06-23-2010, 07:06 PM
USS Independence, NCC-57216
Bridge
0715 hours
"Captain," said Ensign Mallory Hughes from the CONN. "We're approaching the Salon system."
"Disengage warp drive," said Captain Zack Gillibrand as he disentangled his fingers from each other and sat up a bit straighter in his chair. "Three-quarters impulse power to Starbase Thrinacia."
"Aye, Sir."
Zack took a few moments to look around at his crew, his comrades in arms that had served him faithfully for the last six years. For many of them, the time had come to move on to other assignments. A few others, their tour of duty was up. And for his Executive Officer, Commander Karl Haider, retirement awaited. Zack felt a certain fatherly affection for many of them, despite the fact that he was only marginally older than all of them--except for Commander Haider. The stubborn 85-year old Austrian XO was an old codger all right, seen by most--Zack included--as a sort of grandfatherly figure. Karl Haider may be elderly, but he had a will of cast rodinium and was wickedly efficient at his job. Zack would be sorry to see all of them leave. As the Starbase came into focus on the viewscreen, Zack felt a hand on his shoulder. He looked over and saw Commander Haider.
"Sir," said Haider softly. "It's time."
"Right," said Zack as he stood up. "Of course. Lieutenant Givens, give me a shipwide channel please."
"Channel open," said Lieutenant Jennifer Givens from the Ops console.
"This is the Captain. Many of you will be leaving this fine vessel today...some for personal reasons, some because duty has called you to other assignments...and a few of you, because you have done your bit for King and country and it's time to enjoy your declining years. I did not stand in the way of any transfer requests, as all of you know. What I do know is that the Independence is losing some of the finest officers that I have had the privelige of serving with. We have shared many experiences on this ship--some wonderful, some brutally tragic. Let it be known that your service to me, and to the Federation, will always be a part of the hallowed halls of this vessel. I'll close with an old Irish blessing: May the road rise up to meet you, may the wind be ever at your back. May the sun shine warm upon your face and the rain fall softly on your fields. And until we meet again, may God hold you in the hollow of his hand. Close channel."
"Channel closed, Sir."
"XO you have the bridge...for the last time," said Zack as he turned on his heel and exited the bridge to his Ready Room. He sat down, replicated a cup of peppermint tea, and pulled up the message from Admiral Malloway.
TO: United Federation of Planets Defence Fleet Commanding Officer
FROM: Malloway, S. Admiral, Fleet Commander
RE: Cermony and Debrief
LOCATION AND TIME OF DEBRIEF: Starbase 402 'Thrinacia', Conference Room Alpha, 1300 hours, Stardate 65784
LOCATION AND TIME OF CEREMONY: As above, @ 1900 hours, Main Gallery
DEBRIEF ATTENDEES: Commanding Officers, Executive Officers
CEREMONY ATTENDEES: All Officers and Crew
ATTIRE: Duty Uniform for Debrief, Dress Uniform for Ceremony
Zack had received a message at 0530 this morning from his incoming XO that they had safely arrived at Starbase Thrinacia. He had forwarded a copy of the Admiral's memo to them, and they had acknowledged receipt. The only thing that Zack was not looking forward to was wearing dress uniform--it itched terribly. He sighed heavily and began to peruse personnel files once again, trying to get a feel for this new crew that was coming aboard.
Bridge
0715 hours
"Captain," said Ensign Mallory Hughes from the CONN. "We're approaching the Salon system."
"Disengage warp drive," said Captain Zack Gillibrand as he disentangled his fingers from each other and sat up a bit straighter in his chair. "Three-quarters impulse power to Starbase Thrinacia."
"Aye, Sir."
Zack took a few moments to look around at his crew, his comrades in arms that had served him faithfully for the last six years. For many of them, the time had come to move on to other assignments. A few others, their tour of duty was up. And for his Executive Officer, Commander Karl Haider, retirement awaited. Zack felt a certain fatherly affection for many of them, despite the fact that he was only marginally older than all of them--except for Commander Haider. The stubborn 85-year old Austrian XO was an old codger all right, seen by most--Zack included--as a sort of grandfatherly figure. Karl Haider may be elderly, but he had a will of cast rodinium and was wickedly efficient at his job. Zack would be sorry to see all of them leave. As the Starbase came into focus on the viewscreen, Zack felt a hand on his shoulder. He looked over and saw Commander Haider.
"Sir," said Haider softly. "It's time."
"Right," said Zack as he stood up. "Of course. Lieutenant Givens, give me a shipwide channel please."
"Channel open," said Lieutenant Jennifer Givens from the Ops console.
"This is the Captain. Many of you will be leaving this fine vessel today...some for personal reasons, some because duty has called you to other assignments...and a few of you, because you have done your bit for King and country and it's time to enjoy your declining years. I did not stand in the way of any transfer requests, as all of you know. What I do know is that the Independence is losing some of the finest officers that I have had the privelige of serving with. We have shared many experiences on this ship--some wonderful, some brutally tragic. Let it be known that your service to me, and to the Federation, will always be a part of the hallowed halls of this vessel. I'll close with an old Irish blessing: May the road rise up to meet you, may the wind be ever at your back. May the sun shine warm upon your face and the rain fall softly on your fields. And until we meet again, may God hold you in the hollow of his hand. Close channel."
"Channel closed, Sir."
"XO you have the bridge...for the last time," said Zack as he turned on his heel and exited the bridge to his Ready Room. He sat down, replicated a cup of peppermint tea, and pulled up the message from Admiral Malloway.
TO: United Federation of Planets Defence Fleet Commanding Officer
FROM: Malloway, S. Admiral, Fleet Commander
RE: Cermony and Debrief
LOCATION AND TIME OF DEBRIEF: Starbase 402 'Thrinacia', Conference Room Alpha, 1300 hours, Stardate 65784
LOCATION AND TIME OF CEREMONY: As above, @ 1900 hours, Main Gallery
DEBRIEF ATTENDEES: Commanding Officers, Executive Officers
CEREMONY ATTENDEES: All Officers and Crew
ATTIRE: Duty Uniform for Debrief, Dress Uniform for Ceremony
Zack had received a message at 0530 this morning from his incoming XO that they had safely arrived at Starbase Thrinacia. He had forwarded a copy of the Admiral's memo to them, and they had acknowledged receipt. The only thing that Zack was not looking forward to was wearing dress uniform--it itched terribly. He sighed heavily and began to peruse personnel files once again, trying to get a feel for this new crew that was coming aboard.