Settling In

Posted on Sun Jun 26th, 2016 @ 1:21am by

2,083 words; about a 10 minute read

Mission: New Faces and Terror Beyond
Location: Captain's Quarters
Timeline: After Ceremony

Watching the Admiral depart along with his Mate, Lt.Commander Blackfur - S'iraa was difficult for Ra. He felt like he'd robbed someone of a prized possession. It was expected that a commanding officer would form an attachment to that which they commanded, Ra just took that away from S'iraa and while it was now his own, it somehow felt wrong. To no surprise the quarters were of impressive size, the largest on board which in light of the size of the ship itself was no small measure to be sure.

He'd said very little since taking command, the walk to that which they would call home from now on with his Wife and even now as he looked around, he was still silent. Even as he cleaned his glasses with a cloth. He wondered what the crew must think of him, wondered how they would get on with his style of command. It was understandable to him that the crew would say very little after S'iraa was gone and he'd dismissed everyone. He would get round to introductions once people were up to it later, right now they had just lost a friend.

He first wanted to meet Commander Bawden in the morning, he wanted to ask her if she wished to continue in her role as First Officer. Not because he doubted her ability but because S'iraa made her so, perhaps the two worked together, maybe they wouldn't be the same but he wanted to talk to her at least. As for the other department heads he would talk to them too but especially to Doctor Patrovski and Lt Zan Luthar who up to recently was the ships CAG.

Elizabeth felt the loss from the crew and humbled to see the big Caitian take the walk. She liked the final salute from two of the most deadliest forces to have aboard any ship working together. She hoped it made Admiral S'iraa proud and feel honored to have experienced of having such a crew to command. It was going to be tough act to fill the shoes of the Departing CO for her husband. She looked at him with more than her eyes. She even noticed the closeness between the Two Commanders, Bawdens.

"I know it's not my place to intervene with ship stuff. I'd advice to relieve Commander Ayla Bawden from being XO. Being mated to Chief of Security and Ex-Marine. She has a formable powerbase to work from." She kept her voice soft, just loud enough to so that Ra could hear her. "Besides she's a mother of two young'uns." She looked thoughtful. "If you do keep her as XO. Keep her on a tight leash.

When reaching the quarters assigned to them, Elizabeth sighed softly. "If you want to get with the interviews you need to do, I'll handle the unpacking." She turned and hugged him when the doors shut to offer them privacy within the Commanding Officer's Quarters.

Ra hugged her and held onto her. "I do not worry about my position, Commander Bawden is a known figure on board. If I were to go about replacing officers now after they have just lost the Admiral it might appear a power play for my own safety." He took a breath. "In any event, I plan to speak with her tomorrow, give her the option to remain as my First Officer. It's the least I can do in light of her service to the ship."

"I can only advice," Elizabeth smiled at him. "Where you want to start? Bedroom? Living-room?" She still held onto him, enjoying the time together. Her coolness was a pleasant treat after being in a heated hanger amongst the Crew, both Senior and crew that weren't on some important duty; Civilian Specialists and dependents.

"Living room, the Bedroom for last." He chose knowing doing it this way presented the chance for his Wife to change into something cooler as they put everything away in the Bedroom.

Elizabeth smiled warmly. "As you wish." She slipped from the hug and then began to unpack. Starting with his stuff. Soon she slipped off to change into something way cooler and more skimpier.

Looking at the crates they had which within held the contents of that which they brought with them he pulled off the lids to see what was in each since marking the contents on them had been forgotten. He tried not to think about what happened today or what he'd face tomorrow but for now he did what was needed. Build his new home.

It was like the special holiday of opening presents, but these crates held their life history of special items. They had gotten rid of a lot of accumulated stuff that would have to be replaced as needed. But for now it would be finding a place for their stuff to make these suite of rooms, theirs. Not some impersonal quarters. She smiled at Ra as she uncovered a portrait of themselves. Him looking way to regal in his Efrosian formal robes and her in wedding gown. They had stood countless hours, while the commissioned artist painted the portrait. Then another portrait where he was in full dress uniform after just being promoted Captain. "Where do you want these to be hung? Side by side or on different walls facing each other?" She looked up at Ra. Love warmed her glacial blue eyes as she watched him.

"Different walls I think would be ideal." Ra answered as he looked at the bare walls surrounding them. Many of the items he was unpacking came from the wedding, he guessed this was a crate Elizebeth packed as he didn't do this one. He found a few pictures and placed them on the ledge in a neat row. The crate had little things, momentoes of past times, places they had visited.

He unpacked some certificates he obtained when he graduated various classes or courses. Many of these opened doors to him in his career and he hoped they aided in getting him to where he was today. He pulled out a few books that clearly belonged to his Wife. "Where would you like these?" Ra asked.

"Put them on the shelf and I'll get to them later." Elizabeth spoke glancing up at him to see what books he held. "The cook books can go in the food prep area." She hung the two pictures on different walls. She picked some clothing up and smiled. She carried them into the bedroom and put them away.

"Mmmm... this container can be moved into the bedroom area. It contains our clothing." Pointing out a container to Ra.

Ra moved the container to the bedroom away from the door so they didnt trip on it but close enough to the bed where they could unpack it easily. It still felt strange doing this, new home, new ship, new command...even new Wife. He thought about telling her of his troubles sleeping recently but felt perhaps it best wait until they were settled.

Elizabeth came up to him, once the crate was placed at the foot of the bed. She hugged him from behind, pressing up against him. "What's wrong, love. You seem extra restless at night. You never had this problem before? Is it me? The ship? Crew?" She turned him to face her as she rested her arms on his shoulder and hands clasped behind his neck so she could lean back and look him in the eyes.

"It is not you my dear." He put his arms around her. "In some ways I feel the thief, robbing the Admiral of a ship he called his own for some years. This was not the only Dreadnought he commanded." Ra paused. "I believe I am still getting used to being a Captain, a new ship, you, us. Everything has happened so quickly, feels like I am being given luck but the price is yet to come." Ra explained looking at her fondly.

"Then we will pay the price together," Elizabeth spoke softly. "Every Captain or ship commander dreads the day they will be relieved of command. It's your job to build upon what the old commander had left behind. When it is your turn to give up command of this fine ship. I pray that you have improved upon what you've been given to command. Whether it's just one persons career or made the ship more efficient running. The crew knew this would happen sooner or later. They are professional in their fields of expertise. Just like when Admiral S'iraa came aboard. He was met with uncertainty and wariness like you will be. They will test you, but never insubordinate to the ship's Captain. Stick with what you know is morally right..." She tapped him on the chest, "... tempered by the experience and knowledge..." Tapped him on his temple gently, then kissed him passionately. "... that you got a team of Senior Officers that has been through their versions of hell and worked together to overcome anything. You get to guide and command that experience to improve yourself as a commander. Listen to what they have to say for they speak from experience. They know the final decision on the course of action is up to you."

Of course, everything she said was true and he couldn't argue it. Her affections were welcome as it drew his troubled mind from the setting he found himself in. His hold on her firmed slightly as he hugged her, his glasses perched on his nose and now at an angle from her hair pulling on one edge slightly. Everything had happened so fast. "I will get another container, you should change if you want and get comfortable. Lower the temperature if you wish to."

Elizabeth gave a soft laugh, "As you command," She decided to lower the temperature for if she changed into anything, it would leave her naked. She moved from him and finished up with the current crate they was working with.

"Have you heard from your parents recently, I wonder if he knows about all this?" Meaning the ship and that which they would call home for how ever long the future would grant them.

Elizabeth sat back on her heels from the kneeling position when she leaned over the open container. "If they don't call within the next 24 hrs. I will let them know." She looked up at him with a smile. "The Social Circles are working overtime when the Dreadnought was in orbit in the Sol System. They was kinda upset that Admiral S'iraa and mate didn't make an appearance. The Ole Boy's Club..." She was referring to her retired Admiral Grandfather whom Ra had saved during the Dominion War, and his sources within Fleet "... did pick up that the crew and the Admiral were confined to ship, due to an investigation. Only personnel to leave the ship was the CMO and XO at the time. They didn't have the resources for her treatment aboard the Dreadnought."

She looked back into the crate, then looked up at Ra. "Anyway they let the ship make a cargo run to here to resupply another ship. Then held it here till the Investigating Team departed. Apparently Fleet Command didn't want a disgraced ship to be gawked at. Even though this ship is one of three Ascension Class built to date. This was the third completed Ascension and a lot of Commodores, Admirals put in their names for command with Fleet Personnel Department. It apparently some Commodore got his foot stepped on due to his sons actions while abroad. Ole Boy's Club decided to snubbed the current batch of Admirals and Commodores vying for this ship's command like a pack of rapid dogs after a chunk of meat, and requested that a captain be placed in charge of the ship. Easier for Fleet HQ to have more say in the ship's missions. Apparently Fleet HQ liked the idea. Then it was just a matter of picking the first available Captain. You just gotten promoted recently." She smiled softly. "Viola.. you're here in command of the biggest ship in the fleet."

She made it sound so simple, maybe it was, maybe it honestly was that simple and he was just seeing obstacles where none existed. She was right about the flag officers though, if they wanted command and he got it it meant he made a few enemies. "Tomorrow will be an interesting day."

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