Southern Cross by Windstar

"Damn it, we're not supposed to be having problems like this in Earth Orbit!"
No one choose to answer his outburst, and he felt his cheeks flame.
The engineering tech peered closer to her readouts and looked back at him worriedly.
"Um, Sir? I don't know what's going on, but I've got another power spike. It's like the ship's
reactors are getting ready to blow!"
Webster blanched at that, a fusion reactor going was not a good thing. He was just about to order
General Quarters when the sound of the lift doors opening stopped him. He hoped, prayed it was
someone more senior to him. The Marine's posted at the entrance to the Command Deck
stiffened to attention as the lift's rider entered.
Webster could have cried in relief.
Even if Clarice wasn't part of the Imperial navy, she was senior to him at least. Despite himself
he realized that the Honor Guard commander was quite attractive once you got her out of all the
battle armor.
"Mr. Webster, are you having problems?"
Her tone was just the slightest bit amused and Webster licked his lips, doing his best to at least
appear in control.
"I've got some problems Lieutenant, do you know where I can find the Guardian?"
The Marine smirked as she moved towards the Big Chair that he'd been occupying so peacefully
a few moments earlier. The Guardians couch was right next to it, a reminder of who exactly
controlled the ship.
"Yes I do, and you're not going to bother her about this. Power down the reactors to minimum
power output and just ignore any of the odd readings on sensors, you might want to shut down
communications also."
"Ah, Ma'am, what's going on?"
"I'll tell you when your older Mr. Webster. For now, why don't you get on that power down ok?"
"Yes Ma'am."
Miriam, the Engineering officer, was the first to understand what was going on. To her credit she
restrained herself to a small chuckle. Webster got it after he gave the order to power down. His
blue eyes widened comically and he stuttered.
"The Guardians… she's, oh."