Battlestar Argus

Down the entire length of the corridor, everyone could hear Alana's crying as she protested her innocence. However Major Ford was ruthless in his verbal assault and secretly enjoyed the feeling of power it gave him. "You're a Food thief! Admit it! No one has eaten a damn thing in 4 fraking days and you're getting to stuff your face!" Presently unable to handle his attack she sought the solace of the wall next to her and slumped to the floor with sweat and tears rolling down her face. "Look at you! You're also a pathetic excuse for a soldier. Unlike your big sister you aren't fit to wear the uniform!" He snorted and further commented about her inability to stand at attention when an officer speaks to her.

In the middle of this verbal assault Col. Bridgeford rounded the corner and with a purposeful stride to stand face to face with the major. Under the glare of the Colonel, Ford began, "I'm glad you're here sir. This pathetic excuse for fleet soldier has been stealing food." Taking a deep breath and slowly letting it out, Bridgeford stated there hadn't been any food to steal for 4 days, then glanced down at the sobbing woman and calmly told her to straighten up. Addressing Ford, "You better have a good explanation for chewing out an enlisted man in public." Assured of his righteousness, the look on the major's face was pure shock as he attempted a response, "I…I found a sack of food in her gear."

The old marine calmly folded his arms and fixed his gaze on the younger officer, "Ok, so explain to me why you're doing inspections, and then how you concluded that the food was stolen." Attempting to regain his composure but finding himself stuttering for an explanation to justify searching a crew member's personal belongings, he finally blurted out, "look at how much she has!" and he handed the colonel a cloth sack the size of a shoe box. Looking pensive for a moment, Bridgeford examined the bag and finally fixed his gaze back on the Major. "So no explanation for the invasion of privacy." The colonel's eyes glared with contempt as he stared into Ford's pupils and rolled his tongue in his mouth, as if to communicate Ford's actions left a very bad taste in his mouth and it was only his military discipline that kept him from striking the man that stood in front of him.

Feeling that he sufficiently made his opinion clear he finally asked about the food. "Ok soldier, explain the food and don't pull that crying crap with me."

Assuming a posture of attention, Chief Cain explained the food had been given to her, which left Bridgeford questioning, why aboard a ship of starving people would anyone sacrifice their last morsels of food. "I gave it to her!" Interjected the doctor as he and the admiral, who had been sharing a conversation, stepped into the hallway. "She is under doctor's orders to eat. Is there a problem with that?"

The colonel had a problem with anything that might negatively impact on the ship and felt a group of people going without food for the benefit of one fell into that jurisdiction. Hallis nodded agreement to Bridgeford's statement and added that regulations make it clear the doctor's authority ended at the safety of everyone else. Brushing off the concerns of both men, the doctor responded, "Unless of course it involves civilians, and then my authority over rules even the admiral. As such I'm not obliged to explain anything to you."

Forever a marine, the colonel began to angrily state that last he checked she was a soldier, when the admiral calmly dismissed captain Dr. Lewellyn and Chief Cain. Accepting the admiral's decision the X.O. turned attention to the major and deciding that what had began as a public spectacle, should end as one, as such he bellowed like a pissed off drill sergeant, "Ok Fly Boy! The next time you feel the need to violate someone's personal space, inspections start with you! And it's going to be a full body cavity search, done by marines with big cold hands! Dismissed!" Ford hastily saluted and retreated down the passageway.

Sneering after the man disappearing from his sight, Bridgeford mumbled the major's unofficial call sign, Major A-hole. Returning to CIC, the admiral looked at his XO and noted that it appeared he enjoyed chewing the man out. "Yes he is a jerk, but a hell of a good pilot." However the colonel didn't care if he was the best pilot in the fleet it didn't give him permission to be a jackass." Most pilots are ego monsters. And the better they are the worse they can be. These aren't marines you're dealing with; you may want to change your tactics."

Bridgeford shrugged an acknowledgement but noted Hallis appeared to enjoy seeing the pilot taken down a notch too. With a wry smirk Hallis responded, "He needs it on a frequent basis. He was almost my CAG. At the very last possible moment, I promoted Assuras in his place." Raising an eyebrow the old marine enquired about what happened. "Well, the Poseidon's old CAG was transferred to the Atlantia and Ford was the next senior officer, so it should have been his. But still, I like to think these things over."

Stopping briefly and looking Bridgeford straight in the eye, he went on, that in all his years he has only known 4 exceptional pilots; two of which, he was lucky enough to have under his command. Walking on, the admiral continued, "Four civilian scientists had crashed on a Jovian gas giant with an equatorial gravity 23.12m/s and right in the heart of a permanent storm." Not understanding the science, Bridgeford only commented that it sounded harsh. "Ford and Assuras both went out in separate planes to get a look at the situation. After their report, I was going to pull the plug and Cupcake agreed neither of us would have risked it. But Ford argued pilot's discretion and against my judgment, I let him go for it. He not only saved those people, he did it without major damage to the plane. That cinched it for me, I was sure he was the right man for the job. Until…" The colonel grinned and said, "Major A-hole surfaced." Shaking his head Hallis stated, "with a capital A. "

I figured he earned his day off, that I'll make it informal, just go down to the duty lockers and give him his piece of paper and a handshake." Bridgeford interrupted saying, "Oh by the Lords of Kobol, that must have been a big mistake." Admiral Hallis snorted, "Was it ever. I get down there to find him already celebrating and he's gone to the trouble of getting a sliver plaque and hanging it on his locker.

Still prepared to over-look it all, I state that I'm here to announce the CAG and pull out the piece of paper. Ford looks me in the face, says thanks Teddy and takes it out my hand." Colonel Bridgeford broke out in a big laugh and Hallis finished. "So, I'm pissed and yell out attention, to get control of the situation. Then I take the paperwork back, walk over to Assuras and promote her to the rank of major, instructing her to report to my office at 08h00 to formalize her new position." The old marine was surprised with his ego that he took things lying down. Hallis responded that he doubted his 3 months of official complaints and paperwork were done in the reclined position.

Finally stopping just before entering the Command center, Bridgeford had to ask who were the other two great pilots. The admiral responded, "I met this one flight instructor called Starbuck and she could really push it." "Never heard of her. Who else?" Smiling wickedly, "Myself of course", Hallis boasted and stepped inside CIC

As usual, on the bridge Lapointe and Reeves were busy analyzing data, situations and devising solutions for their problems. Since the attack and meeting each other, the two had become inseparable. As a team they were piecing the together what would become the owners manual for the Argus and the basis for the procedural systems. Both of them were hard at work analyzing data from Cupcake's last flight making certain that no stone had been left unturned in their quest for water. As usual, upon completion nothing was found. Reeves stood up and shook his head and didn't try to hide the disappointment on his face. Whereas Lapointe began mumbling about the possibility of designing some sort of large scale atmosphere condenser and decided to check the mission data again.

The COM officer interrupted the silent business-like atmosphere of command to inform the admiral that Cupcake was ending her rotation early today due to heating problems with her navigational computer. Hallis looked toward the captain and found his question answered before he was able to ask it. "Chief Forester has second raptor repaired and ready to go, sir." Acknowledging this statement, he started to open his mouth to ask another question, Mr. Lapointe this time responded, before he could speak. "Major Ford is on the flight deck sleeping in a raptor. He had some difficulties; I believe he had some problems getting to sleep and have only been asleep for 3 hours. I recommend resuming rotation at the regular scheduled time." Hallis agreed and turned to look at his X.O., who left him for a third time unable to voice his thoughts. "It was obviously this morning's incident disturbed him." Annoyed, Admiral Hallis yelled at everyone in CIC, "Ok! The next person that answers me before I get a chance to make a sound is going find himself on waste recovery duty." With everyone's attention focused on him, the old man laughed and noted that they must being doing a great job if they can make an admiral redundant.

Finally able to give a command, he told Reeves to make certain that Cupcakes new data files were analyzed. The raptor made its approach for the landing bay too fast and had to be waved off. Cupcake cursed herself because she should have just manually landed the plane instead of trying to use the computers. She and her crewman had been getting anomalous readings on all of their computer systems almost the entire flight. Her anger, at wasting more fuel, was punctuated by punching her own chair. “Easy major, the chief has enough problems piecing these planes together with old junk. He doesn't need you ruining the upholstery too,” commented her crewman. Her eyes flared anger but she bit her tongue and did her job, properly this time.

"Major, please calm down." The chief was trying to appease a very angry Cupcake with assurances that he checked the craft before it left the ship. He tried and to explain how he has no official raptor replacement parts, and had to make old circuits do the job of new ones but that he would have it fixed by the next rotation. With hostility she threw her gloves in the plane, ordered the chief to fix it right this time and stormed off to get some sleep. Forester simply saluted and went to retrieve his multi-tester.

"Someone isn't a happy camper today." Chief Cain stated as she handed Chief Forester his multi-tester. "I can't say I blame her. After all, if you had fixed it properly the first time, none of this would have happened." Forester shot her an evil look and asked for his soldering iron to which she responded by stuffing it down her shirt. "Come and get it." He put his hands on his hips and shook his head letting her know that he didn't have time for this. She responded by lifting up her shirt, letting the tool fall out and exposing her breasts, "A girl needs something to take her mind off her problems… And so does a man." With a bashful grin Forester rolled his eyes. "Look, there is no one around. I'm horny and hungry and my odds of getting a lobster dinner aren't good. So…" Her voice trailed off and she flashed a set of doleful eyes at the man.

However, the object of her desire decided to play it tough and saying what he really needed right now were her skills in electrical work. Picking the iron up she then handed it to the chief with one hand and with the other grabbed his crotch. "Ok, but after you're done servicing the plane, you're going to service me." Then forcing her tongue in the man's mouth she planted a hard lusting kiss and sashayed toward the broken raptor. After moments pause, for composure, and to re-adjust his overalls, chief Forester followed the woman into the plane.

Major Ford sat in the cockpit of a raptor trying to sleep. He hated the crowded sleeping quarters, but the cold of the raptor wasn't making sleep anymore easy. He switched on the plane's heating, excusing the waste of power with the all importance of his sleep. After all, the survival of the crew rested upon his capable shoulders.

The day's earlier events continued to haunt him, and staring out the window of his craft his eyes bore into chief Cain merrily working along side Forester. His contempt turned to arousal when he was able to witness the flirtations of the woman. He decided to try and ignore the childish antics of enlisted men. His reasoning was that the colonel would most likely accuse him of looking for fault and grunts tend to lie. Besides Cain had fairly large breasts; he might as well enjoy the show because it would mostly likely be awhile before some worthy broad would get to feel his turbo thruster again. As the pair entered the other raptor, he was pleased to discover that if he shifted position he could see into it. After almost 1 hour of watching Forester and Cain repair a circuit board and install an extra cooling fan, Ford was finally starting to fall asleep.

Secretly he was angry that their early playful actions didn't continue. But his eyes suddenly shot open as he noticed Alana completely remove her shirt to expose her breasts and Forester affectionately lean into her. Ford's mind began to race and he started to quietly talk to himself, "Oh yea a little mile high action at last." While watching he noticed that it was quite warm in the plane, turned off the heating and continued whispering his appreciation of the spectacle he was witnessing. "Umm that's right little girl, kneel before your master. Worship at his pleasure altar." Finally loosing himself in moment, the major unbuttoned his pants for greater comfort and became a distant participant in their affections.

The major's eyes rolled back into his head, his hand shook in a repetitive motion and a husky moan spilled out past his lips. Rolling his head to one side so he could further indulge his act of intrusion, he began to mumble obscenities to degrade and objectify the female he was fixated upon. Thereby heightening his own twisted arousal and bringing him within a breath of satisfaction. When his situational awareness pilot training alerted him to the footsteps of another person approaching. "Frak!" He cursed and sank silently into his seat.

It was captain Reeves approaching to copy the data from Cupcakes last flight. But then it occurred to him that the captain was about to walk in on the two grunts fraking. With a sadistic grin, Ford admitted to himself he enjoyed a good fireworks display more than a live porno.

Reeves entered the raptor and saw the two chiefs in their moment of affection. He quickly turned and shielding his eye with his hand, exited the plane. "Ahh bloody hell! Julian put your tool away! I don't need to see that." A slight whine was evident in his voice as he finished the comment. But from inside the craft Alana giggled like a schoolgirl and yelled out that it was now 4 times he had walked in on them in a compromising moment. She also told him that if he didn't like watching, he might try knocking before entering a room and the captain responded saying it's a plane not a room. With yet another feminine chuckle she apologized, "Sorry Scott. I promise it will certainly happen again… and again… and again." In the meantime major Ford sat up in his chair waiting for the pyrotechnics to begin.

With apologies, chief Forester was the first to emerge from the spacecraft. Reeves was not overly interested in excuses, but he also wasn't angry when he spoke. "Sheesh Jules… This isn't like the yard anymore. I'm no longer the only officer, and in case you haven't noticed there is an admiral. And I don't even want to mention what that colonel Bridgeford would do if he caught you."

A bare breasted Alana emerged and stepped between the two men inquiring if Scotty was going to turn them in. Putting his head down and looking at the floor the captain spoke again. "Of course I'm not going to turn you in. Just next time if you're going to frak, find a better place than the landing bay. And in the meantime put your damn shirt on." With a snort, she replaced her clothing and stated it wasn't like everyone aboard the ship hasn't already fondled each other in massive galley-bedroom or watched each other pee. It was slowly becoming obvious to Major Ford that Reeves wasn't going to do his job and nail them to the wall. Biting his finger, his anger began to grow.

Being assured that the raptor was good to go, Cain explained, "The older circuits, soldered in for the repair, tend to run hotter. We just had to install an extra cooling fan." Relieved that it wasn't serious, Reeves entered to make a copy of the latest sensor files for a second analysis. Cain stuck her head in the plane for a moment to inquire about the status of using the comet as a source of water. The captain looked at her not understanding what she was talking about. She responded in a matter of fact tone, "The one that was passed 2 day ago. Is it too dangerous to retrieve?" Stunned and with a weird look on his face the captain was convinced this was another Alana prank when she marched back into the aircraft. "Look it's right here in the navigation computer. I noticed it when I backed up the data before we started repair work."

Quickly joined by Forester, Reeves ran to the pilot's counsel and began searching the flight logs demanding why wasn't this information noted in the pilot's report. "This information wouldn't be in the sensor sweep data. It's a navigational system and the airman's job to bring this to our attention." Chief Cain pushed a few buttons on the counsel and brought up the display to show that the plane had to alter course to avoid the celestial body and noted it occurred on Major Ford's rotation. Blood flowed freely into Reeve's eyes and he clenched his fists trying to restrain his anger and finally loosing the battle yelled, "Major Asshole!!!!!"

Ford sat in the cockpit of the other raptor as contempt for the legendary Mr. Reeves dripped from the sweat of his eyebrows. Determined to make all the other times he found fault with the captain's work appear to be as tame as a walk in the park, he bolted from his chair and headed toward the trio as he heard the scream of anger from the captain. Pausing for a brief second, the major promised himself that he was going to sit over the captain's shoulder every spare moment he had and teach him what a true colonial officer was. As the group exited the plane he yelled at them, "So Mr. Reeves! Is it in junkyard regulations to let people frak around wherever they like? Or is that a policy you dreamed up on your own?"

Shooting the man a hostile glance Reeves attempted to avoid Ford's verbal abuse. But sure that he finally had the junkyard dog where he wanted him he pushed the issue. The captain, having suffered several days of being belittled and ridiculed, finally gave into his basic instincts and retaliated. "I have had enough of your fraking crap! Let's get a few things straight, 1) I'm doing my job. 2) You're a frak up and 3) Next time zip up your damn pants after you finish masturbating. I already know your personality is a joke, I don't need to see proof."

Looking down in shock the Ford quickly covered his shame with one hand and reached out to grab the shoulder of the captain with the other. But in a response to this unwelcome touch, Reeves struck his fist hard into the man's mouth with sufficient force to knock him down. Then seizing the moment and he bore down on him. It took both of the chiefs to pull him off the man. Forester brought him back to reality with hard reminders about the water. Spitting in the major's direction Reeves marched toward the admiral's office. As Ford picked himself up and walked after the captain, Cain calmly chided, "I hope you enjoyed the show sir." Exhausted Forester only mumbled, "We're completely screwed now."