Beaming Down

Posted on Saturday 12 December 2020 @ 15:52 by Captain Melody Jones & Civilian Sansa Draxx-Jones & Commander Save'ena (Sav) Tillatix & Commander Caroline Miller & Lieutenant Marbim Rejal & Lieutenant Commander Hayley Godding & Lieutenant Breana Rathburn & Lieutenant Nir’anyar

Mission: Homeward
Location: Main Bridge
Timeline: MD2 0850
1902 words - 3.8 OF Standard Post Measure

ON:

Melody had arranged to meet the senior officers on the main bridge before they all beamed down to Starfleet Command that morning.

She stepped out of her ready room onto a bridge that was very quiet. Since the ship was docked, most of the consoles were off-line or in low power mode.

The turbolift doors opening was the first chance Miles had to see the Captain had beaten him. Grinning he walked over and handed her a steaming cup of coffee, made the way she liked it. "Morning Mam. This should be an interesting meeting. I'm taking a padd down with me to show to the designers for the changes we made to Sav's station after the Borg got us. Maybe they can begin modifying starships with them. Would definitely save more helmsman than we save now." He takes a swig of his earl grey tea, heavily scented with lavender.

"Nice to see you in such a good mood sir," Caroline commented at his excitement. She grabbed some coffee and decided what the hell and dumped some proper cream in. She would be hiking when she got back home. "I've got to drop into Starfleet medical with the findings of a separate study. If you want some company going to HQ we could go together," she caught Melody's eye and said nothing more on the "study".

She wondered if she would come across Ki, but decided it was highly unlikely. She certainly wasn't going to go looking. That was in the past now.

Miles nodded, "That would be great Commander. We might want Sav to tag along as she has some information to share with HQ as well."

Sav walked onto the bridge with a mug of fresh coffee. She was not sure if she was supposed to be there, but the missive said 'Senior Officers', and she was one. She was still trilling from the shuttle ride to the Starbase, as in, the Shuttle Crenmen was hers for the vacation and she piloted it up to the shuttle dock right near the Merlin, then came on board. She came over to Melody and Miles, stating, "Good morning, Captain, XO, Commander Tillatix reporting in."

Anya followed, feeling once again out of her element. Granted she was not a senior officer but the Commander had requested she attend so she could consult with Starfleet Medical while the rest of the senior staff continued on with their own objectives. Anya tucked herself into a spot by a bridge console, it was unoccupied so she took the seat and waited.

Mathias arrived, feeling a bit quiet. Most times he would be a bit more lively in truth though, he felt just a tad bit subdued. He couldn't quite put his finger on it.


Hayley tapped the chime outside of Sansa/Fay's quarters and waited for an answer. Whilst Fay had indeed had a reasonable free roam of the ship, beaming down to Starfleet was something all together different. Even Melody had agreed that it had been a necessary token gesture for Fay to be escorted. However, so as not to make it appear oppressive, it would just be Hayley as Fay's official security escort.

The Door opened and Fay looked at Hayley and smiled. "Ahh, good morning Hayley."

"I'm sorry for the necessity of this," Hayley said, with sincerity. "It's only a formality, but you will likely have to endure some restrictions once we arrive on Earth."

"It's no trouble. I'm glad it's you that's come to get me." Fay replied.

"We're to assemble on the bridge prior to beaming down. I think the Captain wants to talk to us." Hayley said. "Shall we go?"

Fay nodded but paused as Sansa took control "Hang on, is that another pip on your collar? Something you want to tell me?"

Smirking at how Sansa had so casually brought it up, she turned to face her. "Your mother seemed to think that as compensation for putting up with her free-spirited daughter for so long, I deserved an advancement in rank. It only happened less than an hour ago, so I thought I'd surprise you with it. I was curious as to whether you'd notice." She grinned.

Sansa threw her arms around Hayley. "Awww, congratulations Sweetie. Later when it's just us we'll have to... celebrate properly." She said with a sly smile.

"Sansa! Not in front of Fay..." Hayley giggled but embraced her back. "Come on, we're running late as it is..."

They were the last to arrive on the darkened bridge, what with the ship in station-keeping mode and attached to the umbilicals coming out from the space-dock. Interestingly, it had been decided that the Merlin would undergo her Baryon sweep whilst back at Earth, so the ship was being vacated with everyone being granted leave for the duration. "Sorry we're late." Hayley said, moving up to the group.

So Hayley and Fay weren't exactly the last ones to arrive... that would be a slightly out of breath Rathburn and one clearly pissed off cat in a soft carrier that hung from her shoulder. "Sorry, I was trying to take care of some last minute things concerning the ship, but I'm here!." She blurted out as she made her way to the group, and gave snowball a whispered shush sound as she found her place.

Melody looked around at her assembled officers. "Before we beam down to Starfleet Command I just wanted to say how very impressed and pleased at everyone's handling of our last mission and I could not ask for a finer crew."

Sav gently churred with her tail shaking twice in acknowledgement for Melody's praise to the crew.

"Happy to do our part, Captain." Hayley said. "But do you think you could perhaps not try to give your senior officers heart-attacks by doing selfless acts of sacrifice next time? I feel like I've aged thirty years."

"Hello Sansa, Fay!" Anya offered from her spot near the back of the bridge. "How are you both?"

Fay smiled back at Anya. "We're both fine, thank you."

In response to Hayley's comment, Melody raised an eyebrow and replied "No promises Commander," she then tapped her comm badge "Jones to transporter room. Are we all set?"

A voice replied. "Yes Captain. We're locked onto everyone on the bridge including one cat. Ready to beam down at your word."

"Energise!"


+++++ Starfleet Headquarters, San Fransisco ++++++


The crew materialised on a courtyard in front of the main building at Starfleet Command. There waiting to greet them was Admiral Hollins plus a number of other Admirals and department heads.

Sav shifted lightly to be more 'in' the assembled crew. Her tail grew fuller even as she shrunk herself a little. Even with this unconscious reaction, there were no trembles or panics by her. She was definitely improving.

Admiral Hollins walked up to Melody and extended her hand which Melody took "Welcome home Commander Jones. It's so good we finally get to see you in person. Well done on your last mission." She spoke a bit louder "Well done to you all."

She turned to Fay. "On behalf of the United Federation of Planets, Welcome to Earth Fay. My name is Julia. We have so many people who are excited to meet you, especially from the Taylor Institute. We hope you enjoy your time on Earth. You are to be treated as our honoured guest."

Fay smiled. "Thank you for your warm welcome Julia."

Hollins turned back to Melody "Commander, we've assigned you a temporary office while you're with us, "she said as she handed Melody a PADD. "If you and Fay would come with me. The rest of your crew can relax a while before they have to report to their assigned personnel. I promise not to keep you all very long and then you can all have a well deserved break."

"Of course, one moment Admiral." Melody said as she turned to the others "My temporary office is in Central Command, floor 4, Office 105. If no one has any questions, I'll see you all later."

Anya remained at the rear of the group, still feeling a little overwhelmed by the situation and the group she had been thrust into.
"Doctor, I'm feeling a touch out of my depth here!" she whispered to her direct line officer. "I'm not sure why the Commander wanted me here for this... I would feel more comfortable having been left in charge of sickbay!" She looked at her with pleading eyes.

Mathias listened to the what and wherefores. He gave a nod towards Melody. He finally shook off his quietness and remarked, "I do hope that everyone will have an enjoyable time and maybe perhaps some of us can get together during our stay planet side?"

Sav shifted her tail to touch Mathias's back, then whispered back, "Looking forward to it." She returned her attention to the gathered Admirals. She was baffled at the 'report to assigned personnel' comment. She waved bye to Melody as she waited for whoever was her assigned to appear. She glanced at Miles and shook her tail once while smiling in his direction. As an XO, he had to maintain decorum, even though the crew was to 'relax a while' before traipsing off.

Mathias smiled at Sav, then walked over to Anya. "It wouldn't be a good thing to stay in sickbay, especially since they are doing some sort of sweep on the ship, which is deadly to us. Besides, maybe there is something we can do together while being on planet side."

"I have to go back home. Take Hans to meet my grandmother but if your up for it Anya I'm hitting the Swedish hiking trails after the big family get together in a couple of days," Caroline invited her friend as she passed them on route to Medical HQ. Mathias was stood next to her. She couldn't really leave him out. "There's one with the Troll caves, that might be up your street," she suggested to him. "Legend has it you can travel through those caves to the seat of the troll king himself. If you can find it."

"That sounds fantastic, I would love to see that. When will you be going?" Mathias asked.

“In a couple of days,” Caroline said. “I’ll send you both the coordinates for my families house if you want to join me. Pack warm and light. Good shoes too, there are lots of different terrains.

"Thank you, I am hoping that I'll be able to join you on that outing," Mathias replied, with a smile, though he was wondering to himself if he would be able to do so. His eyes moving towards Fay/Sansa. "I truly hope that I will be able to."

"All I had planned was shopping... I'm in!" Anya said, feeling a little more relaxed in the group.

Miles had been quiet once he beamed down. Seeing Sav's tail shake at him made him smile for the first time. Stepping closer to Sav he quietly says, "I have something I need to do tonight, I want you there for it. Maybe can catch dinner and some dancing before the event occurs?"

A pleased expression, as well as a body shift of excitement, enveloped Sav. She churred gently as she quietly answered, "Of course, mah love, Ah gladly will be t'ere wit' yah, ina ahny endeahvor yah pursue."


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