Routine

Posted on 24 Apr 2014 @ 11:53pm by Captain Harvey Geisler & Emily Carter

709 words; about a 4 minute read

Mission: Pursuit
Location: USS Black Hawk, Deck 9
Timeline: February 1, 2388 || 0900 hours

Captain's Log, February 1, 2388.

For more than a month now, I have been in charge of the USS Black Hawk. Since the events in the Altair system, we have been fortunate to see a reprieve. Many of the initial Senior Staff have moved on to other assignments. Only Lieutenants Sheldon and Sherman have remained on board, and I'm thankful for that.

We've been patrolling the sectors outside of the Altair System as ordered by Task Force Command. All has been quiet, almost too quiet. We have had no contact with the Golden Stars since our first encounter. I can't help but think that they're still out there somewhere...

We're due to rendezvous with a transport this morning to deliver twelve new starfighters, new personnel including my new XO, and some supplies. At least for the first time in three weeks, we have something to do...

=======================

"Engineering Department update, sir." Yeoman Carter handed a new PADD to the Captain, still marching along the corridor. Since the Altair system, this had become part of their morning routine, slowly inspecting the ship from stem to stern while reviewing departmental statuses. They even took the opportunity to address any departmental needs as he crossed paths with the section heads.

Harvey's left hand expertly clutched a tall mug of hot green tea, perfectly balanced to not spill as he walked. Amazingly, he did not run into any of the passing crewmen or bulkheads as he accepted the PADD and read the summary. "Looks like the port impulse engine is still not at peak."

"The ACEO was hoping to give you a more positive report, but is asking for a chance to stop for an hour or so to take a closer look at the manifold."

"I'm not keen on stopping," Harvey replied, entering his acknowledgement and passing it back to the yeoman. He wished his XO was here to handle some of these issues. "But maybe he can have a good chance when we rendezvous with the transport. It'll take a while to move those fighters and personnel over."

He stopped and tapped a button at the turbolift. "Any word from Lieutenant Sheldon?"

Emily was grateful for the stop, allowing her a chance to readjust the load of PADDs she was carrying. "Only that he's grateful for the extra hands, sir."

Harvey nodded in response. The turbolift doors opened, and both entered. "Bridge," Harvey ordered, accepting another PADD from Petty Officer Carter. "Ah, good," he commented, seeing that he was now holding the transfer orders. It was probably the biggest mid-tour transfer he had seen since the Dominion War. Two weeks ago he had offloaded most of his Senior Staff at New Bajor and left without permanent replacements. Since then, Assistant Chiefs had been carrying the load while Harvey searched, at his request, for proper replacements. So far, only one of the Assistant Chiefs had proved to be a worthwhile replacement. Others were joining the Black Hawk now on the transport.

Including his new first officer.

The list before him contained the new names of his senior staff, handpicked from the available lot, as well as fighter pilots picked by the CAG and some other transfers dictated by Starfleet Personnel Reviews.

"Hopefully the fresh faces will bring a change of stars..." he commented.

"Stars, sir?" Emily was confused, unfamiliar with the phrase.

"Customarily," he explained, "stars referred to placement within a caste system. I meant to use it more as fate or status. Wandering the stars is one thing. Wandering with purpose is another entirely."

Emily smiled as the turbolift stopped and the doors opened. "Of course, sir."

Harvey nodded to the yeoman, knowing this was the moment they parted ways. Hers was to deliver the confirmations to departments and the captain's final notes and his was to direct the steps of the USS Black Hawk. "Good morning, yeoman."

"Good morning to you too, Captain."

Harvey didn't watch as the doors closed to take Carter on her way. Instead, he traversed the steps to arrive at his chair in the center of the bridge, only to find yet another PADD waiting for him on his chair.

"It just doesn't end, does it?" he mumbled, picking up the device just before he sat down.

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