One Day Out

Posted on Thu Jul 13th, 2017 @ 7:11pm by Commander Leah Sullivan & Lieutenant Commander Gwilym Bevan & Warrant Officer Gemma Allusa

Mission: Overhaul
Location: USS Protean - Ready Room / Shuttlebay

Japori Sector
Starbase 343
USS Protean - Ready Room

“We are fully stocked with supplies, all personnel are onboard and each department is ready to go at your command.”

Lt. Commander Bevan sat across from Leah’s desk reading his notes from the PADD in his hand. He’d wanted to impress the Commander with the ship’s readiness a full day before they were to depart and had gone to great lengths to ensure it was done.

“Good. And nice work on that.” She sipped at some coffee and read through her own PADD. “What’s the story with the shuttlecraft that were being worked on?”

“Ah, yes. It seems that the upgrades were a success. The Schrödinger’s upgrades went smoothly and resulted in an increase of Warp 7, and they were able to create enough power in the phaser array to qualify as type 7 instead of 6. Bottom line: it’s a bit beefier than it was before and could potentially be used as a support craft in defensive situations, if needed. Oh! They were also able to eek a little more a little more range out of the transporters, so there’s that.”

Leah was impressed. “More speed and more punch from the phasers? I can see that being very beneficial to us. And the Von Braun?”

“They went the other direction there, Commander. A very full, very comprehensive scanning suite. Hell, if the ships were comparable, I think it would give Protean’s scanners a run for their money.” He smiled. “And all of this was done without losing its basic features.”

“So everything else is still stock to a Type-9 but new scanning equipment,” she said as a statement. “I really like that.”

“They thought you would, given the fact that it could only complement the scanning equipment on Protean, or even be used on missions where we wouldn’t be able to go.” Shaking his head he added, “I know I’m nowhere near the scientist you are, but I’ll be damned if what those three did to the Von Braun even impressed the hell out of me.”

“I may have to go check this out for myself, then. And I think a reminder to keep this in mind for those ladies when it comes promotion time wouldn’t be too far off the mark.”

“Already done, Commander. They took it upon themselves to do it, used equipment already lying around, and did a great job with it. That’s nothing but good in my book.”

“Glad to hear it. And how are the new crew integrating, yourself included?”

“Our new complement of enlisted are settling in well. The Master Chief seems to know what he’s doing, and he’s groomed the Chiefs in each department to pick up where he left off. As for their personal interaction, I’m sure you know how it is moving to a new posting.” He harrumphed. “Quite frankly, it sucks. But for most of us it doesn’t take long to adjust and start feeling like you’re really part of the crew.”

“And how are you doing fitting in, adjusting?” she pressed.

“Permission to speak freely, ma’am?”

“Proceed,” she said with a nod.

“Honestly, I don’t know how you’ve done it, moving from second officer to CO like this. I mean, I was second officer and, sure, some of my responsibilities are just more of the same, but there’s just this...I don’t know, invisible pressure--those may not be the right words for it. But actually being the XO, or CO in your case, is just so much…more.” He laughed. “I know, not the most eloquent phrasing I could have used.”

“I understand what you mean, no matter how you say it.” Leah put the PADD down and scooted closer to the desk. “I know my circumstances were a bit strange, but I felt exactly how you’re probably feeling now. Completely overwhelmed is one way of describing it.”

“I don’t know about completely overwhelmed, but as you said, your circumstances were vastly different than my own. However, with a new position, new ship, new crew, yes it was certainly somewhat overwhelming. But I believe I’ve found my footing and, to finally answer your question after rambling on, I believe I’m finally fitting in well. I’ve made several friends, several good acquaintances, and I’ve made great strides to commit the ship’s layout, and most systems, to memory.”

With a smile she nodded. “I’m glad to hear it--that you’re fitting in, I mean. That will go a long way to gaining their trust and respect.”

After a lull in the conversation, Leah thought it a good time to end the meeting. “Will there be anything else?”

“That was it.”

“Good,” she said. “Then take the rest of the day off. It might be a while before we get back to a starbase again and, from what you’ve just told me, you’ve earned a little respite. I’ll see you at the start of Alpha shift. Dismissed.”

Once alone, she began thinking about the Von Braun and decided she wanted to check it out now.

* * * *

Main Shuttlebay

Leah had powered up the Schrödinger and checked its systems, looking through the upgrades they made. Of course, she was a scientist, not an engineer, so much of it made little sense, despite having had the minimal required amount of engineering training in the academy like all cadets do. So she decided to check out the equipment on the Von Braun.

It didn’t take her long to recognize the brilliance behind what had been done. She tapped at the consoles and smiled seeing what all the shuttle was now capable of in a scientific capacity.

“Huh. Wow,” she said absentmindedly.

“Oh, Commander. I didn’t expect to find you here.”

Leah turned and found Warrant Officer Allusa standing in the open door. “Gemma, hi. I was just admiring the work you all did. I have to say that I am impressed.”

“Aiofe and Victoria did most of the work,” Gemma replied, entering the shuttle fully. “I didn’t do much.”

“I very much doubt that. I know enough about you to know that you don’t just sit around and watch, especially when it comes to someone working on your shuttles.”

She liked that Leah called the shuttles hers. Gemma felt like they were, even though everything on the ship was, for all intents and purposes, the property of the captain.

“I can’t promise anything,” Leah continued, “but I’ll try to find some opportunities for you to get some good flight time in. I’m sure it gets boring just waiting for an opportunity.”

“It’s not so bad. Kari--er, Lieutenant Burke gives me a few helm rotations every few weeks. So I get some bridge experience and get to fly something much bigger.” She ran her hand along the bulkhead of the Von Braun. “But there’s something about the maneuverability and speed of these suckers that makes helm duty feel like a snooze-fest. No offense.”

Leah laughed loudly. “I can only imagine. Not much happens up there, at least not on a science vessel.”

“Would you like to take one of them out for a spin?”

“No thanks, Gemma, but I appreciate the offer.” She stood. “I should probably get back to work. I have a dinner with the Admiral tonight before we leave tomorrow. I guess she has some last minute advice for me?” With a shrug she stepped past Gemma. “Either way, I really am impressed with the work you ladies did, and I hope we get a chance to use one or both of these soon.”

“Thanks, Commander,” Gemma said as Leah walked away.