The Scarman Enigma

[|Scarecrow|]

Deck 19, near torpedo bay 2

Martin Cole and Alexandra Laughlin stood down in the lower decks of the Danaan working on a fried communications node. When one of the explosions caused by the Black Flag Brawlers had taken out one of the transporter rooms, the energy surplus from the power going into the transporter room suddenly had nowhere to go. The end result of this was a number of blown-out consoles and conduits across the entire ship. Conduit Apha-XX34n was no different than the numerous other fused masses of cabling and circuitry dotted across the Dreadnought.

Cole poked his sonic device into an entanglement of wires, in the hope that the minute vibrations the device created in the air would dislodge the mess. Instead it sent a shower of sparks cascading down over his head. He backed out of the open section of the bulkhead with a yowl, sucking his fingers.
Alexandra chuckled as she saw the sorry look in his eyes. Should be more careful, here let me.
She took the sonic device from him and disappeared inside the bulkhead. Moments later she returned with a clump of wires in one hand, the sonic device in the other and a smirk on her face. See, patience.
Give me that, Cole snatched the sonic device from her hands and went back inside the bulkhead. She sighed and leaned on the wall opposite him.

We always get the ****ty jobs, its like the chief has a grudge on us. She said sulkily.
Dont be stupid, we get the easy jobs, would you rather be repairing a console on the bridge, surrounded by all those navy types? Or how about going EVA to weld shut a damn ruptured hull segment? No thank you sir.
I suppose your right, as usual. She said, sitting down cross legged on the decking. At that point, one of the doors several metres down the corridor slid back into its berth and a man wearing a cleanly pressed suit emerged. His hair was neatly combed and his beard trimmed.

It took several seconds for Laughlin to realize that it was Admiral Scarman. Scarman began to walk down the corridor towards her. He looked somewhat different however; more haggard than usual and he had a strange, crazed look in his eyes. She scrambled to her feet and stood to attention.
Martin, get out of that damn conduit. She hissed under her breath. Martin backed out of the bulkhead, banging his head on the hatch and swearing audibly.
Sir, Alexandra said smartly as Scarman walked past. He paid the two of them no heed whatsoever.

That was odd, Alexandra said, slightly ruffled by his apparent lack of interest in the two engineers.
Yeah it was. Why he down here, coming out of the torpedo bays? Martin agreed.
And why was he wearing a suit?
Martin began to chuckle, looking across at Alexandra.
What, what is it? She demanded.
That wasnt the Admiral, that was Senator Scarman, you know, Scarecrows doppelganger from this universe. He explained with an air of superiority.
Laughlins face paled. She had to lean on the wall for support as she began to sway.

I dont like all of this dimensions nonsense, She said after clearing her throat. Something about it isnt right.
I know how you feel; just imagine what Admiral Scarman felt like when he met himself. We might even have doubles out there somewhere.
Quiet, youre making me feel sick. She said sharply, turning away.
I dont know why the idea of parallel selves gets you so riled, Martin said, scratching his head. Dunno, guess its like a fear of needles. I do wonder why the Senator was in the torp bay though.
Hmph, Alexandra grunted, still looking pale, Not any of our business. Get back to work or well never fix this damn conduit.

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| S C A R E C R O W |

"See you space cowboy..."