After the Raid: The Bridge

The Bridge, for the most part, was left intact, the ship wouldn’t be much use without it, but that’s not to say it wasn’t thoroughly ransacked. Still, that was the least of her worries, the very least of them. The crew - they remained the … she preferred not to think about it as she set about restoring everything to their usable state. It took all of three minutes before she was agitated at the state of disarray and tore open the cockpit door to call for the Crew Chief.

“Yah mentioned mischief in Engineerin’?” Dorian asked as he strode the corridor with the mechanic.

Marisol tossed her hair. “Mostly just seeing how many parts bins they could dump,” she replied. “They also scattered the logs...Lieutenant,” she caught sight of Riley as the bridge hatch lurched open. “You wanted to see us?”

“You first.” She told Chavez, while it would have been easier to treat this as ripping off a band-aid, she also wasn’t about to be tag-teamed. “Don’t go far,” she told Adler. This wouldn’t take long.

Dorian nodded. “Ah’ll wait right here,” he answered as Marisol climbed the steps to the cockpit.

Once inside, she obediently closed the hatch behind her. “Not a fun day,” the mechanic observed. She could see the tells...the nervous energy of pent up anger...a desire to lash out, strike something...anything. She felt it herself. The realization brought her to remain as non-provocative as she might.

“Right. Have you had a chance to look over the engine room?” Riley asked curtly.

Marisol nodded. “Yes...it’s a gorram mess back there, but I can have her ready for upthrust in two hours.”

“Make it happen. A few things are going to change right now, but each minute I stand here explaining is one less you have to get us prepped for liftoff. I can’t handhold; anything you need, report it to Jat. You be professional, he’ll be professional, no issues. I know we’ve been giving you a bit larger of a cut because of your experience and position on the ship, I’ll leave you a few percent higher than the general crew but we’ll be tightening our belts for a bit. Keller won’t be joining us. I’ve got my hands full. Any questions?”

“Just one,” the mechanic answered. “Money. I know how boat bookkeeping works. Saw what they did to our cargo, so how’s this? I got no need of coin, Lieutenant, unless it’s a twenty for a drink every now and then. Til we’re on even keel, take my share off the books and I’ll ask for a few credits if I need ‘em. The rest is all shiny with me.”

Riley folded her arms behind her back in parade rest, mulling it over, then shook her head side to side. “I’m familiar with boat bookkeeping as well,” she decided. “And this ship has enough debt. While I appreciate the offer, I will see that you do get a fair share of jobs that we run. The ship doesn’t run on charity and neither do I. Let Jat know when the engine room is prepped for take off, Valari will be taking us up. I’ll be having a general crew meeting at 2000 hours in the Galley, and I do expect all crew to be there.”

Marisol’s eyes lowered as she responded. “Yes, Lieutenant...and I’m sorry about the captain.” Her orders given and received, the mechanic opened the cockpit hatch. “Keller’s gone,” she whispered to Dorian as she made her way past to the awaiting engine room.

*Keller,* the doc thought as he ascended the steps. *Was that related to his contacts on New Kasmir?* Possibilities whirled in his mind as he entered the cockpit. After closing the door, he turned to regard Riley Thorne, his eyes softening over the battle he saw being waged within her own. “Lieutenant,” he said quietly.

“I’m going to need a detailed list of what the medical bay requires in order of predominance in accordance to need,” she replied, not taking her eyes from the disheveled racks beside the cockpit door. “We have to get this as functional as possible for you to resume business planetside especially where your services are needed - those towards the rim. I need it separated between medical and dental equipment, the first being our priority especially in the black. Unfortunately until the new equipment is paid for I’m going to have to request that our standard rental fee be increased for the time being until--” She paused. Until? Until what? “Further notice.” She finished. “I will be holding a general meeting for the crew tonight at 20:00 hours if you would like to attend. Please get the list to me as soon as possible, I’d like it before we touch down in Greenleaf.”

“Of course.” His gaze followed hers to the electronics racks at his side. Though not his specialty, it didn’t take a rocket scientist to see they’d been tampered with...and crudely. “Infirmary’s gutted,” he said. “Tha good news is they couldn’t bust open tha pharmacy cabinet. Ah had anothah crate with tha newah equipment. Marisol’s checkin’ on its’ status. Worst case,” he added, “she crated tha old gear...just some basic monitorin’ equipment...but we can reinstall that tah get us by. Yah’ll have mah prioritized list before we reach Greenleaf. And tha money’s tha money,” he added. “Whatevah yah need tah do is fine.”

Riley nodded, then held up a hand. “If it’s in the Cargo Bay Jat will go have a look see. No one else, in or out of the Bay until further notice. She can coordinate with him,” she finished. Twice she started to add something but thought better of it. “Any questions?” She asked sharply.

“Are you alright?”

Riley uncaged her eyes momentarily to meet his. “Does any of this look all right?” She asked briefly, showing a hint of emotion. “Please get me that list. And…” She let out a slow breath. “Get off Valari’s bridge.”

With a silent nod, the doctor turned and opened the hatch. “See ya at tha meetin’,” he said over his shoulder.