[USS Juno] Arrival at Starbase 324

Posted on Thu Oct 18th, 2018 @ 12:17am by Lieutenant Avril Taylor & Captain Harrold Anderson & Captain Bervag Bers & Commander T'San & Captain Xalanth & Major Charlena Dilucca & Lieutenant Alexander Newman & Commander Thorrin & Lieutenant JG T'para & Crewman Recruit T'Meela & Orson De & Crewman Recruit Kerja Aanyo & Dan & Carla Wilda & Nidria Rilog

2,917 words; about a 15 minute read

Mission: [USS Shanghai] S1, E6: The Last Ride
Location: Cargo Bay 4
Timeline: 06/06/2394, 0800 Hours

Harry had called a ship wide meeting in the cargo bay, and ordered all monitors and stations to prodcast his message to those who had to work. He was one of the first personal to enter the cargo bay. He was tired. He had spent most of the night on a call with Commodore Martinez. There was going to be a few changes, before he could talk about the changes he needed to gather everyone in one place.

Xalanth and T'para were the first through the door. Xalaanth had been on duty so was rather tired, unlike his mate who had just woken up. Even still both of them took their positions.

"Mister Xalanth, can I borrow you for a moment." Asked Harry, as he walked over towards Xalanth and T'Para. He knew he wanted Xalanth to be his new first officer. He just hoped Xalanth would accept it.

The dragonian nodded as he followed the captain. He looked back and gave a reassuring glance at his mate.

"It's not public knowledge yet, but Commander Bers is being promoted to Captain and given a new command, T'San is going to join him as his XO. I need a new first officer, are you up for the task Mister Xalanth?" Asked Harry.

Xalanth blinked several times as his mind tried to process what had happened. The captain had just asked him to be first officer. Back at the academy half, the instructors believed he'd never make it higher than ensign. Now he was about to become the number one. " Sir I'm your man. May take a while to move the family into the first officers quarters, but I can manage."

"Glad to hear it, please have a seat, will talk about this some more after my announcement." Said Harry, as she shook the hand of his dragonian first officer. He still had a lot on his mind. He still needed to see Bervag and T'San. Harry noticed other personal walking into the cargo, so he made sure to keep his voice low. What he had to say was for Xalanth to hear. But now they were done chatting, and more guests were arriving.

Bervag entered and saw only Xalanth, CO and T'para in the cargo bay. Guess Im not late. That's something I guess he thought to himself. He offered a friendly wave as he walked over to a nearby replicator. "Coffee, black." he said, mimicking the great Kathryn Janeway. He saw Harry and Xalanth talking so he walked over to T'Para. "Hello." he said, with a smile.

" Hello, Bervag how are you today?" T'para said politely.

"Doing fine." He said. "Yourself?" Said Bervag.

Harry started to walk over towards T'Para and Bervag. He slowly made his way over to the two officers speaking, and following Harry was Xalanth. He smiled as he approached Bervag. "May I talk with you for a moment, Commander?" Asked Harry, he was a little nervous. He was not sure how to tell Bervag that he was being force promoted to Captain.

"Sure, Captain." Bers said. "Excuse me, T'Para." He smiled. They walked a ways away and Bervag could tell that Harry had something on his mind. "Everything ok?" He asked.

Harry noticed more officers starting to walk in.

Thorrin walked into the cargo bay, he was unsure why he had even been summonsed. He had a lot work to do, the Shanghai was a huge ship and as Ops Chief he had a lot to catch up on. Thorrin looked around and saw groups of officers milling about and he thought that this was sure to be a waste of his time. Well what did anyone except the El Aurian know about time. Thorrin got a cup of coffee from the replicator and stood in the background by himself as he waited to find out what the point of all of this was.

T'San walked in to the cargo bay and noticed the new operations officer. She had never seen him before. She walked over to him. "Hello, I am T'San, the chief medical officer," She held out her hand in jest. Lieutenant Thorrin I presume. I was informed of the arrival of a new operations chief. Welcome on board, lieutenant."

Thorrin was going to shake the hand of the new arrival, and then he realized that she was Vulcan and probably doing what was expected of her. He decided to respect the fact that most Vulcans did not want to be touched. "Good morning Commander. Thank you for the welcome, but in truth I wonder why I am even here. I have an unfathomable amount of systems to be tested if the ship is to fly on time. Hmmm, time what did anyone know about time." He looked at her and smiled, although his black eyes eluded to something more underneath the veiled smile.

T'San pulled her hand back and placed it behind her back. "You will quickly understand Captain Anderson has a different time schedule then you do. I found that out too." She looked up to the captain. "Your guess is as good as mine at the moment. And...thank you for being so considerate to my customs. I must tell you though, that not all the Vulcans on board are like me." She turned around looking towards her husband who came in after her, with their daughter right behind.

Dan came in a bit later with T'Meela and Orson. He turned around to the two kids. "You kids have fun, and don't get in to trouble."

T'Meela nodded. "Of course not father." She turned to Orson.

"I'll be good " Orson nodded.

Nidria came in, unaware of what was going on or why she was summoned here. She scanned the room to see if she could find Dan. When she found him she walked over to him. She then asked him, "Do you have any idea what is going on?"

Dan shrugged. He was clueless as well.

Charlena had been making a final report when she was called to this meeting. She walked in to the cargo bay and looked around. She then noticed Bervag and T'Para. She walked over to them. "Commander, doctor," She nodded to both of them. "This looks like a snazzy gathering, any idea what's going on?"

" No idea. The captain wants a word with my husband though." The doctor replied politely.

Bervag only shrugged.

Avril walks into the room, she entered with Alexander Newman, the Chief Engineer. Both had no idea, why the captain called a meeting. Everyone knew the ship was damage. So why did they need to hold a ship meeting about it? Avril walked over to the replicator. And ordered another coffee, as she slowly sipped on her drink, she looked to Alexander. "Maybe the Captain's getting promoted." She said, a little curious if she was right or wrong.

Alexander tried not to laugh, as he thought to himself, the Captain gets promoted for damaging the Juno. Wow he thought to himself, only in Starfleet. "I think you're right." He teased back, as he looked at her hand. He wanted to hold it. But at the moment they were just friends.

"I wonder what he is talking to Xalanth about?" She asked being a little noisy. She could not help it. The Dragonian had a way of sticking out in a room. She respected him deeply, but nontheless he did stick out.

"I'm not sure, but it's probably not a good idea to speculate out here." He said, as he moved his hand to his thigh area, and near her hand. He decided to make a subtle approach.

"Probably a good idea." She said with a smile on her face. She reached over to grab his hand. This was a bold move on her part, but she had a feeling that he would not object to it.

Alex was beaming from ear to ear. He debated about saying something. But he did not want to ruin the moment. He held her hand gently. Hoping not to be nervous, so his hands did not calm up.

***

Harry walked over to the microphone. "Can I have your attention please." He started off. He looked down at his prepared speech, and at that moment he paused. This was very hard to do for him. Giving a goodbye speech. "The Juno, has seen a lot during her six month run under my command." He started off. Taking a moment to collect himself before going on.

"We have been through a lot, and everyone in this room, has done a remarkable job in the past six months. Our efforts have not gone unnoticed by Starfleet. To that end, there are a few things I have to report. The first being the USS Juno will have to under go a major refit. Even though we brought her home, we are being asked to take on a new ship, a new crew will take up the task of repairing the Juno. " Said Harry feeling a little guilty that he was following Starfleet's orders.

"With a new ship, comes some changes. I am happy and sad at the same time. I am sad that my trusted right hand man Commander Bervag Bers, will not be accompanying us on our new endeavor. Because of his gallantry, and exceptional leadership, Commander Bervag Bers is being promoted to Captain and will be given command of Starbase Port Royale." Harry pauses for clapping.

"Lieutenant Commander T'San will join his as his station first officer. Which brings us to my next announcement. Since the command team is being split up, a new leadership team is needed to take on the mantel of command. To that end I have selected Lieutenant Xalanth to be my first officer, and with the job, comes a new promotion. Please help me congratulate Lieutenant Commander Xalanth." Said Harry as the audience starts to cheer again.

Harry was very proud of Xalanth and Bervag, and sad that Bervag was leaving for Starbase Port Royale with T'San and her family. Harry grew close to Dan, it was going to be hard not to have Dan by his side to talk too. "Every command team needs a solid back up, to that end, Captain Charlena Dilucca will be moving into the role of Second Officer and with this new task, she will be promoted to the rank of Major." Said Harry, thinking that Charlena's promotion was way past due. Again he allowed for the crowd to cheer and clap.

Harry was having a hard time giving the speech, it was a joyous occasion and a sad occasion all in one. "The new leadership team along with myself will take command of the USS Shanghai an Aventine Class Carrier from the vesta line. A new state of the art ship, that should help us against future Crescent attacks. Starlfeet has placed a lot of trust in us, to give us another brand new state of the vesta line starship."

Xalanth smiled as he felt his wife's arms wrap around him as she kissed him on the side of his head. He could feel eyes on him as he returned her hug. This was going to be a big leap for the both of them, but he was sure they would manage.

***

"An Aventine?!" Bervag said.Brass SOBs He thought. "The pilot in me...grr" he said. He was still processing the promotion, and now he misses out in the shiny.

T'San didn't seem very moved by the announcement of the promotion. But that was normal for her. Dan was more enthusiastic and congratulated her.

Charlena was a bit surprised. Second officer was a big responsibility. Considering the fact that she was following up someone like T'San. She looked over to Xalanth. She was happy that some things remained the same. Working for the Dragonian had already been an honor. But bow he would be the first officer. She would take his place most likely. She smiled to the happy couple, and then she looked up to Harry. Oh, Harry. She thought to herself.

Avril was a little surprised. There was a lot of changes coming for the crew. Avril was sad to hear that Bervag and T'San were leaving, but at the same time. She was happy to hear that Xalanth and Charlena were both being promoted. She cheered when it was appropriate. She leaned over to Alexander. "I did not expect this, a lot to take in." Said Avril, as she was still processing everything that Harry had told her.

"At least we get a new ship out of the deal, we would have been sidelined for months waiting for the Juno, to be repaired." Said Alexander, trying to look at the Brightside of things.

"You are right, I know I would become bored as a pilot if we were grounded for months." She said, feeling a little guilty they were leaving the USS Juno for the USS Shanghai.

Alex smiled as he said. "At least we get a new ship, a new start to things." He said, as he lightly squeezed her hand. And did not say another word to her. He was in cloud nine, and trying to soak up this moment.

Thorrin stood there and was in awe. He was in awe of the fact that he had been summonsed to this to learn something that he already knew. The fore mentioned Shanghai needed a lot of work. Especially if she was going to fly on time, and as far as Thorrin was concerned she was going to fly on time. Even if he had to pull her through space himself. he wanted to interrupt the Captain and request permission to leave and return to work. Politics... Thorrin you must play politics. he thought. On the one hand this would be a good time to meet the rest of the crew, on the other hand Thorrin did not want to get to know anyone.

Having finished congratulating her husband T'para had moved onto the others offering hands and a hug to many of them. Xalanth was behined her looking chuffed and yet confused at all this.

Charlena walked over to Xalanth and shook his hand. "Congratulations, sir, you worked very hard for this promotion. We have been through a lot. It is such an honor to work with you. With you and your wife." She smiled. On to the next adventure, right." She gave a nod to T'Para.

" Yeah a little unexpected, but a welcome one. " the lizard replied feeling rather surprised by all of this. " They'll have you commanding the enterprise at this rate big guy." His mate replied a grin on her face.

"I'm happy for the rest of you and it will be sad to see you leave our lives. I hope we can all keep in touch." Xalanth said to the others who would be leaving the ship.

Avril had been sitting with Alex at the chairs that were provided, when she noticed everyone was starting to chat. She looked over to Alex, "Ready to mingle?" She asked, hoping he was not going to ditch her, and head down to engineering.

Alex was not very fond of mingling. But in this case he was going to make an exception. He was already in the room with her, and they were still holding hands. He had a lot of questions, but social politeness did not allow him to ask. He was not a fan of expressing his feelings to the world or to a crew. "After you." He said, as he started to get up from his chair.

Avril stood up, but not letting go of Alex's hand too. She was also not very fond of large crowds. So in a way they were both helping each other. She walked over to the new first officer. "Hello and congratulations Xalanth, or should I call you First Officer Elect?" She asked with a big grin on her face. Until they transferred over to the Shanghai, which would be very soon, he was still Lieutenant Xalanth.

" Just call me Xalanth for the time being. The commander bits going to take some getting used to. Still it will be something to tell the family during the celebrations." The lizard said the pleasant grin still on his face.

Thorrin extended a hand to the Dragonian, even though they had not officially met as of yet. "Congratulations Commander." He had to play politics if he was to survive to see the next century. Even though playing politics left a horrible taste in the El Aurian's mouth.

" Many thanks....." Xalanth started trying to place the strangers name. " Thorrin isn't it?"

Thorrin came to some semblance of attention. "Aye sir! Lieutenant Thorrin I am your new Chief Operations Officer."

" Nice to meet you Thorrin. " Xalanth said calmly as he shook what he hoped would be his new friend.

The night went on for a while, with the crew mingling together for the last time. Starting tomorrow things would change for the crew of the USS Juno, part of them were going to Starbase Port Royale and part of them were going to the newly minted USS Shanghai. Harry looked around the room, he was damn proud. This crew had been through a lot. He hated seeing them break up.

 

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