Over The Horizon

Posted on Sunday 7 April 2019 @ 14:02 by Lieutenant Michael Ki MD & Commander Save'ena (Sav) Tillatix & Captain Melody Jones & Commander Caroline Miller & Lieutenant Marbim Rejal & Lieutenant JG Artis Lomar & Captain John "Apollo" Barstow, M.D.
Edited on on Thursday 11 April 2019 @ 14:01

Mission: The New Collective
Location: Main Bridge
2605 words - 5.2 OF Standard Post Measure

ON:

Barstow sat in the command chair and drummed his fingers the armrest of his chair. They were warping into the colony system and the Borg were already there, in his minds eye he could hear the ominous dun-dun dun-dun dun-dun, do-do-do-do of music that sounded like it belonged on an old TV show from Earths 1960's as they built up to a fight between two ships or people. He rubbed his face and tried to push it out of his head before he stood up and looked around the Bridge, "alright, people, keep in mind this isn't a combat mission," the CO started, "we are going to tag the Borg ship with a tracker and follow them to home port. If you have a question you have six minutes to ask," he added and looked around.

"I say we go for it, sir," Cale said. He looked around the bridge and the rest of the crew assembled there and saw their faces. He trusted each and everyone of the people there. Though, there were a few new faces but he trusted them nonetheless. His good friends, Melody Jones and Caroline Miller, were here on the bridge. And his new friend at the helm, Save'ena Tillatix were here also.

Sav was at the helm and flying the ship at a speed to not be above 'notice' level by the borg. She was also keeping the ship's path at an adjacent course that was slowly coming closer by using the natural topology of the system to 'herd' the Merlin closer. She called out, "Merlin on an approach parallel course, probe launch ideal paths in about three minutes, sir."

Melody Jones had pulled rank on the duty watch officer at tactical. She was picking up on the tension the Captain was radiating and was double checking the tactical readout. The ship was still in cruise mode but Melody was prepared to bring all weapons online at a moments notice.

She spoke up. "Captain. Tactical standing by. I recommend yellow alert. We can bring the shield online but leave the weapons on hot standby so we should not appear like a threat. The Borg should ignore us. If not....."

As the doors open from the turbolift, the Ops Center begins to light up. "Sorry Captain I was chasing down some weird anomalies in power grid to the phaser array, she's all good to go now though, and I believe we are to." Marbim slides into his seat and types a few commands, "We're in the green for everything sir."

After all that had gone on with O'Hara Michael thought it rather nice to take stroll around the ship. He decided to head over to the Bridge, when he realized that in all the time that he had been on the Merlin he had not spent any time there. He arrived just as the Captain was finishing his comment. Ki stood there and marveled at the image of the Borg ship on the viewscreen. "As always Sick Bay is ready to mop up the mess. However, I have a question sir. Who is to board that thing?"

Sav raised an eyebrow but kept her course and speed at the necessary near intercept. As far as she knew, a low speed drone with the tagger would be used, unless noticed, and then if that couldn't happen, then a possible boarding. Still, all up in Apollo's strategic mind.

"Captain, Strategic Operations is ready to go. I've got the fighters at hot standby should we need them. I echo Commander Jones' recommendation about the yellow alert," Cale said from his post next to him reading the strategic operations display on his arm console. Communicatiosn is also up and running at 100%."

Lt. Artis Lomar hugged his console close. It felt strange being on a bridge again, especially in such perilous situation. Even on a ship he preferred the buzzing hum of the science offices and lab stations over the tense glances and short replies of the bridge. "Science is ready to track the tag," he reported, adding his voice to the organized chaos. "Already patched in to relay to telemetry to all who need it."

Caroline had also decided to get some bridge time in and knew that this was a situation, going up against the borg again that would ensure much nervousness. "Counselling is ready sir. If we have any more communication with the "puppet master" Starfleet central have ordered they want everything recorded and transmitted in real time." She laughed inwardly despite the seriousness as actually she didn't have any staff. Counselling consisted of just her at this moment. Once things calmed down, she would have to get some more counselors onboard she mused.

Barstow nodded and smiled, "outstanding," he replied then moved to his command chair and lifted up his flight bag, "to answer the Doctors question, I'm taking a fighter to plant the tracker, firing it from the micro-torpedo launcher. No more going at them head on, a lone bird won't be considered a threat and can hopefully just stay off their sensors all together," he added and looked around the Bridge, "before the argument starts, Captains prerogative. Merlin will hold position and watch my six, once the trackers on we'll follow them back and get down and dirty on their doorstep."

Sav's ears perked up at hearing the plan. It definitely had a high probability of succeeding, and keeping any new harm to the Merlin. She didn't think Apollo should go, but, he also was an experienced fighter pilot and could handle this supposed to be milk run easily.

Marbim, clearly unhappy with his Captain's statemtn grumbles out, "Excuse me sir, but can we at least have some fighters on standby in case the Borg decide they want a snack before running off home?"

Apollo had expected hearing the tone, the CO going off on a mission like this violated the unwritten rule of the Captain not being put in danger, "aye, the birds and Marines will both be on ready five in case, as you said, the Borg decide they need a snack," he replied with a nod, "until I return, Commander Llewellyn is the Captain," he added before stepping back from the command chair and giving Cale a nod. John took a breath as he started toward the turbo lift, set on doing this, he couldn't ask the crew to go again into a situation that would lead to deaths without leading the way himself, "and Commander, it's a new paint job, try not to scratch it."

Um OK, Captain. Good luck on your venture," Cale said to Barstow not sure if he understood just how dangerous this venture was. "Jones, I want all sensors on the captain's fighter and a transporter lock just in case the Borg was a snack. Jones, I want you to keep all weapons trained on that cube and I mean all! Tillatix, I want you to keep the warp core at hot standby. OK people, let's keep it nice and simple."

Michael was stunned at the Captain's announcement, and for a brief fleeting moment he thought to question whether he was fit to command. However, the doctor thought better of it. His mouth hung agape as he could not find the right words. Instead of saying anything Ki simply shot the XO a look as if to say stop him. Cale's response sent the doctor even more for a loop. I fixed an Engineer, I guess now it will be time to fix a Captain. Ki thought.

Tillatix's tail jerked in surprise at the order to her. That was Engineerings job, not hers. She just drove the ship. Before she could ask clarification, though, Ops reacted to Apollo's decision to put himself into harms way.

Melody stepped over to the command area and spoke in a low urgent voice. "Captain, I really must protest to you leading this mission yourself. This could be a suicide mission if the Borg ship opens fire as the shuttles' shields won't be able to repel firepower of that magnitude. As chief of Security and second officer I feel must remind you of Starfleet regulations section 12, paragraph 4. This away mission is too dangerous to expose the Captain to and with all due respect Sir, your place is on the bridge."

Melody turned to Caroline. "What are your thoughts Counselor?"

Caroline leaned forward a little completely confused as to why the XO was not doing as he should do, protecting the safety of the Captain. She shot Cale a confused look.

"I am in agreement. Let my objection go on the record that it is inappropriate for you to leave the ship now Sir. This is too dangerous. As Commander Jones pointed out, if we are in a state of war, your place is on the bridge. Also You've been a first officer yourself. You know that assuming that responsibility must, by definition, include the safety of the captain.

"Commander, remember he is the Captain," Cale said softly to the Chief of Security and the Captain.

"I am not going to bring the ship in to face the Borg head on and I am also a Master rated pilot which increases the success of this mission without casualties," Apollo explained, "This isn't just an away mission, this' the fate of tens of millions of live which could easily include our homewards. The stakes of this mission trump any one persons safety and the ship and it's resources must remain. intact should this go sideways. I am taking note of your objections, however, as CO this is my call," he added firmly but kept his tone one of understanding and not raising his voice.


Sav kept out of the argument. She already knew Apollo's skill set. The only two people on board who could out fly Apollo were Melody and herself. However, the captain's reasoning matched what she was thinking when he had first announced his intentions. It was nice to know her reasoning was close to the mark. However, as she knew the plan, she was already adjusting the Merlin's course for going by some space debris to allow an undetected launch of the fighter.

Marbim stands up from his console, and unholsters his disruptor pistol, holding it barrel first towards the Captain, "Heghlu'meH QaQ jajvam!," he says loudly while thumping his chest...realizing not many speak Klingon he then adds sheepishly, "Today is a good day to die sir, swap me sidearms, my disruptor's not so easily blocked by their personal shields should they decide to try and take you, Sir."

Caroline jumped suddenly at the outburst from the Cardassian Ops chief, speaking apparently Klingon. Granted she had not had the pleasure of meeting him officially yet but she had never heard a Cardassian start quoting Klingon phrases. Getting over the shock, she looked to Melody. Whilst she appreciated the Ops officers passion she was under the impression weapons were the second officers expertise. What was going on, on this bridge she wondered?

Melody shot a look towards the Operations Officer and raised an eyebrow. Having understood what he had said replied coolly “It is a good day to die, but the day is not over yet.” She turned back to the Captain “Well if you insist on going on this mission I’m coming with you. Apart from the fact there are regulations agains an away mission of one it also states no flag officer shall enter a hazardous area without armed escort. I agree the odds of the mission succeeding are much higher with one of the best pilots in Starfleet there. You can come as well I suppose Captain.”

"I don't remember Captain Barstow getting promoted. He is NOT a flag officer just yet, Commander Jones. He is a captain and i doubt that regulation was intended for him," Cale said suddenly feeling odd for pointing out a regulation keeping the captain on the ship. He agreed with both women that he belonged her on the bridge, but he felt it was his duty to support his superior officer and friend. So, he acted to support him even when it appeared no one else on the bridge did.

Melody looked at Cale. “Point taken Commander, but it doesn’t change the fact that the Captain is not going alone. She looked back to Barstow “Shall I be preparing the shuttle for our little trip Sir?”

"I appreciate you agreeing with me but I agree with the intent of your meaning. I would feel o so much better with Commander Jones going with you, Sir,"Cale said to Captain Barstow. "Please, don't make pull rank on you, sir. Remember, you said I was captain, didn't you," Cale said with a quirky smile.

Caroline sighed inwardly. There was far too much testosterone on this bridge right now in her opinion.

"Get to the fighter," Barstow replied and motioned to the turbo lift, "keep the lights on for us," he added as he accepted Rejals weapon with a grateful nod then stepped onto the lift and the doors closed.

"I'll keep your seat warm for you, sir. And I'm hoping that you do indeed get a promotion for this little "venture". Keep him safe, Mel, I'm sure he'll want his chair back when/if he comes home," Cale said with a sidelong look at the two of them. Cale decided not to make use of the little tidbit of emotion he picked up from the counselor. He wasn't too sure if she was not pleased with either of them or what as he was still getting used to interpreting emotions from people he didn't know that well.

Sav called out from the helm, "Optimal launch point for fighter in T minus 5 minutes Mark."

Cale turned to Counselor Miller and leaned in to talk to her softly. "Counselor, I feel the need to explain my actions. It's isn't that I don't care about the captain or the regs concerning his safety, it's just that I felt the need to back him up in this decision. And before you ask, the answer is no. I didn't know about his desire to pilot the fighter himself. I just felt it was more appropriate to support my commanding officer in this than in going 'by the book'. I just wanted my reasons on the record."

Caroline responded, "Its not that we don't support the Captain, just his decision in this matter. However hes made his mind up and the situation is as such. We will now follow his orders. And I wasn't going to ask Commander. However, as in the chain of command I am now your acting XO please note that I will be protesting if you decide to also follow suit," she said simply.

"You do whatever you feel is necessary for you to sleep at night, Counselor but my decision stands. I fully support Captain Barstow's decision in this matter," Cale said with an impassive face. He didn't want to show any sign of emotion that she could use against him.

OFF:

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

LTjg Marbim Rejal
USS Merlin
Chief of Operations

Commander Cale Llewellyn, DSci
Executive/Strategic Operations Officers
USS Merlin

Ltjg Artis Lomar
Chief Science Officer
USS Merlin

Commander Save'ena Tillatix
CFCO/Bridge Command Specialist
USS Merlin

Commander Melody Jones
CTSO/ Second Officer
USS Merlin

Counselor Caroline Miller
Chief Counselor
USS Merlin

Lt Michael Ki MD
Chief Medical Officer
USS Merlin