The calm after the Storm

Posted on Monday 19 December 2016 @ 23:43 by Captain Melody Jones & Captain John "Apollo" Barstow, M.D. & Commander Cale Llewellyn DSci & Commander Caroline Miller

Mission: Old, New Ship
Location: Main Bridge
Timeline: MD9 - Midday
1509 words - 3 OF Standard Post Measure

ON:

Exiting the ready room, Melody walked back onto the bridge. The conversation with Barstow had made her fell better and she held herself a bit more relaxed. Seeing her back on the bridge, the officer she had left in command rose out the Captains chair "Trouble?" he asked.

Melody smiled and shook her head "Oh, no. Just a few........ details that needed bringing out in the open. Any change?"

He also managed to relax slightly. Seeing the second officer called into the Captains ready room in that way had put him on edge. Seeing her come out in a much better mood was a lot better. "I'm afraid not. Still waiting on engineering to finish repairs."

Melody nodded "Understood." Melody sighed as she touched her comm badge "Bridge to engineering, report!"

A female voice came back over the comm system "Engineering here. Al major repairs are complete, however" the voice hesitated before continuing "The warp drive is still offline and will be for for another 3 hours possibly."

Melody rolled her eyes "Copy that engineering, what's the delay?" she asked, trying not to sound annoyed.

"The dilithium crystals need re-aligning and there were some spikes in the plasma injector startup routine that need correcting, don't worry we'll have it back online as soon as possible" the reply came back.

"Understood engineering. Bridge out." Before sitting back in the command chair, Melody took the time to walk round each duty station, casting an eye over the readouts as she went. She didn't like the idea of just hanging around in deep space, she preferred to be moving and she would feel a hell of a lot better when the warp drive was back online.

As she passed the helm she paused and studied the display for a moment. Then, looking at the young ensign who was sat there "As long as we're just sitting here, please run a level 3 diagnostic of all helm functions. When we can get moving, let's make sure it's in the right direction eh?"

The ensign look up at her "Aye Sir."

The tactical console beeped and the officer on watch reported "Sir, we are receiving a subspace communication from Admiral Gomez, Starbase 306."

Melody stood from the command chair, tabbing the comm on the chair arm as she did "Captain, please can you join me on the bridge" then addressing the tactical officer "On Screen"

On the viewscreen, Admiral Sonya Gomez appeared "Ah, greetings Lieutenant. Broken any speed records yet?" she smiled warmly.

Melody returned the smile. She had met the admiral before at her graduation ceremony "My complements Admiral, still working on that. The Captain is on his way."

"Copy," John replied simply and walked out of the ready room in just a few strides, "Admiral, what can I do for you?" he asked and motioned for Melody to stay in the center seat.

"Hello Captain, I bring greetings from Starfleet Command and a change of orders. As you may know, we've just been officially established here at Starbase 306 and we have some officers and crew for transfer to you. Also our engineering department is a bit..... ahem....... understaffed at the moment while we wait for replacements from Earth and we could use a few engineering crews to iron out some bugs in our command and control systems. We have a very well established and broad range of relation and recreational amenities and would be more than happy to extend our hospitality to you and your crew. Starfleet is very happy with your progress so far and feel some R and R is well deserved. We'll be expecting you soon Captain and if Jones here is a the helm, it will be sooner than we think" she shot a smile at Melody. Gomez out."

Melody shook her head and looked back to Barstow.

Apollo chuckled, "don't I know it. Copy that, Admiral," the CO replied before looking to Melody and giving her a nod.

Melody came up behind the helmsman and put her hand on his shoulder "Looks like that diagnostic can wait till we reach Starbase 306. Lay in a course and engage at full impulse."

Turning back to Barstow she answered his question before he spoke "Engineering reports the warp drive is still offline while they finish tweaking. They say it could be 3 hours before..........."

Then, with a timing that bordered on the supernatural, the comm system interrupted her.

"Engineering to bridge, looks like we got finished sooner than expected. Thank you for your patience. Warp power at your discretion."

Melody shrugged her shoulders and sighed "Copy that engineering." She looked back to Barstow with a wry smile then turned back to the helm "Punch it up to warp 5 ensign, we better not keep the Admiral waiting too long."

She proceeded back to the command chair and quietly sat back down again, half expecting Barstow to return to his ready room.

Cale walked out of the turbolift and onto the bridge looking beat. As he made his way to the command seats, he noticed Mel in the center seat. "It suits you," he said with a smile.

John gave a nod to Cale, "excellent, Melody. I'll be in the gym, Cale, you have the Bridge," he said, not out of any kind of reservations about Melody, but, because Cale was now the ranking officer, and started toward the lift.

Melody who was looking down at the arm console on the Captains chair where a secondary message had popped up while Admiral Gomez has been talking "Wait, Wait! Commander, can you come take a look at this."

"Yes, Lieutenant? What is it?" Cale asked curious about the Second Officer's exclamation.

Melody, not wanting to let the cat out of the bag, without saying another word, in the meantime had gone over to the replicator on the bridge and after a few moments had found the right pattern. She turned round carrying a small wooden box and walked back to over to Barstow and Cale. Looking at Cale "Would you like to do the honour Commander?"

"Yes, Lieutenant I would be honored to do this," Cale said with a devious smile.

Melody turn back to Barstow with a wicked smile "It turns out your are not properly dressed" then raising her voice "Attention on the Bridge please" As everyone stopped what they were doing and stood to attention.

"Commander John Barstow, by order of Starfleet Command and Rear Admiral Sonya Gomez, I hereby promote you to the rank of Captain. It is long overdue. Congratulations, 'Captain' Barstow," Cale said with pride in his voice and a flush to his white cheeks and pinned the 4th pip to his captain's collar. He wondered how long he would have to wait for the 3rd full pip to be pinned to his collar.

"Congratulations Captain!" Melody beamed and broke out in applause, which the rest of the bridge crew joined in.

John blinked in surprise as the fourth pip was pinned on and the bridge crew applauded. He couldn't help but smile, he was teaching his command team about timing for springing surprises a little to well, "thank you all," the newly minted Captain replied, still grinning from ear to ear, "this is because of all of you, I may be CO, but you are the ones who all make this ship run as smooth as it does, and make me look like I know what I'm doing to command," he added with a playful smirk as he looked around, "I've got drinks for the crew when we dock, for now, let's get home."

"Aye, Sir. Lieutenant Jones, set course for Starbase 306, maximum warp."

Melody smiled "Already taken care off Sir, however as engineering has just finished realigning the dilithium crystals it might be a good idea not to overtax the warp drive. Keep it at warp 5 for now helm. We should be at Starbase 306 in about 48 hours"

"Lieutenant," One of the ensigns manning comms. said suddenly addressing Melody. "I have sickbay asking to be patched through to the bridge."

"Patch sickbay through. Go ahead. Are the aliens causing you problems?" Melody joked.

There was a long pause before Caroline's voice, a little bit shaky spoke. "No they are all dead. Can I request that the Captain come down here?"

The color drained from Melody's face as she turned to the Captain.

Cale felt a swell of emotion from Melody and Barstow. He was also likewise affected by Dr. Miller's comment about the beings in Sickbay especially since he had just completed a second debrief with her and was in the process of writing his report for Captain Barstow. Now he wondered if he should prepare his report.

"Ex, with me," John said simply before turning and motioning Cale to follow as he broke into a jog, "Jones, get Scarlet down there now."


OFF:

Captain John "Apollo" Barstow, M.D.
Commanding Officer
USS Merlin

Lieutenant Melody Jones
Second Officer / CFCO
USS Merlin

Lieutenant Commander Cale Llewellyn, DSci
Executive Officer
USS Merlin

Dr. Caroline Miller
Chief Medical Officer
USS Merlin