Act One, Scene One

[Akirapryde]

He looked down, "I know you guy feel that way. But listen, I don't make the Jolly Rogers. You guys make it what it is" he said then looked up and in to their eyes. "Listen, I belong to the past. You two and the rest of the Jolly Rogers today are the future of the squadron. Sometimes, we have to go our separate ways and there is nothing wrong with that." He paused and looked right in to Lieutenant Pander eyes, "one day, you will take your place as Jolly Roger One and CAG of this Combat Wing."

Pander shook her head, "oh no you don't" she said stepping forward and gabbed her finger in to his chest. "Don't you dare say some shit like that! I'll be god damn you are getting off that easy" she said as she continued to drive her finger in to his chest. "You told me that I was good, possibly the best you have ever seen. But I will tell you what, Reaper, no one handles the stick like you. As long as you breath air, your place is leading us. We all signed up to follow you in to battle." There was fire in her eyes as she spoke, "No one here wants to follow some sex starved, washed up ranch hand in to battle" she said speaking of herself. Her black cowgirl hat seemed to give her a bit of presence that otherwise other Lieutenants wouldn't have.

If he thought she was finished, he was sorely mistaken. "You are the Reaper, we all are here because of you. So what ever you got your head rapped up around, fix it!" As she leaned upwards in to his face, it was clear that she would not be denied her time to speak. "We will follow you through hells gates and up against the devil himself. Its time you put your head on straight and figure out rather you are some broken washed up, drunken, Starfleet has been or are you our Reaper!" As if there was nothing left that could possibly be said, she stepped back.

The anger in his gut was fueled by the fact that she was right. He hated what he saw in the mirror. But he couldn't bare to face the truth anymore. He just looked down after her speech. He couldn't bring himself to look her in the eyes, not anymore. She just looked disgusted as she shook his head, "Thats what I feared" she said with a cold lack of emotion. "Guess the Reaper bought it a few days ago" she said as she backed up. "When the Reaper returns, let us know. SIR" the last word dripped with disrespect and stung like a knife wound to his heart. "We have next patrol" she added and turned to walk away "come on Princess."

Bonham only dropped his shoulders as he turned for the exit. His head hung low as he walked out. After he had walked some distance, Lieutenant Pander brought her fingers up to her lips. It was the last bit of respect she felt she owed him. She waited till he was out of the holodeck before making a scene. The last thing she wanted was for the rest of the crew to see what had become of the Reaper. Or at least the man who was pretending to be the Reaper today. She took in a deep breath as she put her index and last finger in her mouth. She blew out causing a loud whistle across the holodeck. It was loud enough for everyone on the deck to take notice of her.

Once she had everyone's attention, she yelled out, "Styxes! Viper!" she hollered out to Ensign Noguerra and Cadet Treasach. "We are wheels up in forty five!" she added at the same level of volume. Due to the repairs being conducted on the ship and the threat of the Kelish, normal patrols were being conducted. Lieutenant Pander gave her team a nod as she motioned for Lieutenant Etxebarria to follow. Acting as Squadron Leader was not what Pander had signed up for, but she would not let her Squadron down. Plus this party was just a bit too boring for her taste.