Second Meetings

Posted on 03 Feb 2019 @ 3:40am by Captain Gabriel Barron M.D. & Lieutenant Kaden Son of Martok

1,425 words; about a 7 minute read

Mission: Empty Creche
Location: Captain's Ready Room
Timeline: ED2 1030

ON:

Gabe had just come on shift after the medical distraction that occurred in the wee hours of the day. He had, after surgery, gone back to his quarters, showered and fallen fast asleep with strict orders to not disturb him until 0900 and only then if the ship was about to explode. So far they were maintaining fast warp with tactical conducting scans of the area to search for the warp trail of the suspected ship that abducted the children of several key star fleet officers. From what he had gleaned from the transmissions he had received from SFHQ the ship they were after was heading for the heart of 6th fleet space. This worried him as the closest backup the Redemption could hope for was the USS Brittan, a Miranda class ship 23 hours behind them and the USS Andal an Ambassador class which was 34 hours behind. They were all heading to the same location, to cut off the abduction ship and retrieve the children. Hopefully, they would get there before the 6th fleet noticed they were coming. As it stood he was certain that wasn't going to be the case.

Kaden's previous ship, the Defiant-class Dauntless had been seriously damaged in a confrontation with the Confederacy. The main life support had failed and twenty-five, half the crew had not survived. He had done everything he could to outmaneuver the larger, enemy ship, but had failed. He'd been told more than once that it wasn't his fault, that there was nothing he could do, but even now, six weeks later, he still felt responsible.

At first, Starfleet had been understanding, they'd provided counseling and even temporarily reassigned him to a teaching assignment at the Academy. He had just started to feel somewhat normal again. The survivor guilt wasn't completely dealt with, not so soon after the fact, but it was at least under control. Then, he'd been told that his time teaching was done and he was being sent back out, and not just back out, but back out to the frontlines.

He'd been told that because of his superior piloting skills, he was needed out there and it was his duty to put the past behind him and go out and help make a brighter future.

The half-Klingon knew BS when he smelled it and was pretty sure that he had been given this new assignment it was as much because of his connections as his skills as a pilot, but he was, after all, a Starfleet officer and they had been correct about one thing, it was his duty.

After a rather harrowing thirty-six hours on two different ships, last one a shuttle, the hybrid officer had arrived on the Redemption. He'd ridden in with the ship's new Commanding Officer, but hadn't really had a chance to talk to him during their passage.

That had been the previous day, He had at least gotten to shower, shave, change his clothes and get a little rest. The next morning he made his way to the Bridge. He could tell, just from the way the ship was moving, that something urgent was up.


Gabe looked up and said absently "Come." his head was down as he looked over the PADDs with the reports of what SFI had discovered regarding the area of space they were going into. It was not good news. As the doors whooshed closed he looked up and stood up. "Hello Lieutenant, how can I help you?"

Kaden brought himself to attention, he wasn't sure how much of a stickler for the rules his new Captain might be, but he was Klingon, so he decided to be safe rather than sorry. "Sir, Kaden," paused a half-second before continuing with his Terran name,"Winters, I'm your new Flight Control Department Head, reporting for duty."

Gabe grinned and motioned for the seat across from him. "Please, Lieutenant take a seat. We meet again, although it was in passing on the shuttle ride to the Redemption it's good to see your settling in well. Can I offer ya' some refreshment?"

"Thank you, sir," the Flight Control Officer said as he took a seat, some cold cranberry juice would be great sir." He relaxed his posture slightly when he sat, not ramrod straight, but certainly not slouching, "yes, it's good to see you again, we hardly had a chance to say hello on the way in. The pilot, well let's just say his skills left something to be desired."

He snorted and headed to the replicator to get the drinks "I hope your skills are more up to par. Have you piloted an Excalibur class vessel before, or something similar in size?" Gabe asked after ordering the drinks. He picked his sweet tea up and offered the cranberry juice to the Lieutenant.

Kaden took the glass and took a long sip before replying."My skills are vastly superior to his. I've been on a Defiant ship the past couple of years, which, I know is much smaller, but I have experience with both the Sovereign and Ascension class ships. But don't worry. I'll adjust."

Gabe nodded "That's good, from what I've gathered the Redemption will need your skills at the helm. We are going into a movement to force mission. Technically it's a search and recover but where our target is headed I'm sure we will see some action." he paused "Do you have any questions Lieutenant?"

"I've heard rumors, sir, rumors that we're after those that, that traffic in children. Is that true?"

"We dont know if they traffic in children but we do know they kidnapped a large number of high-level Star Fleet Officers and civilian children from the SFHQ compound in San Francisco," Gabe replied simply.

"PetaQs," Kaden snapped, "Using children like that as a tool. Whatever it takes Captain. We've got to stop them."

Gabe grunted "Ya can say that again brother. Good, what are your thoughts on how the Redemption is flown! Any ideas for improvement, I know she's got a fat ass but anyways to make her dance like a ballerina?"

"Well, having the best pilot is a good start, but I won't be able to give you any specific recommendations until I've had a day or two to fly. And by the way, sir, when I said whatever it takes, that's what I meant There aren't a lot of rules anymore. Not as far as I'm concerned."

He nodded at the first "That's understandable after you e had time to play with the girl let me know of any recommendations you can make to increase battlefield mobility. I know she'll never handle like an Akira but maybe we can get her to a sovereign. As for the rules I'm afraid you might be right, war brings out the worst in people but we do have to remember that we cant become them. We can let our devils out to play but we have to keep them on a leash." Gabe took a sip of the tea and sighed "Not as good as back home on the farm but it'll do in a pinch. If you have any questions I have an open door policy. That is if PALLAS cant help ill di what I can. Have you been introduced to PALLAS?"

"No, I haven't. I'm assuming, I know a dangerous thing, that it's the ship's AI?"

A woman appeared in the corner of the Ready Room garbed in a white greacian robe. "In this case Lieutenant, your assumption is correct. PALLAS, meet our new Cheif Flight Control Officer."

The hologram dipped her head slightly "Welcome aboard."

"Than you," Kaden replied, "it's good to meet you, I must admit I'm intrigued beings of your nature. If I were more technically inclined I would have gone into the field."

"Either way Lieutenant, we'll be working closely together." She nodded and looked at the Captain.

"Did you have any other questions?" He asked sipping at the tea again.

"Not as of now sir, but I may be taking advantage of that open door policy of yours in the future. I'm glad to be on board. I guess I'll be going now. I know I'm not supposed to start until tomorrow, but I think I'll go relieve whoever's on duty so I can get ahead of the game."

Gabe grinned "Good, a go getter is most welcome. Very well your dismissed."




Gabriel Barron
Captain
Commanding Officer
USS Redemption

&

Kaden Son of Martok
Lieutenant
Chief Flight Control Officer
USS Redemption

 

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