The Scarman Enigma

[|Scarecrow|]

Bridge,
LNS Tuatha de Danaan

Commander, I think it would be better if we met in person. Marcus sighed as the angry face of Sinclair glowered down on him. I can arrange to have you transported over-
A rumble from somewhere beneath the deck silenced the rest of his sentence. The entire bridge rocked, forcing Marcus to grab hold of the command chairs arms to steady himself.
Status report, he said, looking across to the helm.
Two more explosions registered, Ensign Powell reported, Deck five Sir its the transporter rooms, Im reading major power failures throughout their networks and the operation staff arent responding to my calls.
Damn it, Marcus cursed, looking over at the viewscreen. Get an inspection team down there immediately!
Aye sir,
Make it a heavily armed inspection team,
Aye sir,
It looks like well have to postpone our meeting Commander Sinclair, Marcus said to the face of the Liberty Commander looming above him, The Danaan has been breeched, Ill get back to you.
He turned to another young Ensign by the communications console and swiftly ran his finger across his neck, Axe the link.
Sinclairs face disappeared from the viewscreen, replaced by the emblem of the Freedom Fighters.

Where is the Fleet Admiral, Marcus stood up and walked around the command chair.
He last reported in at the guest quarters, my guess is hes leading the Senator to a safer location. Lucas Anderson said from behind Marcus. Anderson had been operating a number of tasks from the bridge since the crisis on board had broken out. In the absence of several of the bridge crew staff, he had taken control of the tactical console. I can patch you through to him,
Make it so, Marcus strode along the bridge until he arrived at the tactical console. A small image of Robert Merlow had appeared on one of the screens.
Admiral, He said, a look of worry across his face.
Sir, the- Marcus began to speak but Merlow raised a hand.
The Black Flag Corsairs have severely crippled the transporter rooms; God knows where their next target will be. Im dispatching a shipwide search for them, full alert. Ill lead it myself.
If you insist Admiral, I can hold things up here. Marcus nodded, The Commander of the Prometheus is getting more suspicious by the minute though, I suspect he intends to organize a boarding party if we dont do something to convince him we are on his side.
Marcus, hell just have to wait, one thing at a time. Im organizing a Sadukar Unit to you, for protection and to ensure the safety of the bridge. Make sure they install proximity sensors across every square inch of the command deck. With that, Merlow cut the link, leaving Marcus with his thoughts.
Alright, battle stations, red alert. Marcus turned around and began shouting orders to the rest of the bridge crew. I want an internal heightened alert, keep all exterior aggression minimal. In other words Lieutenant, keep the gun ports closed!

Lucas remained at the tactical console after Marcus turned to give the crew orders. He was so wrapped up in the displays before him that he didnt notice Kurt Manning silently enter the bridge, looking shifty.
Lucas, He hissed. Lucas!
Anderson turned around irritably and caught the bounty hunters eye. What is it; Im a little busy here!
Lucas, I need your help, everyone else is wrapped up in keeping the ship secure. As he spoke, another miniature explosion rocked the bridge from somewhere down below. Lucas cursed and turned back to the console.
Explosion in astrometrics, he reported out loud, The damn room is a mess.
Patch the security feed through to the main screen, Marcus voice ordered from behind him.
Aye sir, Lucas tapped at the console until a view from the single surviving security strip showed the remainder of the astrometrics lab. The place was a mess of mangled metal and cabling. The walls and the decking were scarred black with plasma burns and the indication of a central explosion at the heart of the room was evident.
Damn, bastards. Marcus growled from the command chair.
Lucas, this is important, I need you now. Kurt whispered intently. Lucas looked at him and then back to the console. He sighed in annoyance and called over a young man in a Freedom Fighter uniform.
Lieutenant Hall, man tactical whilst Im gone, I shouldnt be too long. He got out of his seat and offered it to the young Lieutenant before turning to Manning. This had better be important.
With that and a grin from the insufferable bounty hunter, they both exited the bridge beneath the notice of Admiral Scarman.

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| S C A R E C R O W |

"See you space cowboy..."