Transfer of Command

Date/Timing: 19 January 2019
Setting: Helipad, The Madhouse; Hong Kong, China
.
Nguyen descends the stairs from the transport to the helipad, Chantell at his heels--
"Dad!" she squeaks. 
"Not now, Officer," Nguyen murmurs. 
"Marshal, Officer," greets Xiong with a bow, "welcome to Hong Kong." Behind her, Officer Lo and Mr Xiong bow as well, Mr Xiong carefully [balancing Fei Yen in her Crimson Typhoon "Around Hong Kong" footie pyjamas.]
Nguyen and Chantell bow. "Thank you for inviting us," he says.
"Don't thank me yet, Thomas."
The little hairs on the back of Nguyen's neck twitch.
"Let's make this official, then," says Xiong. "AGNIS?"
Xiong's tablet clears its throat.
Xiong and Nguyen roll their eyes.
""To Marshal Xiong Li-hua, Commanding Officer, Hong Kong Shatterdome. Twentieth January twenty-nineteen. By mutual consent, you agree to relinquish command of your Shatterdome to Marshal Thomas Nguyen, Sydney Shatterdome, as of this date.""
"AGNIS, transfer all command access, functions, and responsibilities to Marshal Thomas Nguyen."
""Transfer complete. Hong Kong Shatterdome now under command of Marshal Thomas Nguyen."" A beat. ""May god have mercy on his soul.""
"Since when do AIs have a concept of higher powers?" Nguyen quips, ignoring his insides' attempts to flee. 
"One picks up the strangest things here," says Xiong. 
"How lovely," Nguyen doesn't squeak. "In any case—" He steps forward and says, levelly, "I relieve you, ma'am."
"I stand relieved, Thomas." Her lips curl into something like a smile. "Enjoy your time in Hong Kong. Let's be off!" She strides to the helicopter, trailed by her [entourage.
Nang says to Chantell, "Talk to Requisitions." 
"Thanks!"] 
"Bai-bai!" calls Fei Yen, waving over Mr Xiong's shoulder.
Nguyen and Chantell wave back.
"I've got a baaaad feeling about this," mutters Chantell from behind her smile.
"Me, too."
The chopper rises from the tarmac, slowly moves out over the harbour.
Nguyen squares his shoulders. "Suppose we should get—"
/BOOM
Nguyen and Chantell jump.
"What was that? Did you see that?"
"I'm pretending I didn't."
"Was that part of the roof?" Chantell blinks rapidly.
"It did seem to resemble ...."
"Did a chunk of roof just fly off the 'Dome and into the harbour?"
"I'm sure everything will be fine," he assures, steering Chantell toward the 'Dome entrance.
She twists around as she walks. "Isn't that the Disney side of the island, too?"
"Everything is just—"
BLLLLLLLLLAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR
"I packed earplugs?" offers Chantell.
Category:Ficlet
Category:Skeleton Key
Category:Nguyen
Category:Nguyen's POV
Category:Nguyen (ficlet)
Category:Chantell
Category:Chantell (ficlet)
Category:Xiong
Category:Xiong (ficlet)
Category:Mr Xiong (mention)
Category:Nang (mention)
Category:Hong Kong Shatterdome (setting)
Category:Star Trek (reference)
Category:Serenity (reference)
Category:Fei Yen
Category:Fei Yen (ficlet)
Category:Ficlets with images
Category:Team Cherno Alpha (mention)
Category:Cultural Exchange
Category:Pages with comments
Category:Shatterdome Product Testing (successes)