Systems Checks

Posted on Fri Dec 20th, 2024 @ 9:58pm by Lieutenant Commander Elena Mao & Petty Officer 1st Class James Hunt

888 words; about a 4 minute read

Mission: Lost Out Here in the Stars
Location: Conference Room, Deck 1, The William Dawes
Timeline: MD001 - 1000

Jame Hunt exited his station after getting through his shift. A shift that consisted of systems checks and a few simulations. Grabbing a PADD he made his way to the conference room. In all honesty, he was bored and needed for the William Dawes to get assigned any task that would give him something constructive to do. Upon reaching the door, the Petty Officer pressed the chime.

Caught in mid-stretch, Elena called out, "Come on in." She finished and was just dropping into her seat again as Hunt entered.

"Captain, I got the systems report for today," Hunt announced. "Everything running smoothly for whenever we get a chance to ship off again."

"Should be soon," Elena said. "Got a meeting with the brass later today so maybe, something interesting. In the meantime, we've got cargo to load for our next run. Why don't you get started and I'll join you in a minute."

James raised an eyebrow, clearly curious about the news he just received. This was clearly out of nowhere, so this clearly was about to get interesting. "Looking forward to hearing what this will involve."

"Don't get too excited," Elena said as she leaned back in her seat. "The only other time I had to be briefed before a run was because we were ferrying a VIP who complained the entire time about ... well, everything. Loudly. While our guest ate in his quarters, we were free to plot all sorts of elaborate strategies for getting some peace and quiet. My favorite was towing the VIP behind the ship in a self-contained unit."

Out of nowhere, the Petty Officer burst out laughing. "I can see the VIP just drifting behind the ship. But regardless, I'm just happy to be doing something productive. Regardless of the task."

"So could I," Elena said, dark eyes twinkling. "Course, the meals delivered to his quarters thing? He thought he was getting special attention." She shook her head. "Far from it." She rose from her seat. "Alright, let's get started with the loading. I want to be ready to go as soon as they give us our orders."

"On my way to it." With that said, James exited the room as quickly as he showed up.

Elena straightened up the table, dropped her PADD in her quarters on the desk, and headed down to the cargo bay to pitch in. When she came in, she said, "the base screens all the containers before they're loaded but just in case, let's do a quick scan ourselves. Make sure there are no unwelcome surprises."

James nodded as he began to scan the containers. "Everything is checking out according to the inventory list." As he finished a scan of each container, the Petty Officer nodded for the personnel to bring the container on the ship.

"Well, that's a relief," Elena said. "Someone tried ship spiders one time and the crate broke open. I was all for exterminating them but apparently, they were valuable and we had to track them all down ... individually."

"Never had to deal with spiders before," Hunt mentioned. "Grew up around something that was the much larger and scarier equivalent. A Nertooru is what the Cardassians called it. Thing was vicious and was a predator to everything on that damn planet that ever encountered it."

"Where did you grow up," Elena asked. "Never heard of a Nertooru before."

"Temek Labor Camp on Amleth Prime. Its where I spent the first sixteen years of my life."

"It's only been three year since the Cardassians left Bajor," Elena said quietly. "And Amleth Prime is, if I remember correctly, a Cardassian world. However did you get away?"

Hunt simply nodded. "Prior to the Cardassians leaving Bajor. Word got out about our labor camp. The Bajoran resistance mounted a rescue and liberated us. Unfortunately my father had died at that camp two years prior."

She knew about such places, of course. During her time among the Aegis, she had helped rescue people.

The Petty Officer tried to read the expression on his CO's face. His response clearly caused her mind to go elsewhere in thought. But that was typically what happened when you informed people that you spent the majority of your life in captivity. James made it a point to leave out the crazy details or even reveal his scars. Which often left most people feeling real uncomfortable.

"Sorry," Elena said. "I know what's it like to be a captive. Not my whole life but long enough." Like Hunt, she didn't go into more details than that. Not because of how it would make people feel but because they were private. Hers. And there were some things she didn't talk about. Wouldn't. "Anyway, I need to get over to the base. You good to finish up here?"

"Yeah, I got the rest of this handled. Should be all wrapped up by the time you return."

"Good," Elena said as she gave the crate a hard shove, pushing it into position, and rose to her feet. "Hopefully, I wrangle my orders out of them and we can get out of here for a bit."

James nodded as he watched the Elena disappear.

A Post By:

Lieutenant Commander Elena Mao
Commanding Officer
USS William Dawes

Petty Officer 1st Class James Hunt
Flight Control Officer
USS William Dawes

 

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