A Troubled Step

Posted on Fri Jun 10th, 2016 @ 6:43am by
Edited on on Fri Jun 10th, 2016 @ 6:44am

2,658 words; about a 13 minute read

Mission: New Faces and Terror Beyond
Location: VIP Quarters - U.S.S. Illustrious
Timeline: Current

Captain Ra was listening to Eflosian music while he read the latest reports from his new command and jackets of the senior staff, his glasses perched on the bridge of his nose to help him read as he hummed to the music. For the most part he was impressed at what he was reading though harboured some concerns about some of the staff he'd be working with, notes by Admiral S'iraa indicated a less than normal working style but productive. He'd wait to see for himself to see if it suited his way of doing things before doing anything about it.

The ship itself was impressive both in scope and capability, sadly the ships history was a bit of a rocky rise and fall over the years and even though up to recently it was an Admiral's Flagship, even that detail didn't stave off the wolves of time. His new appointment was an initial surprise as he was expecting to command a run down and aged Excelsior class science vessel or some small escort ship but the Dreadnought, that was a surprise. He hoped it was down to his own accomplishments but couldn't help that perhaps his Father in Law had something to do with it. He hoped that was not the case but the thought lingered.

A holographic image of the Dreadnought spun slowly on his desk as he watched and observed it in detail. Such a ship, new to Starfleets line up of vessels and he was sure senior Admiral's were hoping to have on as a command yet this newly minted Captain was to sit in the centre chair. He took this time while hew new Wife was away to partake in his dietary needs of Levithi nuts, these to non Efrosians were perhaps not the best smelling and so he ate them when his Wife was not present or would be absent for a while. He needed to do this to ensure his health especially since the nuts could only be available from the Homeworld and exported to where Efrosians were deployed.

Part of him thought as he started at the hologram of the ship above his desk if something was amiss, if something was being left out or perhaps all was not as it seemed and he was walking into it. He was a thoughtful and careful man by nature, thought his plans through, considered his options but this particular option was thrust upon him by Command and as a loyal officer, he obeyed.

He scooped up the shells into his palm and placed them in the now empty bowl the nuts had sat in previously, opting to clear up before his wife returned taking the bowl to the replicator for disposal.

Everything he needed to assume command had been given to him, information, previous reports, mission overviews and the most recent unfortunate incident of the last mission. He read that the moral on board had taken a blow, he hoped that with his arrival he would at least change things for the better assuming the crew were accepting of him.

There were a few key points that stood out to Ra as he read the reports. The Chief Medical Officer was absent and the ships CAG had stood down, the latter still being on board which might provide the opportunity to talk to him first and convince him to stay.

*** A Few Hours Later ***

=^= Captain Ravrelli, the Dreadnought has entered the system, she will be along side in 17 minutes. =^=

Ra thanked the officer for the update, all he needed now was for his darling Wife to appear from the Bedroom so they could prepare the things they had for moving on board their new home without disturbing her rest.

"By the Sacred Ice! Did you see the size of the Dreadnought?!!" Elizabeth exclaimed as she rushed into the main living area and gave Ra a hug. Looking up at him. "Its Huge!!!" As usual she was wearing the most skimpiness outfit that was borderline decent to stay cool.

Ra smiled when Elizabeth came in, adjusting his glasses to see and then swept into the hug. "Not the ship itself, just the schematics and holographic displays." He held his Wife gently but lovingly enough to know how he felt about her. "I may be partially blind but it appears and feels like you are warm. You can turn the temperature down if you like."Efrosians were used to the cold, it was natural to them as breathing so he was happy to accommodate his wife's need for a cooler environment to relax in.

"Temp drop 10 degrees!" Then turned her attention back to him. "Look" Breaking free from the hug and dragging him to the view port.

The big Ascension class ship called the Dreadnought just came to a stop a few hundred kilometers from the U.S.S. Illustrious, and it looked like the ship was only parked a few hundred meters away.

"They're beginning to unload fighters and uploading new ones, plus the usual resupply stuff." Elizabeth looking up at him. "this is gonna be like serving on a starbase! only difference is that we get to travel at high warp all over the galaxy." She paused to take a breath, resumed. "You don't look to happy? Is there a problem, Love?"

"I am happy. Just unexpected is all. I thought I would be getting a smaller ship, an Excelsior or Ambassador Class. I find out Im getting the largest class in Starfleet. I've read the previous assignment reports. Admiral S'iraa seems to be a formidable character, the crew will miss him." Ra spoke as he came to a stop at the window, his arm around his Wife. The vessel is massive, the schematics and holograms didn't do it justice.

"I'll smooth the way if you have trouble by bribery of a killer party." She looked up at him, "where the whole crew takes a day off and just have fun. I'm sure we can find a Cargo hold for the party even if we have to move supplies around to make it happen. Or I can talk to the wives and ladies of the ship." She spoke confidently. "They are professionals, otherwise they wouldn't be serving on a flagship of an Admiral."

She leaned against him with her arm around his waist. Enjoying his warmth and closeness. She was happy and content.

"You would have it no other way my love." Ra smiled as they embraced. It would be interesting for her to get the insider story from the ladies of the ship. "Do you think you will be happy on that vessel. It will be vastly different to what you have experienced so far on Starfleet vessels." Ra asked.

Elizabeth looked at the ship. "It just a bigger community to mingle with." She was looking thoughtful. "I wonder what amenities are available on that ship."

"The specifications are on my table, you can of course have a look." Ra offered. "I suspect both of us will be exploring once we are settled on board." He continued to stare at the ship as it drew near. "As much as it pains me to say, it would be best to change, I doubt your current attire as...stimulating as it is would be well taken in a formal occasion."

Elizabeth sighed softly, "I'll go change." She slipped from him and went into the bedroom. She changed into a nice formal, yet casual form fitting gown. Throughout the weave was thin cooling tubes to keep her at the proper temperature for her Andorian Heritage. The simple act of breathing would keep the cooling fluids flowing.

Once changed, she packed away the cloths she wore and checked up on her two cats making sure they was doing ok in the confinement of the joint carrying case.

"Shall we depart?" Ra asked seeing she had changed. Now came the uneasy task of taking a command away from an Admiral. The things they had with them would be transported over to the ship in about an hour, Ra didn't want to be seen rushing to take command, he had time and he'd use it to ease the exchange from a feline he knew was proud.

"I'm ready. The cats are ready. They've been relived and fed." Elizabeth as she moved next to her husband.

***USS Dreadnought Ready Room***

Captain Havrelli and his Wife were shown to the Admiral's Ready Room where he was informed the Admiral was waiting. He could feel the eyes of the crew watching him but no doubt mostly on his delightful Wife. Everything ran with professionalism in abundance, the Admiral clearly ran a well run and organised ship and yet he was here to take that from him.

"Captain Havrelli." S'iraa spoke standing from behind his desk. "Madam." Greeting the Wife. S'iraa knew this would happen, there was nothing he could do about it. He was going to lose his ship.

"Admiral Sir, a pleasure to meet you." Ra held his hand forward.

"Thank you." S'iraa shook Ra's extended hand. "This is Commander Ayla Bawden my First Officer."

"Elizabeth, my Wife." Ra introduced. He knew of the Commander from reading her profile earlier. Hers along with the rest of the key officers on board.

Elizabeth stepped forward and in obvious practiced freshly learned Caitain, "Greeting Admiral S'riaa." Then switching to Federation Trade Speak, "Greetings Commander Bawden. It's a pleasure to meet you both. Read and heard so much about the crew and the Dreadnought."

Ayla gave a reserved smiled at the two in friendship, after letting their guest and future Commanding Officer of the Dreadnought go before she went. "Welcome aboard the Dreadnought." She shook hands with the Two.

S'iraa was mildly surprised to hear another speak his native language tough he could tell it was recently learned by the inflections with the tone.

"I thought it was prudent to meet in person before the ceremony." Ra spoke to S'iraa. Just by looking at the Admiral everything he had read about him was true. A truly dominant character.

"Very considerate." S'iraa returned offering chairs to those present. "You have no doubt read the reports and my hand over brief. Is there any questions you have for me?"

Ra let his Wife sit first then himself. "I know that you have been with the ship and crew for some time, I hope to avoid a change over of command that might look unfavourable to yourself, is there anything that can be done or I myself that might make the transition smoother?"

S'iraa had to consider that for a moment.

Ayla watched quietly accessing the two newcomers. They was a married couple. He was considerate of his wife.

Elizabeth smiled as she took a seat, leaving the more prominent one for her husband Ra. "Thank you, Admiral S'riaa. You have a nice ship here. I hope this was a stepping stone to something more grander. I hope your mate is well and healthy." Then she looked over at Ayla and smiled. "I understand there is another Commander Bawden. To satisfy a curiosity. Is your mate Mousian also?"

Ayla smiled as she shook her head no, moving to take a seat near Elzabeth. "Mez mate is human. Hiz name is Mark Bawden. As per human and Mousian custom. Females take their husbands last name. As to tell us apart if yooz need one of us. Commander M. Bawden. Or most just use Chief Security to get him to respond. As for mez. XO or First Officer. When off duty. Its Ayla for mez. Marks for him. Unless he says differently."

Elizabeth smiled, "You can address me as Elizabeth anytime. I'm just his wife and been Diplomat trained. Well that was my goal till I met him." She reached out at took her husband's hand in hers. She gave a soft giggle, "He hates me when I show affection when hes on duty."

Ayla squeak/giggles, "Iz do it all the time before Iz became XO. It gave uz incentive to be at our best." Ayla looked sad as the decorum of being First Officer prevented that in public. "Can't show public affection for it may be construed as favoritism."

"You have studied everything Command sent you about the ship?" S'iraa asked.

"I have, in detail." Ra replied. "Are there any special considerations I should be aware of for yourself Admiral when change over is underway?" Ra asked, he felt that if he let the Admiral call the final shots he might feel a bit prouder over the no doubt difficult ordeal.

"I do not wish to see my crew distressed at the change. Short and to the point would be prefured." S'iraa replied, if anything he wanted, if however difficult to see smiles on the faces on those he called friends before overcome with sadness.

"We must accept change in order to grow and learn. On the surface it may look like disgrace, but in reality a chance to grow in meeting new people and intelligent sentient species other than whom we grew comfortable with to stagnate. As Sentient Space Travelling Species, we accept the challenges with the knowledge an hard won experiences to make wiser choices. To satisfy that itch of what's out there; whom will we meet that will enrich our lives even more?" Elizabeth spoke to the group of them. "It is hard to leave good friends and a cohesive team behind, S'riaa, Ra, Ayla." She looked pointedly at all of the Fleet Officers. "But even under pleasant circumstances. Change will come that is beyond our control, whether that Powers To Be conspire or not against us."

As Elizabeth looked thoughtful, Ayla served a simple all species drinks and refreshments, letting her words sink in to those presence.

S'iraa was thankful for Ayla, her distractions were easing the tension S'iraa was feeling. He saw what Elizabeth was trying to get across, clearly Ra picked well considering she was well versed in how things are done with a way of getting a point across. "A shuttle will be in Hanger Bay 1, I will use this to depart the ship once command has been transferred. It will give you the opportunity to address the crew. Commander Blackfur S'iraa will also be departing the ship with me. As a result you will need to acquire a linguistics expert to fill her role on board."

Elizabeth smiled widely. "I can fill that slot easily. I had a good education. I may not be fleet qualified. But know a great deal how operate within fleet structure."

"In light of my imminent departure, I will leave that to the Captain." S'iraa replied, no point dealing with an issue he wont be around for.

Ra sippled the drink understanding the position, however awkward it may be, the Admiral was in. "If you would like, I can leave all the arrangements to yourself, to suit your departure wishes and I will present myself at a moment you decide?"

"Thank you Captain." S'iraa replied. "In light of your offer, I have matters to attend to. Commander Bawden can answer any questions you may have." S'iraa stood, bid his farewells and departed.

Ra stood and watched the Admiral depart. "I feel sorry for him, this was not how I hoped our meeting would end." In the same light however he could understand how from the Admiral perspective, it could have ended no other way.

Ayla spoke up softly after the Admiral left. "Wez been through hell together and the trials to forge this ship crew into what it is today. Being a leader you'll soon know the feeling of more than crew, but an extended family." She looked thoughtful. "Iz show yooz the Adm... Captain's Quarters." She set her small plate of refreshments to the side.

Elizabeth knew she wasn't lying by her empathic ability. She stood to follow the Mousian Commander.


==

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