10/19/25:
I like when the sets line up properly! The Commodore's ready room is directly to the left of the bridge, so the door that Shrunt is using in panel 4 is the actual door to that room.

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Comments from the Tagboard:

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10/23/25 01:21 PM
Freezer: B) Hulyard is clearly convinced the Intrepid crew is in cahoots and lying to her. The idea of "We're not lifting off because there's a good chance we will die" doesn't even occur to her.
10/23/25 01:19 PM
Freezer: A) They propbably want to get back to Earth (and a likely show trial for Jeffery) as fast as possible, before any info from the Supreme Advisor or Talbot can be released.
10/20/25 12:33 PM
BrickVoid: Personally, I wouldn't let a ship fly until I was certain it could properly and safely fly, and that would be what most starfleet regulations generally require anyway.
10/20/25 12:32 PM
BrickVoid: Why are they trying to get a ship that shouldn't fly into the air? If this ship leaves atmosphere in it's currently implied state, they might all be doomed.

Transcript
Panel 1:
Ms. Lorraine Hulyard: Mr. Shrunt... You've had two days. I hope you're not here with more excuses.
     We may have placed roughly half the crew on administrative leave, but I do not regard the removal of ne'er-do-wells as a hindrance.
Mr. Dwayne Shrunt: No, ma'am. We are ready to launch.
Hulyard: Finally.
Shrunt: However... I would be remiss if I did not inform you that I have been investigating the alleged issue with the ship's computers.

Panel 2:
Hulyard: Mr. Del Rio's fake virus? What of it?
Shrunt: I am concerned that we may have dismissed the concern too quickly. I have confirmed the prescence of rogue software within the ship's systems.
Hulyard: So? Mr. Del Rio is assuredly responsible for it.
Shrunt: In any case, it does not preclude the fact that the system is, at least, partially compromised.
Hulyard: But you told me that we are ready to launch.

Panel 3:
Shrunt: Yes, ma'am. For the moment, the rogue software appears to have only one functin: to emit laughter when humorous conversation occurs near a device capable of recording audio.
Hulyard: Do you mean... it laughs at our jokes?
Shrunt: Yes. I believe I just said that.
Hulyard: Strange. Other than that first time on the bridge, I haven't heard the computers laugh at all.
Shrunt: I can't possibly imagine why that would be. Ma'am.
Unknown audio: Ha-ha-ha-ha-ha!
Hulyard: . . .
    Carry on, Mr. Shrunt. I will not delay our departure because of inane laughter.

Panel 4:
Science Officer Burns: Hey, Mr. Shrunt... I just want to thank you and Ms. Hulyard again.
    For getting me out of the brig. And putting Natashia Starrat in her place.
Shrunt: I do not require your thanks, Mr. Burns, so I shall not acknowledge it. I am only doing my job.
     Please attend to yours.

Panel 5:
Shrunt: Attention, crew. This is Dwayne Shrunt, Assistant to the Acting Captain.
    We will be launching the ship in 10 minutes. Report to stations.
Andre Peters: Mr. Shrunt, did you inform the "acting captain" of my recommendations? We're not fit to fly yet. There's too many variables.
Shrunt: Your concerns have been noted, Mr. Peters. And your unique position aboard this ship has afforded you some immunity.
    But it is far from absolute. Now... launch this ship.