Chief Engineer Scott's Story

Scott looked up from the tablet in his hand. Data on the condition of the thrusters was listed out carefully upon it. The Chief Engineer smiled at the unduli and said, "Ah, so you're the rebel, huh?"

He looked him over and held the tablet in his left hand while he extended the right, "Scott's the name. Cap's told me some interesting things about you."

Scott smiled at Tyriel, saying, "It's good that you're thorough. You'll make a fine Chief Engineer at some point."

He winked at the unduli before adding, "Go ahead and run your diagnostics. I've done all I need to do at this time. Just don't touch the warp core. It's been acting a bit fishy lately and I've finally got it in a smooth state. The settings have to remain unaltered."

He began to exit the engine room before looking back and saying, "And one last thing: don't feel the need to be constrained. If you have a creative suggestion, contact me via communicator on channel 7331."

He departed, leaving Tyriel to his shield checkings and such.

Scott reentered the Engine Room empty-handed. He looked over at where Tyriel was and smiled. A hard worker indeed.

"How's it look?" he called to the alien, drawing nearer. He hoped he himself had done a good enough job getting everything ready, but one never knew.

Scott looked cautiously at the warp core, then told Tyriel, "Okay, see what you can do. But I'm telling you, if it cuts off again..."

He folded his arms and leaned against a nearby wall.

"...I'm going to be a tad disappointed."

"You were quicker than I thought you'd be," Scott began, grinning. His eyes had a certain knowingness in them. He drew nearer to the unduli.

"Cap," he started, "wanted to me to give you a good, tough test to work with. Looks like if I shut down..."

He seemed to picture the moment that would take him.

"...you won't be a bad backup generator, if you catch what I mean."

"I'll get the boys on it," Scott responded, smiling. "They'll bring in what you've suggested. You know, I'm impressed, Tyriel. I've got some friends in the Fed I'd love to introduce you to, just to prove a point."

His eyes had that same knowing look as he examined the unduli.

Scott rolled his eyes a bit as Tienette passed and looked over at Tyriel, telling him, "Er, Tyriel....this is Tienette. She's one of our other engineers."

In repsonse to her question Scott replied, "Tyriel just got her up and running. She's fit for flight now."

He continued looking at Tyriel, his eyes wondering what the unduli's thoughts might or might not be.

Scott took note of the exchange between both Tienette and Tyriel. He realized at that point he hadn't quite properly acknowledged Tienette's skills, but that didn't seem to matter. He only hoped the professional unduli would be able to deal with her looseness.

"You were called simply to meet our new crew member," he responded. "Also, I had thought he might not be able to repare the core so quickly and might need assistance."

Looking to the alien he added, "I misjudged him. He's a fast thinker. Kind of like you, actually..."

Scott snorted and said, "I'll be back. Remember, channel 7331 if you need to reach me."

He departed, leaving the two to their work.

Julian Russell looked about and smiled. They were all here now. It was time. Scott and Athena had just arrived as well. Julian stood before his team, and the other crew members, knowing what was ahead. He hadn't any idea, however, how it would all end, how the journey would close.

"Your attention, please?"

There would be casualties. How they would turn up was a matter to be determined later, but for now there was time to speak with the team, the team that might or might not make it through the coming conflict.

"For some of you, home lies at the end of the road," he began, pacing. "For others, the case is not so. However, your help is definitely more than appreciated."

He looked to Tyriel as he said this.

"We're in for a fight like no other. The Congregate is like no foe humanity, or any alien race, I believe, has ever faced. They seem invincible, an insurmountable obstacle."

He looked to each of them as he went on: Andreah, Punknife, Greer, Jane, Tyriel, and even the two extremely talkative non-team members up ahead, Tienette and Frank. He knew Athena would do fine, but had a feeling Scott might be needing a little more than just help from Tyriel. He was getting a bit older.

"But every evil has their Waterloo," said the captain. "Take that to heart. This opponent will break, and it won't be because they're weak. It'll be because we are strongly united under a single banner."

He looked down to Jaron and said, "Greer, take us out."