ANOTHER TEST
Chapter 34 of Starfighter! The
Iconoclast
By: Tom Sczepkowski
With editing and clean-up
by: Frederick P. Kopetz
And with inspiration and
aid by: Angie Sczepkowski
Copyrights:
STAR TREK is © 2008 by Paramount Pictures, Inc. STAR BLAZERS is © 2008 by
Voyager International, and, STAR WARS is © 2008 by Lucasfilm, Ltd. GARGOYLES is
© 2008 by Disney Entertainment. The Technomugar Empire is © 2004 by Frederick
P. Kopetz and is mentioned here by the author's permission. All original elements
of this tale are © 2008 by Tom Sczepkowski. All rights reserved, not to be
copied without the author's permission.
Artwork at end of chapter © 2008 by Tim Eldred.
The Comet Empire’s Scorpion Wing Giglo attached to Major Hirax held many duties for 1st pilot Mazar. Although a Scorpion pilot, Mazar, was performing transport duty today in a modified version of the Scorpion fighter that was refitted as a small transport.
Mazar preferred to be alone in his one man fighter than to be transporting VIP’s between the Federation Universe and the one that the Comet Empire was currently operating in via the interdimensional corridor that was located in Tholian space.
Mazar looked back at his Cardassian passenger who had stopped polishing his light saber and looked up at him.
“Yes?” the Cardassian asked.
“We should be reaching Major Hirax’s squadron within a few hours, Gull Macet,” Mazar replied.
The Cardassian did not respond to him as he looked out the transport window. Mazar turned away from him and resumed his duties at the transport’s helm.
“You have seen him in battle, I understand…” Macet said.
Without saying his name Mazar knew whom he was talking about.
“Yes…Hawk,” Mazar simply said as Macet smiled while he stood and re-attached his light saber to his belt.
************************************************************************
It had been a while since Vaught had flown amongst the stars in Inferno. ….and he welcomed the solitude of space once more. Even the intermittent beeping of IQ-9 in the rear seat wasn’t disturbing him
He knew that he shouldn’t have done so, but he had switched off his comm. Thus, the sounds of his mother’s albums filled the cockpit. He had forgotten how beautiful her voice was and he realized how much he missed his family.
Vaught also found that he was hating himself slightly for not being a better son to them, or, for that matter…a better father to Starsha. This was something he would have to think about when this mission was over. Then of course there was Nova, who was so much like Astra and looked so much like Starsha that he couldn’t help but be a father to her. Then, his thoughts turned to Astra, and how much he missed her, and when he thought about it how angry he became. He realized that when the mission was over he was going to find out what happened, knowing that her death wasn’t an accident.
Vaught knew that Astra was too intelligent not to know what planet she was on and that she mistaken Earth for Mars and just mistakenly walked outside. No, Vaught told himself, there were other forces at work and those who were responsible would answer to Vaught. Just as Terazzo had answered to Vaught for torturing the Marines on Brumus.
But this was supposed to be a quiet time for Vaught to reflect on the force for knowledge and guidance, not as Necheav’s enforcer. However all that would have to wait as the beeping of IQ-9 now had Vaught’s attention.
“Are you OK, Colonel?” IQ asked.
“Yes.” Vaught said. “Just lost in thought.”
“Thank you for allowing me onboard,” IQ said “However, there don’t seem to be any tasks for me to complete.”
Vaught turned and looked at him “It seemed that you needed a break.” Vaught said
“I am not human I do not require rest,” IQ said.
“Neither do I,” Vaught said and turned back to his console.
“I have noticed that
you treat me as if I am a real person.”
“You are real,” Vaught said.
“Not a real human.”
“That it the one thing you and I both have in common,” Vaught said.
“Humans fear what is different,” IQ said.
Vaught gazed out the window, “I Know,” he said in agreement. “My people were almost hunted down to extinction by humans.”
“Then why does your family fight for them?” IQ asked.
“Good question,” Vaught said. “We always didn’t and there were times that my grandmother had the human race on the ropes several times. But there was one person that made us rethink what we were about and what we were doing. He later was a professor of mine, and he was the Dean at Bowdoin college. We taught together before I was recalled by Starfleet.”
Vaught turned around to face IQ-9.
“Freedom is the right of all sentient beings…..and it was those words which helped shape the Federation. You should read his text sometime.”
“He was a Gargoyle?”
“No,” Vaught said “That’s the part I think will pique your interest.”
IQ-9 beeped with interest “I
wish I could travel to your universe one
day. Do beings like me serve in Starfleet?”
Vaught nodded, “The Federation represents many different
species from many worlds….but there is one person that I met a couple of times.
He is Second Officer on the
“That is interesting; my brain has a Positronic Core as well..” IQ said.
“Really?” Vaught said “How many are in your series IQ?
“Just me,.” IQ said. “I was a prototype.”
“Curiouser and curiouser…” Vaught said.
“Incoming transmission from EDF Command To Argo,” IQ-9 said.
Vaught knew that it was the regularly scheduled transmission. And Wildstar’s standing orders were for Vaught to be present for every transmission. So like clockwork, Vaught opened the Communications System as the cockpit windows turned Opaque. Then, an image of Wildstar and General Singleton came visible; on the Argo both Singleton and Vaught appeared on the Video panel. As Wildstar nodded at Vaught, Singleton was the first to speak
“Captain Wildstar,” said Singleton, “The Star Force is a long way from Earth…”
Wildstar curtly saluted Singleton; he was almost insulted at the obvious remark and the meaning behind it, which perhaps suggested that they might be incapable of finishing the mission, However Singleton was their benefactor and Wildstar had no reason to alienate the Star Force’s only ally on Earth at the moment….
“Yes sir, we are,” Wildstar said. “We’re used to long hauls. I must admit this seems like a trip to the supermarket compared to the trip to Iscandar.”
“Have you learned any more about the White Comet?” Singleton asked.
Wildstar was confused at the question, considering the Star Force had sent all of their intelligence to Singleton already. Wildstar looked over at Vaught with a look that questioned him if the report was transmitted successfully.
Vaught, understanding his superior officer’s thought, answered the General’s question. “There is nothing to add to the brief that we sent to you yesterday, sir,” Vaught replied.
“I see.” Singleton said. “Colonel, when will you be able to brief your Federation on these matters?”
“Shortly,” replied Vaught.
“I understand,” Singleton said.
“Forgive my asking, but is CNN causing you trouble?” Vaught asked.
“Yes. CNN, Fox News, Sky News, you name it, we’ve got it,” Singleton said. “But right now we are able to control the story. Everyone believes that it’s just a comet that will burn up when it enters our solar system…..”
“That’s good; I’m glad you were able to control the intelligence, sir,” said Wildstar.
“Yes. Just remember that the Earth is counting on you and I’m depending on you,” Singleton said as the video became fuzzy “I see that we are losing reception, so we’ll sign off. Good hunting, Star Force.”
Wildstar nodded, saluting again as the screen went black. After several moments of silence Homer made a comment.
“I guess things are crook in Tallarook,” he said. They all spent enough time with Homer to understand his colloquial mannerisms and to understand what he was meaning. Wildstar leaned up against Homer’s radio station and asked, “Homer, you think something’s wrong at EDF command?”
“I’m not sure, sir, but I’ve been listening in to a lot of ship to shore transmissions and after the attack on Brumus, the Third, Eighth and Fifth fleets were off like prawns in the sun. But then they were suddenly called back. I think someone at command is a snag short of a Barbie, sir.”
“Well command has their problems and we have ours,” Wildstar said. “And right now, getting to Telezart and finding out what the hell is going on is our problem. It’s going to get a lot harder to maintain contact with them.”
“Give me a fair crack of the whip, Sir,” Homer said. “Royster and I are going to have a gander at using subspace frequencies. A message sent in subspace goes a hell of a lot further then our AE 35 Unit.”
“Doesn’t Starfleet use subspace frequencies?” Sandor said.
“We’re still workin’ on it,” Homer said. “Royster said he gave you a report on the project after clearing it with the Colonel to use the technology. I thought you knew.”
“He dropped the report on my desk this morning,” Sandor said. “I haven’t gotten around to reading it, but if Colonel Corsair doesent mind you looking at his technology, I’ll go along…..Wildstar?”
“I’m leaving it up to him what technologies he wants to share with us,” Wildstar replied.
“We’ll keep you up to speed,” Homer said.
Inferno’s sensors beeped indicating that there was a threat. Inferno’s canopy went opaque as the visual indicated what appeared to be a small transport vessel. Vaught instinctively activated his breathing apparatus as the mask morphed around him, then he activated Inferno’s cloaking device.
“Probably just
reconnaissance,” IQ-9 said. “I doubt
that they saw us.”
“Or if they’re looking…. Vaught said. He typed some keystrokes on the control interface until a coded transmission filled the cockpit. “Subspace,” Vaught said, as he began to quickly type on the interface.
In the meantime, The Star Force had launched two Astro Fighters from the Argo. One of them was flying erratically, and was acting almost as if its pilot never had handled the controls before.
“Knox, damn him..” Vaught said in the menancing tone that came through the breathing apparatus.
Vaught turned on the Comm system.
“Idiot!” came the sound of Wildstar’s voice over the Comm System
“Stop yellin’, Wildstar,” replied Knox.
It became apparent to Vaught that he would have to have another conversation with the Marine Sergeant.
“Return to the ship…that’s an order!” Wildstar seethed.
“You know what you can do with your orders!” Knox replied.
Yes…it is very apparent we must talk soon, thought Vaught. He made a wide turn and de- activated Inferno’s cloaking device.
The pilot of the Cometine Scorpion transport was good as Conroy kept the pressure up, however the Earth pilot was not gaining any ground. And Knox was not being any help at all since he wasn’t even able to fly the Cosmo Tiger properly.
“Inferno, hold your position,” Wildstar said over Vaught’s headset. Confused, Vaught throttled back nevertheless.
“Aye, sir,” came Vaught’s reply.
“I have an idea,” Wildstar said. “This should be right down your alley…”
“Yes?” said Vaught.
Wildstar smiled grimly to himself as he began to give Vaught a fresh set of orders…
*********************************************************************
On his ship, Mazar saw the two Astro Fighters tracking the transport as he began to take evasive action.
“What?” Macet demanded.
“Locals,” Mazar said as he dogded some laser fire.
Then, there was a loud shudder, followed by an intense concussion. When it subsided, Mazar and Macet where knocked out of their chairs. Macet, with his ears ringing, crawled over to Mazar who was still breathing but unconscious. The next thing Macet heard was laser fire followed by a lone sound; the unmistakable sound of the menacing breathing apparatus of his long-time rival; Darth Hawk.
Macet stood and activated his lightsaber.
Vaught turned and placed his Batleth on his back and unclipped his lightsaber from his belt. Crimson blades emerged from both sides of Vaught’s lightsaber.
He regarded Vaught with a greeting to which Vaught never responded as he never had responded to such greetings. It was much unlike the old movies when you heard the duelists having a dialogue during their fight. Macet raised his lightsaber as Vaught remained still.
It was Vaught’s way in the duel never to strike first. Macet knew this from past dealings with him. The two were equally matched in skill and in strength, so their battles usually ended in a stalemate. Macet had a respect for Darth Hawk not knowing the man behind the mask although there were many rumors as to who he was. Most of all, he enjoyed his battles with Hawk. Although he realized that one day this admiration would one day kill him
IQ-9 turned the corner as he began to feed live video to the Argo as the duel between Vaught and Macet commenced.
“You still will not speak to me, Starfighter?” Macet said, as he dodged and parried Vaught’s advances.
However, today was a different day, as Vaught fought with more savagery than ever before.
When he had Macet’s light saber locked with his, Macet felt a sharp blow in his abdomen, feeling his breath knocked out of him.
Macet swung viciously at Vaught. Vaught countered with a second blow to his temple that almost knocked the Cardassian to the deck.
Macet countered again, brushing Vaught back and knocking his lightsaber from his hand. However Vaught rebounded, striking quickly as Macet felt the Dark Side of the Force beginning to flow through his dread opponent.
Using sheer strength, Vaught ripped from their mountings a row of seats as the bolts popped and a section of decking came up with the seats. Vaught almost made it look easy as he hurled the seats into his opponent, pinning him against the bulkhead of the transport.
Next, Vaught extended his hand as his lightsaber obeyed and went to him. Using the Force, Macet threw the seats back at Vaught who cut them in half in rapid succession with his light saber, almost as if it was just an exercise.
As Vaught charged again, Macet knew that with his injuries, the stalemate would not continue for long as he felt another blow to his stomach. Then, nausea washed over the Cardassian as he flew into a bulkhead. Macet could not tell if Vaught had used the Force or his bare hands as he dropped to the deck. Vaught was advancing, yet again Macet rolled to the section where Vaught had ripped out the seats and he made his escape by falling through the deck into the underbelly of the transport, where he quickly entered a life pod. He ejected before Vaught knew what was happening, leaving the black-armored giant standing there.
This is somewhat confusing! Why didn’t Macet stay and fight? Vaught thought.
The issue continued to perplex Vaught as the Star Force secured and moored the transport to the aft section of the Argo.
At that, Mazar was taken prisoner.
************************************************************************
There was much excitement onboard the Argo. The capture of this alien pilot and the alien ship had the whole ship buzzing. Vaught knew who the aliens were…..at least some of them….all too well.
Vaught carefully guided Inferno into the flight deck. While he taxied to Inferno's berth, there was Royster waiting for him. "How'd we do, Boss?" Royster said.
“It handled well as usual, Neville," Vaught said. "My compliments."
"I heard you ran into trouble," Royster said.
"Well, it was what I thought was going to be," Vaught said. "I'm going to make my report to the Captain, now. I'll want you and Nova to have a copy of that report," Vaught said.
Royster looked confused at Vaught's remark, not knowing what business it was of his, however, Royster didnt want to question Vaught too much on things like these. He knew that his tone was serious in what he had just said.
"OK, Boss," Royster said. "Speaking of which, the Skipper and the Doc were just looking for you.”
“Yes?”
“They want you to meet them at some point in
Vaught looked at him with a confused look on his face. "I thought Lt. Piel was handling that…minor detail.”
"He's not going to tell Piel anything," Royster said with an almost matter of fact-like tone. "My company designed those stupid brain scanners; they can be beaten by any seven-year old with ADD."
“Yes, I’d bet so,” agreed Vaught. Then, Vaught, walking with his gear on his left shoulder, walked out of the hangar when he heard shouting going on around one of the Astro Fighters.
Upon turning past the nose of the aircraft, there was a small circle of Marines and Star Force personell. In the middle of the circle there was Knox dwarfing the small and skinny Lieutenant Hardy. Both men were ready for a fight.
Vaught didn’t shout; he simply walked up as the shouting suddenly grew quiet.
"Gentlemen," Vaught said. "Lieutenant Hardy, I know that Sir Conroy would be very upset if he knew what was transpiring down here.....”
“He started it,” snapped Hardy.
“Sergeant Knox, in the same vein, I'm sure that would be next to nothing, compared to the aggression that the entire crew feels towards you, for taking that fighter that you had no business flying in the first place…”
"I have a pilots license!" Knox snapped.
"Yes I know….just for transports," Vaught said. "I'm sure, however, that the Black Tigers would understand your wanting to assist them in the apprehension of this captive and wanting to push back a little for the bloody nose you got on Brumus."
Hardy looked up at Vaught, "Yes sir."
"Good.” Vaught said. "Since the Sergeant has an interest in flying such craft and since the Marines have always held the tradition of being superior fighter pilots, I think the Sergeant should become more acclimated with the Astro Fighter and other aircraft, Including Inferno......the same way that I was indocrinated into flying fighters.....by cleaning them......you may start with Lieutenant Hardy's ship."
Knox nodded in agreement and simply said, "Yes, sir."
The rest of the crew watching the spectacle quickly dispersed, leaving only Vaught and Knox
"I’ll get right on this, Colonel," Knox said.
"No, not now," Vaught said. "You can start in the morning."
"Yes, sir," Knox said.
"Dismissed."
Knox started to walk away when he turned around. "Permission to speak, Sir?" Knox said.
Vaught nodded. “Granted.”
"I know I cause you no end of trouble, Sir," Knox said. "It’s not disrespect for you.”
"I know," Vaught said "It's for the men."
"I've been with most of those boys since Basic," Knox said. "This was their first space mission…a lot of them are scared, and I'm afraid that they won’t fight. There’s no shame in that, but there also isn’t any place to drop them off so if they won’t fight, they’re dead. Then, the next Marine to die is myself. Damnit, I won’t lose any more of them…if I can keep their minds on something else."
"Thus, by stealing the Astro Fighter, it would look to the men as if you were standing up for them," Vaught said. “Right?”
"I was standing up for them, Colonel!" Knox said. "I know you're doing the same thing… because Wildstar isn’t reading me the riot act."
Vaught just nodded. He was troubled…..He closed his eyes to try and stop his thoughts racing. He opened them again as the force of determination washed over his face.
However, his train of thought was interrupted when he was paged to Dr Sane’s office….
**********************************************************************
When Vaught arrived, he was surprised to see that the layout
of his office was exactly the same as his office at the
“Have a seat, Colonel,” Sane said. “How is your shoulder doing?”
Vaught looked at his shoulder, having forgotten that he was even wounded.
“It’s not an issue, Doctor,” Vaught said.
“Were you injured at all during the altercation this morning?” Sane asked.
“No,” Vaught said dryly.
“Would you tell him if you were?” Wildstar asked.
Vaught didn’t answer the question as he sat down while Wildstar leaned forward on the couch.
“I asked you to come down here for two reasons,” Wildstar said “The first one is that we’re not getting satisfactory results from the blood tests in identifying this species.”
“The organs are where they should be, plus there are a couple that I have never seen before,” Sane said. “And there is also the green pigmentation in the skin.”
“I’m not ordering you to do it,” Wildstar said “But it may help if Doctor Sane could make use of Inferno’s computer yet again to help us identify this being and to give insight on how to deal with them.”
“Well I can just download the medical database into the Argo’s Mainframe,” Vaught said.
“Isn’t that against your prime directive?” Sane said.
“Article IV; Section 31,” Vaught said.
“Never heard of that.” Sane replied.
“Never will,” Vaught said. “But I have personal motives in giving you access to the database.”
“The crew,” Wildstar said.
“And my boys,” Vaught said. “I get with Royster as soon as we’re done here.”
“Thank you,” Doctor Sane said, while looking at Wildstar. Vaught noticed the uneasiness in Sane’s features.
“I wasn’t aware that you had made use of Inferno’s medical database before,” Vaught said “What were the circumstances that you needed to use it?”
Sane grimaced uneasily for a moment and got up and walked over to the chair next to Vaught.
“That was the other reason we wanted to see you. When you were injured, I took a blood sample…just to make sure you had no diseases or anything communicable especially with your situation.” Sane said.
“Well, did you find anything?” Vaught asked.
“No, no you’re in perfect health….” Sane said. “Your DNA sequencing, however, was very similiar to someone else on the ship, so I decided to check it out further. The results are astounding.”
“There is another Gargoyle serving on the Argo?” Vaught said. “This universe has no such species,” Vaught said while leaning forward in the chair.
“Apperently, we do,” Wildstar said. “And I know her….very well…”
“Well, who?…..” Vaught said trailing off as he realized who they were talking about.
“Son of a bitch,” Vaught said while leaning back in the chair “She had twins!”
“Yes. She mentioned that she had undergone extensive dental surgery at one time years ago.” Sane said. “Also, she has her menstrual cycle every three months. I believe that’s typical of Gargoyle females.”
“Damn it,” Vaught said.
“It also explains her ‘awakening’ after the Cosmo-DNA.” Sane said “When she inhaled some of the radioactive sleeping gas, as a defense the midichlorians in her blood became active and multiplied, which caused her dormant gargoyle cells to also awaken…it’s what probably saved her life.”
“She has to know,” Derek said. “We owe it to Nova.”
“The hell she does,” Vaught snapped.
“She has the right to explore her heritage,” Sane said.
Vaught just gave him a deadpan look. “Heritage?” Vaught asked. “Are you out of your mind? Do you have any idea what my family is? We’re killers! I and my daughter Starsha, along with my grandmother combined, have probably killed more people than Stalin did. Our…heritage… has produced nothing but cut-throats and murderers! Nova embraces life! She is a gentle and good person. I won’t rip that from her! If ever she picks up that light saber it’s over. OVER!”
“I don’t agree that the radioactive sleeping gas was the direct result of Nova’s so-called awakening,” Wildstar said. “She was stewing long before that.”
“
“Yes. They kidnapped her…then they tried to gang rape her,” Wildstar said. “I stress the word….tried. The people who tried to rape her…they didn’t survive.”
Vaught closed his eyes.
Wildstar continued. “Her cut-throat heritage, as you put it, kept her alive, and it kept her dignity and prevented her from being violated. Vaught, now she deserves to know where that strength came from! Because she is going to be haunted by it for the rest of her life!”
“And I scolded her for not keeping her temper…,” Vaught said. “When a Gargoyle is cornered we have an animal instinct to fight….violently. It has taken me years to overcome it.”
“But you were aware of what you are,” Sane said.
“Nova couldn’t have known,” said Vaught.
“We were able to retrieve some of the bodies after the
“Add to the fact,” said Wildstar. “There are her new found telepathic powers and 28 Marines all being lead by a guy one step up from a cave man. You’ve already stopped her twice. One of these time she’s going to go “Carrie.” And she’ll really do something to Knox and his bunch.”
There were a few seconds of silence.
“I’m not much up on Stephen King,” Vaught said. “All right…I see your point. However, I need to do this in my own way and in my own time,” Vaught said. “I’m not sure how all of this could even come about.”
“There are a lot of unanswered questions,” Sane said. “I’m sure the answers will come in time.”
At that point, the hatch whizzed open, and Nova walked in. She looked at them at first, trying to figure out what they were talking about. Then, she finally figured that it was just about the prisoner.
“Lieutenant Piel is ready, gentlemen,” Nova said, while wiping some conductive gel off her hands onto a small wipe. Nova had been in her nurse’s uniform, helping Piel prepare the Cometine pilot for interrogation in the scanning unit. At that, Doctor Sane and Wildstar both stood up.
As they got up, Vaught remained seated, not interested at all in going to the interrogation. He looked at Wildstar and said, “With your permission, Captain, I would like to do some more research and join you on the bridge in a few minutes.”
Wildstar nodded in approval looking back hard at Nova while he was leaving. She nodded and smiled at Derek as he left, and he returned the smile in a somewhat wan fashion. Then, Vaught stood up, looking out a porthole at the captured transport while not even able to look at Nova.
“I didn’t like hearing what happened to you today,” Nova said in a soft voice as she abruptly stood in Vaught’s path. “I’m so sorry.”
“A wise man once stated that there will always be a bigger fish,” Vaught said. “It’s nothing to be ashamed of. We will all have our nemesis at one time or another during life.” Vaught said.
“I know that,” Nova said in a sigh.
“Another nightmare?” Vaught asked.
Nova nodded slowly, as she saw Vaught stiffen.
“Does she still bother you?” Vaught said.
“I don’t see her very often,” Nova replied.
“If she ever messes with you again, I want you to tell me about it,” Vaught said. “Then she and I will talk about it.”
“I believe you would,” Nova said.
“Not exactly prudent, is it?” Vaught asked.
“No, but I appreciate it all the same,” Nova said as Vaught turned to leave. Then, she looked hard at him,“Are you OK?” Nova said.
Vaught turned to look at her, smiled and said nothing.
*********************************************************************
A while later, Wildstar was surprised at Vaught’s attitude regarding the interrogation of the prisoner. Surley he must have performed introgations before, and he thought that Vaught had to be efficient at it… maybe too efficient. While Dr Sane was busy checking the lab results, the prisoner was sitting in a chair with a rather large device sitting on his head. In the back Lieutenant Piel checked some settings and looked at Wildstar, who reluctantly nodded.
The test began……
Later, Vaught continued his watch on the bridge when Royster entered.
“You wanted to see me, Boss?” Royster said.
Vaught wasted no time and spoke as soon as Royster finished his sentence. “I want to know what was discussed between you and my Grandmother,” Vaught said.
“It was all in the report, Boss,” Royster said.
“Well I want to know what you didn’t put in the report,” Vaught snapped.
Royester scratched the back of his head.
“I don’t think it’s my business to tell you anything about what goes on in your family.” Royster said.
“But you already have,” Vaught replied. “It was you that put Sane onto this in the first place,” Vaught said. “I never gave him permission for him to look at the medical database until today. Yet he stated to me that he already had access to the Database.”
“I thought that both of you had a right to know,” Royster said “I just didn’t want it to be comin’ from me!”
“Who are you to decide that?!” Vaught snapped in a deep, harsh voice.
“Who are you to decide that it ain’t?” Royster snapped back.
Vaught snapped a harsh look back at Royster. “Don’t ever interfere with my family’s affairs again,” Vaught hissed “Or you’ll find yourself in a hell of a worse place than the kitchen.”
“Yeah,” Royster said, knowing that Vaught wasn’t going to listen to reason. He placed an envelope on his station console.
“Captain wanted me to give you that,” Royster said as he left the bridge.
Vaught opened the Interoffice Envelope, revealing a painting. It was a portrait of someone. Vaught just stood gazing at every detail of the painting. He hardly glanced up as Nova entered the bridge and walked up to him.
“Derek thinks it’s going all wrong…he wants to discuss other options,” Nova said while checking her station.
“You said he was an art major?” Vaught said.
“Derek?” Nova asked. “Yes, I’ve never really seen any of his work; Venture said his professor was a reknowned contemporary artist by the name of Eldred. It’s he who he styled his art after…”
Nova walked around the back of him and looked at the picture and huffed, stamping her booted foot on the deck. “Oh, CRIPES!” she snapped.
“What’s the matter with you?” Vaught asked.
“Damn him! Obviously he has more spare time then I thought to be painting women like that,” Nova said angrily storming back to her console. “He probably met the bimbo in a sleazy night club.”
Vaught’s jaw dropped, not believing what he had just heaed, and he shot up growling as he tossed the portrait on the console.
“NOVA! YOU FOOL! THAT BIMBO IS----,” Vaught caught his composure a moment later. However he had already startled Nova. He searched his mind for words, however none would come to him. Vaught let out a gutteral growl and stormed off the bridge. Nova, who was very confused walked over to the portrait and studied it again, suddenly realizing the grave error she had just made.
She dropped the portrait to the floor and took off after him.
My God, Nova
thought. Me and my stupid jealousy! I
hope I can set this right…somehow…what have I done? God, what have I just done?
Next Chapter: “CONSPiRACY THEORY”
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