Lt. Robin Hopper: The Lovely Jem
Robin Hopper
((Bridge – USS Jemison))
The Hirogen had fired on them again. For a moment, it was hard to tell if it was phaser fire or whatever death-defying maneuver Flint was pulling that rocked everyone in their seats – but the question would need to wait a moment longer.
Hopper: They don’t seem to be fooled by our sensor trickery anymore! Incoming torpedoes.
The Intrepid class began a wild diving roll through a dense cloud of purple nebulaic gasses. Robin could feel herself being pressed back, then sideways, then almost being thrown from her chair… but the torpedoes did swing wide of them – just barely.
Flint: That was something, eh?
oO Okay – that was definitely Lieutenant Flint’s flying… Did somebody turn off the Inertial Dampers…?
Richards: We might want to slow it down on the maneuvering for a moment. I’m showing stress to the Inertial Dampers.
Robin’s mouth tightened into a flat line for a moment. oO Mmm… Oo
Ukinix: This is the dilemma of command, isn’t it. Tactical needs to attack and go faster, but engineering needs us to slow down and stop damage.
Barberra: ::Pounding fist against console in time with words:: Tac-ti-cal-needs-to-a-ttack! Tac-ti-cal-needs-to-a-ttack!
Robin tried to smile reassuringly at Wil as her brain felt like it was about to shake out of her skull.
Hopper: That’s what the extra pip is for, Commander! When in doubt, it can be used as a coin flip.
More alarms sounded, indicating another incoming shockwave. The nebula in the screen moved fast as the Jemison tumbled and spun from the ferocity of the pulsar wind.
Hopper: When they refit the Intrepid, do you think they included barf bags? ::Over her shoulder to Richards:: Is it too late to get something installed?
Richards: Shockwaves are getting stronger. Aft shields down to 57%.
Ukinix: Alrighty. Mr Flint, take us back to Zone 2. Do not pass go. Do not collect two-hundred latinum.
Flint glanced over his shoulder at Ukinix, his mouth opened a centimeter as if he was going to ask for an explanation, and then he simply shook his head slightly and turned back to his console, inputting the requested command and ignoring the Commander’s typical fluff.
Barberra: Phasers are damaged, Commander. I can still fire, but it will take longer between shots.
Hopper: ::To Barberra:: Hold on that for just a second, Annamae.
Richards: I don’t know how much more of this we can take before we need to pull out for real repairs, sir.
Ukinix pivoted to look at Richards, his face displaying genuine shock.
Ukinix: Wait. *Real* repairs? You mean some of this damage is *actual* damage, not just the simulation?
Barberra: ::Awed tone:: Amazing…
Hopper: We have been pushing the ship to its limits, Wil.
She hadn’t meant to call him Wil. It ought’ve been “Sir” or “Commander”, really. But it had just slipped out. She furrowed her brow, ever-so-slightly. Then again, maybe this experience had brought them closer. oO And to think he forgot me entirely once… Oo
Richards: My crews are doing all they can to keep us going.
There was another shake, causing alerts to sound from several terminals, including Hopper’s.
Ukinix: Report!
Robin looked at her terminal, confused… By the looks of it, the Kitty Hawk had somehow fired on them. Yet the ship still appeared to be disabled, save for it’s maneuvering thrusters.
Hopper: I… Don’t know how to explain it, but I think Rahman just fired on us. ::Eyebrows raised:: I don’t even know if it was intentional, let alone how they did that… ::Looking up:: Damage report?
Barberra: We’ve lost phaser, torpedos are still operational, however. Want me to fire some at someone? I’d be happy to.
Hopper: ::Puffing air through pursed lips:: Pfff… I mean… Will doing so explode the warp core? ::To Richards:: Seriously – will it?
Wil patted the armrest of his seat, and spoke quietly to the ship.
Ukinix: ::quiet tone, patting armrest:: There, there, Jemmo, hang on…
oO Hmm? Jemmo? Shouldn’t it be the “Jemmie” or — even better, the “Jem”? Oo. Surely she deserved something more elegant.
Ukinix: ::Pinching bridge of nose:: Oh jesus, I’ve just done a Teller.
Her thoughts found their way back to present, though she wasn’t quite sure what he meant by that either.
Hopper: Caution may still be the best course.
Ukinix: Then we might have to bail out to zone 3-
Computer: =/\= Joint exercise complete. All vessels are to return to Amity Outpost. =/\=
Wil practically leapt out of his seat as the Jemison’s “house lights” came up. Robin blinked in surprise and looked about, slightly startled. oO Wait! What? Is it over? Already? Oo
Ukinix: ::Pleased tone:: Ah! Quick game’s a good game, then. ::Rubbing hands together:: Stand down red alert. Mister Flint, set a course directly for the Glommer and Beagle. Mister Richards, head down to Engineering, you’ve got some work ahead of you.
Wil turned, then looked at Annamae. Robin scrunched her mouth to the side and absentmindedly rubbed her hands along the armrests. She was going to miss that chair.
Ukinix: You too, trigger fingers. ::Gesturing with head towards turbolift:: Off you go.
Barberra: ::Slight, almost indetectable scowl:: I was enjoying that.
Hopper: We all were, Annamae. ::Smile:: We all were.
END
