Fleet Mission: "To Boldly Go..."

[Steve Malloway]

STARBASE THRINACIA
Admiral’s Quarters
0500 hours

Despite the continual humdrum and buzzing of worker bees passing the windows, the Admiral had in fact managed to get some sleep after settling himself down for the night. It wasn’t the noise that had been a hindrance, as there was none; it was the continual sight of the various small craft manoeuvring by as they carried out task upon task. As much as the refit was well overdue, and Thrinacia sure as hell deserved it, it was becoming more and more of a problem while the work was carried out. As the computer chirped and repeated the time, Steve managed to slowly open his eyelids; it was like being a child again – being woken at some ungodly hour by his mother after what would have felt like the best night’s sleep of his life. However, he knew all too well that wasn’t the case. With the plans and preparation that had been undertaken for Aurora Colony over the past several weeks it had meant that sleep had been a luxury. So much had been brought onto the table for this Colony that Steve hadn’t been able to allow himself much time for rest and relaxation.

He made a mental note to take some shore leave on his return to Thrinacia.

“Computer, cease alarm!” Steve called out, groaning as he stuffed his face into his pillow, peering out over the top of it with his eyes to spy the picture of his daughter on the bedside table. “Don’t give me that look – just you wait till you’re in my position.” He murmured, to the picture obviously.

Eventually the Fleet Commander had managed to drag himself from his pit, thrown himself through the door and stood inside the sonic shower. Just what he needed – the sonic waves pulsed soothingly, waking his joints, his muscles, his mind. This did, unfortunately, mean he spent another 5 minutes longer in there, enjoying the pleasant pulses of the unit. Luckily he over-planned his arrivals and it didn’t mean he had to rush when finishing. Having left the shower unit behind, the Admiral now stood in his bedroom once more, looking at himself in the mirror as he donned the final piece to his outfit – his rank pips. Today was the day the new uniform requirements had been issued, and Steve had very carefully taken the uniform from the replicator as directed and pulled on the black trousers, followed by the Admiralty top which was dressed with a golden trim along the edges of the single band of command yellow around his wrist, similarly so a golden trim to the collar and adorning the edges of the command red strip across the chest.

“Ok, so the Tailors at HQ didn’t do such a bad job this time.” Steve nodded, speaking to himself as he looked himself over again, his hands resting on the new belt around his waist. The gold buckle felt cold to his skin, a clear sign this was the first time he had worn it straight from the replicator, making the Admiral look down at the Federation emblem at his waist. This new colony was sure to be a step forward for the Federation – a new base of operations in another galaxy entirely, who knew what allies they would come across while there? The Admiral felt a cool tingle to the back of his neck… And not necessarily allies… Emma and her team had better be careful. He looked back up again, nodding once more at his reflection before checking the time showing on his desk; 0617 hours.
0800 was the launch and by now all the Command Teams should be finalising their prep; Commander Locker was to head up personnel bringing equipment through the small personnel gateway on the Gateway Control Station, with Commodore Jackson heading up the task from the Majesty. It had been a last minute decision that while the Majesty was here, and the larger Gateway was showing a clear link to orbit of Aurora, that a starship would be suited to aid in the documenting of Aurora’s planetary data and the Majesty was to come through too, but making sure she came through with the last of the supplies.

“And according to Callum’s report, she’s good to go.” Steve said aloud again, having walked to his desk and picked up a PADD. “Her warp flight and shakedown went swimmingly.” Which now meant that there was very little to do. Draco was ahead already, having left at 2300 hours with his teams to aid John, and Emma should be raring to head through upon Steve’s arrival to the Gateway Control Station. His first destination of the day.

GATEWAY CONTROL STATION
Transporter Room
0715 hours

The timer on the transporter operator’s station ticked over onto 0715 at the precise moment that Admiral Malloway dematerialised, leaving the superior standing just as he had on the sending end’s pad – stood with his hands clasped behind his back, and his posture one of a commanding nature. A smile soon snuck onto Steve’s lips as he stepped forward but did not walk from the pad as his gaze met the Station’s Commander stood before him; Commander Jezebel from the briefing.

“Permission to come aboard, Commander?”

“Granted,” came the reply as she gestured with her arm for the Admiral to step from the pad and begin to walk with her from the room, “welcome aboard, Sir. You’ll be pleased to know we’re on schedule for completion of transfer of supplies and personnel for the initial phase.”

“No glitches? That’s a first.”

“Well, I wouldn’t say ‘no’ glitches, Sir… I had a problem with my toothbrush this morning, but that’s besides the point…”

The Admiral snuck a glance to the Commander with an amused raising of his eyebrow as he chuckled. “Well, Commander, so far I haven’t noticed an odd smell on your breathe just yet so I wouldn’t worry about that.”

GATEWAY CONTROL STATION
Gateway Control Room
0720 hours

With an almost silent shwoosh the doors to the Gateway Control Room opened, and the Admiral noticed just how far behind the times Thrinacia must have been in comparison by judging the consoles and screens used aboard the Fleet’s more recent facility. Perhaps Thrinacia wouldn’t be what she used to after the refit? I hope not. Steve thought to himself, shrugging off the thought as he concentrated on the scene before him.

“Commander, contact Commander Locker down in the Gateway Room and inform him that myself and Rear Admiral Wilkinson are aboard.” Steve instructed as he came to stand by Emma who by the looks of it had been concentrating on something different. He didn’t disturb her, after all this was her baby here and she no doubt had her mind on matters she needed to get attended to. He nodded as Commander Jezebel informed him she had sent the detail to Des, then walking around the main room himself to watch the various officers present.

TAG: ALL, lets get through the Gateway!