Receiving His Command

Posted on Fri Jan 30th, 2009 @ 10:46pm by Captain Elsie Halliwell

829 words; about a 4 minute read

Mission: Restricted Independent Operations
Location: Starbase 139
Timeline: Current

[U.S.S. Galahad, Skipper's Ready Room]

Going over the latest messages in her subspace inbox Dola found that her recommendation for the new Skipper of the U.S.S. Archimedes had been accepted by the top brass. She smiled and tapped commands into the computer, opening a channel to the officer in question. She waited for the channel to be established to tell him in person.

Sat alone in a bar on Starbase 139 as the USS Tithonus was docked, the Trill nursed his neat scotch and hangover. The black circles under his eyes ran rings around their sockets as he laid his heavy hand in his strong palms. Squinting slightly underneath the harsh lights of the bar, his blue eyes creased at their corners.

Across the room, the Trill noticed a Starfleet Ensign directly make for him, and in an attempt to evade him, he twisted on his chair to get up and leave.

“Lieutenant Commander Lane, sir,� the young Ensign bellowed over the drum of the other patrons.

“Jesus Christ,� he said to himself, wincing. “What can I do for you, Ensign??�

“There’s a communication for you from the Galahad. You can take it in Ops… If you’ll just follow me.�

The Ensign led the way and the Trill walked up to a control panel with the face of the Galahad’s CO on it.

“Captain… What can I do for you, sir??� he spoke in a rough voice.

Dola cocked her head to the side and studied the Trill's face for a moment. "Hmm, did I catch you at a bad time, Commander, or have you just returned from a celebration?" She was wondering whether he had already had the news.

"Uh, neither, sir… Actually, I’m off duty and, I guess you can say that I’m not exactly ‘with it.’ I wasn’t expecting you is all." The Trill rubbed the back of his neck nervously, wondering what possible reason the Captain of the Galahad had for calling.

"I see", Dola said, "well, first off, I would prefer you not to call me Sir. While it is technically correct, something I have never understood since the language of Federation standard clearly offers a variant that is appropriate to either gender, I don't like it." She paused. "Well, the second thing is, you had better get in shape. You have been chosen to command the Nova class U.S.S. Archimedes."

“The Archimedes??� said Lane in shock. “I apologise if I look a little taken aback, Captain. My own command??� Letting the feeling of responsibility sink in, the sobering effect it had was immense. His first thoughts quickly turned towards his daughter. “Well, thank you for notifying me, Captain. It’s an honour to assume the command.�

Dola smiled. "I've seen your background in science and this is a primarily scientific ship", she said, "you will, however, be assigned to Task Group 72-C, commanded by me, and I expect your ship to act in a corvette or frigate role, depending on the circumstances, and your crew to be trained for that."

“Aye, sir,� he said, smiling. “I understand the capabilities of the Nova class very well. It’s been an ideal of mine since the ship rolled into the lines.� Stopping for a second, the Trill thought quickly. “When will this happen, Captain? I have my kid to think about, is all. I’ll need to organise it for her.�

The wave of apprehension did not last for long as the excitement welled in his belly. Bringing up Lorelai on a starship as an XO was one thing, but as the CO was quite another. Although not ideal for her, he knew he could make it work.

He was calling her sir again. Dola let it go, she attributed it to the hangover this had to be experiencing. "It is effective immediately. The Archimedes is undergoing a minor refit at Starbase 351 and is waiting for you to get there."

“Well, thank you, Captain. I’ll make my way over there shortly. Is there anything else?�

"We're almost at the end of our current assignment", Dola said, "and the Galahad is in need of major repairs. I might be able to make it to Starbase 666 myself, so be ready for an inspection."

“Understood. I hope to meet you there. Lane Out.�

As the image of the Galahad’s commanding officer was replaced by the UFP’s logo, the Trill sighed heavily to himself. Smiling, the excitement took a hold of him.

“Lorelai,� he thought to himself quickly.

Turning swiftly on his heels, he made for the corridor and headed to collect his daughter back on the Tithonus. He would also have to break the news to his, now, former Captain, although, he had a sneaking suspicion that Gilmore already knew of it a long time before he did.



Captain Dola chi-Trei
Commanding Officer
USS Galahad

AND

Lieutenant Commander Coltan Lane
Executive Officer
USS Tithonus

 

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