Starfleet One

Posted on Wed May 13th, 2020 @ 10:22pm by Commodore Loatha Targaryen & Lieutenant Zomuul jav Ghul & Commander Nathan Hawkins & High Commissioner Jasmine Haynes & Petty Officer 2nd Class Corvus Hannah & Captain Ryan Walsh & Zoey Parker & Lieutenant Dylan Blake

1,619 words; about a 8 minute read

Mission: Genesis
Location: Main Bridge, USS Spock
Timeline: 2430-01-09, 09:30

Seconds after the orders came through the Federation Starship Spock came to life inside the confines of the Enterprise's Docking Bay getting ready for its new mission to escort the Federation President back to Earth. The Ushaan Class took its name from the traditional Ushaan, a historical Andorian duel to the death, and its design was highly similar to the ushaan-tor mining pick the duel was named for. The Spock and her sister ships had excellent maneuverability at impulse, and a point defense phaser system. The trade-off was that her hull was somewhat fragile compared to other escort vessels.

For many it was ironic to have a vessel named after one of the Federation's greatest Vulcan statesmen be based upon an Andorian design, but it was just one of the quirky charms of the vessel that would soon serve as the new Starfleet One. It was not lost upon its AI, Spock, either. Based upon the likeness of the Vulcan Starfleet Officer whom valiantly served aboard the Starship Enterprise in the 23rd Century, the Spock's AI depicted the Vulcan Ambassador in a traditional Vulcan diplomatic tunic. His appearance was based upon his time in the Diplomatic Corps as well, with his facial features replicating his look from the mission to Romulus in an effort to save the Romulan star, the last time that the Federation encountered him.

The hologram stood at attention near the Captain's Chair as he awaited the crew.

Once he was on The Spock, Ryan headed for the bridge and stood off to the side as he was a guest with no official position there.

He wasn't alone for long. Soon the footfalls of Hawkins and his crew members started to arrive. "Take your stations," Nathan prompted Blake, Parker, Snoden and Hannah who'd traveled with him.

"Aye, sir," Hannah responded as he made his way to the medical station. He wasn't sure what other medical personnel may be aboard, but since he was told to work a station on the bridge, he figured it would be very few. Or that they were considered needed in Medical more. Either way he wasn't going to blow his chances to shine here. For both himself and for his CO back on the Enterprise. "Bringing up EM systems now, Captain."

Blake did as instructed, wiping the nervous sweat from his palms as he went.

"Do you want me on the bridge?" Zoey asked, not sure where she would be useful. She was a strategic operations officer, not an engineer, not a scientist or a bridge officer. She had bridge officer training, but she considered herself more of a relief officer, and not a primary officer.

Hawkins wanted to laugh at Parker's question - the Spock was tiny compared to the Enterprise where else would she go? "Yes Lieutenant, familiar yourself with tactical. We're need as much edge as possible should we encounter any difficulties."

"Aye Captain." Zoey said, as she walked over the tactical station. It was a pretty traditional layout. Zoey wasted very little time, in getting ready.

"Spock," the Captain turned to the AI. "Has the diplomatic transponder been transfer?"

"Indeed, Captain," the holographic Vulcan answered from next to the Captain's chair. "It is ready to come online when ordered."

"Good," Nathan nodded. "Standby to activate when all personnel are accounted for and we're clear of the Enterprise."

The hologram nodded crisply, "Understood, Captain. We will be ready."

"Captain Walsh," he acknowledged the man beside him. "Have our guests arrived safely?"

“They are on board, Captain,” Ryan replied. He was relieved they had gotten there with no issue.

"Excellent, I hope they don't mind the slightly cramped quarters."

“They will learn to adjust,” Ryan replied with a slight smile. “These are tough times.”

"I'm sure you can ease any of their teething issues," Hawkins glanced sideways at him as the ship came alive around them.

The Tellarite Science Officer approached the starboard wall Science Station and took his seat, loading the command protocols to bring the sensor arrays of the Ushaan Class vessel to full readiness. He input a series of commands on the workstation as the settings loaded to monitor their course. He just hoped that this trip was a safe one.

"Bishop to Hawkins. "Your free to depart Nathan. Safe travels and keep the wind at your back."

"Affirmative," Hawkins' replied. "Look after yourselves too, we're grab a beer when this is over."

"Will do and sounds like a plan and I'll buy." Bishop volunteered before saying. "Enterprise out."

With a steadying breathe Hawkins gave the order which would separate them from the comforting support of the Enterprise for an unknown period of time. The safety of the Federation President now rested in their hands: "Helm, move of us out and lay in a course for Starbase 375."

As the Starship Spock gently slid from the confines of the Docking Bay, Lieutenant Zomuul jav Ghul checked the sensor readouts. He typed quickly, "Our sister vessels - the Georgiou and Kirk - are moving alongside to escort us, Captain."

"Good." the Captain was grateful of their comforting presence. "Signal the convey to match our speed and course, wrap six helm, engage when safely clear."

Hannah turned in his chair, away from the station to watch the viewscreen. He had to remember to keep his 'game face' on, he was on the bridge and it wouldn't do to be seen as a grinning fool.

"We are secure at Warp Speed, Captain," the replica of Ambassador Spock informed as he maneuvered around the compact bridge of his namesake. "All personnel are being squared away including our VIP guests. I have also received notification that the Admiral has temporarily assigned Commander Haynes as our XO during this mission."

Ryan was pleased to hear that Jasmine had been assigned as temporary XO. She was an excellent choice.

Jasmine had been with the President, securing him in the decks below. With Captain Walsh being on the bridge, she felt her place was needed by the President's side.

"Thank you Spock, I did wonder whom would be replacing O'Sullivan," Hawkins nodded. "Let's hope for a nice peaceful journey."

A few minutes passed before they got their answer. Quickly the peace that surrounded them for so long was over as the Starship Spock rocked from an impact that tore through its outer hull and directly into its engines. The hologram flickered, "Impact registered. Main power is failing."

Meanwhile Jasmine was in the President's tiny quarters, going over security measures when she felt the sudden impact. Jasmine instantly wondered what was going on, and was the president in danger. She instantly looked over to the President.

Instinctively Nathan gripped the arm rest of his seat tighter and cursed at their misfortune so soon into their mission. "Damage report!" he demanded though he already had a fair idea from the AI they were in trouble.

"Outer hull breach," Blake replied. "Direct hit to our engines."

=/\= Haynes to the bridge, the President wants a sit rep.=/\= Jasmine called out from his room. She was trying to do a visual inspection, making sure Gruzy was alright.

The Captain grimaced at the request and hated his own answer as he tried to make sense of everything: "Standby."

"Get me eyes on the convoy," Hawkins instructed. With limited propulsion and fading power they'd need every tooth the Georgiou and Kirk could provide. "Reroute emergency power to the shields."

The Tellarite Science Officer pecked at the keys of his workstation, "Impacts of unknown origin. Highly energized. Most likely weapons fire, but I cannot find a source." Alarms blared, "Incoming!"

From above new weapons pulses came from no where and slammed into the upper hull of the Spock, tearing into the hull with impressive fury. The Spock shook violently from left to right with each successive impact, the vessel's hull groaning with the stress as the Spock's structural integrity became compromised. The echo of energy pulses, they were Federation phasers, could be heard throughout the ship as consoles erupted from overloads. The main lighting failed, emergency lighting coming alive.

The hologram of Spock began to shimmer and fade, "Engines are offline. Main power is failing..." To add insult in injury the hologram disappeared as he said it.

Shaking away his daze Hawkins waved aside a bloom of smoke drifting across his vision: "Send a distress call to the convey, get these fire's out," he called. He knelt next to Walsh whom had been standing close by before they came under fire: "Captain," he shook his shoulders gently. "Are you injured?"

Ryan sat up and shook his head. “Just knocked of my feet.” He moved a bit and looked up at him. “I may have hit the floor a bit hard but I am good. Sir.”

Through the window atop the Bridge dome they saw the flash of an explosion as a vessel erupted in flame. The question was was it there attacker or their hero exploding. "We've lost all systems," the Science Officer informed. "Captain, we need to send out a distress call. We're adrift and at risk."

Hawkins bit back a defeated sigh as the gloom descended upon them again. Everything was spiralling downward quickly threatening to terminate their homeward journey prematurely, an uncomfortable personal memory of a similar situation threaten to cloud the Captain's mind. He willed it away and controlled himself: "Do it," he instructed raising to his feet. "Get me a full damage report and a status of our VIP's."

Ryan moved towards one of the stations, he needed to check on the others.

With a press of a button their distress call echoed through space; each of them hoping that it was found by friend and not foe.

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