Old orders, New Mission

Posted on Wednesday 30 January 2019 @ 14:05 by Captain Melody Jones & Commander Cale Llewellyn DSci & Captain John "Apollo" Barstow, M.D.

Mission: The New Collective
Location: Ready Room
Timeline: TBD
819 words - 1.6 OF Standard Post Measure

ON:

Melody followed the Captain into his ready room and looked at the PADD she had been carrying.

"Right then Captain, I'm here to oversee and supervise the installation of several new experimental components on the Merlin. Shall we go over the what components and department will be involved?"

John nodded as he took a seat and motioned to the chair across his desk, "sounds good," he replied, "I'm going to bring Cale in as well, I think he'd have some good input, and I have something for both of you as well after we finish your briefing," the CO added ith a coy smile and hit a button on the terminal to call Cale up.

Cale was on the bridge when he received the summons to the captain's ready room and quickly turned on his heels, made his way to the door, stopped as an afterthought and said, "Lieutenant Ryan, the bridge is yours." After saying that, he stepped up to the door and rang the door chime.

"Enter," Apollo called simply and grinned.

Melody stood as he entered "Hello Cale, It's good to see you again. I hope you're still keeping up with your music."

"Melody?!" Cale said shocked, his eyes all bugged out. "What the? Where in the? What the Hell's going on?! When did you get back?! I've tried but with my rank and responsibilites I'm afraid I've had only sparing time to work on it. I apologize. I am Second Officer, once again, after all," his London accent coming back out again after all these years of trying to get rid of it. He cursed himself for letting it out once more.

"Well, we'll have to see about that. I'm sure we can find time to get some practice in, but i'm afraid business must come first." She now addressed both Cale and Barstow. "I've been assigned to oversee some experimental upgrades on the Merlin. Basically, Starfleet want to use the Merlin as a test bed for some new technology including a new warp core, filed coils, computer core and software, bridge consoles and tactical systems interface. Theses also once piece of equipment that classified to level 7 sercurity clearnce and over which is a prototype for a new quantum slipstream drive. I'll have to co-ordinate with engineering, operations and tactical."

John nodded, "how long will that take? We have to depart soon, there's another Borg attack immenant at a colony two days from here and we're the closest ship."


Melody's mouth fell open. "Captain, we're talking about an experimental refit of almost every major system on this ship. It's going to take a bit more than two days. And, i'm not sure you'd be happy going up against a Borg ship with an untested tactical interface."

"Captain, if we're talking about this level of a refit, don't you think Starfleet can send another ship to deal with the Borg?" Llewellyn asked.

Melody offered “I suppose we could postpone the refit until the Borg have been delt with. I could return to the Research Station and await the Merlin's return or I could stay onboard.”

John grinned and pulled out 2 PADDs, handing one to each officer, "sounds good, however, as of not you wont be going back to the station. I'm offering you both new jobs," Barstow said, "Melody, I need a tactical and security chief and second officer, Cale, I need an ex-oh."

"OI?! What's going on onboard this ship and why am I always the last to find out about it? Captain, with all due respect, isn't Commander Bayushi your XO? Not that I don't want the job but I don't want to step on any toes either," Cale exclaimed after the captain went through his little song and dance.

Melody raised an eyebrow "Wow. Things really don't change on this ship. Thank you Captain. If i'm staying onboard I think I might have something that will even the odds. Even if we can't do all the upgrades now. We should be able to install the regenerative shield matrix and there is also a limited supply of 10 transpahsic torpedoes if things get ugly."

"Captain, can I give you my answer in the morning? I need time to think this through. I want you to know that my answer will most likely be yes but I need time to think about my answer," Cale asked.

Apollo nodded, "of course," he replied with a smile and looked to Melody, "do it, Commander, we need every advantage we can get," he said, "I'll leave you to it then, unless either of you have any questions?"

"I've nothing further, Sir. Melody?" Cale responded.

"Nope, I'm good." Melody replied. "I'll get started on the upgrades."

OFF:

Captain John "Apollo" Barstow
Commanding Officer
USS Merlin
Task Group Commanding Officer
Task Group 47-A

Commander Melody Jones
Engineering specialist

Commander Cale Llewellyn, DSci
Chief of Strategic Operations/Second Officer
USS Merlin