A Quick Turnaround

Posted on Mon Jun 3rd, 2024 @ 1:36pm by Captain Taliserra Tigran & Petty Officer 1st Class Saral & Lieutenant Commander Jack Slattery & Petty Officer 1st Class Miranda Fry

1,556 words; about a 8 minute read

Mission: A marathon not a sprint
Location: USS Wolff- Various
Timeline: between 'to mazar' and 'information is key'

In one of several transporter rooms on the USS Wolff Petty officers Saral and Fry waited for a signal they were expecting from the Mazar shipyard; a signal that would herald the arrival of the relatively short notice replacement for the ships second in command. Miranda had taken as much of the paperwork strain that needed filling in his absence as she could to keep it off her Captain, who she tried desperately to keep from getting over worked again now she had finally taken some time off.

The transporter console bleeped and Saral took a practiced step forward and examined the console. "They are ready."

"Alright, energize when your ready." Miranda took a breath and clasped her hands behind her back.

The transported beam lit up the room before the man materialised on the transported pad. The human male was of general average height, longish hair and a triangular jaw. He was either in his late 30s or early 40s, originally clean shaven but the five o'clock shadow had already started creeping in. The uniform had the red marking him as Command or Flight and the pips he wore set him as a Lieutenant Commander. The moment his eyes focused on the Petty Officers, a smile came to him. "Petty Officers, Lieutenant Commander Slattery," he introduced himself. A confirmation of who he was.

"Welcome onboard Sir, Petty Officer Fry. The Captain's Yeoman." Miranda gave the man a smile. She was surprised he looked older than Taliserra.

He stepped down from the transporter pad and walked over to her, giving her a smile back. "Thank you, Yeoman. I am sure my belongings will follow me shortly." Not that he had much of possessions, too used to being on ships to have more than a duffle bag's worth. Before he had always carried it with him when coming to a new ship but apparently First Officers didn't do that.

Miranda nodded slightly. "We're ready for them, Petty Officer Saral will have them beamed to your quarters once they arrive."

"Thanks, appreciated," Slattery looked over at Saral. "Nothing breakable, so don't worry about it, Petty Officer." He smiled and met Miranda's eyes. "Is the Captain available? I'd like to report to her."

"That's why I'm here Sir, my orders are you take you straight to her." Miranda motioned towards the transporter rooms exit. "This way."

He followed her, taking in the condition of the ship as he walked. There was something oddly fun about setting foot on a new ship, especially as someone unknown. He could see people going about their work, the sense of either urgency or calm. It was something that didn't really change much from ship to ship, except for when things were bad. He was a visitor right now, unless the rumour mill had already started with a new arrival.

"I suspect the first thing the Captain will say is 'thank you for taking this assignment on such short notice'" Miranda said as she led Jack out of the transporter room and to a turbolift. 'Bridge' she called out.

"It sounded like too good an opportunity to miss," Slattery said as he looked at her before he looked ahead. "Also, it was time for me to move on."

Miranda stayed silent for a moment there was meaning in his inflection "Sounds like there is a story behind that but it's not my place to ask." The turbolift quickly deposited them on the bridge and leading Jack across the room she walked straight into the ready room.

Jack followed, seeing the woman wearing the pips of a Captain behind her desk. She had really strikingly black hair, contrasting against her skin with the trill spots. She looked young but he knew she was a joined Trill. That added experiences most Captains would never live to get. "Lieutenant Commander Jack Slattery reporting for duty, Captain."

Taliserra put a Padd down as the door opened, she stood from her chair and offered the older human her hand. "Welcome onboard Commander, thank you for taking this assignment on such short notice."

A few steps behind them Miranda let a small smile creep onto her face

"Thank you for having me, Captain," Jack said as he took her hand, holding her eyes. "I have not served on a Luna class vessel before."

"She is a good ship," Taliserra said as she sat down an invited Jack to do the same. "Getting a little old now but she still has life in her."

"Starfleet ships are built to last," Jack took a seat as well, giving her a small nod. "Age isn't a hinderance when it comes to a ship. Means the kinks are worked out and you know the quirks."

"And that she is a survivor," Taliserra added, she was glad Jack wasn't opposed to serving on a vessel no longer at the leading edge of technology and the most vital of assignments. "The Wolff has gotten into some serious scrapes over her long service and hasn't always come out on top but she is still kicking."

"Speaks volume about the crew as well then," Jack said, not to flatter, but with recognition that the heart of a ship was the crew that ran it. "I hope to slot in quickly, hopefully without jarring the crew too much with the changes."

"It will have to be quick," Taliserra remarked. "We're expecting the command team from the USS Marathon to come onboard to brief us on our assignment in less than an hour, we have very little information to go on until then."

"Do we know any details of the mission yet, Captain?" he asked, although he suspected the answer was no. If a team from the USS Marathon was beaming over, whatever it was had to be of importance. Which meant it would be best delivered in person rather than over subspace channels. Unless, of course, it was just a friendly get-together. That would be nice.

"Hurry to Mazar and then wait to be told more by whoever is in command of the Marathon, that's all i know." Taliserra replied. "We'll know more when they arrive."

Jack nodded at the words, meeting her eyes. "Then I look forward to finding out with you. Anything else I should know, Captain?"

"About this mission, no." Taliserra picked up a Padd and motioned to Miranda before handing it to her. "We will have time to chat about more personal matters later but for now I will let you get settled into your quarters and we'll see you in the observation lounge at 1300hrs."

"Yes Captain," he nodded as he stood, watching her. He could do with having a few moments to himself before a briefing, a chance to catch his breath with the new surroundings.

"Miranda, will you show the Commander to his quarters." Taliserra asked her.

"Aye Sir," Miranda replied. "this way commander." She turned and headed for the exit.

Jack followed Miranda, but not before giving the Captain a respectful goodbye. He walked out, following the blond woman. "Any quirks of the ship I should know about? Sonic showers with weird whistling noises, turbolift that you need to speak loudly and slowly to?" he asked, striking up what most would consider bland small-talk.

Miranda chucked slightly as she led him back into the turbolift, it was only a short hop to their destination one deck lower. "The Wolff has some parts much older than others. They nearly scrapped her after a confrontation nearly years ago that left her in a very sorry state." She explained but gave him a look that screamed 'a long story I don't have time to go into right now' "She definitely has a few quirks."

Jack nodded, watching her before deciding it was best to limit questions based on her look. It had to be weird to have a new First Officer, especially since the ship was busy...he did feel like a distant cousin who had showed up right when everyone was worrying about something. As if there was an undertone he couldn't grasp, a conversation not meant for his ears. "Understood, yeoman," he said with a small smile. "Quirks."

The doors opened and they stepped out. "Second door down on the left Sir." Miranda said pointing down the corridor straight ahead of them.

He nodded, his eyes going to the corridor before back at her. "I am sure I can find my way now. I should let you resume your duties, Yeoman Fry."

"Aye Sir." Miranda turned right around and headed back into the turbolift.

He watched her go, letting out a soft sigh before he walked down to the second door on the left. The doors opened and the lights came on as he walked it. He listened to the familiar hiss of the doors closing and stood there, along, in what would now be his new home. For a moment, he took in the sounds of the ship, the things that reminded him that this was a place constantly moving, even when still.

The next part of his career would be here, on the USS Wolff, and what would happen here...well, it was for him to wait and see.


OFF:

Captain Taliserra Tigran
Commanding Officer


Lieutenant Commander Jack Slattery
First Officer

Petty Officers Saral and Fry
Pnpc's Taliserra

 

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