The Endeavour

Posted on Fri Sep 15th, 2017 @ 5:33pm by Captain Hailey Konuha & Commander Karli Cain & Captain Karl Williams & Commander Rebecca Dawes
Edited on on Fri Sep 15th, 2017 @ 5:36pm

1,995 words; about a 10 minute read

Mission: Test Mission
Location: Starbase Versailles
Timeline: SD240709.15

=/\= Capt Hailey Konuha's Office =/\=

"Margo!" .....

Hailey paused but didn't hear a reply from her trusted assistant. "MARGO!", she tried again. Yet again, no answer came forth. An impatient Capt. Hailey Konuha, Executive Officer of Starbase Versailles, got up and stomped around her desk - flustered - annoyed - and more than a little rude.

Without so much as looking up from her work Margo intoned, "You know Boss, I don't know how many times I have to tell you .. yelling for me isn't going to get you squat. I have been your right hand for the last 5 years, I'm fairly certain I deserve better than that. There's a funny little button on your desk console. I even marked it with nice shade of purple - your favorite color - so you'll notice it. Heck .. I'd even take to you contacting me via commbadge ... " Margo rose out of her seat and approached Hailey. She got nose to nose to the petite Polynesian looking woman and narrowed her eyes to meet hers. Drawing in a breath, Margo finished her sentence with held back frustration and anger." ... but so help me if you sit in that STUPID chair and YELL at me one more time .. I'll make sure the next report for Security has MY name of it for insubordination and striking an officer! I hope I've made myself INCREDIBLY clear!" Margo paused for a moment to guarantee that her words were clearly heard. She then sat back down at her desk. Ibarra took a long deep breath and gathered her composure. "Now, Capt. Is there something I can do for you?", she asked with all the politeness she could muster.

"Yes, Captain?", Margo asked coolly as she continued with her morning activities. Hailey felt sheepish. She had just been dressed down better than she had by her instructors at the Academy. Clearly this wasn't Margo's first time to set someone straight. What was worse - Hailey knew she deserved it. Margo - as she stated - had been her right hand, confidant, good friend and surrogate sister for the last 5 years. It was apparent that she had lost the line of personal and professional with her. "I'm sorry" was all Hailey could mutter. It was so low and dejected sounding she wasn't even sure if Margo had heard her. She turned and went back into her office and let the doors - that were normally left open - slide close behind her. Margo smirked a half smile. "Mission accomplished", she thought to herself.

"Thank you, lieutenant." Dawes turned towards the counter and frowned ever so slightly as her right hand nonchalantly moved over her stomach. "More pastries," she thought, as her fingers drummed over her waistline several times, "why always pastries? You'd think the replicators had never heard of a melon ball or granola bar." She walked by the counter to an empty chair and slid into it while simultaneously pulling her trusty catch-all toolkit from over her shoulder onto her lap. The commander let out a silent sigh as she began to wonder why it was she had been summoned. She couldn't recall the last time she had been in Konuha's office - if at all - and the entire affair was more than slightly reminiscent of sitting in the principal's office.. "The price you pay," she muttered, and tried not to fidget as she waited.

Karli Cain entered the room, after exchanging brief pleasantries with Margo, and took a seat next to Dawes. "Good morning, Captain," she said to the XO, then gave the pastries a similarly annoyed-yet-desirous look and glanced to the woman on her right. She smiled briefly, "I always fill up before I come upstairs."

Karl stepped into the office as Karli finished her sentence, waving to Margo as he made his way to the table "Good morning everyone..." he said as he picked up one of the pastries and a mug of raktajino from the replicator and then took a seat alongside Karli.

The diminutive Doctor wandered into the meeting stopping to pick up two of the danishes on her way in, one advantage of being half Vulcan fast metabolism, you very rarely saw a fat Vulcan. She brushed a stray curl of red hard out of her face and took a seat. "Sorry I am a wee bit late, I was trying to convince a Lad from the USS Jarrod that today was nae his day to slip off his mortal coil. He is the last one still in critical condition from that ship."

Hailey greeted everyone for the meeting and showed them into her inner office. Making a gesture for them to all have a seat at her teakwood conference table, Hailey sat down and got right to business. "Ok everyone, thanks for coming on such short notice, I know your all incredibly busy these days and more and more of the station gets into it's "routine". However, work is still to be done OUTSIDE the station." Hailey paused for a moment to register each on of her staff's response.

Karl nodded as the Captain continued with her talk. The drills with the station's Tactical systems had gone well with the arrival of the new Chief Tactical Officer Lt Commander t'Khev, and things were beginning to come together to a state of routine vigilance for the department.

"Outside?" Dawes thought, "She must mean taking out a ship." She did her best to keep her uncomfortable shuffle unnoticeable while going over the potential implications in her head. It had been nearly two years since Dawes had been outside the confines of station and while the prospect may have held appeal for some, her existence within the sealed environment of Versailles was quite satisfactory.

"That's right. Outside. I've been order to take the USS Endeavor on a ..", she paused to grasp that right word. "... peace keeping, I guess, mission to the Ramatis system to quell a dispute between factions. Iasked if this wouldn't be better for an Ambassador and FAdm Ceryw"n said - and I quote- "the current head of state has appealed for a Starfleet presence. He feels that will make more of a statement to these ‘factions’ than an ambassadorial envoy of some kind. Ambassadors don’t arrive under arms. A Starfleet officer can and does." So .. there you have it. I'm not one for arguing with the Boss Lady." Hailey let out a small chuckle at that last remark.

"Capt's Wililams and Cain, I need you to look over your personnel rosters and give me the best detail you can provide for this mission. You both are needed on station with the recent events along the border worlds. Versailles will remain on yellow alert for the time being - and you're simply needed here."

Karl nodded. "Not a problem, Captain..I have a couple of people in mind that would be perfect for the job." He said, before taking a bite from the pastry.

Cain had her brows furrowed as she listened to Karl's response. She was considering how leaving the station on the ship might throw a wrench in the plans of Ingoth Fury, who was due to arrive soon. Finally she responded, "What sort of security support are you looking for? As you know, we've been lucky enough to get some younger officers with various specialties who are quite talented."

Hailey studied Karli for a moment. "I'll transfer the mission specifics to you, Capt Cain. I'm sure you're capable to make sure we're properly protected."

Cain nodded, "All right Captain, I know just who would be best to help you out."

"Dr Tambrey, if you can be spared, I'd like you along. I don't know what we're in for - but your skills might become essential. You might want to brush up on knowledge of the ruling family and their deafness. What are your thoughts?"

"I think I can manage that. I will brief my staff, I only have one patient in critical care at the moment." She brushed an errant strand of red curly hair behind her ear again. "What are their feelings about telepaths? It may be useful to have one along."

Hailey smiled. Dr Tambrey was a sharp charcter and nothing much got past her. "Well, Dr. the actual emplot telepaths to convey thier thoughts. Bringing one along would be an excellent idea. Good thinking!" Hailey then shift her gaze to Rebecca.

"Commander Dawes, plain and simple - you're going to accompany me." Hailey looked directly at the young officer and smiled. "The engines on the new Endeavour aren't quite like they were before - and she's never had a proper shake down. So, I need my best Engineer on the job. Please inform your team and and be ready to leave in 24 hours."

A slight nod accompanied a subdued "Understood, sir," her fate sealed. The departmental roster already contained the pertinent service histories of her staff so finding those with the necessary experience wouldn't be a problem - provided there were enough experienced candidates to begin with. Undoubtedly this would have to be a trial by fire for some of the staff. "I'll make the necessary arrangements.

Hailey then reach for her coffee and took a good mouthful before swallowing it. Letting out audible exhale she said, "Ok .. any questions?"

Dawes looked around the table then cleared her throat. "If I may ask, captain, just for coordination purposes, who will be your exec on the Endeavour?"

"Excellent question, Commander", Hailey replied coolly. "If there is one thing I know, being the XO of a Starship gives you confidence, experience - both command and personal - and above all, moxy. Plus, you'll be the Senior Officer aboard - you'll do. Mind you when I said you were coming, I didn't say you'd be my Chief of Engineering. But I do want your expertise there in case the current one ... needs guidance." Hailey smirked knowing full well that Dawes was probably wanting to hide under her chair at the moment.

An undescribable look came over Dawes, as if several differing expressions had simultaneously attempted to occupy her face. Given Konuha's completely unexpected response the reaction was understandable. She wasn't entirely sure if "Ask a stupid question, get a stupid answer" or "No good deed goes unpunished" was more appropriate in this instance and instead opted for immediate silence rather than a cleverly worded retort. Dawes directed her glance downwards towards the tabletop and nodded absentmindedly. "Understood."

"Well .. if there's nothing else, you're dismissed. Capt Williams and Cain - I'll need those crew assignments with in the next 6 hours. Dr Tambrey .. hopefully I'll see you on board. Commander Dawes .. you better go pack!"

Dawes winced ever so slightly at Konuha's words as she rose from her seat and slung her toolkit over her shoulder. "I look horrible in red," she quietly lamented, and headed for the door.

Tambrey patted Dawes on the shoulder as she too headed out, "That is why I am in science blue Lassy. I may be a Captain, but no one asks me to command anything." she winked. Not that she couldn't she had the experience she was just adept at avoiding it.

Hailey watched as they all filed out of the room. She rose and walked out to Margo. "Um .. sorry about all that earlier.", she said sheepishly trying to apologize. "I'm taking the Endeavour to Ramatis. If you're bored and want to come, I could make an arrangement. You'd have to stay onboard of course, but the trip would be nice, I think." Hailley raised her brows and tilted her head in a quizzical way indicating she was waiting for a decision.

Margo smirked. "I already thought of that. I'll see you onboard", she said. Things were about to get interesting.

=/\= End Log =/\=

Capt Hailey Konuha, XO
Capt Karl Williams, STOPS
Capt Karli Cain, CSEC
Dr (Capt) Skye Tambrey, CMO
Cmdr Rebecca Dawes, CEO
Lt Margo Ibarra, NPC

 

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