A call for help

Posted on 20 May 2021 @ 1:30am by Commander Amelia Fox & Captain Jonathan Reynolds & Lieutenant Xu Chang Lau & Lieutenant Commander Aidan Datari & Lieutenant Commander True Keading & Lieutenant JG Rosaline Belikov & Lieutenant JG Jarzo Chtissi & Lieutenant C'Tora Kuroka & Ensign Adam Morgan & Ensign Gwen Leighton
Edited on on 20 May 2021 @ 1:33am

Mission: Patching up the Copernicus
Location: Observation room, USS Andromeda
Timeline: MD1 09:00
2618 words - 5.2 OF Standard Post Measure

ON:

After speaking with Captain Haistro, Jon immediately ordered a course change and called a meeting with the senior staff to appraise them of a change in priorities.

He got the usually coffee and tea out ready for everyone, ensured a chair was pulled back so his new Diplomatic officer could fit his hover chair there and sat back patiently waiting for everyone to arrive.

Michael arrived, walking over and pouring a cup of tea, and taking a seat. "Morning Captain." giving him a slight smile. "How are you doing?"

Adam Morgan straightened his uniform and stepped through the threshold of the observation lounge. He looked around to see a couple of other officers in the room already sitting at the large conference table. Adam nodded to an officer or two and sat down in one of the chairs and hoped that this would be something informative since his station didn't see much action, except maybe some evasive manoeuvres.

Amelia was the next to arrive. Surprisingly, she was still sleeping through the night although rolling out of bed in the morning was starting to get.... interesting. She had already gone with a more generous cut on her uniform. "Morning Captain, Lieutenant, Ensign..." she said cheerily as she sat down near the head of the table.

"Good morning," Aidan called cheerfully as he walked in. His hair was still a little damp from the shower he'd taken after his morning work-out and he was carrying a mug of steaming hot tea.

"Morning Lieutenant Fox, Lieutenant Datari and Ensign Morgan." Michael said in greeting. "I hope that you all got some good sleep?"

Morgan looked over at Hawkins and spoke, "I suppose so....don't sleep much these days," Morgan stated hoping not to reveal too much of his insomnia he would usually get.

True came in looking a little ragged. Atlas had decided twice in the middle of the night to play loudly and had woken her up. She'd found it difficult to get back to sleep and ignore what he was doing.

Next to arrive was Xu who had pulled her hair up apart from her left side, it was dropping down around her cheek elegantly being pulled back up into the customary jade hairpin, trying to hide the small bruise she had developed from her encounter on the holodeck and rolling her left shoulder, still trying to release the knot that had decided to bother her over night.

"Good morning all."

Gwen followed suit, her hair in a high ponytail waving behind her as she eagerly jaunted into the room, 'Hey all!" She held her favourite travel mug of french roasted coffee in one hand and in the other a tray of various pastries. She placed it on the table, "I figured we'd all need a pick me up," she took her seat, "So...I brought nibbles!"

Amelia swiftly grabbed one of the pastries and practically inhaled it. "What? Pregnant lady here," she said as she saw the look on the Captains face.

Jon waited patiently as everyone arrived and then addressed the room. “You have probably all noticed the course change. In that we are going in the other direction. I was contacted by Captain Haistro of the USS Corpernicus requesting assistance. It seems his vessel got somewhat battered up investigating interestingly enough a T’Kon base.

So Lt. Hawkins I've volunteered your services. Ensign Morgan yours too. That ship can both land and take off planets. I thought it might be Educational and of interest to have you to help out too.”

Morgan raised his brow at that and spoke, "Must be an intrepid class starship if it is able to land on planets." Morgan smiled, "Interesting to see how the ship flies too ever since I have been fascinated with the USS Voyager."

Hawkins was impressed and also nodded, "It would be fantastic to work on a familiar model. As you wish Captain. "

“Counselor, ” he turned to True. “The Corpernicus only has the one counselor and as I understand things he's cooperating at present so your department's skills are very much welcomed also.”

"Yes, we've already spoken via subspace. I'm happy to lend my skills Captain." True answered him professionally with a hint of a smile.

“Lieutenants Belikov, Chitissi and Ensign Leighton I want you to liaise with your counterparts and get as much information as you can on the T’Kon and the threats that came out of their mission.

Jarzo, I realize the T’Kon a long dead so obviously, you can't talk to anyone but your take from the historical archives and that empires culture to give us any insight into things would be beneficial as we may come across other people in today's time with connections and shared history with that past.

"Time to put on our learning hats," Gwen said with a smile as she grabbed a croissant.

Jarzo nodded, "yes, Captain," he had arrived late to the meeting and therefore didn't get to mingle as they say. He had hoped to get to know some of the other Senior Staff but that would have to be at a later date. He looked over to the Security Officer, "long dead, might take a bit more than a hat," he raised an eyebrow, with a slight smile.

Rose gave a sigh, “T’Kon? So we’re in danger from a long dead empire.....really?”

"Long dead and very mysterious empire," Jon said. "As I understand it Captain Keiben is quite one of the leading experts on it. So I imagine whatever did happen is very interesting."

“Lieutenant Xu, you liaise with the Copernicus to find out exactly what and how bad the damage is. And what supplies we can aid with, ” Jon told the other woman.

"I will set up a direct link with Copernicus database as soon as I am back on the bridge!"
Simple enough task, and one that shouldn't take a great deal of effort.

“And Doctor they have a very small and limited sickbay so I'm sure any help or suggestions would be welcomed, ” Jon added.

C'Tora nodded. " Understood Captain. I'll have two teams standing by. The first to assist in their Sickbay with the more seriously wounded and the second team to Evac any overflow wounded to the Andromeda. "

“So that leaves science, Lieutenant Datari. They have data and scans on the T’Kon base. Can you offer aid to try understand and categorise things, ” Jon finished.

The Trill science officer looked delighted at the prospect of studying a new language. "Yes sir," he answered, "We stand ready to offer assistance."

“Any questions?” Jon asked.

"I had read up on the T'Kon encounter with the Enterprise-D back in 2364. Is the planet or so called T'Kon base have any defences that could have brought the mishappenings to the Copernicus?"

Amelia interjected, "At the time, the outpost the Enterprise found was believed to be the last surviving one after the central sun of the T'Kon empire went supernova."

“Both the Enterprise and a Ferengi vessel were disabled from the planet’s surface. I would recommend not emerging orbit” Rose said looking to the Captain

Morgan spoke up to that statement, "I do concur with that assessment. I don't know how well the ship's engines would hold up if we were snagged in orbit that could possibly drain the energy from our ship."

"We are going to their position where they have managed to limp away from the planet," Jon said. "But noted. I have no intention of getting as close as orbit to that planet."

Once the queries part had come to an end Jon smiled and said, “Before you all leave, I also have some nicer news to relay. It seems command has finally approved some suggestions I've been putting forward. I think we maybe impressed them helping stop the Planet killer so they have gone even me the authority to award some promotions, ” he said with a smile.

“Number one if you would please, ” he looked to Amelia.

Amelia had been eyeing up another pastry but restrained herself. "Of course Captain." She replied as she stood and got ready to hand out the new pips, having discussed the promotion with Captain the previous night.

Jon pulled the 4 boxes in front of him and then to her surprise pulled a 5th out of his pocket.

He stood up and turned to her.

“Lieutenant Fox I hereby promote you to the rank of Commander. Congratulations.”

Morgan smiled and clapped like the others did once the pip was placed on Fox's collar.

This action by the Captain caught Amelia off guard. While she had discussed the other promotions with the Captain, this was unexpected but welcome. "Thank you Sir." from her swollen stomach, Amelia felt a kick, almost as if the baby was saying 'well done' too.

Michael was all smiles when he saw that new pip for Amelia, she truly deserved it. " Congratulations Commander Fox" he stated. giving a bit of an applause.

“Lieutenant Keading and Datari, I hereby promote you to Lt. Commander. Congratulations.

Morgan smiled again and clapped at the moment like everyone else in the room and wondered how far he would have to come to receive one of those shiny pips.

True was surprised. Rank really didn't matter to her but it meant he thought she was doing her job well, at least that's what she hoped it meant and he wasn't playing favourites. In the back of her mind, she couldn't help but question that, if only for a moment. "Thank you Captain."

Stunned, Aidan stood. After having been demoted -which had felt as an utter failure- and sent here to take over as science chief, he hadn't expected a promotion -or rather a reinstatement to his previous rank- for quite some time. "Wait, what?" he managed, not quite sure if someone was playing a joke on him.

C'Tora smiled as he watched his friends being promoted. " Congrats to you all and well deserved for each of you. "

“And finally Lieutenants Hawkins and Lau. I hereby promote you all to full Lieutenant. Congratulations, ” he said moving to bestow further pips.

Another round of clapping and congratulatory measures to the other two officers that got promoted and Morgan wondered again how long until he would be congratulated in being a smart ass at the helm. He smirked at that last thought and watched as others started to talk up a storm at the table.

Beaming from ear to ear for her fellow crew Gwen piped up, "I should have brought cake, it would have been much more fitting! Congrats!"

Michael was stunned, "Wait.. what?" he wasn't anticipating this raise in rank. It just seemed a short time ago he had been made a LTJG. He accepted the box with his pips. "Er thank you Captain."

Xu had heard the words but had not registered them, like water sinking into a sponge it took a little time. As she was clapping to congratulate her good friend Hawkins and the small box was placed in front of her it started to dawn on her. Confusion seemed to take over knowing that she had let the Captain down with her action on the planet and he had been less than enthused when she had spoken to him so how had he seen fit to promote her.

"Captain, I'm more than grateful but given what happened in the market... Are you sure this is right?"

Gwen raised her brow at the comment. Was she serious? Did Xu not understand how fantastic she was? The room went a little quiet and Gwen assumed others were awaiting the Captain's response.

"If you wish to return it Lieutenant I can't stop you. You're allowed to refuse it," Jon said simply. "But barring one recent incident, your work has been exemplary.

"No sir... It just gives me another reason to live up to the trust you have placed in me... Thank you!"
Feeling somewhat moved she blinked back tears... What would Oliver say when he realised she was now his superior officer!

Jarzo smiled as he joined the group in clapping. He didn't entirely understand the more human tradition of banging one's hands together but as a member of the staff, he felt he needed to join in. "Congratulations," he smiled, as he looked around the room.

"Right then. I have nothing else to appraise you of at present. When we get to the Copernicus I urge you all to meet and get to know your counterparts. As one of the few federation vessels in this area I'm sure our paths will cross again. In fact, I will be hosting the captain and his first officer for dinner.

Number one stay back, we could use a bit of a chat," Jon said. "Dismissed everyone else."

He felt a little dejected. Being an empath sucked at times but he liked to think his staff would all be happy getting a promotion. Yet it seemed a couple of the ladies. His lady included had some not so positive thoughts on it. Not that he could say anything.

Morgan looked around at the staff after the promotions came about and heard the captain speak his words. Once he was finished, Morgan noted some of the other officers rose from their seats and went out to their business whether on the bridge or in other parts of the ship. Morgan rose like the rest and made his way to the bridge for an uneventful seating at the helm, but still a gracious one at driving this Galaxy bird.

"Well, I say thank you and I will proceed to get ready for the repair work we'll be doing." Hawkins replied and made his way out of the ready room and to engineering.

Quietly standing up, Rose made her way out of the room and headed straight to her office. For now, she figured it was the best place for her. After her failure of command during the last mission, the least she could do would be keep as far away from the bridge as possible and go digging through Starfleet’s database for any information on the T’Kon empire.

Xu followed suit and made for the exit, her mind consumed by her holodeck adventure with Oliver and wondering how the two of them would be able to take down this Garuda without sustaining any more injuries.

Amelia waited till the others had cleared the room then turned back to Jon. "T'Kon! That's I name I wasn't expecting on hearing. Do we know what exactly the Coipenicus found down there?"

“No number one,” Jon said still looking at the door as Rose left, “but I’m certainly intrigued and looking forward to finding out. He made a note to get a one to one with Belikov.

“I would like you to meet with chef and plan dinner. You know it’s not my strong suit.”

Amelia nodded with a smile. "Of course Sir, I'm sure I can come up with an interesting menu. Will there be anything else?"

"Not at present and well done Commander," He smiled at her.

Amelia smiled back at him and rose, with some difficulty from her seat. "Thank you Captain. I'll be on the bridge."

OFF:

Lieutenant Amelia Fox
XO
USS Andromeda

Captain Jonathan Reynolds
CO, USS Andromeda

Lieutenant JG C'Tora Kuroka
CMO, USS Andromeda

Lieutenant JG Michael Hawkins
Chief of Engineering, USS Andromeda

Lieutenant JG Rosaline Belikov
Chief of Intelligence

Lieutenant Xu Chang Lau
Chief Operations Officer

Lieutenant True Keading
Chief Counselor

Lt JG Jarzo Chtissi
Chief Diplomatic Officer

Ensign Adam Morgan
Chief flight control officer

Ensign Gwen Leighton
Security officer