Placement End Disaster (Collab with Dirius)
28 Mar 2019KazukoHimura
(This particular story was written as if the two of us were roleplaying, I have left it as is for your reading convenience.)Kazuko had been in the job placement system for only a couple months when an Imperial Cutter had docked at Alfven Orbital for an emergency-several crew members needed immediate medical attention. While she was certainly not a doctor, the amount of injured had left the crew short-staffed, giving Kazuko an opportunity for another placement. Her main task? Inventory management. Given that the facility she had been living at for all of her free life is on Keltim A5, the trip to the station was quick. Once on the station, she headed for the hangar that the Cutter, Midnight Sun, would be docked at, taking the elevator down.
“Great. Just what I need another babysitting job.” Grumbled Jay Garret, Chief of Security onboard the Midnight Sun. He was getting tired of babysitting his own subordinates, let alone some egg head that wasn't even a part of the crew. His next thought was abruptly cut off as the door to the elevator opened, revealing a very thin young woman. ‘They must be short on staff.. The patients are working’ Jay thought to himself.
“Wow, she looks sick as-” a sharp pain in his side reminded him that his XO was with him to meet the loading team. Marcela Lamb, tough as nails and a temper that would make a DI or Gunnery Sergeant blush. Nobody but the Commander called her by her nickname “Mars”, unless they felt like being dressed down on the spot and put on cleaning detail.
Kazuko shielded her face and rolled her eyes upon hearing Jay’s remark about her. That certainly wasn’t the first time she’s heard a remark, and certainly not the last. At least it wasn’t someone claiming her thin stature was the reason she was staying in a psychiatric hospital-she swore if someone did that again she would deck them. After that hidden display of annoyance, she faced the two once more, awaiting orders.
“A pleasure to meet you”, Mars held a slate up, ignoring the display, and scrolled a few pages down.”Kazuko Himura, if you’ll please follow me I'll show you where you can send the supplies.” Mars directed a withering gaze towards Jay, ”This is Warrant Officer Jay Garret, he is the Chief of Security aboard the Midnight Sun and will be coordinating with you. His job is to verify that each container has the expected contents.”
Jay nods dutifully and keeps his mouth firmly shut, a dull ache in his sides reminds him that his life could very well depend on it. If the rumors of his XO’s temper were even a smidge true.
“I’ll have my men split up into the teams and check each Container you bring on as swiftly as possible. Just stay out their way and let them do their jobs, then you can do yours. Shouldn't take very long to finish this up.” he motions with his hand to a corner of the large hold. There were droves of military weapons and suits, hundreds of suits. All mounted on various platforms lining the corner of the hold, that was marked off very obviously when red painted lines, lights dotting them periodically.
“Do not cross those lines, anyone that so much as touches those lines will be escorted off the ship. Make sure all of your group knows this. We are ready to take on cargo immediately, how soon can you start?”
Kazuko listened intently to introductions, explanations, instructions, etc., nodding the entire time. When asked how soon she could start, she had one reply.
“As soon as possible, sir.” She was here to work, not to wait around, after all. Given her ‘upbringing’, just waiting around would cause her to be anxious of possible punishment, leading to her always needing to be doing something-and given that she just started, it’s not like she could ask someone if there were any tasks needing done, after all. But for now, she had to listen to Officer Jay Garret.
---
Kodiak stood brooding in front of a holo image. The INV Aurora, a missing Majestic Class Interdictor was displayed in its Imperial glory. Contact lost in 3304, no transmission, no debris, just a dead end. Kodiak let out a deep sigh and turned away to leave his quarters. There were some things he needed to check on. The new medical supplies should be in the process of being loaded by now, hopefully Jay isn't taking out his frustrations with his assignment on the help.
Kazuko had easily gotten to work, loading some of the lighter cargo, and taking inventory of it all. She seemed rather focused on her work, unless Jay got on her case for some reason or another, prompting rolling of eyes and the occasional snippy remark. This isn’t her first job, she didn’t need to be micromanaged, and she just wanted to Be. Left. Alone. Thankfully at this time, she was indeed being left alone, and was thus too busy meticulously checking and double checking everything.
Arriving in the cargo hold, Kodiak was surprised to see how fast the cargo was being loaded. All obviously under the direction of a single individual, an extremely gaunt and lanky girl with long, black hair tied in a ponytail. He figured that was the one he needed to touch base with and approached.
“Hello, I'm Captain Kodiak, you must be the person in charge of this operation.”
Kazuko looked up upon hearing Kodiak’s voice. “I am. I’m Kazuko.” She stated, her voice rather quiet. “Everything is in order so far, there’s still more crates of supplies incoming.” She shifted her weight slightly, going over the datapad’s contents once more, her pale blue eyes slightly able to be seen from behind it.
“Do you need any special arrangements for the medical supplies? Are the containers refrigerated or do they need unloaded and put away?”, Kodiak seemed to realize he was being overbearing and stopped himself.
“All of these containers should be fine.” She stated, seeming a tad annoyed due to the overbearing-ness that she caught on. “Everything that needs refrigeration has been handled already.”
“Ah, I see!, well if you need anything specific contact my XO or me then.” Impressed by the professionalism he set off to continue his rounds on the ship.
---
Kazuko had finished off taking inventory, and had done so early-the next batch wasn’t going to arrive for another five or so hours! Having been told prior by Kodiak to contact either him or his XO, she set off looking for either of them. She had found Marcela Lamb, Kodiak’s XO first, but she had her own task she was dealing with, so Kazuko headed off to find Kodiak himself-her search lead her past the section of the cargo hold that had the long display of suits-she noticed one that looked much different from the rest. She’d examine it further, but doing so would require crossing the lines Jay told her not to cross-and she didn’t wish to deal with him again. Ignoring the suits for now, Kazuko made her way through the halls of the Midnight Sun, soon standing in front of a very important looking door.
Kodiak was deep in thought. He was about to make his next move in a long running chess game with an old friend he met back when he was just starting his career in the Emperor's navy. He hoped to finally score a win and end his 11-0 losing streak… When his thoughts were interrupted by a request to enter.
Once her request was granted, Kazuko nervously stepped inside Kodiak’s quarters.
“I apologize for interrupting, but my tasks were finished early-next shipment isn’t going to arrive for five hours at minimum. Is there anything else that needs done?”
“I don't really have anything for you to do at this time. Despite what my Chief of Security said, we aren't in a hurry. ” his eyes just for an instant flicker to the image on the INV Aurora still on display. “We are waiting for our personnel to be well enough for duty again, and several other ships to rendezvous with us.”
Kazuko was internally relieved, grateful she’s not going to be punished for not doing anything. She nodded in understanding at his explanation, before briefly speaking up.
“The same Chief of Security who nearly remarked upon my appearance?”
“I apologize for anything Jay might have said. He may not have a filter on that mouth of his, but he is the best at what he does.” He turns and stares towards the holo board displaying his doomed chess game and seems deep in thought.”Was there something else? You are free to explore the ship in your free time if you desire. Within reason of course.”
“Apology accepted. And there’s nothing else.” She awkwardly replied, initially intending to leave, but the holo-board caught her eye. It was rather clear she was intently watching said doomed chess game.
“You play?” noticing her shift in attention.
“A little, I guess.” she added.
“As you can probably see I'm a little hung up on a long running game” he gestures with dismay at the holoboard.
Kazuko intently studies the current holoboard setup, trying to see if there were any glaring weaknesses on the opponent’s side.
“I think I might see something here…” she trailed off.
---
A week later was when the ships that Kodiak was waiting for had arrived, and when most, if not all, of his staff had recovered. The inventory management was complete, but not all was well, as Kazuko had not reported for her task…
***POV Shift***
I was deep into the most recent report regarding the missing ship. My slate had chimed a few times that I noticed, but I couldn't be bothered answering it. I was startled sometime later by a very aggressive knocking at my door, I knew no one would knock on their Captain's door like that save for one person, clearly this was important. Slightly alert I worked my way over to the door, of course now that I'm up and on my way…. The Emergency override is activated and my XO is looking around my cabin rapidly. I’m not sure what she was looking for but she obviously saw the look of confusion on my face.
“Is there a problem, Mars?” her eyes got larger almost as if she just realized what she did.
“I don’t know Captain, all of the cargo is loaded and put away but we haven't been able to find that woman to finalize the transfer.”
I saw her do one more quick sweep of my quarters and it dawned on me that she was expecting her to be here, playing a game or something. I suppose that's fair, she has been coming up here each day after her work was done.
“That’s strange, I’ll contact the facility and see if she was reassigned or simply busy” I sent off a message to the supervisor responsible, and followed Mars out of the room. I was so busy I hadn't noticed the time, it was well after the usual time she would show up. A push of a button I contacted Jay, asking if she was seen on or exiting the ship today. His response was immediate, she had indeed entered the ship and was allegedly still onboard. This was quickly becoming a serious matter, much more than just an unsigned document. Was she sabotaging something? Was a spy making her move? Was this at all related to the missing INV Aurora? So many questions, and as Captain it was my duty to think of all the possible scenarios. I ordered Mars to organize a squad of marines and search the areas of the ship that are off limits. I took another squad with me to the cargo hold.
We searched for what felt like a half hour and teams were checking the contents of various containers. I was collecting my thoughts with a short walk when Mars found me, she hadn't had any luck either. She didn't find any evidence of sabotage either, we were perplexed.
“Are we sure she wasn't able to get off the ship without using the cargo hold?” Mars was just about to send another set of orders when, almost at the same time, we both noticed a still form draped over an open container that was wedged between two very large stacks of military style crates. The two of us hurried over, by the time we made it there I could hear another set of footsteps rapidly approaching. The chief of security was fast approaching, Mars and I accepted his help and began lifting the body checking for signs of life. I heard Jay catch his breath and mumble something under his breath, I soon saw what elicited that reaction. She was here, we found her. Paler than I remember, physically touching her made it clear that she was much skinnier than her uniform let on. It felt wrong, as if we had only found half of the woman that we had all become acquaintances with. Mars looked at me as if she had something to say when my slate went off.
“Sir, we can take it from here. Get to the bridge.” Mars’ face shone with conviction. That's what I loved about my XO, she had to be the best one in the Imperial Navy. I took one last look at the now-stranger in their arms. Enemy? Friend? Victim? I hadn't the time to find out, my fleet was here and we had a lead. We were headed to the Pleiades.