Changing of Command

Posted on 06 Jul 2018 @ 12:15am by Rear Admiral Azura Ashcart & Captain Gabriel Barron M.D.

1,044 words; about a 5 minute read

Mission: Errand of Mercy
Location: Shuttle Bay 3
Timeline: ED 9: 0115

ON:

Azura stood in the shuttle bay, looking out at the blackness of space through the forcefield that served as the only barrier between the people inside and the vacuum that threatened to destroy them. He pondered on that as he considered the very real possibility that the Redemption served the same function for the Federation, the exertions of his crew had failed to stop the war but had at least worked to slow it hopefully enough to allow them to win. The 'discussion' that he had to endure with his wife had been uncomfortable, to say the least, and less a discussion more an argument. He silently thanked the ancient gods of Vulcan that his quarters were sound proof. His new orders combined with the new general orders from Star Fleet Command removing families from front-line ships meant that his daughter would have to come with him leaving his wife alone.

Chewing the corner of her lip until it bled, Keisha paced their quarters. It was no longer hers, as the new Captain would take them over and she would once more be alone. Tracing the thick white scar that traced through her year lines, she heaved a sigh. "The universe hates happiness."

Azura wondered as he looked out at the black if his wife would join him and the baby, who cooed softly almost mournfully in his ear as he held her. He cut his eyes over to look at the perfectly formed girl-child who slapped softly at his shoulder looking at the seam of his uniform. Her movements weren't as crisp and playful as they normally were. He wasn't sure it if it was his own apprehension and sadness at leaving his mate he was projecting on to Savannah or if she was truly aware and sad herself. He closed his eyes and boxed off his emotions stepping away from them as he had learned growing up so hopefully, he could keep his child from feeling the despair he was currently going through.

The silver lock on her forehead seemed to glow in the dim light as she wrapped her little arms around his neck. ~M'aih?~ she inquired.

He shook his head and fought back a slight catch in his breath as the child asked about her mother. ~No little one, she has to say here. We get to go on an adventure though.~ he said as close to happily as he could get. He heard the doors open behind them and turned, hoping to look, only to see Major Cagney walk in with his duffel and place it on the safe line beside the Admiral. Cagney nodded to Azura, "The ship will be sorry to see you go, Major, your a good Marine." Azura said as he nodded back at the man. The man didn't speak just grunted and nodded, Azura had learned to interpret those grunts they were a staple in every Marine's vocabulary. He looked back towards the darkness of space and waited, there was a faint glimmer of silver in the expanse that he recognized as a shuttle on approach.

Azura turned his attention back to the child in his arms and bounded her gently as the silver glimmer turned into a pebble sized glare. They had dropped out of warp for the shuttle to touch down and the quick changing of command. He looked around the shuttle bay and sighed to himself, he would miss this ship that had been his home for so long. It was then he decided he would make the Redemption his flag ship whenever possible. As such he tapped his comm badge.

=/\= Ashcart to Ops.=/\=

=/\= Ops here Captain.. I mean Admiral.=/\=

=/\=Have Major Afton's quarters transferred to the forward starboard ambassadorial suite, per my orders.=/\=
=/\=Yes sir.=/\=

=/\=Ashcart out.=/\= he said cutting the link as the pebble morphed into a familiar silver silhouette. He blinked it was the Thor's personal shuttle, as it flared and began to decent gently to the shuttle-bay floor he saw the seal of the Chief of Star Fleet Operations along with the name USS Odin. He waited till the engines shut off and the back hatch began to open before moving forward with the baby and the single bag.

A tall klingon in a tunic tinged with command red and four pips lead forward as he walked down the open ramp. His basso voice filled the bay.

“Admiral Ashcart?” he asked of the Vulcan holding the baby, still in his Captain's uniform.

“Captain Barron?” Azura asked simply as the other man nodded.

“Indeed I am, Admiral, Captain Gabriel Bannon, I relieve you sir.” the Klingon said straightening his back out of reflex at the somberness of the occasion.

“I stand relieve sir. Computer, transfer all command codes from me to Captain Bannon. The Redemption is under his command now.” Azura said as the chirp from the computer finalized the trasnfer of command. “Take care of the ship and she'll see you through much Captain.”

Gabe nodded “I understand Admiral, have a safe flight back to Earth.” he watched the Marine Major walked up the ramp and stowed his gear quietly before raising an eyebrow “

“Captain, I have one request, promise me you'll read Major Blackburn in on the Fursman development. It just came across my desk half an hour ago or I would have talked to her about it to begin with.” he paused and considered his words “As the humans would say she's a good commander she just needs a swift kick in the ass.”

“I get the feeling that I'm going to regret this but I promise I'll inform her.” Gabe said wondering what this was about and why the Admiral thought a burnt out outlaw deserved to know about a new piece of intelligence. With that Azura walked towards the shuttle and stowed his bag before the hatch closed and the shuttle picked up and departed the Redemption leaving it's new Commanding Officer looking out at the blackness of space wondering what Star Fleet had saddled him with.

OFF

Azura Ashcart
Rear Admiral
Chief of Star Fleet Intelligence/Master of the Company
San Francisco, Earth

&

Gabriel Bannon
Captain
Commanding Officer
USS Redemption

&

Edward (Dragon) Cagney
Major
Wing Commander/Marine XO (Former)
USS Redmeption

 

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