Sorting Things Out

Chapter 25

    After leaving the Commodores Office, James and Racheal dropped the padds off at their present Briefing Room as James suggested“There’s a little Pub on the Promenade, why don’t we grab dinner then we can start getting things sorted out; if you’d like.”

    Racheal smiled “That sounds nice and some real food sounds even better. You’re right we need to start wrapping our heads around what’s about to happen so we can ease the Crew into this new format as painlessly as possible” she replied.

    Several minutes later the two officers walked into a small Pub, ordered dinner and a beer each as they sat going over this new chapter in their adventure called Star Fleet.

    While they were enjoying their meal James inquired “First off I have to ask, how are you with Rebecca’s suggestion concerning who would command the Shuttle.”

    Letting out a slight sigh “I’ll have to admit at first it scared the heck out of me actually having to be in command but the more I thought about it the more I realized I’m the next logical one to be in command since your place whould be on the Ship” then she paused “That is if you think I’m ready for the task.”

    James grinned “Setting my personal feelings aside, there isn’t anyone else I would even consider for that position and you are more than up to the task” he replied “Matter of fact it would be good for you both personally and professionally to spread your wings.”

    “As always you’re right of course. Also I’ll be needing a First Officer on the Shuttle, I was thinking of Maria SanChez; she could do Tactical and be my Number One; I could handle Communications from the Conn” Racheal commented while thinking of the other Bridge Stations.

    “Excellent choice. I’ll let you hand pick your Crew for the Shuttle of course” James replied with a smile.

    “If you wouldn’t mind I would like to keep the current Shuttle Crew unless it’ll make you short on the Ship” she commented.

    “No that’s fine, whatever you need.; although I don’t think we’ll actually be using the Shuttle all that often” James replied then paused “I’m sure well be getting a variety of personnel so hopefully a few more in Engineering and hopefully a few Medical as well.”

    “I guess we’ll find out soon enough” she stated with a grin “Now what about a Senior Staff, have you given any thought to that since we’ll be on a real ship soon.”

    “Actually I have. I’m thinking our original Crew, with the exception of the Second Officer, will be our Senior Officers. What do you think” James inquired since she was second in command.

    “That is a great idea and it will give everyone something to strive for and hopefully help blend everyone into one cohesive Crew. I like the way you think James Lake’” Racheal stated with a grin.

    “Thanks” he replied with a smile “So tomorrow at zero ten hundred we’ll meet with our new Senior Officers and go over everything with them. Also we’ll give each one their padds

 so they can start getting acquainted with the new Ship. Then tomorrow night we’ll get both Crews together for dinner, drinks, a meet, and see if the magic can happen a second time.”

    “Sounds like a plan” then she paused “Looks like we’re well on our way to a new and improved Vigilant.”

    By zero ten hundred, the next day, the new Senior Staff had assembled in the Base Briefing Room; even though they were unaware of what was to come at the moment.

    James started “ Good Morning. We have a lot of material to go over the couple of hours so I would appreciate your complete and undivided attention. Let me preface what I’m about to tell all of you with the Commander and I only learned of this yesterday so we’ll do our best to answer all your questions” he stated not wanting to miss anything.

    Maria spoke up “If I may Captain, this sounds like a life changing event” she commented.

    James grinned “Well actually it is. Very soon we will be getting a new Ship to crew; let me explain. Two years ago this new project was started right after the Mark III was underway and about four months from now I would be giving you this same news, but since our latest experience the Commodore received permission from Star Fleet to step up the project. The new Ship will be operational tomorrow and we will be take her on her maiden voyage three days after that. Also we all have the next five days off, theoretically, but there will be meetings in between” he explained then went on to explain all the particulars about their new home.

    Nox spoke up “Captain, as exciting as this new ship sounds, how are we going to run a Ship with six decks with only eight people; I know we’re all good but that’s stretching it a bit” she inquired with a grin.

    “That’s what I asked the Commodore. Currently there are sixteen new people who have been training on the Divergent for some time; they will be added to our existing Crew. The challenge will be to meld both groups into one cohesive Crew and that’s where you all come in; the Captain and I can’t do it alone. They have been trained in multiple areas so we should be able to fill in the gaps. We will be adding a Second Officer to the command team as well” Racheal explained.

    “Captain will our job descriptions be changing then” Daniel Herek inquired.

    “Only slightly. The one thing I didn’t mention is the Shuttle we now call Vigilant is going to be rebranded as Shuttle Atlantis and the new Ship is the Vigilant-A. That being said we will on occasion be using the Shuttle which we will carry in the Shuttle Bay aboard ship. Commander Reese will still be First Officer but will also command the Shuttle when needed and will be keeping the original Crew to man it which obviously is all of you. That is what prompted the need for a Second Officer position which has been filled. As far as all of you are concerned I am now looking at my Senior Staff. Lieutenant SanChez you will be Chief Tactical Officer and First Officer when on the Atlantis. Lieutenant T’Sol you’ll be Chief Flight Officer on both vessels, Lieutenant Herek you will remain Chief Engineer on both vessels as well” then continuing “Lieutenant Nox you will be Chief Intelligence Officer on the Ship and Shuttle, Ensign Benna you will assist you in Intelligence and be the lead Infiltration Specialist on the Atlantis and Lieutenant Zebot you will be our Computer Specialist for both vessels. Any questions.” Everyone was very quiet trying to digest all the information given them.

    Racheal spoke up “I know you have had a lot of information thrown at you all at once but we do have a few days to figure things out so if any of you have any questions please let us know. The Captain and I want this transition to go as smoothly as possible. We’ve been through a lot together as a Crew the past year and this is no different” she concluded with a smile.

    “Well put Commander. Please take the opportunity these next few days to study your padds paying particular attention to your areas of expertise. Tonight at eighteen hundred we are all going to meet in the Officer’s Lounge here on the Base for dinner, drinks, and get to know the newest members of our Crew courtesy of Commodore Chi. Please take this time to extend a warm welcome to the new folks and get to know one another before we go on our maiden voyage a few days from now. If there are no other questions you are dismissed” James stated.

    As everyone left the Briefing Room Katlyn walked up to James” Could I have a word Captain” she inquired being a little nervous.

    James looked up with a smile “What’s on your mind Katlyn?”

    “Well Sir, being that I am not technically a member of Star Fleet are you sure you want me to work in that capacity for both Ships” she asked.

    “Absolutely I do; you are without a doubt the finest Computer Specialist I have had the good fortune to work with. Also as far as I’m concerned you are every bit a member of Star Fleet as anyone else on our Ship, so yes I want you in that role” James replied with a smile.

    A big smile came across Katlyn’s face “As you wish Captain” then she paused “I just wanted to be sure James so thank you for your continued trust in myself and my abilities” she replied “I guess I should be going and start learning the new Vigilant-A.” Katlyn turned and left the Room feeling pretty good about herself.

    James secured the room before walking out the door. Racheal was waiting for him there “That went well, don’t you think” she stated.

    “Yes it did. I’ll take a few weeks to get everyone working together and the shakedown should speed up the process but I think we’ll be good in short order” he replied being very hopeful.