Arrival at Starbase 501
Posted on Sunday 3 November 2019 @ 04:39 by Captain Melody Jones & Commander Save'ena (Sav) Tillatix & Commander Caroline Miller & Lieutenant Commander Rionuj ch'Anidem & Lieutenant Marbim Rejal & Lieutenant Michael Ki MD & Lieutenant Commander Hayley Godding & Master Chief Petty Officer Harris Zim
Mission:
The New Collective
Location: Main Bridge
Timeline: Final Mission Day
1368 words - 2.7 OF Standard Post Measure
ON:
Starbase 501 filled the main viewscreen as the Merlin neared the end of her current mission. Melody was sat in the Captain's chair, keeping a close eye on proceedings. Most of the battle damage had now been repaired.
Melody pressed the ship-wide comm button. "All hands, we're approaching Starbase 501. Prepare for docking maneuvers." She turned to tactical "Hail the Apollo."
Hayley acknowledged the order and tapped a command on her console. "Channel open, Captain."
=/\= "Merling to Apollo. We're ready to dock. Thank's for the tow. Release the tractor beam." =/\=
=/\= "Acknowledged Merlin." =/\=
There was a gentle nudge as the tractor beam was terminated.
Melody continued giving orders. "Helm. Maneuvering thrusters only. Bring us to 500m short of the port gates and hold position."
Sav was so happy to finally have control of the Merlin once more. She happily called out, "Aye Aye, Sir. Thrusters engaged."
Caroline sat watching interestedly. She had experienced being on the bridge leaving a Starbase a few times but not the other way round. She watched Sav expertly start positioning them in.
It took a few minutes to get into position as Maneuvering Thrusters were slow. After all, they were just compressed air along with ion plates. Sav approached the mark and slowed the ship down, causing it to stop exactly 500m from the port gates from the nose of the Merlin. Sav called out, "500 Meters and holding, Mark."
Melody nodded "Thank you Commander."
Suddenly a male voice came over the Comm channel "USS Merlin. This is the dockmaster, Starbase 501. Standing by for computer and navigational uplink for docking."
"Acknowledged." Melody replied then came up to stand next to Sav at the helm "Lock on and confirm uplink."
Sav performed the requisite initiate and transfer. When the telltales turned green and the Merlin began moving forward under tractor tow and Merlin thruster control by the Starbase, Sav sat back and said, "Confirmed, Captain. Starbase 501 has full control."
Melody signaled the Dockmaster. "Starbase 501, Uplink complete. You have control."
"Copy that Merlin. Just sit back and enjoy the ride."
Melody patted Sav and walked back up to the Captain's chair. "Merlin Confirms."
Sav churred at the attention from Melody, she couldn't help it. They were supposed to be wives together, but Melody and her actions had changed all that. Sav still held a special place for Melody within her, and it showed by the reaction to the pat from her.
Standing between the Captain and his station Miles whistles quietly, then adds, "Looks more inviting than Terok Nor. All stations are reporting green across the board and ready to dock."
Sav waited quietly at her station. If the starbase messed up something, she would cut off their access and re-take control. In the meantime, her duty station was at the helm until docking.
The great ship slipped past the gates and approached its mooring. Melody had sat back down. "All hands standby for final approach. Helm activate moorings. Stand by umbilical and gravitational support systems."
Sav hit the requisite controls, responded with an, "Activated, sir.", then watched intently as the starbase control brought the Merlin into position for the docking. Later on, the Merlin would be moved to the waiting repair dock for structural repairs.
Caroline said nothing but was thinking how much more was involved in this process then she had an idea of. She made a mental note. If she got any flight or pilots in a counselling session having some clue of the sort of things they did would be very helpful.
The Merlin came into position and stopped as the umbilical connection came out from the Starbase to the Port airlock.
The voice came over the comm channel "Docking complete Merlin."
Melody switched comm channels "Bridge to Engineering. Docking is complete. Please disengage all engines. We can transfer to Starbase power. Good work."
Sav breathed out the breath she was holding. To her, the docking was sloppy. To anybody else, it was a precision of control by the starbase. She secured her station and announced, "Helm secured, Captain."
Melody nodded "Thank you, Commander. We can secure all stations and go to gray mode. Can all department heads have final mission reports ready for inspection. Godd work people. You..... you would have made Captain Barstow proud." Her voice caught in her thought slightly and Melody stood. "I'll be in the ready room."
With that Melody headed off the bridge.
Sav churred slightly, her tail shook once, and she rolled her eyes. She glanced over at Miles and mouthed, "Yay, reports." She touched her console while closing her eyes. She now felt the Merlin's systems 'greying' out for a 'sleep' period to be repaired. Sensing nothing amiss as the order of shutdown was following prescribed Damage Control Team Protocols, she removed her hand and went over to stand by the Turbolift to wait on Miles in securing his station. She said, "I'm going to head to my Office, compile my reports, then to my room to change. I... umm... can get my reports done in about ten minutes, because... well, you know. So, how long will you need so we can meet at the umbilical to go get our briefing for our visit to Risa? I hear they have an outstanding orientation to help out."
Caught off guard for a moment, Miles bobbles, then his brain catches up, "Reports, damn, I knew there was something I'd been forgetting to work on. Well I don't really have too much to report on, other than the numerous repairs and our", nods at Sav, "recommendations for the changes to the command consoles and chairs. Ten minutes followed by a change of clothes should be an easy task."
Caroline fell into step with Sav. "Great job. I had no idea it was so complicated. Thats the first time Ive been on the bridge and witnessed us docking with a station. Now to reports ehh?"
Sav grinned and hip bumped lightly in Caroline, her mind already transitioned to being on leave. "Heya Girrrl. Yah, you need to be there when I can actually fly Merlin in. I just love it.. more complicated than just the starbase guiding us in. So, umm, would you be free fer some girrl time witha me?"
"I'm ready to blow off some steam and hit some shopping if thats what you mean," she answered. "I hear Starbase 501 has a tailor who can get the most exquisite Denoban silk. I'm thinking I need to find them and buy a new dress."
Grinning at Sav and Caroline he chimes in, "Yes Counselor, you must come with Sav and I, she wants me to purchase nick knacks and decorations for my drab quarters, I may need counseling after this, what did you call it Sav, ah yes, retail therapy..."
Sav squinted at Miles, "Ummm, Miles, sure, Caroline can join us when we are Knick Knack shopping, but for 'girrrl' time, it's just us girls. Just like you would have a guys night out, just the guys. It's all part of a healthy relationship...umm, from what I remember how my Mom and Dad were and their relationships. If I'm wrong... umm, Caroline can say, right?"
Snickering and blushing Miles replies, "Girl time, yup, I've heard of that. Go have fun, there are some shops I do wish to visit, and something called a steam bath that I found might feel good as the temperatures can get quite hot."
OFF:
●●● Lieutenant Marbim Rejal
Acting First Officer / Chief of Operations
USS Merlin
●●● Commander Save'ena Tillatix
Chief Flight Control Officer
USS Merlin
●● Commander Melody Jones
Executive Officer
USS Merlin
●●● Commander Caroline Miller
Chief Counselor
USS Merlin
●●● Commander Melody Jones
Executive Officer
USS Merlin
●● Lieutenant Michael Ki
Chief Medical Officer
USS Merlin
>>>> Master Chief Petty Officer Harris Zim
Chief of the Boat
USS Merlin
