=Tarangor/Aeran Shipyard=
=Aeran System=
Rick stood at the large window looking out at the drydock with a number of other shipyard workers. The first completed Lancer was ready to leave the drydock, to be flown by a pilot on loan from the starbase. The second Lancer could be seen already well under construction.
"If you don't mind me saying so, you look like crap," Jo Weathersby said as she moved into position next to Rick.
"You not have you own ship to take care of?" Rick asked.
"Qashqai is in excellent condition. She has an excellent chief engineer," Jo replied. "Anyhow, you do look like crap this morning."
"I had rough night," Rick admitted.
"You and you wife up all night, were you," Jo said with a wicked grin.
"None of your damn business," Rick said. "And how I look look crap?"
Jo turned to face Rick.
"I don't know. You look a little pale. More pale than normal."
"Like I said, I had rough night. Now, let get Lancer underway. Lieutenant Proietti, have Lancer pilot to take ship out of my drydock."
"Aye, sir."
"What, no bottle of champaign?" Jo asked.
"You already jinxed one ship. We not want to jinx one of few Lancers we may be able to build this month."
"That was not my fault. I didn't jinx the Detector. There's nothing wrong with the Detector. The Detector is not jinxed."
"If you say so," Rick said, holding back a grin as the pilot gracefully flew the Lancer out of the drydock and to one of UNITY's hangers where minor work would be done before the first test flights began in a day or so.
"Well, that was ... I don't know, what's the work I'm looking for ... ah, yes ... boring," Jo said before she walked away. "I should have stayed on the Qashqai."
Rick watched Jo leave before he walked up to Proietti.
"Lieutenant, what status of material search?" Rick asked.
"Commander Utley and myself managed to come up with enough to build an additional three, maybe four Lancers. That is if we don't need those materials to repair any damaged ships that might need our services."
"Wonderful," Rick said. "That make 11, maybe 12. At least we be able work into next week. Hopefully by then, another shipment will arrive."
"I wouldn't hold my breath," the lieutenant said.
"Nor would I," Rick replied.
Commander Rick Rodgers
Assistant Engineering Officer
Starbase UNITY
and npcs by Rick
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