Welcome Aboard
Posted on Tue Apr 30th, 2024 @ 7:51pm by Colonel Josiah McEntyre & Sub-Commander T'shir & Lieutenant Commander Gabriel Calhoun
1,097 words; about a 5 minute read
Mission:
First Deployment
Location: Shuttlepod One
Keelli docked the shuttle with a speed and accuracy that belied her "dumb blonde" exterior. She was the Chief Helmsman for the Unicorn, but her main job was Chief Pilot. She ran the hangars like they were her babies-in some ways, they were.
When the ATCs gave the go-ahead, she stood up from her Console.
"You're all free to disembark," she said. She stepped forward to help unload the shuttle-they had done a quick personnel run, and she, for one, was glad for it. The new batch of Marines and men was proving quite fruitful. She busied herself with clearing her flightlogs and such as the others got settled.
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Gabriel Calhoun appreciated a lift in a shuttlepod as much as anyone, but this one was a little too crowded for comfort. As the new Chief Engineer of Unicorn, Calhoun would have much rather used the transporter. They were deemed safe despite difficulties in the early days of deep space exploration.
Nevertheless, he settled in and waited to dock with his new ship. The nondescript pilot made an announcement to the passengers. “Stand by for docking procedures. Welcome to Unicorn, ladies and gentlemen.”
Awaiting the shuttle was a MACO Private in Combat Fatigues, he gestures to the new arriving Engineer, coming over.
"Commander Calhoun?"
Calhoun turned toward the voice of the young MACO. “What can I do for you, Private?”
"Sir! I've been instructed to escort you up to the Colonel's Ready Room. He's eager to meet you and get you up to speed on our current OP. If you'll follow me sir"
The private replied, eagerly, clearly a fresh recruit just out of basic, looking to impress.
Calhoun had a duffle over each shoulder and they appeared to weigh him down slightly as he boarded Unicorn via the airlock.
“Eager to meet me? That’s a first. Looking forward to meeting him as well. Lead on, Private. I’m right behind you. Fine ship ya got here, Mr…. Private…”, Calhoun said, nudging the MACO officer.
"Private Childers," the Trill piped up. "Go ahead, I can have your things beamed to your office. The Colonel is a nice guy, but doesn't like to be kept waiting," the blonde said. The Colonel was next on her list of men to "befriend," but this Calhoun fellow might be a good target, too. She'd have to see.
“Well, we don’t want to keep him waitin’ do we? And I appreciate you taking my bags off my hands. I usually pack light, but this is no ordinary assignment. I didn’t want to leave anything behind. I’ll just leave these here for you. After you, Private.” Calhoun gestured with his arm that he would follow Childers to meet his new commanding officer.
Keelli gave a noncommittal grunting noise and a nod. No matter the race or planet of origin, men were all the same-cute as hell, but a pain in her ass and why she was still attracted to them, she didn't know.
The engineer accompanied Private Childers through Unicorn’s corridors all the way to the Bridge. The Colonel’s Ready Room was situated directly off the bridge. Calhoun waited at the door until he was welcomed inside.
Sub-Commander T'shir noted the new officer on the Bridge immediately. "Lieutenant Commander Calhoun," she stated dryly. "I'll inform the Colonel you are here." T'shir turned back toward the communication panel and patched a line through to the ready room. "Colonel McEntyre, the new Chief Engineer has arrived."
"Send him down" Josiah replied through the comms. He was presently sitting in his leather armchair reviewing battle reports and writing up tactical plans.
Calhoun stepped through the threshold of the Ready Room and stood at attention with his hands behind his back, facing McEntyre.
“Commander Gabe Calhoun, reporting for duty, Colonel.” Calhoun hated the formality of introductions like this. He eagerly awaited to hear what information his new commanding officer had regarding his assignment.
"Commander, welcome. I'm Josiah McEntyre, it's good to meet you. I know that your assignment here was quite sudden, but I needed an engineer, and you came highly recommended. Admiral Douglas gave high praise for you as well as your previous captains when I queried your file."
Josiah greeted warmly as he stood to shake the man's hand before offering him a seat across from him.
“I appreciate that, sir. I’m just an engineer from Florida, but it’s kind of you and my past commands to say those things. So, if I can ask, Colonel, what’s our objective now that the Romulans have taken an aggressive posture? I haven’t stepped foot in Engineering yet, but I can promise you maximum warp when you need it. I do need to get a handle on the staff and duty rosters.”
"Rigging the ship for combat. I'll be in meetings with the Brass, once they come aboard, most likely with expectations that we launch immediately after. I want the ship ready for flight and combat operations ASAP. Your predecessor, Commander Paladin make good work on the core. I hope to see it's full potential."
“Of course, Colonel. I’m sure Paladin kept everything up to spec. I want to get a closer look at the injectors and manifolds, make sure they’re clean and ready to go. You can count on top efficiency and maximum warp when you need it. Impulse, too, of course. How long until we’re underway?”
"Fairly quickly, I will imagine. I'm meeting with the Brass shortly, it shouldn't take long to get an estimate on when we'll cast off. Be ready."
Josiah nodded to the new engineer.
“Of course, Colonel. Have to run through final checks on the warp reactor and scan the subroutines for any abnormal readings. I’ve been looking forward to this for six weeks, even before I knew I was coming aboard. Anything else, Colonel?”
"Nothing from My End, Thank you, Commander. Welcome aboard"
Josiah said, reaching his hand out to shake the hand of his new Chief Engineer.
Calhoun returned McEntyre’s handshake with the enthusiasm of a young officer fresh out of the Academy. “Thank you, sir. Pleasure to be here and do my part. I’m sure we’ll do some good things — fine ship, fine crew.”
OFF:
Colonel Josiah McEntyre
Commanding Officer
Unicorn NX-151
MACO Special Operational Detachment - Alpha
Lieutenant Commander Gabriel Calhoun
Chief Engineer
Unicorn NX-151
Sub Commander T’shir
Chief Communications Officer/Officer of the Watch
Unicorn NX-151
Lieutenant Keelli Reex
Helm Officer/Shuttle Pilot
Unicorn NX-151
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