When The Clock Strikes

Posted on Sun Nov 17th, 2019 @ 6:23pm by Jeassaho Kea (*) & Executive Officer Jake Ford

Mission: Mission 10 - Temperance
Location: Chief Engineers Quarters
Timeline: MD 10 14:00
1007 words - 2 OF Standard Post Measure

Jeassaho glanced back at her escort and frowned. Reuben was over killing the protection and worry about her to a level that was ridiculous. She was an Engineer who could take care of herself on a ship. "Not entirely sure why you have been instructed to follow me. I am literally going to the Cheif Engineers quarters and back to Engineering." The woman assured as they climbed what she felt was the millionth ladder as the turbo lifts were damaged in this area of the ship.

"Nobody 'instructed' me," Jake replied casually. "I was the one who decided to come. There are still plenty of spaces on this ship that we haven't secured yet. Could be anything left on board; live ordnance, rogue changelings..." He shrugged. "I don't like the thought of anyone wandering off on their own, however capable they are."

"Oh." Was all Jeassaho said still slightly unsure if he was just offering the Captain's ass or not. "It is highly unlikely a rouge changeling would survive this long but if they did I would be very interested in meeting one," Jeassaho said only half-joking.

"I wouldn't," Jake muttered. He'd heard stories of folks back in the war. They weren't particularly nice tales. Paranoia was rife around them. "Anyways, it's just through the next section. Mind how you go, we still don't have power down here."

"Why we need to go down there. It is the Chief Engineers quarters." The woman explained why they were heading deep into the unexplored areas. "Did you see much action in the war?" She wondered as they passed a Jem'hadar skeleton.

Jake shook his head. "I joined the academy a couple of years after the armistice, but everyone was still talking about it - tutors and cadets alike. A lot of them joined Starfleet because they'd heard the stories folks were telling. To be honest, I'm real glad I wasn't around for it; War isn't something I can see myself wanting to stick around for." He liked people too much. Got too friendly. There were plenty of traumas still evident in those veterans he'd met during his time in the fleet.

Jeassaho said nothing more on it as she thought on her husband and the traumas he said he did not see yet his dreams said differently. "Here we are." She said looking at the semi-open door using her weigh to prise to push one side open. Inside it was chaos with PaDD's over the floor and furniture piled to the window side.

Using his size to help her, Jake managed to force the door the last couple of inches open.

"Damn," he noted, taking stock of things. "What a mess." He motioned to where the furniture was haphazardly stacked up. "Was that a hull breach? If I didn't know better I'd say someone was trying to barricade the windows, which doesn't make sense as they look out on the main hull."

Jeassaho frowned a little at the furniture stacked. It would be impossible to block a hull breach like that. "It is really odd," Jeassaho confirmed. She glanced around the small living space trying to work out where to start.

"Good luck finding whatever it was you were looking for," Jake noted with a slight smile. "What is it you needed? I'll help you look."

"Every Chief Engineer hides important ship stuff for successors just encase there is not a handover. Like the quirks and what makes her tick. I am hoping this Chief of this ship did the same. It will give us a head start." Jeassaho said looking around with the flashlight for a moment thinking.

"Sounds like a pretty smart thing to do," Jake nodded, approving of the concept. The practical, however, wasn't going to be so simple. The quarters were a mess. "I'll take a look through here," he said, motioning to the adjoining bedroom.

It wasn't in much better state, with furniture shifted and possessions strewn about. Somewhat unsettling was that fact that a lot of the previous occupier's possessions were actually still present, which meant nobody had returned to take them away. There were clothes, both duty and off-duty, as well as a few simple items such as jewellery. The former Chief Engineer of the Temperance did seem to like a few more 'gaudy' accessories, it seemed.

"No sign of a PADD or workstation. Any other ideas?" he asked, calling through to the other room.

There was no sound from the main living area other than the soft sound of something hitting the floor and something clattering to the ground as if something was dropped.

"You okay out there?" he inquired.

As the man came to investigate why there was no answer Jeassaho was lying on the floor, unconscious bleeding from a knock to the head.

"Jeassaho!" Jake had a phaser in his hand as he dropped to his knee to check on her. He wasn't much of a medic, but he could see the cut and the blood. He snatched-up some cloth and put it against the injury, still trying to coax her back to consciousness as he hit his communicator. "This is Ford. Medical emergency on Temperance, chief engineer's quarters."

"Understood. People are on there way, Jake." The Voice of Dixoho Saa called out before the background noise seemed to change as someone took over the communication.

"What do you mean a medical emergency?" The voice of the Captain demanded as medical personnel were sent over.

"Jeassaho is down," Jake responded. "I'm not sure what happened, boss. I turned my back for a minute, the next she's on the deck." He felt guilt and worry welling inside, but pushed it to the back as he did his thing of trying to stop the blood leaking from the injury and check her pulse. Damn, the medics couldn't get there quick enough.

OFF ::

Jake Ford
Chief Armoury Officer
SS Mary Rose

Lieutenant Commander (LOA) Jeassaho Kea
Engineer
SS Mary Rose
(PNPC Gregnol)