getting the ship ready

Posted on Tue May 2nd, 2023 @ 11:43am by Captain Xavier Carey & Ensign Sherri Element (Carey) & Commander Antonia 'Tony" Stoffels

Mission: Starship Side Quest
Location: bridge

Tony was sitting on the bridge in the central captain's chair and drumming her fingers impatiently. This waiting game sucked. There was nothing they could do until the engines were online again. She had gone through all the protocols. Sickbay was on alert, Intel was gathering more information on what the hell could be going on. Every department was doing what they could but she felt like she was just sitting there, waiting.

Robert climbed down the ladder next to the warp core grabbing a PADD from a passing crewman before hitting his commbadge. =/\= "Engineering to bridge." =/\=

~Stoffels here.~ Tony said eagerly.

=/\= "You should now have Warp 7, Skip, I estimate another hour before full Warp capability is available." =/\= Robert said sitting down at a empty station.

~Thank you, lieutenant.~ Tony said with relief. ~Stoffels to Carey, I am moving the ship out, sir.~ If he thought it was the wrong thing to do she did want to give him the chance to speak up.

=/\= "Bringing the warp engines online, Commander." =/\= Robert entered several commands onto the console as displays appeared on the monitor. =/\= "Intermix chamber looking good antimatter manifold is at nominal levels. Transducer coils are holding steady at 73% we are ready to down here." =/\=

"Commander. We have received a message from the starbase. We are to remain and wait for a delivery of fighters. As well as new fighter pilots. ETA 45 minutes til complete." Ops replied.

Tony cursed silently. "Very well. Notify me the minute they are on board and secure. All stations ready the ship for departure."

Down in engineering Robert kept silent but certainly had nothing to do with the new delay this time. He wasn't even aware of any new fighters and pilots coming over, but since he was the man of engineering, he had to oversee the delivery and inspect it.

Xavier walked in, and sat to the right of Tony, "So... what have we got Commander?"

"We are ready to go, the ship is capable of warp 7 but we have to wait to unload fighters and fighter pilots. I guess we can't leave them here and just go?" She whispered to him.

Down in engineering, Robert got the list of new items coming to his eyes widened before turning to Dauber placing him in charge of the engine room as he headed to the bridge.

"Unfortunately, the fighters are now assigned to the resolution. Another 45 doesn't hurt us. Trust our people that have gone, Commander. They will get our people back."

Robert came to the bridge with the list in hand. "This is a joke right?" He read the list again. "I have no idea where to even store this hardware."

"We all know engineers are miracle workers. I am sure you will find somewhere." Tony gave him an innocent smile.

"Well, I appreciate the vote of confidence, Commander," Robert replied.

"Glad to hear it. Is there anything we can do to help?" Of course, she knew it was not an easy thing to ask and she wanted to be as supportive as she could.

Robert took a seat in the chair on the other side of the Captain's chair. "Actually, how are you holding up? Is the Captain doing well trying to keep you focused?" He asked.

"Putting me in command sure keeps me busy and focused," Tony admitted. "But I will be glad when we find them, alive and in one piece."

"Well, as the preacher at my parent's church once said you gotta have faith. I got faith our colleagues are all good at what they do and whoever is out there stirring up a hornet's nest is going to pay." Robert gave Tony a reassuring pat on the shoulder. "You are in good hands just remember that."

"Yeah," Tony said but only half believed it. "Thanks, Robert."

Robert could tell the Commander was not really taking his advice on faith damn she sure can be stubborn as a mule. He didn't say anything waiting to see what she or the Captain do next.

Tony tried to relax in the chair waiting to hear back that the fighter and pilots were on board and they could take off.

"So, what do you think we should do regarding the fighters?" Xavier replied as he turned to her.

"Well... we should get them settled as soon as possible and make them feel welcome." She said. "And then start them on training." She had not been on a ship with fighters before so this was new for her as well.

"Shall we go see the arrival? With fighters comes pilots, let's see who we got shall we."

"Yes sir." Tony got to her feet. "Carver, you have the bridge."

Robert looked at her then the Captain's chair. "Right..." He said a bit unsure if she had made a mistake.

"You heard the Commander Lt. You have the bridge. Just keep it in one piece will you."

Suppressing his uncertainty Robert turned to the Captain and nodded. "Right, of course, sir." He said with some forced enthusiasm.

"Something the matter Lt," Sherri asked from the helm. As she watched the CO and XO leave the bridge. "It's not like we are leaving the starbase."

Robert took a seat in the Captain's chair. "Everything is fine." It wasn't. "Just keep doing what you are doing." God he was going to have to brush up on his command skills again.