"Okay, fire it up Maddie." The Chief asked as he put the finishing touches on the generator.
Madeline flipped the switch and the generator hummed to life. "That worked like a charm, I'd say." She said. "Thanks chief. I feel more efficient already."
"Couldn't have done it without the technical expert." He replied as he pulled off his insulation gloves.
"I better get back to the bridge. Boys up there are so green I fear they'll run me into another sandbar if I'm absent." She said.
"Wouldn't want to repeat that experience." He agreed.
The bridge was a long climb and most people would be winded before even reaching the halfway point, all the ladders made it tough on most humans but Madeline wasn't human and not at all bothered by the exercise. As she came up onto one floor a commotion down the hall made her pause. Sounded like crewman fighting. Sighing, the Lt. changed course and made for the disruption, being halted in her tracks as there was a crash and then Commander Krill was thrown out of the cook's mess and landed at her feet. She immediately keeled to help her XO. "Sir, are you.." "Just fine, Lt." He interrupted, quickly rising to his feet. His dance partner was led out of the mess by a contingent of Marines, hancuffed. It was the same burly man she'd seen earlier.
Ryback met her gaze, seeing the disapproval there alongside the shock that he would dare attack his senior officer but Ryback felt no regret over his actions. Krill had been asking for it. The marines led him down the hall where they shoved him into the freezer. One of them stood guard outside. Krill faced Madeline. "Return to the bridge, Lt." He repeated his previous order. This time, Madeline obeyed. "Sir." She said.
...
Krill headed aft to the helicopter deck to greet their new arrivals. Jordon Tate, the stripper model the crew had arranged for, was quickly hustled inside but she was of little importance. The XO's gaze crossed the deck to meet Strannix and an unspoken communication passed between the two men. Tonight, revenge would be exacted for both of them.