2022-12-24: War Games
- Cutscene: War Games
- Cast: Lavnadim Orlodhari, Leva Gadry, Unnamed NPC
- Where: Denver Colony
- Date: December 24, 2022 (UC 0096 12 24)
- Summary: Work on something secret within the Denver Colony proceeds apace, but one of the engineers involved has some questions.
"Um, sir…"
Looking down from her work on a control panel, wires everywhere, an engineer looks quizzically towards her commanding officer. Her Londo Bell uniform has the crispness of an eager youth. The tools in her hands are deftly held. Her short blue hair is neat. And she is… confused.
"Sir, what is this for…?"
"Ah, so you ask!" Lavnadim is a big man, but he doesn't look like one compared to the corridors of this ship. "I want to tell you it is simply a hobby," he says amiably, looking up at the panels from his back, where he is working likewise on a number of wires and cords. He's rather thoroughly buried in them, but his voice carries anyway. "But we are co-workers! You should know what you work on."
"...Uhhh," she says, "I mean. Yes, sir. So, what /is/ it that we're doing this for…?" She pauses in her work as she does, peering at the Zentradi underneath the other console. "And why such a small team?"
"I have only brought those engineers I am certain I can trust," Lavnadim answers. "But it is a sufficient group to accomplish the task! Particularly once we reactivate the macronization chamber!" A pause. He stops his work, too, and slides out on the board he was using, sitting up a moment to look his engineer in the eye. "Miss Gadry," he says. "This is a very important plan. You wish to help the Captain, do you not?"
"Oh, yes! She saved me, that day, before she was Captain. And then the things she's done since… I don't care about the rumors. I want to help."
"Good. Then this is how we help. You understand, the intensifying wars…" Lavnadim watches the other engineer for a moment. "We must have…" He considers. "You are familiar with card games, yes? I recall you 'clean up' quite nicely at poker night among the junior officers."
"Ah! You uh–you know about that?" She grimaces, glancing away.
"Of course. I make it my business to know what the crew is up to. But this is not important. What is important is–you understand having the right card in wait. The card that you can play when all others are spent, and you need an advantage."
"...Yes, sir. I do. So this is our 'advantage'...?"
"Yes, Miss Gadry. This will be our advantage, when the time comes. But only if we hurry! So come, let us continue."
"...Yes, sir!" She decides to redouble her efforts, and as Lavnadim moves back to his work work, another engineer steps into the corridor.
"Sir!" the new engineer says. "The new screens are here!"
"Very good," the Chief Engineer of the Ra Mari says, as he slides back under the consoles he was working on. "Continue as established."
There's a lot of work left to do.