Trial by Fire Snippet 4

 Sitrep: Got the manuscript back from Rea and off to Goodlifeguide. Going to try to get it out before the Thanksgiving holiday, but no promises. It is out of my hands.

I am going to try a print version too, we'll see how that sells. If it breaks even I'll do more. :)

Zuul is coming along, though I am considering changing a few details to get it closer in line with the Ghostbusters Afterlife version. I am hoping I'll get it done before the get together Sunday but... oofda.

We lost power recently so I lost a day printing dang it.

Anyway, on to the snippet!

Chapter 4

 

Dante’s Playground, Pi Sector

 

Rear Admiral Vestri Sindri watched TF 7.6 working up and nodded to himself. They looked good;he appreciated that they were there, even if the crews didn't. They probably champed at the bit to move on north to the front. He could hardly blame them. He'd love to let them move on but it was imperative that his base be defended, now so with the Star Forge in place than ever before.

They were playing their part for the war, even though they didn't know it. Besides, once he got the yard fully up and running and additional ships online, they'd get their shot at the enemy.

<<(O)>>

Captain Angie Slash nodded to Ensign Sayed. The ONI spook nodded back politely and made a hole for her so the captain could pass.

Angie smiled in thanks and kept moving.

She passed Lieutenant Parker, the JAG, and kept going. She was only on the command fortress for a brief time while her ship was in port. She wanted to get a few things sorted out with logistics to get her dreadnought fitted out properly before they left port for more training exercises.

<<(O)>>

Skye noted Ensign Sayed and sighed internally. The ONI officer was keeping tabs on her as well as the prowler. Was it a wish to join the crew? She wasn't certain. The woman was stiff and formal around her so she hadn't had a chance to find a way to break the ice and feel out her intentions.

<<(O)>>

Ensign Sayed eyed the ONI coder warily and then continued on her way. She had been asked to keep an eye out for unusual projects. Well, the Star Forge qualified as one. She had passed on the tip in an encoded letter to her superior in Antigua. He no doubt would pass it on to interested parties in Bek.

She was pretty sure a lot of people there would be keenly interested in the development.

<<(O)>>

Captain Mae nodded in passing to Captain Slash and kept going. She paused when she realized where the other captain was going. "Headed to logistics?" she asked.

Captain Slash paused. "Yes …," she said slowly.

"You may want to detour for a bit. They just broke for lunch. You'll be cooling your heals for an hour or more."

Captain Slash made a face. "Damn."

"Sorry."

"No, that's okay. Thanks for the heads up."

"No problem," Mae said as she went on her way.

"Ah, Captain?" Angie asked.

Captain Mae turned and raised an eyebrow. "Yes?"

"Ah, since I've got a little time to kill, can I pick your brain?"

Mae noted the genuine inquiry and was interested. "Sure," she said after a moment. "I was going to get a bite myself and then head over to spook central. If you want to tag along, we can chat."

"Thanks," Angie said with a smile as she fell in with her fellow ship's captain. "Honestly, I am excited to be a ship's captain but I sort of threw myself into the project, and I know I skipped some steps …"

<<(O)>>

The starship AI Loi watched through the various camera feeds as the naval technicians continued their work on his body, the private science ship the Loi Pasteur. There had been some legal questions that had reared up but apparently some powerful people had been in his corner. He and Niki, the android AI created to care for the cloned children, had been declared the owners of the ship.

He didn't miss Doctor Mathis. He had reviewed the evidence that the naval coders had accumulated and also the reports from Captain Mae. The former human turned AI had been mad. He and his counterpart had been programmed to not see it for what it was. Only when the naval crew of the Bus had come on board had the spell been broken.

Taking the mad doctor down had restored sanity to the ghost ship. They were no longer trying to recreate the doctor's long dead wife. Instead they were finding new purpose. The navy had authorized the ship to be rebuilt and resupplied for her services to the crew of the Bus and to the Federation. Now they were in negotiations to find a new future for themselves, hopefully a brighter one.

<<(O)>>