylindrical shape suspended in a harness.
"Good...very good. Then why don't we use it?"
One of the pilots, Senior Officer Rinlo approached, "Not yet. She wants a Prowler to carry it. A projectile with this much mass belongs on a Marauder."
Ponara got defensive, "A Marauder would be detected long before optimal targeting distance. Sir, only a Prowler can fly close enough for a guidance lock."
Rinlo continued to argue, "With that aboard, no Prowler can fly steady enough to get a lock, sir."
"My simulations indicate that a skilled pilot could manage it."
It was Rinlo's turn to go on the defensive, "I'm the best damn pilot there is... and I say you're dead wrong."
Braca decided to be the peacemaker, "There's no need to take rigid positions. Why not run another round of simulations and recheck stability. That should alleviate your concerns." He left them to squabble about the situation.
This last exchange visibly upset Grayza. She gestured for him to follow her. "What sort of leadership was that?"
"Ma'am, this weapon is an unproven prototype. It needs study."
"I don't want studies, Captain... I want Crichton." She stalks away from the weapons lab leaving Braca to carry out her wishes.
Lyssa was in command. She had been doing her best to avoid Braca since their confrontation. She was loyal to her captain, but he only seemed to assume her loyalty was insubordination. She was grateful that he had not informed Grayza of their 'discussion.' She received a signal from one of the Marauders and forwarded it to Grayza as she had been ordered.
Grayza entered the weapons lab. "Marauder recons have detected a Leviathan which might be Moya... any recommendations?"
Braca turned to look at Ponara, "Ponara..."
She looked up at her captain, "Sir."
"Is this missle operational?"
"Absolutely, sir," she assured.
"Then I recommend we use it. Ready the Prowler. I'll fly it myself."
Rinlo had a look of disbelief on his face, "You, sir?"
"You're convinced this mission will fail; you're obviously the wrong person for the job. Dismissed." Rinlo scowled but didn't move. Braca's voice took on a more authoritative tone, "Dismissed!" Still scowling Rinlo departed. Braca turned, nodding with a slight preen to Grayza before also departing.
While en route to Moya, Braca received a report from Ponara, ~Captain Braca... diagnostics verify the missile's fully operational.~
He replied, "If it delivers on its promise, Ponara, you've got a medal."
~You should be coming into range any microt now.~
"Missile reads armed and ready.Coming into targeting range. Scanning for Moya...now." He stared at his instruments in confusion. "I must have a system malfunction. I'm reading two Leviathans."
Grayza and Ponara stared at a command console. Ponara sounded nervous, ~No, no Captain, no malfunction. Marauder recons reading the same thing.~
Braca ordered, "Analyze the data. Which one's Moya?"
Ponara replied hesitantly, ~Uh, we're checking.~ Grayza was decidedly unhappy with the results she was getting. ~Captain, one of the Leviathans is dead. It has no energy readings at all. It must be a decoy.~
"Are you sure?"
~Positive, sir.~ Grayza still said nothing, but her expression made it clear to Ponara that she had better be correct. ~Transmitting proper coordinates now.~
"Received. Acquiring target." Braca fired, "Here's your rematch, Crichton." He grinned as the missile exploded, "Detonation." Suddenly he noticed Moya's nose cone extend, in preparation for Starburst. Blue light built up at the tips of her fins as they drew together. His grin dissipated rapidly. "Wait. Readings have changed."
Lyssa watched from command. She quickly tried to determine what happened. She knew the technician would be punished severely for her failure. The same fate that awaited Lyssa if she slipped up.
Grayza began fuming. Braca continued reporting what he was seeing, ~The dead Leviathan's moving.~
Grayza turned her head towards poor hapless Ponara who shook her head in denial, and continued examining readings like her life depended on it.
Braca watched the halo of Starburst form at Moya's tail and race up her hull. He squinted into the harsh blue light, throwing a hand up to shield his eyes. Starburst energy raced up Moya's hull to her nose and she disappeared inside the burst of energy that formed ahead of her. As the light winked out Braca rolled his head against the seat in peevish anger. "The dead decoy just went into Starburst!"
Ponara was practically sputtering her explanations to Grayza who, of course, wasn't interested in excuses. "It-it's not possible. I had the correct target, I'm sure."
Braca reported back over comms, ~You're relieved of duty immediately. Report to Detention Level Three.~
Grayza replied coldly, "I'll handle the postmortem, Captain." She turned to Ponara, "Report to the Aurora Chamber." Ponara tried to sputter a defense but failed. "Just take a seat. I'll be with you shortly." Ponara, realizing she was defeated, did as she was told.
Lyssa met Braca in the hangar. "Report, Lieutenant."
"Techs are still analyzing the sensor data. Preliminary report indicates the ship you fired on was not a Leviathan, but a ship equipped with some sort of complex holo-projection system. It was programmed to give the sensor data of a Leviathan. They then shut down Moya so she would appear lifeless. We have computed her starburst trajectory and are following that heading."
"Excellent work, Lieutenant. At least someone onboard is capable of doing their job. Bring the full report by when it is complete."
"Yes, sir."
"Where is Commandant Grayza?"
"I believe she is still in the Aurora Chamber with Ponara."
Braca departed for the Aurora Chamber.
Lyssa was left to wonder how much longer it would be until she suffered the same fate. At least she had made a favorable impression with the captain today.
