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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