Captain

Posted on Wed Jan 29th, 2020 @ 11:44pm by Commodore Wilkan Targaryen & Commander Nathan Hawkins & Patton O'Sullivan

878 words; about a 4 minute read

Mission: Genesis
Location: Starship USS Spock
Timeline: 2430-01-05, 17:00

Admiral William Teagarden stepped through the airlock and onto the Starship Spock with his arms crossed and a sour disposition on his face. Tomorrow they would arrive at Gateway Station and they would, potentially, face down a Dominion Battleship if things went south. If that were to happen then the President and his delegation would become a priority for extraction. The Starship Spock ensured that.

Moored in Shuttlebay 3, the Starship Spock was a Redemption Class Escort ship based upon the long running Defiant Class vessel from the previous generation. Three decks, armed with pulse phasers, it was a light escort that had been further modified to meet the diplomatic needs of the President. It had some tricks up its sleeve if they needed them, but he sincerely hoped that they didn't.

The Bridge of the Spock was similar in design to the Bridge of a Defiant Class ship. It was cramped, claustrophobic, but it wasn't meant to be anything special. It had dedicated seating for the Captain in the center and a combination Helm/Ops workstation between the Captain and the viewscreen. The wall was lined with workstations on the port and starboard walls. The aft section had been modified from the norm with the mission table having been replaced by a small anteroom for the Captain's use. It was a practical space meant for a small ship and crew.

"How are you all settling in?" William asked the new Captain and First Officer.

"We're studying how many teeth this shoe box has," Hawkins smirked. "I must say its impressive, much improved on the Defiant Class."

Teagarden nodded, "That it is, Captain, that it is. I still remember when the first vessels of the Redemption Class came off the assembly line. Most Tactical Officers wanted to be on one of them, myself even for a time before other pursuits struck my fancy. Spock is a next generation vessel of that class, designed for more well rounded missions than just blowing things up. But I think you two may realize that."

“It is quite the ship,” Patton acknowledged with a grin. “The more I check it out the happier I am.” He like the Captain was pleased with the Spock.

"That's what I like to hear," the Admiral answered as he leaned against a support pillar. "Because you're going to spend a lot of time here." He handed out two datapads that he had in his pocket, "This ship is critical to my plans for the safety of the President in the event that combat breaks out between us and the Dominion ship. It's advanced, but not indestructible, if things go wrong we won't have much time and I'm leaving it to the two of you to extract the President from the danger zone."

Accepting the datapad Nathan nodded having already suspected such a thing. It wasn't a thought they wished to dwell on but they'd be foolish not to cater for the worst as they faced an old formidable foe. "Let's hope this won't be necessary," the Commander glanced briefly at the document.

"I completely agree, but if it is I want us all to be prepared. Spock is its own vessel with its own independent power. I will have it crewed at all times one we reach 419. In the event that we fight the Dominion vessel I am ordering the two of you to extract the President and get him to safety aboard this ship." He looked at Patton then Nathan, "Blow your way out of the shuttlebay if you have to just get underway as fast as you can. This ship has its own transporters so you should be able to beam the President aboard; if not then do it the old fashioned way. I don't care. Just get him to safety. Once you're clear of Starfleet One set immediate course for Starbase 375 and await instructions from me there," William ordered as he stood firmly. He let out a long breath, "If you don't hear from me or see evidence that the Dominion ship is pursuing you head as quick as you can to Earth. Any questions?"

“Understood completely,” Patton spoke up. “We will not fail in our orders, you can rest assured we will take the President to safety no matter what we need to do to achieve it, Admiral.”

Teagarden smirked, "That's good to know because I'm going to hold you to that, Commander." He looked at Commander Hawkins, "You're a great Commanding Officer, one of my few regrets is what happened to Vigilance. I know that you'll do well. We arrive at Gateway tomorrow. Get some rest tonight because who knows what tomorrow will bring."

The sudden praise and admission was unexpected and caught Nathan by surprise. He willed himself to nod and respond: "Thank you Admiral," he answered still fishing for something else to say. How could Teagarden hold regret about Hawkins' former vessel? He wasn't the one who ended up the dock and stripped of his commission for chasing the skirt of a junior officer. Nathan had learned the hard way the cost of mistakes, now with the Dominion presence and the responsibility of protecting the Federation President there was no room for any further error.

"I won't let you down."

 

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