Separation

Posted on Tue Apr 26th, 2022 @ 8:57am by Captain Xavier Carey & Commander Antonia 'Tony" Stoffels

Mission: Free write
Location: Bridge
Timeline: current

Xavier watched as the commander walked in, "Have a good sleep I take it Commander," as he stood from his seat."Moving over to the seat to the right. "Lets take us out of space dock Commander, as I promised, you will do the honours."

"Thank you sir." She said nervous. How could she have overslept especially today. And was he going to hold it over her later. "I want to apologize again, sir. It will not be happening again." She felt as if the whole bridge crew was watching and judging her.

"Ensign Element, how many times was I late last week?" He asked

Turning, "Three sir."

Turning back, "see Commander shit happens. We are human. I'm sure we would like to always be early. On time but things happen." Of course, he was doing other duties which caused him to be late to the bridge. But that didn't need to be said.

"Sir." She waited for the other shoe to drop to be told off now but when that did not come she relaxed a tiny little bit. 'Yes sir. But stil I can assure you it will not happen again." She took his place in the big chair and took a deep breath. Then started to go through the pre flight checklist with the bridge crew.

Xavier leaned back, watching and listening to her as she went through procedure. "Sounds like you've been practicing. Don't forget to contact Starbase control f0r permission."

"No sir, I won't. Should I have done that sooner?" She frowned. "I thought I had the sequence right but you are making it sound like I should switch some things around."

"First thing would be contact the starbase indicating your intention to start departure procedures. You are doing great, continue."

She could not help but blush under his praise and the way he coached her made her relax. What a difference! "Thank you sir. Do say if I make any other mistakes." She continued through the check list and trusted her crew to know what they were doing and leaving them to do their work without her hovering. Still her nails were deep in the armrests of the chair when they began to actually leave the dock.

"We are officially off the dock, moving half impulse away from the station." Ensign element replied as she brought up the viewscreen, showing the dock slowly get farther.

"When we are far enough Commander, initiate red alert, and notify the crew of saucer separation, and commence said separation."

Pure panic hit her eyes for just a second. This was something she had never practiced. Was this how he was going to punish her, by making her look like a fool. Tony took a deep breath and a few seconds to gather her thoughts and bring to mind the pages in the handbooks about seperation.

"Aye aye sir."

"Tal, you go to battle bridge with Ensign element. Follow us as we head out of the system, where we will reconnect." Tal nodded as she walked over to the lift. "Commander Doctrine. Report to the Battle bridge." Xavier replied as he walked over to the helm. "Lets see if I still remember how to do this."

He was taking over from her. Had he seen her failure. Tony fought down another round of panic. Outwardly it did not show she hoped. As she began to give orders to the crew that was remaining and calling in replacements for the officers who went to the battle bridge.

"Relax.commander." Xavier heard her breathing tense up, "Not taking over. I'm working helm, your running things."

She nodded. Trying to keep everything under control, not missing a detail of what was going on on the bridge. She kept the script she had learnt by heart in her head and just slowly went through all the steps to separate the ship.

"We are clear of the starbase Commander, awaiting further orders."

"Thank you." Tony said. "Well done everyone." She told the bridge crew. Then looked at the captain. "What are your orders, sir?"

"Initiate separation."

___


With the ships two sections now moving side by side to the outer system where it would be brought back together, Xavier relinquished the helm to the relief, and made his way to the chairs. "See Commander, nothing to it."

"That went well." Tony was almost amazed. "Thank you, sir. That was a great learning opportunity."

"We're not done yet. There is still four hours before we cross that border and we reintegrate the ship."

"I know, sir. I will follow all protocols." Tony said.

"As always Commander," He leaned back into the chair.

"Do you want us both to stay on the bridge?" She still preferred he rest as much as possible so they could start the counselling sessions as soon as possible.

"We are both booked on duty right now, I can go to my ready room, leave the bridge under your watchful eye."

She nodded. Maybe it would make her les nervous. A small part of her was still waiting for the other shoe to drop. For him to turn on her. But a larger part was accepting that he was truly training her and being kind. "If you like. I think I have it under control."

"Very well Commander, the bridge is yours." He stood tugged on his top and headed for the ready room.

Tony leaned back in the command chair and for the next few minutes allowed herself to breath deeply so all the stress left her body. She watched the crew at work and was ready for a word of encouragement when needed and to oversee that everything was progressing according to regulations.