From: V. Rahul Chandra (vrccan_at_gmail.com)
Date: Tue Feb 05 2008 - 04:38:01 PST
========== “Strategic Complications” Con’t from Naomi’s “Time for a Change” ========== Location: USS PATRIOT Stardate: 2424 [2.8] 0205.0323 Scene: Captain Kenta’s Ready Room Captain Benjamin Kenta of the Federation Starship PATRIOT looked up from the PADD he was reading as the door chime to his office sounded. Having a pretty good idea of who was standing on the other side of the room, he leaned back in his chair, calling for the door to open as he unconsciously pushed the PADD he’d been reading a few centimetres away from where he was sitting. The doors parted to reveal the form of the new Executive Officer of the USS PATRIOT. “You asked to see me sir?” Jeff asked, stepping into the room and looking at his new Commanding Officer quizzically. “Yes Commander,” Kenta said. “Please, have a seat.” As Jeff took the offered chair, Kenta commented with a small smile, “I’m glad you finally donned the command red; it was a bit disconcerting looking at my First Officer wearing a medical uniform.” “Feels a bit strange,” Jeff commented, adjusting his collar slightly. “You’ll get used to it,” Kenta promised. “Now then, have you been able to get settled in?” “Reasonably so,” Jeff said agreeably. “I had time to stow the little bit of gear I brought over from GATEWAY and ever since then I’ve been collating reports, reading protocol PADDs and basically trying to get myself settled into the working conditions.” Kenta nodded. “Normally I wouldn’t rely so much on my Executive Officer,” he said, his tone a cross between being professional and apologetic. “But I still need some rest to get over the injuries I sustained in fight around GATEWAY.” “I understand sir,” Jeff said with a nod. “I am a doctor, after all. I’ll try to live up to your expectations of me.” “Good,” Kenta said with a smile, handing a PADD across the desk to Jeff. “Because I need you to get three people settled in. The USS CABOT has arrived and they are carrying with them the temporary heads of our Engineering, Science and Security departments.” The mention of the security department made the Commanding Officer momentarily lapse into a memory about his friend Martin Soldat, but he quickly pushed those thoughts away and brought his focus back to the present. “Our temporary heads?” Jeff asked, surveying the PADD he’d just been given. “Yeah,” Ben replied with a nod. “Although with the war I’m sure temporary could turn into long-term very quickly, so I was able to get some of the better graduates of the most recent class at Starfleet Academy. Your job is to make sure they get settled in well enough, because I’m sure they’re going to get a sort of baptism under fire at some point, even assuming this mission goes off without a hitch.” “I understand sir,” Gorman repeated, putting the PADD down in his lap. “Was there anything else?” “Not for the moment,” the Captain answered. “Just keep on collating the departmental reports as they come in. I want us to leave as soon as we’re able to withstand it.” “Yes sir,” Jeff said with a nod of his head, standing up. “That’s all for now Commander,” Kenta said, returning the nod. “Dismissed.” =========== Scene: Marine CO’s Office “The troops seem to have a high morale,” Daniel commented, fingering the PADD in his hand as he looked over the notes he’d taken over the last half hour. “Good,” Maverick replied. “That will be essential for what’s coming up.” Daniel looked up at his boss questioningly. “What’s coming up, sir?” he asked. “One way or another Major,” Bret predicted. “The PATRIOT will be back in battle and soon. If it’s not this mission then it’ll be the next. Tango Company will be called on to fight many battles before the war is over; what we’ve seen is just a taste of what’s to come.” “Any suggestions for ways to keep morale up?” Daniel asked, silently agreeing with the Colonel’s assessment of what the upcoming days would bring. Maverick grinned. “That’s your department Major,” he said. “Squadron morale is part of your job description.” “I know,” Daniel said with a nod, making a few notes on his PADD. “We never did end up doing those team sports,” he added after thinking for a few moments. Maverick shook his head. “We did a couple of combat drills and then before we could shift the focus of those drills we started getting assignment after assignment.” Daniel nodded again in agreement. “Yeah,” he said. “Well, there’s an idea if we ever get a lull in between battles. I’ve got a few other ideas as well, but I’d like to test them with a few marines before letting them loose on the whole squadron.” Mav nodded. “A wise choice,” he said. “Just leave the ideas on my desk when you write them up and I’ll approve them.” “Yes sir,” Daniel answered. “Was there anything else?” “Yes,” Mav said. “Make sure that we’re fully stocked before shoving out, or failing that get as many of our supplies on board ship as soon as you can.” “Here’s a priority list,” The Marine CO added, pushing a PADD across the table to his second in command. Daniel snapped the PADD up, looking it over and nodding his head in acknowledgement. “We’ve already got all of the high priority stuff on board,” he said. “The medium-high and medium priority supplies should be comfortably in our storage space in a few hours and I don’t think we’ll have a problem getting most of the medium-low and low priority supplies either. Starfleet wants this mission to be successful, so they’re being lenient with protocol and speeding up all the requests from the PATRIOT.” “That’s very good news,” Mav said. “Well, if there’s nothing else, then you’re dismissed Major.” “Aye sir,” Daniel replied, getting out of his chair. ======== Time Index: Immediately After Scene 1 Scene: Main Bridge Lieutenant Commander Jeffrey Gorman emerged onto the bridge, looking around him at the relatively low amount of activity that was going on. With most of the crew either having been commandeered by Engineering to assist in the repairs or helping in the massive supply procurement drive that was currently underway, the bridge was currently being manned by a skeleton crew. Looking around the main bridge, Jeff was only able to see one senior staff member present, but luckily for him it was exactly the one he was looking for. Advancing from the door to the CO’s Ready Room, he walked over to the flight control console and managed to attract the attention of the PATRIOT’s Flight Control Officer. “How’s it going?” he asked, looking over her shoulder at a display that showed a complete path mapped out between dry-dock and the fifth planet of the LIOUN system. “Not too bad,” Tanith answered, looking over her shoulder at the very tall man. “Although my neck’s not going to survive very long if we keep talking like this.” Jeff grinned, lowering himself to a kneeling position next to the flight control console. “Better?” he asked. “Much,” Tanith said, manipulating the controls to bring up sequential areas of the path at a higher scale. “I’ve plotted our course to the LIOUN system and we should be able to arrive there without too much difficulty. Due to the limitations of the CABOT, we’ll be sticking to Transwarp 1 throughout the trip. At that speed, it will take us approximately 55 hours to reach the LIOUN system through the course I’ve outlined.” “That’s not too bad,” Jeff commented. “The LIOUN system must be a lot closer to us than I thought.” “Well, the Dominion still controls a large amount of the Gamma Quadrant,” Corwin replied. “There aren’t too many non-Dominion worlds that aren’t close to the wormhole and that we can reach with a reasonable expectation of success.” “I get the picture,” Jeff said with a nod. “Well, with the route planned out, we shouldn’t have to worry too much.” He stood up. “And you’ve done it in record time as well. Excellent job Lieutenant.” Lieutenant Corwin shot him a look of surprise. “Th…thank you sir,” she said, with the slightest hint of hesitation. “Is there something wrong Ms. Corwin?” Jeff asked. “Nothing sir,” Tanith replied, turning her head back to her console. “I’m just not used to being complimented on my work.” Jeff smiled slightly. “You’d rather fly the routes than make them, is that it?” he asked. “Something like that,” Tanith said, keeping her eyes solely focused on her console. “Well,” Jeff said with a chuckle, taking the centre seat. “Keep on spitting out routes like this one with Vulcan-like speed and your preferences might change.” =========== Time Index: Simultaneously Scene: Corridor -> Ensign Tam’s Quarters “I think this is the right one,” Tessa Dugan muttered to herself, looking down at a schematic on the PADD she was carrying. The acting Chief Medical Officer of the USS PATRIOT was looking for the Chief Counsellor’s quarters, having been told by an associate that Tam was at home. She wanted to go over some of the supply lists with the medically-trained Bajoran counsellor and decided that in the interested of expedition she would pay the woman a visit in her quarters. “Oh well, here goes,” Dugan said to herself, pressing the door chime as she mentally thought to herself that the worst that could happen was her walking in on a total stranger and having to sheepishly remove herself from the premises. [[Come in,]] a familiar voice answered, the doors to the room parting just moments after the verbal trigger. Dugan walked into the room, noticing Tam peering at her questioningly from behind a painting easel. In spite of having found the right quarters, Dugan still felt quite sheepish. “I’m so sorry for disturbing you,” she said. “I can leave if you want.” Tam smiled and gave a wave of dismissal. “Don’t worry about it,” she said. “Come on in. What can I do for you?” “Well,” Tessa replied, walking over to where Tam was sitting and handing her the PADD. “I just wanted to get your opinion on the supplies we’ve got coming in.” “Sounds easy enough,” Tam said agreeably, taking a look at the figures that were written down on the PADD. While she was doing that, Tessa took a look at what was on the easel, her facial expression reflecting a heartfelt interest. “What is it?” she asked suddenly, drawing Tam’s attention away from the PADD in her hands. “It’s a Bantaca Spire,” Tam replied, looking at the painting. “It’s not very good though. I don’t paint that often.” “A Bantaca Spire,” Tessa said thoughtfully, looking at the painting. “I think it looks beautiful.” Niala smiled. “Thanks,” she said, seeming to examine the painting closer. “Bantaca spires are ancient structures that are usually tens of thousands of years old. They denote ancient cities, usually from the Bajoran First Republic.” “It looks very similar to an obelisk,” Dugan observed. “We have many of them back on Earth.” “It’s a lot like that,” the counsellor agreed, looking up at Tessa. “Although it has a flat top and the stones don’t need to be held together with anything.” “They don’t?” the Chief Medical Officer was astounded. “What keeps them together then?” Tam smiled. “The tight fit,” she said, going back to the PADD. “As for the supplies, I think we should move the shipment of sedatives up to the top of the priority list. A lot of this stuff below it won’t be much help to us if we can’t sedate patients.” Pulled back to reality from her momentary moment of being mesmerized by Tam’s painting, Tessa looked at the other woman’s suggestion and immediately saw the sense of it. “Good idea,” she said approvingly. “I’ll change that right away. Anything else?” “Nothing I can think of,” Tam answered, picking up her brush. “I think you have it all covered.” “Okay,” Tessa said with a nod. “I’ll try to get this new list through as soon as possible. Once again, sorry for bothering you.” “It’s okay,” Tam replied. “Glad I could be helpful. I’ll be working a double shift in counselling today to get everything together, so if you want to run anything else past me that’s where I’ll be in an hour.” “Got it,” Tessa said with a nod, before excusing herself from the counsellor’s presence. ========= Time Index: 2 hours later Scene: Transporter Room 1 -> Corridor -> Turbolift -> Corridor Jeff nodded in the direction of the transporter operator as he entered the primary transporter room of the USS PATRIOT. The man gave a nod back as Jeff walked past him and assumed an at-ease stance with his hands behind his back directly in front of the transporter pad. “What’s their status on the other end?” Jeff asked, directing his question over his shoulder to the transporter operator. “All three Ensigns are on the pad awaiting transport,” the crewman replied. “Excellent,” Jeff said, turning his attention back to the pad. “Energize.” “Aye sir,” the operator replied, going through the necessary commands on his console to activate the transporter cycle. A few moments later, a blue haze appeared followed by the bodies of three smartly-dressed and very young-looking Starfleet Ensigns. “Welcome to the PATRIOT,” Jeff said, nodding in the direction of all three of the newcomers. “I’m Lieutenant Commander Jeffrey Gorman; the Executive Officer of this ship.” “Pleased to meet you sir,” the one dressed in security grey said, coming forward off the pad followed by his two companions. “I am Ensign Mariano Vasquez, transferring aboard for the Chief Security Officer position.” “I know who you are Ensign,” Jeff said, nodding in his direction before looking at the other two. “And you must be Ensign Mikhail Ivanovich.” “Yes sir,” the new Chief Science Officer replied with an overeager nod of the head. “And I am Ensign Suvak sir,” the final officer said, his voice calm and unemotional as would be expected from any Vulcan. “Transferring aboard for the Chief Engineering Officer position.” “Nice to meet all of you,” Jeff said. “Now, if you’ll follow me, we’ll get you all to your quarters.” He turned and headed for the exit, with the three officers quickly falling into step next to him. As the four walked down the corridor, Mariano bravely assumed the position of walking next to the much higher ranking man, while the other two cadets walked directly behind them. “This is going to be a pit of a trial by fire for you,” Jeff said, as they walked down the corridor. “But that’s how it goes in war time. We need all of the crew and officers we can get on the front lines and the PATRIOT has been short-staffed for some time.” “I thought the PATRIOT was the flagship,” Ivanovich commented, as the four boarded a turbolift. “Deck 5,” Jeff called out, before answering the Ensign’s question. “It is the flagship, but it is also assigned to the first fleet. There were other ships that needed replacements before we did up until now, so the PATRIOT has had to do without in some areas. Now that she’s on the front lines of the war, we are in the process of staffing some vital areas.” “I see,” Ivanovich replied, lapsing into silence. No more words were spoken between them as the lift came to a stop and the four officers emerged from it onto the deck five corridor. “These are your quarters right here Ensign Ivanovich,” Jeff said, indicating a pair of doors next to where they were currently standing. “Captain Kenta may or may not call on you before the staff meeting at 0900 tomorrow, but we’re scheduled to be off before then so if you have any pressing business on this side of the wormhole, now would be the time to do it.” “Aye sir,” the Ensign replied, before taking his leave of the group and entering his quarters. “And the two of you are across from each other right here,” Jeff said, walking a few doors down the hallway. “Ensign Suvak is on the even side and Ensign Vasquez is on the odd side.” “Now then,” Jeff continued, looking up from his PADD at the two of them. “The same instructions that I just gave Ensign Ivanovich apply to the two of you as well. And unless you have any questions, I have other matters to attend to.” Seeing that neither one was about to volunteer anything, Jeff nodded his head in a satisfied manner. “Very well then. You’re dismissed for now, but make sure you do not miss the staff meeting tomorrow morning.” ========== Time Index: Simultaneously Scene: Clarkson/Jade Quarters Daniel yawned, putting down the PADD in his hand and tiredly rubbing his eyes. Inventory was one of his least favourite parts of the job and with the mountain of supplies the PATRIOT was taking on, he was not relishing the fact that he had to look over a few more PADDs before he could call it a day. “I went to marine training so that I could get out of doing paperwork,” Daniel grumbled to himself, before morosely picking up the next PADD and starting his reading. “So did your boss,” Catherine said, walking in through the doors leading to the corridor. “That’s the problem.” Daniel looked over at his wife and smiled. “I didn’t realize you could hear through walls,” he said. Catherine laughed, walking over to stand behind the couch Daniel was sitting on. “I can’t,” she said, leaning down and wrapping her arms around his shoulders, hugging him from behind. “The doors were partially open as you said it. And I have superhuman hearing.” “So you do,” Daniel agreed with a chuckle, turning and planting a kiss on his wife’s cheek. “So, how’s your day been since you abandoned me at lunch?” “I didn’t abandon you,” Catherine retorted, relinquishing her hold on her husband to go get a glass of water from the replicator. “I had to get to work.” “Yeah,” Daniel snorted, although the teasing note to his voice was clearly evident. “A likely excuse.” Catherine stuck her tongue out at him, before coming to sit down on the couch next to him, sipping her water before gingerly putting it down on the table amidst the stacks of PADDs. “What’s all this?” she asked, somewhat taken aback at the sheer number of PADDs. “What else?” Daniel groaned. “Paperwork. This is what I was complaining about when you walked in.” “And pray tell,” Catherine replied. “Who exactly were you complaining to?” “Nobody in particular,” Daniel said, putting down one PADD and picking up the next. “You know,” Catherine said playfully. “When you start talking to nothing, it’s a sure sign of oncoming insanity.” “If there’s one thing that could drive me insane,” Daniel replied, looking at the stacks of PADDs with a rather forlorn expression on his face. “It’s paperwork.” ============= NRPG: Here is part one of a two-part post that will bring us to the next stage of the mission. Part two will have a lot more to do with the plot transition, but I wanted to write something covering the pre-launch preparations as well. I also had some obvious ulterior motives in introducing a few NPCs and making sure that everyone was mentioned at some point in this post. Erik -> Hope you don't mind me giving Jeff a little more authority for this mission. I figured since you're likely to be away for most of it and since Kenta happens to be recovering from his injuries, it was a good fit for the mission (not to mention making it a bit easier for me to direct things). If you don't like it, we can always change it back later without losing any mission continuity at all. Taylor -> I mooched a lot of stuff of the PAT website, thank you so much for all the work you've done on it! Hope the conversation between Mav and Daniel was okay. Alix -> I took a couple of liberties with Tanith, but I wanted to introduce something from her bio since you did such a good job of making her a round, dynamic character. Let me know if I goofed. Bethany -> Same for Tam, hopefully I didn't screw up too much! Feel free to drop me a line letting me know how I did. Naomi -> So? Worth the wait? There's still one part to come! ;) All -> I figured I'd introduce some NPCs into the mix so that we have a completed senior staff to use for future missions. Some of the NPCs are taken from the website, in which case they were already on the ship in the post. The three that showed up during the post are three new NPCs that I introduced specifically because I couldn't find an NPC character in the manifest that I thought would be convincing as being bumped up to the Chief's position. All in all, that leaves us with the following manifest: Captain Bejamin Kenta CO (PC, Human, Male) Lieutenant Commander Jeffrey Gorman XO (PC, Human, Male) Lieutenant Kimmura Sanba OPS (NPC, Andorian, Female) Ensign Suvak CEO (NPC, Vulcan, Male) Lieutenant Tanith Corwin FCO (PC, Human, Female) Colonel Bret Maverick MCO/2O (PC, Human, Male) Major Daniel Clarkson MXO (PC, Human, Male) Lieutenant Catherine Sterling-Jade ILO (PC, Human/Klingon/Romulan, Female) Ensign Tam Niala CNS (PC, Bajoran, Female) Ensign Mariano Vasquez SEC/TAC (NPC, Human, Male) Ensign Mikhail Ivanovich CSO (NPC, Human, Male) Ensign Tessa Dugan CMO (NPC, Human, Female) Feel free to re-use the NPC characters as much as you want; that's what they are there for! Sanba actually didn't make an appearance in this post, but she's pulled from the starship manifest on the website so don't worry, she's legit ;). In any case, Part Two of this post will be out this evening and will actually include the transition to the part of the mission that will take us all the way to the end of the month. If anyone is working on a post, don't worry about waiting for me to post this evening. Go ahead and send it out when you finish it and I'll just work around it when I put the finishing touches on part two. No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.516 / Virus Database: 269.19.19/1258 - Release Date: 04/02/2008 10:10 AM From HyperNews_at_youth.net
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