Sliding Doors
Posted on Mon Dec 11th, 2017 @ 8:15pm by
Edited on on Thu May 31st, 2018 @ 9:58pm
936 words; about a 5 minute read
Mission:
Episode 2 - The Enemy Within
Location: Empok Nor
Timeline: MD001 1000 Hrs
Tags: SD 71370.1000
Jack looked down at his PADD and then looked up at the crowded promenade around him. He'd received his new orders a week ago and had spent the entire time between then and now trying to make it to Empok Nor in time to catch his ride on the USS Pioneer. As a Marine, he was more than used to working on little sleep and/ or getting sleep where and when he could. He'd taken a small shuttle from Camp Caesar to a waiting Marine transport the Christchurch in orbit. From there it had been three days at high warp in a small cubby that someone, somewhere had determined was a sufficient berth for a Marine 1st Lieutenant. Jack had his doubts about that person's sanity.
From the Christchurch he'd transferred to the Belle Mer a Luna class vessel heading out into some unexplored sections of the Gamma Quadrant via Empok Nor. The marines on the Belle Mer had accepted him, as brothers should, which meant that even though he had had a nicer berth, he didn't get much sleep in the four days he was aboard the ship. All of that, plus the stress from dealing with his wife's move to Empok Nor, left him in a less than ideal frame of mind. He could still fight, he thought, but it wouldn't have been pretty.
"Excuse me," a voice said to Jack as his eyes washed over the Promenade, instinctively scanning for threats. "Are you lost? because if you are, I can surely help you."
He looked to his left and saw a male Ferengi standing nearby, a long green glass in one hand, a white cloth in the other. Behind the Ferengi was a bright bar filled with neon lights, Starfleet officers and a lot of Cardassians. It looked like the bar was doing quite well.
"No," Jack said. "I'm not lost."
"Perhaps looking for a meal? A drink? A girl? All of the above?" The Ferengi said with a toothy smile.
"Thanks, but I'm married," Jack said. He'd seen this kind of salesman in a hundred bars on a hundred planets.
" Congratulations!" The Ferengi said. "Bring her along too. We have couples rates for all of the options I have listed. I am no judge. No, sir. Everyone is free to choose what they want and be who they are at Zulg's." The Ferengi set the glass down on a nearby table and held out a hand. "I'm Zulg."
Jack reach over and shook hands, noting the strong grip. "Lieutenant Jack Cunningham, USS Pioneer"
"Pioneer? Isn't that the ship that is leaving right now?" Zulg said with a surprised look.
Jack scanned the area, looking for other Marines to ask if the Ferengi was telling the truth. "Really? I thought I had another hour."
Zulg shook his head. "This one is on me, Lieutenant Cunningham. The Pioneer is leaving in ten minutes from the upper pylon. If you run, you might make it." Zulg said and pointed to a set of stairs that rose above the fray. "Just stop in and buy a drink when you get back! Oh and bring friends."
Jack was already in motion. He pivoted and turned towards the stairs, holding his heavy bag in front of himself like a shield. Normally people tended to move when his 6'4" frame was hurtling in their direction and the bag only added to his bulk. "Move!" He yelled and the crowds parted. He took the stairs two at a time, his breath even as his legs churned. He turned onto the upper promenade, looking for a sign that would tell him where the upper pylon boarding was located. He saw a female Starfleet Officer in operational yellow walking in his direction.
"Excuse me, Commander, can you tell me which way to the Pioneer?" Jack said in a rush.
She laughed. "Down that way," she said pointing. "But you better hurry. They are going to push back any minute."
"Thanks!" Jack said and pelted down the corridor. He dodged around a Vulcan couple and barely missed barreling into a young child running in the opposite direction. The woman's voice called out from behind.
"And tell my husband to be careful! Just because he's the captain, doesn't mean he's invincible!"
What is she talking about Jack thought as he turned the corner. The docking pylon door, a huge red wheel, was already in motion. It was going to be close. The smart thing would have been to wait and catch a shuttle over or a transporter but Jack didn't want to miss his ride. He grunted and accelerated towards the door, hurtling up the small flight of steps and through the door. His momentum carried him through the small connecting corridor and into the ship proper, where he bounced off of the bulkhead and caromed to a stop. A passing crewman in red paused, mouth agape.
"Carry on, crewman," Jack gasped. "Nothing to see."
"Yes, sir," the crewman said and sped off.
The hatch closed with a soft hiss and Jack stood up, his chest heaving.
"I am getting out of shape," he said to the empty corridor.
"Computer, give me the location for the Marine CO's office," he said.
=^=The Marine CO's office is on deck nine=^=
Jack nodded and gripped his bag. Time to make myself at home
1st Lieutenant Jack Cunningham JR
Marine Commanding Officer, USS Pioneer
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