"Coming Aboard"

Posted on Thu Oct 29th, 2020 @ 4:03pm by

Mission: Welcome Aboard
Location: Main Bridge, Deck 1 USS Resolution

"Coming Aboard"
Captain Matthew Leonard, Commanding Officer
Commander Sean Davidson, Executive Officer

*****
Now, 2372
Main Bridge
Deck 1, USS Resolution

Matt found himself alone on the Resolutions bridge. From his perspective, this was where there was the most obvious indications of the refit. The Bridge had been refitted, with the ramp down from the aft section being shortened, and a stepped section in the 'Command pit' being fitted, raising the three central chairs a little higher. A stool had also been installed at the Tactical Rail, which he wondered if he should have removed. He shook away the thought for now.

The biggest development though came with the equipment lockers on the walls being removed, and capacity for 6 additional workstations had been introduced. On one side, a new array of Science Stations had been installed, while opposite, a further 3 stations had yet to be assigned. Leonard had decided that it would be best to consult with his new incoming Exec and the other department heads to gauge what they might be best used for. He definitely felt that the additional duty stations offered more support for additional damage control displays and weapons status feeds, but he had to balance that with the true multi-mission role that the Galaxy class was suited to.

Leonard made a note to add it to the list of things that he would be discussing with Commander Cameron when he arrived.

He thought back to the first time that he had stepped aboard the Resolutions Bridge, back on that first day. He had barely had the chance to enjoy it, but then it hadn't been the way that he'd expected to take command of a new starship...

*****
Then, 2364
Main Bridge
Deck 1, USS Resolution

"Commander, we are receiving a communique from the USS Kumari. They are five minutes out with our new CO, a Captain Matthew Leonard."

Davidson, sat in the centre seat, raised his eyebrows, commenting "that was fast." This was mostly to himself. He stood, coming closer to the Helm. "Slow to impulse Lieutenant."

"Aye sir."

"I'll be in the transporter room. You have the bridge." Sean replied, as he headed for the Turbolift. It took him just minutes to get to the room.

"They are awaiting permission to embark."

Nodding he stood at the console. "Permission granted." Within seconds the pad lit up and deposited a man in Red.

The light level in the transporter room returned to normal, as the the particle beam completed it's cycle, depositing the new Captain on the platform. "Permission to come aboard Captain," the Captain asked of the Acting CO in Commander Davidson, matter of factly, perhaps somewhat more formally than was necessary.

"Permission Granted." Sean replied as he stepped up, closer to the new Captain.

"Thank you, Ex-Oh," Matt replied, again equally formally, giving the First Officer a nod. "You stand relieved."

"I stand relieved." Sean replied as he awaited the Captains first move.

With that minor formality out of the way, the Captain approached the Transporter Console, using it to activate a shipwide channel. "Good Afternoon, crew of the Resolution," he began, sternly. "To: Captain Matthew Leonard. As of Stardate 41260.9, you are hereby requested and required to assume command of USS Resolution, NCC-71336. Signed, Admiral Charles Whatley, Chief of Starfleet Exploratory Command." This was a repeat of the transfer orders that he'd read and committed to memory. "Computer, register all command codes to Leonard, Matthew, Captain. Authorization Leonard-One-Delta-One. I now officially assume command of this vessel. Bridge, please note so in the ship's log." One-Delta One was the command code that the computer would recognize from another officer of command rank registered in it's Starfleet database, that would allow a new commander those codes if the old was... unavailable, as he was in this case.

Sean just stood there, waiting for the Captain to finish with the proper embarkation routine.

Leonard turned to head out of the Transporter room, "Walk with me Commander," he stated, again matter of factly, "Full situation and status report please."

"Everything is running smoothly, drills are being done, medicals being complete, the science department took a hit. The Captain needed to take the Chief Science officer with him, and I felt that this assignment would have heavily leaned on them."

"Have Command been informed of our vacancies?" The Captain asked, as they walked down the corridor.

"Yes and they are looking for suitable applicants for the job."

"For the immediate future, I want crew evaluations on my desk, with proposals for individuals capable of stepping into the senior positions in their departments," Matt replied, as they turned a corner, towards a turbolift. "It does not sit well with me that a frontline starship such as this has launched without a full complement of Command Level staff."

"Already on your desk. Although on this ship we need more so."

"Good Commander," the Captain replied, as they got closer to the Turbolift. "Mission situation report? I understand that we have already received our mission orders, however, I felt it more prudent to get up to speed once I came aboard."

"We are headed to the Cardassian border where an anomoly has shown up." Sean replied. "There has been incidences of Cardassian activity in the area. A more detailed report is awaiting you in your ready room."

"Have the Senior Staff been briefed?" The Captain asked as they stepped inside the Turbolift. "Main Bridge," he instructed the computer, as the doors closed behind them. Instantly, the lift began moving to the requested destination.

"Affirmative."

"Good, then I won't bother calling another briefing." It would be counter productive for Matt to call another staff meeting when everyone already knew what they should be doing. He made a mental note to review the transcripts of the Briefing, so that he would already know everyones mission assignments. Anything that he didn't like, he would consider, and view to reassign dependent on a case by case basis. "Anything else to report Commander?"

"Battle drills are being done in case the Cardassians make themselves known. The current assigned drills are the alpha vs omega training, so we can expect all major areas of the ship to see action soon, also medical evaluations, and counselling sessions have started, and are well underway."

"Excellent," he replied nodding. Battle drills were always good when heading into any situation that had the potential for encountering hostile's. "I'll be sure to send myself to Counselling and Medical soon." The Turbolift came to a halt as it reached the Bridge. For Matt, this was an important occasion. This was his largest command to date, the Galaxy class being Starfleet's biggest and newest.

"Captain on the Bridge," one of the Junior Officers called out.

Matt merely stood at the back of the Bridge, as all the crew turned to acknowledge him. The Captain offered them all a small smile, before saying, "as you were." With that, joined by his Exec, he headed for his command chair, which was very quickly vacated by the Officer that Davidson left in charge. He sat in it, instantly finding comfort there. He turned to Davidson, as the Commander joined him to his right. "Are we ready to get underway Ex-Oh?"

"Ready when you are Captain." Sean replied as he sat down on the chair to the right.

"Then by all means," he turned to look towards the Helm, "Helmsman, resume our previous course and heading, best speed."

"Aye sir," came the reply, as the Resolution continued on with its mission, this change over looking smoother than could have been expected...

*****
Now, 2372
Main Bridge
Deck 1, USS Resolution

Indeed, the change over of command had proceeded smoothly, and the mission had ultimately gone according to plan. Commander Davidson had been a fine Ex-Oh, until the losses Starfleet had incurred at Wolf 359. Losing Davidson to a Captaincy of his own had not been unexpected, of course. Matt had recommended him for several Command postings in the months before, and Leonard was proud of the Captain he'd become.

He was, of course, looking forward to doing all that again with Commander Cameron. He'd been through a number of Ex-Oh's over his 19 years as a starship Captain who had gone on to Command's of their own, and he had no doubt that the same would be the case for his incoming Exec...