It's Going to be a Long Trip by Cadet John Forester, WO Emeril Fointaine, Lt. Camdell Loyen, and Ensign Mary O'Donnell Standing in the shuttlebay Mary watched with relief as the spider left the ship. Hopefully some other ship will have to do the follow up. Calmly she walked over to the Mordred and entered. The name sent a slight shiver down her spine, just her luck to be assigned to the bad guy. Brushing a hand through her short copper locks she called up the list of who else would be joining her. The only name she recognised immediately was John which caused her to smile. He's really goin' t' love being stuck in here with me. She wondered where Steven was and how he was leaving. Her brow creased with concern for him as she continued looking at the list. The Captain's cook and a Physiotherapist? Does this mean I'm the only one with a shuttlecraft rating? John skidded into the hanger bay, a small bag under his arm with the work PADD he'd been using and the change of clothes he kept in his lab locker. "Oh God, you're just checking this to make sure it works, right?" he asked the moment he saw Mary. Turning, she gave him the full O'Donnell smile. "Nope Johnny boy. I'm your designated driver for this trip unless someone else on this list can fly this thing. Have you seen Steven?" "Nope," John said with a frown. "I came straight from Science, didn't even have time to pick up my books or anything. Just hope this lump of a ship doesn't blow up in the meantime." Thrusting the PADD at him Mary began the pre-flight, "You know much about whats going on?" "Only that the ship's broken. Greg was swearing merry hell about it," John shrugged. "Said the biogel packs were infected." "The ship's caught a cold?" Mary eyed him warily. John shrugged. "S'what Greg said." "Bloody typical, you seen who else is in here with us? I get the feeling your father is still punishing me." "Then what's he punishing me for?" John huffed. "At least Stevie's not assigned here. That would be sooo much worse." "Charming. I love you too Cadet Forrester." She winked, "Even if he was here he'd have to behave at least until we are out of this mess." "I know, but the doe eyes the pair of you'd make would be sickening," John sighed. "It's too much for a poor Science geek to take." "Science geek? You're too harsh on yourself. Someone will find that rather cute I'd've thought." John blushed but decided to keep his mouth shut on that score. "Who're we waiting on?" "Your Dad's cook, Lieutenant Loyen and anyone else who cares to show up." Cam came in at that point carrying a duffle full of personal effects. He could sense some stress from Kaera, but he attributed it to the situation. That being having to evacuate the ship and being seperated. He could feel the tension of the room as well as the rest of the crew getting to their craft. He went up to the one that looked in charge. "Lieutenant Loyen, reporting," he said with that easy smile he nearly always wore. "Don't stand on ceremony sir, get yourself stowed. Where's that bloody stove jockey?" She grumbled. Cam nodded. "Aye," he said. He hadn't seen any one else that had been assigned to this shuttle. There were others coming in to the bay but each of them were going to different shuttles and as those shuttles were filling up they were being launched. Cam went into the shuttle and stowed his gear. "Any sign of the others yet?" he asked when he came back out. "Nope sir. Waiting on the Captain's cook and any stragglers." Mary smiled grimly. Still nothing from Steven. Should I try to comm him? Pulling the large duffle along the corridor, the clanging of the contents eluded to what was inside. Another duffle over his shoulder, that smelled of spices. Finally, he entered the shuttlebay, "I'm here, can someone help me get these pots and pans aboard", Emeril yelled to anyone that was in listening distance. "What is this? I know you chefs get possessive about your equipment but if this room is needed for bodies your tinware remains here." Mary glared at him, daring him to try something. Muttering to himself, Emeril loads the duffle of pans and the bag of spices onto the shuttle, "I wouldn't have this problem if I were assigned to the aero...". Finally, taking his seat, he waited for them to leave. The Captains message came through loud and clear. Mary surveyed her mottley crew. "Guess that's our cue to leave." "If there's nothing wrong with me... maybe there's something wrong with the universe!" ~ Dr Beverly Crusher (ST:TNG, Remember Me) --------------------------------- Win a BlackBerry device from O2 with Yahoo!. Enter now.