Subject: Grail: `Last Look Back'- `New Faces'
`New Faces'
by Lt. Logan Castle
Castle completed his second reading of Taralaks file. He was half
Romulan, so to Castle, that only made him half scum. He shook his head
in self-recrimination. That wasn't fair. He had done his duty to the
Federation and had assisted in the success of their primary mission. No.
Terrakians primary mission. Castle was certain that the Federation would
not risk war so that the Grail could lay hands on a Cloaking Device.
Whatever.
=^=Donucci to Castle. Report to Transporter Room 5. A federation
Captain has just been rescued from a destroyed Klingon Bird of Prey.=^=
"Acknowledged, Lieutenant.", Castle responded with an expression of
exaggerated surprise. `Shit happens all at once here.' He rose with a
sigh, clipping his phaser to his hip as he left his chair. He leaned
back and deleted Taralaks file from the screen. He tapped his commbadge.
"Castle to Taralak. Change of plans. Meet me in Transporter Room
5."
=^=Understood.=^=, came the reply.
Castle found Dimitri en route and grabbed him, steering him in a
new direction. "Come with me, Ensign. We have to greet a newcomer."
Dimitri pulled back his elbow with a look of consternation, but
followed.
They exited the turbolift and entered Transporter Room 5. The
Andorian Chief, Velaj, nodded his greeting. Castle nodded in response,
then looked at the totally dishevelled man sitting on the transporter
pad, drinking what looked like.....
"Sir.", Castle addressed the superior officer. "Are you consuming
Romulan Ale?"
The man smiled tiredly, raising the dark bottle. "I am toasting the
deaths of all those who served me best. Want a shot?"
Castle stepped forward and accepted the bottle. "Sir. Romulan Ale
is against Federation Law." Then, Castle looked around in mock
conspiracy. "But, in order to properly prosecute, I must determine if
this is indeed Romulan Ale."
With that, Castle emptied the contents of the bottle, which wasn't
much, down his parched throat. The kick was awesome. He loved it.
"Sir.", he smiled in gratitude. "I am afraid this bottle is empty.
Therefore, no crime was committed."
They each smiled tiredly, then Castle added. "I am sorry to hear
about your people. I lost some good folks today, too."
At that moment, Taralak entered the Transporter Room.
"Lieutenant Taralak. I am Lt. Logan Castle. Welcome aboard. Allow
me to introduce you to Captain.....", Castle looked to the older man.
"Trellor.", the man said with some suspicion in his eyes as he
looked at the Romulan. "`Doc' Trellor."
"Lieutenant. Please conduct Captain Trellor to suitable
accomodations until Captain Terrakian can avail himself." Castle nodded
to his new Security Assistant. Then, Castle handed him a phaser. It was
a meaningless act of trust.
"Of course.", Taralak nodded. "Captain...."
Castle watched the pair exit the transporter room. He wondered,
with a small grin, what they would talk about.
But, he quickly gave up the daydream. He wanted to check on Eve.
"Computer. Locate Lt. Eve Mallory."
=^=Lt. Mallory is in Science Lab 4.=^=
Castle nodded to Velaj, then left the room.
Lt. Logan Castle
Chief Security Officer, USS Grail
theShadowKnight@webtv.net