Flashback: Final Boarding Call
Posted on Sat Feb 4th, 2023 @ 8:38am by Crewman Melly
2,811 words; about a 14 minute read
Mission:
Short Treks
Location: Tantalus Penal Colony
Timeline: 2430-09-11, 09:00
Location: Tantalus Penal Colony
Melly sipped the Andonian Tea with a smile, her face bright as ever and full of joy. Across from her the Counselor was enjoying the same tea.
“So Little One. You had told me about the dinner in the aquatic restaurant, I take it you were headed to the ship next?”, she said with interest.
Melly thought back, “So here is how it went.”
Location: Spaceflight Terminal, Spacedock
Lieutenant Rrawran stood at the security checkpoint to enter the Enterprise staring at the crowd. As the Alpha Watch Security Officer, he was the de facto Chief of Security until the Admiral appointed someone to the role and he was determined to show he was a perfect candidate. Besides, it wasn't like it wasn't a role he hadn't already served in aboard the Enterprise in the past.
The tall Rorworr officer was probably frightening to those who had never met one before. His race originated near Romulan territory and once had been a vassal race of theirs until the Hobus event. When that happened they immediately petitioned for Federation support. The moment that they were able to do so they became a protectorate and later a Federation member. Like all members of his species he had a pronounced muzzle, razor sharp claws, long pointed teeth, and pointed ears atop his head. Few species had as keen a sense of smell or hearing as his race and he could see in the dark. His snow colored fur covered his entire body and, making him an ideal Security Officer, he could run at high speeds for long periods without getting tired, alternately using two or four limbs if need be.
Beside him stood one of the best Security Guards that he had aboard the ship. Petty Officer Kryg Ugnar was a Tellarite that had served with him for as long as he'd been on the Enterprise. A specialist focusing on Starship defense, Ugnar was specially trained to repel boarding parties. On the opposite side was a newcomer to the Enterprise that he'd only recently met. Crewman Civius th'Vano was an Andorian fresh out of boot camp and assigned as a Guard. To Rrawran he couldn't imagine a better first assignment than to the Enterprise. As the flagship of Battle Group Omega, and not to mention Starfleet itself, it was a career builder.
If they survived the onslaught of people trying to get aboard...
Upon arrival, she presented her transfer information to the person at the gate.
Ugnar accepted the datapad from the alien woman and looked at the data on the screen. The porcine alien pecked at the small screen, reading the information that was presented.
"Chief of Staff, Ambassador Restalar Kalev." she said clearly and distinctly. "Here as part of the President's entourage."
"I can see that," the Tellarite answered, glancing at the Ambassador. "Admiral Teagarden informed us of your appointment aboard. You have been assigned a cabin in the VIP Section on Deck 13," he handed the PADD back, "Directions have been programmed into your device."
"Thank you." she replied taking the PADD and her transfer ID back.
The Tellarite looked at the Ambassador for a moment, "The Admiral has also informed us that you are all invited to a small reception in Fifteen Forward."
"I shall make a note of it, and be there to attend, Petty Officer. I appreciate your thorough check in-procedure." And, she was off, moving past him and heading abroad. She looked at the PADD and then continued on her way to her quarters.
Enroute, Res sent a message to President Gruzy. ~Onboard. I will see you at the reception this evening, Mr. President, unless you have immediate need for my services.~
Moments later he arrived at the gate for boarding, "Secretary of State Jonathan Grayson." He announced, to the gate personnel.
The Andorian Crewman greeted the Secretary of State, "Welcome to the Enterprise, Secretary Grayson. May I have your boarding pass, Sir?"
th'Vano studied the screen, "You're being berthed on Deck 13 in the VIP area. I've transferred the location information on to your device. The Admiral has also invited you to witness the Enterprise's departure from the Fifteen Forward Lounge if you're interested."
Rrawran stood at the central podium watching the final boarding process as it proceeded. There were still over two hundred people that had not boarded and Enterprise was scheduled to depart in the next fifteen minutes. He hoped that they hurried because the Admiral hated waiting...
Lt Jemma Suder approached the gate, prepared to show her boarding pass, transfer orders, etc. “Lieutenant Jemma Suder, Chief Counselor, for the Enterprise,” she stated, holding out her boarding pass.
The Acting Chief of Security looked at the information on the PADD. Pressing a control he read over special instructions that had been set up by the Admiral for passenger boarding, "I see that the Admiral has assigned you to conduct screenings of Senior Staff."
“That is correct, sir. I will be available for initial sessions, once we are on our way,” she remarked, as a way to remind personnel of their boarding evals necessary for all assigned personnel.
"I wish you luck," the canine answered, pressing a control on the PADD. "Here you are, Lieutenant. Directions to your Quarters have been programmed into your PADD. You will want to check for instructions from the Admiral once you're aboard."
Jemma then proceeded to board the ship and make her way to her assigned quarters, before checking out her department.
Zheph came up to a scene right out of action Cine's. There were throngs of people trying to get on board as per the call of the Enterprise to leave in two hours. That time was fast approaching. Thus, Zheph fell into line behind the last in the space and now had a chance to talk with the three fiances who had just joined him.
Zheph snorted in light humor, "Well, you three will have to share our food, which is probably in our assigned cabin under a heat radiator. We were really looking forward to taking you out shopping as soon as you came in, but, it seems StarFleet Command has other ideas about what constitutes shore leave when a ship with the name of Enterprise is involved."
The three ladies gathered around him, all vying for his attention. Natasha Artessae was the shortest of the group, being 4' 4 inches. She was a Vulzeriandrey race, looking like a Fennec Vixenoid. Her large ears slightly blushed as she stated, "I'm just happy we made it here before missing you. We need time to get to know you, and on board a ship is just as fine as out shopping." Qishia Preszorwyn spoke up next. She was aVulangiandrey race, a silver vixen, standing at 5' even.. "I agree, we really just need to be with you, shopping can wait." The final female looked like, for all intents and purposes, a female terran skunk, except humanoid. Her name is Elyxnarra Favalur, and she is a Mephetian. She giggled as she said, "Hey, HEY, no way. Shopping is always preferred, especially in pumping information from the wives about the male in all sorts of unusual topics," she glanced at Avqarin and Resnandra, continuing with a "Right girrls?"
As the ladies got into a debate about the merits of shopping and wives tattling on the husband, the crowd had thinned down to where Zheph was able to step around his ladies to come up to the podium. As he did, his wrist computer signaled names to him of those before him. He saluted to the rather large canine Lieutenant Officer with the flankings of a Tellarite Petty officer and a Crewman Andorian and said, "Greetings and Salutations, Lt. Rrawran, Petty officer Ugnar, and Crewman th'Vano. I am Captain Zhephryn Kaldiran, reporting for duty."
The Rorworr Lieutenant returned the salute. Looking over the new arrival and his entourage quickly the Security Officer grabbed a datapad off of the podium that was outside of the airlock connecting to the docked Enterprise. The alien looked at the readings on the screen, "Nice to meet you, Captain. I have a copy of the transfer orders for yourself already logged.. The Admiral was quite specific about your appointment." The Lieutenant noticed though that the entourage surrounding the new XO.
Zheph smiled as he used his head to indicate the talking females as he responded, "The Blond haired Vixen is my Audvant Avqarin, the Brown haired white Tigress is my Secundra Resnandra, and the other three are fiances I just picked up moments ago from my personal yacht. They are Natasha Artessae, Qishia Preszorwyn, and Elyxnarra Favalur. The two petty officers behind them are our porters with our personal belongings, and existing crew already assigned to the Enterprise. And, my fiances, no, the Admiral did now know about them... he left our meal before I could inform him. So, where am I, and my ladies, Assigned?"
The Security officer held back his surprise at the decision. Captain Kaldrian was set to have one of the larger cabins aboard the ship, but he was not certain that the Captain's Quarters could house so many. "A moment, Sir, while I check something," he said typing on the podium as the others helped other newcomers.
Zheph yiffered lightly and nodded, saying, "Of course, and thank you." Zheph figured that Rrawran was checking on the accommodations for his entourage. After all, he was originally slated for three, and here his party had expanded to six. So, he patiently waited for how the assignment was to come about.
Rrawran typed quickly on the controls, carefully reviewing the available crew cabins. The Enterprise was not being launched at full capacity which would certainly be helpful in this situation. With the Federation's current state there was a more than visible manpower shortage throughout the fleet that they were trying, desperately, to overcome. The only good thing about it at the moment was that it left the cabin adjacent to the XO's open.
Handing over a PADD that was available the Lieutenant continued, "Directions to their cabin have been uploaded into the datapad. You will all be berthed in the same section of the ship."
Zheph yiffered in light humor as he accepted the pad, saying, "Well, that is good to hear. Having fiances in bathrobes traversing corridors asking a wife about shipwear wouldn't fly for long." Zheph noticed an adjacent cabin, which meant he could easily get egress granted and created between the two. He exclaimed, "Lt, this is outstanding. Thank you."
"Admiral Teagarden is handling some personal business before our departure. He's asked that I have you go to the Bridge. Your companions are welcome to visit your cabin or the Fifteen Forward Lounge. We will be launching very shortly and they can watch our travels there if they wish."
Zheph nodded, saying, "Thank you for that information and order, Lt. Now, one second please..." He turned to Avqarin, "You have the group. Send Resnandra with the Petty Officers to get our gear to the cabin, then she will join you in and my fiances in Fifteen Forward Lounge. Great view, place for food, and check out any dance scenes that can occur in the future."
Avqarin motioned to the girls, and each one moved in to give a quick kiss to Zheph. Avquarin was the last one, and she finished it with a nip to his throat.
The situation of his ladies resolved for the time being, Zheph returned his focus to Lt. Rrawran. Zheph snapped off a salute and said, "Thank you, Lt. Rrawran. Inform the bridge I am on my way."
"This is the final boarding announcement for the Federation Starship Enterprise... All passengers and staff scheduled to travel aboard the Enterprise who have not yet arrived aboard ship are asked to proceed to the Spaceflight Terminal immediately. Final checks are in progress and airlocks will be sealed in five minutes. Thank you for your cooperation."
Dillon rushed through the boarding gates so as to be able to get to the ship. The last 24 hours were too much to take. To begin with, he was pretty excited but also uneasy. The academy, the studies, the grades... his son. It was weird to be so far from him. Their last call would’ve been more moving if it hadn't been for his ex's nagging..
Not to mention, there was this stunning brunette from the academy whom he shared the last night with. He couldn’t help thinking about her figure as well as the smirk on his face.
That was how he was when it was his turn to show his papers. He took some seconds to notice and address the officer properly.
“Lieutenant Herrera,” - he introduced himself while checking out whether his clothes were neat enough - “Engineering Division, sir. I guess this is my 'flight'.”
While he waited for his orders or whatever was in store for him, he ran his eyes over the place, keeping an eye out for anything or anyone of interest.
Tellarite Petty Officer Kryg Ugnar stood on the opposite side of the Engineering Division Lieutenant. Accepting the paperwork on the PADD the alien studied the display screen, "Cutting it a little close aren't you, Lieutenant?" The Security Specialist teased the Engineer as he checked the information on the display. "Few more minutes and you'd find yourself without a ride."
Dillon rolled his eyes and took a deep breath. He knew it wouldn't be wise if he didn't hold his tongue at the moment. He smiled at the petty officer and just nodded.
"You're approved to board the ship, Lieutenant," the Tellarite answered. "As one of our engineers I hope that you're prepared. I don't want to break apart while we're traveling a billion kilometers a second," the guard laughed.
"Don't worry, this ship is lucky to be in my hands." He winked and strode to his quarters.
As soon as he got to his room, he left his stuff on the bed and picked up his deck of cards and a snack. He scratched his chin trying to remember the procedures and, at last, headed for his position before the ship departed.
Melly was a few minutes later than she had wanted to be, however she had her small bag of possessions along with the PADD showing her orders. Coming to the boarding officer the 'young' woman held the PADD up to the officer and stood at attention, in uniform.
"Ensign Melly, Tactical and Peregrine Flight Wing. Reporting for duty. Permission to board?", she said with her eyes straight forward while standing at attention.
Having announced the arrival of Captain Kaldiran, Lieutenant Rrawran turned to the newcomer. "Welcome, Ensign," the Lieutenant said as he accepted her PADD. Scanning over the information he answered, "Permission granted. Is this your first assignment, Ensign?" The alien Security Officer continued, "You're in for a real treat, Ensign, the Enterprise is quite a ship. I've worked with her for a while now. I can't think of a better vessel to serve on, but I may be a little biased"
"Thank you Sir, I look forward to serving on the ship, one of its predecessors discovered my homeworld." She walked to the transporter pad and stepped up. "I hope to do pride and work hard to serve so I can be worthy of the honour. Ready to beam up." After a moment she beamed up.
The Security Officer watched as she departed and looked to the rest of his group, "My friends the time is near. Go ahead and board the ship. I'll be right behind." The remaining members of the security team started boarding the Enterprise through the airlock. As they left Rrawran wondered about the latest mission that the Enterprise would be undertaking. He had a distinct feeling that, somehow, this mission would define their place in the galaxy for the future, or be the end of their trek through the stars.
In five minutes he'd find out. Pressing a control he sent a message to Ops to inform Commander Vassen to beam him aboard as the Enterprise was about to leave dock. He'd stay here until the very end should there be any stragglers left. They were departing with a skeleton crew on this mission - each of the ships of Battle Group Omega were - and he hoped that they were all prepared for it.
“So you were on board now, I think this is all the time we have little one. Maybe next time you can tell me about your time piloting starfighters. That sounds exciting.”, the Counselor said carefully, helping Melly to her feet and walking her to the door to be taken away by the guard.
Flashback Segment Originally Posted On: 3/24/18
https://16thfleet.groups.io/g/BattleGroupOmega/message/65240
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