[M] PNPC Lt. Nic del Vedova: Rattled (FitzJames)

[Tony]

(( Auxiliary Computer Control ))

DEL VEDOVA: Sure. Just tell me what you need me to do.

 

FITZJAMES: I’ll stun it, then ye kin tell us whit ‘tis.

:: Del raised his eyebrow, Vulcan-alike, ever so slightly. FitzJames reminded him a bit of Rosh, actually: He could take it and he could give it. ::

 

TREL'LIS: Okay Ensign, let's 'follow' these tubes, using our modified tricorders, checking in with the ship's internal sensors as well. Mr FitzJames, take the port side tubes and 'follow' them, we'll take the starboard side and go deck by deck, starting here.

 

FITZJAMES: Aye sir.

 

:: Del followed FitzJames into the port tube, and he was more than happy to do so; taking point in front of a security man in a high-risk situation was not high on the list of things that were likely to get him to old age. ::

 

FITZJAMES: Whit do we do if this thin’ is sentient? ::He asked Del over his shoulder.: An’ whit if t’isna?

 

:: Good questions. Del wanted to shrug, but that wasn't really an option, hunched as they were. ::

DEL VEDOVA: Stun it either way, I suppose. No harm in that.

:: He hoped. In truth, it was a gray area, but whatever it was, sentient or not, it was running amok -- at least from his perspective. Unfortunately, he didn't get any further in that line of thinking or in his answer, as the ship suddenly shook and slammed the two of them against the bulkhead. ::

 

FITZJAMES: That’s weapons fire; we’re un’er attack.

 

DEL VEDOVA: (sarcastically) Are you sure? It felt more like a light breeze.

 

FITZJAMES: I used tae be a Marine. I ken torpedoes whin they hit a hull.

 

:: Well, Del didn't have anything smart to say to that; he only rubbed his throbbing head. ::

DEL VEDOVA: ...sure, whatever.

 

MEI'KONDA: =/\= Mei'konda to all hands.  Prepaare for high G acceleration. =/\=

 

FITZJAMES: Crap.

 

:: Well, what were they supposed to hold onto? Del discovered quickly: nothing. It was one of the worst feelings he'd ever experienced: He slid backward, almost in free fall, but at the same time his body felt heavier than it ever had; it was like a dream of falling. Thankfully, it only lasted a second or two, but he never wanted to experience it again. ::

 

DEL VEDOVA: Why the hell would they have done that?

 

FITZJAMES: I dinna ken, but I’m thinkin’ that we hae bigger problems than a critter on the loose.

 

DEL VEDOVA: Yeah, no kidding: Apparently now it's driving.

 

FITZJAMES: Lets find this thin’ and git oot o’ here.

 

DEL VEDOVA: No disagreement here.

:: Unfortunately, it wasn't going to be this easy: The universe's Wheel of Discomfort had landed this time upon a particularly hideous torture in which some great foot kicked the ship and let all the folks inside bang about like beads in a rattle. Del was honestly surprised that he hadn't been hurt -- well, any more than some abrasions, hematomas, and the like, which were honestly to be expected when the universe was so capricious. The lights flickered on and off and decided they'd rather be off, and only then did it all stop. ::

 

FITZJAMES: Frak. ::Sigh.:: Eh Doc, er ye dead?

 

DEL VEDOVA: I only wish I was, FitzJames. Now what?

FITZJAMES: ?

:: Del tried to pull out his tricorder, but his wrist felt funny, if by "funny" he meant "broken." He leaned against the other wall and felt the hot wetness on his forehead. Blood. Perfect. He opened the tricorder awkwardly and scanned himself and then FitzJames. ::

DEL VEDOVA: No good. I've got three broken bones, and you have five. Add that onto everything else, and we're not in good shape. (beat) Can you crawl back out?

FITZJAMES: ?

:: Del shook his head, even though he knew FitzJames couldn't see it. Or -- could he? The light from the tricorder might be enough, if he was looking. ::

DEL VEDOVA: That doesn't matter now. We're in no shape to catch or chase anything. Whatever happened, whatever's going to happen, we should go. Now, can you crawl, or should I call for an emergency beamout?

FITZJAMES: ?

Tag! and TBC!

Lieutenant Nic del Vedova

Chief of Emergency Services

USS Mercury