USS Archimedes

Posted on Sat Jan 31st, 2009 @ 1:57pm by Captain Elsie Halliwell

1,116 words; about a 6 minute read

Mission: Restricted Independent Operations
Location: En-route
Timeline: Current

Heading back to the Tithonus, Lane’s feet almost skipped along the decking of Starbase 139. His hangover seemed to disintegrate along with the feeling of doubt he felt concerning his daughter. Having to uproot Lorelai and hand her over to the care of an unknown crew would, he admitted, be difficult. With her being 11 years old, he knew that being separated from her life onboard the Tithonus, all she had known since birth, would be a trying time for them both.

However, with his own command clearly in sight, he knew that they both would adapt to the circumstances laid before them. Despite her age, Lorelai was a mature young lady. Interested in the Sciences herself, the Trill felt nothing but pride when he looked upon her as his own flesh and blood.

As the docking port doors breathed open to the Galaxy class starship, Captain Gilmore was stood in the corridor, menacingly blocking his path.

“Captain,� the Trill said, greeting him with a smile, ready to divulge his good news.

The Captain’s face remained harsh and stern, unmoved. Holding up one hand to cut Lane short, he shook his head disapprovingly.

“Commander, I would like to discuss your predicament before you accept your reassignment orders,� he opened with. His face was devoid of emotion and the Trill locked his brow with concern.

“But, Captain, I…�

“Commander, not here. We’ll go and grab a coffee or something. This isn’t something that I’m pleased with, believe me.�

The sense of doubt and trouble welled up inside his belly once more and he merely just shook his head as they both entered the turbolift.

“Ten forward,� the Captain announced with a heavy sigh as the whirring of the lift began to propel them upwards.

As the silence filled the pod like a heavy, thick smog, the Trill could not hold his tongue any longer and broke it.

“Captain, you’ve treated me like your own son for such a long time. But when you brought me aboard as your XO, I assumed it was because you trusted my judgement. You’ve done so much for both myself and Lorelai but I have to carve out a life of my own. Of our own.�

Gilmore inhaled heavily, held his breath and then expelled the spent oxygen out with a sigh. “Coltan, like I’ve just told you, this is something that we’re going to have to discuss…�

Shaking his head, the Trill just remained silent.

As the doors opened on to the mess, Gilmore’s face cracked as he said, “Because we can’t send you off to the Archimedes without a party!!�

The mess was full of hundreds of faces he had worked and grown up with, all holding a glass of bubbling champagne. Lorelai ran up to Lane and threw her arms around him.

“We’re going to take a trip, daddy, aren’t we,� she said, giggling.

The Trill turned to face his former Captain and smiled. “You had me going there, for a minute, sir.�

Gilmore chuckled. “I know, you should’ve seen your face!!�

“You old devil,� he said, relieved and laughing himself.

Taking the floor, the Captain stood in the center of the crowded mass and picked up two glasses of champagne, handing one to Commander Lane.�

“I wish to propose a toast,� he announced after clearing his throat and the crystal sound of the flute dissipated over the hushed din…



[Runabout: Brecon]


Picking up his bags, and with Lorelai running up to the helm to get a view of the Starbase where the Archimedes was docked, the Trill smiled.

“Rory,� he said in a fatherly manner. “Come sit down. We’re nearly there.�

The child returned to her seat and smiled to her governess who was sat in the chair next to her. Mrs. Yvaine Gray had been Lorelai’s governess since she was 4 years old. A not-so elderly woman, in her late fifties and with a neatly pinned bun of silvering hair framing her alabaster, soft face, she was as fond of the young girl as the Commander was. Captain Gilmore’s only condition for Lane’s command was that Ms Gray would accompany them both and serve with them on the Archimedes. A notion that Lane was relieved to hear and glad to accept.

Turning to her, too, Commander Lane said, “Mrs. Gray, our quarters are on deck two. Once we land, if you could be so kind as to take Lorelai up to them and get us unpacked, I’m sure that I could organise a nice Victoria sponge for us to devour once I’m done.�

They smiled at each other as she pleasingly nodded. “Of course, Mr. Lane.�

As the runabout softly landed on the pad, Lorelai and Mrs Gray headed for the door. “Rory, do everything that Mrs. Gray tells you, okay??� he asked.

“Like always, daddy.� she smiled. And they both left the runabout.

Commander Lane stood up and as he saw his daughter and her governess, he was greeted by the Starbases’s Commander, holding three data PADDs vicariously.

“Commander Lane??� he said.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Commander…??�

“Stephenson. Commander Stephenson. I’m the Commander aboard Starbase 351. I’m assigned to facilitate your assuming command of the USS Archimedes. If you’ll follow me then we can get under way.�

Smiling, he tapped the Commander on the shoulder and laughed. “I like your efficiency, Mr. Stephenson… Lead the way.�




[USS Archimedes’ Bridge]


As the Commander followed Stephenson out of the turbolift, he took in the view of his new bridge.

“Commander Lane, welcome to your command centre.�

The bridge was a bustle of activity conducive to a starship docked in port undergoing a minor refit. Officers and crewmen criss-crossed with panels flashing and sounding off as men and women were imputing commands and performing checks.

“Commanding Officer of deck,� Commander Stephenson announced.

The crew on the bridge stopped what they were doing, righted themselves in unison and ceremoniously saluted.

A little taken a back, and with a sense of inner-pride the Trill said, “At ease, crew. And continue.�

As they continued to remain static, Commander Stephenson spoke up.

“Computer, transfer command and all access codes of the USS Archimedes to Commander Coltan Wintersley Lane.�

The computer chimed its response and success.

“Yeoman, enter into the ship’s log, the time and stardate Commander Lane took command, and the current operational status of the vessel. She’s all yours, Commander,� he said shaking his hand.

“She’ll do nicely,� Lane said, nodding his head. “Yep, she’ll do nicely.�



Lieutenant Commander Coltan Lane
Commanding Officer
USS Archimedes

 

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