From nitefitr@cyberhighway.net Mon Jun 8 20:20:09 1998 Date: Wed, 3 Jun 1998 01:54:07 -0600 From: Mike Groner To: INDIGO FLEET List Serve Subject: USS CONSTELLATION: A meeting is called in the Shuttle Bay [The following text is in the "iso-8859-1" character set] [Your display is set for the "US-ASCII" character set] [Some characters may be displayed incorrectly] ---OFFICIAL INDIGO FLEET TRANSMISSION--- Date: Wed, 3 Jun 1998 01:54:50 -0600 From: "Mike Groner" Subject: USS CONSTELLATION: A meeting is called in the Shuttle Bay ************************************************************************ SD: 100603.0747 GMT Scene: Main Shuttle Bay, USS CONSTELLATION NCC-1017-F ************************************************************************ FMD: 7.0800 It wasn't easy, but Lieutenant Commander Kraltz had managed, upon (acting) Captain Bochu's return from Admiral Brooks' office, to gather the entire crew for a formal meeting. Bochu had been up most of the night preparing for the Admiral's meeting, and when he finally got to meet the Admiral, and hopefully give the well-prepared speech he made to try to impress him, he was immediately crushed by only having a full 5 minutes from the time he entered the Admiral's plush office, before he was shown the door. Again. Bochu thought back, and ever since his arrival in INDIGO fleet back when he was an Ensign, he had NEVER been in the Admiral's office longer than 20 minutes, and averaged under 10. At this rate, he'd NEVER make the rank of O-6! The Captain arrived in the Holodeck, and Commander Bertoli and Lieutenant Commander Kraltz both snapped to attention and shouted "Group! Attention!" Then they looked at each other. Curiously, and almost with a scowl. The "combat advisor" Admiral brooks had assigned the ship wasn't panning out well in terms of personality and respect amongst the crew, Bochu saw, and sensed. It was a mutual feeling with Bochu, as well, and everyone else that had met the Commander. Bochu recalled the conversation he had had with Lieutenant Commander Kraltz yesterday evening: <<>> FMD 6.2000 | Ready Room After his brief discussion with the Captain, Bochu tried to get some paddwork done. He hadn't gotten very far before he was interrupted by Kraltz. The Klingon woman entered as soon as he acknowledged her, and took up a position in front of his desk. At-ease. Strictly formal. That wasn't a surprise. What was, was that Bochu sensed a lessening in her usual cloak of palpable hostility, and something else...was that respect? What could have changed her impressions? Bochu motioned for her to sit. "What did you want to see me about, Commander?" he asked, thinking that he already knew the answer. She would be here to plead her case to him, having heard about Bertoli's request through the grapevine. Bochu found himself wondering what she thought of the tactical advisor, and whether she knew about the verbal sparring match earlier in the day, as she replied. "It has come to my attention that the Captain will indeed recover, but that he will be off-duty for several more days," Kraltz said, keeping her gaze locked on Bochu's. She could see the question in his eyes though she could not be sure of their exact content. "I wish to know the chain of command aboard this ship, sir." The phrasing could have been more respectful, but there was nothing disrespectful about her tone. Bochu answered. "Until the Captain returns to duty, I am in command." Bochu waited a moment. "Are you aware that Commander Bertoli has made the same request you have, and considers himself the logical candidate to act as my XO?" Kraltz nodded. Once. "You don't agree, Commander?" "I do not. Sir." Kraltz frowned, heavy brow ridges drawing down above her eyes. "Then, give me a good reason why I should accept you as my XO?" Bochu leaned back slightly. Kraltz was silent. She had not expected Bochu to be so Klingon in his methods. His look was calculating as he challenged her to prove her worth. "Do you have specific complaints concerning my performance of my duties, sir?" "No, you're very efficient." Bochu frowned. "Are you satisfied with your department's performance, Commander?" Kraltz showed her teeth slightly in what might almost have been a smile. One of the first times he had seen her show any emotion other than anger or disgust. "I am not dissatisfied, sir. Their performance has become acceptable." And the first almost complimentary thing he had heard her say about her department. "That's fine, Commander, but why you as opposed to Bertoli. He has the requisite experience as well." Privately, Bochu wondered which of the two would be harder to work with. Bertoli hadn't impressed him so far. The man, quite simply, seemed to take far too much for granted. The spat in the ready room seemed a symbol for a man who seemed to think he had already carved a niche on the ship. "We are at war. The crew is already familiar with my command style. There seems little logic in making large changes in the chain of command when we may go into battle at any time, sir." Kraltz didn't state her opinion of Bertoli aloud, but Bochu could already guess how she felt about the new 'combat advisor'. "It is my duty as second officer of this ship to accept these responsibilities, until the captain returns to duty." Bertoli hadn't earned her respect, after all, and Bochu still wasn't quite used to that idea. Especially from an officer junior to him. Kraltz seemed to think she had already made her point, and waited, almost patiently, for his reply. "I'll consider this, Commander," Bochu said. "Understood." Kraltz wondered if Bochu was seriously considering the new combat advisor as a suitable candidate. The man was a full commander, not a light commander like herself, and undoubtedly had more years experience. Still, she had proven her abilities to Bochu; Bertoli had not. >From the moment he had entered Ops, Bertoli had not impressed her. He had been satisified with her department; there was nothing he could have found to be wanting. Kraltz made sure of that, by ensuring that her senior people were sufficiently motivated. Still, she found the idea that this Bertoli, who had been assigned to advise the Captain in combat, thought he should play XO annoying. It was normal policy for the second officer to step in for the XO if he was unable to attend to his duties, likewise if the captain was incapacitated. "Sir, I suggest you not take too long in making this decision. The crew needs to know the chain of command. Misunderstandings can be fatal in combat." Bochu nodded. "Dismissed, Commander." Kraltz left and headed down to Ops. There was still much work to be done to prepare the ship for combat. After long debate with himself, and sneaking a question to the Admiral about it, he had made (was forced more like) his decision on the matter. The Commander was not pleased with his answer. Mudoro took the podium that bore the CONSTELLATION's crest on it, with the words "Ad Astera Per Apera" on it, and spoke into the microphone. He looked over and saw Captain Paraskevopoulus in a wheel chair, looking fairly relaxed, with his daughter and Doctor Brandford behind him. Ever since the "awakening" of the Captain by Kzar the other day when Captain Sovak decided to steal some shuttles, Bradford was strict that the Captain was to "remain at bed rest and stay out of the decision making business", for at least another 3 days. Admiral Brooks seconded that in his brief conversation with Bochu as well. "Good morning. Please, stand at ease." The massive crowd responded. "The first thing I would like to say, is that the Admiral Brooks is very proud of us all for our recent mission to Kobe Four, and with the repairs and restorations we have made to our ship. Also, you will be pleased to know, that Captain Paraskevopoulus is healing nicely, and should take command of the CONSTELLATION back from me, hopefully within 72 hours." One person clapped, and then immediately, everyone clapped, and clapped, and clapped. After a good 1.3 minutes of clapping, Bochu made the motion for them to quiet down. He sensed the joy and relief of the crowd, and was glad that his decision to make that announcement went well. "Well, dont' be THAT pleased... you still have ME to contend with until then." A few polite giggles. Bochu then cleared his throat. "Until such time, I will be in command. Commander Bertoli here," Bochu extended his left arm, motioning to the Commander, who stood proudly at parade rest, his chin slightly raised, "will be my first officer, and Lieutenant Commander Kraltz will be the second officer..." He paused. "After the Captain is back in command, mister Bertoli will become the tactical combat advisor to the Captain for our upcoming mission." Mudoro paused, making sure everyone was 100% clear on what he had said, by looking at all the faces he could focus on. He could see, nor sense, any doubt, although he could sense fear. He continued. "before I brief you on the mission, I would like to take care of some things....." He paused. The new Captain's Yeoman brought a tray of little black boxes for him. Grabbing one, and a corresponding certificate, he spoke. "Lieutenant Bradford, front and center." Bradford had his arms folded, not really "thinking" he was part of this whole deal. A concerned look on the Captain's (Bochu) face, and he shook off his confusion, and posted. Bochu walked off the step behind the Podium to the Doctor. "Doctor Bradford, for your outstanding duties as ship's medical officer, handling several crisis situations including the current one that almost killed Captain Paraskevopoulus, and your dedicated service to the United Federation of Planets and Starfleet, I hereby promote you to the rank of Lieutenant Commander, with all the rights, duties, and priviledges of that rank." Bochu pinned the extra half-pip to the now Commander's collar, who the proud new owner could only blink. Bochu then handed him the PADD which had the certificate on it, as well as a copy of the orders sent from CINCINDIGO. :"Thank you, Commander." Bochu said. Then he coughed. "Lieutenant Braxxon, front and center." Bradford did a quick but not quite perfect about face, and departed. Braxxon replaced him. "Likewise Lieutenant, your performances in your duties to the CONSTELLATION, the United Federation of Planets, and the Federation have warranted your promotion to the rank of Full Lieutenant, with all the rights, duties, and priviledges of that rank." Bochu took another box from the Yeoman, and replaced the half-pip with a full one. Braxxon smiled. Bochu looked amongst the crowd, and eyed Kzar, who looked straight ahead, as if at attention. Then he returned to the podium. "Now. There are other promotions that are not being passed out at this ceremony strictly for time constraints on our up and coming mission. Department heads will handle those promotions separately, and for that I apologize." He paused. "There is one more announcement I would like to make. As you know, Ensign Kalturak was injured on the trip home. He has been transferred to OMEGA for further medical treatment.... Ensign Vercheck Avion. Are you here?" After searching around, Bochu spotted a hand go up in a sea of yellow shirts. "Mister Avion, please raise your hand high...... Mister Avion is our new Chief of Engineering. Please make a note of it in your logs, and do not be a stranger to him in the halls.... he may just save your life some day. Welcome aboard, Ensign." Bochu said. Bertoli rolled his eyes. It didn't make sense for a "captain" to be acting like he was at a bridge club or something! Kraltz' thoughts were similar. "Now, for the mission....." Bochu said, and again cleared his throat. "We have been ordered to rendezvous with the USS JOHN PAUL JONES, and we have been attached to INDIGO fleet's CruDiv 7, under the command of Captain S'kar R'haal." He paused. "R'haal is an Andorian, and should be easy to spot if and when he arrives. The Division consists of the JOHN PAUL JONES, the CHARLES CORNWALLIS, both Caesar Agustus class ships, and the BonHOMME RICHARD and USS EAGLE, both Galaxy class Starships. We will receive further orders from there. We are to depart immediately after transferring some of our shuttles to the USS PROMETHEUS...... that is all." Bochu stood to attention. "Group! Attention!" Almost 1,000 men and women of various races immediately stood to attention. "Department heads, take charge of your troops." With a nod, the department heads did an about face, and Bochu stepped down and headed for the door. "Commanders.... please follow me." He said, to Bertoli and Kraltz. Respectfully submitted, CDR Mudoro Bochu acting Commander USS CONSTELLATION NCC-1017-F Indigo Fleet http://www.cyberhighway.net/~nitefitr/starship.html ____________________________ <<>> FMD: 7.0800 Unexpected awards ceremony & mission orders Mike David & Tom: Congratulations! you've deserved it for some time, now. More to follow. Mike Groner nitefitr@cyberhighway.net AKA's CDOR Dirkas Mirtox, Commander, Dante Expeditionary Force CAPT Jim Ericcson, Executive Officer, Starfleet Public Affairs CAPT Marcus Delaney, Commander, USS HERAKLES NCC-25001 CDR Mudoro Bochu, Executive Officer, USS CONSTELLATION NCC-1017-F LT Tholar Sheltaz, ALB Instructor, Holodeck 3 END TRANSMISSION ***This message sent by an official member of Indigo Fleet*** Are you also posting your message to the newsgroup?!!! ---END TRANSMISSION---