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Language:
English
Series:
Part 1 of Star Beagle Adventures
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Published:
2023-07-02
Completed:
2023-08-17
Words:
23,853
Chapters:
35/35
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94
Kudos:
7
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Star Beagle Adventures Episode 1: The Eye of the Beholder

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Chapter 5: SBA Episode 1, Scene 3: Skip Howard

Summary:

Captain Skip Howard of the U.S.S. Beagle visits with Captain Yui Song aboard the U.S.S. Mako.

Chapter Text


The Star Beagle Adventures                                                
Episode 1: Eye of the Beholder
Scene 3: Skip Howard

 

1.3
Skip Howard

Captain Yui Song was beginning to understand she might well have encountered the most eccentric crew in Star Fleet as she observed her counterpart seated on the sofa in her captain’s lounge. If Captain Yui was one of the oldest captains in Star Fleet, Captain Ronald Howard XIV, was easily the youngest. And, undoubtedly, the most controversial. And, quite possibly, the weirdest. The Howard family were Star Fleet legends, having produced four admirals over the past three centuries that Star Fleet had been in existence. And none of them, including the current Admiral Ronald Howard XII, would have approved of the admiral’s grandson.

 

Captain Howard had the characteristic thinning red hair, early baldness, freckles, and irrepressible smile that seemed to be baked into the family’s genetic code. He was also oddly feminine in behavior, wore his thinning hair long to the shoulder and played with it often, revealing long, well-tended fingernails complete with glossy black nail polish. His hazel eyes were oddly accentuated by green eye shadow.

 

“We will be delighted to provide a tour for you and your science officer,” Howard said with the warm, folksy charm that also seemed to be part of his genetic inheritance. “Of course, there are some assurances for you to sign. The Beagle is a joint project among Star Fleet, the Vulcan Science Academy and Nakamura Enterprises. Lots of top secret stuff - corporate secrets - vulcan secrets - I’m really not sure which is worse.”

“If you don’t mind the question, Captain,” Yui Song asked, maintaining a light tone, “How did the Beagle come to be your top secret assignment?”

“Skip, if you don’t mind, Captain.”

 

“Skip?”

 

“That’s what people call me,” Howard replied. “And the Beagle is my dog by special request of Nakamura Enterprises. I wouldn’t have gotten my third pip, much less the fourth if it hadn’t been for them. Not that any other captain in Star Fleet would want this assignment. I’m not widely envied. The Beagle is one really annoying dog.”

Captain Yui found herself laughing merrily. “Song,” she said.

“Song.” Howard repeated. “I love Chinese names. So beautiful.” He produced a tri-corder. “The forms you need to review are here. I’m not even allowed to download these to your computer.” He touched a control on the device and a complex legal document was displayed holographically. “Your science officer will need to read and sign as well… In my presence, I’m afraid. I’m not even allowed to hand this tri-corder to you.”

“That does sound quite annoying, Skip,” said Yui.

Howard giggled lightly: “Ohhh, you have no idea…”

 

1.3