To Boldly Go

Posted on Monday January 31st, 2022 @ 10:29pm by Lieutenant Commander Curzon Bennett & Lieutenant Commander Jennifer Miller & Lieutenant Steven Edgeware & Lieutenant JG Talerian Maxx

Mission: EPISODE 1: SHAKEDOWN
Location: USS Oberon - Various
Timeline: MD3 1700hrs

::ON::

A sharp ping sounded through Bennett's Ready Room. What an odd thought, my Ready Room. Glancing over at the chronometer built into the work desk he had had installed at relatively short notice - the wonders of replication technology - he saw that it was almost time to leave space dock. He got to his feet, and tugged at his uniform jumper, noticing the bright red of the command division in the silver trim around the door. Stands out like a sore thumb. Not like that good old grey.

He squared his shoulders as he stepped through the doors to the Bridge. The new Commanding Officer could see clear across to the Viewer on the opposite bulkhead, straight over his Captain's Chair. Nodding, he acknowledged the crewman who yelled out 'Captain on deck!' to announce his arrival. Smiling he made his way through the bustle and perched in the center chair, resting a hand on his right knee and leaning an elbow on the left arm. There was still a few minutes for the customary arrival of the senior crew to their positions. A timeless ritual.

Lieutenant Maxx stood up for the Captain as he was announced. Then once he was relieved he sat back in his chair at his Science station. He was running several diagnostic scans to make sure all the bugs were fixed in the system. He had no real reason to draw attention to himself so he patiently listened to what the Captain might say.

Jennifer had been checking over the bridge stations prior to Bennett’s arrival. She wanted everyone and everything to be ready for the launch. Giving her CO a quick nod and half a smile, she settled into the XO’s chair. She noted that that the chair felt rather hard and lumpy, a probably side effect of how new the seat was. Hopefully it would soften over the next few months.

Like most Security officers Trensu was already standing when the Captain walked onto the bridge. Trensu looked in his direction nodding acknowledging the Captain's presents. Trenu looked over to the security station. Trensu hands moved over the security station controls activated the Security panel. All the Tactical and Security data started to stream across. Trensu was ready to answer any questions the Captain might have.

Trenu Looking over the statuses of the offensive and defenses of the ship It was a lot less than DS3 station. in every respect. This was truly a research ship. This Luna Class ship had enough of a bite to keep any aggression at bay.

Jason entered the bridge for the first time, he'd only been on the bridge of one other starship, he quietly made his way over to a vacant science station, he tested his access codes which appeared to be valid, and turned too watch the launch.

[Sickbay]

Steven ran his eyes over the darkened bio bed screen. Whoever passed the Oberon’s sickbay off as operational should be publicly ridiculed. Yes the majority of its systems were operational. But half of the bio beds had not been calibrated. Still at least security had not had a chance to bug this sickbay as they did on… thoughts of what had happened before. Gave Steven a cold feeling.

"No don’t go down that path. New ship new paragraph," Steven said softly.

Edgeware nodded and ran his hand over the darkened panel. It came to life giving him a satisfied nod.

“One down five more to go.” He commented.

[Bridge]

Bennett leaned over to Miller, and asked in a low voice, 'is your chair uncomfortable too?'

Jennifer gave her CO the side eye, wondering if he was part-telepath. She finally turned her head the entire way towards the man, “Its a little lumpy, sir. But I’m sure it’ll soon soften up.” She paused for a breath and laughing nervously. “I guess you could compare it to my tenure as XO of the Oberon.”

He smiled in return. 'Don't get too soft now, Commander. They'll need whipping into shape while we get to our destination.

Jo entered the bridge with her ever present tool kit. If any of the equipment failed she would be there to expedite repairs, for the time being she made her way to ops two, logged in and prepared for launch.

"If your chairs are uncomfortable, I can adjust them for you." Jo said.

Bennett smiled and nodded in return. Nervousness muted him for a moment.

Nodding as he saw the last of his senior crew take their place on the Bridge, Bennett nodded to Miller. 'Please hail Betazed Control, and inform them the Oberon is ready for launch,' he told her in a matter-of-fact voice that carried across the Bridge. It held no trace of the nervous anxiety that Bennett felt filling his body through to the tips of his fingers, infecting them with a nervous energy as he drummed a tattoo on the armrest of his command chair.

The dutiful executive officer nodded confidently. The time had finally come to get the Oberon underway. Jennifer couldn’t have been more excited at the prospect. She pressed a few buttons on the armrest of her chair and opened up a direct communications channel. “Betazed Control, this is Oberon. Requesting permission to launch.” The main viewer activated automatically when the response came a few seconds later.

'Betazed Control confirms USS Oberon is cleared for launch,' came the warm tones of reply from the Betazed on the viewer. His tone became weary as he added, 'may we remind you that it's thrusters only until you've cleared Melandar, the second moon? And may the Four Deities guide your path, Oberon'

Duly noted,' Bennett replied warmly, getting to his feet. 'And may the Four Deities continue to bless Betazed and her people.' And my wife. He turned, dismissing the call with a wave of the hand, 'Oberon out.' He grinned at the officers assembled on the Bridge. 'Now, let's see what this ship can do.' Cocking a hand on his hip he moved to the conn.

'Helmsman, one-quarter impulse, bearing direct ahead.'

The Helmsman nodded, and Bennet smiled at him in satisfaction before resuming his seat. 'Take us out.'

Their deft fingers dancing across the control panel in front of them, the Helmsman brought the Luna-class vessel's speed up to a quarter impulse. Bennett felt the slight push against his body for a split second before the inertial dampers kicked in, nullifying the effect of the engines on his being. Picking up speed, the Oberon only just cleared the spacedock's massive doors with a few hundred meters to either side, the Helmsman smirking in satisfaction as they pulled away from the station in an arc, heading towards open space.

Lieutenant Maxx exhaled as he was relieved that this pilot could fly well. He then tapped a few buttons as he activated the sensors to monitor the areas around and on the ship. He wanted to give them a real test run and knew he might have to fix any bugs on the sensors. Then he sipped his coffee as he waited for the program to finish up.

[Sickbay-CMO office]

Steven sat down in his office and looked out the window. He gave a sigh as the view began to slowly move. They were at last on their way. It was a shame there was no medical station on the bridge. Which was unusual for a starship. But never mind so long as he had a window in his new office. A call jogged him out of his stargazing.

[Bridge]

Watching the viewer until they left space dock. Lieutenant Trensu looked down at the Security station the data started to come in the ship's shuttles movement the weapons shields sensors all showed working and powered. All the weapons safety were on and powered. Everything was ready and operational and the tactical and security personnel were reported at their stations. Security was ready for the mission.

'Ensign Grant, scan for the rendevouz point with the transport convoy - they should be further out in the system,' Bennett ordered as he relaxed back into his chair. He felt exhilarated as he saw the ship bank away from Betazed on the viewer in the sure hand of their young conn officer. Gripping hte armrest of his chair he felt, possibly for the first time, the thrill of being in command of his own vessel. Not that this was the first vessel he had commanded. But this command was his.

"Scanning Captain. Rendezvous point is clear of any traffic, tracking the transport convoy .015 lightyears out at warp 2, course 270 mark 16, ETA 21 minutes, 43 seconds, mark." Jo reported.

"I don't see any other ships in the area, Sir." Jo reported.

Bennett nodded, 'Helm, take us to the coordinates noted by Ensign Grant, Warp Two.' He sat back in his chair, feeling a little giddy that they were finally underway. He turned and looked at his Executive Officer, 'now, let's see what this ship can do.'

::OFF::

Lieutenant Commander Curzon Bennett
Commanding Officer
USS Oberon

Lieutenant Commander Jennifer Miller
Executive Officer
USS Oberon

Lieutenant Dr Steven Edgeware
Chief Medical Officer
USS Oberon

Lieutenant Ahkhsu Trensu
Chief of Security & Tactical
USS Oberon

Lieutenant JG Talerian Maxx
Chief Science Officer
USS Oberon

Lieutenant Jason Elliot
Chief Intelligence Officer
USS Oberon

Ensign JoAnne Grant
Operations Officer
USS Oberon