Date: Sun, 30 Mar 2014 20:29:31 -0500 From: wes West Subject: On The Edge Ch 4 On The Edge Chapter 4 I'm sorry for the delay. Quite a few personal changes happened that required my attention. Hopefully this story isn't too boring for anyone. Ensign Lee's POV When the Admiral told me to torture Mr. Gaeda, I was shocked to say the least. I didn't really understand at first what he was wanting out of the torture, but when he handed me that computer chip with the torture program on it, I realized then what he was wanting to know: Who Mr. Gaeda is working for if he isn't working for the Empire. And I have to find out what that Entity wants from us or if it's even an Entity at all. This torture thing is becoming even more complex, because I have to torture Mr. Gaeda in front of the Captain as well. Does the Admiral really think the Captain is associated with whatever Mr. Gaeda is planning? I don't think he is, but I can't express my opinion on this out loud. I don't want the Admiral to think that I do. Then the next thing I know, the alarm klaxon blares, the lights flicker, and everyone was thrown across the room. Luckily we had a good portion of the security team in the room with me to help keep the prisoners at bay at a time like this. Mr. Gaeda isn't going anywhere though. He's strapped down tight in a chair that's magnetized to the floor. "Intruder Alert. Intruder Alert. Security detail to HoloSuite 2. Security detail to HoloSuite 2." "Intruder Alert. Intruder Alert." "What the....." Next thing I know, I feel this burning, tingling sensation on my chest, and I'm looking up at the ceiling of the HoloSuite. I'm out cold. "Lee. Wake up. Can you hear me?" "Lee!" I groan. It feels like my head is going to explode. I must have went down to the deck plating harder than I thought I did. I reach up to feel the back of my head and I feel something wet, so I bring it back up to where I can see it. It's blood. "Wha..what happened?" "Lee, do you know where you are right now?" "Yeah, I'm lying on the floor of the HoloSuite. Why am I even on the floor?! Where's my prisoner?!" "You've hit your head pretty hard when you fell. We were attacked by an unknown species, at least that's what the rumors are saying. Only the Admiral and whoever is on the bridge can tell. And from what I've heard, the Admiral has ordered everyone on the bridge to not talk about who attacked us, and if they do, they will be relieved of duty and court martialed when we get back. But right now, we need to get you to sickbay for more tests. That burn on your chest doesn't look too good and I need to heal it." "Ok. Let's go." Admiral West POV Whatever ever species that is, they have far more advanced technology and weapons than ours. "Give me another full damage report, and what was taken when they boarded us." "Yes sir. Reports are coming in now. Engineering reports the warp core is completely gone, and the computer reboot was, I guess you can say, successful. Tactical is reporting shields are gone, as is our cloaking device. Our torpedo compliment is almost extinguished, but our phaser banks are 50% operational. Security is reporting the only thing missing is Mr. Gaeda." "Are the communications still operational?" "Yes sir." "Get me the Emperor, and put it through in my ready room. I believe it's time I find out what exactly is going on. I want repair crews working day and night to get us back to fully operational. I don't care ho..." "Sir, look! The enemy ship is reversing course and moving away. Shall we follow them?" "No. Let them go. They will be back soon enough. I'm waiting for you to get the Emperor, Ensign." "Yes, sir. I'm on it." I just barely sit down when the call comes in from the Emperor. He looks furious, and I can't blame him. I'm just as furious as he is. "Admiral, may I ask: WHAT THE FUCK HAPPENED OUT THERE?!" "Sir, with all due respect, we were outgunned with technology and weapons that are far superior then ours. We took heavy damage, and it's going to take months, maybe even years to complete the repairs. Our warp core is offline, our shields and cloaking device is gone, our weapons are drained. We need to return to space dock for repairs." "Admiral, I need you to go after them and get Mr. Gaeda back." "I can't do that, sir. It's a suicide mission without any kind of shields or weapons. We don't even have a working warp core. I'm going to return to space dock for immediate repairs." "Very well. Only repair what is necessary and you can do the rest of your repairs while in pursuit of the enemy. You did a wonderful out there today Admiral." "Thank you, sir. I'll see you in a few days when we arrive at space dock." I end the transmission. I need to go and check on Lee. Make sure he's ok. I walk onto the bridge, "helm, set a course back to Earth. Full impulse. If you need me, I'll be in sick bay" "Yes, sir." I walk down the corridor to sick bay, worrying about Lee. I hope he isn't seriously hurt at all. The doors to sick bay swish open before me and swish shut behind as I enter the room. "Lee, baby, how are you? Doctor, how is he? Oh god, Lee. I was so worried about you!" "Adam, baby, I'm fine. The doctor is just doing one final check up on me before he releases me and I can go back on duty." "Admiral, Ensign Galactica is doing quite well. He will be ready to go back on duty in a few minutes, but I am suggesting that he stay off his feet for the next 24 hours." "Thank you Doctor. I know what we can do to keep you off you feet." I look at him and give him a mischievous smile. If you have any questions or suggestions on anything, please feel free to email me at admiralwest@gmail.com