Recall: You mean there's more?

Matrix

Rear Admiral
2681.036.2022 - At Long Last

A cheerful twitter resounded from the control panel. Alerted, Nathan examined his display.

"Sir," he faced the Captain, "Perry Naval Base is within radar range. At our current speed, we should reach it in under 7 minutes."

Thomas nodded silently, frowning through his glasses. He was sitting back in his usual seat with arms folded across his chest. Ever since the battle at Tingerhoff the day before, he had spoken very little - still mulling over the demise of the Nobi and the souls on board. In fact the atmosphere in the whole convoy was far from cheerful, despite their irrefutable victory. Over half of their fighters had been eliminated, many of the ejected pilots not making it back - their pods damaged or destroyed by stray fire and impact. Several of the pilots never even ejected.

The crew of the Golem was particularly dreary. Few had come out of the collision unscathed, and some had not survived the impact of the two immense craft. The Golem's medic was unable to help the critically wounded, having sustained a serious injury herself. Thus, medical personnel from the Goblin and Ghoul were quickly dispatched to the damaged cruiser, by way of the Icarus' shuttle flown by Caitlin and Nathan. Micas and Jessica had volunteered to help out as well, to which Thomas consented. The combined medical team had their hands full once aboard the Golem.

Though itching to get a good night's rest after their tedious shift on the bridge, Caitlin and Nathan were also kept busy till the early hours of the morning. They searched out and brought in the ejected pilots - both dead and alive. Those pilots that still sat in their cockpits, made it back on their own. Though the Golem's hangar was rendered unusable, all remaining fighters comfortably fit on the Goblin and Ghoul, with room to spare.

With urgent matters out of the way, Otin conferred with the other commanders to assess damage and casualties. Thomas had kept his teeth clenched during the tense debriefing after which Colonel Otin handed over command to the Captain. He cited medical reasons - namely three broken ribs and extensive bruising. Though he would not let on, Colonel Otin felt responsible for the deaths of his crewmembers. In his mind, he should have foreseen the collision and prevented it. Captain Harvey had reluctantly congratulated him on the victory, but only after Otin declared he was fully responsible for his decision to destroy the crippled Nobi. Thomas took some comfort in the fact that procedure required the debatable order to be scrutinised by High Command. Of course a commission of enquiry would resolve the question in the Colonel's favour, since too much was at stake in this mission. Thomas didn't hold that against Otin - he only hoped the Colonel would dwell a while on his rash, cold-hearted order.

"Captain," Nathan interrupted, "Commodore Ki'thark has received word from Admiral Terrell and advises we proceed with all haste."

Thomas raised an eyebrow. He was impatient as the others to get his shipment into the safety of the naval base, but was there really a need to make a mad dash?

"Oh all right," the Captain sighed, "All ahead full."

"Aye Captain," Nathan replied formally, "Setting speed to 280kps."

The Icarus' engines brightened as it accelerated to its maximal speed - the four cruisers easily keeping up while the heavier destroyer slowly fell back. Surprisingly, the Golem had suffered little systems' damage since the shields held firm against the torpedo attack. The collision had caused extensive mutilation to two generators, however engine speed wasn't greatly effected - just falling short of her maximum 320kps, and thus keeping up comfortably.

The display before Thomas suddenly flickered with the image of the Kilrathi commander, "Ayh whill konvhene with yhoo and the admirahl at a lahterr time."

Thomas immediately sat up, "I look forward to it Sir."

The screen went off as abruptly as it had come on, leaving the startled Captain staring blankly at a spinning logo. Thomas blinked and slumped back in his seat with a sigh. Ever since the meeting with the TCS Cyclops and TCS Slither, the Captain was glad to hand over command of the operation to the superior Commodore. The Kilrathi was quick to assess the situation, and form a simple yet efficient strategy in case of further attacks. Fortunately the rest of the journey had been uneventful.

Nathan yawned, "I can't wait to get there and crawl into a bunk."

He had stayed on for a second ship, having switched with Micas at the Captain's request. Major Gratke had assisted the medical team on the Golem above and beyond the call of duty. He was helping treat the wounded long after Nathan and Caitlin had returned to the Icarus with Jessica, for a well deserved rest. No doubt he would have continued if he had not been ordered back to his ship by the chief medic. After Travis had brought him back in the shuttle, Thomas saw him off to bed personally. That was nearly 16 hours after he had left the Icarus - a total of 34 hours, of which no less than 8 were spent conducting a gruelling emergency medical procedure. Since then, the Major had been sleeping it off, and who could blame him - he was only human.

"TCS Icarus, this is Perry Naval Base traffic control. You have priority clearance to enter secure bay 3E. All other inbound and outgoing traffic has been withheld until you land. Be aware that perimeter defences have been activated, and proceed at your convenience. Over."

"My, they're taking this seriously," Thomas remarked.

"Perry traffic control, this is TCS Icarus. We read you loud and clear. E-T-A 2 minutes," Nathan replied as he began to ease off the throttle.

He began turning the ship, letting it slide a little to match up with the large opening in the top of the base's dome structure. Continually reducing speed, he settled the Icarus to a stop just above the entry. Briefly igniting the top thrusters, the ship sunk past two massive turrets and into the base. While Nathan's eyes remained glued to his displays, Thomas watched the patchwork of metal panels sliding past the ship, just meters from the cockpit's front window. Nathan slowed their descent, and yawed the ship ever so carefully to align it with the opening into a vast hanger lined with soldiers. The Icarus' 95 meter length of hull slowly slipped into the spacious chamber, which could comfortably house another craft that size. As the cockpit steadily neared the far wall of the hangar, Thomas noticed a familiar face in the window overlooking the hangar. The moustached man spun about with a smile and walked out of view.

Nathan drew the Icarus to a halt and lowered the 16 separate landing feet - switching to a camera on the ship's underside to make sure they were all fully extended. Once satisfied, he let the suspended mass gently drop to the flight deck. A loud thump, followed by the creak of springs and scratching metal indicated they had touched down.

"Perry traffic control, we have landed," Nathan began a post-flight check.

"Roger Icarus."

The fading sound of the Icarus' engines was replaced by the loud whirring of the hangar doors being sealed. Thomas eagerly got up and left the bridge, headed for the rear of the craft where the surface loading ramp was located. Quickly pacing around a corner and down some steps, he found himself in the wide corridor sided by doors to the Icarus' cargo bays. What seemed like a dead-end in the wide hall, began to lower onto the flight deck the ship rested upon - at fist only a crack, admitting light from the bright-lit hangar beyond. Thomas waited as the ramp droned on. Before its metal end reached the deck with a clank, he paced down the metal gangway and ducking, hopped the half a meter onto the firm grey floor. He walked between two landing props noticing the line of marines with rifles at the ready.

"Thomas!" a voice echoed about the flat metal surfaces.

The Captain turned to face the front of the hangar where a wide door had just opened. The man he had seen in the observation window walked quickly toward him with an armed escort.

"Admiral," Thomas met Terrell halfway and they shook hands vigorously, "It's good to be back Sir."

"And you've brought me the proverbial needle in a haystack."

"It looks like it. By Jove, I think we've finally found what we've been looking for."

"I always knew my trust in you was well placed Thomas."

"Thank you Sir. I hope our scientists have as much fun picking it apart as we had finding it."

"And speaking of we," the Admiral looked past the Captain at the emerging Icarus' crew.

Thomas turned around at the sound of boots on metal, a frown on his face. "I didn't give the order to abandon ship!" he roared. "Get back onboard!"

Admiral Terrell burst out laughing. Several marines tried hard not to giggle, drawing cold stares from their commanding officers. Thomas smiled at his tired and confused crew, waving them to come over.

"Always the joker," Terrell continued to chuckle. The age difference between the two men was near naught - obviously the deciding factor in their relation despite the significant difference in rank.

The crew approached and stood in a slightly skewed line.

"Atten-hut!" Thomas barked.

They all snapped to attention. The Admiral clapped.

"Just checking," Thomas winked in their direction, "At ease."

"So this is the crew that found it," Terrell deliberately avoided any specific term, "And hauled it all the way here through Fariss Quadrant, all the while fending off enemy attacks. Aren't you going to introduce me?"

The Admiral had in fact seen them all off when the CES Icarus had first taken to space, but he had seen so many crews since then, that all the names formed a loose jumble in his mind.

"Crew," Thomas began, "say hello to the Admiral."

"Hello to the Admiral!" they chimed, a smirk appearing on each face.

"They've got you there Thomas," Terrell smiled.

"All right, enough of that."

"Yes Captain," they replied less formally.

"Actually," the Admiral cleared his throat, "As of 18:00 it's Commodore. We have a little ceremony scheduled for tomorrow."

"Congratulations Sir!" the crew knew he had earned it.

Thomas flinched. He stepped closer to the Admiral and whispered to him, "You know how I feel about that, Sir."

"Don't worry Thomas. I've arranged it so you'll keep your ship," the Admiral assured, "And no additional paperwork. Now let me inspect your crew."

From the far end, each crewmember stepped out and spoke their rank and name.

"2nd Lietuenant James O'Connor, Sir."

"Ah, yes. The man responsible for the find," the name matched the once on Harvey's report, "Good job."

"Thank you Sir," James stepped back.

"Major Micas Gratke," the Major looked very prim, despite having just got up after a mere four hours of sleep.

"The Science officer?" the Admiral queried.

"Yes, Sir."

"I'm sure the research team we have set up to work on this project will benefit from your experience."

"Thank you Admiral," Micas had met him on several prior occasions.

"2nd Lieutenant Jessica McCall."

"Commodore," Terrell turned to face Thomas, "Does Lieutenant McCall have any duties to attend to at the moment?"

"No Sir," Thomas was as surprised at the question as he was at the sound of his new rank.

"Corporal," the Admiral turned to one of his guards, "Please escort the Lieutenant to my conference room. Somebody is expecting her there."

Jessica's face lit up, "Daddy!?"

Before Admiral Terrell could nod, Jessica had saluted, curtsied and dashed for the door - the startled marine double-timing after her.

"I learnt the importance of family a long time ago," Terrell commented as he moved to the next crewmember.

"Major Caitlin Torres," she smiled, "Sir."

"It's good to see you again Caitlin," the Admiral held her hand, "Why do we let you out there?"

"Because I love it out there, and no force could ever keep me away - not even an Admiral."

He smiled, releasing her hand.

"2nd Lieutenant Travis Keene," he quickly removed the cigar stub from his mouth.

"Just for that," the Admiral held out an open palm, "I'm going to relieve you of one of those."

Without a word, Travis reached into his jacket pocket - the guard's hands tensing around the rifle. Hearing the click, Admiral Terrell raised a hand. Travis slowly extracted a plainly wrapped, unlabeled cigar and handed it to the Admiral. He unwrapped it and ran its length under his nose.

"Not bad." the Admiral produced a small tool from his pocket and clipped the cigar.

Travis took out his trusty silver lighter and flicked it open. Terrell stuffed the cigar into his mouth and sucked the flame into it, a cloud of smoke growing around him. He inhaled deeply and let out a thick stream of smoke.

"Not bad at all. Who's your supplier?"

"I'm not at liberty to disclose them, Sir," Travis replied uneasily.

"I see," Admiral Terrell took another breath through the cigar. "Well next time you contact them, let them know they have another potential customer in the Navy." He turned back to Thomas, "Fine crew."

"1st Lieutenant Nathan Barkley is still on the bridge, overseeing the ship's shutdown."

"Well let's take a look at our little gem, shall we?" the Admiral's suggested - his voice slightly distorted by the cigar between his lips.

The ship's commander led the way up the ramp and stopped at the first door on the right, marked with a large number two. He punched in a six-digit number on the panel beside the door and the airlock opened. They filed in and waited briefly while fans pushed air past them. Finally the opposite door opened with a hiss and they stepped through to see the large grey mass strapped down with cables.

"Not very impressive, is it?" Thomas finally spoke up after a moment's silence.

"No," Admiral Terrell puffed smoke, disappointed. "I looks like a sliced up lump or rock," he paced a few steps this way and that, to get a better look.

"Oh it's definitely more than that. Let's head to the bridge and I'll show you what the resonance scans show."

They made their way back through the air lock, then walked along the wide corridor and up the short flight of steps. Thomas led the way around the corner, to the bridge door where he placed his hand on the palm reader. The door unlocked with a clang and swung open - much to the surprise of the Lieutenant at his console.

"Admiral," Nathan got up and saluted.

"As you were."

Nathan obeyed and got back to his work.

The Admiral walked casually up to the seat where the Captain usually sat and plopped down, "My word. What I wouldn't give to trade in the chair at my desk for this very seat."

Thomas smiled, "Nathan, bring up the Steltek scans for the Admiral."

"Yes Sir," Nathan paused working to call up the images on the small display before the Admiral.

Terrell stared at the front window, expecting the images to show up there.

"Uh. Admiral," Thomas directed him to the monitors on the control panel.

"Oh, right. Tell me again why we didn't install a large screen HUD on this ship?" he gestured broadly with his hand.

"It," Thomas cleared his throat, "Obstructs the view of the stars."

"I thought so," Terrell smiled, looking back down to study the screen. "So Lieutenant, have I told you your Captain is now a Commodore?" the Admiral smirked.

"Oh do stop that Sir," Thomas complained.

"You have now Admiral," Nathan grinned, "Congratulations...Commodore."

"Let's stick to Captain for now. They haven't forced the rank on me yet."

"Oh not only will we do that," Terrell threatened, "We'll also make you eat a piece of the cake."

Nathan chuckled, while Thomas looked indignantly at the Admiral.

2681.036.2148 - Party Naval Base

"Oh come on Captain," Jessica was hanging onto Thomas' arm, "I want you to meet my dad."

Thomas smelled a rat. He began suspecting something the moment Admiral Terrell had excused himself before they had finished a late dinner. Thomas finally gave in. Whatever they had install for him, it was inevitable.

"Alright, but please stop pulling me."

Jessica let go of his arm, though reluctantly. She led the way, headed towards the Admiral's conference room where she had talked with her father, forgoing dinner. Thomas followed obediently, guessing their destination. As Jessica walked up to the double door it swung open, revealing a small crowd gathered in the large chamber.

"Surprise!" they cheered.

"I knew it," Thomas muttered as Jessica took her place beside a man he recognised as her father.

Admiral Terrell stepped forward.

"You just had to do it?" Thomas shook his head.

"Thomas, we see you so rarely that I think a little celebration is in order before you disappear into the void for another 10 months."

Thomas sighed. This was exactly why he preferred to stay in the void, but he couldn't say that, "I thought you said it would be tomorrow?"

"I lied. You wouldn't have come if you knew it was today."

"You got that right!" Thomas mocked with a grin.

"Friends," Terrell raised his voice in a practised manner, "We all know how our guest of honour hates ceremony so I'll get right down to it." He turned to face Thomas, "We may have dragged him in here a Captain, but he's leaving a Commodore."

The crowd clapped and cheered as the Admiral handed Thomas the open black case containing the small metal symbols that bestowed upon him the rank of Commodore.

"Speech!" somebody shouted, "Speech!"

Everybody quietened down in anticipation.

Thomas looked at the decorative box in his hands and then straight at the slightly perplexed Terrell, "Well it's about bloody time too!"

The room roared with laughter. As it died away, conversations began - some people making a move toward drinks and snacks. Thomas glanced at the shining ornaments - that's all they were. He snapped the case shut and prepared himself for the assault of handshakes and polite conversation with people he had never met.

Sure enough Admiral Terrell waved someone over, "Come meet the Commodore."

Thomas spotted the person who was approaching. A head taller than anybody else in the room - a head completely covered in hair and fronted with a nose and whiskers that twitched as he cautiously pushed toward them.

"Grreetinghs Kommoh'dore Harvee," the large Kilrathi outstretched his massive paw.

Thomas smiled as his hand disappeared in the soft padded paw. The large furry hand wrapped gently around his and slowly shook it as the Cat briefly revealed two rows of white teeth.

"The pleasure is mine Commodore Ki'thark," how Thomas hated these trivial formalities.

The Kilrathi released Thomas' hand, "I hav' hherd much of yhor sserches in the Fariss Quad'rant."

Here we go again, Thomas thought. A joke about having the right security clearance probably wouldn't cut it with a Kilrathi, so he had to think of something else. "Have you been in Gemini long Commodore?"

"Nho. Ayh have not'h. Whe where pahtrolling for rrohgue Kilrathi kra'ft in Nitir when Admirahl Terrell reqhuested ouhr assiss'tance. Ouhr vessel is curr'entlee stay'shoned in Trk'pahn, where we whill return shorrtlee."

"I see," the conversation was going nowhere fast - about as small as small-talk gets.

"Yhoo do not enhjoy th'heese gathehringss?" Ki'thark gracefully swept his paw through the air, eyeing the group of humans.

Thomas smiled, "No, I'm afraid not. Large groups of people tend to intimidate me."

"Then Ayh whood sugg'ehst lheavingh Kommoh'dore."

Thomas looked up at the Kilrathi as he blinked. Before he could make up his mind whether it was a joke or not, the Admiral emerged with another person who was no doubt dying to meet him.

"Colonel Otin?" Thomas recognised the tired looking man - his arm in a sling.

"You've met?" the Admiral feigned disappointment.

Thomas shot a frown across to Terrell, then faced the Colonel "Is it broken?"

It took Otin a moment to realise what he was talking about, "Oh, no Sir. Just sprained. I am very fortunate to have got away with only a few scratches. If I hadn't been strapped in, things would've been much worse - like for two of my officers."

Thomas remembered the two people thrown against the bridge window like rag dolls, "Quite. You would have been in no position to save the rest of your crew and what remained of your ship."

"Well I couldn't help those two."

"How are they doing?" Thomas asked carefully - but he realised he shouldn't have asked at all.

Otin's look was a cross of hatred and despair. "They didn't make it," he said simply. He would spare them the details. The spine shiver inducing crunch of bone, followed by a muffled thud as the lifeless bodies fell to the floor - leaving a small spatter of blood as the only sign of impact. The Colonel had heard those sounds over the groan of steel as he lurched forward - his breath painfully squeezed from him. "It was wrong of me to order the Nobi's destruction so hastily."

"That's for the heads of staff to decide," Thomas frowned. "You did what the situation required. Out of shock if nothing else," he added. In a way, he envied the Colonel for his fighting instinct.

"Mayh Ayh ask what the sit'uaytion was?" the large Kilrathi spoke up.

"Oh," Thomas didn't realise Ki'thark was still near. "The Golem accidentally collided with the Nobi, its nose piercing straight through a generator section of the Echidna class cruiser."

"Ayh had whonderrd how the enemhee hhad inflikhted ssuch dhamage." The Commodore was aware of the disfigured ship under his command, but the cause of damage seemed unimportant.

"When the Colonel recovered his senses from the collision, he managed to withdraw the Golem from the Nobi, and ordered the Ghoul and Goblin to attack." Thomas was forcing his voice calm.

The Kilrathi sensed Thomas' anger - mainly by the shame on Otin's face. "Ayh see nho error in the kho'mmahndh."

"The order was to destroy an already disabled ship," Thomas carefully watched the furred Commodore as he spoke. "They were defenceless."

"Nhot Ahs dehfenssless ahs the Goh'lem?" the Cat's ears rose a little.

"The Nobi did appear paralysed after the impact," Otin threw in.

"Purrhaps," Ki'thark eyed the somewhat worried Colonel. "Bhut Iht tahkss twho krahft too khollidhe," he emphasised the number with his paw.

"I still say the Colonel acted too swiftly," Thomas insisted.

"The Cohlonel akhted swiftlee, yehss," Ki'thark nodded once. "The khrew of the Noh'bee dhyd not arrise frohm theirr dhownfall in tihme. They werr wheek and the wheek dho not ssurrvivhe - th'hey arr noht ment thoo," he spoke with great conviction.

"Maybe their commander never regained consciousness, unlike Colonel Otin?" Thomas folded his arms, tucking the thin black case under his shoulder.

"Thehn theyr weak leedehr wass theyr uhndoo'yng," the Kilrathi said simply.

"They may have been unable to communicate their surrender," the Colonel spoke up again.

"Mayhbhee they dihd nhot wahnt to kho'mmunikayht?" Ki'thark suggested.

"Are you suggesting it was a planned, last ditch effort?" the possibility intrigued Thomas.

"I dho naht knohw," Ki'thark shook his head. "Bhut shoorrlee the kroohw of the Noh'bee fehlt less ohf the impact."

"How so?" Thomas intently watched the Commodore's whiskers twitch while he spoke.

"Ah fohrward impahkt is mohr damaghing than a sihd khollision," Ki'thark gestured vaguely with his paws.

"He's got you there," Admiral Terrell spoke up. "Excuse me," he wandered off into the crowd.

"Yes... Still, I would feel better if they had fired the first shot after the crash," Thomas stroked his chin thoughtfully. "Although I guess that if it were a torpedo aimed at the Golem, we may not have the pleasure of the Colonel's presence now."

Colonel Otin's face lit up a little.

Thomas felt a gentle tapping on his shoulder. He turned around to see Jessica clinging to an older man in regal clothing. Thomas smiled - finally faces he wanted to see.

"Mr. McCall," Thomas outstretched his hand, "I'm glad to finally meet you in person."

"So am I Commodore," he bowed slightly as they shook hands, "And for the opportunity to thank you for taking care of my daughter."

"You must be proud."

"There's nothing more I enjoy than seeing her happy," he looked into his daughter's eyes - the spitting image of her departed mother, "But I must admit I worry."

Thomas thought carefully of his reply, "Jessica is more than capable of taking care of herself. I stake my reputation on it."

"Thank you. That helps," his words were sincere.

"Aren't you going to tell him about your Gemini candidature?" Jessica tugged her father's arm.

"Please dear, let's keep politics out of this."

"Sounds like congratulations are in order," Thomas smiled, "You certainly have my vote."

The formally dressed man seemed more than a little embarrassed - no wonder the public took to him. Before he could say anything else, the Admiral reappeared with two more serious faces.

"Thomas, our heads of research. Doctor Gina Adams you already know, is our Steltek technology specialist. And this is Professor Geoffrey Hughes..."

"Micas?" the squat man shouted over the droning of the room.

"Professor Hughes!" The tall Major quickly covered the distance to the short scientist and embraced him somewhat awkwardly due to the difference in height.

"Micas my boy, how the hell are you?" the balding man spoke excitedly.

Thomas blinked, completely surprised, "You know each other?"

"The Professor and I served on the Banshee together."

"We kept each other sane while the rest of the crew was cracking up."

"Professor Hughes is quite adept at phase ball."

"And Micas is none too bad at quantum physics," the chubby Professor grinned.

"Yes, our resident expert physicist," Terrell finished his sentence with a frown.

Thomas stood there dumbstruck. For someone so introverted, he would have never figured Micas could be so friendly - even affectionate. The two men spoke like childhood friends, obviously having shared a significant portion of their lives, even if briefly.

"I've always wondered," Micas questioned the Professor as if they had never parted, "Why are the jump points in the Gemini Sector surrounded by blue, glowing, jump spheres while no such phenomenon exist in Sol or Vega sectors?"

"Simple," he piped, "The gravitron field concentrations are more intense toward the galaxy's centre thereby inducing local photon discharge anomalies."

"How interesting!" Micas actually smiled, having understood.

As Thomas turned away from a conversation that quickly became too technical to follow, he saw Caitlin approach with Nathan and James. Thomas found himself staring at Major Torres, who presented herself in an elegant flowing dress that well exhibited her slim figure. She walked up to him and spun around.

"Where on Earth did you get that? You look simply beautiful."

"Near the place where we got this," she handed him a small box.

"For me?" Thomas took off the tight fitting lid and peeked in. He lifted out the mug from inside and examined the writing on it. It said 'To our favourite Commodore,' with the word 'Captain' crossed out. "Thank you," he outstretched his arms - mug in one hand, black case in the other.

Caitlin threw her arms around him, "It was either that, or a retirement gift," she whispered into his ear. She let go of him and studied the expression on his face, one of content.

Though not strictly formal, her dress had attracted some attention - mostly of other women who had dressed more conservatively for the somewhat official party.

"Wow!" Jessica exclaimed, "You didn't buy that off a pirate dealing in precious stones and truffles, did you?"

"No," Caitlin giggled, "You like?"

"It looks great. I just wish I had thought of wearing something more effeminate," she clutched at her comparatively drab uniform.

Travis appeared from nowhere with a bottle of Champagne, "Whoa! Major, I think I can take orders from you dressed like that."

"Watch it Lieutenant," she waved a fist mockingly at him.

Even Micas went out of his way to pay her a compliment, "A fine dress on an exquisite lady."

"Guys please!" Caitlin blushed, "I never should've worn this thing."

"Oh come now," James cut in, "This is the first and possibly last time we see you out of uniform." Jessica swatted him with an open palm, "Ow!"

"I'll see if I can get us some music," Travis disappeared again, closely followed by James.

"Music?" Caitlin was startled at turn of events.

"Caitlin," Thomas couldn't resist, "Have you ever danced with a Commodore?"

"Oh, Captain," she forgot herself for a minute, "I'd love to."

"Not me silly." As he looked up, Caitlin realised he meant the Kilrathi towering a head above everyone else. Ki'thark grinned toothily, playing along.

"Oh, my."

Suddenly the lights dimmed a little, and a soft, intricate rhythm resounded over the conference room's amplifier system.

Ki'thark saw this as his cue. He stepped up to Major Torres and bowed politely. He held out a paw, "Mayh Ayh have thiss dahnce?"

Caitlin put her hand on the furry paw in acceptance, and the Kilrathi led her toward the open space near the podium. Several of the guests were already nodding heads and tapping feet.

Admiral Terrell stormed up to Thomas just as Travis reached them with a fresh bottle of Champagne.

"What in blazes is going on?" Terrell was more surprised than irate.

Travis finished a long swill, "Micas tapped into a local music database and patched it through to the speaker system." Jessica pinched his bottle, "Hey!"

She took a long drink from it and thrust it into her father's arms. "Come on," she pulled the startled Lieutenant Keene to the makeshift dance floor.

"Micas?" Thomas could only manage that one word.

Terrell Admiral could manage even less as he stood there with mouth agape.

"Those are some speakers you've got installed here!" Nathan gave the Admiral a thumbs-up.

Jessica's father moved closer, offering the Champagne to the Admiral. Terrell eyed it, then took hold of it. He looked around for a glass but gave up, taking a quick drink from the bottle. "What about the cake?" he remembered.

"I don't think anybody will be interested in that now," Thomas chuckled as he looked across to the dance floor, where Caitlin moved as gracefully as Ki'thark. "You know what those two remind me of?"

The Admiral also watched the pair, "That famous 1990's animated movie?"

Thomas nodded, "Only I'm not sure which is the beauty and which the beast."

Terrell grinned, "Look's like they're in for a long night."

The Commodore looked at him for an explanation.

"It's past bedtime for some of us old folks," the Admiral handed the bottle to Thomas with a grin, and left.

"Goodnight Admiral," Thomas examined the bottle forced upon him and searched for a place to put it down. As he stepped up to a nearby table and set down the bottle the first melody finished. Caitlin and Ki'thark soon appeared by his side.

"Your turn Commodore," Caitlin wasn't letting him get away that easily.

"Me?" he asked incredulously.

Major Torres nodded.

Thomas looked to the Kilrathi for help, but Ki'thark just shurgged.

"But I have two left feet," he complained.

"Then I'll swap you for one of my two right feet," she replied without a moment's thought.

Thomas couldn't help but grin. He recalled the lengths his wife would through, to get him out on the dance-floor. "I wouldn't even dance with my own wife. What makes you think I'll dance with you?"

"Your wife gave the orders. I take them from you." While the confused Thomas was distracted by Ki'thark's quiet laughter, Caitlin yanked him by the hand, "Oh, come on!"

Thomas almost dropped his mug, and nearly knocked off the bottle he had just set down. He hastily threw the two boxes he still held, onto the table.

Ki'thark watched him being cruelly dragged through the crowd, then turned to leave - striking something soft with his curled tail. His ears pinpointed the direction of a muffled squeal. Turning slowly, and looking down over his shoulder, he noticed the startled woman in uniform.

"Mhy ahpolhogiess mhadam," he looked down at her apologetically. Deciding not to attempt an easily misinterpreted smile, he carefully turned away and left through the double doors - disappearing around the corner as his plain cloak rippled against his long, feline tail.
 
To my surprise it all fit in one post. Maybe be a clipboard size thing.
I know I'm turning it into a circus...so shoot me.
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Incidentally the second bit wasn't meant to happen - it just did.
 
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You're insane, Mac.
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Seriously, you went a bit too much overboard. Right. Let's get commentin'.

1. *twitter* - Well, that concludes that
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. You were saying something about "whooshed"?
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2. *their pods damaged* - Actually, the Weasels probably use the plain old ejection seat rather than the pod. Size limitations, y'know.
3. *He had stayed on for a second ship,* - Aw, shift! - Jedrzej M.
4. *"Be aware that perimeter defences have been activated, and proceed at your convenience. Over."* - It just sounds kinda funny, that's all
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. Kinda like, 'we're aiming all our guns at you... so come on in.'
5. *By Jove* - Been reading Dralthi5 stories too much, aye?
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6. *Hello to the Admiral!" they chimed, a smirk appearing on each face.* - Now, that's too much. What time did you write this? 0300?
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7. *the name matched the once on Harvey's report* - matched the one.
8. *Jessica had saluted, curtsied and dashed for the door* - Ahem... yes. The salute makes the curtsy unneccesary... and silly, unless she's wearing her ceremonial uniform (I would assume that the normal uniform does not include a dress, thus making curtsying impossible
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).
9. *Kommoh'dore* - I would suggest Kommoh'dorr, at least. Better still, Khommoh'dorr.
10. *"Nhot Ahs dehfenssless ahs the Goh'lem?"* - No need for the capital in Ahs.
11. *"Purrhaps,"* - Yeah, I like having the Kilrathi say that too.
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12. *"Aren't you going to tell him about your Gemini candidature?"* - I don't think Confed has people in position to manage a whole sector, except for military personnel.
13. *"Simple," he piped, "The gravitron field concentrations are more intense toward the galaxy's centre thereby inducing local photon discharge anomalies."* - Heh. I knew you'd figure out something.
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14. *Thomas found himself staring at Major Torres, who presented herself in an elegant flowing dress that well exhibited her slim figure.* - Uh... out of uniform at an official ceremony?
15. *one of content.* - To be content is to achieve contentment.
16. *The Admiral also watched the pair, "That famous 1990's animated movie?"* - You're nuts
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. A dancing Kilrathi? Kilrah, avenge him. Besides, I'm sure that there would have been a new version of B&B by the 2600s. 3D, probably.
17. *Terrell grinned, "Look's like they're in for a long night."* - Quarto looked at Matrix for an explanation...
18. *but Ki'thark just shurgged.* - Shrugged.
19. *He recalled the lengths his wife would through* - either went through, or would go through.
20. *Deciding not to attempt an easily misinterpreted smile* - Whi'ss idhee.
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Right... that's about all I will bother with tod... er... yesterday. Except for one other detail. Remember the difficulties getting the Steltek thingie aboard because of the electro-magnetic field? Well... how come there were no difficulties when entering Perry?
 
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Quarto said:

5. *By Jove* - Been reading Dralthi5 stories too much, aye?
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I don't know whether to laugh or be insulted.
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If I'm locked on, there's no such thing as evasive action!
 
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Laugh. It certainly wasn't meant to be insulting.
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I know.

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If I'm locked on, there's no such thing as evasive action!
 
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Now that I'm done with all the other comments I can get back to this. Hmm, something wrong with those priorities.
You're insane, Mac.
*bow* Thank you. Took you a while though.
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Seriously, you went a bit too much overboard.
Well of course it's overboard - they're off the ship.
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1. Well I don't recall "whoosh" being in the thesaurus.
2. Nope. Pods. It doesn't make sense to be ejected into space in a mere flight-suit, and too difficult to pilot steer in a space-suit.
3. 10Q
4. Well...I'll think about it since it may have come across a little awkward.
5. Nope. Asterix. And I've been using "by Jove" for ages.
6. It's not too much. Aw give 'em a break. How would you feel cooped up on a small freighter for 10 months straight?
7. Aye.
8. She was too excited to notice the curtsy was unnecessary...and impossible without a skirt.
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9. Hmm. Actually I think I'll change to Khommo'dhorr, since I don't like the 'oh' sound.
10. Oui.
11. *purr*
12. Gemini the planet, not Gemini the sector. I should've specified, but I'll change to a smaller planet. I don't really what to get tangled up in keeping up with WC political consistencies. Uh, that's an oxymoron right there.
13. But of course. You didn't think I'd let such a thing go unexplained did you?
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14. Who said it was official? How many official ceremonies have you attended where everybody yells "SURPRISE!"
15. Your point?
16. What's wrong with a Kilrathi dancing? All higher forms of life should have music, so why not the Kilrathi? Well maybe I should have added the rhythm was closer to waltz than techno.
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17. Never heard of partying the night away? You'd think the music alone would attract some party animals.
18. Thanks.
19. Well spotted.
20. *bow* Ayh knoo.
Remember the difficulties getting the Steltek thingie aboard because of the electro-magnetic field?
As a matter of fact I do.
Well... how come there were no difficulties when entering Perry?
Oh, there were - just that Micas was too asleep to point them out.
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Actually there will be a little something about that in a later report. The field alignment is actually part of a sophisticated method of propulsion...but we'll get to that in time, laddie.
 
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1. Just for you, I checked. It's there.
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2. Yes, that's why pods were invented. But did they fit on a ship like the Weasel?
4. A little?
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6. Actually, what really bothers me is that 'synergy' thing they have going. You know, how they always seem to answer as one.
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7. I didn't mention that bit... I actually was planning to, but then decided that she might be wearing her dress uniform which would include a skirt.
12. There's a Gemini the planet? Oh yeah, there might be on the WCP map...
15. That it might be better if you use contentment instead of content.
16. While a Kilrathi might indeed dance, I'm not sure if their dances are at all like ours. You missed a whole huge opportunity there, really - I mean, a Kilrathi has a tail for extra balance...
The B&B comparison is really a bit strange. I mean, I'm sure they're all familiar with the story (it's already an old story now), but probably not with the 1990s version.
17. Party animals... there's more Kilrathi out there?
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Well, as long as you keep the alignment thingy in mind, it's ok I suppose.
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1. So is "Yadda" but do you see me using it?
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2. They can now. In fact the cockpit could be the pod.
4. You never payed attention when I pointed out your confusing sentences.
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6. It's a military thing.
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7. You mean 8. Jessica in a skirt? Nah.
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12. Aye...the map.
15. You're probably right. I'll look into it.
16. Yes, well maybe one day the Icarus' crew will find themselves on Trk'pahn and then we'll see how Kilrathi dance. As for the tail, it just gets in the way here - as I thought I made clear.
17. No.

Alignment thingy? What alignment thingy?
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1. Yadda, yadda, yadda.
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4. True...
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16. Yeah, but why would the tail get in the way? Worst-case, it can be wrapped around one's leg so it won't get in the way. One of these days, you ought to read Decision at Doona.
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By alignment thingy I meant the whole magnetic field thingy.
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