The Quartermaster, a Chief Petty Officer, checked the last crate and logged it on his data pad. "That's the last one, put it with the rest in Cargo Eight." He ordered the man next to him. The enlisted man saluted and the Chief wondered what the new mission would be about. From what he had seen so far, they had received enough phaser carbines, pistols, sonic grenades, body armor, and power packs to equip an army. With his manifest in hand, he pressed the intercom key and informed the Captain.
"Thank you Chief Treth, carry on." Indy said, then cut-off the comlink as he leaned back in his seat. After a few minutes of silence, during which everyone on the bridge surreptitiously glanced in his direction, Indy chuckled. When he had their attention, he said, "Our guests should be here in one hour. Treth just received their equipment."
Jean sighed, "It'll take that long for Colonel Bzerin to brief them." Indy just grinned, then went back to work on his plan for the operations.
"Affirmative, bridge out." The Andorian Communications Chief said, and then turned to Indy. "Sir, security reports that the Marines have arrived, Lieutenant Wright will meet you at the main gangplank."
Indy stood, "Thank you Lieutenant. Maria, you have the Conn, Jean, you come with me." He patted his wife on the shoulder. Maria nodded, then watched as the two left the bridge.
Meanwhile at the gangplank, the enlisted security officer was confronting the Nova's Sergeant Major.
"Just what do you mean we can't come aboard?" The Sar-Maj was doing his best not to lose his patience. He had arrived ten minutes before his company and been stopped by this security officer and told to wait.
"I'm sorry Sergeant Major Korlon, but you don't have a valid pass card, so that means you can't enter the Quanah Parker until the Captain clears you."
Korlon, a gruff looking bulldog faced marine, didn't lose his temper, a good Sergeant Major never did, besides he liked the sec-guard. Not many people would dare say no to a sergeant major. "Well son, I can wait, but my CO won't like it. You do know that Admiral Zonea sent us."
The security man nodded, "Yes, but even Admiral Rittenhouse couldn't get in without permission from the captain."
Korlon nodded and opened his mouth, but whatever he was going to say was cut short by the arrival of his company and his commanding officer.
Captain Kyle DeVais called his company to a halt and walked over to Korlon, "Sergeant Major Korlon what is the problem?"
Korlon straightened and calmly turned to his CO. Kyle DeVais was a tall well-built man with black hair and brown eyes. "No problem at all sir." He replied respectfully.
The Captain's eyes narrowed in surprise. "When you use that tone of voice, something's wrong."
Korlon shook his head, "Very well sir. Master Specialist Ericson here won't let us embark."
"Why?" DeVais' one word covered the spectrum of inquiry.
Ericson rested his right hand on the grip of the phaser pistol. "As I informed the Sergeant-Major, I can't let you onboard without the proper identicard."
Kyle noted where the Dutchman's hand rested and said, "Well Mister Ericson, what if I ordered you to stand aside and let us board."
Before Ericson could reply, a new voice stated, "I would countermand your order, and in the event that you tried to board, I would call my men to cart you down to the brig."
The Captain looked toward the source of the interruption and involuntarily stiffened as he saw a uniformed officer with a commanding presence, then relaxed as he noticed the Lieutenant's rank pin. "And just who are to have such authority?" He demanded.
Without even blinking his eyes, the Lieutenant calmly stated, "Lieutenant Joel Wright, Chief Security officer." Unknown and unseen by either officer, Ericson sighed in relief and relaxed slightly.
DeVais frowned, then introduced himself. It really bothered him that because he was a Marine -, this arrogant, not that wasn't the right word. The Lieutenant was a cool customer and a man who exuded an aura of competence - the Lieutenant had equivalent ranking.
What he said next, marked him a person who knew the extent of his authority, "And by the way, this is my ship, and I believe that includes the gangplank you are standing on."
"So?"
Joel fixed DeVais with a cool stare and just as coolly stated, "Until Captain Markson clears you, you stay right here."
DeVais frowned again, "When will that be?"
"Right about now," a careworn voice stated.
