Man on the Run pt2

Posted on Thu Oct 1st, 2020 @ 2:08pm by Cody Devilrall & Captain Rhenora Kaylen

Mission: Diplomatic Masquerade
Location: USS Liberty
Timeline: Current

*****
Bridge
*****

Bedee dee bedee dee beep.
"Im detecting a second pod launch, deck 10."

“A second pod? Lifesigns?” With the tractor beam tied up still maneuvering the first pod the second would have to be disabled with weapons. Not ideal if there was anyone on board.

"Sir I am not detecting any life signs but I am seeing Lt. Durnell's comm signature."

“Why do I get the feeling we’re being well and truly led by the nose here.” Rhenora grumbled “See if you can remotely access the navigational systems and override it to return back to the Liberty. If not, fire phasers to disable only”

"Yes sir. I’ll alert flight control to prep for pod retrieval."

“Thank you Lt., Security, lockdown deck 10. All access points.” Kaylen issued another order, rising from her chair and beginning to pace the carpeted bridge. It felt as though someone were one step ahead of her.

*****
Deck 10 - Cargo Hold Flight Control
*****

"Really? Okay." The flight control officer on duty responded to the call from the bridge and immediately began procedures for a launch cycle. He activated comms. "Prep Bee 216 and 217. Charles, Rodriguez, you're on deck. Get suited up, the bridge needs you two to retrieve two pods. Apparently, someone has been busy playing a prank or something."

Charles sighed heavily before heading off into the locker rooms. Rodriguez cheered, happy to have something to do. "Alright! Charles wait up!" He shouted.

*****
Deck 10 - Locker Room
*****

Cody slipped into the small locker room just as he heard the footfalls of a security team moving through the halls outside. He really was running out of time. From further into the locker space he could hear the voices of a couple of pilots.

"Rodriguez, you got that thing I suggested?" Pilot number one asked. Cody was close enough now to garner a peak. The one that spoke was barely dressed while the other was almost fully suited up in his flight suit. He held a helmet in his arm. Cody knew the Worker Bees well enough to know they were small, nimble craft and if something should go wrong the EV suit was your only saving grace.

"Yeah, why? You gonna let me drive 217? I hear she rides as smooth as a babies' bottom."

"In your dreams little man. Hey since you're suited up already, let the boss know I'll be right out. Just gonna hit the head before we take off."

"Was it the chili Charles? I bet it was the chili. Clandover from maintenance said they had to evacuate…"

"Just go will ya, I'll be right there."

The one named Rodriguez turned and left the room, presumably out into the cargo bay where a series of Worker Bees were stored. That was Cody's destination as well. He waited until the one named Charles grunted, got up and went into the toilet stalls before he emerged from his hidey spot.

After pressing the lock and override function on the keypad effectively locking poor Charles in the toilet area, he inhaled too much. The smell coming in permeated the room and with a wave of his hand in front of his nose Cody mouthed, "whoah, sorry Charlie." True sorrow in his voice. Without a moment to lose he threw on Charles' EV suit which was a size too big, grabbed the helmet, placed it on his head and headed out of the locker room.

The flight controller called down from the loft tower, "It's about time you joined us. Are you ready? The bridge sounded like this was an emergency or something."

Cody just nodded, his full-face obscured by the helmets' visor like a thin layer of mist on one's windscreen in the morning. For effect he pointed at his stomach and then shrugged his shoulders.

"The chili huh, yeah me too. Well hurry back and we can both suffer together."

A little odd, Cody thought, but he saluted anyway as he climbed into what appeared to be a brand new Work Bee marked 217. He slid down into the seat and closed the hatch. Nodding his approval at the updated interior compared to what he was used to, he began his preflight checks. Over the comms a moment later he heard Rodriguez announce "216 ready for launch."

He figured he would have to do the same when the call came back from the control tower. "216, 217 go for launch."

"Thank you, Papy." He proclaimed then proceeded to lift the small Bee off the pad and ignited her thrusters, launching her forward. "Wow!" He exclaimed as the small ship left the womb of the Liberty and ventured out into open space, the starbase large and bright just below. He immediately put into action the final phase of his plan.

*****
Deck 10
*****
"Security team to Bridge, we have completed our sweep of Deck 10 starboard and aft sides. There's no sign of target."

*****
Bridge
*****

“Keep on it Lieutenant, Notify me when the sweep is complete. Leave no stone unturned, I’m sure you get it” Kaylen ordered, still pacing the bridge. She had a very bad feeling that Cody and Bonnie were involved in whatever was going on. One willingly, the other not so much.

*****
Open Space
*****
Cody immediately began veering his Work Bee towards the aft of the Liberty, while making sure to vary his angle slightly. Target, Main Shuttle Bay, Deck 19. He rounded the nacelle when flight control radioed through the comms.

"Bee 217 you have strayed from the flight path. Please recalibrate and return to course."

As he aimed the Bee for the shuttle bay he responded over the comm, "I'm reading a complete failure in the navigation system."

Flight control responded, "we are not showing anything wrong from here 217, are you sure?"

"Am I sure?" Cody muttered to himself. He pulled the phaser from his hip, took aim and said, "Sorry 217, truly." And he fired at the console. Sparks erupted, alarms klaxons blared, Cody opened the comm channel, "Are you reading it now?" He asked sarcastically as smoke filled the small craft.

"Yes.?! 217, did you just… nevermind. I will alert the bay to prepare for an emergency crash landing, stand by."

Cody was always amused at that phrase, 'stand by'. Like he couldn't really stand and he wasn't going anywhere.

*****
Main Shuttle Bay - Deck 19
*****
The deck was already a hustle and bustle of cargo and shuttles preparing to leave the bay. Two guards stood at the opening of the Orion Interceptor as instructed. It was evidence. It was also a way off the ship for one escaped prisoner, Cody Devilrall.

The alarm blared. "Evacuate the bay. Incoming uncontrolled shuttlecraft!" The alert, above all others, superseded standing orders as it meant the potential loss of one's life. Everyone ran for an exit, fo there was little cover that could protect them from whatever may be coming their way.

Cody could see into the bay and his desired target was right where he parked it. He made some last-minute adjustments to his heading with the thrusters and when he was just about to enter the bay, fired his forward thrusters to slow the poor bee down. He knew this entire plan was risky. He knew if certain things had been different he would have failed miserably. His papy always told him ' if it ain't worth the risk, better figure out whose ass to kiss.'

The pod struck the deck hard causing sparks to fly in all directions. It gave a little bounce and then skidded to a stop several meters from where the Interceptor sat, waiting just for him. He took the phaser one last time and set the overcharge on a delay, then shoved it into the dash cubby. It had already begun to whine when he pulled the emergency release, blowing the cockpit hatch open and releasing the smoke.

As he climbed from the cockpit, two emergency crew ran over in an attempt to put out any flames inside the craft. One stopped short when he heard the high pitched whine. "What is that?" He asked Cody who replied, "Oh that. That is a phaser grenade about to explode."

The man looked at him in his EV suit like he was crazy but instead yelled, "take cover!"

Everyone ran, including Cody, right for the now unguarded Interceptor. He made it to the ramp and looked back as Bee 217 exploded in a massive fireball. In solidarity, he touched his shield where his mouth would be, made a kissy noise, and pointed two fingers at the wreckage.

The fire suppression system began raining down in the bay which was his signal to leave. He ran into the ship, fired up the engines and lifted her off the deck in less than 30 seconds. Without looking back he activated thrusters and was out of the bay, gone from the Liberty. And with the Liberty tractor beam still busy with an escape pod he was free and clear to activate his warp drive. In a flash of light Cody Devilrall was gone.

*****
Deck 10 - Locker room
*****
"Hello? Can anyone hear me?" Charles cried out, still locked in the bathroom, who had mistakenly left his combadge in his locker.

*****
Bonnies Quarters
*****

Cody was gone. The Orions were being transferred. Bonnie returned to her quarters, tired, sore, frustrated, and angry. Used once again she was beating herself up at the frustrating portion of herself that kept messing things up over and over again, though not for a lack of trying.

She entered the room and the lights turned on. There on her bed, wrapped up in a tidy bow lay a piece of leather fabric with metal studs and rhinestones. She held them open in front of her, a single pair of assless chaps with a note pinned to the crotch.

Already biting her tongue, she read the note. "A small reminder that not every 'tails' is a bad one. It's all about perspective. See you around, Dollface."

The scream she released could be heard three decks up.

OFF

In loving memory of Work Bee 217.