But What Rises From The Ruins? | CMDR Archer & Lt Waterhouse

Posted on Fri Jul 11th, 2014 @ 1:51am by Commander James Archer & Commander Amelia Waterhouse

1,141 words; about a 6 minute read

Mission: In the Dark

Amelia Waterhouse strode into the brig like she owned the place. At one point in time this was her turf, and though she'd given into her fate of an Intelligence career, she still held a soft spot for Security. She met the gaze of the ensign standing guard. His eyes drifted to her collar, and as he took in the gray of her uniform and the lieutenant's pips, he stood up straighter and politely ignored her. Good, there was at least some respect for intel on this ship.

There was only one holding cell occupied at the moment, and within was the man she'd been waiting impatiently to talk to. In any other circumstances, she'd probably buy him a pint and ask him to retell the story of what happened, but she didn't have the authority to spring him from the cell, nor was she sure yet if that was a good idea. There was a good chance that he'd had a good excuse, there was a lot happening currently and even in the best of times, it was easy for an intel officer to do things that those with less knowledge would think is crazy.

She considered the man in the holding cell. No uniform, which while she couldn't fault him for, it does make it a little harder to convince others of his authority. Easy on the eyes, if he wasn't her direct superior she'd certainly fancy a shag.

"Lieutenant Amelia Waterhouse, reporting for duty, sir," she said, coming to a stop directly in front of the force field on the holding cell. She gave him a textbook salute and waited.

James is laying on the bunk, right leg bent, hands folded on his chest, eyes closed, and wagging his left foot back and forth as if listening to music, "Stand easy, Amelia," he said with a wry smile. "Welcome aboard. I'd ask you for your orders, but we'll get to that later." Jim swings his legs to the side of the bunk and he sits up, " We have a lot of work to do."

"You could start with explaining why you commandeered the phasers, and blasted two Romulans and a fed ship, so I can decide if I trust you," she suggested, dropping her salute. She glanced at the ensign standing guard, "And should I ask him to take a walk?" She lowered her voice as she asked this, nodding at the guard.

"You don't look like the Captain and yes, he needs to wait outside." James stood up, walked over to the bulkhead, and leaned against it. James inspects Amelia top to bottom. "Tell me about yourself, Ms. Waterhouse. Why are you in Starfleet Intel? What are your ambitions?"

"What, my spots are too light to pass? Or is the breasts?" Amelia laughed, shaking her head slowly. "Maybe if we cut me off at the knees, I'll pass for the XO, that should leave me about the right height." Then she looked over at the Ensign.

"If you'll give us a minute here, Ensign," she said. He nodded and stepped outside. Once the door shut behind him, Amelia turned her attention to Archer again, shaking her head. "See, here's the challenge, sir. The Captain and XO are planet side, MIA from what I understand. You're gonna be stuck here a little while if I don't try to wheedle you out sooner on a technicality or the like. I need to know what's going on if that's going to be an option. If you need a list of my current security clearances first, I'll fish up a PADD and show you." She was pointedly ignoring his questions, and crossed her arms as she stood there with a hip cocked at a jaunty angle.

"I've read your service record already and I know your clearance level, but this is something the CO needs to hear first. However, I'm sure you can put 2 and 2 together," James smiles again, "You're a smart cookie."

"Don't tell me those pointy eared green blooded bastards are siding with the Feds," she grumbled and sighed. "So, if I can't get you sprung out of here before we get the command staff back, what do you need me to do?"

"Just hang tight. The Federation doesn't know where the Vindi's at so we have a little time before they start looking for their missing ships." James turns and makes his way to back to the bunk to sit down, "It was three Romulan ships."

"Right, the scout ship, and the other two you blew up with the Vindicator's weapons. Then the Fed ship, I didn't catch its name?" Amelia glanced around for somewhere to sit, but there wasn't anything outside the holding cells. She decided to sit on the floor.

"The McHenery. Crew of about 40 or so. Her skipper was LCDR Leighton Grant, an older chap, prior enlisted, and a really big douche." James paused a moment, "I hate playing 'Devil's Advocate', but needs of the many and all that."

James pondered for a moment, "You said both the CO and XO are off ship and both are miss?"

"Yeah, I don't know exactly what happened yet, but I intended to volunteer to help once I'd properly reported in," Amelia explained. She wasn't sure if mentioning her previous assignment with Ivanova was useful at the moment, so she chose not to. "I think the Cardassian in charge of engineering, Lieutenant Commander Almar Dahe'el, is currently in command of the ship. He's the next person I plan on talking to." Regardless if I'm trying to get you out of that cell, she finished the thought in her head.

She looked closer at the commander, considering this man she was to report to once he was out of the brig again. She wasn't entirely sure about him yet, but so far his story checked out. In another life, he may have been a 007 or a playboy millionaire fighting crime to fill his time. Instead he was Starfleet Intel and a fleet brat like herself. Assuming he doesn't get strung up for treason, he should prove interesting to work with.

"In the mean time, assist with the search." James layed back down on the bunk, "I like you Amelia. You've got moxy. I thinkyou and I can be great friends."

"I'm glad to hear it, sir," she returned as she stood again. Interesting, she thought, head tilted slightly to the left. "Enjoy your stay in the brig," she couldn't resist adding with a smirk as she headed out. The ensign nodded as she exited, returning to his watch as she left.

Now to find that Cardassian chief engineer, and see if she could help expedite the return of the command staff.

=/\= END LOG =/\=

Commander James M. Archer
Chief Intelligence Officer
USS Vindicator

Lieutenant Amelia Waterhouse
Infiltration Specialist
USS Vindicator

 

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