Prologue 2


Lt. Freeman


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Lt. Freeman

{USS Berlin}

Freeman walked out of his quarters into the corridor. He liked the smaller Excelsior class starships, but he was going to thoroughly enjoy serving on the Griffin.

He adjusted the collar of his uniform as he walked down the corridor. The golden collar of his undershirt was a little tight - he'd have to make the needed adjustments with the replicator next time. He turned left into the turbolift. As a passenger on the Berlin, he was also expected to help out some.

The doors opened a moment later on the bridge. The Excelsior class ships had the older style bridge - more about business than comfort. He slid into a seat along the outer "wall." He looked down at the sensor displays, and noted nothing of importance. The tactical assistant's position on the Berlin was sleek and simple, even if it looked as if it were in an unimportant position.

The time passed slowly by, and the collar on his uniform never ceased to choke him.

That's when it went awry.

At about 1532, the sensors registered a ship on an intercept course. Being in Federation space, the captain was slow to react to the other ship as a threat. Before long, it was revealed to be a Romulan scout cruiser - no doubt attempting to destroy them in a desperate attempt to remain hidden deep in Federation space. Why she wasn't cloaked, they didn't know. Perhaps her cloak was damaged...

The Berlin went to red alert. Freeman was watching the auxiliary tactical controls closely. He wasn't allowed any control over the weapons systems, so he had to sit and watch.

(Graduated third in my Academy class - majored in Tactical and Operations...and I have to sit. Talk about frustrating.)

He looked at his console. Thankfully the Berlin had newer shields installed after the Dominion war. They would hold long enough he hoped.

Crash!

(Here we go...) He growled to himself as the action began.

The actual battle lasted only minutes. The Berlin's captain, much to his surprise was a VERY accomplished battle commander - no doubt the reason this ship survived the Dominion war without major damage. The Romulan cruiser was experiencing difficulties, and in no time, they were disabled.

Freeman stood up. "Permission to join the boarding party sir?" he asked the captain.

"Denied Mr. Freeman. Remain at your post," the captain replied.

He sat back down - crestfallen. He had hoped to go, but he understood. It wouldn't do for the U.S.S. Griffin's newest crewman to be slaughtered while en route to his ship. He sighed softly, and resumed watching his displays.

Within the hour, the intruding ship was secured, and taken into tow. Freeman was dismissed, and set off for the main lounge.

He got there a few moments later, and slid into a seat at the modest bar.

"Uh....Coca Cola please," he asked softly.

The crewman serving as tender nodded, and set off to retrieve his beverage. She returned a moment later with a bottle of Coca Cola. He looked at it.

(Hehe...an old bottle, how cool...)

"Thought you might like the bottle," the tender said, as if reading his mind.

He smiled in reply, opening the bottle and taking a sip. The soda went down smoothly, and before long it was gone. He stood up, and left for his quarters and the comfort of his bunk.

(Not doing much makes a guy just as tired...,) he mused as he entered his spartan quarters. He flopped into his bunk, and sleep quickly overtook him. He didn't even take of the choking undershirt.


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