Long Distance Check In (cross sim post)

Posted on Sunday 22 January 2017 @ 02:58 by Captain John "Apollo" Barstow, M.D.

Mission: Intermission
Location: USS Fearless and USS Merlin Ready Rooms
810 words - 1.6 OF Standard Post Measure

Commander Santiago Vela was looking forward to this day since he found out he would get his own command. He honestly thought about remaining aboard the Nodachi as XO for a while before hearing it would be a Defiant. He knew this is where he belonged and after visiting with all his departments and meeting his small crew he knew the time was now and the ship was ready. Serving himself a fresh ground cup of coffee from his coffee maker. He sat behind his desk.

=/\=Commander Vela, I have a long range communication from the USS Merlin =/\= the voice that came through the line was that of Crewman Ishari, a Ferengi female crewman Santiago wouldn't have thought it possible when he joined starfleet.

"I'll take it in my ready room," Responded Santiago opening the small computer on his desk. The face that appeared was a familiar one the Commanding Officer of the USS Merlin, Captain John Barstow. "Good morning, John, It's been a long time," Santiago said informally. "How can I help you, Captain?"

As the new Commanding Officers face appeared on the screen John smiled, ”indeed it has. I heard my favorite Cadet was finally putting on big boy pants," Apollo said playfully, "I wanted to contact you and give you my congratulations."

"Thank you," Santiago said as memories of his fighter tactics class at the Academy brought a smile to his face. "She's a good ship John, I just hope I'm ready for her is all. So to what do I owe the pleasure of this long distance call? I didn't think the Merlin was in this sector."

"You're ready or they wouldn't have given her to you," Barstow replied with a smile before sitting forward, "and we aren't, however, I've just been assigned a Task Group," the Captain said with a telling grin.

"Well i guess congratulations are in order for you, Sir," said Santiago with a smile. "I couldn't think of a better person to lead a task force. It's kinda like controlling a wing of fighters except they are flying a lot farther apart. What Task Group did they give you?"

"Well, that's the other reason for the call, I'm congratulating one of my new CO's on their launch," John replied with a smile, "I've been put in charge of the Defenders. Looks like we'll get that chance to serve together now."

Santiago was shocked just a few days ago he had been given the ship and his mission by Commodore Barks. "Well Sir," Santiago said now a little more formally, "that is news. Has there been a change in the Fearless'?" Santiago was finally getting used to the idea of working in the Cardassian Sector.

"No, your current mission orders still stand," the Captain replied with a smile, "I just wanted to congratulate you and let you know about the command change. Is there anything you need at all?"

"No Sir," said Santiago. Since his time at the academy John would check in on Santiago from time to time and he had considered him a friend, but with the change in title comes new responsibilities. Santiago didn't know how to address him. Captain, Instructor, Apollo, Sir, John, it was all melding in his head. At least they would be working together.

"Congrats again John," Santiago decided to drop the formalities and allow himself to be corrected is need be. "At least we'll be working together. If you need the Fearless we'll be there at maximum warp,"

"I appreciate that my friend," Barstow replied with a smile, "be prepared, there could be a few more changes coming. I cannot go into anything just yet, just be ready."

Changes were becoming a norm for Santiago. Since he became an XO he realized that Starfleet rarely consulted those there decision affected. He had learned to adapt quickly to a change in orders. "I understand," Santiago responded begrudgingly. "Just try and give me as much a warning as possible. Is there anything else I help you with John?"

"I'll try," the Captain confirmed and nodded, "nothing just now, we are going to pull out of spacedock tomorrow, so, looks like we're good to go. If you need anything, let me know. Barstow out."

As the screen went black in front of him Santiago pondered the changes happening in the fleet. He knew that these things tended to happen and when they did everyone got moved around, what bothered him is how quickly these changes were being made. Changes take months of talks, even years in some cases, something big was happening and Santiago was going to have to keep his head down.

A Joint Post By:

Captain John "Apollo" Barstow
Commanding Officer, USS Merlin
TGCO, Task Group 21-A "Defenders”

Commander Santiago
Commanding Officer, USS Fearless