Post
Thu Apr 17, 2014 7:37 am
#8
by Tom
Scene 1
Setting:
The Bridge of the Heroditus
Narrator:
The bridge of the Heroditus has often been called “the Crypt”, by those who have been lucky enough to be assigned to it. The aging science vessel bares the scars of many retro-fits, overhauls, and in recent years, removal of aging equipment. The severe budget cuts in the deep-space division have left deep holes in the surrounding consoles, bare wires, and a couple empty chairs.
Commander Fitzcurtis looks around at her new crew. She’s been often referred to as the Crypt Keeper by a few of the transient crew members. She knows the moniker. It doesn’t cut her the way her revolving crew-members think it does. In recent years she has actually tried on the persona. Its not easy being the aging Commander of a Science Vessel when it has so little value to the colonies.
She remembers the days when Science was given the lion’s share of budgetary dollars. Sure it was often a front to expand weaponry and find new resource opportunities, but saying you were a member of the deep-space exploration crew gave you immediate respect. You got the finest rooms in the spaceports. People opened doors for you. Young officers bought you drinks to get a glimpse of what you’ve seen.
Now, things were different. These days, saying you’re in deep-space gives people the creeps. Most officers don’t want anything to do with you. Some even suspect you.
Still, when she signed on 35 years ago for Officer school, she chose Science. She’d do it again…and again.
When she looked around at her crew, she wondered. What will this new crew bring to the Crypt? Is this her final assignment? Did Central Command once again assign her the cheapest crew that money could buy? She knew almost nothing about them.
Ah well. The crypt-keeper remains, she thinks.
“All…we are nearing deep-space…” she pauses and takes a deep breath.
“Report?”
Last edited by
Tom on Thu Apr 17, 2014 7:49 am, edited 1 time in total.
I know not what life is, nor death.
Year in year out-all but a dream.
Both Heaven and Hell are left behind;
I stand in the moonlit dawn,
Free from clouds of attachment.