human
Starbase 83 was the backwater hole of starfleet, though none of the crew or staff would admit it. Located in an area of space that was neither novel or exciting it fulfilled support duties for exhilarating missions such as supply runs, anti-piracy patrols, and the ever exciting auxiliary diplomatic missions (which should not be confused with actual diplomatic missions, its just more hauling VIPs around).
But what is lost in excitement is made up for in determination of those who are stationed in and around this local to excel at what they do in hopes for a transfer to some place better. Occasionally this old space station was a way station for those at a junction in their career where the most tedious steps were the critical ones.
Such was the step for the young captain taking command of the USS Selene, a heavy escort destroyer docked presently at the station. The Selene was not the dredge of the fleet which flew 23rd century Mirandas, but was also not the pristine show girls of the fleet. The Selene was just a tough old mule, taking care of the middle tier business that the smaller ships cant, but the bigger ships can't bother. The Selene in particular post-Dominion war took on a multi-mission function, outfitted not only with the tactical weapons known for its class, but also a full science department and accommodations for senior crew-member families.
She had docked at Starbase 83 to pick up her new captain, twirling around the orbit of a gas giant with its saucer and spire style space station as personnel walked up and down its gangways. The crew which call the ship home were busy polishing her up, but she still showed her wear post-war, with her share of problems. Never the less the crew of the Selene were determined to make a good impression, and had prepared for the welcoming of their new captain.
Those who were not on duty also enjoyed the many amenities of Starbase 83, which included the usual such as holodecks, lounges, restaurants, shopping, and other fun activities. But there also was the nightlife, clubs for dancing and *other activities* featured on the lower decks which the command there tolerated.
The Selene was ready to be sent off once more. But was her captain?
gpt
The promotion to captain had been rather sudden. When his father had become a captain it had been a huge celebration. Before the dominion war, one could serve 10 years in a commander's chair before taking over a ship of their own. Too many people, not enough ships. The dominion war had changed that, rapid wartime production had caused an inverse of the option. Too many ships, not enough competent officers to take charge of them all.
CaptainNathaniel Keogh, the former commander of starbase 83 had only spent two years in the operations offices of this base, but he had always dreamed of taking a ship, but he had decided to spend his last few hours on the station in a holodeck. The calm serenity of his favorite program featuring the crystal blue waters and golden sand beaches of Orion gives him his last taste of the universe at peace. The warm salt water helped to calm his nerves. A stark contrast to how it had been when he had first loaded it up several years ago.
Nathaniel Keogh was 24 and had never stepped foot on a real planet.
Nathaniel keogh had been born on a Federation Starship before the war had started when civilian families had been allowed to live with their working parents. Back then it had been him, his sister, and his father living on a galaxy class starship. That ship had been as big as the universe to him. His father had made captain when he and his sister were 13 and then came the day when the two of them had to be taken off the Odyssey. His father had some rescue mission beyond a wormhole, he and his sister and a dozen other families had been sent away before the ship had been lost.
He had joined Starfleet, but never actually made it to the academy on earth. All of his lessons were taken on various starbases as shuttling got slower and more protected. He had graduated remotely and joined Starfleet officially as an ensign at 16, a year after the dominion war ended. From there he had bounced around from assignment to assignment working his way up over the last few years. Now he was 24, and a captain. He wasn't even the youngest to achieve the rank. He had wanted this for a long time, getting back onto a starship, and becoming a captain. He felt the time alarm he had set go off, and the program ends. The calm waters he was laying in replaced with hard dry ground, and yet somehow he still felt wet. Instantly he was returned from virtual paradise to reality and his promotion.
He had already packed his bag, picking it up as he walked out of the simulation. He was out of uniform wearing only a light shirt, and a set of swim trunks. Technically he wasn't on duty until he reported to the bridge of The Selene. He thought he would have more time, but he had forgotten the one part of this station that never worked properly was the turbo lifts. Meaning he had to take a long way around, leaving him not enough time to get dressed into proper uniform. As he ran towards the gangway he just had to hope that his new bridge crew had some kind of sense of humor.
human
The entrance of the USS Selene on the station was a busy place, given that the station itself saw little visitation from full sized ships. Crew members were coming and going on their business either shore leave or officially conducting transfers between posts. Station crew also utilized the gangway to transfer supplies to the ship, as well as large containers which were being rolled through a utility gangway to the left of the main personnel one.
At the mouth of the personnel gangway, quite a few officers gathered, including a familiar commodore who Captai Keogh would recognize as his squadron commander here to see him and the Selene off from starbase. There were also a few other officers, either the commodores staff or Selene personnel that happened to be waiting to greet their new commander. It was hard to say who was who from this distance, other than they looked anxious to receive him.
It was nearly past time when he was to report, reasonable to assume the commodore had arranged for a greeting of the Selene's new skipper. Meanwhile the promenade of the station the gangway was situated on was busy with civilian and starfleet foot traffic as personnel came and went from various establishments that lined the spacious deck.
gpt
The moment the young captain could see his Commodore he let out a slightly flustered 'eep' noise. He hadn't been informed of any gathering and he certainly wasn't dressed for one.
Part of him wondered if he could turn tail, head for a transporter room, and beam himself onto the ship. The major factor that was against him was time. It would take too long, and so his only reasonable option was to go forward with the gangway. If he waited any longer than he would likely risk being in trouble. He would just have to be honest with his Commodore and crew that he had messed up and this would be the only time they would see him out of uniform. It was a bad first impression but he could move past it hopefully.
So he walked the gangway. His posture carrying him with the authority his clothes lacked. Walking up to the meeting he looked at the host of officers around his Commodore. "I was under the impression there wasn't going to be a going away party. If I had received an invitation I might not have taken my time."
Nathaniel thought a joke would be the best way to break the nervous tension in the air. "Sorry I am a bit behind schedule, The turbo lift was down for maintenance so I had to take the longer way from the holodeck."
human
The group had turned their attention to the approaching man as soon as he spoke, the commodore himself with a satisfied smile that turned to one of surprise when he saw how the captain was dressed.
"Captain Keogh, I am glad you made it at least." He said while silently judging, looking a bit curiously at his subordinate as he and the rest of the uniformed crew members stood a but uncomfortably, though there was still respect.
"Apologies for taking you by surprise, I thought it best I come to see you off after all." The commodore returned to a more satisfied expression while the Andoran male turned to introduce some of the officers that stood with him.
He began with introducing a few of his staff, non consequential for the most part or those whom the captain was already familiar with. But as he continued, a particular officer slipped between a pair of the staff, eager to be introduced to herself to the new skipper. By the pips on her red collar she was a commander now, unlike when Keogh last saw her at lieutenant. As both their eyes met she was taken aback with her expression, a bit of the eagerness slipping away as she still tried to maintain a professional stance.
The Andorran commodore was none the wiser about Captain Keogh and Commander Vermont's previously relationship during their time together on another ship. He without pause nodded to them both and extended hands in introduction.
"Captain, might I introduce you to your first officer,Commander Bailey Vermont. She has been with the Selene for a few months now and will serve you well." He smiled as the uniformed captain as greeted by his new number one.
"A pleasure sir." The commander responded in an unenthusiastic tone. A few of the staff were beginning to pick up on the awkwardness, though they did not put two and two together.
gpt
Keogh could feel the judgment of all his peers upon him. He went through the introductions and felt the eyes of his direct supervisor on him. He tried to keep a polite smile on his face and hide the fact that this was the second most embarrassing situation he had ever been in. Though it was quickly starting to eclipse his first. When his eyes met with Bailey's there was a mutual recognition in both of them. His new commander was someone he was intimately familiar with. In his mind, he went over all of the rules of misconduct that this had to breach, but since their relationship had ended some time ago it wasn't against the rules. Keogh would just have to get used to the fact that his ex was now one of his bridge crew.
He extended his hand in a greeting taking hers in a firm handshake. "It's a pleasure to work with you." He decided that the least he could do was to keep this professional. Besides if he brought up any complaints about The Selene at this point he might be pushed aside just for the disrespect of not wearing his uniform. He did a good job of not letting it show but Nathaniel was terrified that one wrong comment would end up getting him kicked back to commander and passed over for this promotion which he still really wanted.
While their relationship had not ended on the best of terms he remembered Bailey as someone who was reliable, smart, and occasionally witty. They may not have been thrilled to work with one another again, but if they could see past the emotional parts of their past they could be a formidable team. Only time would tell if this would be a good thing, but he had hope that she wouldn't hold their past against one another.
"It seems like this is a fine ship and a good crew. I'll do a more formal shipwide address once I'm proper and aboard, but if I could have a word with you, commodore, in private before we set off?" Despite the fact that he wasn't in uniform, he still had years of experience to know how to properly address his new crew and speak with his superiors. He stepped aside dismissing the crew members for the moment.
Once he was apart from the others he looked to the older Andorian male. "Maybe this is a little presumptuous of me, but I've never known you to be someone to ambush an officer with an off-the-books meeting. I wasn't given any heads up that you would be at my station or arriving on The Selene, so I'm to understand that means a rather sudden change of plans. Is there something I should know about The Selene's first mission under my command?" Despite any concerns, he may have had about working with commander Bailey he knew that something weird was going on with the presence of his Squadron commander. Someone who normally had their own starbase or ship to command was suddenly here.
human
The commodore nodded to the crew and staff that had gathered that they could be dismissed, each of them paying their respects to the new captain before departing for the station administration or for the Selene. The commodore himself paced away from the prying ears of the crowd with Keogh, all the while Bailey's eyes watched him from afar, a bit of discontent welling in her expression as Keogh was also feeling the remorse of old flames. It would be an interesting adventure between the two, being stuck on the same ship once more. But unlike the other command in which they broke up, they cant avoid eachother this time.
Trying to cast aside the day to day stress this would bring, the commander retreated up the gangway to let the commodore speak to the captain. Perhaps about his unusual dress?
The commodore kept his composure as the captain seemed a bit flustered with the whole situation, a slim smile on his blue face as he recalled the stress and pressure of his first starship command.
"Don't over think it captain, I am simply here to see the successful change of hands of the Selene, no more, no less." His tone was a bit domineering.
"Just forget about today Nathan, get your uniform on and show them what you are made of. I would not have put you in command of her if I did not think you could handle it."
The commodore's eyes drifted to the crews loading the large containers on to the Selene, his eyes following the cylinders as they floated above the gangway towards the hold of the ship.
"Alright thats it!" One of the loading crews said as the last container was pushed aboard.
The commodore sighed.
"As for your first mission captain, I will need you to assimilate into your team quickly. The Selene is loaded with a hundred containers of Glaxol-Hydo-Zing, and need express delivery to Tantos III where a research lab will be taking possession them.
Captain Keogh of course would recognize Glaxol-Hydo-Zing as the chief ingredient of a very boutique narcotic that has seen an explosion of use in the underworlds of the alpha quadrant. Many criminal organizations would die to get their hands on such a large quantity, even though the substance is also used in many forms of research.
"You'll be going through some sketchy neighborhoods on your way there." The commodore used a human euphemism in a rather unnatural way.
"So stay sharp and in contact."
gpt
"Thank you sir, We will depart shortly," Nathaniel said giving a bow before he was dismissed and walking onto his ship. He was told it was just to oversee the change of hands of the ship, and maybe that was the truth. Maybe this was all a good-intentioned miss understanding. The mission seemed reasonable until he recounted the other ships docked here. There was an intrepid class ship that had much higher cruising and top speeds, it would have been able to make this delivery in half the time and through a less dangerous route, but it wasn't his place to point that out. Plus any disagreement and he might lose The Selene to someone more agreeable at the moment.
Maybe it was just first mission nervousness but something about this felt wrong. He went to his quarters first and immediately got his uniform out of his bag beginning to change.
"Computer record a personal log." He gave a long sigh for a moment as he started to pull off his shirt and shorts getting redressed in the proper red uniform. "I can't tell if it's just first mission jitters, or if I've suddenly grown a mistrust of my commanding officers now that I'm back on a starship. Maybe it's because my father died shortly after he took the captain's chair. The dominion war is over, the shapeshifters are all on the other side of the wormhole after the treaty made it so that neither side could legally trespass, and even if they would we are closer to the Romulan border where DS9 is on the other side of the beta quadrant."
"The Selene is a beautiful, hearty ship. Even if we are being set up to be pirate bate we have a ship with real teeth. It is unlikely that anyone in this quadrant of space has something that can match her firepower. So maybe I'm just nervous, and by the end of the day I'll feel better about this mission, and about taking the chair."He looked himself over in the mirror, dressed in command red, with the four pips on his jacket that counted his way to captaincy. "End of log."
Finally feeling more in command he went from his quarters to the bridge for the first time. Taking a bit of a deep breath as he walked onto the command center of his new ship. He couldn't help but smile a little and admire the layout of the room. By now he had worked on a dozen ships and stations, he had never stayed in one place for very long. Yet just from the moment, he walked onto the Selene bridge he felt a strange fondness for this one. "At ease."
Maybe because he could call this ship his own. Maybe that was something every captain experienced when they first walked onto their bridge a sense of pride and ownership that eluded commanders. "Navigation, once we have the all-clear, have The Selene stretch her legs. I want one last fly-by of my old station."
human
"Captain on the bridge." Ayoung science officer ensignsnapped to and called out as Keogh arrived on the command deck. The whole bridge had stopped for a split second to witness their new skipper come aboard, each of them eager to see if he had a uniform this time. But as he told them at ease they resumed their duties, each station with either a senior or junior office maning it.
Keogh left little time for introductions, quickly giving orders to the helm who was in the process of communicating with docking control.
"Aye sir, starbase is making final preparations to retract moorings, we shoul be underway in a moment." The stern yet shy tone of thehelms-womanwas met with no eye contact, her eyes fixated on her station except for a few quick moments she glanced over at the new skipper.
"Thank you Lieutenant Bellshade." Commander Bailey was standing in the middle of the bridge, just in front of the command chairs with her hands neatly folded behind her back. She took a deep breath, her eyes meeting with Keogh's as he walked onto his new command.
The bridge itself was not the luxury feel of a galaxy class, more utilitarian with its metal, black leather, and railings. But it certainly had a strong feel to it.
"Welcome aboard sir." There was professional courtesy in her voice but also hesitation.
"We have already met, but as the commodore stated I am your first officer..." there was almost regret and animosity to that statement that Keogh would pick up on, but maybe not the bridge crew.
"Perhaps sir while we wait for the station, introductions are in order?" The commander turne to look at the rest of the bridge crew.
"You already of course met lieutenant Bellshade, our very capable helms-woman." She nodded to Luna who did not turn around, instead tending to her duties at the helm.
"To her left is ensign Walker, he is manning the science station." The male human nodded.
"Behind us is our tactical officer Lieutenant Command Cuzan." The Evoran male hardly could see over the tactical console as he nodded sternly to the captain.
"Next to him is our third in command, and Operations Officer Lieutenant Commander Ximena Yautman." The command pointed her hand towards ashort and younger looking officer,though she was clearly a Yaut, a humanoid species smaller bodies m and youthful looks. The officer nodded to the captain with a blank expression, eyes absent much emotion, but not because Yauts were absent them.
"A pleasure sir." She added as enthusiastically as she could manage. Most Yauts were in fact very vibrant, perhaps this one being a bit different.
"Our chief science, medical, and engineer are at their posts currently, so I will be sure to introduce you to them once we are underway." Bailey feigned a smile for the crew's benefit.
gpt
Commander Bailey turned his attention away from the mission towards introductions to the crew. Keogh smiled and nodded. He made sure to memorize the names as they had been given. His first impression was that all of his officers seemed kind of young, and definitely fresh out of the academy. He was actually kind of glad for that, as he was only 24, so it would have been a little awkward to hand out orders to someone in their late thirties.
The strangest of the lot was the operations officer. He had worked with a few Yuat's in the past and they were usually more vibrant and personable. Commander Ximena Yuatman seemed almost strangely vacant. He wondered if there was a story there. Or, was it perhaps that Bailey had once spoken about the Luitenant he had been when the two of them had dated. It wouldn't surprise him if there had been a few stories between friends, but for now, he chose not to judge he was trying to be professional about this strange situation.
"Thank you, Commander Bailey, It is actually rather nice to see you again. I hope our history won't impact our future, and that's as much as I will say now." He said after all the introductions had been done. He walked around the bridge to approach her on the floor. "Actually if we could get the senior staff to report to the meeting room once we are officially underway I'd appreciate that." Keogh wanted to know the men and women he would be working with when it came to the sections of his ship, plus he wanted to work out what rotations the ship had been on, and what management would work out best for their long term working together.
"Lieutenant Bellshade our final heading will be Tantos III at our best cruising speed how quickly will we arrive?" He walked towards the chair, finally taking his seat. It had been a while since he had been in a captain's chair and not just the head office of a starbase. He had served on 83 for three years. Looking over his personal console he waited for Bellshade to give an answer to his question.
Once he had that answer he activated the shipwide P.A. "Hello crew of The Selene, I am Nathaniel Keogh, As of today, I am taking over as Captain. Over time I hope to get to know this ship and its crew. Despite what most of you will have heard or seen from my boarding, casual Fridays will not be in effect aboard my ship. I am not seeking to make any dramatic changes to the way this ship has been run while under the former captain's command, so I will not be reorganizing shift changes for the moment. I expect each of us to serve to the best of our abilities, we will be heading for Tantus III to deliver cargo shortly. I hope that it will be a simple first flight with you all." He ended the communication line, then looked back at the tactical officer.
"Commander Cuzan, please have your security team monitor any external messages we are going to be flying through piracy lanes, with valuable cargo, I don't want to think about our people tipping someone off. And Ensign Walker please do what you can to boost our external sensors, if we detect a ship so much as a single sector over, I want to know its make and model down to how many toilets are aboard."
human
The commander blushed a bit as Keogh mentioned seeing her again, the first officer flustered as she acknowledged her captain's orders.
Yes sir Ill arrange for the senior staff to join us." Bailey said, sitting in her chair to send a message as such on her comm panel. "Just a favor captain..." her voice low and subtle. "Don't mention us in front of anyone anymore." Her face was stone cold a she practically gave him and order in an authoritative tone. Behind her the operations officer huffed, her eyes darting away from eavesdropping on the tension growing on the bridge, large eyes scanning her operations panel.
Luna Bellshade the helms-woman was busy listening to the Starbase control as the captain spoke to her, her eyes going back and forth between him and he ear piece she wore to listen to communications traffic.
"Selene acknowledged." She responded to a communique from Starbase only she could hear in a stilted tone.
Afterwards she set the ear piece down, taking a deep breath as the captain awaited a few moments for a response.
"Sir... by my calculations..." Luna didn't bother to look up at the captain and instead hit a few controls on he panel. "It will be thirty-six hours to the resesrch outpost at warp 5." Her fingers fiddled around as a loud metallic thump could be heard around the ship.
"Starbase is also beginning to retract moorings and we will be free in moments sir."
Orders has been given and with the shipwide message that was well received by the crew (even the self inflicted joke about casual fridays) things were beginning to get underway. The tactical officer and sensor officer had made the necessary adjustments to carry out the captains orders and all were smiles aboard the bridge, except for maybe Bailey, Ximena, and Luna who wore stiff straight faces.
The ship soon listed to the right, the view screen showing the planet and Starbase drifting off screen.
Sir we are free from starbase and ready to get under way. Luna drifted her hand over the control as she brought the Selene ninety degrees starboard.
gpt
A quick side glance told Nathaniel that the environmental controls had not been touched, and yet the wave of ice he felt creeping up and down his spine at Bailey's words made him shiver. He tried his best to maintain a smile as the rest of his crew began to sound off to his orders and he felt the moorings leave the ship. Creating an echo that could be felt in his bones as durasteel was knocked asunder, and the hum of a ship's warp core as the engines turned on. Slowly he nodded to Bailey and wondered exactly how this relationship would work out going forward.
"Acknowledged Bellshade, take us out." He sat back in his chair for a moment, looking at his number one, and the rest of his crew. He knew there would be something of an adjustment period to working with a new crew. He wanted to give Bailey the benefit of the doubt it had been at least three years since they had last seen one another, though it had certainly ended poorly. Lots of words have been thrown around after a mission that felt like it could have been another lifetime ago. It had been that mission that had made him accept the position at 83, the starbase he was now fondly watching fade away.
Once they were at warp, and the count down timer began he picked himself up from his seat. "Lieutenant Bellshade, you have the bridge." He was about to take all of the other senior staff off the bridge with him for a meeting so it was time to meet the people he would be working with almost every day.
Every part of the ship seemed to be compact, and the meeting room was no different. With the various chairs all clustered around a table that didn't have enough. It made sure that staff meetings would lack personal space. Still, it was what they had in terms of a briefing room than he would take it. He sat down at the head of the table and closed his eyes. He had to let out a long breath he had been holding ever since he had set foot onto the bridge. He was hoping that he would adjust to being a captain over time, already he felt like he was making a dozen mistakes on his first day. Nothing critical, aside from mentioning his former relationship status in front of coworkers, something he had partly assumed Bailey had already talked about, but it appears he was incorrect.
Still, he was excited to meet his senior staff.
human
It would be a quick moment before the doors to the cramped meeting room would open and the first of the senior staff would make their way through. The officer in question who had arrived soonest was lieutenant commander Ximena, the Yaut girl taken by surprise that she was the first one to have gotten there. The short officer had entered the room opposite the captain, fiddling with the edges of a seat far down the table, before her face full of consternation forced her to sit closer to her skipper.
"Sir." She said in a small but confident tone as she took a seat to the left of the head of the table. Her eyes looked around the room anywhere but at the captain. There would be little time for awkward silence before lieutenant commander Cuzan arrived, smiling at the captain and nodding his head approvingly.
"I am glad to have met you captain, looking forward to working with you." He nodded, the blue ridge on his head reflecting the light of the meeting room as he took the seat next to Ximena. Both exchanged glances, Cuzan looking a bit perplexed by his peer's demeanor.
The door next opened to reveal two officers with blue collars, both lieutenants. One, a human male, approached the captain with his hand extended, he looked a bit older than the captain himself, his jawline cleanly chiseled and soft wrinkling under his eyes.
"Sir, it is good to meet you finally." The officer offered his hand to shake.
"I am Doctor Bagman, chief medical officer."
Eagerly behind the doctor was aCaitian female, furry silver ears perked up on her head as she gave the captain a bright smile. It almost seemed like a good day for the blue collars, compared to their more solemn minded red collared colleagues.
"Sir, good to meet yew." She offered her hand in a dainty fashion, palm down, allowing him to take the initiative.
"I am doctor Kuro Shuts, astrophysicis and chief science officer." Her nose scrunched cutely as she eyed the captain.
Both took seats on the opposite side of the table from the other two, leaving room enough for commander Bailey to sit at the captain's right hand.
Last but not least the doors opened for ayellow collared individual, another lieutenant from the engineering discipline. There was a very rushed energy about the woman as she trounced in, her eyes almost frantic that she had been late. But looking towards the head of the table and not seeing commander Bailey, she seemed to have a silent sigh of relief.
First coming to the head of the table, the redhead very awkwardly gave the captain her hand in greeting.
"Sir, chief engineer Rei." Her introduction short before taking a seat next to Cuzan. Her introduction was the swiftes as she arrived at her chair, putting her fingers together as she took yet another deep breath. There were blisters and calluses on her hands which were dirty with oil and grease.
Finally, as all others had settled, the first officer Commander Bailey Vermont stepped through the door, the tension automatically rising in the room between the two as she looked to the captain and then to the staff.
"Sir, looks like everyone has arrived." She put it simply before finding her chair next to him, eyes looking over the rest vice her ex lover.
gpt
His senior staff began to pile into the meeting room. The blue jackets were a breath of fresh air as those who were supposed to be in command was clearly still troubled with his presence though he wondered exactly what he had done wrong if anything. This time he made sure to greet each of them as they came in and introduced themselves. He made sure to accept the handshake from the chief medical officer Bagman. Then came the chief science officer, and her presence caught him off guard. He had never actually seen a Caitian before and hadn't known what to expect, the way she offered her hand was more akin to a princess towards a nobleman, though he didn't kiss her extended hand he did accept the greeting and bowed to her.
She was probably the cutest thing he had ever seen Doctor Kuro Shuts, he blushed a little but tried his best to stay professional. This wasn't a place he wanted to get flirty. Especially since Bailey was within earshot. The next that followed was his chief engineer. Rei was young and cute like the majority of his officers, but at the same time Chief engineer Rei seemed to have wild energy about her that he hadn't expected. Her hands were dirty with oil and grease, it made him wonder if his ship was being held together with duct tape at this point it was an older workhorse of the federation after all.
At Bailey's entrance to the room, he noticed that once again everyone seemed to get tenser. Did people just not like her? Honestly, he could agree with that. He knew better than most that she could be a little difficult to work with. "Thank you all for coming on short notice."
"Today is my first day as captain, and this is my permanent posting, which means that for the foreseeable future we are all going to be stuck together. It is my hope then that we can all work together, and keep things moving smoothly aboard this ship." He didn't look to Bailey but he knew whom he was talking to with that comment. "We have now left starbase 83, and are heading towards Tantus III to hand over a shipment of Glaxol-Hydo-Zing." He had left that particular detail out of the shipwide transmission.
"Glaxol-Hydo-Zing is an ingredient that is hard to replicate and it's used in a high-class narcotic. When we got this assignment there was an intrepid class ship stationed at 83, that could make this delivery in half the time we can, and avoid the direct route, which leads me to think that our superior officer has us Pirate hunting. Killing two birds with one stone, which is why I put out the shipwide telling everyone aboard where our destination is. All external communications are to be monitored by security."
Humanity was supposed to have evolved past their base instincts to lie, cheat and steal from one another, but after three years in a commander's chair at a starbase and you learn that not everyone in the federation had the best interests at heart. "We are on the border with the Romulan star empire, which has been fractured ever since the attack by Praetor Shinzon, more and more raiding factions, and reman refugees are spilling out from the star empire and becoming problems for their neighbors. We are trying to avoid getting involved with a civil war as that would be against the prime directive, but there have been reports nearing 84, and 86 of Mogwai class birds of prey."
"So, I ask the group, if it comes to blows, and we have to fight what are our options, how much firepower do we have to throw at the problem, and are your divisions ready?"
human
Cuzan's naturally glazed looking eyes batted as he scratched his ribbed chin. The tactical officer seemed to be shrewd yet with a casual overcoat, never a stranger to a smile but seemingly serious in times like this.
"Sir, this sector of space is hardly known for piracy..." he looked to the data-pad in-front of him which feature a heat map of illicit activity in this sector.
"I'm sure the Kingston..." he referred to the Intrepid class ship that was docked at the time of their departure "... is simply busy with other assignments that require its attention."
Cuzan set his pad down with a sense of seriousness, his eyes drifting to Bailey who had been silent for the duration.
"But if it comes to conflict, our weapon systems are fully functional, should we have adequate power..." his sentence trailed off as he looked down the table at Rei, the chief engineer. The redhead seemed to look perturbed at the remark.
"Commander, as dirty my hands and hair are you'll have power... we are holding her together just fine." She glared at him, and then to Bailey.
"Lieutenant..." the Yaut operations officer chimed in. "... there is no reason to take it personally, your efforts have been commendable since the last incident." A certainly unease took the room as the "incident" was brought up. Science officer Kuro grimaced as she sat back in her chair and stayed out of the situation.
Bailey sighed, rubbing her sinuses between her two fingers as she took a deep breath.
"Thats no longer of concern..." her voice shot to the Ximena. "I am confident Rei has found a work around." The commander sat up in her chair, cleary leaving some things un-said.
"Sir... apologies. I had hoped to bring you up to speed about ships status before too long, but since we are in the subject." Her eyes shot to Ximena and Cuzan. "About three weeks ago during an engagement with a hostile refugee ship, the Selene had lost power to its main phaser bank due to instability in the power conduits." Bailey seemed rather off put to have to admit this.
"Needless to say that Lieutenant Rei has been working since then to fix the issue... its an older ship-"
"Akira classes are the new Miranda class..." Rei mumbled as she crossed her arms.
"Yes... its not the shiniest new thing in the fleet. She has her issues, but I'm confident Rei has it handled.
gpt
Nathaniel wasn't exactly impressed. Asking a simple question about ship-wide readiness should not have caused conflict among his senior officers, and yet two of them seemed to be almost ready to point fingers and attack each other. What's more Cuzan seemed more than ready to undermine his explanation of the mission. He raised an eyebrow for a moment when the other man spoke about how this sector wasn't known for piracy.
Which of the two of them had just spent three years in command of a starbase at the head of this sector of space? He made no effort to correct it, it wasn't something he would call out in the midst of a meeting of all his senior staff, rather he would just put it aside for the moment. He leaned back in his chair for a moment and let Bailey try to sort the two of them out, but it was clear that he had to step in and speak at the end of it.
"Have any replacement parts been ordered?" He was so used to working on a station for the last three years of his life he had the resources to handle his repairs and maintenance thanks to the industrial replicator aboard 83, and what parts he couldn't replicate the could have ordered from 84's more advanced industrial sector. "The Akira class may be an older vessel and this ship has seen a long service history, but that just means that the federation is flush with parts to repair this type of thing. Luitenant Rei I want an inventory of all spare parts aboard this vessel, mark redundant ones for trade, and get us the pieces we need to make this ship one hundred percent operational."
"Commander Cuzan, we will speak more in private." He had some words he would have to share with his tactical officer, but for now, he put a pin in it. "For now I want a count of our tactical readiness, that is a full count of torpedoes, security teams, and arms aboard this ship."
"The Akira class may not be as shiny and new as the Luna, but we aren't on a California class or a Miranda class, our ship may be old but try to think of her more as an Excelsior, a ship to comprise the backbone of operations for the next hundred years."
"Doctor Bagman, if you would have your nurses put together a few triage kits, just encase we see some action, prepare for the worst hope for the best has been my personal motto for the last three years and it's gotten us through some hard times."
"And doctor Shuts, I would like to know what experiments my science teams are working on." for now he went for more business as usual conversation topics. Getting up to speed with the rest of the crew that wasn't as vocal as his engineer and tactical officer.
human
The captain would certainly be bringing a different dynamic to the senior staff as judged by this meeting. The expressions of most (outside the science and medical departments) seemed to be uncomfortable, the recent conversation about ship's readiness certainly bringing a bit of ire on the count of their new commander. Quickly he had thrown out the finger pointing, an account which made Bailey blush a bit, perhaps put of frustration she did not have this under control despite her ex becoming her new boss, not a good day for an first officer, former fuck buddy status or not.
The rest of the senior staff had their marching orders, with inventories and analysis to be conducted to ensure the ship was ready for anything, even if it seemed like a standard supply mission. But despite the uneasiness, most officers nodded and said "Yes sir." As assignments were handed down.
"Sir I am sure the staff will get right on all of these items for you. In the mean time is there anything else you would like to discuss? If no I recommend leaving them to it and perhaps you can settle down in your new quarters?" Bailey put on her most professional and objective expression/tone.
gpt
Did Bailey just try to send him to his room like he was a child needing a nap? Nathaniel looked at her like she had just sprouted multiple heads. He didn't think he was riding his staff particularly hard, he had asked an honestly simple to answer the question, and they had broken out into infighting. He dismissed this trash fire of a meeting after that, taking a moment to put his head in his palm and try to nurse the migraine his senior staff had given him. This morning he had been so excited to take command of his own ship, and now he felt like that ship was a cruise full of teenagers.
It wasn't too far off honestly. Neither he nor the officers under his command were particularly old. The oldest member of this ship may actually have been Doctor Bagman, from what he could tell. For now, with the meeting adjourned he didn't retreat to his quarters, rather he went to the bridge to serve out the rest of his shift. Taking his seat back on the captain's chair on the bridge he almost wanted some kind of crisis to happen so he could point to his upper staff and give them an 'I told you so'.
"Anything interesting on sensors?" He asked Belleshade but honestly, it wasn't like this sector was particularly unsafe. They were probably an hour maybe two hours underway from the starbase. When he had been a commander aboard a starbase it had seemed his job had been to put out fires every single day, giving him plenty of paperwork and things to do. Now he had to cope with long amounts of travel time.
There was also the thought that maybe he was doing this wrong. His experience commanding a starbase didn't fit nicely into commanding a ship. He needed to be more adaptive, and open. Maybe it was just the first day getting to him.
human
As the captain put his head in his hand, the senior staff began to feel the disappointment. Bailey especially seemed taken down by the way this meeting went, she even avoided eye contact with the captain as the staff dismissed themselves one by one, soon she even left the conference room and her seat with nothing more than a "Sir."
The others gave similar odes to departure, nodding and "captain"'ing their way out of why turned out to not be the best first impression.
A few from there were off duty, Bailey taking care of business elsewhere on the ship whole Ximena returned to the bridge just before the captain. A junior operations officer of the lieutenant junior grade rank greeted the captain, a young Andorian male who with a smile and a nod departed the command chair and resumed his station at tactical.
"You have the con sir." He simply said before logging in at his new station.
Otherwise the bridge was quiet, Bellshade still avoiding any eye contact as she helmed the Selene, a rather effortless job while at warp. The ship practically flew itself.
With a few quick beeps and an extended silence she answere the captain's inquiry about sensors.
"Nothing on long or short range... sir." She was quiet as she spoke it, not bothering to look back.
"Still thirty-four hours till arrival." She mumbled.
gpt
Thirty-four hours, it would be the longest ride in his life of that he was sure. His options were pretty simple he could live out the shift on the bridge in sulking silence, he could go to his quarters like bailey had suggested thereby admitting defeat to his old flame, or he could walk the ship. He got to his feet, choosing the third option. Leaving the comfort of the captain's chair and walking to the turbo lift. "I'm going to tour the ship."
As he got to the turbo lift he put his hand on his combadge, tapping it, thinking about who he would contact for a moment, tapping it again to turn it off... then tapped it a third time making a choice. "Doctor Shuts." The cute Caitian who had barely spoken, but at least had been a smiling presence in the room when all else had faltered. "Do you have time to accompany me on a walk?"
If they had a project that was in dire need of their attention he didn't want to pull it away or make it out to be like he was pulling rank to spend time with her, this was more casual. "I'd like someone to tour the ship with me." Bailey was not an option his history with her, would make every second spent in a turbo lift unpleasant, Rei, and Cuzon had their 'time out' tasks to accomplish he didn't want to be showing either one of them favoritism. And while he had no doubt that Doctor Bagman would be a fun conversation he wanted someone who had more positive energy at his side right now. At least those were all the excuses he was giving to wanting time alone with Shuts, the real reason may just have been that she was cute in a way he wasn't used to.
human
Bellshade watched from the corner of her eye the captain leaving the bridge, following his movement to the turbolift until he had gone out of sight. The Andorian tactical officer of course resumed the class command position, taking over bridge duty officer. Bellshade also gave him some side eye, the Andorian merely smirking at her before she "humph'ed" and turned around.
Several decks lower, the Caitian chief science officer was pouring over several PADDs worth of sensor data when the voice of the new captain came over the com badg . The silver haired triangular ears on the woman's head perked up upon hearing his voice, tail swishing behind her as he made his request. A small smile came over her face as she tossed the PADDs on to the desk, reaching up to her collar and buttoning the one she has loosened when in the privacy of her quarters. A tour with the captain, despite it being after hours did after all seem pleasant.
Tapping her dainty hand on the badge atop her modest breasts, she took a breath before answer.
"Of course sir! Lets maybe meet at the astrophysics lab just below the bridge?"
Her tail rubbed against the back of the chair as she stood, fixing her uniform top and fussing with her long silver hair and ears. Kuro would not wait too long before heading to the pre-designated meet up outside the lab, eagerly waiting with swishing tail when the captain arrived.