From TTy99@aol.com Sun Jun 28 22:43:02 1998 Date: Sat, 20 Jun 1998 13:25:02 -0600 From: TTy99@aol.com To: INDIGO FLEET List Serve Subject: [INDIGO] USS PROMETHEUS : Underway at last ---OFFICIAL INDIGO FLEET TRANSMISSION--- Date: Sat, 20 Jun 1998 15:23:19 EDT From: Subject: [INDIGO] USS PROMETHEUS : Underway at last SD 100620.2030 GMT Scene: Bridge, USS PROMETHEUS FMD 7.1700 The doors to the Captain's Ready Room whooshed open and Sovak strode down quickly to stand in the center of the room, every eye upon him, either openly or surreptitiously. Looking up from where he was huddled at the back of the room with Lt Chaz Modix, the new Operations officer, Lt Cmdr Rand Talon anticipated the Vulcan CO's next question. As did everyone else. "Commander," stated Sovak, turning a quizzical eye on his XO, "it is now 1700 hours. Are the repairs sufficiently completed for us to get underway?" "Uh.... no, sir," Rand responded, shaking his head. "We are just finishing up a few things, though, and we should be able to get underway within another fifteen to twenty minutes." "That is acceptable," the Captain said with a slight nod, to the astonishment of just about everyone there. "What will be our anticipated operational efficiency?" "Well, we're still short six crewmen since OMEGA just didn't have any more, our new Chief Medical officer just reported aboard, and of course we need shuttlecraft in the worst way......" "I did not ask for a litany of our shortcomings, Mr. Talon," interrupted Sovak. "Please answer the question." "Approximately ninety-one per cent, Captain," supplied Chaz helpfully. Rand shot him a dirty look, but the Chamelean OPS officer just smiled and shrugged. "That will have to suffice," noted Sovak dispassionately. "We will continue repairs as we proceed to our rendezvous point. How much more time will it take to bring us up to 100%, given the deficiencies we can do nothing about?" "About another six to eight hours, sir," replied Talon with a weary slump of his shoulders. "If we keep everyone on duty, but in my opinion, sir, the crew deserves a break. They have been working almost non-stop since the battle, and....." "There will be time enough to rest as we sit on station and await the inevitable onslaught, Commander," Sovak said sharply. "However, since that could occur at any time, I intend for this ship to be as ready as it can be when it comes." "Aye, aye, sir," acknowledged Rand sadly, knowing how exhausted most of the crew was by now. However, he saw the logic in Sovak's argument and he wasn't about to argue with his new captain in front of the crew anyway. "I shall return to the bridge when you inform me that we are ready to depart, Commander," Sovak announced, walking back toward his ready room doors. As the darkened room beyond swallowed up the Vulcan Captain, Chaz turned to Rand and commented: "You know, he looks kind of pale, even for a Vulcan. I think he's driving himself too hard." Rand snorted. "Like the rest of us aren't?" Looking back down at the PADD they held between them with furrowed brow, he asked: "Can you reassign work crew alpha seven to help with the structural repairs on deck 31?" Chaz nodded slowly as a thoughtful look came over his face. "I think so, but that would mean......" As their conversation continued, tired crewmen around them resumed their own tasks. The bridge was once again operational, though several consoles were still being tested for final conformance to specifications. All over the PROMETHEUS, their actions were being mirrored by virtually everyone aboard as they frantically tried to complete the repairs that soon enough, their lives may well depend on. It had been a long, hard couple of days for the crew, and relief was nowhere in sight. ******************************************************************** Scene: Sickbay FMD 7.1705 Dr. Benjamin Mpondo did not like what he saw at all. Sickbay was in chaos, every bed full of moaning patients, and it looked like the entire ship had been through a war. Scorched walls and busy technicians testified to the problems they were still having, and in several spots, loose ceiling panels dangled precariously, held in place by what looked like.... string and wire? The staff looked weary unto death, moving almost like automatons as they shuffled between patients with what seemed like no coherent rhyme or reason. No, this simply would not do. Lowering his bag to the floor beside him, Dr. Mpondo straightened up to his full impressive height of six foot, four inches tall, gathered a large amount of wind into his lungs and bellowed aloud in a voice like a bullhorn that froze everyone within earshot (which was to say nearly two full decks, as the repair crew below stopped in disbelief when they heard the sound filtering down through the ceiling): "ALL RIGHT, EVERYONE! LISTEN UP, AND LISTEN GOOD!" All noise stopped abruptly as if someone had thrown a switch. Amazed and apprehensive looks turned toward the doorway, where they took in the sight of a large bearded black man with the fierce glare dressed, incongruously enough, in a very colorful African robe. That did not detract from his commanding presence, though, and no one uttered a sound as their eyes remained fixed on this apparition of an ancient Zulu warrior come to life. "My name," announced the big man in a loud voice, his eyes roving the room to make sure he had everyone's undivided attention, "is Dr. Benjamin Mpondo. I hold the Starfleet rank of Lieutenant, and as of this moment, I am in charge of this place as your new Chief Medical officer. If anyone has a problem with that, speak up now." One could have heard the proverbial pin drop for the next several seconds as everyone present, medical personnel and technicians alike, just gaped at the newcomer. When no one spoke, Mpondo smiled, showing sparkling white teeth, though the viewers were reminded more of a predatory lion rather than mistaking the expression for anything friendly. "Good," the big man noted with satisfaction. "All doctors, there will be an immediate meeting in my office, where we will review every case here and see if we can't find some way to get these people back on their feet. All you repair people, get the hell out of my sickbay until I give you permission to come back. You're in our way, and we cannot run a medical unit with you underfoot." "But, sir....." protested a hapless engineer, though he never got to finish. "Young man," thundered the large doctor, placing his hands on his hips and towering over the shorter and smaller crewman, "if you don't get out of here right now, I'm going to rip your head off and use it to play football. Is that understood?" Within seconds, there was a virtual stampede of technicians toward the exit, leaving the medical staff both bemused and more than a little intimidated by this giant in their midst, acting so unlike the vision most people believed doctors should project. Reaching down, the new CMO picked up his bag, straightened up, looked around the silent and still room once more, then snapped: "I *said* doctors' meeting right NOW, in my office! The rest of you, get back to work." Like a whale cleaving its way through the ocean depths. Mpondo headed toward his new office, scattering medtechs in his wake who were only too anxious to get out of his way. Behind him the three doctors on staff exchanged confused glances filled with more than a little apprehension, then slowly followed the big man. "One thing's for sure," came an anonymous whispered comment after the door had shut behind them, "he won't be a weakling like Kenfald." A low chorus of nervous "amens" was the only answer. ************************************************ Scene: Bridge FMD 7.2145 "USS PROMETHEUS reporting for duty, Commodore Farthington." The silver-haired man in a Starfleet's Captain uniform on the viewscreen studied the Vulcan carefully, as if trying to measure the person against what he saw. [Acknowledged] he said curtly after what seemed like a long few seconds to the bridge crew. Sovak, of course, stood impassive and utterly still the entire time. [Take up station on the far side of the LION and coordinate with Captain Travis.] "Aye, aye, sir," responded Sovak. The picture screen abruptly dissolved itself back into empty space, the only difference being that the remaining ships of BATRON 9 hung against the backdrop of stars like models suspended against a night sky. "Lieutenant Phoenix," commanded the Vulcan CO, "take us to the end of the line and assume a position alongside the LION. Ensign Pascal, open a channel to captain Travis." "Yes, sir," acknowledged Phoenix, glad to actually be at the helm this time and not stuck in some turboshaft. "But of course, zir," responded the Frenchman jauntily, handling the tactical station until their promised replacement showed up. "You may speak when ready, mon Capitaine." Sovak ignored the informal tone, instead facing the screen where yet another Captain appeared. Travis was quite a bit younger than Captain Farthington of the AGINCOURT, and often wore a sly smile, as if he knew something no one else did. He was also very popular with his crew, and his ship was one of the most requested assignments in INDIGO fleet. His informality and what some called disrespect had cost him more than one senior officers' favor, it was rumored. [Sovak!] the black-haired Captain immediately greeted them with a friendly grin. [Congratulations on your promotion. Sorry it had to happen this way, of course.] "You condolences for the loss of Captain Slick are appreciated, Captain," Sovak replied coolly. "Acting Commodore Farthington has ordered us to take up station at the end of the line." [In the shape you're in?] demanded Travis incredulously. [Hell, it's a bloody miracle you were able to get out of OMEGA under your own power. We had a pool going here as to when you would join us, and the winner guessed two full days, since he was the only one who guessed even that close. The far end was a full week.] "I am gratified that you were mistaken, Captain," stated Sovak. [You must have a damned fine crew over there, or else your reputation as a slave- driver is well-deserved] the Captain of the LION added with a broad wink. Sovak merely stood there, staring at him. As the most junior Captain present, he would naturally be expected to take orders from any of the other ship commanders there, so although he might have wished to terminate the conversation, he did not. [Well, I'll choose to ascribe it to your crew] Travis generously conceded after a few seconds. [Tell them from me that they've done a fine job, even if old Leadbottom Farthington won't acknowledge it.] "I shall do so, sir," replied the Vulcan CO. "However, I do not believe it is appropriate to repeat Captain Farthington's colorful nickname in formal ship- to-ship communications." Travis sighed, then grinned even wider. [I can see it's going to be a lot of fun in Captain's mixers with you around, Sovak. Everyone in the fleet calls him that.] "But not to his face," muttered Chaz under his breath from his OPS console, making sure his voice wouldn't carry far. [You know, Sovak, there's a lot of people who feel you didn't deserve this promotion] Travis continued conversationally, slumping back into his seat casually. [And I guess old lead.... I mean Captain Farthington is one of them. As beat up as you are, the PROMETHEUS should be in the center of the line, not out here at the flank with the rest of us bad boys.] "Since he is the acting Commodore, sir, it is not for us to question his judgement." [Didn't say I was, Sovak] replied the Captain of the LION slyly. [Merely speculating on what I would do if I was acting Commodore instead of him.] "Such speculation, Captain," the PROMETHEUS' Captain noted, "is neither logical nor productive." [Well, if you keep this up, you can forget about me inviting you over for a late dinner] joked Travis, shaking his head and turning to grin at someone out of sight of the viewscreen, presumably his XO. "I would have declined in any case, Captain," Sovak informed him. "We still have repairs to finish, and I have research to continue." [Ah, yes, the professor at work. Well, as much as I hate to conclude this sparkling conversation, I suppose I'd better let you get to it. Give us a call if you need anything.] "Thank you, Captain Travis," said Sovak formally. "PROMETHEUS out." The screen reverted to an empty starfield, since the other ships were now lined up on the PROMETHEUS' left, and Sovak turned to face the rest of the bridge. "Commander Talon," he said, and the Dalriadan XO quickly stepped forward from where he'd been conferring with Lt Defors at the Science station. "You have the bridge," Sovak informed him. "I am going to Sickbay to greet our new Chief Medical officer. Call me immediately if our sensors pick up anything. Maximum alert status." "Yes, sir," acknowledged Talon promptly, handing a PADD back to Defors and making his way down to the center of the bridge. "But, sir," blurted out Pascal, "shouldn't he be reporting to you?" "Second-guessing a senior officer is not a practice generally deemed beneficial to one's career, Ensign," noted Sovak as he strode past. "I suggest you remember that." "Aye, aye, sir," muttered the chastened officer as he stepped out of the Captain's way. As soon as the door hissed shut on the silent bridge, Sovak allowed himself to lean against the wall and close his eyes for a moment. "Deck 4," he gasped, not caring if the computer could hear the change in his voice now. As long as the crew couldn't. There is no pain, he recited as the turbolift smoothly got underway. There is no pain. There is no pain...... *************************************************** [NRPG] Okay, that got me through day 7. Wait for day 8, though I think the early morning hours ought to be okay. We are once again on station with our old friends BATRON 9, on the outer edges of the system where starbase OMEGA is located. We're going to have some time where we just sit and wait..... nervously, wondering where and when the Dalriadans will show up. There are other groups of ships stationed around the system, so we are far from the "key" to the defense, but we may be. Good time for ship to ship messages, although everyone is on high alert. Also, meet Dr. Benjamin Mpondo, our new CMO until we get a player in the role. I made him up on the spur of the moment, have no plans for him, so anyone is free to use or abuse him as they will. Dana: I thought you could have some fun with a new boss..... FMD 7.1700 Sovak checks on repairs Tim FMD 7.1705 Dr. Mpondo arrives Tim FMD 7.2145 PROMETHEUS arrives on station Tim Respectfully submitted, Tim Tyson Captain Sovak USS PROMETHEUS tty99@aol.com ***This message sent by an official member of Indigo Fleet*** Are you also posting your message to the newsgroup?!!! ---END TRANSMISSION---