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Posted on Mon Dec 4th, 2023 @ 6:25pm by Major Cornelius Tremble
Edited on on Mon Dec 4th, 2023 @ 8:34pm
0 words; about a 1 minute read
Mission:
Episode 15 - The Evil That Lies Beneath
Location: Neil Temble's Quarters - Deck 2 - USS Pioneer
Timeline: MD003 0530 hrs
A dull chiming brought Neil to consciousness, though it was like rising from the depths and he finally opened his eyes. His contact was offline and he began running through his wake up routine, shifting he stood and took stock.
“Four hours of sleep is less than ideal, Major,” a female voice said. Neil didn’t quite jump out of his skin. Glancing around he saw one of the monitors was active and the hologram that had stretched with him was regarding him with her almond shaped eyes.
“What’s really ideal is a holo program trying to give me a heart attack?,” he asked, turning to regard the screen.
“You set your wakeup and I didn’t initialize until that day began, Major. I could have waited silently, like some stalker but instead…”
“Jon needs a punch in the throat,” Neil muttered, rubbing his face and then the back of his neck. “I thought you’d activate in my office, not my quarters.”
“Noted, Major,” the hologram said. I’ll make a note for the developers.”
Sighing, Neil looked at the monitor and said, “Right. Well then. Activate per outlined perimeters. Holo actualization in my quarters, XO’s office and designated decks and tanks.” After a moment he squinted and said, “Full safeties.”
“Understood, sir,” the woman said. “Actualizing.”
The hologram materialized and said, “My designation is Rommie, Major. I believe Doctor Whatt covered my basic functions with you yesterday, but there is a considerable amount to go over. I know you’re busy by your scheduling, I suggest learning on the go?”
Nodding, Neil sighed. “Right. Normal morning routine, you likely already have a working knowledge of my routine, past and present schedule. See what you can do with my lists and all, though frankly Rommie I’m not sure I’m busy enough to need an Orderly.” “Understood Major, but frankly you’ve been flagged for promotion and that typically means increased workload, regardless of current assignment. From sources, there is some concern within the Corp that you’re stagnating within this career path. Should you achieve promotion, you’re still operating in a typical Fleet posting which is causing some resentment among Fleet peer members. Analysis indicates that aspects of Corp senior leadership will set you up to fail, increasing your work load until something slips.”
Neil had frozen as he’d turned his back and began stripping, turning only his head to listen to the hologram. His brain was waking up and he said, “Like the Red Team’s Tasking.”
“Yes sir,” Rommie told him seriously. “The General means well but he was manipulated into giving you that assignment in lieu of reassignment that you’d turned down.” “Manipulated by who?” Neil asked as he fished out a compression body sleeve and began fitting it.
“Senior staffing at Corp headquarters,” Rommie said. “Most likely candidate is General Amos Windgate.”
Neil snorted as he slipped his head through the neck of the sleeve and straightened, feeling the material constrict and he tested his breathing.
“Figures,” Neil said. “He’s disliked me for a long time.”
“We’re known by our enemies, major,” Rommie stated. “Or so Franklin Roosevelt alluded. “Regardless, Doctor Watts received a missive from Doctor Sobel suggesting you might need help.”
“And that figures too,” Neil said. “I thought she was asking a lot of questions on Prometheus.”
“Alright,” Neil said, finally rolling his shoulders as the sleeve’s seams began closing. “I have a date with the tanks again..”
“Yessir,” Rommie cut him off. “I know. It’s on the schedule. Specific muscle memory training simulation Beta Seven Seven for the MARVEL-EAS suits,” she continued, finishing his sentence.
“Right,” Neil said. “You know…well basically are my schedule,” this was going to get odd. Then he thought of something and sighed, “You know, the Commodore is not going to be overjoyed with you being aboard.” “I’m aware of Commodore Malbrooks’s stance on AI,” Rommie said, hoping her apprehensive look was done correctly. I assure you Major, I will adhere to the guidelines and limitations set.”
“I don’t doubt it,” Neil said finally giving her a look over and mumbling. “But don’t put it past Jon to get cute. For instance, are you aware you’re naked, Rommie?”
The AI blinked, then actually blushed and a Marine jumpsuit peeled over her skin and she met Neil’s eye. “Thank you Major,” she said. “Apparently I couldn’t be aware of that until someone mentioned it.”
“Sounds like Jon,” Neil said. “Sift through my workload. Run a parallel assessment of priorities and double check that I haven’t missed anything. That goes double for Pioneer Executive Officer protocols and taskings. I’m sure you get the idea.”
“Yes sir,” Rommie said automatically. “That should take roughly four hours.”
“Ok, we’ll start there,” Neil said as he turned toward the door. “Look forward to working with you, Rommie.”
“And I with you, Major,” she said as the door closed on him. Glancing around the quarters she began making notes to check his bio-readings and make suggestions to bring a calmer influence to the rather spartan furnishings. Her internal sensors could monitor the Pioneer without being able to affect any of them, per her lockout.
Then she sighed again.
Major Cornelius Tremble
Executive Officer, USS Pioneer
Commanding Officer, The Cure
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