[Star Wars] Ars Moriendi - Imperial Navy Ship

Ars Moriendi - Chapter 4 Officer on deck

High up above the atmosphere the Ars Moriendi was in geosynchronous orbit with the planet's dark side. The Ars Moriendi was skillfully hidden in the planet's magnetic field that passing ships could not detect it. The Victory Class Star Destroyer was running silent peacefully orbiting the dark sky.

With the Star Destroyer cloaked in the magnetic field, the ship's own sensors were being jammed by the fluctuations, even with Scanning probes deployed the Ars Moriendi's detection range was severely degraded. Communication with the rest of the fleet was severely delayed and transmission to the planet was hampered. The situation was made worse because the ship's communications officer Captain Kirstoff Sol was down planetside.

Lieutenant Sy Whitfield was busy monitoring the Comms station side of the bridge that she didn't notice her ensigns were crowding the scanner array's display.

"Lieutenant, Ensign Higgs requested your presence at the Ship defense stations." A Junior Ensign said to Sy.

Sy had to turn her neck to the other side of the bridge to see what the commotion was about, she figured that one of the Scanner Operators probably detected an anomaly and since all of the crew were on standby for an extended period of time it hyped up their spirits.

Sy lazily left the Comms station to her Comms staff and headed to the Scanner Operator, she realized that she was the most senior officer on the bridge, and the thought of the realization hyped her up as well. Her spirits bubbled up when she realized the enormity of her newfound standing, this was the first time in her career that she was in charge of the whole ship.

As Lieutenant Sy approached the scanner operator, the Ship's Defense Officer Ensign Fenn Higgs marched in and blocked her path.

"That's enough Lieutenant, We have the matter under control," said Higgs blocking Sy from approaching the Array Display Console. "It was just an anomaly from the fluctuations."

Sy never liked Ensign Fenn Higgs even at the Academy. Higgs always made her life grim but all that changed when Sy was promoted over him during the transfer to Ars Moriendi and her treatment of her became much worse. She didn't want to pull rank and avoided confrontation but this time it was getting in the way of ship operations, and Sy wanted to show Higgs his place.

"Step aside Ensign Higgs, I'll verify with the operator." She emphasized on the word ensign hoping it would knock sense back to Higgs. As she made an attempt to move, Higgs stood his ground and everyone on the bridge started to notice. It was too late to back down now, this was it, the confrontation, Sy wanted it to end silently but with the attention of the entire bridge, the stakes were much higher.

"I said step aside Ensign Higgs." She said even more purposely but she can see Higgs has committed, she had to take action now. She was undecided on what action to take and the momentary pause gave Higgs an opportunity to drive in.

"Were you able to re-establish communications with the Captain, Lieutenant?" Higgs said curtly. She knew she was trying to power play her and this time she didn't want to lose face in front of the entire bridge crew.

"Report your contact, Ensign." She commanded.

"I would like to directly report the contact to the Captain, So please Lieutenant Establish communications so we can transmit," Higgs said in an adamant tone.

At the corner of her vision, she could see her own Ensign attempting to connect the transmission to the planet's surface.

"Belay that!" Shouted Lieutenant Sy to her ensign. Her ensign confused froze on his seat staring both at the lieutenant and his fellow ensigns. "You will report your contacts to me Ensign Higgs" She repeated.

"Lieutenant, This information should be passed on to the commander of this ship at once." Ensign Higgs stubbornly stood his ground, more and more staff were observing the power play and the stakes were very high for something that was unconfirmed.

"I am the Commander of this Ship Ensign!!" She explained in a fit of anger. She wondered if it was too much, she could visibly see the shock in everyone's eyes.

By this time other officers were already present on the bridge, both Lieutenant Korr Drogo, the ship's starfighter officer, and Ensign Waff Baffles the weapon's officer were roused from their cabins and both were reluctant to take sides.

Seeing that the rest of the crew were closely observing the powerplay on the bridge, Sy wanted to flex her newfound rank.

"Sergeant Escort Ensign Higgs to his quarters and keep him there until further orders!" Sy order at the nearest Crew. The Sergeant was reluctant to carry out the order looking for reaffirmation from his fellow crew mates and by this time the issue has escalated to unreal proportions.

Seeing the imminent humiliation of Lieutenant Sy whifield, Lieutenant Korr Drogo finally took a side, he took pity on his friend Ensign Higgs but siding with him would undermine the chain of command. Higgs already crossed the line when Lieutenant Sy pulled rank, regardless of who was right.

"What are you waiting for Sergeant? Take the ensign to his quarters." Lieutenant Droggo scruffily ordered, visibly annoyed by being roused from his sleep by a petty quarrel between officers.

The Sergeant hastily flanked Ensign Higgs, purposely staring out of the viewport to avoid contact. Ensign Higgs shot a gaze at his friend Lieutenant Droggo but he was already walking away towards his own quarters, feeling defeated, He saluted Lieutenant Sy and marched to his quarters with his chest out.

At the same time Lieutenant Sy made a sigh of relief thankful for her newfound savior, she was sure Lieutenant Droggo would side with his friend. He wanted to thank Droggo but he was hurriedly going back to his cabin.

********** Character Reference********

Captain Alexis Antares: Commander of Ars Moriendi

Captain Kirstoff Sol: Communications Officer/ Acting 2nd in command

Lieutenant Toff Turmund: Marine Commander

Lieutenant Sy Whifield: Navigation Officer

Lieutenant korr Drago : Starfighter Operations

Ensign Fenn Higgs: Ship Defense Officer

Ensign waff Baffles: Weapons Operations Officer

*****PS*****

thanks for reading, your comments and inputs are highly appreciated, any error you see please kindly comment so I can rectify, 

hope you enjoyed the read...

Chapter 5 should be up by friday

regards,