[ Forward Armory - Deck F - Intrepid ]

Life support was minimal still, reflected by the warm temperature inside the armory as Alex stood by controls at the starboard torpedo tubes. She was sweating and a bit surly, having pulled down the top of her uniform around her middle, the undershirt damp as the MAA watched the torpedo was lowered onto the rail. The Armoury was a wreck and while the port tubes were still operational, it could not be said for the starboard side. Alex had worked nonstop for hours alongside Ochoa and Brandt getting the starboard tubes online. Gupta, his expertise leaning toward phase weaponry, was doing what he could do with the phase cannons; one emitter was working, one was offline, the other beyond repair at space.

She watched with a critical eye as the torpedo was slowly pushed forward, the metal cylinder trundling silently on the rails, her fingers crossed as the tube hatch slide open. “Yeeesssss,” she hissed as the torp was inserted, the push rod pulling back before the hatch slid shut.

“The board is green,” came Brandt’s voice from the controls behind her. Ochoa, sweat dripping from the tip of his nose, smiled and almost winked at her, stopping himself in the nick of time.

“Hey Luis,” Brandt called out, catching Ochoa’s attention. “When we arrive at Forrest, whaddya going to do?”

Ochoa’s smile grew. “Oh man! I’m going to look up Rosario. I’m telling you, it was like love at first sight! Damn, she be fine…” Alex simply shook her head, holding back a grin.

Brandt laughed. “What about you?” he asked, directing the question at Alex.

“Me?” Alex shrugged, not sure she wanted to banter with these two. But she knew what she wanted to do when she stepped aboard the Forrest. “I’m going to head straight for Bomber’s, sit at the bar and order the largest, greasiest bacon cheeseburger they can make.” She looked at their faces and gave in with a slight smile. “Then I’m gonna get shit-faced.” This was followed by howls and laughter from both Ochoa and Brandt.

“Hey!” came Gupta’s voice as he suddenly appeared in the entrance. “What’s going on?” He saw Munro smiling and became concerned, very concerned indeed. Munro never smiled.

Brandt was about to say something when Boyle’s voice suddenly piped in. “All hands batten down the hatches, we’re in for a little chop…”

Her smile then disappeared. “You heard the man…let’s get these torpedoes secured! Brandt! Pull the fish from the tubes! Ochoa, do the same on the port tubes! Gupta! Secure the racks. Let’s get going! This is Starfleet, not the frakkin’ circus!”

PO3 Alex Munro
MAA
NX-05 Yorktown