[USS Tempest] "Trapped"
- From: EnsnSaraCrusher@xxxxxxx
- To: usstempest@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Sun, 22 May 2005 18:38:28 EDT
"Trapped."
Ensn. Miranda Craig
The message she received that morning told Miranda that her CO had to
reschedule their meeting and that he would get in touch with her to do so. The
sudden opening in her day gave Miranda a large chunk of free time that she
didnât
know what to do with. She still didnât know anyone on the ship other then
Lindsey and Rosie, and they were both working, and Tawny was getting settled
on
the Georgetown. So Miranda decided she was going to check out the Tempest
and itâs security department for herself. She smiled and waved at the
officer
standing guard at the air lock and then made her way to the main security
office.
As Miranda checked out the large bullpen area were most of the security
officersâ desks and things were and the close by armory, she wondered what
her
duties would be and if sheâd been partnered up with an experienced officer.
She
also wondered if she would be given much guff about being the Captainâs
little sister. She had a feeling she would.
After leaving the security offices Miranda made her way to each of the
security sub-stations and armories. She wanted to know where everything was
and
how each station was laid out. After about an hour of just wandering deck to
deck, Mirandaâs little walk through landed her on deck seventeen. The brigs
on
this deck.
Miranda knew that every wet behind the ears, fresh out of the academy ensign
had to do their time twiddling their thumbs on brig duty, so she headed for
the holding area. The main room that lead back to the cells wasnât much.
Actually it wasn't much more then a deck in front of a wall. Behind the wall
was
a hallway full cell units. There wasnât anyone working the front desk so
Miranda helped herself to the console that would unlock the door. She
ventured
into the hallway and then into one of the cell units.
A small control island with a single chair stood inactive to her left. To
her right was the actually cell. Miranda walked over and examined the control
island, making sure not to touch anything, and then sat in the chair. She
could already tell that this was going to be mind numbing even though she
wouldnâ
t have to sit here unless someone was in the brig. But still, sitting out at
that front desk wasnât going to be a joy either. Weâve all got to pay our
dues.
Standing, Miranda walked over to the cell opening. She outlined the hole in
the wall and then stepped over the lip of the opening and into the cell.
Another part of her duties would be to do periodic expectations of the cells
to
make sure they were in working order. This one looked fine to her. A cot, a
wash area, and a toilet which was hidden within the wall. Simple and boring.
She felt sorry for anyone who had to be put in the small space for
disciplinary
actions. She use to hate being grounded or sent to her room and it wasnât
anything like this, the dullness of the confined space was draining.
A sudden feeling of being closed in came over Miranda as she stood inside
the cell. She turned quickly on her heel and headed for the opening but just
as
she was about to reach it the force field activated. âWhat the hell.
Computer lower force field.â
âCan not comply.â
Miranda blinked. The force fields had to be manually activated and
deactivate but the outer room was empty. âComputer lower the force field.
Authorization Craig Delta four four Charlie.â
âCan not comply.â
âWell, why the hell not?â Miranda huffed. She was feeling more and more
uncomfortable by the minute.
âForce fields must be deactivate at the control station.â
Miranda growled. âI canât get to the damn station. Iâm in here!â
Taking a
deep breath and letting it out slowly, Miranda reached for her comm badge but
then paused. Who was she going to call? Sure the hell not Lindsey. Her
sister would laugh her ass off over this.
There was only one other person she could call. Craig to Le Beau.â
Nothing.
âComputer why isnât my comm badge working?â
âCommutations from within the cell are inhibited.â
Miranda smacked herself in the forehead. Comm badges didnât work inside the
cells so prisoners couldn't contact people on the outside. âNow what the
hell
am I going to do.â
Reaching out Miranda touched the force field to see if it was still there.
The burning tingle in her finger told her it was. This is a joke right? Linds
saw me come in here and sheâs out there somewhere laughing hysterically.
âLindsey!â Miranda called out; following her âthis is a practical
jokeâ
theory. âLindsey Craig this isnât funny! Let me outta here!â
There was no reply.
Miranda started pacing the small room with a whole knew understanding of the
phrase âfeeling like a caged tigerâ. She started to chew on her thumb nail
the way she always did when she was nervous, upset, worried, or just
generally frustrated. Stopping mid-stride Miranda looked up as she spoke to
the
computer. âComputer, who raised the force field in this cell?â
âThe force field in that cell is not active.â
Touching the field before her, Miranda hissed. âWhat the hell do you call
that?â
âPlease restate the question.â
âI hate you.â Miranda told the computer as she went back to pacing.
Several long minutes later the cell unitâs doors whooshed open. A tall man
who looked to be in his early thirties walked in. Miranda sighed with relief.
â
Thank god I thought I was going to be stuck in here. The unit's
malfunctioning.â
The young man stepped over to the control island and looked over the
display. âYour name's not on the recorder.â
Miranda blinked. âItâs not suppose to be because Iâm not in here on
purpose.
â
The man looked up at her. âWhy are you in the brig?â
âI was checking things out and the damn field went up on itâs own.â
The man laughed. âNice try. Iâve heard that before.â He looked down at
the
screen again. âDonât know why the officer who put you in there didnât
fill
out your forms.â He sighed. âMust have been an officer who had better
things
to do then paperwork.â
âI put myself in here.â Miranda protested with her hands on her hips. It
was down right scary how much she looked like Lindsey when she stood like
that.
Miranda started at the man. He was older then her by a lot but he was only
an NCO. She could order him to let her out.
Looking up once again, the man opted to ignore the girl. âName, rank, reason
for being held.â
Miranda sighed. âCraig, Miranda A. Ensign. The damn computer locked me in
while I was expecting the unit.â
âThere were no expectations scheduled for the brig units.â The Senior
Chief
Petty Officer said flatly. Then he looked up at Miranda. âCraig?â
Miranda rolled her eyes. âThatâs what I said.â
âAny relation...â
âSheâs my sister.â Miranda grumbled. âAnd Iâd like to get out of
this
without her knowing. Sheâll never let me live this down so would you please
let
me out!â
The Chief just shook his head. âI canât very well take the word of someone
whoâs in a cell now can I? Iâm going to have to check to make sure you
really donât belong there.â
âI donât!â
âUnfortunately the only one onboard who can answer that is the Captain.â
Mirandaâs cheeks went red and her eyes wide. âUm.. Thatâs ok.. Iâll
wait..
Ask anyone but my sister!â Miranda could have sworn sheâd seen the tiniest
of smiles on the Chief's face.
The Chief reached for his comm badge. âSecurity to Captain Craig. Maâam
when you have a moment could you please come to the brig, cell unit 3-B.â
âAcknowledged.â
Miranda groaned as she throw up her hands. I should have stayed in bed this
morning.
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