For The Uniform

Posted on Mon May 17th, 2010 @ 3:05am by

Mission: Commissioned
Location: Bird of Prey, Main Bridge

For the first time in months . . . years even Mara was enjoying herself. Her fingernails were an unhealthy black, her hair felt rough and unwashed and every once in a while her stomach rumbled, reminding her just how pleased her digestion was with the combined rations and Klingon food but she was definitely enjoying herself. The flow regulator in her hand clicked to silence but she didn't move from her position beneath the tactical console as she called out to her crew.

"Alright Mr. Chau turn it on."

His response was in a muffled affirmative and as she waited the Chief ran through what they had thus far accomplished. Primary life support had been restored to the upper decks, followed closely by main shields, phasers and now, assuming no one had really screwed up, torpedoes. She felt a pang of disappointment at the idea of returning to the now well running Jackal and the rather mundane concerns it provided but she wasn't going to let herself become morose just yet.

The hum of returning power pulled her back to the present and her tricorder was in her hand, the power conduits glowing to life. So far so good. She eyed her recent patchwork as the brightening circuits intensified. Her smirk turned to a scowl as a hissing burst of energy broke the silence.

"Turn it off!" Her voice was higher than usual and she covered her face as she propelled herself from the tight position onto the main deck. There was a burst of light and the sharp kiss of sparks before the power died again.

Blinking Mara removed her arm and glared at the ceiling as though whoever was to blame was hiding somewhere up there. Lt Chau appeared above her and his concern morphed into relief and then quickly covered amusement.

"M'am?" There was laughter at the edge of his voice and she sat up.

"What the hell happened?" She demanded as she retrieved the tricorder and began investigating that for herself.

"Your eyebrows, m'am."

She frowned at him. "What the hell kind of an answer is that?"

Realizing his mistake the man slipped behind the tactical console and brought out his own tricorder. "A faulty power regulator."

A series of expletives escaped her and she snapped her tricorder closed. "That damned useless-" she interrupted herself with a tap to her comm badge. =/=Allein to Barcus=/= Another well chosen group of Bajoran curses were sent wheeling over the comm channel and Chau appeared even more engrossed in the still not working console. =/=I thought you told me you had checked and double checked the power distribution system two days ago?=/=

The woman's voice returned a timid confirmation.

=/=Then I suppose it was an intentional attempt on my life and not pure idiocy that just added six hours to our workload. Just because we're in a Klingon ship doesn't mean that killing your superior will increase your rank, I assure you. You're on report.=/= She punched her badge and offered almost a smile to the lieutenant. That was when she realized what he had said and the not quite smile vanished completely. She reached up, gropping at her forehead and her jaw dropped as she gapped at the young man.

"My eyebrows . . ."

He wad obviously trying to look as unamused and as sympathetic as he could, for which she silently gave him
credit. "Yes m'am, they're gone."

She dropped her hand and after a short pause felt a small sharp laugh break through. Maybe it was because they wouldn't be returning quite yet or maybe it was the almost strangled look on Mr Chau's face, but Lt Allein allowed herself a short laugh. The young man's lips broke into a grin but Mara had already returned to normal. "We have a lot to make up for, Lieutenant, let's get to it."

"Yes, m'am."

She paused before returning beneath the panel. "You might not want to tell anyone about this."

He smiled again. "Absolutely."