New Now

Zemma tried to ignore what was happening on the bridge now; it was under control. Morning shift crews were trapped as well as the Lords. It was time to start getting people back to work. But first Zemma needed to make an announcement.

"A coup has failed to dethrone Lord Marshal Riddick. Some commanders have hastened to the Underverse. If you served under one of these contact the duty officer for reassignment. Long live the Lord Marshal."

Then she began unlocking and turning on the lights. People looked a little confused but put their heads down and went back to their business. Zemma smiled. Static personalities.

"Hungry?" She asked Captain W'Rdah lightly. "The cooks will be on shift shortly."

Zemma spent hours more in the security room. She didn't plan on letting the security crew back in here. This was now her room. She keyed up her palm code and Riddick's for the only entry. She called for clean up in the hallway outside, and other areas of the ship Riddick had cluttered. She started sorting out who was in on the coup by their bodies and reassigned their suites to the four captains, now commanders. The Ladies were not happy; Zemma didn't care. This was a new now.

And she looked for Captain J'Pheth. He had disappeared off her screens and his body was unaccounted for.

As was Lady Vaako. Lord Vaako was enraged; Zemma could hear him ranting as he passed every ear all the way to his suite. Her thirst for power had reached a point of offending his masculine sense of honor.

About time.

Zemma figured she knew where Lady Vaako and Captain J'Pheth had gone. After all, R'Ghnell had said the man wasn't stupid, just pitiable. And she did pity the two when they were caught.

Not really.

You're right, not really.

She turned the sensors around the Lord Marshal suite back on. She code locked all the ships in the 'port. Then she went looking for Dame Vaako's personal code. Easy enough from here.

Hmmnn, lock it out or just set up an alarm when it's used?

Oh, both.

The door com sounded; breakfast had arrived. Captain, no, Commander W'Rdah was the perfect companion, he didn't say much and didn't comment when she was talking out loud to herself. He watched the screens and scowled. Scowled and watched. Now he ate, watched and scowled. She didn't think she was making fast friends but he wasn't in the way either. Good enough.

Riddick was finally leaving the bridge, three new commanders in tow.

"Sir, would you like breakfast ordered?" Zemma used the PA again, centered just on that hall. Riddick looked up, those cameras were not hidden. "I have no ears there, Sir, hold up fingers for the number of settings besides yourself."

Riddick held up an open palm.

"I wont be joining you, Sir. I have a previous commitment to feed."

He nodded once.

Zemma found only drying spots of chemical cleaner where several hours ago there were guards at her door. She was glad to be home, and glad to have avoided Riddick and his new council. Her eye hurt and she was tired beyond belief. She was looking forward to a nice hot bath…

Oops, Nor. No bath.

Ugh, Nor. Very annoyed with her, she could see, and smell. Well, one more call for clean up, breakfast for Nor, then a nice hot shower and lots of sleep.

Maybe she'd sneak over to Riddick's suite later for a bath.

Yah, a bath.

Zemma smiled, and felt Min smile back.