Holding Down the Bridge

Posted on 13 Oct 2013 @ 11:07pm by Lieutenant Aria Rice & Lieutenant Theron Rhodes

610 words; about a 3 minute read

Mission: Episode 04 - Exodus
Location: USS Galileo - Bridge
Timeline: MD 03 - 0450 hrs

ON:

Following the briefing by Commander Blake, Lt. Rhodes made is way up from Deck 2 to the bridge. There were a multitude of things for the Security Chief to do, but he first needed to check in with his assistant. Theron walked onto the bridge and had to hesitate, taking in all the destruction on the bridge. It seemed like everyone was doing some type of repair on their system or console. Rhodes walked over to the Tactical station

Aria was standing by the tactical station, her hair hanging free now. There was blood on her clothes and her face, a makeshift bandage made for her left hand. The makeup she wore was smudged, making her look younger than her 24 years. She wasn't looking at anything except a screen running numbers; damage reports, losses, general ship status. The things she did to occupy her mind, because it all felt a bit too much right now. She had seen so many sides to people. She had seen stupid heroics, she had seen sacrifice, she had seen fear and terror. She had learned a lot about the people on the Bridge. Blake who had been forced to take charge and do a good job at it, for instance. Or the Yeoman hiding in terror. So much. And herself...trying to organize, staying true to procedure...she had never imagined herself to be a 'by the book' officer, but this had shown she had been one.

Theron stopped next to his assistant with an understanding look on his face. Aria seemed in disarray. No doubt she had seen the worst of it. He thought his best option was to stay official. Even though he knew the exact status of the ship already, he said in even yet warm tone, "Good to see you Lieutenant. . . Report."

Aria looked at him, blinking slowly, as if she couldn't really see him. When she spoke, it was quietly. Fact. "The shields are at 12 percent and remaining. We have two phaser arrays operational, both on the port side. No torpedo launchers forward, but the aft one is still working alright, but she doesn't like my controls. Fires when she wants and hits whatever she wants."

Theron wanted to congratulate her or encourage her, but every word that came to mind sounded fake or artificial. Rhodes looked down with a grim face, "You have been through so much. You should be proud of yourself for surviving all of this."

Aria looked away, shaking her head as she let out a breath. "Permission to be relieved, Sir?"

Theron looked about the bridge once more and then back to Aria, "I am going to ask you to hold out here for a little longer. I am going to go check on our teams across the ship." He looked at Aria with sincere eyes, "I am very proud of you, my friend."

She frowned and shook her head, swallowing. "Yes Sir. Thanks," she said quietly.

Rhodes reached up and placed his right hand on her left shoulder. "Be strong. I will be back in about an hour."

She pulled away from his touch, with a grimace. "Sorry...got banged up a bit," she said before nodding weakly, looking back at her work.

Theron felt there was a lot more going on here by her reaction. "I see. We will get you checked out soon enough"

She nodded weakly. In truth, she'd rather just have a shower. "Yes Sir."

With a nod, Rhodes turned away and walked off the Bridge.


OFF:


Lt. Theron Rhodes
Chief Security/Tactical Officer
USS Galileo

&

Lt. Aria Rice
Assistant Chief of Security
USS Galileo

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