Subject: Grail: "Great Brightness" - 'The Driver's Seat'
<<Stardate: 47307.30- 19:45>>
<<Bridge>>
François stared at the probe's information on Science Station 2
and smiled. He liked what he saw. According to the data, the course he
had plotted with the help of Hillary and Kypper would work. The exit
would be a little rough, but it wasn't anything François couldn't
handle. For ten days, he had pulled double shifts, trying to find a
way through the Great Brightness. The sheer magnitude of it made it one of
the
greatest navigational challlenges of the galaxy and he was determined
to overcome it. He couldn't wait. But as his eyes continued to roam over the
console, he froze.
He had just stumbled across the captain's orders. They would enter
the Great Brightness at 9:00 the next morning. On Lt. Desirable's shift.
Despite the fact that she had hardly done anything to get them through
compared to François, Donucci would get to fly them
through.Unacceptable! François continued reading the orders. Epic
wanted him to be there too. 'Why?' François asked himself, 'Do they
need someone to activate the flashers?' No, this was indeed
unacceptable.
"Computer, locate Lt. Donucci." he said.
=^= Lt. Donucci is in her quarters. =^= responded the feminine
voice. François was off in an instant.
--------------------------------
<<Stardate: 47307.30- 19:57>>
<<Donucci's quarters>>
François took a deep breath. He had to lighten up some, or else he
would have the counselor on his back. His mood worsened. Sighing
again, he pressed the doorchime.
François could hear a Alisons voice calling him to enter. Once
inside he sees Alison sitting at her desk looking over the most
resent information sent back by the probe. Looking up from her work
she asks. "What can I do for you lieutenant?"
François stared at her for a moment. He didn't know exactly how to
bring it up. Inside, he was boiling. Outside, however, he was calm as
always. He decided to be diplomatic about the situation.
"Lieutenant," he started officially, "I request permission to man
the helm through the Great Brightness." It was simple and to the
point, but lacked his usual style. However, style just didn't have
it's place right now.
Giving François a cold stare Alison could hardly believe her ears.
Heres the man who made a mockery of her authority asking for a special
favor. "What is the reason for your request lieutenant?" Asked Alison
in a very bussinness like tone.
François sighed. It wasn't enough that he had to be nice to her, she
had to play with him. He stayed calm and decided to continue with the
diplomatic approach.
"As you know, I have been pulling double shifts for the last ten
days, studying and working on finding a way through the GB. I think we
can safely say that, along with Hillary Singh and Kyp Firespray, I am
one of the highest authorities on the star cluster aboard this ship.
In fact, you could say that getting across those incredible
gravitational forces of nature has become some kind of a personal
challenge for me." François took a breath, he hated this protocol
shit, "For all these reasons, I think I am the most qualified helmsman
to get us through." A hint of arrogance slipped into his voice without
his noticing as he said the last words.
No longer looking at François, but stait ahead as she taps a PADD
on her desk unable to believe the ego of her subordinate. It was like
it's out of control, sort of like when her temper gets Alison into
trouble. *Maybe it's time one of us grew up before the captain decides
that he needs new flight control officers all together.* *I can't alow
myself to slide down to DeMontignys level.*
"Lieutenant isn't it a little selfserving to assume that you where
the only one working on the flight-path for the Grail, and as far as
working doubleshifts." Looking François in the eyes. "That's your job,
you're a Starfleet officer."
"If I had my way, you would never set foot on the bridge during my
watch unltil you've learned to control your ego, but the captain seems
to think you have something to offer." "Though I fully dissagree with
him, I'll respect his wishes."
Looking back at what she was doing. "Mr DeMontigny, Ensign Winshikar
will take your shift and you will report to the bridge at 0900 hours
to take over the helm." "I will be your adviser guiding you through
any unforseen situations."
Standing up to say what she's going to next so François would get the
full weight of what she is about to say. "I will notify security and
if I even see a glimmer in your eyes that you are about to do anything
that would endanger the safety of this ship I will have you removed
from the bridge in a instant."
"One last thing, I've been looking over your shooting the curl idea,
and to break the gravitational pull of the Great Brightness you have
to tighten your swing around the last star." "So recalibrate your
figures and present it to me before tomorrow morning." "That is an
order."
Sitting back down at her desk Alison sets about her work. "You're
dismissed lieutenant."
François just smiled smugly as he turned around and walked out. He had
gotten what he wanted. The Great Brightness was his. Lt. Desirable could
work herself into a fit, but as long as he had the GB, François didn't
really care. 'This calls for a celebration,' he thought as he headed toward
Ten Forward.
Joint post by Alison Donucci and François DeMontigny