Homecoming, of a sort

Posted on Wed Oct 30, 2019 @ 2:59pm by Fleet Captain Rhea Kennit & Commander Cullen Walker & Lieutenant Nicole Anderson

1,364 words; about a 7 minute read

Mission: Nibiru
Location: USS Victory

Note: This post takes place roughly two weeks after the ship's arrival at DQ8

On final approach to DQ8, Captain Kennit got a long look at the ship she was now in command of. It was larger than the prometheus class, with sleek graceful lines. Designed for speed, for combat and exploration.

She didn't give a rat's ass about it.

She'd spent the trip out from Earth in her quarters, avoiding other passengers on the transport ship carrying supplies and personnel to the Delta Quadrant. Returning to the last place in the entire damned galaxy she wanted to be. Throughout the entire trip, she'd only wanted to be back home. Instead, she was here now. Weighted down with the knowledge that Starfleet would never let her go.

Once the transport had docked, she had her personal gear beamed directly to the Captain's Quarters on the Victory and then disembarked the transport. Boarding the station, still dressed in civilian clothing she wore a loose fitting tunic over a pair of form fittig riding pants. Her hair was still streaked with blonde from the Italian sun, and once she'd passed through security Kennit headed down to the Promenade level instead of heading for the ship. The blasted thing wasn't going anywhere with her, she saw no reason to rush.

Wandering through the various shops, she didn't really pay attention to the things she looked at. Kennit did buy a few print books, arranging to have the novels she'd chosen delivered to the ship where a yeoman could see that the box containing her purchases were delivered to her quarters.

It was late when she finally boarded the ship, slipping aboard quietly and without any announcement. She wasn't in the mood to tolerate having personnel swarm down on her. Not yet. Stopping at her new quarters first, she checked that her personal belongings had been delivered and was pleased to note that the books she'd bought were present as well. Then, restless, she left her quarters and headed out to walk the ship for a bit. Still dressed in civilian clothing, she did at least pick up her comm badge and attach it to her shirt before leaving her quarters.

She headed up to the bridge, thinking to get a feel for the nerve-center of the ship and see her Ready Room before she went to bed for the night. Stepping into the 'lift, she gave the command to take her to the bridge. The trip was short. When the doors parted, she stepped out and then stopped. She'd known the bridge was larger than her previous ship, but she wasn't prepared for just how much larger the space was!

Walker saw the turbo lift doors open and he stood up, "Captain on the Bridge."

*Oh, hell, he's one of those,* Nicole thought, looking up at the new arrival.

"Good god..." she muttered as she stepped further out into the Bridge. It was easily 4 times the size of the Prometheus bridge. "Someone was compensating.." Kennit muttered.

"You're telling me," Nicole said from one of the rear aux stations. "The room's an entire starship in miniature." She glanced up. "Welcome aboard, by the way."

Walker grinned. "I have been on ships small enough that I hit my head walking around on them."

Nicole looked him over. "So, in other words, standard ships."

Walker picked up a box and took it to the Captain. He handed it to her, grabbing Anderson's medical tricorder on the way. He confirmed it was the Captain, per orders with this box. The seal was undamaged. The seal was not tampered with. The seal was the original seal. It was completely intact. "Captain, I am Walker. I was told to give this to you." He shot the doctor a look and grinned. He didn't know that the box contained a pip to go on his collar or secure data for the mission. He was told to keep it secure until the handoff.

Silently taking the box, while contemplating shoving that tricorder so far down this Walker’s throat the doctor would need assistance to retrieve it, Kennit broke the seal and opened it. Her eyes narrowed slightly, and she pursed her lips slightly before snapping it closed and handing it back to him. “It’s for you Commander. Congratulations.” She said simply.

Walker looked at her, "I apologize for the tricorder." He handed the tricorder to Anderson.

"Oh that's all right," Nicole grumbled. "It wasn't the tricorder's fault."

"I was told to only give it to you," he said to the Captain. He was confused at the pip. "Okay. I am a full Commander now." He showed her a tablet with his orders. "There was an ion storm and the data stream was disrupted." The file was corrupted badly. It said keep everything smooth until the Captain arrived, then see the Captain. The parts about his assignment on this ship were the parts that were degraded.

She didn’t even blink. “As I understand it Commander, you are here to serve as Executive Officer. You’ve been here how long and didn’t think to request a retransmission of your orders? hmmm” she said smoothly.

Before he could respond, his comm beeped. "Go for Walker." The station communications officer responded, 'That retransmission you requested came in. It is being transferred to you now. I apologize for the delay.'Walker looked at his padd and then tapped his comm. "Thank you. I have it. Your timing is excellent."

"I believe this is where you say 'you're right', pledge your loyal service, vow to follow her orders as XO, et cetera," Nicole deadpanned. She smirked at Rhea and stepped up onto the command deck, sitting down at the helm station. "Might be a nice change of pace."

Walker looked at the CMO, "My loyalty has never been disputed." Even with the ridges on his forehead, he looked very Vulcan in that moment.

The Captain didn’t respond, she was instead studying the news reports slowly scrolling across the display. She paused a moment, thoughtful while quickly reading an update regarding the death of Chancellor Melawei. The investigation was at a stand-still. There was no evidence pointing toward any suspect. Flipping away from the article, she said, “other than a cavern for a bridge, is there anything pressing which needs attention? I have been advised we are scheduled for a second shakedown cruise in 48 hours time. Mostly I think they want us out of the way, there are more ships incoming which need the docking bay.”

"Sickbay's being modified to my specifications as we speak," Nicole said. "There isn't much left that can't be done while in motion, and Penny's going stir crazy in there waiting to fly out. Unless Engineering has a reason not to, I vote go."

The Captain gave a slight jerk of her head at that, "Modifications to Sickbay? Its brand new..what needed modifying?"

Walker looked at her, "Rearranging equipment. A piece of a few pieces of equipment requisitioned was on a transport vessel that got raided. Unknown vessel takes out shields, communications propulsion, and weapons. A ferangi ship comes in and salvages everything in their cargo hold. I know the MO. I know which Mercenaries they are. I would like to go raid them." He handed the Captain a padd when the list of ships they hit.

She glanced at the PaDD, then shook her head as she handed it back. "This ship is not ready to go into combat. I don't see any benefit in going out in an untested, unproven ship against hostile forces."

Giving them both a nod, she then said "It's late. I"m going to bed." And with that, the Captain left the bridge.

Nicole rubbed the bridge of her nose and shook her head. "I should do the same," she said, rubbing her neck. "I could do with a long, hot soak after today." She sighed and headed to the turbolift. "Good night, Commander."

Walker sat down in the Captain's chair again, "Compter, play Princes of the Universe by Queen. Soundtrack version, not live. Only speakers on the bridge." He went back to reviewing data.

 

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