"Crushing Anacondas and Eccentric Orcas." Gems for Fools. Part 1
20 Jul 2016Stryker Aune
Shaw Port, SowiioCommanders Log: Been a bitch of a morning. Some anaconda docked last night. Must have been involved in some hellish firefight. Thing was in bad shape. The power plant was taken off line by some of the station engineers as a precautionary measure. Though, the shit really hit the fan this morning. Jacob, one of the junior engineers, was working on a landing strut. No one was really paying much attention to him. He didn't see that the structural integrity was compromised in the area he was welding. The hydraulics gave out. A high tension spring as thick as my arm broke loose. Under the low gravity and the potential energy built up in the thing, it shot upward like a high caliber projectile; blew through a solid 18 inch retaining wall and hit a reserve of hydrogen fuel. It was bedlam. The ships front side came down, crushing Jacob. The escaping hydrogen mixing with oxygen ignited, with an explosion. A lock down and complete evacuation of the flight tube was issued so that flight control could decompress the atmosphere and put it out. This caused mayhem with traffic, and now a meeting has been called to ascertain the root cause.
Thaddeus, a lithe, dark haired, dark skinned man with quick hard dark eyes sat at the head of a metallic conference table. His fingers were tented as he listened to Ginny finish her recount of the incident.
"I don't have to remind you all, this is hazardous work. You all must work as a team, and open communication is vital. ESPECIALLY between shift changes. Alvadar, you were acting Chief. I heard your account, and you should -not- have allowed your people to start work until you had read the end of shift status report. Second, junior engineers must clear their proposed work order before actually starting that work order. You know this. I hold you responsible. You will be contacting the boys family and breaking the bad news" He paused and took a breath. "Station Control is riding my ass on this. A fair amount of damage was done to the station, and of all things, a damn Orca operated by TranSteller Excursions. They are holding us responsible for damages, and compensation in delaying their passengers along with any injuries sustained." He tapped his fingers on the table once, then pointed them at Alvadar. "Your work has been suspended, along with pay. A full blown investigation will be conducted as a fatality was involved. I will expect all of your written reports by the end of the day." Gesturing to the rest of the group. "Your free to go. Alvadar, a private word."
The sound of scrapping chairs, and the murmur of conversation as the rest of the engineers departed from the conference room. Once they had left Thaddeus spoke.
"Alvadar, your a good engineer. You get crap fixed, but it seems that you have some trouble with managing the others. I want you to think about your position in this team. Is this something you can actively handle?"
Alvadar stood there, hands behind his back facing the man.
Thaddeus continued. "The suspension in pay is a formality... Once the investigation is over, and you are deemed fit to continue this work we will reinstate it. I hate to do this to you, but my hands are tied." Then sighed, and continued. "I also suggest you use a light hand breaking the news to that young mans family."
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Commanders Log: Breaking the news to Jacobs family, was one of the more difficult things I ever had to do. The feeling of helplessness. The knowledge that there was nothing I could do to help, and that I was responsible in some way in the cause of it made things worse. I held my resolve until the communique ended. I don't loose it often. But this was one of those times. The look on the mothers face.... I took some time to collect myself. I have an incident report to write.
Alvadar sat at a table in his quarters. Hands on his head as he nursed a strong drink. A pad in front of him. The report half finished. He was lost in his thoughts when he received a communication.
"Hey, Stryker, your needed down at landing pad Zero Fiver."
"I'm off. Find someone else."
"Your being requested by name. Thaddeus will pull rank and make it an order, so, its your choice. Come on your own volition, or get the order...."
Alvadar grunted, heaved his muscular body off the chair and made his way to the landing pad. "I'm on my way."
Pad 05 was occupied by an Orca. Two at this little agricultural station with absolutely nothing of interest for tourism. Alvadar shook his head at how far fetched this was. The main access port was opening.
"ALVADAR, DAAAARLING! So glad to see you again! "Or should I say Stryker. Much more of fetching title I might say." She gave a dramatic pause. "Which I do! Simply gave me the vapors when I heard your call sign." An older woman, bony, dressed elegantly in silks, and a fur bola. Her thin wrists adorned in large bracelets and baubles clinking as she walked down the ramp in high fashion heels. Her hair was grey, and neatly curled with transverse curls framing her wizened face. She wore make-up, and had been clear she was an advocate for plastic surgery.
Alvadar stood there, hands behind his back as he greeted her. "Madam Tri'qua."
"Oh, how have you been! Simply pined to see you when I found out you were stationed here. What a charming little place." She looked around.
"Madam, this is Morgan, and this is Thaddeus." Alvadar indicated the two men that had accompanied him.
"Well, two more strapping young men. Positively flushed!" She extended the back of her hand to each, to kiss.
Morgan chuckled and whispered. "Thaddeus, young...?" Alvadar ignored him.
Thaddeus spoke up. "Madam, if there is anything you need, to make you stay pleasant, please do not hesitate to contact hospitality."
"My dear, but there is something that you can do for me. I require a tour of this facility!"
"Then I will contact the appropriate people...." Thaddeus started with, but was interrupted.
"Darling. I would like a personalized tour of your facility, and I would rather like the guide to be Stryker." She spoke lasciviously, smiled and offered an elbow to Alvadar to take. Alvadar continued to hold his hands behind his back.
"Madam, that would be difficult at present moment. Mr. Aune here, has an..." He decided to be tactful "some paperwork, to finish."
She waved it off with a flick of her wrist. "Bah, paperwork! It can wait until tomorrow. I must simply have that tour now. Don't deny an old woman. I won't stand for it."
Morgan laughed. He couldn't help it, and quickly tried to stifle it.
"Now dearies, it's all settled! I'm most excited to go touring!"
Thaddeus looked at Alvadar, and jerked his head, giving him permission to deal with the eccentric old woman.
Alvadar hooked his arm in fashionable escort. Madam Tri'qua took it, and gave his bicep a quick squeeze. He lead her down the ramp leaving Morgan to his stifled bout of laughter, and Thaddeus thoroughly annoyed.
[Part 2>>
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